Now everyone present finally realized one thing clearly: Yu Zhenzi really wanted to take the young prince as his disciple. Ji Shaocheng immediately clapped his hands and said, "Good, good, he's a worthy master."
Although Yu Zhenzi had previously persuaded the Emperor to let Feng Zixiao go, he completely approved of Xiao Mao'er becoming Yu Zhenzi's disciple. Yu Zhenzi was not just a name; he was not only highly skilled in martial arts but also proficient in the Five Elements and Eight Trigrams. Xiao Mao'er would definitely be doing well learning from him.
As soon as Ji Shaocheng spoke, all the ministers seated in the inner hall nodded in agreement.
"Yes, Your Majesty, Your Majesty, we believe this matter is feasible."
"Who in the world wouldn't want to become Master Yu's disciple? It's a pity that he has too high standards. Now that Master Yu wants to take the young prince as his disciple, it's a blessing for the young prince."
Everyone was excited, chattering away. Their little prince was able to become Yu Zhenzi's disciple, and he would surely become a wise and capable ruler in the future. As his subjects, they were naturally overjoyed. So everyone looked up at the Emperor at the head of the table, and then at the Empress. This matter still needed to be decided by the Empress.
Hai Ling went from initial surprise to acceptance. There's no such thing as a free lunch. Yu Zhenzi's sudden offer to take Xiao Mao'er as his master must mean Xiao Mao'er has extraordinary talent, which is why he's taken notice. If Xiao Mao'er didn't have talent, Yu Zhenzi probably wouldn't have even mentioned it. So, as Xiao Mao'er's mother, she's happy for her child. As for letting him become Yu Zhenzi's disciple, it's feasible. First, Yu Zhenzi once saved Xiao Mao'er's life, and they've developed a bond over time. Second, Yu Zhenzi is one of the most capable people in the world, and Xiao Mao'er becoming his disciple shows he won't be incompetent in the future. Naturally, she hopes her son will become a strong and upright man.
However, there was one thing: the kitten was still young, and she couldn't bear to let him leave her. Would Yu Zhenzi take the kitten away from her? With this thought, Hai Ling couldn't help but ask.
“Master Yu, the kitten is so small, you don’t want to take it to the Sanqing Temple, do you?”
Although Sanqing Temple is a sacred temple in the eyes of the world, her kitten is so young and cannot be separated from its mother. What if it becomes withdrawn and isolated when it stays with those Taoist priests?
As soon as Hai Ling finished speaking, Yu Zhenzi laughed. It seemed that the Empress had agreed to let Xiao Mao'er become his disciple, so how could he not be happy?
Yu Zhenzi stroked his long white beard and said cheerfully, "Your Majesty, please rest assured. I will not take the little prince away. He is still young. I will settle this matter first. When the little prince is a little older, I will go to the palace to teach him. When he grows up and can move freely, I will take him to travel around and broaden his horizons. So Your Majesty does not need to worry."
"Then thank you, Master Yu. It is a blessing for the young prince to be able to become your disciple."
In this way, the two parties agreed to the matter, and Master Yu was very happy to be able to accept the young prince Ye Xurui as his disciple.
However, before his joy had subsided, he heard Ye Lingfeng's frustrated voice: "Uncle-Master, if my son becomes your disciple, wouldn't our relationship be in turmoil?"
Upon hearing this, everyone burst into laughter. Things were truly chaotic. Originally, Yu Zhenzi and Elder Xuanyue were fellow disciples, but now they had each taken a father and son as their disciples—this was indeed a bit perplexing.
Unfortunately, Yu Zhenzi never paid attention to etiquette. Although he was a model of Taoism, it was just for show. After hearing Ye Lingfeng's words, Yu Zhenzi laughed and flicked his whisk to comfort Ye Lingfeng.
“Nephew, we can each call each other by our own names, there’s nothing wrong with that.”
After he finished speaking, he took out a crescent-shaped jade pendant with a hawk carved on it. The jade was emerald green, and the hawk in the jade seemed to be alive, as if it was about to spread its wings and fly. This jade was a treasure and had always been Yu Zhenzi's personal possession. He gave this jade to Xiao Mao'er as a gift for accepting him as a disciple.
"This jade is still a spiritual jade. It has been soaked in the medicinal pool for many years and was later cast into this object, so it is very spiritual. Now I am giving it to the little prince to nourish his qi and strengthen his body. When he is a little older, I will come to teach him."
Upon hearing this, Hai Ling immediately picked up the kitten and stood up, thanking Yu Zhenzi again.
Yu Zhenzi waved his hand, then laughed and turned to leave, saying as he went, "Your Majesty, there's no need to be so polite. This is fate between me and the little prince."
He had already slid several meters away after he finished speaking. Even from a distance, his smug words could still be heard: "Now I'm going to go and show off to that old guy Xuan Yue. Can he really take on disciples with high talent? This humble Taoist can too."
Many people in the inner hall found Yu Zhenzi's words amusing. It turned out that Yu Zhenzi was quite childlike in private, a real old rascal.
Meanwhile, Ye Lingfeng, sitting at the head of the table, turned to look at his son beside him. The little cat was holding the gift that Yu Zhenzi had given him, which was quite amusing.
The Emperor was annoyed. Was the treatment of people really that bad? When he first became a disciple of Master Xuan Yue, Xi Xiu knelt at the foot of the mountain for three days and three nights, almost dying, before Master Xuan Yue finally came down to take a look at him. Although he was later accepted as a disciple because of his high talent, he was still incomparable to Xiao Mao'er. Yu Zhenzi's reputation was no less than that of his master, Master Xuan Yue. Countless people were eager to become his disciples, yet he had chosen Xiao Mao'er. Not only that, but as a master, he had given such a wonderful treasure as a gift, which was very rare.
It seems the little kitten is luckier than its father, the emperor, Ye Lingfeng thought sourly.
Inside the hall, everyone stood up to congratulate the Emperor and Empress.
"Your Majesty, Your Majesty the Empress, and the young prince are all congratulated."
"Okay, everyone, please sit down."
After Ye Lingfeng recovered, he began to deploy the troops at Tangying Pass. He was determined to defend Tangying Pass rigorously. Although Feng Zixiao of the Great Zhou Dynasty had been persuaded to retreat by Yu Zhenzi, there was no guarantee that he would launch a surprise attack on Tangying Pass, so no mistakes could be made.
"Yes, Your Majesty, we obey the decree."
The generals rose to receive their orders.
Night had fallen, and everyone withdrew. Someone came to arrange accommodations for the Emperor and Empress, so they could spend the night simply. They would leave Tangying Pass early the next morning.
The room, though not large, was exquisite and elegant.
Ye Lingfeng and Hai Ling lay in bed, placing the kitten in the middle. They played with their son, and only now did their hearts truly settle down. Their son was finally back in their arms. Hai Ling felt her whole body relax and come alive. A gentle smile graced her eyes as she reached out and held the kitten's hand tightly. The kitten was asleep, exhausted, like a porcelain doll, snow-white and pink, adorable. He was now over three months old. Originally, on his 100th day, there should have been a banquet in the palace for guests, but unexpectedly, this happened. Fortunately, in the end, he was unharmed, which was a relief. She was very grateful.
"From now on, I will never let him leave my side again."
Hai Ling spoke with lingering fear, recalling how west Xiu and Feng Zixiao had actually fought each other over the kitten.
These two are truly despicable. Xi Xiu is already dead, so there's nothing she can do about her anger. But Feng Zixiao is still alive. Just thinking about him makes Hai Ling's face darken. She slowly says, "Ye, you have to be careful of Feng Zixiao. He's become somewhat paranoid. Although we didn't fight this time and retreated to the Great Zhou Dynasty, I always feel that this battle will break out sooner or later."
"If a war really breaks out, I will settle accounts with this matter as well."
Ye Lingfeng spoke angrily. In fact, he was concerned about the people of the world, but that man had bullied him time and time again. Even a clay figure has some blood in it, so this battle must be fought.
"Alright, it's late, let's go to sleep early. We have to go back to Bianliang City early tomorrow morning."
"Hmm," as soon as the kitten returned, Hai Ling was completely relieved. She no longer looked sickly as before, and her face was radiant. She held the kitten's hand tightly and fell asleep. Ye Lingfeng's deep eyes sparkled with doting light as he looked at the two people, one big and one small, in the bed. His heart was filled with joy.
The family was finally reunited. They reached out and held Hailin and the kitten's hands tightly, and then they went to sleep together.
The next day, the group set off back to the capital. The soldiers of Tangying Pass escorted them for dozens of miles before stopping, watching the Emperor and Empress return to the capital. Now that the little prince had been found, they could finally rest easy. Thinking that the little prince had become a disciple of Master Yu, they were even happier. It seemed that Beilu would become more and more prosperous.
The carriage traveled back to the capital, taking about ten days, and arrived in Bianliang.
At the gates of Bianliang, many court officials came to greet him. Earlier, the emperor had sent a messenger back to the palace to inform the Empress Dowager that the little prince had been found. The Empress Dowager was overjoyed and immediately issued an edict to the court officials, telling them to be happy that the little prince had been found.
Bianliang City suddenly became lively, with not only ministers but also ordinary citizens lining the streets to welcome them, creating an exceptionally bustling atmosphere that swept away the previous lifelessness.
The Liuyue Palace suddenly came alive with activity. Everyone's face was beaming with joy as they spread the word: the little prince is back! The little prince is back! The entire palace was filled with laughter.
Soon, some noblewomen who were on good terms with the Empress came to the palace to visit the young prince. Even Nalan Mingzhu came. Hailing ordered the eunuchs to invite them in.