Chapter 237 - 221: Informing (First Update)

Every month on the day when old Zhao tells his tales was a sight to see in the Capital City. Especially today, when he was telling the story of Princess Zhenmin, had drawn even more attention. 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝚠𝕖𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝕖𝚕.𝚌𝗼𝗺

Even the Emperor in the palace was alarmed.

The Emperor, with a stern face, asked Eunuch Yu, "What’s going on?"

Eunuch Yu replied promptly, "Old Zhao originally intended to tell an unofficial story about a princess from the previous dynasty. Someone influenced him to change the story to Princess Zhenmin at the last minute."

"Investigate this!" ordered the Emperor.

However, Eunuch Yu didn’t leave immediately and explained to the Emperor, "Your Majesty, today Young Master Zhou and the eldest son of the Su Family are in The Top Grade Tea House. Young Master Zhou used his nearby advantage and sent his men to seize old Zhao and his son, Zhao Fei, and directly brought them back to the Duke Residence. If this old servant is to investigate, I’ll have to go to the Duke Residence and bring them out."

This would certainly cause a huge commotion.

The Emperor suppressed his anger after hearing this and deliberated for a bit, "Forget it, let Zhou Gu investigate it first."

Upon returning to the Princess Residence, Duanhua went straight to her mother’s courtyard.

The news of the story old Zhao was telling today had also reached Princess Qingping. She was about to rush to the Top Grade Tea House when her wet nurse reminded her, "Princess, have you forgotten that today Lady Su Qi, our princess, and the little miss of Ye Xiang Residence, are going to the Top Grade Tea House to listen to the stories? "

Princess Qingping paused her steps and remembered, then asked her wet nurse, "So, you think I should not go?"

The wet nurse whispered: "This old servant thinks that Lady Su Qi is a wise person. Since she is present, she will certainly know how to handle the situation."

Qingping expressed her worry, "Even if she knows how to handle it, what can she do? After all, she has no power or influence to deal with old Zhao."

"She might not be able to, but there is someone who can - our princess is there. If necessary, she can intervene and certainly assist Lady Su Qi."

Upon reflection, Qingping agreed and suppressed her urge, "Let’s wait for Duanhua’s return and then we’ll talk about it!"

No sooner had they finished talking than Duanhua rushed in from outside, shouting, "Mother, something big has happened."

Princess Qingping jumped up and rushed to her, "What happened? What major incident? Has something happened to Su Rong?"

Duanhua paused, "Su Rong, has something happened to her?"

Having heard this, Qingping was somewhat relieved. She admonished Duanhua, "Then why are you yelling and panicking? What exactly happened?"

Duanhua promptly explained what happened: "It’s about old Zhao. Today, he was told by someone to convey the unique tale of Aunt Zhenmin at the tea house. His descriptions were vivid and meticulous, even clearer than what you told me. Some of the incidents that you didn’t tell me were known by old Zhao."

She highlighted several instances to Qingping, and then confirmed with her, "Mother, these are things you never told me about. Is it true?"

Qingping’s face turned grim, "It is true."

Duanhua immediately questioned, "Haven’t you always told me not to casually mention Aunt Zhenmin in front of the Emperor or outsiders? Why is a tale-telling old man daring to publicly talk about her?"

Qingping already sensed that this matter was not trivial, so she asked, "Where is Su Rong?"

Even though Duanhua was puzzled why her mother kept asking about Su Rong, she still honestly replied, "Su Rong and Ye Guixue went to the Treasure House for dinner, accompanied by Ye Qiuying and Fen Ling. Because of this incident, I didn’t go to eat and came back to find you first."

Considering Su Rong still had the mood to eat, Qingping wondered, had she already dealt with this matter? Regardless, she still had to intervene and ordered, "Go to the Top Grade Tea House and bring me that old Zhao."

Someone immediately went to complete the task.

Seeing her mother taking action, Duanhua felt relieved, sat down, and said to Qingping with confusion, "Mother, I felt like Ye Guixue and Su Rong genuinely seemed as if they had known each other for a long time. Has Ye Guixue been to Daliang before?"

Qingping shook her head, "Never."

"Then that’s it." Duanhua rested her chin in her hand, recounted how Su Rong had naturally gotten into Ye Guixue’s carriage without treating herself as an outsider, then asked her mother, "Mother, don’t you think it’s strange? With her acting like this, do I need to help her at all? Wouldn’t I just be wasting my energy?"

Before Qingping could speak, she sighed again, "Ye Guixue is indeed very attractive, on par with Zhou Gu. However, his family is in Nanchu. I don’t know what she’s thinking, wanting to marry Ye Guixue. That’s quite far."

Qingping was silent for a while, patting Duanhua’s head, "The connection between people does not depend on distance. Perhaps they are simply destined for each other."

Now, from Duanhua’s words, she was certain that Ye Guixue and Su Rong had already met privately. Ye Guixue must have come for Su Rong, to take her to Nanchu. If the Ye family aided them, it would be much easier.

Duanhua muttered, "Ah, mother, I found today that Zhou Gu really likes Su Rong. He was unable to take his eyes off her. I vented my anger on him, getting back at him for all his cold words to me over the years, but it didn’t make me happy."

The Princess Residence had no unrelated outsiders, and Qingping had always been indulgent towards Duanhua. Therefore, Duanhua shared everything on her mind with Qingping.

Qingping patted her head again, "It’s normal for Su Rong to win over people’s hearts. She’s a likeable child indeed. You’re not as pleasant, and the fact that you’re a princess exacerbates it. It’s also normal for Zhou Gu to avoid you."

"I admit my personality isn’t appealing, but what’s wrong with me being a princess?" Duanhua argued.

"Many years ago, when you hadn’t fallen for Zhou Gu yet, your imperial uncle proposed to the old Duke to give his princess’s hand in marriage to him, but the old Duke rejected it." The conversation between the two was private, but Princess Qingping knew it clearly. After Duanhua fell for Zhou Gu, her imperial brother intentionally drew her aside, hinting that she should create more opportunities for Duanhua. "Whether it’s the princess or the princess’s title, the old Duke is not willing for Zhou Gu to marry."

Duanhua understood, feeling despondent, "Being a princess is indeed unlucky. Sister Zhenmin is unlucky, and so am I."

Qingping laughed, "How can you compare yourself to Sister Zhenmin? She values the nation’s interests and is intelligent and talented. What do you have?"

Duanhua hugged Qingping’s arm, " I have the title of princess. Mother, you’re mean."

The person she had sent out quickly returned, reporting to Qingping, "Princess, that old fellow Zhao and his son Zhao Fei have both been taken to the Duke Residence by Young Master Zhou."

Upon hearing that Zhou Gu was involved, Qingping felt relieved, "Alright, I understand."

Duanhua pouted, "Mother, you see, I told you, Zhou Gu likes Su Rong, yet Su Rong has already broken off their engagement. Still, he continues to interfere in her affairs."

"This matter has nothing to do with whether they’re engaged or not. Alright, let’s eat lunch now!" Qingping ordered the meal to be served, adding, "After lunch, stay in the Residence and don’t go anywhere. I’ll go to the palace to see your Imperial Uncle."

She understood her Imperial Brother well - if he knew about this, he wouldn’t ignore it.

Duanhua obediently nodded.

Thus, after lunch, Qingping prepared a carriage to go to the Imperial Palace.

The Emperor hadn’t taken a nap that day. He had not been able to sleep for two days. Upon hearing that Qingping had come to the palace to see him, he instructed Eunuch Yu to invite her to the Inner Hall.

"Imperial Brother." Qingping greeted.

The Emperor grunted in acknowledgement, looking at Qingping, and asked, "It’s been a while since you came to the palace. Now it seems you’re in good spirits, has Duanhua stopped stirring up trouble?"

Qingping nodded, "Duanhua has been very obedient recently, she hasn’t been causing any problems."

The Emperor gestured for her to sit, "Because of Su Rong? She has been staying in the Princess Residence and I heard that Duanhua likes her very much. You and your husband have also treated her quite well?"

Qingping thought about the casual conversation the Emperor was making, wondering if the Emperor was suspicious of Su Rong’s identity or if he already knew about it. She cautiously replied, "Su Rong is quite likable."

The Emperor nodded, "You’ve come looking for me in the middle of the day, what is it for?"

Qingping sat down, "Today, old man Zhao was telling stories, originally about a scandal of a princess from a previous dynasty, but he suddenly changed it to the story of Sister Zhenmin. According to Duanhua, there were some things that even I hadn’t told her, but she heard about them from the storyteller. She came to me for confirmation, and I was stunned to find that it was true. After all, those small matters are only known by members of the Imperial Court. I wondered who instigated it and what they want to achieve. I fear it might be detrimental to the government, so I came to report to you."

The Emperor sat up straight upon hearing this, "So, the stories told by old man Zhao today were very detailed? He knew all the minor matters only known by the Imperial Family?"

"Yes." Qingping cautiously replied, "I’m afraid that this could be part of a plot. If this was overlooked by the servants, they would not report it to you."

Her favor received over the years was not solely due to her being the Emperor’s biological sister. Half of it was because she was the Emperor’s informant and mouthpiece outside of the palace.

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