Qin Moyuan waved his hand gently, and Mother Mo and Ying Xin, who were following behind him, immediately retreated.
Seeing his mysterious demeanor, Li Yueshu's expression also became serious.
The two walked towards a corner.
Qin Moyuan then spoke, "A Shu, news from Guanzhou says that the disaster relief team led by Gu Hexuan encountered an avalanche on the road and their whereabouts are unknown."
Li Yueshu was slightly stunned, but not entirely surprised by this news. "If Gu Hexuan is in trouble, the imperial court will have to send someone else for disaster relief and search for him. Are they arguing again in court now?"
Qin Moyuan nodded, his brow furrowed slightly.
Seeing this, Li Yueshu didn't hide what she knew. "This matter will most likely fall into the Crown Prince's hands in the end."
Although she didn't want things to develop according to the plot, she couldn't interfere with it much at the moment.
To her surprise, Qin Moyuan shook his head. "This time, A Shu, you are mistaken."
He had always known that Li Yueshu had the ability to foresee the future, but this time, it was different from what she had said.
Under Li Yueshu's surprised gaze, Qin Moyuan slowly said, "I am the one who has been re-assigned to disaster relief."
This was completely unexpected for Li Yueshu. "Why would they send you?"
"It is the Emperor's will," Qin Moyuan explained. "Qin Yexiu and Qin Yecheng have always been in a state of checks and balances. However, with the marriage between the Gu family and the Crown Prince, coupled with the recent rumors, Qin Yecheng has clearly been at a disadvantage."
"Originally, the Emperor intended to entrust this matter to Qin Yecheng to balance the situation between the two of them. But he learned of how Noble Consort Lan had made things difficult for you in the palace a while ago, and directly assigned it to me."
Li Yueshu had not expected her own involvement in this matter at all.
She could understand the Emperor's desire to keep the princes in check. After all, he was still far from retiring and becoming a retired emperor. By keeping the princes in check, he could also identify and groom a more suitable successor.
Therefore, entrusting this matter to the Second Prince, Qin Yecheng, would have been the best choice. In the original book, it was also due to Wei Zimao's machinations that the Crown Prince managed to secure this task.
However, the current situation had nothing to do with the original plot. This was incredibly good news for Li Yueshu!
It seemed that the power of destiny was not as insurmountable as she had thought.
With this thought, Li Yueshu's mood brightened considerably. "It's good that you are going. Gu Hexuan will have had a close call this time. If you can bring him back, it will be considered a favor owed to you by the Gu family."
At this moment, Li Yueshu did not consider that with Qin Moyuan's status and position, how could he possibly need a favor from the Zhenbei General's Mansion.
But Qin Moyuan did not need it, she did, and the children needed it too.
In fact, she had subconsciously categorized Qin Moyuan as part of her own sphere of influence.
Qin Moyuan did not overthink it, but his expression became a little solemn as he thought about what he had discovered.
"Qin Yexiu's recent actions are quite different from his usual behavior," Qin Moyuan mused for a moment. "Whether it's his marriage to Li Xiangru or Gu Hexuan's mission for disaster relief, it seems someone is guiding him from behind the scenes."
Li Yueshu was startled. "Who is it?"
In the original book, Wei Zimao was the one who had helped Qin Yexiu with his plans. But now Wei Zimao was safely in Hongning City, and the Wei family had not suffered any misfortune.
Could Qin Yexiu have other advisors?
Under Li Yueshu's curious gaze, Qin Moyuan shook his head. "I haven't found out yet. The person doesn't seem to be in Chongzhou. However, as long as Qin Yexiu continues to contact that person, they will eventually reveal themselves."
Hearing this, Li Yueshu did not ask further. She knew that Qin Moyuan would definitely find out.
With this in mind, Li Yueshu changed the subject. "Then when will you depart?"
"The day after tomorrow."
"So soon?"
Li Yueshu was surprised.
But considering it was for disaster relief, she could understand.
Li Yueshu nodded. "Alright, then I'll prepare more things for you."
Guanzhou was far from Chongzhou and located in a remote area. More preparation was necessary.
Qin Moyuan had not originally intended to ask for her help in preparing, after all, even if Uncle Yan didn't prepare, the Emperor would arrange for people to get everything ready for him.
But the things A Shu prepared for him for his journey were completely different from what Uncle Yan and the Emperor would prepare.
Qin Moyuan smiled happily. "Then thank you, A Shu."
Li Yueshu did not notice his emotions. Her desire to help him prepare things stemmed not only from her habit of managing the family's life when she was in Tongmu County, but also from her own little ulterior motives.
Although the current situation deviated greatly from the plot, both Mother Mo and Qin Moyuan were important characters destined to be eliminated.
Even though Qin Moyuan was going for disaster relief this time, a snow disaster was a natural disaster. If the plot intended to manipulate it…
To be safe, Li Yueshu prepared a lot of cold-weather clothing and food, even including a few extra tinderboxes.
Even as she handed the items to Qin Moyuan, she still worriedly instructed him, "If you encounter any trouble, your first reaction should be to run. Don't be reckless, understand?"
Looking at her serious and earnest expression, Qin Moyuan couldn't help but curl his lips. "A Shu is waiting for me at home. I will definitely return alive."
Looking at the person in front of him, Qin Moyuan wanted to reach out and ruffle her hair, but fearing he might startle Li Yueshu, he refrained.
"A Shu, don't come to see me off on the day of departure."
Too many people were watching A Shu now. Some had already tracked her to Tongmu County, and Noble Consort Lan had even sent people out with a portrait of A Shu.
He was not afraid of those people discovering A Shu's identity. After all, he had gone to great lengths and allied with the number one intelligence organization in the world, the Red Cloud Tower, yet they couldn't find out. These people would naturally not be able to uncover A Shu's true secrets.
But he didn't want those people to disturb A Shu.
She hadn't accepted him yet. If she were directly scared away by those people, he would have no one to cry to!
Qin Moyuan spoke with sincere earnestness, but Li Yueshu rolled her eyes at him. "When did I ever say I would come to see you off?"
Qin Moyuan: "..."
He had been presumptuous.
...
Regarding the quota for disaster relief in Guanzhou, the Crown Prince and the Second Prince had fought tooth and nail for it, and the other princes had also held out hope of snatching it up.
Unexpectedly, this good opportunity fell to the Regent. No one had anticipated this, but their worries also disappeared.
After all, although the Regent was the God of War of Chennan Kingdom, the saying that "he could stop a child's nighttime crying" was not without reason.
Even if going for disaster relief would help whiten his reputation, it would have no effect on the Regent's existing fame.
Rather than letting another prince take away this benefit, it was better to let the Regent make a futile trip.
Despite this, on the day Qin Moyuan departed, many people still came to the city gates to see him off.
After all, this was the Regent to whom the Emperor had personally handed over half of his empire!
Qin Moyuan rode a tall horse, his ink-blue robe adding a hint of aloofness and unapproachability to his expressionless face.
Noble and cold, inviolable…
Aside from the Emperor, who could speak to him with a smile, no one dared to look directly at him.
But Qin Moyuan was clearly distracted, his gaze searching through the crowd for something.