Ye Xiaowei didn't keep them in suspense and said directly:
"Does Father still remember that the late emperor of the previous dynasty had a valiant and warlike Grand Marshal?"
"Are you referring to Prince Rui, the younger sister of Emperor Qingxing, the founder of the Qing Dynasty?"
Ye Xiaowei nodded: "Exactly!"
Upon hearing this, Li Changxi not only did not understand in the slightest, but on the contrary, his expression became even more puzzled than before.
He stared at Ye Xiaowei for a long time, still unsure of her intentions. His dark pupils remained fixed on Ye Xiaowei's equally dark and deep eyes, but he couldn't figure it out.
"What does this have to do with Prince Rui?"
Ye Xiaowei said no more, but directly opened the scroll. In an instant, a vivid landscape painting appeared before the two of them.
Li Changxi stared at the painting for a long time, puzzled. He couldn't figure out what was so special about it. Apart from the fact that the painter was skilled, he knew nothing else and became increasingly confused.
"This is?"
"A treasure map!"
☆、022 Treasure Gift
Li Changxi was genuinely surprised; even his usually calm and collected face showed a hint of astonishment.
"What? A treasure map? You mean, this is the treasure that the legendary Prince Rui, who was plotting a rebellion, secretly hid?"
As he spoke, he took the painting from Ye Xiaowei's hand and examined it closely. Despite his extreme seriousness and attention to detail, he still couldn't find any clues. After a moment, he couldn't help but frown.
Ye Xiaowei didn't say much. She just got up, walked to the door, and whispered to her maid. The maid quickly obeyed and left. In a short while, she brought a basin of warm water.
Ye Xiaowei had a maid bring in water and place it on a table to the side, then waved for the maid to leave.
Ye Xiaowei carefully placed the treasure map into the basin of water, soaking it evenly. In no time, other images appeared on the original landscape painting.
Ye Xiaowei picked up the scroll and walked to Li Changxi's side. Li Changxi took it and looked at it, his expression becoming more and more complicated.
He stared intently for a long time, his eyes almost bulging out. Only at times like this would Li Changxi inadvertently drop his masks and reveal his truly ambitious side.
Perhaps he realized he might have lost his composure, and hurriedly tried to appear calm.
"Where did you come from?"
Ye Xiaowei didn't hide anything and told the truth:
"This was obtained by my son through a fortunate coincidence!"
Although Li Changxi had doubts, he didn't really suspect them. After all, if the treasure map really contained the legendary treasures, it would undoubtedly be beneficial to his future endeavors.
Besides, Ye Xiaowei doesn't seem to be lying, and what kind of ability could a fourteen-year-old child have?
I used to suspect her, and all the spies I had planted around her were discovered and killed by her. Now I think I was overthinking it. Maybe it was all just a coincidence!
Despite having many thoughts in his mind, Li Changxi remained calm and composed.
"This, I cannot accept!"
Ye Xiaowei was not surprised at all that Li Changxi would refuse. Li Changxi was extremely honest and simple in public, and he ate vegetarian food and chanted Buddhist scriptures all year round. Why would he need such gold and silver treasures?
Though not surprising, he feigned surprise:
"Why can't we accept it? Does Father doubt my sincerity?"
Li Changxi shook her head: "No, how could I doubt Your Highness's intentions? It's just that I live in the palace year-round, with plenty to eat and drink, and no worries about food or clothing. What use would I have for so many treasures? So, I can't accept them!"
Ye Xiaowei looked troubled, her eyes flickering, and she hesitated for a long time. Seeing this, Li Changxi couldn't help but ask:
"Is there anything else Your Highness wish to say?"
Then, he smiled gently at Ye Xiaowei and reached out to hold her hand.
"Although I am not Your Highness's biological father, I have long regarded Your Highness as my own son. If you have any worries, you can tell me frankly. Please do not suffer in secret!"
How could I not be annoyed when I encounter someone like you who is always on guard, who gives you a treasure map but then tries every excuse to force it on you?
"To be honest, Father, I also have my own selfish motives. As you know, being in the imperial family inevitably brings various dangers and difficulties. I am still young, and if I were to keep these treasures, I fear the secrets would eventually leak out, attracting the attention of others! If I were to ascend the throne in the future, this wealth would certainly be useful. But if it were stolen during this time, wouldn't all my efforts be in vain?"
Li Changxi remained silent. Ye Xiaowei lowered her eyelids, trying to look pitiful, and continued in a low voice:
"Your subject's selfishness is merely using Father's hand to manage things on your behalf; Father must not be pleased!"
Li Changxi already had a plan in mind. His current friendly attitude towards her was only because Emperor Mingde was present, and he couldn't afford to be too disrespectful to her.
She said she was just keeping it for him, but is that all? What if she goes back on her word and kicks him aside? A mere young girl like her can't do anything to him.
Since she insisted on giving him the treasure, how could he refuse?
Li Changxi looked troubled.
“What you say makes sense, but… why don’t you go to the Emperor and Empress? He is your father.”
"Although the Emperor and Empress are my father and empress, it is my father who has raised me all these years. I am closer to my father than to the Empress."
This answer pleased Li Changxi deeply. He never expected that in the Crown Princess's heart, he was closer to her than her biological father. It was worth all the years he had taken care of her.
"In that case, I will keep this item for you for the time being. If you ascend the throne in the future, it will be returned to its rightful owner!"
Upon hearing this, Ye Xiaowei couldn't help but bow in delight: "Your subject thanks Your Majesty for your kindness!"
Li Changxi reached out to help her up, and the two smiled at each other. The father and daughter seemed to be getting along well, but in reality, they each had their own ulterior motives!
Just as she came out of the Biqing Palace, she bumped into a female official beside Emperor Mingde. After bowing to Ye Xiaowei, the female official explained her purpose.
It turned out that Emperor Mingde wanted to see her. She had been thinking about it for a long time on the way, but she couldn't guess why Emperor Mingde was in such a hurry to see her at this time.
The mind of an emperor is like a needle at the bottom of the sea; it is not something that can be easily fathomed.
Upon arriving at the Qiankun Hall, Emperor Mingde was engrossed in a pile of memorials, holding a vermilion brush and constantly writing and drawing, his brows furrowed.
The uprisings in the Northeast, the continuous drought in the Northwest leading to crop failures, and the tsunami along the Southeast coast—all these events piled up, leaving Emperor Mingde with no chance to catch his breath and causing him endless headaches.
A maidservant came to report that Her Highness the Crown Princess was waiting outside. Only then did Mingde relax his brow and say to the maidservant, "Let her in!"
The maidservant obeyed and quickly retreated. A moment later, Ye Xiaowei walked in steadily, knelt down on both knees, and bowed to Emperor Mingde.
"Your subject pays respects to Your Majesty, long live the Empress Dowager!"
The Emperor Mingde, who had just been frowning, was now all smiles, his face full of kindness.
"No need for formalities, please rise!"
"Thank you, Mother Empress!" Ye Xiaowei stood up.
Emperor Mingde looked worried and said:
"I heard you just visited your father. I've been very busy with state affairs lately and haven't been able to go. He's been unwell recently, is he feeling any better?"
Ye Xiaowei replied respectfully:
"Thanks to Your Majesty's blessings, although Father has not fully recovered, his complexion is quite good. Just now, I sent him a thousand-year-old ginseng to nourish him. I believe that given time, he will surely recover! Your Majesty has to attend to state affairs and should not overwork yourself. There is no need to worry. Please take care of your health!"
These words were sincere and heartfelt, and Emperor Mingde was naturally overjoyed upon hearing them.
Smile and nod:
"You are so sensible. With such a filial daughter as you, your father will surely recover soon!"
☆、023 Volunteering
Emperor Mingde was overjoyed, finding it rare that Ye Xiaowei, though not Li Changxi's biological daughter, was still so filial to him.
Furthermore, Ye Xiaowei is the current Crown Princess and the future Empress. If she is ignorant of filial piety, righteousness, and shame, and has a narrow mind, she will naturally find it difficult to maintain her position and will not be able to win the hearts of the people.
Now it seems she was overthinking it. Ye Xiaowei is young, but she is meticulous, intelligent, and considers things very carefully with a long-term vision.
If one day she passes away and returns to dust, and Ye Xiaowei inherits the throne, she can rest in peace.
Emperor Mingde stared at Ye Xiaowei with an open expression, his face full of joy.
His brows, which had been furrowed for days, relaxed temporarily, and the emperor was unusually pleased.
But as the saying goes, an emperor's heart is as unfathomable as the sea. He may be overjoyed one moment, but he could be furious the next, and a slight misstep could cost him his head.
In the inner palace, the so-called parent-daughter affection is as thin as a cicada's wing. Sisters and brothers killing each other is commonplace in the inner palace. If you are too powerful and make the emperor fear you, you may be killed by your own mother.
The imperial palace is the most heartless place. Although many people dream of flying into it and becoming a top figure second only to the emperor, it is still a place of great indifference.
Such opportunities are rare, yet there are always some fearless people who will bravely rush in. Such places may appear magnificent on the surface, but they are rotten and bloody inside, with a strong stench of blood permeating the air.
It has always been the case that the winner takes all and the loser is condemned. Years of meticulous preparation can be ruined by the slightest mistake, resulting in total failure.
Ye Xiaowei is still young and inexperienced, and has no power of her own. If she loses the halo of being the Crown Princess, she is nothing.
Although she is favored by Emperor Mingde today, it is hard to guarantee that she will always be so. If she falls out of favor one day, those who once coveted her will not hesitate to make her disappear from the world completely.
It was always like this, but since God has given her another chance to be reborn, this kind of thing will naturally not happen again.
She remained completely at ease, and despite Emperor Mingde's obvious affection, she still treated him with utmost care and respect.
She took a step back, clenched her fists, and bowed.
"Your Majesty, I have come here today with a request!"
Emperor Mingde was slightly surprised: "Oh? Tell me about it."
Ye Xiaowei lowered her head even further, appearing extremely sincere, which only deepened Emperor Mingde's suspicions.
"Recently, there have been riots in the Northeast and droughts in the Northwest, resulting in crop failures. In addition, a tsunami struck the southeast coast, sweeping through coastal cities and causing countless deaths and injuries. My Fengyu has suffered a disaster that is rare in a century."
Ye Xiaowei's expression was solemn, and her tone was extremely heavy, revealing an undisguised sorrow. Everything she said was not just a show, but came from the bottom of her heart.
These words struck a chord with Emperor Mingde, who had been so busy with these important national affairs that he was unable to eat or sleep.