Chapter 144 Concern
Xiao Yuyao was born at full term, not prematurely, so does that mean... Xiao Yuyao is not Xiao Su's daughter?
Startled by this idea, Xiao Yuxuan looked up at Ren Ze in disbelief.
Ren Ze propped his head up, watching her reaction intently. Only when she looked at him did he withdraw his hand, saying with a smile:
"That's right, that's what I think too."
"If it wasn't Xiao Su, then who was it?"
If Xiao Yuyao's father was just an ordinary person, there's no reason why Brother Aze would only give her such a statement. He must have told her the whole story in detail.
Then the only possibility is that Tianji Tower also cannot find out who Xiao Yuyao's biological father is.
“I have investigated Gu Linyan’s background. She was the daughter of Xiao Su’s private tutor when he was still a scholar. She was his junior sister. She first married a wealthy merchant, and later eloped with a musician. However, not long after, the musician died, and she came to Xiao Su.”
"A musician?"
Xiao Yuxuan murmured to herself.
"I've never heard of such a thing before."
It's unheard of for a wealthy merchant's wife to abandon her life and elope with a musician.
"What is honey to one is poison to another. But the death of that musician is rather suspicious. The Heavenly Mystery Pavilion investigated for several months but could not find out what disease he had or where he was buried."
Ren Ze's tone was somewhat heavy.
If they don't wipe them all out, then even a centipede with a hundred legs won't die easily. Besides, there's that other matter he uncovered...
"Xiao Ye, the Heavenly Mystery Pavilion has also found a fragment of a page. Would you like to take a look?"
What is it?
Ren Ze took out a strangely shaped piece of paper from his sleeve and handed it to her.
"This fragment was obtained by chance by Tianji Tower. It was previously kept by the old tower master. Now that I have taken over, it has been kept by me. This fragment is quite old, but it is still as good as new. Moreover, the ink on it looks very unusual and is not any of the kind in this world."
The tattered page was covered with dense text. Xiao Yuxuan, who prided herself on being well-versed in literature, could only recognize about half of it by reading and guessing.
"What does the female lead, Xiao Yuyao, mean by this?"
She struggled to decipher the words, but didn't understand their meaning.
"I am not allowed to enter the palace due to my current status, but you can. Since Xiao Yuyao's name is written on it, I will give this item to you."
"Tianji Tower has searched far and wide for scholars and famous figures, but none of them have ever truly and completely analyzed the meaning of this fragment. However, there is one person who may be able to decipher this fragment."
"who?"
"Seventh Prince Qi You."
Qi You's "mad ramblings" do contain a few words that match the words on this tattered page.
"Whether or not the meaning on the torn page can be deciphered, I, Xiao Ye, am deeply grateful for Brother Aze's kindness."
He rescued her from the fire, and to protect her, he was covered in scars and missed the opportunity to take the imperial examination. She already felt she could never repay this life-saving grace, and now he had secretly helped her so much.
Whether it was the midwife's testimony or his use of the Heavenly Mystery Pavilion's resources to help her investigate, it was all to help her overcome obstacles and achieve her goals.
"Brother Aze, there is one more thing, but I'm not sure whether I should ask it or not."
Thinking of the Tianji Tower badge in Li Kun's house, Xiao Yuxuan hesitated.
"I already know about your trip to the outskirts of the capital with the Crown Prince."
Ren Ze lowered his eyes, seemingly lost in thought. After a long pause, he suddenly asked a completely unrelated question:
"Does Xiao Ye think the Crown Prince is capable of shouldering this great responsibility?"
What does this mean?
Are there other candidates besides the Crown Prince?
His Majesty has few children, only the Crown Prince and five princes (the fourth, fifth, sixth, and seventh princes), and three princesses. Apart from Minying, the eldest princess and the second princess have already married and established their own residences.
There's no need to elaborate on the Crown Prince and the Seventh Prince. The other princes also have their own flaws. Apart from the Fourth Prince, who is the son of a Consort, the Fifth and Sixth Princes were born to mothers of low rank and had no chance of competing.
She really couldn't figure out why Brother Aze asked that question.
"The princes are still young, and even the crown prince has not yet come of age. If we only consider personal qualities, the crown prince is both literate and martial, kind-hearted yet decisive in killing, making him an excellent candidate for the crown prince."
The fourth prince is fond of extravagance and lechery. You know what happened after he ascended the throne in his previous life.
The maternal families of the Fifth and Sixth Princes are not prominent, and they are dull-witted and reckless. Even if the throne were passed to them, they would at best be rulers who maintain the status quo…
She and Ren Ze were both in their thirties, and when they discussed the princes who were in their teens, it was somewhat like elders looking at younger generations.
Putting aside his family background, if we only consider his character, the Crown Prince is undoubtedly the best among the princes.
"As for the Seventh Prince, he has no interest in the throne and has been feigning madness for many years, which has long since caused him to lose the support of the people."
Ren Ze nodded, then shook his head again:
"Besides the princes, Xiao Ye, don't forget that His Majesty also has several brothers."
"Your Majesty's brothers, those princes?"
Xiao Yuxuan searched her memory but couldn't find much information about those princes.
The Prince of Duan, the Prince of Chu, and the Prince of Huainan—they rarely appeared in public in their previous lives, mostly living in seclusion, keeping a low profile and remaining content with their lot.
Why did Brother Aze mention them?
"Which prince is it? As far as I know, they are all over forty years old. How can they still have the strength to govern this vast Qi Kingdom?"
Ren Ze didn't tell her who it was, but instead said:
"Xiao Ye, you're right, but the Crown Prince is dying, and he's not the best candidate to become the heir apparent."
"What?!"
Even without the plague or the beauty curse, would the Crown Prince still be near death?
Unconsciously, she widened her eyes, her clear and bright eyes filled with worry for Qi Jun. As if thinking of something, she frowned slightly, bit her lower lip, and bit her soft lips so hard that they almost bled.
Ren Ze took in Xiao Yuxuan's reaction. He glanced at the girl who was so excited about the Crown Prince with complicated feelings, and felt a little uncomfortable.
"If the State of Qi is to enjoy favorable weather and peace in the future, then the Crown Prince's succession is most appropriate. Why is he dying so soon? What did the Heavenly Secrets Pavilion find out?"
"Xiao Ye seems to care a lot about the Crown Prince?"
Xiao Yuxuan was taken aback. Did she care about the Crown Prince?
Of course she cares about the Crown Prince! She absolutely doesn't want to see the Qi Kingdom, which was in such turmoil in her previous life, suffer a second time!
Brother Aze, aren't you just making conversation for the sake of it?
"Xiao Ye, knowing too much is not good. I was wrong. I shouldn't have told you these things."
"Brother Aze..."
Ren Ze's expression was hidden behind the mask and could not be clearly seen.
"I understand what you mean. Since Xiao Ye hopes that the Crown Prince will succeed to the throne, Tianji Tower and I will do our best to help him."
"It's getting late, and you have a lot to do right now, so I won't keep you any longer..."
Whether it was Xiao Yuxuan's imagination or not, Ren Ze's tone seemed somewhat forlorn.
"The Qilin Guards are on orders to search, and we hope for your cooperation!"
Suddenly, a strong and clear voice rang out from outside the door. Xiao Yuxuan looked up, her face showing surprise.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com