Chapter 119: I Have a Daughter
At night
, a group of people came to Furong City. They claimed that they were passing through here for business and stayed for a short time.
The host was a man and a woman, and the people accompanying them were all masters. They stayed in the inn next to Lingfeng.
Many outsiders came to Furong City in the past two days. Every household closed their doors at night. No one went out of the front door or the back door.
It is said that the group sneaked into the Lingfeng Casino late at night and turned the casino upside down, as if they were looking for something.
In the inn, Wei Xin knelt on the ground and whispered: "Your Excellency, nothing was found in the casino. There were only a few hired thugs who were there to watch the casino. Under torture, they only said that the three people left Furong City secretly during the day. Where they went, what their names are, we don't know."
Shu Guifei sat on the side, her face slightly gloomy, and she didn't say a word.
Emperor Qingling frowned: "Get up and return to Beijing."
Shu Guifei looked at him and said nothing.
After Wei Xin left, Shu Guifei said: "Your Majesty, I want to...stay outside the palace."
After saying this, she lowered her eyes.
She had been strictly educated by the prime minister since she was young. She knew that concubines could not stay outside the palace. The royal bloodline could not be mistaken. She was betting on Emperor Qingling's kindness and exception for her.
When Emperor Qingling heard this, his breath stagnated. He stared at Concubine Shu Gui for a long time, but she never raised her head.
After a long time, he spoke and said solemnly: "If I say that you can only choose one between me and Ying'an, what will you do?"
Concubine Shu Gui looked up at him, her eyes full of friendship.
Her eyes were filled with tears: "Your Majesty, I can't abandon Ying'an, she is my child, you are my husband, I..."
Before she finished speaking, Emperor Qingling opened his lips, his voice slightly angry: "You are still Shuguifei of Daling."
Shuguifei lowered her eyes, and after a long time, she raised them and said: "I will go back with you, but Your Majesty, you have to promise me one thing."
Emperor Qingling raised his hand and touched Shuguifei's head, and continued with her words: "You said, as long as it does not harm the interests of Daling, I will agree to you."
"No matter what, you have to promise me, no matter what Ying'an does, you must protect her safety in this life, and she must not marry far away to the east and become a bargaining chip for the kings to fight for the throne."
As soon as these words came out, the room was silent.
When she knew that Dongdu was crowned as the empress, the whole court was shocked. The surrounding countries of Dongdu listed Dongdu as the first target to be conquered, but they failed to conquer it. The countries were unwilling to cooperate, which led to the division of their own interests. As a result, the countries are still in a tripartite situation and share the world.
She knew that she might not live long. Although her fate might change, she must take precautions.
In the deep palace, she had no choice but to pin all her hopes on this man.
Emperor Qingling looked at her and said solemnly: "She is my child, I will certainly protect her, but Concubine Shugui, if you can't survive in this world, even if I am here, she will be walking on thin ice in the harem." His
eyes were so deep that people dared not look directly at him. Concubine
Shugui lowered her eyes and avoided his gaze.
The burning look that was reluctant to let her go made her feel scared and uneasy.
It was as if he saw through all her disguises and inner world.
He was telling her that if she died, even if he was the emperor, he would not be able to protect Ying'an.
If so, Ying'an would have to face a very cruel world.
Emperor Qingling held her in his arms and comforted her gently. After drinking half a cup of tea, he stood up and said slowly: "Let's go back to the palace."
Concubine Shugui looked reluctant, but she had no choice but to go back with her.
Outside Furong City, on the top of the mountain.
The Fourteenth Master watched the group of people and horses brought by Emperor Qingling return to the capital, and then he turned around and said with relief: "Let's go to Dongdu. Master Jiang will definitely gain something from this trip. If Dongdu wants to attack Daling, you and I should be prepared to prevent it before it happens."
But the big and small behind him had already fallen asleep.
Zong Yaozhi was holding Ying'an in his arms and sleeping soundly.
Little Ying'an opened her mouth, with a smile on her lips, and whispered in her sleep.
He leaned over to look at her sleeping face and smiled, and whispered: "Protecting you is also a way to repay the favor of Concubine Shugui who saved me that day. It's better to not owe each other anything than to hold a grudge."
In order to get to Dongdu as soon as possible, the Fourteenth Master woke up Zong Yaozhi and hurried on the road overnight.
Two days later.
The three of them set foot on the land of Dongdu.
Zong Yaozhi held little Ying'an in his arms and walked along the exotic streets, stopping and starting with curiosity, fearing that he would miss something strange.
The Fourteenth Master went to the local government office to inquire about the news and collect intelligence and the latest situation of the East Crossing in the past two days.
Little Ying'an hugged Zong Yaozhi's neck and said in a baby voice: "Uncle, stop playing, our mission is to find a store suitable for opening a casino."
Zong Yaozhi's thoughts were exposed, and he coughed dryly and began to save face.
"The first step in finding business opportunities should be to understand the local customs and customs. Little Ying'an, I'm not saying anything to you, you have only been in this world for a few days, how can you know the routines and situations of this world? It's better to listen to me, watch more, listen more, and ask more."
Little Ying'an rolled her eyes and pursed her lips in protest.
But she was held in someone's arms after all, and she had no way to resist. She could only let Zong Yaozhi take her to join in the fun.
Someone was performing acrobatics, and Zong Yaozhi watched more excitedly than anyone else. He was so moved that he rewarded them with a few coins.
Someone was performing arts, and Zong Yaozhi still joined in the fun.
Someone was begging for money to bury his father and mother, and he still enthusiastically gave all his belongings to them, crying as if his father had died.
Xiao Ying'an wiped his tears silently in his arms, and just when the two were about to leave, they were stopped by the woman.
Xiao Ying'an felt bad.
They came here to travel secretly, and if they were discovered or detained here, it would disrupt their plan.
The woman fell to her knees with a thud, grabbed the corner of Zong Yaozhi's clothes, and cried bitterly.
"Sir, I am helpless and penniless. Your generous gift really makes me feel uneasy. My name is Lian'er. If you don't mind, I will go with you. Even if I have to work like a slave by your side, I am willing. I don't ask for wealth and honor in this life, I just want to stay by your side." Lian'er
was wearing a tattered coarse mourning dress. Her voice was faint, and her eyes were piteous and shining.
It was as if she had been ruined all her life, and finally saw the sunlight, and wanted to desperately grasp this chance of survival.
Zong Yaozhi was in a panic. He quickly put Xiao Ying'an down and raised his hand to help Lian'er up.
"I came here by chance. I am a stranger. I know nothing and don't want to care about anything. I have no ability to interfere in your life. Just treat this money as a gift from the wind. If it can help you, it will be used for the right purpose. As for letting you go with me, you just saw it. I have a daughter. She..."