"Mmm...it's delicious." Mengmeng patted her little tummy and said with satisfaction.

The people around stared at the child in disbelief, as if they had seen a ghost. The white tiger had just caught more than a dozen deer, and everyone had been busy for a long time, with Mengmeng eating more than half of the deer meat by herself.

"Heave-ho..."

The little guy looked around, then ran to Daji's side and snuggled into her arms.

"I'm sleepy," Mengmeng said, tilting her head back. After saying that, she snuggled into Daji's arms, then fell asleep with her fingers in her mouth.

"......"

"Father... Father."

Being approached so closely for the first time, even though it was just a little girl, Daji was still a bit flustered and didn't know where to put her hands.

Su Hu glanced at the white tiger lying on the snow not far away, swallowed hard, and made a shushing gesture to Daji.

Then he slowly got up and gestured for Daji to follow his actions. Su Hu found a piece of wood, just like the Mengmeng on Daji's body, and gently blocked the wood. Daji was very clever and also blocked the Mengmeng. Then Su Hu looked at the carriage, and slowly walked towards the carriage while holding the wood. Daji followed suit and also walked over while holding the Mengmeng.

Daji was touched. The child was so light and warm. She couldn't understand how a child dressed so lightly and barefoot could be so warm when held.

"Place it gently," Su Hu whispered. The surrounding people were eerily quiet.

Daji nodded and leaned into the carriage, intending to put Mengmeng down.

Just as Su Hu was about to breathe a sigh of relief, Daji turned around, smiled wryly, and pointed to the little guy in her arms. She saw that Mengmeng had one hand tightly gripping Daji's long hair.

Seeing this, Su Hu could only shake his head helplessly at his daughter. Daji had no choice but to get into the carriage as well, and she held Mengmeng in the carriage.

"My lord."

Su Hu returned to the campfire, and Zheng Lun came over and whispered.

Is what the child said true?

Su Hu hesitated for a moment, then shook his head and nodded.

“I did not know that Your Majesty had a master, but Your Majesty did indeed take Wen Zhong as your teacher back then, but it should not be the kind of master this child is talking about. I am also very puzzled.”

“To be able to tame such a sacred beast, this child is no ordinary person. My lord, I think it’s most likely true,” Zheng Lun said in a low voice.

"Alas, I understand the King less and less. The Black Bird has appeared, and the Qilin has bestowed treasures..." Su Hu murmured.

"My lord, I would like to know the purpose of your trip to Chaoge this time," Zheng Lun asked.

Su Hu picked up a twig and poked at the campfire. The flames crackled and popped, just like the complex emotions in his heart at that moment.

"Zheng Lun, how many years have you been following me?" Su Hu asked.

Zheng Lun was taken aback at first, then said.

"I came to the Marquis's residence on the day Miss was born, exactly sixteen years ago."

"Sixteen years have passed. Do you think I am the kind of person who covets power?"

"Lord Marquis is kind-hearted and treats the people as his own children. Who in Jizhou doesn't know this? Everyone says that Lord Marquis is benevolent and righteous," Zheng Lun quickly said.

“Everything I have done is for the people. I actually support Your Majesty’s abolition of slavery,” Su Hu said.

"Then, my lord..."

"Why don't I stand up and state my position directly like the Marquis of Dongbo?" Su Hu countered.

"Ah, it's not that simple. Although Ji Province is under my control, there are still so many nobles below it. Ji Province has thirty-six vassal states under its jurisdiction. Moreover, there is Marquis Chong Houhu above me. They may not be willing."

"A single hair can affect the whole situation. I must be careful, otherwise Ji Province will be thrown into chaos if I am not careful, and the common people will suffer the consequences," Su Hu sighed.

Upon hearing this, Zheng Lun nodded. After careful consideration, he realized that things were indeed as Su Hu had said. Slaves were the property of the nobles. Abolishing slaves would be tantamount to undermining their foundation, not to mention that they would have to spend money to resettle the slaves. How could the nobles possibly agree to that? The local lords were different from those in Chaoge. In Chaoge, the royal family had the final say. Even the nobles in Chaoge relied on the royal family for survival, so they naturally would not oppose Di Xin's decision.

"So the reason I'm going this time is to confront the King," Su Hu continued.

"showdown?"

"Yes, I wholeheartedly agree to abolish slavery, but this matter requires the King's help. I think he won't refuse." Su Hu finished speaking, stroking his beard with a smile.

"Cunning and shrewd." This word suddenly popped into Zheng Lun's mind. Su Hu had simply thrown the problem directly to Di Xin. Anyway, I agreed, but what to do next is up to you. When the other lords find out, they will only think that Su Hu was forced into it.

By dawn, the campfire had died down. Everyone was ready to continue their journey. The weather was fine; it wasn't snowing. If there were no delays on the road, they would arrive in Chaoge City by the afternoon.

Su Hu walked to Daji's carriage and gently knocked on it.

"Eeya?"

A small head peeked out from behind the curtains; it was Mengmeng.

"Well..."

"Hehe, are you leaving already?" Mengmeng said with a grin.

“Yes, let’s hurry while it’s still snowing. We should be able to reach Chaoge before dark,” Su Hu said.

“Then I’ll go back with you, Little White,” Mengmeng said, then called out to the white tiger.

"Huff..."

The enormous white tiger immediately stood up and shook off the snow from its body.

"Little White, shrink, come here quickly." Mengmeng waved to the white tiger.

"roar..."

The white tiger roared, then shook its head, clearly unwilling.

"Hmph, will you change or not?" Mengmeng pouted and waved her little pink fist.

The white tiger was startled, and then its body slowly shrank. In the astonished gazes of everyone, it soon became the size of a cat, and trotted over, leaping into the carriage.

“That’s a good boy, Daji. Look, isn’t Xiaobai adorable?” Mengmeng said, lowering the carriage curtain.

"It...it won't bite, will it?" came Daji's timid voice from inside the carriage.

"If it dares to bite, I'll eat it, hehehe..."

Su Hu, standing outside the carriage, shook his head helplessly, signaling everyone to set off.

On the way, Mengmeng chattered away to Daji about the interesting things in Chaoge City, and also unintentionally mentioned that she lived in the Zhutian Tower.

"So you are the owner of the Zhutian Tower, no wonder." Outside the carriage, Su Hu did not get into his own carriage, but instead rode his horse to guard Daji. He had naturally heard of the Zhutian Tower before. Legend has it that it was built by a great immortal, so it seems that he is the child's older brother.

Since Daji's health had improved, the group's speed also picked up. What was originally expected to be a two-day journey, the group arrived in Chaoge City in the afternoon.

The soldiers guarding the city spotted the banners of Ji Province from afar. Surprised, they immediately sent someone to report to the palace, while the others quickly stopped the gathered people and allowed the feudal lords to enter the city first.

"This is the banner of Ji Province; the Marquis of Ji Province has arrived."

"I heard that the king fell ill when he ascended the throne last time."

“I’ve heard that too. Last time it was the eldest son of Jizhou who came.”

The people were talking about it.

"Greetings to the Marquis of Ji Province."

A man who looked like an officer stepped forward and bowed.

No need for formalities.

"Please, Your Excellency."

The group then slowly entered the city.

“Look, Daji, that’s my home,” Mengmeng said, pointing to the Zhutian Tower.

"Are you going home?" Daji asked, a little reluctant to part with him. She had grown very fond of the child during their brief time together; he was adorable and lively.

"Um...no, I want to go to the palace with you," Mengmeng said, tilting her head.

"That's wonderful!" Daji immediately smiled.

When the carriage passed by the Tower of Heavens, Mengmeng called it to stop.

The little guy poked his head out and called out towards the door.

"I'm going to the palace to play. I'll be back later."

"Hurry up, hurry up!" he urged the group.

"......"

At this moment, Dongfang, dressed in red, walked out and frowned when she saw the departing group.

"This kid really deserves a beating."

On the top floor, Li Daoyi looked at Su Hu's convoy and fell into deep thought.

"Su Hu actually came in person. It seems many things have changed. A lord who should have been the first to rebel has actually come to see Yin Shou. Interesting," Li Daoyi thought to himself. After a moment's thought, he understood Su Hu's intention.

"Hehe, come with me, I know this place best."

Inside the palace, Mengmeng skipped and hopped along with Su Hu, Daji, and Zheng Lun.

Along the way, no one dared to stop her, and they all bowed their heads in greeting, clearly indicating that everyone knew Mengmeng.

Soon, the group arrived at the main hall of the palace, where they found Emperor Xin and Wen Zhong already waiting.

Upon seeing this, Su Hu immediately stepped forward and knelt down.

"Your subject Su Hu greets Your Majesty."

"Daji greets Your Majesty."

"Zheng Lun, the ink-stained man, pays his respects to Your Majesty."

"Nephew, I'm here!" Mengmeng said with a smile.

"Ahem, the Queen has cooked your favorite meat porridge," Yin Shou said to Mengmeng.

"Wow, really? I haven't had breakfast yet."

Mengmeng's eyes lit up immediately, and she picked up Xiaobai and was about to run towards the harem, but she quickly turned around and ran towards Daji, who was still kneeling on the ground.

"Daji, come with me." I said, reaching out a hand to pull Daji up and we ran.

"Mengmeng...I..." Before Daji could finish speaking, the two had already disappeared.

Su Hu kept his head down, not daring to speak.

"I have been waiting for you. Get up," Yin Shou said.

The group then entered the main hall together.

"Are you cured?"

"Thanks to Your Majesty, I am well," Su Hu replied.

“Your Majesty, I have come here this time…” Su Hu was speaking when Yin Shou waved his hand.

"Marquis of Jizhou, I already know your intentions."

Su Hu's lips moved slightly.

"You just go ahead and do the thing about abolishing slavery. I will send the Grand Tutor to help you."

Su Hu looked at Yin Shou in surprise, not expecting that his thoughts had been read.

"What? Surprised?" Yin Shou smiled.

"Your Majesty, I've been thinking about how to persuade you the whole way, but I never expected..." Su Hu said with a wry smile.

"Hahaha, you underestimate me. It's not just you who loves the people, but I do too. The people of Jizhou are also my subjects. How could I not know if you have difficulties? Go ahead and do it. I'll take care of everything."

"Yes, thank you, Your Majesty." Su Hu finally felt relieved.

The atmosphere immediately relaxed, and the relationship between the emperor and his ministers became much more harmonious in an instant.