Tang Qiqi took the wealth of Lin'an, slipped out of Lin'an, and ran off to meet up with Lan Yu.

It turns out that Lan Yu's unusual behavior was all for show. The reason why the Xie family had two important officials, one civil and one military, in the court was because Xie Xun and Xie Wu were Lan Yu's maternal uncles. Lan Yu's mother was frail when she was young, so she was fostered by her maternal grandmother and took her mother's surname. Therefore, this relationship was not known to most people.

Before Lan Yu's father died, he entrusted his child to them. After Lan Yu conquered the city, the city lord of Lin'an was always eyeing him covetously, so Lan Yu conspired with his two uncles to stage this play.

Appointing Tang Qiqi as regent was also part of their plan. The rumors that Lan Yu had homosexual tendencies and that the regent's appearance would bring disaster to the country were all spread by Lan Yu himself.

Everything was going according to plan, but he underestimated Tang Qiqi's abilities. She managed to turn a mere figurehead regent into a powerful figure, transforming Lanling in just a few months.

Tang Qiqi's disappearance did throw Lan Yu into disarray. He went to Xirong without thinking, which put Xie Wu's show on hold. It wasn't until Lan Yu received news from Xie Wu that the long-absent General of Lin'an suddenly appeared. Coincidentally, his wife had some small trinkets unique to Xirong.

Although Xie Wu did not find anyone at the General's Mansion, he knew that Qi Qi's disappearance was related to him, which is why he came to the Southern Frontier!

Lan Yu and his men searched every prison and family secret room in Lin'an, but found nothing. Lan Yu had no choice but to speed up the process. He had to corner Bai Ziyuan and force him to hand over Tang Qiqi himself. He knew that Bai Ziyuan had gone to great lengths to kidnap Tang Qiqi in order to threaten him!

Bai Ziyuan's attack on Lanling was completely wiped out, and Lan Yu was anxiously waiting. He didn't know if Bai Ziyuan would make a last-ditch effort or directly threaten him with Tang Qiqi. He hoped it would be the latter, because as long as he found Tang Qiqi, he would have a way to rescue her!

But after waiting and waiting, they received news of Bai Ziyuan's death. Bai Ziyuan, the dignified leader of the seven cities, actually died of anger because of the theft of the national treasury. This matter has become the talk of the town!

When Lan Yu heard that the vast national treasury had been robbed of not a single grain of silver, he couldn't help but laugh. Who else but Tang Qiqi could have such an ability?

This little girl, now that she's escaped, why isn't she hurrying back to Lanling? What is she trying to steal? Doesn't she know she'll worry about herself?

Lan Yu stroked the jade pendant in her hand, her heart filled with mixed feelings. Had Qi Qi had enough fun yet? Where should she go to find her?

Lost in thought, Li Fei stammered, "Your...Your Excellency the Regent!"

Lan Yu looked up and saw Tang Qiqi standing before him in riding attire. Lan Yu assumed he was hallucinating from lovesickness and hesitated before asking, "Qiqi, is it really you?"

Tang Qiqi hardly recognized Lan Yu, who had a stubble beard and tired eyes, looking ten years older.

Tang Qiqi, oblivious to the world's troubles, said, "The city lord merely staged a ruse with Lord Xie, and effortlessly thwarted Bai Ziyuan's 100,000-strong army. Shouldn't he be secretly pleased? Why is he looking so gloomy!"

Lan Yu said with a stern face, "Tang Qiqi, you still know how to come back? Have you had enough fun?!" But the joy in her eyes was impossible to hide!

Tang Qiqi looked aggrieved: "City Lord, do you have any heart at all? I was kidnapped by Bai Ziyuan as a hostage. I don't know how much suffering and grievances I endured on this journey. I waited for you to rescue me until the flowers withered, and now that I've finally escaped, I'm being scolded by you!"

Li Liang was so excited that tears streamed down his face. He knelt on the ground and said, "My lord, you've finally returned! I failed to protect you and caused you suffering. Please punish me!"

Tang Qiqi glanced at Li Liang and said, "Why haven't you had any strength for the past few days? And with your weak knees again, why aren't you getting up? This isn't your fault. They used some kind of drug, and I lost consciousness instantly. When I woke up, they had already taken me out of Xirong territory. I figured a free trip wouldn't be bad, so I cooperated and saw what they were up to!"

Tang Qiqi spoke casually, but Lan Yu listened with trepidation. A cold glint flashed in his handsome, almond-shaped eyes: "They actually used a sleeping potion on you?"

Tang Qiqi said angrily, "These people are too despicable. They used a child to deceive me. Otherwise, how could they have captured me so easily? I have learned the lightness skill you taught me very well!"

Lan Yu winked at Li Fei and the others, and Li Fei understood, pulling Li Liang out.

Only Lan Yu and Tang Qiqi remained in the room. Lan Yu stared intently at Tang Qiqi, as if trying to see through her.

He reached out to pull Tang Qiqi closer, his eyes burning with fervor: "Qiqi, I'm so sorry, I've made you suffer!"

The infatuated Tang Qiqi kept reminding herself, "Stay calm, stay calm! This guy is only interested in power struggles; he can use anyone. Don't confide in him!"

Tang Qiqi instinctively jumped back, chuckling awkwardly, and said, "City Lord, Lin'an City is currently leaderless, making it the perfect opportunity to annex it in one fell swoop. What do you think?"