Chapter 164

Chapter 164: Longing for the Southern Kingdom's Lord, 

Unspoken Words (Part 1)

The first night at the Qiu family home was spent in chaos.

Because the elder of the twins, Xiaoyuan, wet the bed, both children were eventually taken to their mother by 

the servants.

The two, having bathed again, sat embracing on the bed with its freshly changed blankets, speechless for a 

moment.

After a while, a soft laugh broke the silence. Qiu Ping Tian leaned against Si Cang Qing's chest, sighing helplessly, 

"QingDi, you've really had a hard time... Everyone in our family is such a headache!"

This reminded him of the twins earlier, pouting and clinging to his leg, unwilling to leave, only to be forced to 

leave by the stern-faced wet nurse. Si Cang Qing couldn't help but smile, giving Qiu Ping Tian a quick peck on 

the eye. "It's alright."

"That little brat Xiao Yuan, he's six years old and still wets the bed... Ha, I bet Father's going to give him a good 

scolding tomorrow!"

Listening quietly to Qiu Ping Tian's laughter, Si Cang Qing gently ran his fingers through Qiu Ping Tian's loose 

hair.

"By the way, QingDi," Qiu Ping Tian suddenly asked, "Are you still going to Hongdu?" If so, they couldn't stay 

at the manor for too long.

Si Cang Qing bowed his head and whispered, "Yes, you'll come with me. Once the country is at peace in these 

two years, I'll..."

"No need," Qiu Ping Tian interrupted, playing with the man's fingers. "After all, you are the emperor, and state 

affairs are more important."

"I won't go to Hongdu with you. I'll stay at the manor and wait for your return. It'll be good to spend some quiet 

time with Mother these days."

After thinking for a moment, Si Cang Qing nodded slightly.

"Have you seen the emperor...?"

"Do you know where he is?"

Grabbing a servant, Qiu Shuiyao and her brother pressed, but only received negative answers.

"Ugh, the emperor is so annoying! He's hiding from us!" Qiu Shuiyao complained. After spending several days 

with him, they knew his quiet nature; every morning after breakfast, he would disappear without a trace.

"Hmm!"

The siblings were just worrying when their father approached, coughing perfunctorily. They immediately 

straightened up, saying, "Good morning, Father!"

"Good morning, what's with you two! Why aren't you studying this early? What are you doing loitering around 

here?"

"Father, please calm down. My sister and I were just heading to the study..."

Glaring at them, Qiu Yiwu walked over with a serious expression, then suddenly turned back, asking sternly, 

"Have you two seen the Emperor?"

The siblings exchanged a glance and said in unison, "No!"

Hearing this, Qiu Yiwu frowned even more deeply, turning back and coldly scolding, "What are you still 

standing there for?"

"Ah, oh..."

The siblings scurried away.

"Sister, I suddenly feel so sorry for Brother Emperor!"

Qiu Pingfeng suddenly sighed. There was a reason for this. Ever since Brother Emperor arrived at the manor, 

not only were he constantly pestered by his two younger brothers to learn martial arts, but even they clung to him. 

So, their already lazy mother simply entrusted the children to them. Add to that their old-fashioned and stubborn 

father, who was determined to play chess with the Emperor.

Si Cang Qing was an exceptionally skilled chess player and didn't know how to be modest, so Qiu Yiwu became 

even more determined, playing chess with him day and night.

"Where did the little Emperor go?"

Seeing her mother leading a chubby child by the hand in the distance, Qiu Shuiyao nodded vigorously in 

agreement, exclaiming, "It's true! Now that you mention it, I realize Brother Emperor is really pitiful!"

Even their eldest brother, to avoid being lectured by their father, actively encouraged the Emperor to play chess 

with their father. But Si Cang Qing didn't seem enthusiastic about such things.

The siblings sighed deeply, shook their heads, and slowly walked away.

The secluded courtyard became even more deserted. Suddenly, a figure floated down from a tall tree. 

Si Cang Qing glanced in the direction the siblings had disappeared, a book in his hand, and slowly walked deeper 

into the courtyard.

"QingDi..."

A soft call stopped Si Cang Qing in his tracks. He turned around and saw Qiu Ping Tian leaning against the 

archway, smiling at him.

"Heh, I knew you'd be hiding here."

With that, he strode lightly to Si Cang Qing, took his hand familiarly, and chuckled softly, "QingDi, are you 

getting fed up with the family's nagging?"

"Not really," Si Cang Qing replied casually, squeezing his hand back before slowly walking inside, asking in a 

low voice, "All done with your work?"

"Heh, not really that busy," Qiu Ping Tian said softly, "I just didn't want Father nagging me all the time."

"QingDi," Qiu Ping Tian's tone shifted, a mysterious smile playing on his lips, "I came to see you because I want 

to show you something..."

Raising an eyebrow slightly, Si Cang Qing looked at the man, only to see him point to a tall old tree in the distance,

saying, "Take me to that top..."

Though not understanding what the other wanted to do, Si Cang Qing didn't hesitate, picking him up and using 

his inner energy to reach the top of the old tree.

After the two carefully sat on the branch, Qiu Ping Tian tapped the top of the trunk with her finger, producing a 

hollow, dull sound.

“QingDi, do you know what's inside?”

Shaking his head, Si Cang Qing squinted at the top of the tree. Pale purple flowers bloomed all over the tree; 

this tree must be a paulownia, right? The scent wasn't pleasant, pungent and slightly unpleasant.

Before he could think further, he saw the man carefully push the trunk with his hand.

With a crack, and somehow, a large chip appeared in the trunk. As he looked closer, he was startled.

…Silver?

The man smiled, his eyes crinkling, and said lightly, "The Qiu family has made so much money over the years 

that there's too much gold and silver to store in our banks, so we've had to put it all in this manor." Sitting on a 

branch, gazing at the rolling green hills, he added, "This entire forest belongs to the Qiu family..."

After a moment's thought, Si Cang Qing couldn't help but glance at the hollow tree trunks, where the gleaming 

silver reflected the sunlight, almost blindingly so.

"QingDi wasn't mistaken," Qiu Ping Tian whispered in his ear, sensing the meaning in the man's eyes, 

"Qiu Luo Manor is actually situated atop a silver mountain."

Silently staring at the man, Si Cang Qing was speechless. He had never known this man was so wealthy!

"Heh, of course, since following Brother Qing, Qiu Ji has also reaped many benefits..." After thinking for a 

moment, Qiu Ping Tian sighed, "It still can't compare to the national treasury of Cang Huan!"

This person... Si Cang Qing didn't know what to say. Since marrying him, his behavior had become increasingly 

arrogant. Some officials had been foolish enough to know his greedy nature and, in order to win him over, 

secretly offered him all sorts of rare treasures as bribes. Qiu Ping Tian, on the other hand, accepted them without 

hesitation, happily taking the bribes while thoroughly investigating the backgrounds of the bribe-givers and 

handing them over to him—of course, most of the ill-gotten gains ended up in Qiu Ping Tian's own pocket.

Recalling her father's several hints, Si Cang Qing couldn't help but rub his forehead.

"What's wrong?" Qiu Ping Tian leaned in and gently bit the other's ear, his breath brushing against his cheek. 

"QingDi seems troubled... Is he unhappy with my money-grubbing ways?"

Turning around, he pulled the other into his arms, shaking his head slightly. "Whatever makes you happy."

Smiling contentedly, Qiu Ping Tian's leg, which had been dangling in mid-air, swung gently. He nestled quietly 

in the other's embrace, squinting his eyes, feeling the dappled sunlight filtering through the leaves.

In the mountains of June, there was a quiet elegance, a touch of beauty.

After staying at Qiuluo Manor for four or five days, Si Cang Qing bid farewell to the Qiu family. Amidst the 

wailing of the twins and the reluctant parting of Qiu Shuiyao and her brother, he finally left first.

Si Cang Qing and Feng Xiang traveled day and night, arriving in Hongdu City at the end of June.

That evening, the weather was stiflingly hot. Si Cang Qing went directly to the Tianxiang Pavilion, rebuilt in 

the western district of the former imperial city. Upon reaching the main gate, he was blocked by a servant.

He didn't conceal his identity, simply ordering the servant to lead the way.

To his surprise, the man replied without servility or fear, "Your Majesty, I am here to greet you on the orders of 

my master. He says he is unwell and fears it would be disrespectful to meet you. Please forgive him."

Upon hearing this, Si Cang Qing frowned slightly and coldly said, "How dare you block my path!"

The man immediately knelt and kowtowed. “Please calm your anger, Your Majesty. I dare not offend 

Your Majesty, but I must obey my master’s orders! My master specifically instructed me to convey to you that, 

as state affairs are of the utmost importance, please return to the capital as soon as possible.”

Si Cang Qing looked down at the man with indifference, his gaze slightly cold as he stared at the figure kneeling 

on the ground, whose clothes were soaked through with sweat. Suddenly, he turned and walked away. He suddenly 

turned and left. 

"Xiang, find an inn to stay at!"

On this moonless night, the dark sky pressed down, making it hard to breathe.

All was silent.

In the brightly lit hall, a man dressed in red sat kneeling on a low couch, with a large sheet of drawing paper 

laid out on the low table before him. With his hair loose and barefoot, he held a brush in his hand, carefully 

tracing the outline of the figure in the drawing, stroke by stroke.

The flame on the candlestick flickered faintly.

Cheng Tian Yang abruptly stopped what he was doing and called out, “Guards! Seize that intruder who dared to 

break in under cover of night!”

Instantly, more than a dozen figures in black emerged from the previously empty hall. Si Cang Qing, who had been 

lurking in the shadows, was forced to retreat outside under their relentless assault—those men were no match 

for him, but out of consideration for the fact that this was Cheng Tian Yang’s domain, and not wanting to harm 

the other’s men, he could not strike at will and could only keep backing away.

Little did he know that such restraint would only allow his opponents to press their advantage, growing ever more 

brazen.

Listening to the sounds of the struggle outside, Cheng Tian Yang lifted the corner of his lips slightly and slowly 

raised his sketchpad, his finger carefully tracing the contours of the figure in the drawing.

“Fool!” A faint, low sigh drifted through the hall. “You’ve only just arrived today—don’t blame me for showing 

no mercy…”

Si Cang Qing spun abruptly. As he looked up, a massive net descended from the sky. With a wave of his hand, a 

sword aura tore through the net, knocking back the attacking crowd. He glanced at the half-open window, 

through which a dim, yellow light quietly spilled out, then turned and flew away.

He couldn’t gain an audience, and breaking in at night was out of the question…

It seemed he would have to give serious thought to how he might manage to catch even a glimpse of that person.

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