Chapter 456: The Qilin's Return

Chapter 456: The Qilin's Return

Baozhu Zhu was obsessed with all things golden, the kind that not even a sugar-coated hawthorn could tempt her to trade, let alone a few small sugar cubes.

Lu Zhaoyan ordered more delicacies, dazzling in variety, but after half a day of coaxing, the little one still wouldn't fall for it.

He said he wouldn't give it, and he meant it.

Once it's in her pocket, it's her money!

There's no way he could take it by force; it's not right to bully the small.

Lu Zhaoyan was at a loss and had to seek help from his son.

Lu Yuan sat on the swing, ignoring his father's pleading gaze.

The little Pi Xiu only took in and never gave out; he wasn't going to be the bad guy.

There was only one person who could take away the golden treasure from the little Pi Xiu—Meng Xiaojiu.

But this secret was something Lu Yuan would never reveal to Lu Zhaoyan.

Why call Meng Xiaojiu to the Crown Prince's Mansion?

To watch his wild father turn into a loving parent? Mentioning this, Lu Yuan looked up at Yu Zichuan sitting on the roof, polishing his bow.

Yu Zichuan felt Lu Yuan's gaze and gave him a knowing look, then opened his mouth expressionlessly: "Ha, ha."

The mockery was palpable.

Lu Yuan's face darkened.

Lu Zhaoyan decided to look for Xiao Bai.

At this hour, Liu Qingyun was still sleeping, and even if she was awake, she had no control over the little one. It would be more effective to ask Lu Yuan for help.

Lu Zhaoyan hesitated and looked at Xiao Dezi, "De Gonggong, what do you think...?"

Xiao Dezi quickly bowed, "Your Highness is too kind to this servant. Just call me Xiao Dezi."

There was no morning court today.

The Liang Emperor woke up early, practiced his sword techniques for a while, and then went to the Imperial Study to review the memorials.

Even when he was the Prince of Qin, there were many civil and military affairs in the southwest.

He was either suppressing internal unrest or governing the southwest.

Now, with the additional title of Emperor, his responsibilities remained unchanged.

Eunuch Yu carried a food box and entered, "Your Majesty, Concubine Hu sent ginseng soup, saying that she cooked it herself."

Ever since the Liang Emperor conferred the title of Crown Prince to Lu Zhaoyan, Concubine Hu had been in a huff and refused to see the Emperor.

Now that Prince Jin had the possibility of becoming the heir, Concubine Hu immediately reconciled with the Emperor.

The Liang Emperor replied indifferently, "I'll have it."

He was well aware of Concubine Hu's cooking skills—it was the kind that could make a dog turn its nose up.

Eunuch Yu's lips twitched, "Thank you, Your Majesty, for your grace."

Being an imperial gift, he couldn't refuse it.

After finishing a memorial, the Liang Emperor asked, "Has Xiao Dezi not returned?"

"This servant sent someone to check."

Eunuch Yu was also puzzled.

His godson had been gone for the entire morning. Could it be that the Crown Prince was unwilling to hand over the jade seal?

The Liang Emperor was just thinking that there was no need to rush him, but what if the rebellious son changed his mind—

Just as this thought flashed through his mind, Xiao Dezi rushed back to the Imperial Study, out of breath.

"This servant... greets Your Majesty!"

The Liang Emperor glanced at him, "Does the Crown Prince refuse to hand over the jade seal?"

Xiao Dezi quickly replied, "He did! After I explained the purpose of my visit, the Crown Prince immediately went to get the jade seal without hesitation."

The Liang Emperor's face turned ashen.

This rebellious son!

If he didn't cherish the jade seal, there were plenty of others who did.

Eunuch Yu said to his godson, "Where's the jade seal?"

"It's here, right here."

Xiao Dezi brought in a large box.

Eunuch Yu was completely baffled.

The Liang Emperor furrowed his brows in confusion.

Xiao Dezi opened the box.

Inside was a chubby baby, holding the jade seal with both hands, sitting adorably.

Upon seeing the Liang Emperor, the baby opened its mouth, making a cooing sound, "Great-Grandpa!"

The Liang Emperor's expression instantly changed, and he almost laughed out loud, "Is it Zhaozhao? Zhaozhao has come to see Great-Grandpa?"

"Yes!"

Baozhu Zhu nodded vigorously, trying to climb out of the box, but after a long struggle with her short legs, she couldn't get out.

"Great-Grandpa, hold me!"

How could the Liang Emperor refuse?

He threw down the memorial and the brush, and took the baby into his arms.

"Do you miss Great-Grandpa?"

The Liang Emperor asked with a smile.

"Yes."

The little one snuggled into the Liang Emperor's embrace, resting her head on his neck, and proudly lifted her tiny feet.

She was indeed the most adorable baby in the world.

The Liang Emperor was amused, "Great-Grandpa also misses Zhaozhao. Zhaozhao, stay in the palace with Great-Grandpa, okay? Don't leave."

The baby opened her mouth and said, "Okay."

"Haha!"

The Liang Emperor's heart was filled with joy.

Who could refuse such a cute and clingy child? The Liang Emperor certainly couldn't.

Holding the baby, the Liang Emperor paced back and forth in the Imperial Study, coaxing and playing with her. He effortlessly switched from imperial language to baby talk.

If not for witnessing it himself, who would believe this was the dignified and solemn Liang Emperor?

Xiao Dezi was amazed and looked at his godfather with an inquiring gaze.

Eunuch Yu nodded.

Xiao Dezi understood and silently left the Imperial Study.

The Liang Emperor amused Baozhu Zhu, making her giggle. After confirming that she was very fond of him, he reached for the jade seal in her hand.

The moment he took it, things took a turn for the worse.

The little one immediately turned serious, her small face glaring at the Liang Emperor.

The Liang Emperor gently coaxed, "The Jade Seal isn't a toy. Give it to your great-grandfather, okay?"

Baozhu Zhu didn't say a word; she just stared at the Liang Emperor with her big, round eyes.

Suddenly, her little mouth pouted, and tears started to fall.

"Okay, okay, I won't take it!"

The Liang Emperor immediately let go.

Eunuch Yu quickly brought over various delicious treats and toys.

Without exception, none of them could convince the little one to give up the Jade Seal.

If Lu Qi had taught her this, the Liang Emperor wouldn't believe it.

Because on her very first night in the palace, she had picked off the gold inlay from the coiled dragon pillar.

The Liang Emperor was stumped.

How could he get the Jade Seal back?

The Liang Emperor doted, "Zhaoshao, your great-grandfather also wants to play with the Jade Seal. How about I exchange it for something else? Tell me what you want."

Baozhu Zhu threw away the Jade Seal and grabbed the Imperial Seal from the table.

The Liang Emperor stuffed the Crown Prince's Jade Seal back into her embrace.

Since Lu Qi had moved to the Jin Prince's Mansion, the wedding, which was supposed to be held at the Crown Prince's Mansion, was changed to take place at the Jin Prince's Mansion instead.

There were many preparations to be made, and the wedding date was postponed to the following month.

The Imperial Court and the common people were both in turmoil, but all the commotion was kept outside the Crown Prince's Mansion.

"It's so quiet here."

Lu Yuan raised an eyebrow and looked at Lu Zhaoyan.

Lu Zhaoyan said, "Even if the sky falls, your father will be there to support you."

Lu Yuan turned his face, "Who needs you to support?"

Lu Zhaoyan's expression turned serious. "This is between me and your grandfather. Whether I become the Crown Prince or not, you will always be the Imperial Grandson of Great Liang, with an esteemed status."

Lu Zhaoyan could choose not to be the Crown Prince, but he wouldn't let his son lose the wealth, honor, and royal status he deserved.

Lu Yuan had intended to tease his father, but he didn't expect his father to take it seriously.

He couldn't handle such an emotional scene and left with a cold expression.

Just after avoiding his father, as he returned to the courtyard, the hunting falcon arrived.

A piece of paper was tied to its claws.

Lu Yuan narrowed his eyes, "You still have the face to come here?"

The hunting falcon flapped its wings and raised its head, revealing a small red rope around its neck, along with a gold plate the size of a fingernail.

It was the life-saving gold plate personally woven by its owner!

It had taken a lot of gossip from that dog man to get it, and the eagle was exhausted!

Meng Qianqian arranged to meet Lu Yuan at a teahouse near the Crown Prince's Mansion.

Lu Yuan brought Yu Zichuan with him.

As soon as they entered, seven pairs of eyes turned to look at him, each with a meaningful gaze.

Chen Long, Ji Li, Si Snake, Shangguan Ling, and even Shang Wuyou and Tan'er were all there.

Lu Yuan's mouth twitched, and he said to Meng Qianqian, "I thought it was just you?"

Meng Qianqian innocently said, "I didn't expect them to follow me either."

"Hehe."

Tan'er bounced forward, "Grand Commander, congratulations! Your wild father has become your real father!"

Lu Yuan clenched his fist: This joke was too much!

Shangguan Ling's eyebrows rose, "Oh?"

Ji Li snapped open her fan, "Oh?"

Chen Long followed suit, "Oh?"

Shang Wuyou, "Oh?"

Si Snake, "Oh?"

Lu Yuan was stunned, "Si Snake, even you—?"

Yu Zichuan opened his mouth.

Lu Yuan, "If you dare to say it, you're dead!"

"Oh!"

Yu Zichuan fled after speaking!

The grand minister almost died of embarrassment from his teammates' mocking.

Meng Qianqian tugged at his sleeve and blinked, "Husband, look, I'm not like them. I won't laugh at you."

Lu Yuan saw right through her, "Unless you told them what the eagle said?"

Meng Qianqian, suddenly exposed, was speechless.

Lu Yuan sat down next to Meng Qianqian, and his serious gaze swept over the group, "Have you laughed enough? If you're done, let's talk about serious matters."

Everyone remained silent, pursing their lips.

Lu Yuan spoke coldly, "What? Haven't you had enough laughter?"

Shang Wuyou, fearless as a young bull, said, "Laughing at you is a serious matter."

Lu Yuan, "...Where's my knife?"

Chen Long placed his sword case on the table.

Lu Yuan refused to be threatened, "Are you looking for a fight?"

Meng Qianqian quickly played the peacemaker, "Alright, alright, let's talk about serious matters! We're here because we have something important to discuss with you! Brother, put your sword away; I have nowhere to put my cup."

Chen Long put his sword case away.

The group began to discuss the news.

Meng Qianqian said, "Last night, Gongsun Yanming went to see the Great Liang Emperor."

Lu Yuan said, "This morning, the Emperor sent someone to retrieve the Crown Prince's Jade Seal."

Chen Long said, "It seems these two matters are related."

Shangguan Ling stroked his chin, "As long as Gongsun Yanming obtains the National Guardian Qilin, his position in Great Liang will be unshakable."

"Shang Wuyou said to Lu Yuan, "Why don't you go to the Jin Prince's Mansion and acknowledge a wild father?"

Lu Yuan's eyes narrowed dangerously, "Are you looking for death?"

Chen Long spoke up, "I'll go kill Gongsun Yanming."

Everyone facepalmed.

Here we go again.

Meng Qianqian said seriously, "Brother, even if we kill him, there will be another Gongsun Yanming. We're not just dealing with him, but the entire Qianji Pavilion, the Da Liang Guo Yun that the Liang Emperor has in mind."

Lu Yuan pondered for a moment, "I have an idea."

---

After experiencing the vertical descent from the mountain and escaping from the fire, Master Zi Wu had been bedridden for seven to eight days before he could finally get up.

As he sat up, a dagger was pressed against his neck.

Master Zi Wu glanced at someone, "What do you want now?"

Lu Yuan stepped on the bed, threatening with a bandit-like demeanor, "Do you want to live or die?"

Master Zi Wu, "I want to die."

Lu Yuan, "..."

"Fine, I'll take you down the mountain."

Master Zi Wu, "Suddenly, living seems pretty good."

Lu Yuan wiped his knife with his curtain, "That's more like it. I've prepared new clothes for you. Change into them and follow me into the palace."

Master Zi Wu looked at the clothes on the stool and made a face, "Why go to the palace?"

Lu Yuan said, "To tell His Majesty that you've found the true Guardian Qilin."

Master Zi Wu gave Lu Yuan a strange look, "But you already found it, didn't you?"

Lu Yuan hooked his lips, "What I mean is, you have to tell His Majesty that Lu Qi is a fake, and I'm the real Guardian Qilin. I'm the one carrying the Da Liang Guo Yun."

Master Zi Wu's expression became even more perplexed, "Doesn't His Majesty know who the real Guardian Qilin is?"

"He knows, that's why he had you create a fake one."

Lu Yuan handed Master Zi Wu a set of tools he had taken from Ji Li, "I've borrowed the compass and tortoise shell for you. Act more convincingly, don't let His Majesty see through your act."

Master Zi Wu's expression was hard to read, "Are you sure... you want to act?"

Lu Yuan raised his knife, "How will he believe it if we don't act? Act or not? If not, I'll take you down the mountain."

Master Zi Wu looked at Lu Yuan with a meaningful gaze, "If you make me act, don't regret it later."

---

In the Imperial Study.

The Liang Emperor was reviewing memorials.

The little one sat cross-legged on the floor, playing.

She had been playing with the wooden horse, rattle drum, and cuju all morning, switching to a new toy whenever she got bored, except for the jade seal, which she held tightly in her embrace.

If she had to let go, she would only do so for the Jade Seal.

The Liang Emperor never expected that he, the mighty Wu Emperor, would be manipulated by a child.

His expression was complex.

The little one babbled as she played with the rattle drum. When she looked up and met the Liang Emperor's gaze, she immediately called out adorably, "Great-great-grandfather!"

"Eh—"

The Liang Emperor's voice softened.

His great-granddaughter was so cute.

After entertaining the adults, the little piggy continued playing.

"Your Majesty, Master Zi Wu requests an audience."

The Liang Emperor's eyes lit up, and he said excitedly, "Please invite him in!"

He didn't say 'summon' but 'invite,' showing his respect for Master Zi Wu.

After a pause, he added, "Send a palanquin!"

Eunuch Yu arranged for a palanquin to bring Master Zi Wu to the Imperial Study.

The palace was so vast that without the palanquin, Master Zi Wu's old legs would have surely given out.

"Zi Wu, paying respects to Your Majesty."

Upon arriving at the Imperial Study, Master Zi Wu immediately performed the kneeling salute to the Liang Emperor.

The Liang Emperor quickly supported him, "Please rise, Master. From now on, in Da Liang, you need not perform the kneeling salute to anyone."

From the palanquin to the special privilege, the Liang Emperor's high regard for Master Zi Wu was evident.

Even though Master Zi Wu had no intention of serving in the court, he couldn't help but admire the Liang Emperor's governance.

The Liang Emperor offered Master Zi Wu a seat and, instead of discussing official matters, he first instructed Eunuch Yu, "Send for the Imperial Physician to check on Master Zi Wu's health."

Master Zi Wu quickly replied, "It's not necessary, Your Majesty. My health is fine. I came to the palace today because I have an important matter to report to Your Majesty."

The Liang Emperor listened attentively, "Please, Master, enlighten me."

Master Zi Wu stroked his beard, "Last night, I observed the stars and saw the celestial dome rotating. The Southern Dipper's two stars, one in the Heavenly Treasury, foretell a change in Da Liang's Guo Yun."

The Liang Emperor didn't understand the Southern Dipper's two stars, but he did understand 'one in the Heavenly Treasury.' He thoughtfully said, "Your words align with the State Tutor's, but do you have a solution to this?"

Master Zi Wu replied, "Set things right."

With both masters saying the same thing, the Liang Emperor's belief deepened, "How do we set things right? Should we reinstate the Crown Prince?"

Master Zi Wu spoke solemnly, "It's not the Crown Prince who should be reinstated, but the Qilin."

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end