Villain: After I died, all the heroines cried themselves to sleep.

Upon returning to his residence from the academy, Gongsun Zheng found the atmosphere somewhat somber.

When the maid saw him, she didn't greet him with a natural smile as usual, but instead performed all the proper etiquette and bowed to him respectfully.

"What happened? Have we had guests?"

Gongsun Zheng pulled the maid aside and asked her what was going on.

The maid glanced around to make sure no one else had noticed before speaking in a low voice.

"Young Master, you mustn't cause trouble today. The envoys from Liang have arrived, and Madam is receiving them in the hall."

"Oh, I see. Thank you for reminding me, sister."

Gongsun Zheng smiled at the maid to reassure her, and then walked into the hall.

As soon as they arrived at the entrance of the hall, they saw Consort Zhuang and Consort Xia sitting in the main seats. A middle-aged scholar and a young servant in the guest seats were just getting up to take their leave.

"Xia Ji need not worry. I am here on the orders of the King of Liang. I will surely persuade the King of Tang to send you and Prince Zheng back to your country with courtesy."

"Then I'll trouble you, pedestrian."

Xia Ji nodded politely.

The middle-aged scholar turned to leave and bumped into Gongsun Zheng.

He looked at Gongsun Zheng with slight surprise, then smiled and bowed to him.

"You must be Young Master Zheng? My name is Feng Lu. I've met you before, Young Master. We'll meet again soon."

Having said that, Feng Lu did not linger and left the mansion with his attendants.

Gongsun Zheng looked back at Feng Lu's departing figure, his eyebrows slightly raised.

Has the world line shifted?

In the predetermined fate, the person who would welcome Gongsun Zheng and Xia Ji back to their country was not this kind of person.

"Zheng'er, what are you doing standing at the door? Come into the hall quickly."

Xia Ji's voice came from inside the house, interrupting Gongsun Zheng's thoughts.

Gongsun Zheng entered the hall, politely bowed to Zhuang Ji and Xia Ji, and asked with feigned confusion.

"Mother, who were those two guests just now?"

"They are envoys from the Liang Kingdom."

Xia Ji looked at Gongsun Zheng and said softly.

"Zheng'er, your father is Prince Chu of Liang. Some time ago, he ascended the throne as King of Liang, so he wanted to bring my son and me back to Liang."

"I know that. The old lady told me in her letter that she would help us return to China as soon as possible."

Gongsun Zheng nodded.

The "aunt" he mentioned was naturally Zhao Ji.

For the past two years, he has been asking Zhuang Ji to mail the letters he wrote to Zhao Ji; it wasn't some kind of secret that could be kept hidden.

Ultimately, his purpose in doing this was to cultivate a relationship with Zhao Ji in advance, rapidly increasing her favorability, thereby ensuring that Zhao Ji would help persuade the King of Liang to summon him and Xia Ji back to their country.

"In my opinion, returning to Liang might not be a good thing."

Zhuang Ji frowned slightly as she spoke.

"Judging from the conversation of those people, King Liang probably doesn't value my sister and Zheng'er much. If they are treated coldly in Liang, it might be better for them to stay in Tang, where at least I can help take care of them."

"What my sister says is true. I have been separated from the King of Liang for ten years, and our affection has long since faded. Even if I return to the Liang Kingdom, I can only seek the protection of Lady Zhao Ji."

Xia Ji was well aware of her position.

She came from a humble background and was taken as a concubine by Prince Chu because of her beauty, but that was all. Prince Chu never showed her any affection.

Now, ten years have passed. If she hadn't been fortunate enough to give birth to Zheng'er, Gongzi Chu would probably have forgotten her completely long ago.

"But this concerns Zheng'er's future! Only by returning to Liang can Zheng'er's identity be cleared."

Xia Ji sighed softly and beckoned Gongsun Zheng to her side.

Gongsun Zheng did not refuse and stepped forward.

Then Xia Ji took his hand and gently stroked his face.

"Zheng'er, you've lived under someone else's roof with me for many years, unable to even show your own surname. Once we return to Liang and meet your father, and your status is established, you will have a surname."

"So what is my surname?"

"You are the son of Gongzi Chu, so your surname is naturally the same as his. Therefore, your real name should be Luo Zheng."

"Luo...Luo Zheng?"

The villain's name has been updated.

……

The negotiations between Liang and Tang regarding the return of Luo Zheng and his mother to their country proceeded with almost no obstacles and were exceptionally smooth.

At present, neither Tang Sheng, the Lord of Anling, nor Tang She, the Lord of Mafu, who remained in Jinyang, raised any objections.

The return of Luo Zheng and his mother to China is basically a done deal.

Even on the very day the agreement was reached, the system issued a new task to Luo Zheng.

[When Prince Chu ascended the throne as King Cheng, under the influence of Zhao Ji, he decided to summon Gongsun Zheng back to his country. Having spent two years cultivating your power in Tang, you could no longer suppress your burning ambition to return to Liang.]

[Objective: To successfully return to the Liang Kingdom and formally establish one's identity and status.]

[Reward: Rating boost for sweeping across nine kingdoms and establishing dominance over the world.]

[Punishment: The rating for sweeping across nine kingdoms and establishing dominance over the world has been lowered.]

A person who can't give up anything can't change anything. —Extremely weak and submissive character.

With the agreement reached, the Liang and Tang states began preparations in the following days to send Luo Zheng and his mother back to their country.

During this period, Luo Zheng did not go to the academy again.

Instead, he stayed at the mansion to accompany Xia Ji and Zhuang Ji.

Although Xia Ji was apprehensive about returning to her homeland, her emotions remained relatively normal, whereas Zhuang Ji was much more depressed.

After all, Luo Zheng and Xia Ji had lived in the mansion for many years and she had long regarded them as her younger sister and son.

Once the two leave the mansion, she will return to her former widowed life.

It's inevitable to feel a little sad.

Even the maids in the mansion were depressed.

"Does our young master really have to return to the country? Madam adores him and is truly reluctant to see you go. She has often wept in her room these past few nights... We all miss you so much..."

Zhuang Ji's maidservant revealed this to Luo Zheng.

Upon hearing this, Luo Zheng felt somewhat regretful.

Did I go a little too far in trying to win people over? Now that I'm leaving, everyone is feeling really sad.

Unfortunately, he had no other choice; he was destined to return home no matter what.

Otherwise, the plot would completely stall.

So, on the night before his departure, Luo Zheng made a special trip to visit Zhuang Ji.

"Zheng'er, it's so late, why aren't you in bed yet?"

Zhuang Ji forced a smile.

Her slightly red eyes and the tear stains on her cheeks betrayed her.

"I have come here to ask my mother to take care of her health."

Luo Zheng walked up to Zhuang Ji, took her hand, and gazed at her sincerely.

"I will be leaving tomorrow, and the thing I miss most is my mother. I only hope that my mother will not be sad. Even if we are separated by thousands of miles, I will never forget my mother. We can still keep in touch by letter, and we will definitely meet again in the future."

"I know, I know everything..."

With tears welling in her eyes, Zhuang Ji pulled Luo Zheng into her arms and hugged him tightly.

"But I just can't bear to see you leave, Zheng'er..."

She could no longer bear it and began to sob softly.

"..."

Luo Zheng felt a pang of pain in his heart as he listened to Zhuang Ji's mournful cries.

Although his behavior in front of Zhuang Ji and Xia Ji was mixed with a lot of hypocritical and shameless acting.

But there was some genuine affection involved; he regarded the two women as his mothers.

He gently embraced Zhuang Ji and whispered his promise.

"Don't worry, Mother, one day I will come back for you."

If the previous conquest of the nine kingdoms was merely a system task, then...

Now, Luo Zheng has found a new reason.

At the very least, he should annex the Tang Kingdom and bring Zhuang Ji back to his side.

It's just unknown whether Zhuang Ji will love him more or hate him more at that time.

……

The next day, the returning delegation arrived at the gates of Zhuang Ji's residence.

Luo Zheng also changed into a black robe.

These are clothes that Zhuang Ji personally tailored for him, and she also helped him change and dress up.

After last night's conversation, Zhuang Ji felt much better and was no longer saddened by Luo Zheng and Xia Ji's departure.

"After you arrive in Liang, Zheng'er, don't forget to write to me to let me know you're safe."

"I will certainly keep this in mind."

Luo Zheng solemnly assured him.

After bidding farewell to Zhuang Ji, Luo Zheng left the mansion, where Xia Ji had been waiting for a long time.

Luo Zheng noticed Xia Ji's unease and quietly took her hand to reassure her.

Once the two boarded the carriage, the returning caravan began to slowly head west of the city.

Luo Zheng looked out from inside the train carriage at the crowd gathered on the street.

He saw Zhuang Ji standing at the door, looking at him with reluctance.

They also saw the Master leading the students of the academy, including the unruly youths led by Tang Tong, as well as the unassuming Li Jin, watching the group leave from the crowd.

Tang Ning was standing next to a masked woman, waving in their direction.

As for Linglong, she doesn't seem to have appeared.

Luo Zheng withdrew his gaze.

I couldn't help but feel a little emotional.

In his predetermined fate, Luo Zheng had never met so many people.

Unfortunately, they may now be considered his classmates and friends.

However, barring any unforeseen circumstances, many years later, they will all hate him to the core and become enemies who hinder his ambitions.