Lingyang City, Imperial Study.
"Your Majesty, the Emperor Emeritus's condition has worsened today," Li An said gently, his back hunched and head bowed as he stood to the side.
"Understood. I will go see my uncle now." Zhao Yunxiao put down the vermilion brush he was using to review memorials, straightened his robes, and stood up, preparing to go see Zhao Yi.
As he stepped out of the imperial study, he was dazzled by the slowly rising sun and paused slightly.
In the blink of an eye, he and his elder sister had lived in this magnificent building for over ten years. Three years ago, his maternal uncle fell ill and abdicated the throne to him. He became the youngest emperor in the history of the Great Xuan Dynasty.
"By the way, how is your aunt doing?"
"The Empress Dowager's health is still good, but after all these years, she still only remembers Dongling," Li An replied cautiously.
A faint smile appeared on Zhao Yunxiao's lips. He gave Li An a meaningful look and said with a smile, "Eunuch Qin, your daughter with Aunt Dongling is over ten years old now, isn't she?"
Li An had no idea what the young emperor was thinking, and dared not lie, so he answered truthfully, "Your Majesty, Long'er has just come of age, and is still—"
"I heard from the Empress that Long'er is as her name suggests—a clever and insightful girl. I intend to bestow upon her a title—"
"Thump!" Li An closed his eyes, disregarding the rules, and knelt firmly on the hard stone slab.
"His Majesty's grace is boundless. It is truly a blessing that Long'er has earned such praise from His Majesty. However, Long'er is still young. She has only just begun to experience the world at the age of coming of age. Although she is clear-headed, she still has the mind of a child. I'm afraid she will find it difficult to adapt to the complexity and depth of the palace immediately."
Your Majesty's favor towards Long'er is deeply appreciated by this humble servant, but I hope Your Majesty can understand the heart of a parent. This old servant, this old servant—"
Ang Lee's clothes were soaked through.
Watching his master's trembling and fearful expression, Li Su secretly worried for him. Li Su's current position as the most senior eunuch serving the emperor was entirely due to the guidance and support of his master, Li An.
A soft laugh came from above.
Immediately afterwards, a pair of strong arms reached out and helped Li An, whose temples were gray, up from the ground.
"Eunuch Li, what are you thinking?" Zhao Yunxiao's gentle voice reassured Li An and his apprentice. He glanced suspiciously at the new emperor, then quickly took a step back and bowed, saying, "Your Majesty, this old servant is getting old and my mind is not as sharp as it used to be. I can't be frightened."
He still remembers that when Zhao Yunxiao and Zhao Yunxuan first came to Lingyang City, Princess Yunxiao loved to tease him the most. At that time, the Emperor Emeritus doted on that girl, and Yunxiao, the younger brother, was afraid of his elder sister. Every time, Li An was the only one who was teased and made to look bad.
But when dealing with other eunuchs and palace maids, the two little princesses were always serious, virtuous, polite, and well-behaved. Later, he realized that the two children, being so young and confined to the deep palace, were only trying to get close to him and play with him because they knew that he, the old eunuch, had no ill intentions towards them.
Thinking of this, Ang Lee's eyes welled up with tears.
“Eunuch Li, my aunt has mentioned to me many times that she wants to take my uncle to the princess’s residence in Chaoyang County to live out his old age, and I have already granted her request. Eunuch Li is an old servant whom my uncle is used to serving, and Aunt Dongling is the only person my aunt is close to. As for Long’er, she is the apple of your eye. I think that since Long’er has accompanied my uncle and aunt in the palace for more than ten years, I would like to bestow upon her the title of Princess, as a reward for her filial piety!”
"This—" Li An was stunned for a moment. This was an incredible fortune. He was just a eunuch who had taken Dongling as his wife halfway through his life, and later he took in his daughter Longya. Now, the emperor was going to bestow upon his daughter the title of princess.
"Master, hurry up and express your gratitude!" Li Su urged anxiously from the side.
Ang Lee then snapped out of his great surprise and repeatedly expressed his gratitude.
“But from now on, Long’er can no longer be registered under your and Aunt Dongling’s names.” Zhao Yunxiao gestured for Li An to stand up and said as he walked away.
Li An nodded: "This old servant understands."
"The capital of Chaoyang County is in Yichun County, where the Princess's residence is also located. The current prefect there is Li Huai'an. I've heard my uncle mention him before. Although he's not very discerning when it comes to matters of the heart, he's made quite a name for himself in politics over the years. Long'er will be registered under his name and will continue to live with you and Aunt Dongling. As for Long'er's marriage, I won't interfere."
Ang Lee was moved to tears, and his steps became much lighter.
Li Su quickened her pace and caught up with Zhao Yunxiao, hesitating several times as if she wanted to say something but then stopped.
He felt that His Majesty's behavior today was somewhat strange.
But he couldn't quite put his finger on what was strange about it.
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