With this thought, Yao Jingyun tightened her grip on Pingting's hand. Her daughter truly had a good eye, finding herself a reliable husband.
While the Fan family wasn't of noble birth, with Fan Zehao and Fan Xudong's bravery, they might very well become the Emperor's trusted aides in the future!
"Jiaqi, I see the new Emperor has ascended the throne. It's imperative that the Prince remains in the capital to stabilize things. Otherwise, His Majesty... While this is a good opportunity, shouldn't we bring the children and the elders over!"
As soon as Yao Jingyun spoke, Zhao Jiaqi understood her meaning. She smiled and tactfully refused, "Though the capital is grand, it is also tumultuous. It would be better to let the children and elders remain in their fiefdom. The climate there is nourishing. Once things calm down here, we will return!"
Hearing this, Yao Jingyun couldn't help but feel disappointed.
She merely wanted Xudong and Pingting to stay in the capital. Even if it was with the flimsiest excuse, she didn't want her child to be away from her any longer.
Three women make a stage play. To alleviate their anxiety and shift the heavy topic, they began to talk about their children. Pingting's mood improved considerably when the topic turned to children.
No matter how plain her own child was, she was beautiful in her eyes. Just like Tiantian, whose personality was exactly like Yu Meng's. She was lively and wanted whatever she saw. If it was a wooden knife or a wooden stick, she was interested. As for hair ornaments and pretty little dresses, she paid them no mind.
With this, Pingting praised her endlessly, wanting Tiantian to be a female general. This truly troubled Fan Xudong.
Zhao Jiaqi thought of the couple and felt as if she were looking at her own situation. She was genuinely afraid her daughter would choose to follow her father's path. The thought of a female Mulan made her scalp tingle!
Unknowingly, the sky outside had already darkened. Fan Zehao returned with the moonlight behind him, Fan Xudong following close behind.
Yao Jingyun noticed that both of them looked a bit weary. She beckoned for tea and pastries to be served, then asked, "Are you both done?"
"It's over. The Emperor can hold court normally tomorrow. As for escorting the late Emperor's remains to the imperial tomb, that duty has been assigned to Xudong. He will lead a contingent of soldiers."
Pingting didn't quite understand why her husband was being sent. "Mother Consort, shouldn't the Emperor be the one to escort the coffin to the imperial tomb? And then perform ancestral rites?"
Yao Jingyun patted Pingting's arm and said, "In extraordinary times, we employ extraordinary measures. What you know are merely the rules passed down through tradition!"
"That's right. The Emperor has just ascended the throne, and yet hundreds of people stormed the palace to assassinate him. If he were to leave now, His Majesty's life would be in danger. Therefore, these elaborate rituals are things I've asked the Emperor to cancel. As long as the country can be governed strongly, the late Emperor will be pleased in the afterlife."
Some impractical things are merely for show. If there were truly gods, the world would be peaceful, and everyone would be cultivating immortality and seeking eternal life.
Zhao Jiaqi also felt that it wasn't the right time for ancestral rites. For the Emperor's safety, it was best to avoid him moving around carelessly.
Since the Emperor's enthronement, he had been assassinated no less than ten times in over half a month.
For this, Huang Kangtai was severely reprimanded. The Emperor had even made a harsh threat: if any more assassins managed to enter the palace, he would present his own head.
Not only was the Emperor frustrated, but Huang Kangtai was also bewildered.
All the imperial guards had been mobilized. It was said that not even a mosquito could fly in. Who knew where these black-clothed figures came from!
Either they were unseen, or a large group appeared at once, with a clear target: Huangfu Yifan's life.
After the court session, Huang Kangtai, his scalp tingling, pulled Fan Zehao aside and humbly sought his advice. "Your Highness, I am truly at a loss. I have come to seek your counsel and guidance!"
Seeing his humility, Fan Zehao, letting go of his previous prejudice, didn't dwell on past events. He nodded his chin. "Speak!"
"Assassins keep appearing in the palace, yet I've searched the palace meticulously and found no loopholes. But these assassins are like a pervasive force, always appearing. This..."
Huang Kangtai even suspected that there might be a mole in the palace, or perhaps the mole was right beside him, within the Imperial Guard.
He had even investigated each Imperial Guard individually but found no clues.
"I am not aware of this matter you speak of, nor can I make a judgment. However, I can offer you a suggestion, and perhaps you might find an answer from it!"
Hearing this, Huang Kangtai's spirits immediately lifted, his eyes shining. "Your Highness, please elaborate!"
"Find some dogs and let them smell the clothes of those black-clothed attackers. Then, have them track the scent. That way, you'll know where these black-clothed figures are coming from!" Fan Zehao saw no issue with his statement.
However, Huang Kangtai felt that he was being mocked. Were they worse than dogs?
Fan Zehao ignored him as he stood there with a ashen face. After taking a few steps, he turned back and said, "When doing this, be careful not to let word get out!"
Huang Kangtai: "..." Could it be that His Highness wasn't speaking sarcastically?
But why be careful about word getting out?
After much thought, he finally understood His Highness's intention. If word got out, then these people wouldn't appear so suddenly, and he wouldn't be able to capture them all tonight.
Huang Kangtai had to admire this brute. He used strange methods to solve unsolvable problems!
He spent the entire morning and afternoon preparing, locking himself and a few trusted confidantes in a room, and had lengthy discussions with the dogs.
That night, the palace was attacked again. However, this time, the assassins didn't even get to see the Emperor. They didn't even get a glimpse of what the palace looked like before they were all rounded up.
The next day, as soon as Fan Zehao entered the palace, Huang Kangtai followed him, chattering endlessly, "Your Highness's method is truly effective. Those black-clothed attackers entered through a secret chamber, no wonder they appeared and disappeared without a trace."
Hearing him, Fan Zehao stopped in his tracks and met his gaze with sharp eyes. Seeing him flinch slightly, he snorted, "If you have something to say, just say it. I don't have time to chat with you!"
Upon seeing this, Huang Kangtai thought, who said His Highness was a brute? How could a brute possess such intelligence?
He dared not waste Fan Zehao's time and immediately said, "After Your Highness finishes court, I would like to invite Your Highness for a drink. Let's set it for Tianxiang Tower. I hope Your Highness will do me the honor!"
Fan Zehao knew what he wanted to ask. Thinking that if the Emperor was safe, he wouldn't have to worry constantly.
It might as well be using his hand to deal with some dangerous individuals.
"Alright!"
Since His Highness agreed, Huang Kangtai stopped bothering him and turned to leave for another place.
Inside the Prince's residence.
Zhao Jiaqi watched the three women embrace and weep. One was so emaciated she looked like she would fall over with a gust of wind.
Another was so worn down she had changed beyond recognition. Clearly a young maiden, she now looked like an old woman.
After crying, the three women kowtowed to Zhao Jiaqi in unison, "Many thanks to the Princess for your rescue, which has allowed our family to reunite!"
Zhao Jiaqi waved her silk handkerchief. "Get up. If you wish to express your gratitude, thank the Grand Consort. It was she who requested your mother and daughter. I merely did a favor for her!"
"If Your Highness had not interceded, the Grand Consort would not have known about us. We still thank Your Highness!"
Qi Ru knelt on the ground, sincerely expressing her thanks.