Ice Crystal Palace

"Since I did not present a calling card, I hope I am not intruding?"

King of Yue stood with his hands behind his back and slowly emerged from around the wall.

Su Guishan immediately stood at attention and bowed respectfully. "Pingyang Water River Governor Su Guishan pays respects to Your Highness King of Yue!"

"Governor Su, I trust you have been well."

"Master!"

Liang Qu hugged Wen Shiyun and hurried forward. "What student would not be delighted by his master's visit? But this student truly does not understand. The New Year Festival is only days away. Why has Master suddenly come to Pingyang Prefecture instead of reuniting with your family?"

"Because it is not only Little Stone—we all came!" The Crown Princess emerged arm in arm with a middle-aged man, smiling warmly. Upon seeing Wen Shiyun in Liang Qu's arms, her expression stiffened. She reached out to take him. "You are already so grown up, yet you still need your master to hold you? Come down!"

"It is no matter." Liang Qu bounced Wen Shiyun in his arms and stepped half a pace away. "Little Stone only comes to Pingyang a few times a year. Now that he has grown up, he no longer cares to be held, but as his master, I do."

Wen Shiyun bared his teeth in a grin.

Oolong grinned along with him, his great furry tail whipping up a gale.

Liang Qu then looked toward the middle-aged man beside the Crown Princess. He was tall and broad, with a gentle face and keen eyes.

"This is... Young Master?"

Wen Chengyun cupped his hands. "I have long heard of Xingyi Baron's great name. Mr. Liang has been Shiyun's master for two years already, yet today is our first meeting. It is my failure as a father.