“Please, take your seats,” the Retired Emperor said with a smile, then cast a chilly glance at Emperor Su Ming, his face showing undisguised disdain and displeasure.
Emperor Su Ming gave an awkward smile, looked at the two little ones, and said to the person behind him, “Cui Hai, go to the Imperial Household Department immediately and pick out some fine gifts for the young prince and princess as meeting presents.”
“Yes,” Cui Hai replied promptly before leaving.
“Father, they look so much like Imperial Brother did when he was young. They’re clearly his children. Now you don’t have to worry about him lacking heirs anymore,” Emperor Su Ming said with a beaming smile, trying to make conversation. He hadn’t expected two children to suddenly appear.
The Retired Emperor smiled broadly. “If it weren’t for these two children, I’d probably have died soon. They’re my little lucky stars.”
“What do you mean, Father?” Emperor Su Ming’s expression changed slightly.
“Fortunately, Yunxi brought the children to visit yesterday, which prompted Beiyuan to bring them into the palace. As a result, Yunxi discovered that someone had placed a harmful Fu in my inner chamber,” the Retired Emperor said leisurely.
After Jiang Yunxi destroyed the Fu yesterday, he hadn’t made the matter public.
“Father, why didn’t you mention such a serious matter until now?” Emperor Su Ming frowned, his entire body radiating anger.
“It’s not too late to mention it now, especially since you’re all here,” the Retired Emperor snorted coldly.
“Father, rest assured, I will definitely uncover the culprit who tried to harm you,” Emperor Su Ming vowed resolutely.
The Retired Emperor’s expression was enigmatic as he declared with authority, “No matter how much you investigate, in the end, you’ll probably just find a scapegoat. There’s no need to investigate.”
Emperor Su Ming: “…”
Jiang Yunxi thought the Retired Emperor had hit the nail on the head. If a real investigation were launched, it would undoubtedly end with a eunuch or palace maid taking the blame. “It’s fine not to investigate. With my Fu in the Retired Emperor’s palace, it will be safe.”
“Are you a member of the Mystic Gate, Miss?” the man in white asked, smiling at Jiang Yunxi.
“I am a disciple of Qingxu Temple. I presume you are also from the Mystic Gate,” Jiang Yunxi replied, studying him closely.
The man was dressed in snow-white robes, his eyebrows like ink paintings and his eyes like water. Handsome as if he had stepped out of a painting, he exuded an aura of untainted purity.
Elegant, serene, and noble.
“My name is Liu Qingbai. My master is the National Teacher of Tenglong Kingdom. Since he is in seclusion, I am temporarily staying in the palace in his place,” Liu Qingbai introduced himself.
Jiang Yunxi’s lips twitched slightly. The name was quite unique. “Could you extend your right hand for me to see?”
Though puzzled, Liu Qingbai extended his right hand.
The man’s fingers were long, slender, and as white as jade.
“May I touch your hand?” Jiang Yunxi asked, her eyes sparkling as she looked at him. She wanted to confirm whether he was the Ziwei Star. The aura surrounding him suggested he was no ordinary person.
Momo: “…”
Mianmian: “…”
Mother, is it really appropriate for you to touch another man’s hand right in front of Father?
Retired Emperor: “…”
Emperor Su Ming: “…”
“Jiang Yunxi, what are you doing!” Zhan Beiyuan snapped, his face dark with displeasure. They were in the palace, with his father and the Emperor present, yet she wanted to touch another man’s hand.
“I want to read Master Liu’s palm,” Jiang Yunxi retorted, raising an eyebrow at him.
“He is the National Teacher’s most outstanding disciple. Does he need you to read his palm?” Zhan Beiyuan said coldly, his voice tense. He suspected she had other intentions, as her eyes seemed almost glued to the man.
Jiang Yunxi retorted defiantly, “Maybe it will be needed.”
The Retired Emperor’s lips twitched slightly as he turned to Eunuch Qin and said, “Serve the evening meal.”
“Yes.” Eunuch Qin hurried off to make arrangements.
“Momo, Mianmian, this is your Imperial Uncle, the Emperor of the Tenglong Kingdom,” the Retired Emperor changed the subject to prevent the two from arguing further, and he also didn’t want the palm-reading matter to continue.
“Hello, Imperial Uncle,” Momo said obediently.
“Imperial Uncle, you look so impressive!” Mianmian tilted her head, her face full of admiration.
Emperor Su Ming laughed heartily, in excellent spirits, and said, “No matter how impressive I am, I’m not as impressive as your Imperial Grandfather.”
“Wow, Imperial Grandfather, can you teach me and my brother in the future?” Mianmian tugged at the Retired Emperor’s hand, coquettishly. She and her brother could tell that Imperial Grandfather wanted their mother and father to be together, and they wanted that too.
“I would be more than willing,” the Retired Emperor eagerly agreed. He genuinely adored these two children from the bottom of his heart.
Jiang Yunxi gave them a mental thumbs-up. At such a young age, they’ve already learned how to curry favor with the powerful. Truly her son and daughter—so promising!
“Imperial Brother, since you and Miss Jiang already have children, why don’t I bestow a marriage upon you?” Emperor Su Ming spoke up. Yesterday, when he canceled the wedding, it caused quite a stir in the capital, but the matter was soon overshadowed by two other events.
Now, the entire capital is discussing the two children, as well as Jiang Yunxi.
Hearing this, the Retired Emperor looked at him a bit more favorably, but he knew these two wouldn’t marry now, which inevitably left him feeling somewhat wistful.
“Thank you, Your Majesty, but I have no intention of marrying at the moment,” Zhan Beiyuan flatly refused.
“That’s not right. Miss Jiang bore you two children; shouldn’t you take responsibility for her?” Emperor Su Ming said with a stern expression.
Zhan Beiyuan glanced at Jiang Yunxi sitting beside him and replied coolly, “She did bear me two children, but I still don’t know how those two children came to be.”
Emperor Su Ming wore a gossipy expression. “How could you not know…”
“That night, I was injured and unconscious on the back mountain,” Zhan Beiyuan said indifferently. At that time, he was injured—how could he have needed her to offer herself to save him?
“Could it be that you took advantage of his unconscious state and forced yourself on him?” Emperor Su Ming looked sharply at Jiang Yunxi, highly suspicious. In such a serious matter, his Imperial Brother certainly wouldn’t lie.
“I did not,” Jiang Yunxi hastily denied.
Emperor Su Ming, you’ve hit the nail on the head!
But could she admit it? Of course not!!!
Liu Qingbai’s lips curved slightly as he smiled gently and elegantly. “Those from the Mystic Gate would certainly not do such a thing. Your Majesty can rest assured.”
Only after hearing this did Emperor Su Ming withdraw his skeptical gaze.
“What exactly happened that night years ago, I will investigate myself. I won’t wrong the innocent, nor will I let the guilty go unpunished. It’s not something that can be dismissed with just a word from Young Master Liu,” Zhan Beiyuan’s dark eyes were as cold as the Frost Pool, his voice icy.
The “guilty” Jiang Yunxi said, “If I really did something bad, would I dare to swagger right in front of you with the children?”
Why must he suspect her?
Zhan Beiyuan looked at her with a cold, penetrating gaze. “Why are you in such a hurry? I said I wouldn’t wrong the innocent.”
“Oh, then hurry up and investigate,” Jiang Yunxi averted her gaze. Investigate all you want—after all, he couldn’t remember what happened that night.
At the evening meal table, the atmosphere was harmonious and joyful.
The Retired Emperor and Emperor Su Ming continuously served dishes to the two children.
Jiang Yunxi and Liu Qingbai chatted animatedly.
Zhan Beiyuan sat expressionlessly.
“Master Liu, let me read your palm. We can discuss it later,” Jiang Yunxi persisted, unwilling to give up. Who knew when she would see him again? It was better to confirm things today.