Gu Yanzhao sighed softly in his heart. It seemed he would need to set off for the Medicine King Valley as soon as possible…
Emperor Mingde swiped Gu Yanzhao across the forehead in exasperation, berating him in frustration, “You unfilial brat! I meant bringing Tangtang’s mother into the Eastern Palace and creating her a Lady Liang!”
Did this reckless brat only want the daughter and not the mother who bore her?
Emperor Mingde pressed a finger against his philtrum, truly fearing that if his blood-coughing condition didn’t kill him one day, he would end up being angered to death by this unfilial son!
Gu Yanzhao’s expression shifted repeatedly. Having wondered why his imperial father had suddenly flared up in anger, he finally understood!
He hurriedly began to explain, “Father, you’ve misunderstood! Tangtang isn’t my biological daughter—I picked her up along the way!”
The moment he opened his eyes, he found the little girl addressing him as ‘Father’ with every breath. Her master had passed away, and he simply hadn’t possessed the heart to abandon a tender child at a Taoist temple.
Since he didn’t have a daughter anyway, he had simply brought her back to raise her properly.
As he listened to Gu Yanzhao’s detailed explanation, Emperor Mingde’s expression turned grave.
This whole sequence of events was far too coincidental.
A three-year-old child, no matter how brilliant, couldn’t possibly possess such heaven-defying medical skills.
The Crown Prince was usually cautious to a fault. Having spent only a day or two with that child named Tangtang without investigating her background thoroughly, how could he bring her back to the Eastern Palace so rashly?
Emperor Mingde pondered for a long moment before speaking solemnly, “This matter is of grave consequence. If Tangtang is connected to those corpse puppets, she absolutely cannot be kept! You have always been cautious—I shouldn’t need to teach you what must be done!”
It was not that he was paranoid or distrustful, but rather that this touched upon critical matters of state. If something happened to the heir apparent, the Great Yong Dynasty’s prosperity would be difficult to sustain!
Though he had no shortage of sons under his knee, some were missing, some had suffered premature deaths, others were crippled or foolish, and the only healthy one had left the secular world to become a monk—constantly clamoring to shave the heads of both him and the Empress…
Emperor Mingde let out a deep sigh. Why was life so difficult for the Great Yong imperial family!
Hearing his father’s words, Gu Yanzhao felt a jolt in his heart. From the moment he opened his eyes and saw Tangtang, he had not only never doubted her, but had also felt an inexplicable sense of trust toward her.
Recalling his daughter’s innocent and crystal-clear eyes, Gu Yanzhao’s heart softened.
He firmly believed that Tangtang would never harm him. Besides, Jingshu, who had been in a deep sleep for three years, was also saved by Tangtang!
With that thought, Gu Yanzhao looked at Emperor Mingde and declared with unwavering resolve, “Father, I trust Tangtang! I beg Father to issue an imperial edict granting Tangtang the title of Commandery Princess!”
Emperor Mingde’s face darkened, the anger he had just suppressed flaring right back up.
This unfilial brat!
Was he treating his father’s words like hot air?
Emperor Mingde broke into a laugh out of sheer rage, pointing a finger at Gu Yanzhao as he scolded, “You foolish scoundrel, get out of my sight!”
Granting that girl the title of County Princess would already be generous enough, yet this rascal dared to seek the title of Commandery Princess for her!
That was a Commandery Princess rank accompanied by fiefdoms, tax incomes, and official noble status—not some common radish or cabbage you could pick up on the roadside!
Why didn’t this unfilial son just anger him to death directly and let that little girl sit on the imperial throne instead!
Gu Yanzhao remained kneeling without budging, keeping his eyes lowered as he spoke softly, “Father, please quell your anger! My life was saved by Tangtang. I humbly request Father to grant her the title of Commandery Princess!”
Though his tone was low, the absolute resolve in his voice was unmistakable.
Emperor Mingde’s chest heaved violently. After a long pause, he finally gritted his teeth and compromised, “Granted, granted, granted! I grant it! Having gained a granddaughter out of nowhere, I must at least see her. Bring her to the palace to meet me tomorrow!”
Seeing that his goal was accomplished, Gu Yanzhao scrambled up from the floor with a swift motion and straightened his collar with regal dignity. “Thank you, Father!”
Emperor Mingde rolled his eyes at him and waved his hand in irritation. “Get lost quickly! Don’t stand there being an eyesore!”
When he met this bargain granddaughter tomorrow, if she turned out to be questionable, he would simply dismiss her with a County Princess title. But if she was truly linked to the assassination attempt on the Crown Prince…
Emperor Mingde’s eyes grew cold, a flash of murderous intent surging around him.
De’yin Hall.
The moment Gu Yanzhao stepped across the main entrance, he heard a ring of silvery laughter.
“Mother is the prettiest mother! Father is the best father!”
Hearing his little daughter praise him, Gu Yanzhao’s mood brightened instantly. “Tangbao!”
The little girl paused and looked toward the doorway. Seeing her father return, her eyes lit up, and she ran toward Gu Yanzhao. “Father~ Tangbao missed you so much!”
Gu Yanzhao scooped his little daughter up in his arms, lightly bopping her nose as he doted on her, “Father missed Tangbao too. Did you have fun playing with Mother?”
Tangtang’s cheeks were flushed rosy red as her tiny hand pointed toward several people busy working nearby. “Yes! Mother said she’s going to build a swing for Tangtang, and Yaya got a new house to live in too!”
Mother said swings were super fun, something she had never seen before.
Best of all, she could sleep with Mother tonight~
At that thought, the little girl couldn’t help giggling to herself.
Tangbao, who had both a father and a mother, was the happiest girl in the world!
Gu Yanzhao glanced in the direction she pointed. “Tomorrow, Father will take you to the palace to visit your Imperial Grandfather and Imperial Grandmother. When the time comes, don’t be scared, Tangtang!”
Tangtang blinked her eyes innocently and asked in confusion, “Why would Tangtang be scared of Imperial Grandfather and Imperial Grandmother?”
She loved Father and Mother, so naturally she would love their family too.
Besides, it was their very first meeting—she was too excited to even contain her joy, so why would she be scared?
Gu Yanzhao choked on his words, momentarily at a loss for how to answer.
He could hardly tell her that her Imperial Grandfather was terrifying, fierce, and not particularly easy to get along with…
Yun Jingshu glared at him and pulled her daughter into her own arms. “Why tell Tangtang such things? What if you frighten her! Sweetie, didn’t you want to look at the flowers? Mother will take you!”
Watching the mother and daughter’s departing figures, Gu Yanzhao rubbed his nose awkwardly and stepped forward to follow them.
Over a dozen pots of rare, precious peonies were blooming in full glory. Tangtang curiously touched one pot, then leaned in to smell another.
“Mother, the flowers are blooming so beautifully, so why aren’t there any butterflies or bees flying around them?” The little milk dumpling raised her tiny face, full of curiosity.
Back at Qixia Temple, the flowers by the roadside always had plenty of bees and butterflies fluttering around them, not to mention lots of little birds singing!
At Father’s place, not only were there no butterflies or bees, but the only bird around was Yaya.
Gu Yanzhao and Yun Jingshu exchanged a glance, their expressions shifting in unison.
Previously, they hadn’t paid close attention, but now that Tangtang mentioned it, they realized that inside the vast Eastern Palace, apart from the footsteps of maids and eunuchs, there really was no other sound!
A faint sense of unease rose in Yun Jingshu’s heart. This was truly far too eerie.
Gu Yanzhao clasped her ice-cold fingertips, comforting her, “Don’t be afraid, Shu’er. I’m right here!”
He already had a guess in mind. Whether it was Jingshu’s prolonged deep sleep or the unnatural quiet of the Eastern Palace, all of it was inextricably linked to the person controlling those corpse puppets to assassinate him.
It was just that Gu Yanzhao couldn’t figure out for the moment who the mastermind behind the scenes was, or what ulterior motives they harbored.
Tangtang also noticed that something was wrong with her father and mother. She pressed her lips together, finally plucking up her courage to speak about what happened yesterday.
“Father, Mother! When we returned yesterday, I already noticed something strange…” Tangtang pointed toward the roof. “Our home is surrounded by so much black mist!”