On this day, Qi Guze, as usual, got up early before dawn and went to the Golden Palace to attend the morning court. As he entered the hall, a solemn atmosphere enveloped him.
The court officials were abuzz with discussion, as if something major had happened.
At this moment, an official hurried forward and reported to Qi Hanlin with a nervous expression: "Your Majesty, a bright red star fell in the southwestern sky last night. I don't know if this is a good omen or a disaster."
"Oh? Such a strange phenomenon." Qi Hanlin frowned and said in a deep voice upon hearing this.
Qi Guze observed Qi Hanlin's expression from the side and knew that this matter was no small thing, so he volunteered, "Your Majesty, I am willing to go to the southwest to find out the truth."
"Then I'll have to trouble you, Imperial Uncle." Qi Hanlin pondered for a moment and nodded in agreement.
After the morning court session, Qi Guze followed Qi Hanlin to the Imperial Study.
Qi Hanlin asked with concern, "Uncle, have your injuries fully healed?"
"You have fully recovered, Your Majesty need not worry." Qi Guze smiled and shook his head.
Qi Hanlin sighed, "Both my uncle and aunt are doing this for the Great Zhou and for me. How can I not worry about them? My uncle must take good care of himself."
Qi Guze nodded in agreement, a warm feeling welling up inside him. Qi Hanlin then ordered many treasures to be bestowed upon Qi Guze, which he was to take back to the Regent's Palace.
Inside the imperial study, the two discussed countermeasures for the unusual phenomena in the southwest.
Qi Hanlin said with deep concern, "I don't know if this strange phenomenon is caused by human intervention or if it is an unpredictable sign of fate. Your Highness must be extremely careful on this trip."
"Your Majesty, rest assured, I know what I'm doing," Qi Guze solemnly replied.
After leaving the palace, Qi Guze returned to the Regent's Palace.
Xu Yuehuai had been waiting in the mansion for a long time. As soon as Qi Guze returned, she asked anxiously, "Aze, I heard you were going to the southwest to investigate that strange phenomenon?"
Qi Guze nodded and told Xu Yuehuai the whole story.
“Aze, I want to go with you.” Xu Yuehuai said without hesitation after hearing this.
Qi Guze felt a warmth in his heart when he saw her determined eyes, but he advised her, "This matter concerns the fate of the nation and is of utmost importance. You should stay in the capital and take good care of the children."
Xu Yuehuai refused to back down: "No, I'll go wherever you go. I never want to be separated from you again."
Helpless, Qi Guze could only gently stroke Xu Yuehuai's head and laugh, "You're a mother of two now, why are you still as stubborn as before?"
"So you like me just the way I am?" Xu Yuehuai raised her chin smugly.
Qi Guze laughed heartily at her antics and leaned down to kiss her. The two lingered for a long time before reluctantly parting.
In the end, Qi Guze couldn't resist Xu Yuehuai's insistence and agreed to take her with him to the southwest.
However, they were unaware that Qi Ziang and Tie Chunsheng outside the window had heard everything clearly.
Qi Ziang and Tie Chunsheng exchanged a glance, both having made up their minds.
They tiptoed out of the courtyard and returned to their residence.
Qi Zi'ang felt both excited and worried: "It seems that my father and mother are going on a long journey."
"How about we sneak off and follow them?" Tie Chunsheng said excitedly.
Qi Ziang hesitated for a moment, then shook his head and said, "My father wants me to stay in the capital and study hard. If he finds out, he will definitely punish me."
Tie Chunsheng, however, didn't seem to care: "Grandpa isn't as scary as you. As long as we follow them to our destination, they definitely won't send us back. They trained us in the jungle for so long before, now it's time for us to show our true skills."
Qi Zi'ang was deeply moved by his words and finally made up his mind: "You're right, then let's go."
A few days later, Xu Yuehuai and Qi Guze set off together with their secret guards and royal guards.
They bid farewell to Qi Ziang, Qi Zixin, Tie Chunsheng, Zhou Wan, Tie Xiong, and others at the city gate of the capital.
Looking at the children's reluctant eyes, Xu Yuehuai felt a pang of guilt and reluctance. However, she knew this trip was of great importance and she couldn't let personal feelings interfere with the important matter.
...
Leaving the bustling capital, Qi Guze and Xu Yuehuai embarked on a long journey.
They rode side by side on the wide official road, surrounded by endless mountains and lush trees.
Qi Guze suddenly frowned and looked around, as if he had noticed something.
"Ah Yue, do you feel someone following us in the dark?" Qi Guze asked in a low voice, his voice revealing a hint of vigilance.
Xu Yuehua nodded, a glint of shrewdness flashing in her eyes: "Ever since we left the capital, someone has been following us."
Qi Guze took a deep breath, a cold glint in his eyes: "Watch how I lure them out."
After saying this, he continued on his way, but secretly set a trap. They passed through a dense forest and came to a clearing grassland. Qi Guze stopped and waited quietly for the trap to be triggered.
Suddenly, a slight noise was heard. Qi Guze immediately turned around and saw a thin thread hanging down from the tree, triggering the trap he had set. He sneered, waved his hand, and cut the thread. The trap exploded instantly, and a thick smoke rose from the ground, filling the air.
"Come out, stop hiding," Qi Guze said coldly, his voice echoing in the smoke.
As soon as the words were spoken, two figures emerged from the bushes. They were ragged, their faces covered in mud and sweat, but their eyes shone with determination. Qi Guze and Xu Yuehuai looked closely and recognized them as Qi Zi'ang and Tie Chunsheng.
"Father, please have mercy! It's us!" Qi Zi'ang looked at Qi Guze and Xu Yuehuai with an embarrassed expression. He scratched his head and smiled sheepishly.
Tie Chunsheng quickly explained, "Grandpa, Grandma, it's me, Chunsheng. We just want to go with you to see the outside world."
Looking at the children's innocent faces and determined eyes, Qi Guze's wariness gradually dissipated. He put away his weapon, smiled slightly, and waved his hand, saying, "Alright, alright, since you're here, let's all come together. But you have to listen to me and not act on your own."
The children cheered and jumped for joy upon hearing this, crowding around Qi Guze and Xu Yuehuai to get close to them. They excitedly recounted their experiences and observations along the way to the two elders.
Qi Guze and Xu Yuehuai also smiled with relief. They knew that these children had grown up and had their own ideas and pursuits.
In the days that followed, the group continued their journey.
Qi Guze and Xu Yuehuai teach the children martial arts and survival skills during their journey, and the children reciprocate their kindness in their own ways. They support each other and face the various challenges of their journey together.
One evening, they came to a valley. A clear stream flowed through the valley, its waters babbling and meandering among the rocks. They decided to camp there and rest.
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