Chapter 455: Little Treasure Snatches the Jade Seal

Chapter 455: Little Treasure Snatches the Jade Seal

How could someone mess up so badly?

His wild father has now become his real father, so what about all those shameless acts of vying for favor in the past?

Was it embarrassing for him?

Liu Qingyun's nap was abruptly interrupted, and seeing her son's dejected state, she knew she had caused quite a stir.

She coughed lightly and said awkwardly, "Son..."

Lu Yuan raised his hand in refusal, "Don't speak, I don't want to hear any explanations right now."

Liu Qingyun asked, "I just want to know, where is the little guy?"

Lu Yuan: "..."

Didn't he even get any comfort?

"He's with your man!"

Lu Yuan said angrily.

Liu Qingyun knew she was in the wrong, but she didn't dwell on her son's rebelliousness. After all, she was still reeling from the shock of sleeping with her sworn brother.

Forget it, she decided not to think about that for now and focused on smoothing her son's hair.

"Son, I've met your wife."

She thought this would comfort her son, but his expression turned even gloomier, "You told her this news too?"

Liu Qingyun quickly waved her hands, "No, no, I didn't tell anyone. Only heaven and earth know, you and I know."

Lu Yuan's gaze turned chilling, "Your man also knows."

Liu Qingyun: "..."

Lu Yuan took a deep breath, suppressing the turbulent thoughts in his mind.

When one has no shame, they are invincible.

Since he wasn't going to tell them, they wouldn't know.

"Madam, Young Master."

Xier reported at the door, "A young master has arrived at the gate. He says his name is Yu Zichuan and claims to be the Young Master's bodyguard."

"Yu Zichuan is here?" Lu Yuan frowned, "Bring him in."

"Yes, Young Master."

Xier went to the gate and led Yu Zichuan into the main courtyard of the Crown Prince's Mansion.

Lu Yuan sat on a stone bench in the corridor, his expression cold as he looked at Yu Zichuan, "Weren't you supposed to wait at home? I'll come for you once everything is settled."

Previously, he thought he had acknowledged a wild father, which was extremely dangerous, so he didn't let Yu Zichuan follow him into the mansion.

Yu Zichuan should have understood this, but today, something seemed off.

Yu Zichuan stared at him intently.

Lu Yuan asked coldly, "What are you doing here?"

Yu Zichuan spoke frankly, "I came to see you acknowledge your father."

Lu Yuan replied indifferently, "Acknowledge what? I... wait, you said acknowledge your father? Acknowledge which father?"

Yu Zichuan: "Do you still need a son?"

"So what if I do, and what if I don't? You don't want me anyway."

"It's better to go back and be bullied by my younger brother. Let me die outside!"

"I want a kiss before taking my medicine."

"I want to sleep with Daddy, Ah Yuan is afraid of the dark."

"Ah Yuan wants Daddy to feed her before she eats."

Lu Yuan's face turned red with embarrassment!

The earlier words were embarrassing enough, but they could be considered facts. But what about the latter part?

Which impudent child came up with these baseless accusations?

Who was smearing his name in secret?

He would catch them and skin them alive!

The hunting eagle, enjoying its jerky, sneezed violently seven or eight times—

Lu Yuan's image as a great schemer shattered, and he decided to take his sword to Qianji Pavilion to slaughter the eagle that very night.

Meanwhile, Lu Zhaoyan carried Little Treasure back to the main courtyard.

Along the way, Lu Zhaoyan walked slowly, afraid of jostling Little Treasure.

Little Treasure slept soundly in his arms, her little face flushed, melting his heart.

As they passed through a corridor, Dou Qingyi suddenly approached, blocking Lu Zhaoyan's path.

"Your Highness!"

She called out excitedly.

Lu Zhaoyan's eyebrows furrowed, and he held the little one tighter.

Dou Qingyi then noticed the child in his arms.

Lu Zhaoyan had wrapped the child tightly in his cloak, so she couldn't see the child's appearance.

However, she could already guess the child's identity.

It was Lu Linyuan's daughter, the little one named Zhaozhao.

The Crown Prince's taboo name contained the character 'Zhao', and the little one's nickname clearly violated this taboo.

Lu Zhaoyan didn't like the way she was looking at Zhaozhao, and he stared at her coldly.

Dou Qingyi sensed a certain coldness in his gaze and shifted her eyes from the child to meet Lu Zhaoyan's gaze, looking pitiful.

"Your Highness, I heard some rumors."

"What you heard isn't a rumor, it's the truth."

Lu Zhaoyan stated bluntly.

Dou Qingyi was taken aback, "I haven't even said what rumors..."

Lu Zhaoyan spoke in a cold voice, "Everything you hear in the mansion is what I want you to hear. Do you understand?"

Previously, he thought she was also a victim of a scheme, so when she came with her son to acknowledge their relationship, he sympathized with her for raising the child for so many years and treated her with courtesy.

But ever since he learned that she had repaid Xiao Bai's kindness with enmity, he lost all sympathy for her.

Dou Qingyi's face turned deathly pale, "No... it's impossible... Qi Er isn't Prince Jin's child... Qi Er is Your Highness's flesh and blood... Your Highness's flesh and blood! The man who spent the night with me was Your Highness—it was you!"

Lu Yuan didn't believe that Lu Zhaoyan would be able to coax and gradually make him accept the truth.

Dou Qingyi's stubbornness only made him feel disgusted.

Lu Zhaoyan held Bao Zhu in his arms and walked away without a glance back.

Dou Qingyi grabbed his sleeve, her voice choked with tears, "Your Highness, is it because of Bai Liu? Is it that she can't tolerate me?"

Lu Zhaoyan replied, "You have no right to mention her."

Dou Qingyi's tears fell like rain, "Your Highness, for the sake of Bai Liu... you would even abandon your own wife and child?"

Lu Zhaoyan didn't bother to waste words and left without a trace of mercy.

As his sleeve slipped from her grasp, Dou Qingyi felt her heart being emptied.

She clenched her teeth, her face streaked with tears, and chased after him. However, she was blocked by Cui Hu, who had swiftly appeared.

"Madam, please restrain yourself."

His address had changed from "Madam" to "this Madam."

Dou Qingyi cried, her tears mingling with her words, "You are the person bestowed by His Majesty to His Highness. Tell me... this isn't true... His Highness just wants to give Bai Liu an explanation... He's been bewitched by her... Let me find His Highness and talk it out..."

Cui Hu didn't move.

Dou Qingyi pounded his chest with her fists, pushed him hard, and even slapped Cui Hu twice.

Despite her pleading and coercion, she couldn't make Cui Hu let her go see the Crown Prince.

It wasn't until Eunuch Zhen from the Internal Affairs Department arrived at the mansion with eunuchs and palace maids, saying they were here to pack up the luggage for Jian Junwang, that Dou Qingyi finally lost all her strength.

She sat on a stone bench in the Rose Garden, staring blankly at the starry sky, her tears having long dried.

Eunuch Zhen approached with a smile, "Madam, we've packed your luggage as well. Shall I take you to the Jinwang Mansion on the way?"

Dou Qingyi murmured, "Jinwang Mansion..."

Eunuch Zhen smiled, "Yes, Jinwang Mansion. From now on, you'll be a concubine in Jinwang Mansion, a grace bestowed by the Noble Consort."

"Jinwang Mansion... concubine..."

Dou Qingyi laughed self-mockingly, "I almost became the Crown Princess, but now I can only be a concubine in a mansion?"

Eunuch Zhen spoke with deep meaning, "As long as the mountains remain, there will be no shortage of firewood. Your son is the National Guardian Qilin, the heir to the empire. When he ascends the throne, will you still care about the path you once took?"

Dou Qingyi slowly raised her head, her vacant gaze gradually turning sharp, "Eunuch Zhen, you're committing a grave offense."

Eunuch Zhen knelt down with a thud, "This servant has spoken out of turn! Please forgive me, Consort Dou!"

Dou Qingyi gently removed a fallen leaf from her shoulder and said calmly, "However, what you said isn't wrong. Whomever my son recognizes as his father, that person will be the Crown Prince."

Lu Zhaoyan, you will regret this!

For the sake of a mere woman, you abandoned me and Qi Er. I'll wait and see you lose everything, and whether you'll kneel and beg me!

As soon as Eunuch Zhen left the Crown Prince's Mansion, Eunuch Yu arrived.

Lu Zhaoyan met Eunuch Yu in his study.

Eunuch Yu was out of breath, looking disheveled.

Lu Zhaoyan spoke gently, "Eunuch Yu, you've had a tiring journey. I wonder what brings you here so late."

Eunuch Yu sighed, "Your Highness, don't make fun of this old servant. All the troubles I've encountered on the way were caused by you."

The Liang Emperor had sent him to ask Lu Zhaoyan one last time if he really didn't want to be the Crown Prince.

On his way, either the carriage wheel broke, or the streets were blocked.

During this time, Hu Guifei and Lu Qi recognized each other as grandfather and grandson. Hu Guifei, in exchange for sparing Dou Qingyi, convinced Lu Qi to accept his identity.

[A line of characters that doesn't seem to make sense in the context, possibly a typo or a hidden message]



By the time Eunuch Yu overcame all obstacles and reached the Crown Prince's Mansion, everything had been decided.

"Your collaboration with the Noble Consort was truly seamless."

Lu Zhaoyan smiled, "I don't understand what Eunuch Yu is saying."

Eunuch Yu wasn't surprised, "This servant has watched several princes grow up. They are all my young masters. I don't want any of them to come to harm, and I believe His Majesty's paternal heart will only grow stronger. No matter what decision His Majesty makes, it is for the sake of the prince and the Great Liang Empire."

Lu Zhaoyan said, "The Emperor is doing this for my own good, I understand. But in my heart, there are things more important than power. The Emperor is right, and I am not wrong."

Eunuch Yu nodded, "In that case, this servant will return to the palace and report to His Majesty."

He bowed and retreated respectfully.

"Eunuch Yu."

Lu Zhaoyan called out to stop him.

Eunuch Yu had already left the room, but upon hearing this, he turned back and asked, "Your Highness, is there anything else you need?"

A maid handed a jar of ointment to Eunuch Yu.

Lu Zhaoyan said, "Your legs are not as agile as before. You're getting old, so let your adopted sons handle the matters at the Emperor's side. There's no need to personally attend to everything."

Eunuch Yu's heart warmed at the words, "Thank you, Your Highness."

Though he claimed all six princes were his little masters, his fingers varied in length, and he couldn't help having his favorites.

Being a eunuch, he had an incurable illness that couldn't be discussed openly. Only His Highness would send him medicine, and only His Highness wouldn't despise him for his condition.

"Your Highness."

He held the medicine bottle, "The State Tutor has entered the palace."

---

At the Star-Picking Tower.

The Liang Emperor and Gongsun Yanming sat facing each other in a place that seemed like a starry river.

A small table was placed in front of them.

Gongsun Yanming had just finished divination.

The Liang Emperor looked at the compass and copper coins on the table and asked Gongsun Yanming, "State Tutor, how is the national fortune of Da Liang?"

Gongsun Yanming replied solemnly, "The national fortune is in turmoil, and a major event will happen soon."

"A major event..."

The Liang Emperor's eyebrows furrowed, and he remained silent for a long time.

Gongsun Yanming waved at the disciples of the Imperial Astronomical Bureau beside him.

The disciples all withdrew.

Eunuch Yu, who had been serving the Emperor all day, was now accompanied by a little eunuch, Xiao Dezi.

Xiao Dezi didn't move.

The Liang Emperor didn't ask him to leave either.

Gongsun Yanming rearranged the divination symbols.

The Liang Emperor said, "State Tutor, you must know about Qi Er's background."

Gongsun Yanming stood up and apologized, "I am guilty, Your Majesty."

The Liang Emperor gestured for him to sit down, "It's not your fault. It's Hua Er's own doing, causing the Dou family to mistake the identity."

Gongsun Yanming sat back on the meditation cushion.

The Liang Emperor asked, "The national fortune turmoil you mentioned, does it refer to Qi Er's restoration to the position?"

Gongsun Yanming paused and said, "The Gou Chen star is dim and unclear, which is a sign of great misfortune."

The Liang Emperor immediately said, "Please instruct me, State Tutor."

Gongsun Yanming spoke solemnly, "Rectify the disorder and restore order."

The Liang Emperor frowned and looked at Gongsun Yanming, "State Tutor, do you mean... that Yan Er should hand over the golden seal and return the position of the Crown Prince to his older brother?"

Gongsun Yanming sighed, "The divination symbols only have four words: rectify the disorder and restore order. Whether it refers to the Crown Prince or not, I dare not speak recklessly."

Although he said this, besides the position of the Crown Prince, what else needed to be rectified and restored?

Gongsun Yanming spoke with a heavy heart, "Your Majesty, for the sake of Da Liang's future, please make a decision soon."

The Liang Emperor closed his eyes and sighed with deep melancholy, "I understand."

---

At the Thousand Mechanisms Pavilion, Xiao Rong Er and her mother also learned about Lu Qi's background.

Gongsun Ziyu was extremely surprised, "Oh heavens, he's actually the son of the Prince of Jin! Then... if my sister marries him... wouldn't she become the daughter-in-law of the Prince of Jin's Mansion? Can she still be the Crown Princess in the future?"

Gongsun Liuying's expression remained calm.

Xiao Rong Er smiled and said, "Whoever Qi Er's father is, that person will be the Crown Prince. Moreover, your sister was born a phoenix, and whoever she marries will become the emperor."

She didn't care at all about who Lu Qi's biological father was. Lu Qi and her daughter were destined to be the emperor.

The Liang Emperor became the emperor because of Lu Qi.

From beginning to end, Lu Qi was the most important.

---

The next day, at dawn.

The palace sent someone.

Eunuch Yu had difficulty walking, so the Liang Emperor sent his adopted son, Xiao Dezi.

Xiao Dezi paid his respects to Lu Zhaoyan and explained his purpose.

The Liang Emperor wanted to take back the Crown Prince's Mansion and the golden seal.

Lu Zhaoyan had expected this day to come, and he also expected it to come so soon, as his imperial father was famously decisive and swift.

He smiled, "Wait a moment, I need to organize some things."

Xiao Dezi, following his foster father's instructions, was very respectful and said, "His Majesty said that there's no rush to move the mansion. It's fine to stay for a few more days. I came today mainly to retrieve the Crown Prince's golden seal."

"Alright."

Lu Zhaoyan said, "Cui Hu, go and get the golden seal from Prince Ming."

Cui Hu went to Prince Ming's residence and soon returned with the seal, "Prince Ming said to give it to your son."

Lu Zhaoyan had originally planned to send Cui Hu to retrieve it, but after thinking, he felt it would be better to go himself.

He went to the main courtyard.

Lu Yuan was awake and sitting on the swing that Ji Feng had built overnight for Bao Zhu Zhu.

"So early."

"Hmph."

No need to pretend to be the silly son of the landlord, Lu Yuan resumed his old habit of waking up early to read extensively.

Lu Zhaoyan had no patience for his son, "Where's the golden seal?"

Lu Yuan replied indifferently, "With the little one."

Lu Zhaoyan went to Bao Zhu Zhu's room.

Bao Zhu Zhu was sleeping soundly, curled up in a ball. Suddenly, she felt someone trying to steal her little golden seal. She opened her eyes and let out a super fierce roar!

Lu Zhaoyan was stunned.

Was the little one so fierce?

Lu Zhaoyan gently coaxed her, "Zhaozhao, give this to me, okay?"

"No!"

Bao Zhu Zhu held the golden seal tightly.

Lu Zhaoyan took out a sugar cube to coax her and tried to exchange it for the seal.

Bao Zhu Zhu refused to trade.

"The golden seal is Bao Bao's!"

Hahaha, it's over, the little Pixiu's attribute has erupted! Liang Emperor, it's your turn to face the consequences! Today, I ask for a baby vote~

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end