Jing-wang opened the inner flap of the tent. Wang Xi was standing vigil throughout the night and didn’t rest yet. Seeing the situation, he hastily said: “Your highness, please calm. This old servant will head outside to take a look……”
Jing-wang nodded his head, indicating for Wang Xi to be careful. Wang Xi left the tent in a flash. Jing-wang lowered his gaze and looked briefly at the kids. Despite changing a resting location, the kids weren’t affected. The Baos were sleeping so soundly that their faces were flushed red.
Jing-wang carried the four kids to where Li Yu was and wrapped a blanket around the bed full of fish.
Jing-wang pulled out his own long sword from its sheath and silently guarded next to the bed.
Li Yu was a bit nervous and encouraged himself nonstop. Although he didn’t know what the 6th Prince planned to do exactly, it shouldn’t cause any big waves.
He and Jing-wang were both waiting for Wang Xi’s news.
Not long later, Wang Xi returned in a hurry, panting for breath. In a hushed voice, he said: “Your highness, you won’t believe this. When the guards were patrolling outside, they discovered that a man had infiltrated into Concubine Lu’s tent. The guards originally believed he was an assassin and captured the person. Who knew, who knew that this person was actually an old friend of Concubine Lu……”
Li Yu: Huh?
Jing-wang: “……”
The implication of Wang Xi’s words was rather deep. It was also filled with weirdness everywhere. Concubine Lu was the birth mother of the Emperor’s youngest son– the 8th Prince. This time, she was also on the list of the Emperor’s entourage. Why would a concubine like this, who had no woes or worries in her future, suddenly have an old friend appear right under the Emperor’s eyes like this?
Not to mention, several concubines that came with the Emperor to the hunting ground were all resting in their individual tents during the night. However, the tents were pretty much gathered together. Concubine Lu’s tent was one of the innermost. The inner layer had personal servants and palace maids watching constantly through changing shifts. The outer layer was also patrolled by a squad of guards. Even extremely talented martial artists would have a hard time infiltrating inside, yet this old friend managed to do it; and he did it without anyone noticing. This was also an area of suspicion.
Just what kind of old friend was this, who had to run over during the hunting festival, and secretly enter someone’s tent in the middle of the night.
Li Yu thought of a dog-blooded possibility, thinking: no way?
Was this so-called friend actually Concubine Lu’s old lover? The two people were rendezvousing in the middle of the night. Meanwhile, this person was able to enter successfully because Concubine Lu had done something internally. Otherwise, how else can one explain why there were all these guards, yet they didn’t discover anything until later on?
In the ancient times, it was extremely prohibited for a man and woman to stay together. If the Emperor’s concubine was discovered to have shared a room with a strange man, she would either be ordered to commit suicide or be sent to the cold palace. Not to mention, Concubine Lu and this man were “old friends.” Didn’t this practically confirm that Concubine Lu was having an affair and making the Emperor wear a green hat?
When he heard “there’s an assassin” from outside, Li Yu really believed that an assassin had appeared and that the assassin was sent by the 6th Prince, or somehow connected to the 6th Prince. However…… this was actually Concubine Lu giving the Emperor a green hat??
Wang Xi had really saved the Emperor’s reputation by saying it was an old friend, instead of directly saying that it was an affair. He also didn’t mention any specifics about the situation that occurred. This made Li Yu react a beat slower, just like Bao#4.
So it wasn’t catching an assassin, but rather catching a couple in the act.
This plot didn’t actually happen in the novel. This was a commonly used plot point in palace intrigue novels however. Li Yu couldn’t figure out if Concubine Lu’s affair was real or if she was being framed.
However, no matter if it’s true or fake, the man was ultimately found in Concubine Lu’s tent. The Emperor must be very angry.
“TianChi, do you want to go take a look?” Li Yu thought with uncertainty.
Jing-wang slowly shook his head. In this kind of situation, the Emperor definitely wanted as few people at the scene as possible. He was a prince. If he rushed over at this time, it wouldn’t actually comfort the Emperor. Instead, it would make the Emperor feel humiliated.
However, it wasn’t too suitable for Jing-wang not to go offer some words of concern.
What should they do?
We’re sorry for MTLers or people who like using reading mode, but our translations keep getting stolen by aggregators so we’re going to bring back the copy protection. If you need to MTL please retype the gibberish parts.
…… uba la! Ol Te’r ujhf ijcvfv bc Djb#1.
Djb#1 kjr pera riffqlcu rbecvis, vgfjwlcu jybea olrt obbv jcv ylu mtlmxfc ifur ktfc revvfcis tf ofia rbwfatlcu almxilcu tlr ojmf. Djb#1 bqfcfv tlr fsfr jcv vlrmbnfgfv olrt vjv ibbxlcu ja tlw klat j rwlif.
Djb#1 geyyfv tlr fsfr jcv rja eq. Ol Te rjlv klat j rwlif: “Vbggs, Djb#1. Gjvvs vlraegyfv sbe, yea vjvvs gfjiis tjr jc lrref. Jjc sbe ifcv vjvvs j tjcv?”
Bao#1 was the oldest brother. He needed to protect his little brother and also needed to protect daddy. He said quickly: “Okay!”
Li Yu crossed gazes with Jing-Wang, picked up Bao#1, and headed towards the Emperor’s dragon tent together.
Head manager Luo was standing outside of the tent in a tisy. Because of Concubine Lu, the Emperor threw a huge temper, not willing to even drink a sip of water for quite some time, and refusing to see any imperial physicians. Seeing the Jing family pair come with the little heir, head manager Luo’s eyes lit up. He hastily went inside to send word.
Li Yu and Jing-wang stood waiting outside.
Soon, the 6th Prince also came.
After a short while, head manager Luo told Jing-wang and his group to enter, but didn’t say anything about the 6th Prince.
Li Yu and Jing-wang entered the dragon tent. The exciting and clamorous tent during the day had changed to look completely empty. There were things all over the ground. It was possible to see pieces of broken teacups and such related items every few steps.
The Emperor sat on the dragon throne by himself, looking decrepit, as if he had gotten several years older since his last appearance during the day.
Concubine Lu had already been interrogated by the Emperor himself and locked up in solitary confinement.
For a strange man to appear in the young Concubine Lu’s tent, this was a serious blow to the Emperor.
The Emperor’s mood wasn’t very good and said unpleasantly: “What are you guys here for?”
Just now, a group of concubines were all dragged out. Was Jing-wang here to enjoy the commotion as well?
Li Yu answered for Jing-wang: “Father. Bao#1 started missing you in the middle of the night and insisted on coming over to see you. This son can only bring him to request an audience with you.”
Bao#1 was warned by Li Yu beforehand and knew that Grandpa Emperor was in a terrible mood. He immediately extended his little chubby hands towards grandpa.
The Emperor: “……”
The Emperor felt extremely complicated inside. However, because of his doting love for Bao#1, he still let Luo RuiSheng carry Bao#1 over.
Bao#1 held open his arms the entire time. When he came before the Emperor, he immediately hugged the Emperor around the waist and even patted him lightly.
“YeYe, hugs.” Bao#1 said in a soft, sticky voice.
The Emperor suddenly felt an impulse to cry tears.
Li Yu and Jing-wang both nervously observed the Emperor, afraid that in his fit of anger, Bao#1 would make the Emperor even more displeased.
However, this was also the only method to persuade the Emperor to take care of his own health.
“You can all go. Just leave Bao#1 behind.” The Emperor waved his hand, not wishing to have his son see him in his downcast mood.
Jing-wang and Li Yu exchanged a look and moved out of the tent with head manager Luo.
Not long afterwards, a call for tea and pastries came from inside, along with Bao#1’s giggling laughter. Jing-wang, Li Yu, and head manager Luo all felt more relieved.
The next day, the Emperor was full of energy. Although something unpleasant had happened, in the end, it was only something involving the harem. Overnight, the Emperor had already sent Concubine Lu back to the Imperial Palace. He didn’t plan to behave too concerned in front of the officials and nobility. The hunting festival continued as usual.
However, the second round of the hunting competition didn’t even start yet when Prince Li, who was the head of the Imperial Family Estate, arrived as quickly as possible on a swift horse, requesting to see the Emperor and saying there was something he needed to discuss with the Emperor.
The Emperor took a glance at the flags fluttering away on the hunting grounds and had a feeling that the hunting festival might be ending here.
So apparently, Prince Li also learned of the matter regarding Concubine Lu yesterday night and specifically came to probe the Emperor’s intentions.
Concubine Lu was the 8th Prince’s birth mother. Having a mother who did such a thing, how was the 8th Prince supposed to stand firm in the future?
Plus, it was rumored that Concubine Lu knew this man before she had entered the Imperial Palace. That’s why they were called old friends. As for if they had any contact after she had entered the Imperial Palace, the two people were already found in the same room together. The 8th Prince’s birth origin…… might be in question.
Prince Li did his best to persuade the Emperor: “Your majesty, the blood of the Royal family cannot get mixed up. Please make a decision here.”
Prince Li didn’t just come by himself, he brought two elderly Imperial Physicians.
As the Emperor’s younger brother and the head of the Imperial Family Estate, Prince Li was responsible over all royal clan related matters. He was clearly asking the Emperor for permission to verify the 8th Prince’s bloodline here.
Although the royal family had a secret method, it was classified. It was only used when there was suspicion over a clan member’s identity and with the permission of the Emperor. This careful cautiousness was also for the purpose of guarding this secret to avoid it from being exploited by others.
The Emperor hesitated for a moment. Ultimately, Concubine Lu had made him doubt. If Prince Li didn’t find his way here, it was likely that the Emperor would have gone in search of him instead after he returned to the palace.
Since it was already like this, why not allow it. If it dragged on too long, the 8th Prince himself might start doubting as well.
The Emperor was just about to allow it when Prince Li knelt down and pulled out a secret report from his sleeve.
“Your majesty, to be quite honest. This brother also has another important issue to report. The night before my arrival, this report mysteriously appeared on the table of my study. I originally didn’t believe it, but after hearing the changes that occurred at the hunting festival, I feel like, this can be questioned.”
Prince Li sent up the report. The Emperor opened it and swiftly skimmed through it.
This was actually a letter written to Prince Li to inform him of a secret. The letter revealed two things to Prince Li. The first was that Concubine Lu was involved with someone. The second was that Jing-wang’s sons weren’t actually his.
The letter wrote about the person that Concubine Lu was involved in, his name and place of registry. It also wrote about all sorts of suspicions regarding Jing-wang’s sons.
As the head of the Imperial Family Estate, Prince Li would receive if not a thousand, then at least 800, complaints everyday. They all contained various baseless accusations of similar nature. If he believed all of them casually, then he’d be dealing with this all day long. Originally, he only treated it with disdain. However, when Concubine Lu was caught on the spot rendezvous with someone on the hunting grounds, Prince Li spent a little effort to inquire the identity of the man. After learning it, even a part of his heart turned cold.
The things related to Concubine Lu were mostly true, then what about Jing-wang?
Recalling the many favors that the Emperor had bestowed upon Jing-wang’s heir recently, Prince Li can almost smell the Emperor’s anticipation towards Jing-wang. However, if this were really the case, then how could Prince Li sit still. He hastily rushed over. It was for the 8th Prince, but also for the Emperor.
“Your majesty, what… what should be done here?”
Prince Li felt like he’d rather mistakenly kill an innocent man than mistakenly let a guilty man go free. They were going to test anyway, testing two people was also testing. They might as well examine Jing-wang’s sons as well.
According to the words in the letter, Jing-wang gained these four sons while he was at the West Frontier. Everyone said that naturally born mutism can be passed down to the offspring. None of Jing-wang’s sons had it. This by itself was already extremely unusual.
No need to mention others. Just this one area of suspicion made Prince Li feel like he agreed deeply with the words in the letter.
The Emperor’s face color gradually grew worse. Prince Li was afraid the Emperor would suddenly get angry with him. However, even after the Emperor finished reading the letter, he didn’t do anything in response.
“I am aware of this now. You can go for the time being and don’t mention this to anyone.” The Emperor said.
Prince Li exited, heart pounding with trepidation. Then he finally remembered that the Emperor still didn’t say what he wanted to do with the 8th Prince.
The Emperor repeatedly read the letter several times and thought about Bao#1, who was devoted wholeheartedly to him. He already had an idea in mind and ordered Luo RuiSheng to summon Jing-wang into the dragon tent swiftly.
“TianChi, you have to be careful……”
Li Yu looked all around and secretly wrote a ‘six’ on Jing-wang’s palm.
From Concubine Lu’s accident to the speedy appearance of Prince Li, Li Yu felt like all of this was somehow related to the 6th Prince.
Jing-wang understood and wanted Li Yu to wait for him calmly. He also had this feeling. Prince Li was the head of the Imperial family Estate. For him to arrive speedily on a fast horse, it must be important business.
He had a brief encounter with Prince Li previously. When Prince Li saw him, he had evasive eyes. Jing-wang can pretty much determine from this that Prince Li’s urgent business was related to him.
As soon as he entered the tent, a report was immediately thrown at him, aimed directly at his head.
Jing-wang was on his guard. In reality, the report wasn’t able to hit him anyways. It flew until it was half an inch away from him and then landed on the floor.
Jing-wang can feel the Emperor’s explosive fury. He picked up the report to give it a look.
Only one glance was enough for him to know the 6th Prince’s plan.
So Concubine Lu was actually the bait. Trying to shift the Emperor’s suspicions onto the kids was the true motive.
Because the 6th Prince already didn’t have many trusted subordinates, it actually made it harder for Jing-wang to send people to get close and monitor him. The 6th Prince was crafty and has always only trusted himself instead of others. Therefore, it was impossible to find out the 6th Prince’s exact plans.
However, since Prince Li had gathered the Imperial Physicians overnight and rushed over, they should be getting ready to test the blood?
If the matter with Concubine Lu didn’t exist, the Emperor might not believe the words in the letter. However, now that Concubine Lu’s betrayal came first, the Emperor should be more sensitive to this kind of thing.
If possible, he will probably test all of the kids. That’s the point of the report.
Jing-wang was just waiting for the Emperor to say this. However, the Emperor said with extreme dissatisfaction: “TianChi, someone want to harm Bao#1. Do you know who it is?”
Jing-wang was shocked for a brief moment. Surprisingly, the Emperor didn’t actually get swayed by the letter’s instigations. Instead, he planned to support Bao#1!
It’s because Bao#1 looks nearly identical to little Jing-Wang XD
My thoughts exactly xD as the father of JW, i’m sure he more than anyone knows how JW looked like when he was young. If even he can’t tell, then i guess i’m gonna start questioning his character setting on this novel xD
Thank You for the chapter（*’∀’人）♥
thanks for the chapter!
Don’t be going after the Emperor’s Bao#1-4! Or he’ll be coming after you! Thanks for the update 🤣❤️🐟
The emperor could sleep with everyone he fancied, while his concubines would get punished for that 😔
Ikr ! It’s so unfair !
Thanks for the chapter 🙂
Acient
Ancient rules
As far as I remember the emperor already have a test done.
the kid’s legit ctrl+c, ctrl+v of his dad… who would doubt the legitimacy??
Exactly! Glad the emperor is trusting Jong Wang and his family
I think that was bcs the 6th prince didnt know how jing-wang was like when he still a baby so the 6th prince confident in his plans
bao #1 lools exactly like him when he was still a kid, how could his own father even believe sumn like that. the 6th prince probably didnt thought this through lol
Yasss, protect your grandsons
Nah coz the emperor actually said in the previous chapters that Bao 1 is so identical to Jing wang when he was a child. Of course the emperor won’t be tricked easily. 🙌🏻😆
Kudos to the author for the curve ball.