What goes around comes around.
Karma is just getting its comeuppance.
Empress Dowager Zhang was on the verge of tears.
He Ying rushed forward anxiously, and seeing Su Wanwan's distracted state, asked urgently:
"Your Majesty, are you feeling unwell?"
"Go back to the Su family."
Su Wanwan looked extremely weak, her lips were bloodless, her whole body was trembling, and she was hugging her arms, leaning against He Ying's chest.
Despite it being a warm late spring day, she felt a chill run through her body.
No wonder the Su family ignored him and left him in the palace for over ten years without paying any attention to him.
The Su family was already being magnanimous by not drowning this "illegitimate child" who brought shame to the family.
How could I possibly care whether she lives or dies?
Perhaps, she shouldn't have been born, shouldn't have lived in this world.
He Ying was unaware of what was happening in the main hall, but dared not disobey, so she quickly ordered someone to prepare a carriage to go to the Su family.
...
Lu Xingjian is presiding over the palace examination at Fengtian Hall.
This was the first time he had held a public examination to select officials since he ascended the throne.
The last incident of burning the exam papers has already greatly offended the civil officials, both at the top and bottom.
He had to attend the entire palace examination, no matter what, to give these "disciples of the emperor" and the civil officials a dignified appearance.
He appointed all nine ministers, including the four Grand Secretaries, the Left Censor-in-Chief of the Censorate, the Ministers of the Six Ministries, the Commissioner of the Court of Judicial Review, and the Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, as examiners for the imperial examination.
They carried sedan chairs for these scholars.
Around noon, Chief Eunuch Li reported: "Her Majesty the Empress has left the palace."
Lu Xingjian clenched his fist in his sleeve, suddenly becoming restless.
She's not fully recovered yet, so why did she suddenly leave the palace?
In these turbulent times, every trip out increases the risk.
He thought of getting up to find her, but then he remembered her instructions before he left home earlier that day:
"At least sit down for a day, give scholars some dignity, and do them a favor."
After a long silence, Lu Xingjian suppressed his temper and asked in a low voice, "Where did you go? Did you bring enough guards?"
"They said they were going back to the Su family, and they brought plenty of guards."
Lu Xingjian kept looking at the water clock.
The palace examination lasted until dusk.
There's still half a day left.
This is so frustrating!
The lunch for the palace examination was prepared by the Court of Imperial Sacrifices, with each candidate receiving two steamed buns and a bowl of soup.
The officials' lunches were much more lavish.
Lu Xingjian had no appetite at all. After thinking for a while, he ordered, "Have Gu Ziyu take men to the Su family and bring them back safely."
Gu Ziyu is currently working in the Northern Garrison of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, assisting his great-uncle Gu Fang.
Gu Ziyu's abilities and character are undeniable. With him and the Gu family's backing, Wanwan's safety is guaranteed by an extra layer.
Steward Li responded and left.
But in his heart he was full of complaints.
The Emperor is truly seeing ghosts in every cup.
At this moment, they no longer care about the old relationship between the Empress and Gu Ziyu.
...
Su Wanying was so happy that her eyes welled up with tears when she heard Su Wanwan suddenly return.
"Sister, it's been so long since I've seen you. How are you feeling?"
My elder sister had been empress for less than two months when she fell ill and was poisoned.
It's really worrying me to death.
But her second uncle wouldn't allow her second aunt to submit a petition to visit the palace, leaving everyone at a loss for what to do.
Unexpectedly, my sister went home by herself.
Her complexion was much worse than when she was at home, and also much worse than when she received a wedding gift.
It's clear that being an empress was no easy task.
Su Wanwan held Wan Ying's hand, forcing a smile absentmindedly: "It's alright, where's my father?"
She needed to confirm her origins with her father; she couldn't wait a moment longer.
"He's in the study."
Su Wanwan didn't say much and went straight to the study.
Seeing this, Su Wanying lowered her voice and hurriedly told her:
“Recently, my second uncle and aunt have been arguing. They say that my second uncle is having an affair and has even had a child with another woman. Please pretend you don’t know about this to avoid getting involved.”
Su Wanwan stopped in her tracks.
He let out a long breath, turned around, and saw Su Nanzhan striding out of the study.
Su Nan's gaze immediately fell on Su Wanwan, and the worry and anxiety in his eyes vanished in that instant.
In that instant, Su Wanwan could no longer hold back, and her eyes welled up with tears of grievance.
Just then, stepmother Yang also came out from the hanging flower gate, smiling broadly as she greeted them with a bow:
"Your Majesty has come home to visit your family without informing me beforehand. I was not prepared at all. Please come in and rest."
Su Nan looked at Yang Shi and interrupted her rambling in a cold voice: "Go prepare lunch, Wan Ying, go help."
Su Wanwan's sudden return must mean something urgent has happened.
Seeing that he still looked so wronged, he didn't want to deal with the formalities anymore and quickly sent the others away.
Yang was a little embarrassed, but she still agreed and took Wan Ying to the kitchen.
"Come in." Su Nan turned and went back to the study. Seeing Su Wanwan standing there without moving, he simply said two words in a low voice.
He Ying consciously stood outside the door to prevent anyone from eavesdropping.
"Father," Su Wanwan said, closing the study door and getting straight to the point without beating around the bush.
Am I really a daughter of the Su family?
Su Nan frowned: "Why do you ask that?"
"The Zhang family says I'm Zhang Heling's daughter." Su Wanwan closed her eyes and uttered the words she found difficult to say.
Su Nan gave a cold sneer.
You believe everything they say?
"What if someone says you're so-and-so's daughter someday, would you believe it?"
"Su Wanwan, if you don't use your own brain to discern the truth, how long can you last in the palace?!"
These harsh words struck Su Wanwan, clearing her mind and instantly calming her restless and fearful heart.
Seeing this, Su Nan became even angrier.
Pointing at Su Wanwan, he said, "Look at yourself, what kind of person are you?"
"So impatient!"
Su Wanwan couldn't help but softly call out, "Father."
These two simple words contain years of suppressed longing and a heartfelt outpouring of grievances.
Most of all, it's the sense of security that comes from something lost and then regained.
It carried a hint of coquetry.
Looking at her red eyes, pale and weak face, like a lost dog, Su Nan could no longer hold back his cold expression.
He let out a long sigh.
She turned her back, tilted her head back, and quietly wiped the corner of her eye.
The study fell silent.
Only a trace of warmth flowed silently.
"Don't be so impulsive and rash in the future. Think things through more carefully in everything you do, lest you be taken advantage of and regret it later," Su Nan earnestly advised.
"Yes." Su Wanwan wiped away her tears and slowly composed herself.
But then I heard the voices of children coming from the next room.
Su Nan glanced at her and went into the next room.
Su Wanwan hesitated for a moment when she thought of what Wan Ying had said about the father's illegitimate child, but still followed him inside.
A little boy, about two or three years old, was sleeping on the bed, covered with a thin blanket.
The little body twisted and turned, not sleeping soundly.
Su Nan hesitated slightly, then stepped forward and gently patted the little boy's back. The movement looked a bit clumsy, clearly indicating that he was not yet skilled.
The little boy burst into tears: "Mother...I want my mother..."
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