The imposing guards at the city gate drew more attention than the gatekeepers themselves. As they moved, all eyes followed.
Li Yue Shu noticed a familiar face among the guards; clearly, he wasn't there to cause trouble.
She held Shen Zhi Yu and remained still, simply lowering the carriage curtains.
Zhou Chen and the others were visibly startled, their faces pale, yet they still blocked the carriage and didn't move.
The next moment, the guards suddenly knelt, bowing respectfully towards the carriage, "Greetings, Your Highness!"
The resonant, uniform sound struck deep into everyone's eardrums.
"Your Highness? Weren't we told the Regent Prince was assassinated and his whereabouts unknown? What's going on?"
"Never mind what's going on, kneel down quickly! These are guards from the Regent Prince's manor. The person in the carriage must be the Regent Prince!"
Before the excited discussion could gain momentum, everyone had already knelt in unison.
"Greetings, Your Highness!"
The deafening chorus swept through the once-noisy city gate, leaving only the sound of the wind.
Zhou Chen and his men, who had been on guard, saw this and their minds hadn't caught up, but their bodies had already knelt respectfully.
In stark contrast to the solemn and dignified atmosphere outside, Qin Mo Yuan inside the carriage maintained his gentle, smiling demeanor, as if everything outside was none of his concern.
He looked at Li Yue Shu with a smile, "A Shu, wait for me. I'll just show my face and come back."
Hearing his announcement, Li Yue Shu was momentarily stunned, a warm current seemingly surging in her heart.
She softly replied with an "Mm."
Qin Mo Yuan's smile deepened.
He turned and lifted the curtain, his smile instantly replaced by a distant, icy coldness.
He stood on the carriage, with kneeling guards and commoners at his feet. Dressed in a simple dark long robe, he could not conceal the radiance emanating from him.
Li Yue Shu saw this scene through the gap in the curtains, as if witnessing a king looking down upon all beings.
Qin Mo Yuan's eyelids drooped slightly, his expressionless face revealing no emotion.
He swept his gaze across the crowd with a faint air and his thin lips parted, "Return to the manor."
With those simple words, no further exchange, he turned and entered the carriage.
Li Yue Shu: "..."
He said he would show his face, and he truly only showed his face.
The kneeling crowd automatically parted to create a path. The guards in black short robes immediately spread out on both sides of the carriage, escorting them into the city.
Zhou Chen and his men, who were still bewildered, finally noticed that the person at the very front of the guards was none other than Chai Yang, who had been with them earlier.
Inside the carriage, Qin Mo Yuan looked at Li Yue Shu with a gentle smile, "A Shu, wasn't I majestic just now?"
His expression, seeking praise, was uncannily like Shen Wei, who had suffered from a cognitive impairment in Tong Mu County, showing none of the arrogance he displayed moments before.
Li Yue Shu twitched the corner of her mouth, "This is what you call making a grand entrance?"
She didn't even need to lift the curtain to know how ostentatious the scene outside was.
Qin Mo Yuan curved his lips and was about to speak when Shen Zhi Yu, sitting beside him, curiously asked, "Father, what is a Prince?"
The little one's ability to accept his father's sudden change in appearance was quite strong.
However, neither Li Yue Shu nor he had told the child that Qin Mo Yuan was not his biological father.
They planned to tell him when he was older and could understand such matters.
Facing his question, Qin Mo Yuan gently stroked his head, "A Prince is a very, very important official who can protect you and your mother from anyone's bullying."
Shen Zhi Yu's greatest wish was to protect his mother and his siblings from being bullied.
So, upon hearing Qin Mo Yuan's words, his admiration for his father, which had almost vanished, instantly soared to its peak.
"Really?" Shen Zhi Yu's eyes sparkled, "A Yu also wants to become as powerful as Father!"
Qin Mo Yuan gently stroked his head.
A Shu loved this little, sweet boy the most. With his help, pursuing A Shu would surely be twice as effective!
Seeing the father and son interacting so warmly, Li Yue Shu couldn't help but smile.
But then, remembering something, she suddenly said, "I asked Hong Dai to buy a house in Chong Prefecture. You can just take us to Number Seventy-Eight Chunyang Street."
Mentioning Hong Dai, Qin Mo Yuan's lips turned down, but he quickly recovered, "From the moment we made our grand entrance, countless eyes have been watching us in secret. If we take you directly to Chunyang Street, those people will surely focus even more attention on you."
He had already thought of a suitable explanation, "Go back to the manor with me first. Once arrangements are made, I'll take you there."
Li Yue Shu frowned, thinking about the trouble that would arise if people targeted her, and nodded.
Seeing this, Qin Mo Yuan's previously anxious heart finally settled a little.
...
The magnificent procession soon arrived in front of the Prince's manor.
Li Yue Shu, holding Shen Zhi Yu, stepped down from the carriage and looked up at the solemn and majestic gate. The plaque bearing the words "Regent Prince's Manor" was imposing and sharp, exuding an aura that commanded involuntary submission.
"My Imperial Brother personally inscribed this." Qin Mo Yuan walked to her side and explained in a low voice, "The seal on the plaque is the Imperial Seal of Chen Nan Kingdom."
Upon hearing this, Li Yue Shu's face was filled with shock.
Imprinting the Imperial Seal on the plaque of a subject's residence?!
Li Yue Shu turned her head and met Qin Mo Yuan's joyful expression.
It was evident that his brotherly bond with the Emperor of Chen Nan was genuinely strong.
Li Yue Shu said nothing more and followed him into the manor.
As soon as they entered, they saw a group of servants, both male and female, lined up neatly on both sides.
"Greetings, Your Highness, greetings, Miss Li!"
Their movements were synchronized, and their voices were loud, but Li Yue Shu hadn't expected them to address her as well.
Everyone knelt down. Only the old man at the forefront stood to pay his respects, his demeanor both respectful and attentive.
"Rise."
Qin Mo Yuan casually raised his hand, then looked at the person beside him, "A Shu, this is Uncle Yan, the steward of the manor."
Seeing the expression on the Prince's face, Uncle Yan knowingly spoke, "Miss, if you need anything in the manor, feel free to command this old servant."
Facing the kind and amiable old man, Li Yue Shu nodded politely, "Then I'll trouble you, Uncle Yan."
She wouldn't be staying in the manor for long and took his words as mere pleasantries.
However, Qin Mo Yuan heard them and his lips curved in delight, "Uncle Yan, arrange accommodation for everyone first. A Shu will stay in Ru Mo Residence."
Uncle Yan's expression showed surprise, and his attitude towards Li Yue Shu became even more respectful, "Miss, please follow this old servant. I will take you to Ru Mo Residence now."
Li Yue Shu noticed his unusual expression and felt curious but, seeing the crowd around them, didn't ask.
Uncle Yan had made preparations in advance and quickly arranged lodgings for everyone.
Meanwhile, many had witnessed the Regent Prince, who was known to be indifferent to women, smiling tenderly at a woman and personally escorting her into the manor.
Within the time it takes an incense stick to burn, this news had spread throughout Chong Prefecture...