"For example, what just happened was very interesting. I enjoy watching you talk." Huangfuyu said this as if he didn't care at all what others were saying.
Those around immediately fell silent, except for Huangfuyu, who was still smiling at the Empress Dowager, seemingly unaware of the awkward atmosphere.
The Empress Dowager's expression changed, but she remained silent. It was Emperor Zhou who spoke up, "What did you say? Tell me."
Huangfu Yu smiled and said, "It was the Second Prince who wanted to suggest that the Prince of Nan treat the Crown Prince. However, they were worried about two things: first, whether the Crown Prince could recover; and second, whether Father would agree when they reported this to him."
Those around him found it unbelievable. They never expected that Huangfu Yu could explain the dispute so simply under such circumstances, and that it sounded so natural coming from his mouth!
Emperor Zhou listened without showing any expression, but his gaze fell on Nan Xuzong. "Prince Nan is Xuan'er's tutor; he should just do his job and not do such things." Emperor Zhou actually had no intention of waking Huangfu Yun. If Huangfu Yun woke up, wouldn't things become even more chaotic? Now, several forces were already intertwined, allowing him peace of mind—that was enough! As for the future of the throne, that would be decided in time! Since he was in such a hurry now, he wouldn't let him have his way!
"Alright, let's drop this matter!" Emperor Zhou said at this moment.
Those around could not help but sense the favoritism. It seemed that Prince Nan and his wife were not only protected by the Empress Dowager, but also by Emperor Zhou! And Huangfu Xuan was standing with them!
It's best to avoid provoking the Marquis of Jinnan's mansion!
"I heard that Young Master Nan has died of illness?" Emperor Zhou asked at this moment. "Has the matter been settled?"
"Your Majesty, the matter has been completed!" Nan Xuzong was puzzled as to why he had suddenly asked about this. Meanwhile, Huangfu Ting felt a chill run down his spine. Damn it, not only had Ji Yinxue died, but in just a few days, Nan Jinxue had also been sent to the underworld! This was either Nan Xuzong's scheme or Ji Wushang's doing! These two were truly difficult to deal with!
"Hmm, reward the Marquis of Jinnan's residence with five hundred taels of gold as household expenses," Emperor Zhou said. "I heard that you, Wushang, are managing the Marquis of Jinnan's residence? That's truly not easy!"
Upon hearing this, Ji Wushang immediately knelt before Emperor Zhou, saying, "Thanks to Your Majesty's great fortune and the high hopes of the Marquis and the Heir Apparent, I have been entrusted with managing the Marquis's residence." Ji Wushang was puzzled as to why Emperor Zhou would inquire about the Marquis's residence. These were family matters; how could an emperor possibly have the leisure to ask such questions?
"You're so young, it's not easy for you!" Emperor Zhou nodded at Ji Wushang and gave her a few approving glances.
Ji Wushang bowed again, "Thank you for your commendation, Your Majesty."
Huangfu Ting and the others were all puzzled as to what Emperor Zhou was really thinking. Huangfu Xuan, however, had a rough idea. He was probably testing whether Ji Wushang could shoulder the responsibilities of being the Fourth Prince's consort. Otherwise, he wouldn't have asked such a question. It seemed his father was preparing to officially recognize Nan Xucong as the Fourth Prince! Perfect, just what he wanted!
Emperor Zhou's gaze shifted to Nan Xuzong. "Cong'er, by all accounts, you should call me Uncle. For many years, my sister Xiu'er passed away, leaving you, her own flesh and blood, and I have never had the time to properly take care of you in her place. Today, you have become a man of great stature. Cong'er, after all these years, do you have any requests?"
"Your Majesty, Cong'er has no requests, only the wish to fulfill his mother's last wish," Nan Xu Cong said, kneeling before him.
"Oh? Sister Xiu'er has a last wish, but why hasn't she brought it up for so long? And now you're bringing it up?" Emperor Zhou narrowed his eyes, his domineering aura still radiating, making people feel that they dared not provoke the dragon's might.
“Because, Cong’er had not found the evidence that Mother mentioned before, but now that Cong’er has found it, I originally thought that I would formally enter the palace before reporting to His Majesty. However, having the opportunity to see His Majesty today, I dare not hide it any longer,” Nan Xu Cong said earnestly.
Huangfu Xuan's lips curled into a slight smile, as if he were watching a good show. Meanwhile, Empress Yao's hands were clenched under her sleeves, as if she wanted to find something to pinch hard! Huangfu Ting frowned. What was it? What last wish? Why hadn't anything about it been mentioned before, and now it's being brought up?
"Evidence? Do you have it on you? Let me see it?" Emperor Zhou was anxious. It seemed that the letter obtained by the secret guard was genuine. But who wrote it? Never mind who wrote it, let's see what happens first!
“Ever since I obtained this evidence, Cong’er has kept it with him, ready to fulfill his mother’s last wish at any time.” As Nan Xu Cong spoke, he took out a letter from his bosom. The letter was sealed tightly and looked like it had never been opened. Moreover, it seemed to have been sealed away for quite some time.
The eunuch immediately stepped forward, took the envelope from Nan Xuzong's hand, and respectfully presented it to Emperor Zhou.
The people around remained silent, watching quietly, knowing that it was impossible to interrupt!
The Empress Dowager pursed her lips. "That Xiu'er child, what a tragic fate! Cong'er is also a tragic fate!"
Huangfu Jing and Huangfu Lan immediately comforted her in whispers.
Emperor Zhou examined the letter carefully. It had been sealed away for a long time and didn't seem to have been recently pasted on; this must have been Huangfu Xiuer's doing. "Cong'er, Wushang, both of you, get up! Don't kneel anymore."
"Yes." The two replied and stood up from the ground, standing to one side.
Emperor Zhou then asked, "Cong'er, have you opened this letter?" It was better to ask to be on the safe side.
"Before my mother passed away, she asked Cong'er to find this sealed letter and instructed him not to open it, but to hand it directly to His Majesty," Nan Xu Cong said, looking at Emperor Zhou. Emperor Zhou also looked at him, and for a moment, it seemed as if he saw his own shadow from back then.
"Where did you find this letter?" As an emperor, Emperor Zhou naturally had an extraordinary level of vigilance. Moreover, if it really proved that Nan Xu Cong was the fourth prince, then everyone present had to be convinced. Otherwise, the sudden appearance of a fourth prince would probably make the whole world laugh at him!
"It was only discovered in the library that my mother left for Cong'er. The letter was in a book called the Book of Poetry."
Emperor Zhou nodded in agreement. "The Book of Poetry is indeed Xiu'er's favorite book." Emperor Zhou then took out the letter to read it.
Ji Wushang glanced at Nan Xuzong. He really liked the Book of Songs. Was it because of his mother?
Hearing the sound of the envelope being opened, everyone around focused their attention on it. Emperor Zhou slowly finished reading the paper, looking at Nan Xuzong in surprise, then at the letter, staring at him in disbelief, "Zong'er?"
Aside from Ji Wushang, Nan Xuzong, and Huangfu Xuan, the people around them weren't surprised, but they were still somewhat shocked by the questioning address.
The Empress Dowager immediately said, "Your Majesty, what did you just say?"
"Cong'er, Cong'er is Zong'er!" Emperor Zhou cried out. "He, he is my Zong'er!"
Everyone around was shocked. The Empress Dowager looked at the letter that Emperor Zhou handed her in disbelief, then examined it repeatedly, and said, "Is this really Consort Zhen's handwriting?" Consort Zhen died tragically back then, how could the Fourth Prince have survived and been saved by the Eldest Princess?
Ji Wushang looked at Nan Xuzong. Nan Xuzong's expression was calm, but Ji Wushang could tell that he was still a little nervous.
If it were you, you'd be nervous too, right?
Empress Yao then said, "When the Zhenfei Palace was burned down back then, everyone knew that Zhenfei and the Fourth Prince perished in the fire together. How could the Fourth Prince suddenly appear!"
Huangfu Ting looked at Emperor Zhou and said, "Father, is there something we haven't figured out? We can't simply determine the Fourth Prince's identity based on a single letter!"
Those around him nodded in agreement; indeed, a single letter was insufficient to confirm Nan Xuzong's identity.
In this world, or in various countries and regions, there are always some extraordinary people who can imitate a person's handwriting and then have someone impersonate the Fourth Prince!
The Empress Dowager and Emperor Zhou ignored what Huangfu Ting and Empress Yao had said. The Empress Dowager said, "It is indeed Consort Zhen's handwriting. However, I would like to know about what happened to Your Majesty back then."
"On the day the Fourth Prince was born, I went to Consort Zhen's Palace and saw that the child was indeed born with the Seven Stars on his feet. I was overjoyed and spent a long time with Consort Zhen. However, there were urgent matters on the frontier at that time, and urgent documents came one after another. I had to leave Consort Zhen's Palace in the middle of the night. Who would have thought that right after I left, close to dawn, a great fire burned down Consort Zhen's Palace!" As he spoke of this, Emperor Zhou covered his face, his expression full of pain.
"So, the one who steps on the Seven Stars is the Fourth Prince?" the Empress Dowager said. "Back then, Xiu'er and Consort Zhen were indeed very close. Although Xiu'er married into the Marquis's family, she often went to the palace to chat with Consort Zhen. It is very possible that she entrusted her son to someone else."
Since the Empress Dowager has said so, it's impossible for anyone to refute her.
"All that's needed is to verify his identity." The Empress Dowager's gaze fell on Nan Xu Cong. "Cong'er."
Nan Xuzong was momentarily stunned before kneeling down and saying, "Zong'er is here."
"Take him away and verify everything." The Empress Dowager's tone left no room for argument. "If he is my grandson, I will certainly treat him well!"
Nan Xuzong's face twitched. Why did he feel like a fish on a chopping board? The Empress Dowager wanted to make a move, but he was the one who got the move slashed?
Emperor Zhou looked at Nan Xu Cong and asked, "Cong'er, are you willing?"
“Cong’er does indeed have seven stars beneath his feet,” Nan Xu Cong said at this moment.
A collective gasp rippled through the crowd… Huangfu Ting and Empress Yao exchanged a glance, both filled with resentment. Damn it, how could this happen? Everyone in the world probably knew that the Empress Dowager had always been backing him up. Now, if he really became the fourth prince, wouldn't it be incredibly easy for him to participate in the struggle for the throne? And his chances of winning would be very high!
Nan Xuzong was led into the inner chamber. Emperor Zhou sent his most trusted confidant to check on him. In the end, feeling anxious, he got up from his seat and went into the inner chamber.
Sure enough, after Nan Xuzong took off his boots, there were indeed seven stars under his feet.
Emperor Zhou immediately stepped forward, "Zong'er!"
Nan Xuzong froze, unsure how to react as he approached. Yes, everything had been planned, but when it actually happened, Nan Xuzong's heart and actions were somewhat misaligned; he couldn't quite grasp the meaning of his own heart!
Emperor Zhou ordered his men to quickly put boots on Nan Xuzong, then embraced him. "I thought my Zong'er would never return, but Heaven has blessed my Great Xia Zhou Dynasty! It has allowed me to find Zong'er! Moreover, Zong'er, you are so outstanding! The Marquis's mansion truly produces talented people! The Marquis of Jinnan's mansion deserves to be rewarded!"
Nan Xuzong looked at him, "Zong'er did not know that Mother's last wish was like this. All of this has come too suddenly. Please forgive Nan Xuzong for not being able to accept it so quickly!" He had thought about this unfamiliar affection and address a thousand times, ten thousand times, but his heart still could not accept it so quickly!
“I know, I know, I will give you time,” Emperor Zhou said, then led him out. “However, you are the fourth prince, that is a fact. You have the blood of the Huangfu family, not the blood of the Nan family. Therefore, I want you to understand the responsibilities you bear.”
"Yes." Nan Xuzong gritted his teeth. In the end, it was all for his empire! What kind of fourth prince was he!
Ji Wushang and the others watched as Emperor Zhou and Nan Xuzong came out from inside. The two walked one after the other without any conflict. It was obvious from the scene that Nan Xuzong was none other than the Fourth Prince, Huangfu Zong!
"Mother, it really is Zong'er, it's Zong'er!" Emperor Zhou immediately stepped forward and said to the Empress Dowager. The Empress Dowager was surprised, then nodded. "Good! Good! Good thing! Good thing!" She couldn't help but look at Nan Xuzong with admiration. It seems there will be a new candidate for the Crown Prince position! The Empress Dowager looked at Nan Xuzong, "Zong'er, why aren't you calling for someone?"
Those around were startled. Empress Yao was now contemplating murder! Heaven knows, the way the Empress Dowager looked at Nan Xu Cong made her want to gouge her eyes out! A once-considered useless Prince Nan was now the high and mighty Fourth Prince! Was this some kind of divine retribution?
Huangfu Xuan looked at Nan Xuzong, "Fourth brother, Grandmother is calling you!"
Nan Xuzong was stunned for a moment, then came to his senses and knelt before the Empress Dowager, finally calling out, "...Grandmother!" He hadn't expected it to be so unfamiliar, yet it was filled with surprise.
"Zong'er must come to court tomorrow. I want to proclaim to the world your identity in court! You are my proud fourth prince, Huangfu Zong!" Emperor Zhou was excited and looked at Nan Xuzong with shining eyes.
Nan Xuzong looked at him for a long time before finally saying, "Thank you, Father Emperor!" He finally managed to utter this word. He wondered what Consort Zhen would feel if she were alive today and saw this scene of father and son recognizing each other.
After a while of commotion, Emperor Zhou happily returned to his Dragon Palace, while the Empress Dowager, exhausted, dismissed them all. The Empress, Huangfu Ting, and the others left with their own thoughts.
After returning to the Longgan Palace, Emperor Zhou summoned the chief eunuch and ordered him to prepare a palace in the imperial palace so that Nan Xuzong could live there with Ji Wushang after he was formally recognized as a member of the clan the next day.
Just as Nan Xuzong and Ji Wushang were about to leave, Huangfu Xuan quickly stepped forward and said, "Fourth brother, I have something I want to discuss with you."
Ji Wushang glanced at Nan Xuzong, who looked at her. He knew he wouldn't feel at ease letting her leave the palace alone, but discussing matters with Huangfu Xuan would keep him busy for who knows how long. What should he do?
"I'll wait for you," Ji Wushang said. "Shouldn't I be able to sit in the Imperial Garden for a while?"
“Alright.” Huangfu Xuan stepped forward. “I’ll have my maid Xiao Jiao show you around. My conversation with my fourth brother won’t last long, don’t worry.”
“Alright.” Ji Wushang thanked Huangfu Xuan. Huangfu Xuan waved, and a rather tall woman following behind him came forward to accompany Ji Wushang. The woman stepped forward and said, “Fourth Imperial Consort, please come this way.”
The Fourth Imperial Consort. Ji Wushang smiled to herself. She never expected that, overnight, she would have such a different identity!
However, Ji Wushang still walked out. Nan Xuzong watched her and Xiao Jiao leave.
Huangfu Xuan walked with him, chatting as they went.
"Let me tell you something," Huangfu Xuan said.
"What is it?"
"That assassin has come back to me."
"how?"
“It’s Ruyi…” Huangfu Xuan looked at Nan Xuzong, recalling the name and the woman he had once told him. “I want to marry her as my principal wife.”
“You also know that she is…” Nan Xuzong lowered his voice.
"Yes, I have already spoken to General Ma today. General Ma was very happy to learn that his third daughter has returned home."
"What?" Nan Xuzong couldn't believe it. Had General Ma gone mad with longing for his daughter? She was a woman from Japan. Huangfu Xuan had clearly placed the jade ruyi in General Ma's residence, yet General Ma didn't refuse it.
"General Ma is very pleased. However, Ruyi has become mute." A hint of pity flashed in Huangfu Xuan's eyes.
"You want her to become Miss Ma San, and then participate in your selection banquet for concubines?"
"Mm." Huangfu Xuan nodded.
“But, she is no longer…” Nan Xuzong didn’t finish his sentence.
“I took it.” Huangfu Xuan’s tone turned cold. “I should take responsibility.”
“You know her true identity and you still did this, you’re really going all out.” Nan Xuzong smiled. “But to get through this, you’ll still need to take care of everything.”
“I know.” Huangfu Xuan’s eyes softened slightly. “She became mute because she drank mercury. Do you have a way to save her?”
So that was the key point. Nan Xuzong's lips curled up. "A small matter."
"Really?" Huangfu Xuan looked at him. "Okay, I'll get her out right away, and then you can help treat her."
"I need to know her ultimate goal." Nan Xuzong said expressionlessly.