“What did you say!” Zhan Beiyuan’s aura instantly turned cold and heavy, his pitch-black eyes flashing with dangerous light.
“If I haven’t miscalculated, the Retired Emperor’s health began to decline three months ago—gradually weakening until he was confined to bed.” Jiang Yunxi shared her speculation: someone had tampered with his inner chamber.
Zhan Beiyuan frowned. “How do you know this so clearly?”
Jiang Yunxi met his gaze. “I am a disciple of Qingxu Temple. I can divine and calculate, and I understand both geomancy and physiognomy. If you don’t believe me, go search in the southeast direction right now. I’m certain there’s a Fu talisman pasted there.”
Zhan Beiyuan strode toward the southeast.
There stood a rosewood carved display shelf holding a square blue-and-white porcelain flowerpot. He examined it carefully but saw no talisman on the shelf.
A moment later.
He lifted the flowerpot.
Momo’s short legs pattered over. “Daddy, there’s a Fu talisman stuck to the bottom of the flowerpot.”
With that, he reached out and tore the talisman off.
Hearing that “Daddy,” a strange emotion surged in Zhan Beiyuan’s heart. He set down the flowerpot and reached for the talisman.
“Don’t touch it!” Jiang Yunxi quickly walked over.
Momo handed the talisman to her.
Jiang Yunxi took the talisman, performed a hand seal, and it ignited. As it burned, it transformed into a plume of black mist.
The Retired Emperor: “…”
Zhan Beiyuan: “…”
Eunuch Qin: “…”
“The talisman has been tampered with, which is why it burned into black mist. A normal talisman doesn’t burn like this. The Retired Emperor should investigate thoroughly,” Jiang Yunxi warned.
“Retired Emperor, this old servant deserves death for allowing someone to place a talisman in the inner chamber to harm you,” Eunuch Qin swiftly knelt on the ground, his heart trembling with fear. If not for Miss Jiang, would the Retired Emperor have remained bedridden?
“I know your loyalty. Rise,” the Retired Emperor said gravely, utterly shocked to learn that his severe illness had been caused by foul play.
“Imperial Grandfather, don’t worry. The talismans Mother draws are incredibly powerful. With her talismans, no demons or monsters can get close to you,” Mianmian said affectionately, clinging to his arm without any shyness, her milky face wearing a playful smile.
Seeing her adorable appearance, the Retired Emperor’s heart melted with tenderness. Beaming, he asked, “Your mother is that remarkable?”
Mianmian nodded proudly. “Mother is super amazing! At Qingxu Temple, everyone adores her. When she brought my brother and me to find Daddy this time, they were all so reluctant to see us go, crying their eyes out.”
Jiang Yunxi broke into a cold sweat.
Are you sure they cried because they were reluctant, and not because they were overjoyed that the three of us left?
“Wait, how did you have children? And why haven’t you come forward all these years?” The Retired Emperor suddenly seized upon a crucial point.
“Six years ago, Prince Han and I had an unexpected night together. Afterward, I became pregnant and raised the children alone. It wasn’t until my grandmother came to Qingxu Temple to find me and said Momo looked exactly like Prince Han did as a child that I confirmed he was their father.”
Jiang Yunxi spoke calmly; this was no excuse.
Her grandmother had indeed said those words when she saw Momo.
The Retired Emperor pondered for a moment, then laughed heartily in delight. “It was destined! I think you should quickly choose an auspicious day to marry. How about today? Since you’ve borne children, you shall be Han Wangfei in the future, with Miss Lin as the secondary consort.”
Jiang Yunxi’s lips twitched slightly. “I’ve calculated it: Prince Han cannot marry for the next three years. Your Majesty should temporarily abandon this idea.”
The Retired Emperor frowned, “Then why did you bring the children to find him…”
Zhan Beiyuan looked at Jiang Yunxi, also wondering why she suddenly brought the children to him.
“He is the children’s father and has a responsibility to care for them. We can raise the children together, but otherwise, we have nothing to do with each other.” Jiang Yunxi met Zhan Beiyuan’s gaze openly. She truly had no other motives for bringing the children to him.
She would not tell Zhan Beiyuan that she only had a little over three months left to live.
That was her own affair, unrelated to him.
“That would be best.” Zhan Beiyuan could accept this proposal of hers.
“Then it’s settled. I’ll first take the children back to Yingguo Gongfu to meet their relatives. Afterward, the children will live at Hanwang Fu. I will visit them often. Prince Han won’t stop me, will you?” Jiang Yunxi felt it was best to clarify things upfront.
To avoid him causing trouble later.
“Mother, won’t you live with us?” Momo frowned. They had never been separated from their mother before.
“Mother, I don’t want to be apart from you.” Mianmian rushed over and clung to her leg, burying her little head against it pitifully.
“You’ve been with the children all along. How can you bear to suddenly leave them in an unfamiliar place? You will also stay at Hanwang Fu. This matter is settled by me!” The Retired Emperor made the decision for them directly.
Naturally, he had his own little scheme in mind.
The legitimate daughter of Yingguo Gongfu, of good background, skilled in fortune-telling, appearing innocent and honest without ill intentions, and having borne the brat a pair of dragon and phoenix twins—she was more than a match for him.
“Since Father has spoken, you may stay at Hanwang Fu for now.” Zhan Beiyuan initially wanted to refuse, but upon second thought, having her stay at the manor would allow him to see clearly what her true motives were.
Jiang Yunxi looked at the pitiful expressions on the two little ones’ faces. “I’ll stay at Hanwang Fu for now as well.”
Momo and Mianmian exchanged glances, giving each other a mental high-five.
Zhan Beiyuan raised an eyebrow.
She definitely had other intentions; otherwise, she wouldn’t have agreed so readily.
…
Jiang Yunxi and Zhan Beiyuan left the palace together.
Zhan Beiyuan escorted them to Yingguo Gongfu.
“Thank you, Your Highness, for seeing us here. However, you will face a Bloodlight Disaster tonight. This Fu can keep you safe. After the discount, it’s one hundred taels of silver.” Jiang Yunxi took a Fu from her sleeve and handed it to him. Money that should be collected still had to be collected.
“This prince does not need it.” Zhan Beiyuan did not believe in such things. He quickly boarded the carriage and signaled Qi Yan to depart.
Jiang Yunxi clicked her tongue twice, then led her two treasures toward the main gate of Yingguo Gongfu.
“Who goes there!” The gatekeeper’s servant looked fierce and unfriendly.
“I am Jiang Yunxi, the legitimate eldest daughter of Yingguo Gongfu.” Jiang Yunxi narrowed her eyes slightly. She had agreed with her grandmother to return home today, and her grandmother must have given instructions. The gatekeeper should not have such an attitude.
The servant glanced at them disdainfully. “I’ll go inside to report.”
A moment later.
The servant returned. “Follow me inside.”
Jiang Yunxi led the two children and followed. When they reached the main hall in the front courtyard, many people were gathered.
“Yunxi, my two little treasures, you’ve finally returned.” The Grandmother walked toward them with a beaming smile. She had been waiting since morning, even though Yunxi had told her they would not arrive until evening.
“Grandmother.” Jiang Yunxi called out with a bright smile.
“Great-grandmother.” Momo and Mianmian called out obediently.
The Grandmother was overjoyed. She turned to a woman beside her. “Come here. This is Jiang Yunxi, your biological daughter. From now on, she is the legitimate eldest daughter of the main branch of Yingguo Gongfu.”
Suddenly.
A maidservant rushed in, flustered and panicked.
“Something terrible has happened! The third young lady has taken her own life. No matter how much I call, she won’t wake up. Please, someone go check on her…” The maid began to sob uncontrollably.
Jiang Yunxi calculated with her fingers, “Don’t worry, Yingguo Gongfu will not see any deaths today.”