Chapter 1117: Chapter 1116: Forever Good Brothers Chapter 1117: Chapter 1116: Forever Good Brothers Gao Qi glanced at the imposing city gates, hesitating for a moment, “Princess, didn’t the court send news a few days ago that His Majesty was gravely ill? Whether or not our party enters the city, I fear the battle will be difficult either way.”

Gao Qi spoke circumspectly.

Previously, the liaison from the Great Zhao who was supposed to contact them had been unable to reach them. It was not until their party left the mountains that they finally made contact. It turned out that news had come from the Great Zhao four months earlier, stating that His Majesty was seriously ill, and they requested Princess Ruyu to return to court posthaste.

Liu Sisi considered for a moment and instantly understood!

The reason why the King of Xixia Country chose to cause trouble and go after Lin Xiner at this time was probably because he knew about the Emperor of the Great Zhao being gravely ill and took action.

This meant that His Majesty’s condition might be extraordinarily severe.

If His Majesty became bedridden from this illness, the troops accompanying Liu Sisi, including Marquis Yongwu and Gao Qi, would certainly be reassigned. Being reassigned might be considered fortunate, as there are countless historical precedents of the hunter cooking the hunter’s hound once the clever rabbit is dead; the fate of everyone present was tied solely to Liu Sisi at this moment.

“At present, there is internal strife in Xixia, ethnic groups around us are eyeing us like tigers their prey, and even within the Great Zhao itself, the three Princes are far from being at peace. Caught in between, we face a dilemma regardless of whether we advance or retreat. Does anyone have any good suggestions? Feel free to share your thoughts!”

Upon those words, everyone fell silent.

Marquis Yongwu was silent for a moment, “Princess, do not worry. Whether the Princess wishes to advance or retreat, we shall follow your lead with utmost loyalty! Without a second thought!”

This was an indirect way of expressing their heartfelt loyalty!

Liu Sisi felt the burden on her shoulders grow even heavier!

Beside her, Gao Qi seemed repeatedly on the verge of speaking, then restraining himself.

Naturally, Liu Sisi noticed, “Gao Qi, if you have any thoughts, please speak freely.”

Among these people, Gao Qi was younger, and his parents were both officials in the Great Zhao. The letter sent to Liu Sisi included a letter from Lord Gao to Gao Qi.

Gao Qi hesitated, glanced at Marquis Yongwu, but finally steeled himself and stepped forward to offer a fist greeting.

“Princess, with Marquis Yongping’s demise still recent, Princess Lin’s whereabouts unknown, and Xixia in chaos, coupled with instability in the court and the fierce struggle among the three Princes for the imperial throne, now is an opportune moment for the Princess to return to the Great Zhao to consolidate your power and to wholeheartedly support Prince Yelei… Princess! Gao Qi boldly requests that the Princess heed His Majesty’s arrangement and return home as soon as possible. Any delay may lead to unforeseen changes, Princess!”

After a passionate speech, Gao Qi had analyzed both domestic and international situations in an organized and impeccable manner.

“This speech, was it taught by Lord Gao?” Liu Sisi asked softly only after Gao Qi had finished his ardent exposition.

Lifting the curtain, she stepped down from the carriage and squinted her eyes at the city tower of Xixia, her face solemn.

Gao Qi bowed his head.

He had just now, on a pure surge of inspiration, recited exactly what his father had taught him to say. However, he was taken aback by Princess Ruyu’s reaction and had no idea how to continue the conversation.

He glanced surreptitiously at Chou Chou Di Chengen; Chou Chou’s gaze was profound and he said nothing.

He subconsciously raised his head slightly and stole a glance at Marquis Yongwu’s expression.

Marquis Yongwu looked down with furrowed eyebrows, appearing like a student listening attentively, without giving Gao Qi the slightest hint.

“Princess Lin is my birth mother, her life or death unknown at this time. His Majesty is my birth father, who should have been enjoying his twilight years at my side. They are millions of miles apart; it seems impossible to have both the fish and the bear’s paw. No matter what I, Liu Sisi, choose to do, it will be wrong.”

She looked up at the sky where layers of white clouds floated in the sky, so pure and so white.

“Enough! Since your heart is not in this, you may as well go back.”

Liu Sisi said suddenly.

She left Gao Qi sweating profusely as he hurriedly turned to look at Chou Chou.

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Chou Chou sighed and walked slowly to him, patting him on the shoulder, “I know your parents are also worried about you. It’s only right that you have a choice and these things don’t affect the bonds we share as brothers! We’ve been friends since we were little!”

He suddenly smiled.

Which made Gao Qi feel relieved, and he too smiled, “Chengen, rest assured! We will always be good brothers. But at the moment, I really can’t go against our parents’ wishes, and I’m afraid I’ll have to set out soon…”

“That’s fine! When you return to the Great Zhao this time, take not only your own men but also those brothers who still have worries in the Great Zhao. Their families are all over there.”

Liu Sisi didn’t turn her head, still holding her head high, “Additionally, convey a message to His Majesty for me; just say, ‘Ruyu misses him’…”

She was indeed yearning!

Having been in this world for over a decade, she had already come to think of the Great Zhao as her home.

At present, with a home she couldn’t return to, her heart…

Was in agony!

“Yes, Princess!”

After Gao Qi left, nearly half of the people Liu Sisi had brought from the Great Zhao had been lost due to the nearly year-long to and fro. With this departure, even fewer remained by Liu Sisi’s side.

No matter how Liu Sisi tried to persuade him, Marquis Yongwu was unwilling to leave: “When leaving the palace, His Majesty entrusted the Princess’s safety to me. Unless I safely return the Princess to His Majesty’s side, my mission is not complete. Princess, please stop making it difficult for me.”

“Fine! Fine, fine…”

Liu Sisi’s eyes were red, and she said the word ‘fine’ over and over, ceasing to persuade any further.

How could she, who knew him so well, not hear that what Marquis Yongwu said was just an excuse?

Among the people serving Liu Sisi, Ms. Gao also stayed.

“Why don’t you follow them back? Aren’t all of your children in the manor?”

Ms. Gao was slightly startled; clearly, she hadn’t expected Liu Sisi to ask her this.

After thinking for a moment, she replied, “Da Niu and Er Niu are buried here… I want to stay and accompany them a while longer…”

Da Niu and Er Niu had disappeared with Di Yelei and had not been found either.

“…Stay, then.”

Liu Sisi didn’t dwell on it; there were countless things she had to deal with.

The situation was so severe at the moment; whether she could find her mother or not, success or failure depended on this one attempt.

The remaining people were swiftly arranged by Marquis Yongwu.

From beginning to end, Niuniu sat quietly on the side, not saying a word. It wasn’t until Liu Sisi had arranged everything that she turned to look at her mother.

“Mom, do you want my help?”

Liu Sisi was startled, then shook her head, “What can you help with, child? You should get some rest earlier!” saying that, she turned to walk away.

“Mom, are you looking down on me? Niuniu is not talking to you anymore. Hmph!”

Liu Sisi turned back and sat down again, “Alright, alright, alright, what good ideas do you have? Tell me.”

“See, you’re reluctant…”

Niuniu pouted stubbornly but still spoke, “Mom, the Master Wuxin who came with me, not only does he have people, but wherever he goes, people look up to him. How come you never thought of using his help?”

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