"Grandfather Emperor, it’s all thanks to Grandma and Mother that I haven’t suffered."
Zhao Yi gestured towards Tong Huaqiong and the others.
Tong Huaqiong thought to herself that raising the Grand Prince wasn’t in vain; he remembered to remind the Old Emperor that they were still kneeling.
With the Grand Prince’s reminder, the Old Emperor finally noticed that Tong Huaqiong and the others had not yet risen.
"Rise, bestow seats," the Old Emperor finally spoke.
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
Tong Huaqiong stood up and sat gracefully in the chair behind her.
Gu Baishuang also sat down with ease.
Upon seeing Tong Huaqiong take her seat, Chen Sufen, Tong Pandi, and Mrs. Zhao followed suit.
Tong Huaqiong discreetly observed the Emperor, noticing his graying temples, wrinkles on his face, and age spots on his hands. Without the yellow robe’s prestige, he was just an ordinary old man.
No different from any elder in Qinghe Bay.
But unlike the ordinary elders of Qinghe Bay, he held the power of life and death over the world.
"Are you the Sui Feng Village Lady?" the Old Emperor, prompted by the eunuch beside him, asked Tong Huaqiong.
If not for the eunuch’s reminder, the Old Emperor would have long forgotten about appointing a village lady, or what contributions Tong Huaqiong had made to earn the title.
"I merely concocted a potion to rid corn of aphids, yet Your Majesty bestowed such great rewards. I’ve always felt grateful and am finally able to thank you in person this time."
Only after speaking did Tong Huaqiong remember she was in the Imperial Palace, and should refer to herself as "this common woman," not "I," in front of the Old Emperor.
However, the Emperor didn’t seem to mind and said with a smile, "Your family is full of talent. Your second son earned merit in the battle with Mo Bei, and your eldest daughter-in-law protected the Grand Prince well. I am very grateful."
Tong Huaqiong modestly replied, "You’re too kind, Your Majesty."
The Old Emperor asked who was the Grand Prince’s foster mother in the folk, and Chen Sufen stepped forward to kowtow. When the Old Emperor asked what reward she wanted, Chen Sufen waved her hand, saying she wanted no reward, only stammering that the Old Emperor should care more about the Grand Prince.
Seeing the Old Emperor silent, Chen Sufen feared he was angry and knelt down, starting to tell the tale of the Grand Prince’s dreadful early days at Qinghe Bay.
"Your Majesty, the Grand Prince often says his grandfather is the kindest old man in the world, and he thinks about him every day. Since the Grand Prince says so, then you must be the best Emperor." Chen Sufen said, "Please care for him more. He lost his parents when he was so young."
The Old Emperor, reminded by Chen Sufen, suddenly recalled the Former Crown Prince.
Three years had passed, and the Former Crown Prince had transformed from a rebel into the Old Emperor’s beloved son, bringing along guilt when he looked at the Grand Prince.
He believed Chen Sufen’s words.
He believed that the Grand Prince at Qinghe Bay talked about him every day.
Chen Sufen was just a peasant woman; her fearful demeanor suggested she dared not lie.
Chen Sufen didn’t expect her actions would evoke a tinge of guilt in the Old Emperor towards the Grand Prince.
The Old Emperor pointed at Man Er and said, "Is this your daughter?"
Before Chen Sufen could answer, Man Er gracefully stood up and saluted the Old Emperor, directly calling him "Grandfather Emperor."
After speaking, she stared straight at the Old Emperor.
The Old Emperor couldn’t help but ask, "Is there something on my face?"
Man Er shook her head, innocently stating, "The Emperor looks just like a deity in a painting."
The Emperor was amused, laughing heartily and gestured for Man Er to come forward.
The Old Emperor had granddaughters, but they all acted like mice encountering a cat around him; never had a child dared to look him in the eye.
The Old Emperor stroked Man Er’s hair and immediately rewarded her with a jade pendant from his person.
After talking with Man Er, the Old Emperor inquired about the people of Qinghe Bay from Tong Pandi and Mrs. Zhao, saying that the Grand Prince’s safety was inseparable from the protection of Qinghe Bay’s residents.
Tong Pandi remained calm.
Mrs. Zhao cried with excitement.
Who wouldn’t? Most commoners never see the Emperor in their lifetime.
Yet she had, how could she not be moved?
Mrs. Zhao had already thought of how to brag about it back home.
However, Mrs. Zhao felt slightly disappointed; to most, the Emperor was a divine figure, yet the Old Emperor on the seat, aside from being dignified, didn’t invoke a sense of divine presence.
Seeing is disenchantment.
Following this, the Old Emperor spoke a few more words with Gu Baishuang.
A few months ago when the frontier army entered the capital, the Old Emperor hosted a banquet for the various generals, and he took a great liking to Nie Xiaofeng.
First, Nie Xiaofeng was of common birth with no background; second, he was handsome and straightforward. The Old Emperor wished to promote Nie Xiaofeng as a trusted aide, but Nie Xiaofeng directly refused, stating he wanted to always fight on the front line, guarding the realm for the Emperor.
The Old Emperor not only wasn’t upset by Nie Xiaofeng’s refusal but rather had increased his impression score for him.
Who wouldn’t want such a chance to get close to the Emperor, yet this straightforward lad refused.
From the Old Emperor’s words, Gu Baishuang detected that her son was highly valued by the Emperor, which made her happy yet worried.
Happy that her son’s future was secure; worried that being too trusted by the Emperor might make enemies.
After talking for a while, the Old Emperor grew weary and took the Grand Prince to the sleeping quarters, instructing Tong Huaqiong and the others to dine before leaving the palace.
"By the way, I quite like this child Man Er. Have her stay in the palace for now and keep the Grand Prince company," he said, then pointed to Yaozu and Duo’er, adding, "Let these two children stay as well."
He skipped over the younger Hua Er and Ying Er.
Man Er, Yaozu, and Duo’er showed no signs of fear; they were quite willing to stay in the Imperial Palace with Xiao Long.
Indeed, these children, raised in the countryside, didn’t understand the harshness of imperial power. In their eyes, the Old Emperor was just a kind and genial grandfather in a dragon robe.
Chen Sufen and Tong Pandi felt nervous but didn’t show it on their faces.
Tong Huaqiong didn’t expect the Old Emperor to keep Man Er and Yaozu the first time he met them. She couldn’t tell if it was to hold them as hostages or simply because he liked the children.
Of course, she didn’t want them to stay in the palace, but she couldn’t refuse.
Whether it would be for a few days or a long-term stay with the Grand Prince, the Old Emperor gave no clear decree.
She planned to ask Lu Zhaoyang after leaving the palace.
As a close minister to the Emperor, Lu Zhaoyang would understand his intentions.
The palace attendants took them to the dining area.
They had thought the imperial meal would be delicious, but Tong Huaqiong found it was not as good as her own cooking.
The only one who found it appetizing was Mrs. Zhao.
She intended to savor the imperial meal carefully, so she could show it off when back in Qinghe Bay.
After the meal, palace attendants escorted Tong Huaqiong and the others out of the palace.
The sunset cast beautiful light and shadows on the glazed tiles, but Tong Huaqiong had no mood to appreciate it.
"Mother."
Just as they exited the palace gates, a familiar voice called out to her.
Following the sound, they saw a carriage halted at the gate, with Lu Zhaozhao and Gu Taohua peering out.
Gu Jingzhe, Lu Zhaoyang, and Gu Dashu stood outside the carriage.
Tong Huaqiong quickly walked over.
"Let’s go, head home first."
The palace gates were not the place to talk, so Lu Zhaoyang had them board the carriage first.
"Zhaoyang, the Emperor kept Man Er and Yaozu and Duo’er, do you think he has other intentions? I’m anxious," Tong Huaqiong asked Lu Zhaoyang the moment the carriage had traveled far from the palace, concerned about the children’s safety inside the palace.
Lu Zhaoyang replied, "The Emperor probably just genuinely likes these children, so he had them stay. As people age, they yearn for familial bonds; the Emperor is no exception. Besides, Man Er and the other children pose no requests or threats to the Emperor. Unlike princely heirs or commandery princesses, their presence won’t be misconstrued or lead to speculation. I’ll inquire further tomorrow. Aunt Tong, please rest assured, for now, it seems the children are safe in the palace."
Relieved by Lu Zhaoyang’s assurance, Tong Huaqiong and the others felt somewhat at ease.