Chapter 639 Entering the Imperial City! Four Months Pregnant!

Anar's sarcastic remarks did not embarrass Nangong Di.

He is now filled with shame.

Therefore, he would never get angry no matter what Anar said or did.

He felt somewhat ashamed in front of Li Qingluo.

"Luo'er, your master knows that I'm putting you in a difficult position."

"If you really don't want to go, that's okay too."

"Master has already come this far, the worst outcome can't be worse than it is now."

Li Qingluo did not nod immediately.

She first comforted Nangong Di, and then asked Anar a question: "I heard from Master that at first, you kidnapped several of his disciples, and Master only went to Wusun to meet you after receiving the letter."

"And now, where are my senior brothers and sisters? I wonder if they are safe and well?"

This was also the question that Nangong Di wanted to ask but dared not.

Since he was imprisoned by the Empress Dowager of Wusun, he has never seen his disciples again.

He knew in his heart that these disciples had been kidnapped because of him, so he was very worried about them.

Anar: "Don't worry."

"They're not dead yet."

“They are much better than these people today, so they went to do things for me.”

“I promised them that I would release their master once the matter was settled.”

“They all naively agreed.”

Upon hearing this, Li Qingluo fell silent for a moment.

Actually, it can't be said that Zisu and the others were disrespectful to their master.

Similarly, they were also filial disciples.

They were simply not suited to the ways of the world.

"Then why don't you take your own trusted confidants to the Royal City of Hara? Do you trust me more than they do?"

Anar paused for a moment before replying, "Kurt and I have had political disagreements in recent years, so he has long held all the power and completely sidelined me, his empress dowager."

“A few months ago, after his personality changed drastically, he took most of his forces to the Royal City of Hara.”

"The Wusun of today is just an empty shell."

"He abandoned half of his remaining troops and the Khatun and Wang'er, whom he disliked, in Wusun. Wusun has also been targeted by other forces. How can I take away Wusun's last defense at this time?"

"Therefore, I can only fight alone, going out by myself or even seeking cooperation from others."

I see.

Isn't this what a real mother is like?

Even when she disagreed with her son, she was still able to detect his abnormality immediately and make a decisive decision to save him.

Li Qinglu even thought of her mother.

She had long foreseen her fate when she was in the harem, and she did everything she could to plan everything for Duan Rongshi.

Thinking of this, Li Qingluo remembered that there was still one thing she hadn't fully figured out.

That is, why does the mother look so much like Anar?

The Queen Dowager and King of Loulan also bear some resemblance to their mothers, or rather, to Duan Rongshi.

Anar called the Empress Dowager of Loulan his aunt, and Anar's birth mother was formerly a royal concubine.

Therefore, her appearance should have originated from her maternal side.

Li Qingluo then thought of Duan Rongshi's slightly wavy long hair.

My suspicions only grew stronger.

Perhaps this trip will also uncover the secret of my mother's origins?

"What about Loulan? I think the Queen Dowager of Loulan and this King of Loulan genuinely care for you. Why don't you use their power to help you?"

"If you ask, they certainly won't refuse."

Anar: "Loulan has always lived in seclusion, refusing to participate in any external conflicts."

“If I were to speak up, my brother would indeed send someone with me to the capital of Hala, but why should I make things difficult for them and drag them into this vortex?”

Li Qingluo: So, this innocent person can be dragged into this vortex?

Ha, this Anar is quite cunning, and ruthless enough.

However, Li Qingluo did not dislike her.

On the contrary, she sympathized with her and admired her.

She is a very strong woman and mother.

Li Qingluo: "In that case, let's go to the Royal City of Hara."

Consider it a way of repaying my master for his guidance and care over the past two years.

Before they knew it, they had said goodbye to Loulan and set off for the capital city of Hara.

With Anar personally leading the way, the journey was not difficult.

However, the journey was long, so even though they rushed, it still took them more than twenty days to arrive.

And in the blink of an eye, winter has quietly arrived in the Western Regions.

Li Qingluo had already put on a thick mink coat.

Although her belly is now protruding, she is dressed too warmly and moves too clumsily, so no one else knows that she is pregnant.

Zhuiyu noticed something was wrong and initially thought she was sick.

After being fooled by Que'er and Granny Zheng several times, he saw that Li Qingluo showed no other abnormalities, so he stopped suspecting anything.

He inexplicably became much more protective of Li Qingluo.

It often an eyesore to the sparrows.

On this day, they finally entered the royal city of Hara.

Compared to all the royal cities we passed along the way, even Loulan, the capital of Hala was indeed more prosperous and bustling.

Although no city could match Loulan's architecture.

However, the prosperity and power of Hala were unmatched by any other royal city in the entire Western Regions.

The streets were filled with all sorts of people, and Li Qingluo even saw quite a few Han Chinese faces.

It seems that these Han people have stayed here for a long time, but they are being humiliated in this Western Regions imperial city and their status is very low.

There were many scenes on the street that even Sparrow and Granny Zheng couldn't bear to watch.

Sparrow angrily slammed the curtain shut: "No wonder Empress Dowager Anar arranged a carriage for us before we entered the city."

"Sha San and the others were also masked."

"It turns out that Empress Dowager Anar knew that once our Han faces were shown, we would be subjected to discrimination and bullying."

"But these people have gone too far!"

“I think there are very few Han Chinese in this Hala Imperial City who can live normal lives. They are like livestock, tethered and beaten at will. I think they are even worse than livestock!”

"Even in Jinling, no one from the Western Regions would be treated like this by us, right?"

After a moment of silence, Granny Zheng spoke up: "But these people from the Western Regions are indeed looked down upon in our Central Plains."

"In the eyes of the Han people, they were also treated as slaves and sold into slavery."

"Therefore, for hundreds of years, the two ethnic groups have been unable to truly live in harmony and have harbored deep hatred for each other."

Sparrow: "Then why do these Han people still stay in the Western Regions? Why don't they go back to the Central Plains?"

Li Qingluo: "Do you think you can just leave whenever you want?"

"Traveling with family, and on a long journey. The danger of not knowing whether they would live or die along the way."

"There are also people like Liu Li, who were forced to leave their hometowns because they committed crimes."

"For many people, their hometown is a dream they can never return to."

"Perhaps one day, regardless of ethnicity or gender, people will be able to live in true harmony, and the people will be able to achieve the equality and freedom that Qinyu once spoke of..."

After Li Qingluo finished speaking, she shook her head. "Alright, remember, don't interfere in anything these next few days."

"Wear a veil whenever you go out."

"To avoid causing any further unnecessary trouble."

Granny Zheng and Que'er understood Li Qingluo's meaning: they should not meddle in other people's business.

"Yes, young lady."

The group discreetly entered a mansion.

It is Anar's private residence in the royal city of Hara.

After the housekeeper properly settled Li Qingluo and her group, Anar disappeared without a trace.

Li Qingluo was also happy to have some free time and took the opportunity to rest and relieve her fatigue from the long journey.

However, she did not forget one important thing.

"Granny Zheng, you and Sha Er should go and find out about Nanping's current situation yourselves."

Upon hearing this, Granny Zheng smiled and said, "The young lady is stubborn but soft-hearted. She said she would no longer care about Princess Nanping, but she still can't help but care about her."

Li Qingluo: "If I hadn't come to the Hala Imperial City, it would have been fine. But since I'm here, it wouldn't hurt to inquire."

"Moreover, as we have seen along the way, the status of Han people in the capital is so low. I am afraid that this princess, who was sent to marry a foreign ruler, will not have a good life here after losing her dowry and attendants."

"Go ahead and find out more details."

Granny Zheng's expression turned serious.

"Yes, then this old servant will be right back."

After putting on her veil and turning to leave, Granny Zheng quickly lowered the heavy quilt and doorstop, afraid that even a wisp of cool breeze might sneak into the room.

Li Qinglu rubbed her hands together and warmed them by the fire. Soon, a thin layer of sweat appeared on her body.

The cold in this imperial city is much worse than in Nanjing.

Even Li Qingluo, who isn't usually afraid of the cold, is now so cold that she doesn't want to leave the house.

Just as Li Qingluo was about to rest her head for a while, Qin Ling arrived.

He came to take Li Qing's pulse, and he also brought Li Yunchu with him.

Li Yunchu carried a pot of hot milk tea and personally poured it for Li Qingluo.

"Luo'er, you should try it. The milk tea in Hala City is even better than anywhere else."

Li Qingluo looked listless: "I don't want to drink it, take it away."

Li Yunchu asked with a worried look, "Why haven't you had your appetite lately? Didn't you like eating sweets a while ago?"

"Husband, please take a good look at Luo'er. She's already lost some weight, I hope she doesn't collapse."

Qin Ling rolled his eyes in exasperation.

"She ate too much for lunch, that's why she can't drink milk tea right now!"

"My lady, can you please not be so nervous? Don't worry, Princess Consort Yue is full of energy and will have no problem going into battle again."

Seeing that he couldn't speak properly, Li Yunchu kicked Qin Ling in anger.

"Who wants to go into battle and fight the enemy?"

"You?"

"Luo'er, don't worry about him. What would you like to eat tonight? I'll make it for you myself, how about that?"

"I don't have much else I can do to help you right now, but if you trust me, I'll let you try some food from all over the country?"

Li Qingluo looked at Li Yunchu.

She really didn't understand why she had suddenly become so attached to her.

Does she really not hate herself anymore?

When we first brought her to Qinling's side in Mantuo City, there was clearly resentment and hatred in her eyes. When did that hatred disappear and turn into care?

Did she really not have any ulterior motives?

Li Qingluo didn't believe that someone could suddenly let go of their hatred and become kind to someone they once resented for no reason.

Therefore, she always harbored a slight resentment towards Li Yunchu.

Moreover, regardless of whether she was sincere or not, Li Qingluo did not intend to get too close to her.

"No need to trouble yourself."

"I will eat whatever the cooks in this mansion make."

"If there's nothing else, you can all leave."