Chapter 64: The Familiar-Looking Emperor?

When the Empress expressed her guilt, the Emperor quickly pulled her into his arms and comforted her gently:
“You’re pregnant. You shouldn’t be worrying about such things. I’ll handle this matter.”

After all, the harem was his to manage—intervening in any situation was easy for him.

The Empress didn’t understand why the Emperor had rushed over so urgently. Was it truly just to investigate the truth behind Xu Sangning’s fall into the water?
What benefit was there in it for him?

Although she harbored doubts in her heart, she didn’t dare voice them. After all, the Emperor was naturally suspicious—saying more would only lead to mistakes.

The Emperor glanced at the still-unconscious Xu Sangning, and his expression suddenly turned cold.

In the entire palace, only one person would dare stir up trouble right under the Empress’s nose.

Although the Emperor didn’t expose Consort Wei’s actions directly, he was well aware. His recent coldness toward Consort Wei and her daughter had already made her dissatisfied.

News of her fall from favor had likely spread beyond the palace by now, and no doubt the Wei family was already making moves.

What he didn’t expect was that the Wei family would go so far as to target a child.

When the Empress had requested to host the Winter Banquet, she had explained that her intention was to let the children of several noble families get to know each other. That way, when they were older and it came time to arrange marriages, they wouldn’t have to marry blind.

A childhood friendship would be the ideal—a good omen.

So this Winter Banquet was not only important to the Empress, but also to the Emperor.

First, it gave him a chance to observe the intentions of various noble families. Second, the harem had been quiet for a while—it was time for some liveliness. He also hoped the Empress’s unborn child would be born safely and grow up in peace.

Although both the Emperor and Empress had their own thoughts, neither said them aloud.

The Empress also suspected Consort Wei’s involvement, but lacked evidence.

Mammy Fang had gone to investigate but hadn’t found any of Consort Wei’s palace staff or her nephew nearby.

With Mammy Fang’s keen insight, she wouldn’t have overlooked anyone suspicious.

That only made the Empress feel even stranger. Based on past behavior, Consort Wei’s people often roamed around the harem. Why was today so quiet?

Something was definitely off.

The Empress quickly sent Mammy Fang to Consort Wei’s palace to gather information.

Meanwhile, the Emperor ordered all the young nobles and palace servants who had been rounded up earlier to be brought inside.

Xie Yixing walked at the very end of the group, with Yao Yao following beside him.

If one didn’t look closely, they might have gone unnoticed.

The Emperor questioned each person about their identity, and by the end, all he heard was the name “Heir to the Marquis of Chengming”—yet saw no one.

The Emperor craned his neck to look toward the back, and all he could see were two blurry silhouettes.

“Let him come forward.”

The Emperor was seated at the head of the hall. Just as he lifted a cup of hot tea, he saw a handsome young man in dark green robes leading a chubby, round-faced little girl toward him.

It was the first time the Emperor had seen the only heir of the Marquis of Chengming. He had assumed the marquis kept his son hidden away for fear the child was ugly and would be mocked.

But to his surprise, the boy was quite good-looking.
Not at all like the Marquis of Chengming.

The Emperor stared at the boy’s face, momentarily forgetting what he was supposed to be doing. He raised his hand and beckoned him forward:
“This is the first time I’ve seen the heir.”

Xie Yixing also looked directly at the Emperor in yellow robes, showing no hint of fear in his eyes.

The other noble children who had entered with him had been terrified upon hearing the Emperor would see them, their souls practically leaving their bodies.

But he and Yao Yao remained calm and composed. Just before being summoned, Xie Yixing even picked up another piece of osmanthus cake and fed it to Yao Yao.

Even Yao Yao showed no signs of nervousness. Her eyes were filled with nothing but cakes.

It was a rare opportunity to eat freely under Xie Yixing’s indulgence—how could she care about anything else?

But she hadn’t forgotten the little flower snake in her pocket, which was starving. Forbidden to show itself, the snake could only lie curled in the fabric pouch and sleep. But the aroma of the cakes drifting around her made it restless. It nudged the pouch with its head, pressing against her thick cotton trousers, reminding her of their agreement.

Every time that happened, Yao Yao would stealthily break a piece of cake in half—half for herself, half slipped into the pocket.

She thought her movements were discreet enough that no one would notice the snake’s presence.

But in the palace, nothing goes unseen. Even the slightest movements are easily detected.

As Xie Yixing stepped forward with Yao Yao, the Emperor’s gaze once again landed on the plump little girl at his side.

He narrowed his eyes and examined her clothing carefully.

The fabric was not only luxurious, but even the embroidery at the cuffs was especially exquisite.

Her accessories, too, were valuable.

And throughout, Xie Yixing never let go of her hand—as if afraid she’d disappear the moment he did.

Wasn’t the heir to the Marquis of Chengming supposed to be cold and indifferent to everyone? Why was he so close to this little girl?

Who was this child?

He didn’t recall the Marquis of Chengming having a daughter.

The Emperor toyed with the jade walnut in his hand and feigned a stern expression, hoping to intimidate the young marquis.

The noble sons and daughters standing behind Xie Yixing turned pale and trembled when they saw the Emperor’s expression change. Only Xie Yixing remained calm and unflinching.

Yao Yao, too, showed no fear. On the contrary, she boldly lifted her head and stared at the Emperor for a long while.

Why did this man look so familiar to her?

But she had never seen him before… had she?

The Emperor, too, was surprised. Not only was the marquis’s son unafraid of him, but even the girl at his side didn’t fear him. Who exactly was this girl, that the Marquis of Chengming’s heir valued her so highly?

The Emperor had originally wanted to speak to Xie Yixing, but recalling the rumors outside the palace, he worried that teasing the boy might provoke a strong reaction.

Even though, as the Son of Heaven, he shouldn’t be concerned with a child’s emotions—if the boy embarrassed him in public, how shameful would that be?

People might even think he was afraid of the Marquis of Chengming!

The Emperor instinctively tightened his grip on the jade walnut and once again looked at Yao Yao.

A glint of light flashed in his eyes as an old memory surfaced.

Five years ago, he had learned that the Yu family had a new daughter. He had secretly left the palace to attend her full-month celebration.

As soon as the little girl was placed in his arms, she had peed on him.

He had been both furious and amused.

If not for the respect he had for her grandfather, his teacher, how could he—as the Son of Heaven—have allowed himself to be soiled by a child?

Even his own children hadn’t peed on him before.

But because of that incident, he felt a strange bond with the little Yu girl.

Unfortunately, the Yu family later moved away from the capital. He had once considered bringing the girl into the palace and raising her as the Empress’s adopted daughter, but several senior officials—led by Duke Xu—had strongly opposed it, so he gave up on the idea.

It had been four years since he last saw the little Yu girl.
Thinking of how the entire Yu family was still imprisoned now, a bold idea suddenly sprang into the Emperor’s mind—

He would leave the palace.