“This servant obeys.” Zheng Ying bowed and withdrew from the great hall, following Yang Guang’s words to go to Feixiang Palace to summon Yunyi. He didn’t know that someone was standing not far away, watching his movements.

“That direction leads to Feixiang Palace. Zheng Ying must be going to summon Jinyang on Father Emperor’s orders.” The speaker was none other than Princess Xin’an, who had just been painting vivid pictures before Yang Guang.

Wenyu withdrew her gaze and smiled: “That’s good. From Father Emperor’s words just now, I thought he wasn’t planning to pursue Jinyang’s matter.”

“Father Emperor is the sovereign – he won’t easily show his emotions on his face. So one must understand how to discern Father Emperor’s true thoughts. Words cannot be said too little or too much. If I hadn’t stopped you just now, that would have been a disaster.”

Wenyu stuck out her tongue: “I don’t have such careful thoughts like Fourth Sister. I only know one thing – whoever makes me unhappy, I’ll make them unhappy too.”

Princess Xin’an smiled coldly upon hearing this: “You’re right. Since she insists on opposing us, let her have a proper taste of what opposition brings. Just watch – the good show is about to begin.”

From the first time she saw Du Ruhui, she had taken a fancy to this man of both talent and good looks. Unfortunately, Yunyi had always interfered, and with Xiao Shi’s influence, she had never been able to obtain Du Ruhui. However, she hadn’t given up and continued to pester Du Ruhui. When the Du family was being targeted by the Cui family, she thought her chance had come – she could use protecting the Du family’s safety as an excuse to make Du Ruhui submit to her. Who knew that Yunyi would interfere again, arranging his match with Wang Xianyue, causing the Du family to gain the Wang family’s protection and no longer fear the Cui family. Not only did this ruin her plans, but it also meant she would never have another chance to obtain Du Ruhui, since doing so would mean opposing the entire Wang family – even as an imperial daughter, she couldn’t bear such consequences.

This incident raised her hatred for Yunyi to its peak, making her think constantly about making Yunyi suffer and grieve. Now she finally had this opportunity – how could she not be delighted?

Yunyi followed Zheng Ying to the most solemn hall in the imperial palace, stepping on the mirror-like golden bricks to the bottom of the steps, bowing to Yang Guang who was reclining sideways in the dragon throne: “This daughter-subject greets Father Emperor. May Father Emperor live ten thousand years in holy peace.”

Yang Guang raised his hand slightly and said slowly: “Yesterday I went to see the Empress. She told me you want to tour Jiangdu. I considered that you’ve never been to Jiangdu before, and it would indeed be regrettable not to appreciate Jiangdu’s beautiful scenery, so I agreed to this matter. When you want to leave the palace, just have your mother empress write a note to the Palace Servants Bureau.”

Upon hearing this, Yunyi quickly said: “Thank you for Father Emperor’s gracious gift.”

Yang Guang curved his lips slightly, got up and walked to Yunyi who looked grateful: “In the ninth year of Daye, you eavesdropped on my conversation with Anjiado and thus went to Honghua Commandery to assassinate Li Yuan – is this true?”

Yunyi looked up in surprise, not understanding why Yang Guang suddenly brought up that matter: “This matter… didn’t Father Emperor already know about it?”

Yang Guang walked around her slowly: “I do know, but… are you certain you told me everything?”

Yunyi heard something off in his tone but didn’t understand why. She could only say: “Yes, this daughter-subject told Father Emperor everything.” Except for the matter of Li Shimin letting her leave.

“If that’s the case, why have I never heard you mention that you actually have another father!” At this point, Yang Guang’s expression had become extremely ugly, with veins throbbing at his temples. He stared fixedly at Yunyi, gritting his teeth: “Speak! What is that person’s name? Where is he?”

“Father Emperor…” Yunyi never expected that Yang Guang had specifically summoned her for this matter, and for a moment didn’t know how to answer.

Yang Guang was unwilling to say more to her and shouted again: “Speak!”

Although Yunyi didn’t know why Yang Guang cared so much about this matter, now was clearly not the time to ask such questions. She answered truthfully: “Replying to Father Emperor, that person is called Wu Laosan. He is Wu Meixue’s father. When this daughter-subject assumed Wu Meixue’s identity, I once addressed him as father and daughter. Later, he even helped this daughter-subject escape and saved my life. As for where he lives… as early as the tenth year of Daye, when he helped this daughter-subject escape, he was killed by the pursuing soldiers.”

Yang Guang stared at her with a strange expression for a long while before saying: “So the father you speak of refers to Wu Laosan?”

Yunyi frowned: “Otherwise, who does Father Emperor think it is?”

Her words made Yang Guang’s expression relax. Good, it wasn’t him. Although they hadn’t found that person’s body back then, with no news for so many years, he must be dead.

Yang Guang suppressed the thoughts emerging from the depths of his mind and said sternly: “Since it was a false father-daughter relationship, why do you still address him that way? Do you still have me, your Father Emperor, in your eyes?”

Yunyi quickly lowered her head: “Father Emperor, please calm your anger. This daughter-subject never dared show the slightest disrespect to Father Emperor. Wu Laosan… this daughter-subject only called him that out of habit, not intentionally disrespecting Father Emperor. Please Father Emperor see clearly!”

Yang Guang snorted coldly: “Have you ever thought about what it would look like if people heard you addressing a lowly farmer that way?”

Yang Guang’s words made Yunyi feel uncomfortable inside. To her, Wu Laosan was not only not lowly, but even… more like a father than Yang Guang.

Of course, these words absolutely could not be spoken aloud. Otherwise, even with Mother Empress protecting her, she would face great trouble. Yunyi lowered her head: “This daughter-subject understands. This daughter-subject guarantees never to make such a mistake again. Please Father Emperor forgive this daughter-subject this once.”

Yang Guang stared at her for a long while, then slowly nodded: “Remember your own words. Next time you commit such an offense, it won’t be settled so easily.” After Yunyi agreed, he waved his hand: “You may go.”

“This daughter-subject takes leave.” After leaving the great hall, Yunyi didn’t return to Feixiang Palace but came to Liangyu Palace with a dark expression. Wenyu lived here. Originally, this palace was to be granted to Yunyi, but Wenyu took a fancy to the jade character in the palace name and pestered Yang Guang to live here. Yang Guang was quite fond of this younger daughter and agreed to this matter, separately designating Feixiang Palace for Yunyi to live in.

Ruyi hadn’t entered and didn’t know what had happened. Seeing Liangyu Palace not far ahead, she asked in confusion: “Master, are you here to see Princess Wenyu?” Although Princess Wenyu and her master were sisters, they were almost like enemies. In her memory, her master had never once come to find Princess Wenyu alone – how strange.

Yunyi didn’t answer, only walked quickly forward. The palace servants guarding outside Liangyu Palace saw her approaching and came forward to bow: “This servant greets Princess Jinyang. May the Princess be blessed.”

Seeing Yunyi about to walk inside, he quickly blocked her path: “Please Princess wait. This servant will go in first to announce you.”

“No need.” Yunyi said this coldly, then walked around him to go inside. The palace servant quickly followed, asking Yunyi to pause her steps, but the latter completely ignored him.