Inside the motorhome, Xi Qingyue sat on the sofa, leisurely sipping a cup of soda. Xi Weilan was leaning against her, holding a cup of soda as well.
“Big Sis, Big Sister Lu and the others seemed really reluctant to leave us just now.”
With an arm around her shoulders, Xi Qingyue smiled. “They wanted to play in our motorhome a little longer. Even if they’re princesses, they’ve never seen anything like this before. They definitely won’t be able to sleep tonight.”
Xi Weilan narrowed her eyes happily. “Big Sis, you did that on purpose. You wanted to keep them awake, didn’t you? Haha...”
Xi Qingyue nodded. “Of course. After seeing everything in our motorhome, they’ll only admire us even more. The more impressive the things we show them, the more they’ll respect us. That way, even if they take power someday, they won’t consider turning against us.”
Xi Weilan nodded, seeming to understand. “Big Sis, Big Sister Lu and the others are nice. They probably won’t bully us.”
“Mm, I know. But being nice alone isn’t enough. They also need to understand the gap between their strength and ours. Only then can we stay on good terms for a long time.”
Xi Qingyue didn’t want to end up in conflict with the two of them one day. After all, she had met very few genuinely good people.
Suddenly, Xi Weilan asked in confusion, “Big Sis, you gave Big Sister Lu so many guns today. Are you worried she’ll be assassinated again?”
Xi Qingyue shook her head with a smile. “Of course not. I want her to use them to accomplish something important. Once she takes power, our lives will be much more peaceful. Otherwise, all those little rats will keep crawling out to cause trouble. You don’t want us to be interrupted by someone every time we come to the capital for a meal, do you?”
If Little Lan’er weren’t still so young—and if sitting in that position weren’t so exhausting—Xi Qingyue would have snatched it away and given it to her. She truly didn’t want a three-year-old child worrying about state affairs all day, and she certainly didn’t want to work herself to death like an old ox.
Wasn’t it better to roam around freely, eating and having fun? She had no desire to be chained to a single chair.
When Xi Weilan heard her mention accomplishing something important, she instantly grew excited. She straightened up, her face brimming with enthusiasm. “Big Sis, aren’t we staying to help?”
Xi Qingyue fondly rubbed her head. “Silly girl, we have to leave some work for Big Sister Lu. We’ve already searched almost the entire capital, so it’s time to find somewhere else to play. Jiangnan is a region of waterways. I’ll take you boating on a speedboat when we get there. I hear the scenery is beautiful and there’s lots of fun to be had. Besides, Big Sister Lu won’t be doing anything major right away. She still has to wait quite a while.”
Xi Qingyue didn’t know whether her little sister had always been like this or had become this way from spending so much time with her. Either way, she seemed to be developing in a rather violent direction. She became especially spirited whenever fighting was mentioned.
But Xi Qingyue liked her that way. It was better than having her cry all day long.
Xi Weilan became even happier after hearing this. Their next destination sounded like a wonderful place.
In the pitch-black night, an elongated black car sped along the official road. Its headlights shone like blazing suns, illuminating the road ahead with exceptional clarity.
Xi Qingyue was very satisfied with the conditions ahead. They had barely seen any refugees after leaving the capital. Most of them had been kept outside the city and were taking detours through other routes, so they wouldn’t encounter any for the time being.
She carried Xi Weilan to the dining table and sat down. With a thought, several meat and vegetable dishes appeared on the table, along with steamed buns and millet porridge.
She handed Xi Weilan a pair of child-sized chopsticks. “Eat first. Get a good rest after dinner. We’re not staying up late anymore. The vehicle can recharge during the day while it’s running. When there are a lot of people around, we’ll honk the horn. If that doesn’t work, we’ll switch to a smaller vehicle.”
Xi Weilan obediently took the chopsticks and nodded. Then she picked up a piece of braised pork and happily began to eat.
Her world was simple. It consisted of Big Sis, food, drink, fun, and eliminating anyone who bullied them.
While the sisters enjoyed their meal, Lu Jinshuang in the capital had completely lost her appetite.
She was dining at Lu Qianning’s residence, but despite the table full of delicacies, she couldn’t bring herself to eat. She could only sigh repeatedly.
“Sigh, Little Nine, look at you. You met them so early, yet you’ve never even ridden in their vehicle. Did you perform so poorly that they didn’t trust you?”
Lu Qianning rolled her eyes. “Seventh Sis, they stayed at your residence for quite some time. You were with them day and night, yet you knew nothing. You’re even worse than me—you only just found out their real names.”
After saying that, she turned to Mu Jin. “Mu Jin, go back and pack your things. Set off for Xin’an early tomorrow morning with my seal and jade token. If you run into them on the way, just greet them. Don’t force yourself to travel with them. Follow their wishes in everything. Once you reach the fief, do the same. Do whatever they tell you.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
Mu Jin accepted the order and left, her spirits soaring.
She was going to follow Xi Qingyue and her sister. That was far more interesting than staying in the capital. Although the sisters might not agree to let her accompany them, there was still a chance.
Seeing the smile on her face as she left, Lu Jinshuang felt a twinge of jealousy. “They actually agreed to let Mu Jin go? I thought they said they didn’t want to bring dead weight.”
“All right, Seventh Sis.” Lu Qianning gave her a sidelong glance. “If you want to go, just travel with them too. As for the things belonging to Consort Qin and Eldest Sis, I’ll deliver them for you.”
Lu Jinshuang’s eyes lit up. She really did want to go along and have some fun. But in the end, she shook her head. “Forget it. I’ll decide after a while. I’ll stay and help you hold things together for now.”
With Xi Qingyue and her sister suddenly leaving, the powerful families in the capital would surely be disappointed tomorrow. They might even come to the princess’s residence looking for them. Her mother and maternal grandfather were both here, and her status could still be of some help.
Lu Qianning smiled and shook her head. “There’s no need. Given my relationship with Yue, even if Father intends to discard me once I’ve served my purpose, he won’t do it so soon. At the very least, he’ll treat me well for the next few months. That will be enough for me to make my arrangements. As for everyone else, they’re insignificant. There’s no need to worry about them. Go have fun for a while, then come back.”
She had already made up her mind. If anyone caused her trouble, she would make an example of them.
Only bloodshed could make people behave. She was no longer the gentle and dignified Ninth Princess she had once been. She had even been able to kill her own younger brother, so there was nothing she would be afraid to kill.
Hearing this, Lu Jinshuang smiled brightly. “All right. I’ll leave with Mu Jin. I’m leaving my people here for you to use as you please. Here.”
As she spoke, she tossed Lu Qianning a token. It could be used not only to command the hidden guards stationed at her residence, but also a force her maternal grandfather had left behind.
Lu Qianning weighed the token in her hand and suddenly smiled. “You’re certainly generous. Do you even know what I’m planning to do?”
Lu Jinshuang glared at her. “Obviously! Do you think I’m an idiot?”
She was a little annoyed. She might love having fun, but she wasn’t actually stupid. Xi Qingyue had given her a whole pile of powerful concealed weapons. How could that not be obvious? There was no way she could be outdone by a child.
Compared with having one of her other brothers take the throne, she would rather have her younger sister ascend instead. That way, she could continue living freely in the future.
