Princess Consort Li nodded and took the food box.
Concubine Zhang also kept reminding Tang Rui, “Don’t eat anything given to you by strangers either—it’ll give you a stomachache.”
“Stepmothers, I’ve remembered everything! I’ll be a good girl!” Tang Rui smiled adorably and waved her little hand at them.
“Get lost!” Situ Che barked, and both women fell silent at once, shooting him a synchronized glare.
Situ Che’s face darkened as he let down the carriage curtain.
Inside the prince’s residence, Consort Gu watched the carriage slowly depart.
“Consort!” Her personal maidservant approached and whispered in her ear, “I just went to the kitchen to get hot water and overheard Xia Yun from Concubine Zhang’s courtyard talking to Cai Ying. They mentioned something… a snake… it seemed to be aimed at that little girl.”
“What does that have to do with me?” Consort Gu withdrew her gaze, a complex look flashing through her eyes. “Everyone has their own fate. I’m no different.”
The maidservant didn’t understand, but she knew her mistress wouldn’t be getting involved.
…
Inside the carriage, Tang Rui happily enjoyed the breakfast Concubine Zhu had prepared for her, while Princess Consort Li sat beside her, explaining the palace relations.
In simple terms, the Emperor had seven children—the Second, Third, Fifth, Sixth, Ninth, and Eleventh Princes.
Tang Rui’s cheap father, Prince Li, ranked seventh. Before his injury, he had been Daxia’s renowned War God, skilled in both letters and martial arts—no other prince could match him.
Not only that, Prince Li and the Crown Prince were born of the same mother, both sons of the Empress.
But the Empress’s attitude toward the two could not have been more different.
The Crown Prince was doted on endlessly—whatever he wanted, he got.
Prince Li was like the neglected child; the Empress was extremely harsh on him.
Moreover, Prince Li and the Crown Prince had a terrible relationship. Instead, he was close to the Ninth Prince.
Situ Che grew annoyed: “Why are you telling her all this? Does she even understand?”
“Your consort…” Princess Consort Li also felt she had said too much, her face gradually flushing red.
“I understand!” Tang Rui cut in, shaking her little head, with mung bean cake crumbs still stuck to the corner of her mouth. “Mother Consort means that the Empress and Crown Prince can’t be trusted, but Ninth Uncle can. She’s telling me to be careful and not fall into any traps.”
Situ Che: “…” Is this really a five-year-old? A bit too clever, isn’t she?
Then again, thinking about it, he’d been pretty clever at five too.
His child naturally took after him.
“My daughter is so smart!” Princess Consort Li was beside herself with joy. She wiped the crumbs from her mouth and hugged her tightly, pressing their cheeks together.
…
They arrived at the imperial palace quickly. Princess Consort Li carried Tang Rui out of the carriage and followed Situ Che to the main hall.
When they arrived, not only was the Emperor there, but all the other princes had also gathered—except for the youngest, the Eleventh Prince.
The Crown Prince had even brought his illegitimate daughter, Situ Qiang, for the first time.
Every prince’s household had spies planted in the others’. The news of Prince Li’s illegitimate daughter showing up at his doorstep was hardly a secret.
They had all come simply to watch the spectacle.
But… when they saw Tang Rui’s face, the princes wore varied expressions.
She didn’t look so much like Old Seventh as she did exactly like the Empress.
They really wanted to see what expression the Empress would have upon seeing this miniature version of herself.
Unfortunately, the Empress had gone to Jinguang Temple to pray and wasn’t currently in the palace, so they wouldn’t get to enjoy that show for a while.
Prince Rui chuckled lightly: “Well, there’s no need for a blood test now.”
“Fifth Brother speaks too soon!” A hint of displeasure flashed through the Crown Prince’s eyes. “The imperial bloodline must not be confused. We cannot determine that this girl is of royal blood based on a face alone.”
“Indeed!” The Ninth Prince, Prince Jin, picked up the thread, casting a sidelong glance at Situ Qiang. “After all, Brother Crown Prince’s illegitimate daughter doesn’t look like you at all.”
The Crown Prince narrowed his eyes dangerously.
Situ Qiang frowned: “What does Ninth Imperial Uncle mean by that? Are you saying I’m not Father’s biological daughter?”
Prince Jin shot back: “Those were your words, not mine.”
“You!” Situ Qiang’s eyes reddened with anger as she tugged at the Crown Prince’s sleeve. “Father, look at Ninth Uncle…”
“Enough!” The Emperor spoke, and Situ Qiang fell silent instantly, not daring to make a fuss. She only glared fiercely at Tang Rui.
Tang Rui: “…” Why are you glaring at me? Psycho!
The Emperor waved his hand, and a eunuch had already prepared the vessel for the blood test.
Situ Che said nothing. He picked up the silver needle, pricked his finger, and let a drop of blood fall into the clear water.
When it was Tang Rui’s turn, Princess Consort Li wanted to coax her gently.
But the little girl didn’t need coaxing at all. She stood on her tiptoes, took the silver needle, and pricked her own finger.
Hiss…
It hurt so much!
Tang Rui almost burst into tears.
This body’s pain receptors seemed highly sensitive. She shouldn’t have tried to show off!
Princess Consort Li quickly took out a handkerchief to wipe the blood from her finger, her heart aching terribly.
Then they looked at the two drops of blood, slowly merging together in the water.
The eunuch carried the bowl to the Emperor for inspection, then showed it to all the nobles present.
When Princess Consort Li saw the two drops of blood merge, she let out a huge sigh of relief.
Although she had been certain Tang Rui was the prince’s daughter, her heart had been in her throat until the truth was revealed.
Now it was settled—her daughter wasn’t going anywhere.
The Emperor’s expression softened: “She is indeed of imperial blood.”
Prince Chen, who had remained silent all along, finally spoke: “Father, since this is Seventh Brother’s child, she is of noble birth. I humbly request that she be granted the title of Princess.”
The Crown Prince let out a derisive laugh: “Indeed, after all, Seventh Brother will only ever have this one daughter in his lifetime, so she ought to be made a Princess.”
At these words, Situ Che’s expression turned cold.
Several of the princes looked uncomfortable.
The Emperor shot him a displeased look.
Even so, did you have to say it out loud? How awkward!
He’s your own blood brother—why do you have to trample him into the ground?
Just then, Tang Rui’s childish, milky voice rang out: “Even though my father only has me as his daughter, I’m worth ten daughters on my own.”
The Crown Prince gave a light chuckle but said nothing.
The others laughed as well, though their laughter was good-natured.
Even the Emperor softened his expression, a rare sight: “Alright, alright, you’re worth ten on your own. Then… I bestow upon you the title Zhaohua!”
The faces of everyone present changed drastically at these words!
Even the Crown Prince nearly lost his composure.
Zhaohua—meaning radiant and illustrious.
Throughout history, only the Grand Princess or the Crown Prince’s legitimate daughter had ever been deemed worthy of such a title.
A prince’s illegitimate daughter—by what right?
Situ Qiang had long been seething with discontent. As a concubine-born daughter, no matter how outstanding she was, she had never been qualified to request the title of Princess.
But this little milk-child was merely an illegitimate daughter—even lower in status than herself, a concubine-born daughter. Why should she be qualified to receive the title of Princess?
And not just any Princess—Princess Zhaohua!
Was she worthy?
“Imperial Grandfather!” Situ Qiang stepped forward, respectfully performing a formal bow to the Emperor, and said with feigned seriousness: “Even if she is Seventh Uncle’s biological daughter, she does not deserve such a title.”
Before the Emperor could respond this time, Tang Rui refused to back down: “How am I not worthy?”
Situ Qiang sneered coldly: “Your birth mother is unknown, and you know nothing of the Four Books, Five Classics, poetry, or prose. Imperial Grandfather granting you the title of Princess is already an unparalleled favor—how could you possibly be worthy of the name Zhaohua?”
Tang Rui planted her hands on her hips: “Nonsense! As long as I am my father’s daughter, regardless of who my birth mother is, I am my mother’s child. As for the Four Books and Five Classics—how do you know I don’t know them?”
“…” Who exactly is the one talking nonsense here!
Situ Qiang glanced at the Emperor, a scheme forming in her mind: “Fine, let’s set aside the matter of your birth mother for now. You say you know the Four Books and Five Classics? Do you dare to compete with me?”
Princess Consort Li grew anxious, frantically signaling Tang Rui with her eyes.