"Your Highness, who is that relative you just mentioned?" Hong Xiaoduo, with her sharp ears, overheard this and, with a thought, walked over and asked with a smile.
Old Luo said that the characters on the bamboo tags of the four children were too worn to be deciphered.
Fortunately, things took a turn for the better when the families of the three children came looking for them. I had a paternity testing device in my space; otherwise, based solely on the children's age, gender, and appearance, no one could be sure if there would be any mistakes.
Now only Xiao Yaoguang is left, and she hasn't found her family yet.
Since the characters on her bamboo plaque couldn't be identified, and her family didn't come looking for her like Tian Shu and the other two's fathers did, she didn't want to miss any information, no matter how small. Just in case, right?
When Hong Xiaoduo came over to talk to him, Prince Yi immediately sat up straight and said, "It's my niece, Princess Yuening, the ninth sister of the current emperor. This little girl looks so much like my niece, she's practically a young Yuening."
Even Yuening's biological daughter doesn't resemble her this much; it's truly amazing.
“It’s normal for a child to look more like the father than the mother,” Hong Xiaoduo said deliberately.
Prince Yi thought for a moment and said, "It seems so, except for the face shape." He even compared it to his own face with his hand.
"Where do Princess Yuening and her husband live now? In the capital? Otherwise, I'd really like to see if my Yaoguang really looks that much like Princess Yuening," Hong Xiaoduo teased.
“Miss Hong, you know what, if you want to see my imperial niece and her family, you can actually do it. Their residence is originally in the capital, but Yuening's husband is skilled in water conservancy.”
Over the years, he has traveled to various places to build ponds to divert water, irrigate farmland to prevent drought, and build dikes to prevent floods.
"These past two years have coincided with the construction of a dike in Luohua Prefecture, which is only a few dozen miles from my fiefdom. Since Lady Hong is escorting Yuheng home, I will definitely hold a banquet to celebrate, and her family will certainly come to my residence to offer their congratulations," Prince Yi said with great certainty.
“Okay,” Hong Xiaoduo replied with a smile.
Anyway, I was going to Yuheng's house anyway, so I might as well try my luck.
This wasn't just wishful thinking or wishful thinking on her part; in fact, in the several paternity tests she had done, there had been instances of substitutions and fraudulent claims, more than once or twice.
The prince who was replaced by the empress, the fake grandson who came to claim kinship with Minister Wei, and Jiang An's son who was replaced during the New Year in Yaozhen.
"Prince Yi, would it be alright if I invited you to dinner tonight?" Luo Yuansong had just heard from his son that he was setting off tomorrow, so he hurried over to discuss it with the prince.
Prince Yi readily agreed: "Sure, you can treat me then."
Anyway, he had already decided that once Miss Hong and the others arrived at his fiefdom, he would find a way to keep them there for a few more days. Why bother competing with others for a meal or two?
Originally, at noon, he wanted to send someone to invite the eldest son of Prefect Ren to eat together, but considering that of the five families who came, apart from Magistrate Hong, who was a swindler with ulterior motives, it would be a wasted trip for Prefect Ren's family.
These three families are all so happy; what must Young Master Ren be feeling?
So I didn't call him over.
The young master and his party will set off back tomorrow.
During dinner, after watching Quan Jinghuai see Tianquan off with a food box, Prince Yi sighed with emotion, "General Gong and the other generals have really had a tough time."
“It will not be easy to defend this newly acquired territory and city. Setting up new borders, garrisoning, and deploying troops cannot be taken lightly,” Tian Shu’s father said very seriously.
"After all these years, I've finally gotten my revenge," said Prefect Zhong, slamming his hand on the table.
"General Gong and his wife, Deputy General Dou, actually wanted to make time to receive you all, but I dissuaded them, saying that the Prince and the other officials were here on private matters."
"Besides, given the current situation here, the Prince and the other officials wouldn't blame them for their rudeness," Hong Xiaoduo said again.
She had already given a brief explanation on behalf of Gong Wei and the others when they met the first day.
“Miss Hong is absolutely right. In fact, if it weren’t for the fact that I was with you two while searching for the child, it wouldn’t have been very convenient for me, as a prince, to sit and drink with you two.”
"Especially for a military general like General Gong who holds military power, the reasons are obvious to both of you, I don't need to explain them." Prince Yi said with a wry smile.
Given his status, it was extremely taboo for him to get close to court officials.
The reasoning is the same as how emperors disliked princes getting too close to important officials in the court.
“I understand that too. It’s just that the emperor is suspicious and afraid that his brothers, uncles, and other relatives might form cliques to plot and seize power,” Hong Xiaoduo said casually.
Her words sent chills down the spines of Prince Yi, Imperial Censor Luo, and Prefect Zhong. It was indeed true, but it was still inappropriate to say it so openly in public.
At first, I just thought that this Miss Hong was straightforward and honest, which was really nice. But I never expected her to be this straightforward. This is too bold!
The three of them subconsciously looked around, secretly relieved that they had told the restaurant staff so that they wouldn't have to wait around when the food and drinks were served.
Looking at the children present, and the gentle and refined Fei Yan, who were eating their food with normal expressions, it seemed that this was not the first time that Hong Xiao Niangzi had said such frightening words, and they had become accustomed to it.
“Young Lady Hong, be careful what you say, lest you bring trouble upon yourself. Although that ruler is wise, gossip can be a terrible thing, and I fear those who spread rumors will exaggerate the truth.” Prefect Zhong thought that this woman was his son and his family’s benefactor, and felt it necessary to remind her.
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