Chapter 34

Cheng Ru'an silently nodded: "All right, as the Prince wishes."

But, Prince, since we are to request a title for Tuan Tuan, we ought to have a proper personal name.

Xiao Yuanhang stared, then slapped his forehead: "I was too hasty; indeed, Tuan Tuan can't always be called Tuan Tuan, the edict of ennoblement also needs to write her personal name."

Prince, Tuan Tuan is… different from others; this personal name, we ordinary folk shouldn't rashly decide—how about tomorrow we all take her to see the National Preceptor? Let the National Preceptor give her a name.

If the National Preceptor agrees, it will both highlight her nobility and better match the story of Tuan Tuan's birth, so others will dare not speak further.

Your thought is thorough; very well, tomorrow first take Tuan Tuan to see the National Preceptor, after she has a personal name then bring her to the ancestral rites to enter the genealogy, and only then will I go to request her ennoblement.

The two having settled their discussion, they then lay down together; after more than two years apart, they finally could share a bed again, and they slept straight through until nearly noon.

After waking, Cheng Ru'an ordered that Tuan Tuan be changed into an outfit for going out and brought to the Yangzheng Pavilion.

As soon as Tuan Tuan entered the door, she lunged into her embrace: "Mother! Why did you only just wake? I opened my eyes and didn't see you at all!"

Cheng Ru'an bent down and embraced her: "Mother is with Father here! Look, does Father look handsome?"

Xiao Yuanhang entered, dressed in a vermilion python robe, wearing the Winged Goodness Crown, his attire neat and orderly.

Tuan Tuan lifted her little head, staring wide-eyed at her own father.

Wow wow wow! Father today, truly majestic! Originally handsome, now this hair, this outfit—simply gorgeous beyond words!

Xiao Yuanhang glanced at his daughter's little appearance, smiled and lifted her up: "Little darling, do you like Father's look?"

Tuan Tuan stretched out her little hand, gently touching his crown, then feeling the dragon pattern on his robe: "Beautiful! So beautiful! Father, how can you be so handsome!"

The two adults hearing this couldn't help but smile.

Xiao Yuanhang said: "Because Tuan Tuan is lovely, Father naturally must also be handsome to be worthy of my little Tuan Tuan!"

Tuan Tuan happily pressed her little head against his neck: "Mm-hmm!"

The family of three finished their meal, boarded the carriage, and arrived at the Guoshi Residence.

Prince Ning's grand arrival prompted the servants not to dare delay; they hurriedly ushered them into the main hall.

Shortly after, National Preceptor Chu Yuan entered.

Xiao Yuanhang stated his purpose; Chu Yuan nodded, his gaze falling on Tuan Tuan.

Tuan Tuan sat on her father's lap, tilting her little head as she also looked at him: "Who are you?"

Chu Yuan gave a slight smile: "I am merely a mortal of the mundane world."

Tuan Tuan blinked her eyes: "What is a mortal?" She pointed at herself: "Am I also a mortal?"

Chu Yuan did not answer, silently gazing at her, his eyes flickering, his expression complex.

The couple's hearts jolted, they stared intently at Chu Yuan.

After a moment, Chu Yuan looked toward Cheng Ru'an: "If this humble Daoist is not mistaken, the Breaking Blessing Worm that the Princess Consort gave me last time was discovered by this young benefactor."

The Heavenly Eye Daoist truly lives up to his reputation! I just wonder what else he saw. Cheng Ru'an barely suppressed her astonishment and nodded.

Chu Yuan then looked toward Xiao Yuanhang: "Prince, have you decided? Do you wish to establish this young benefactor as your legitimate biological daughter?"

Xiao Yuanhang spoke solemnly: "Yes, I don't know if the National Preceptor is willing to bestow a name upon my daughter."

Chu Yuan nodded: "Given these circumstances, this humble Daoist can only follow heaven's will. From now on, this young benefactor shall bear the surname Xiao and the name Ningzhao."

Cheng Ru'an asked: "What does the character Zhao mean?"

Chu Yuan lightly replied: "The heavenly way is bright and clear."

The two exchanged a glance, did not inquire further, ordered Tuan Tuan to perform a salute to Chu Yuan in thanks for the naming, then boarded the carriage and returned to the Prince's Mansion.

Entering the Prince's Mansion, the two each took one of Tuan Tuan's hands and went straight to the ancestral hall.

Before leaving, Cheng Ru'an had already instructed Aunt Liu to arrange everything; at this moment, the Old Madam, Xiao Ningchen, and Xiao Ningxun were already dressed and waiting in the ancestral hall.

Seeing them, Tuan Tuan happily ran over: "Great-grandfather! Second brother! Third brother! You're all here!"

Xiao Ningxun scooped her up: "Exactly! We've all been waiting for Tuan Tuan! In a moment, Tuan Tuan must obediently follow everyone and pay respects to the ancestors."

Tuan Tuan looked puzzled: "Third Brother! I've already kowtowed to the ancestors—do I have to do it again?"

Cheng Ru'an stepped forward and patiently explained: "Exactly! Because Tuan Tuan now has a personal name, we must tell her personal name to the ancestors and also write her personal name in the genealogy."

What is the genealogy?

It's a booklet that lists the ancestors' names and also our whole family's names. Grandmother, Father, Mother, and several brothers' names are already on it! Tuan Tuan, would you be willing to write your own name on it as well?

Tuan Tuan thought for a moment, then seriously nodded: "Willing."

Truly obedient! Come, get down and kowtow to the ancestors.

The Old Madam nodded at Shun Gu; Shun Gu understood, went out to the ancestral hall, leading the servants in single file, and neatly arranged the three sacrificial animals and the five fruits and six vegetables on the table.

Xiao Yuanhang stepped forward to burn incense, offer wine, kneel and perform the rites; the people behind him followed in turn, kneeling and bowing.

Xiao Yuanhang's expression solemn, his voice clear: "O ancestors and forefathers above, your unworthy descendant Xiao Yuanhang now leads the entire clan in presenting offerings before you."

May we inherit the virtue of our ancestors, who bless our household; now we have our daughter Xiao Ningzhao, who embodies excellence and gathers spirit; we respectfully request that her name be recorded in the genealogy, to forever inherit the sacrificial rites—may you partake!

The Old Madam respectfully took out the jade genealogy sealed in the spirit cabinet and placed it on the incense table.

Xiao Yuanhang personally took up the brush, and neatly wrote Tuan Tuan's personal name, Xiao Ningzhao, beneath his own and Cheng Ru'an's names in the genealogy.

Xiao Yuanhang lifted his daughter, pointing at the three characters just written: "Tuan Tuan, look, this is your name, Xiao Ningzhao—Father has already written it in the genealogy! Are you happy, Tuan Tuan?"

Tuan Tuan stared at her name: "So this is my name!" But her gaze began to wander, searching: "Where are my brothers' names?"

Xiao Yuanhang pointed with his finger: "Here, look—Xiao Ningyuan, Xiao Ningchen, Xiao Ningxun."

Tuan Tuan relaxed: "Good! I'm together with my brothers!"

Xiao Ningchen and Xiao Ningxun, hearing this, couldn't keep the corners of their mouths from lifting—what a lovely sister, always thinking of her brothers.

After the ceremony concluded, Cheng Ru'an ordered: "Everyone in the mansion, top to bottom, shall receive three months' stipend!"

The servants hearing this were also very delighted.

Xiao Yuanhang placed Tuan Tuan in Xiao Ningxun's arms: "Take your sister out to play; she's been cooped up all day, probably bored."

"Yes, Father." The three siblings ran off happily.

Xiao Yuanhang changed sedan chairs, and without stopping came to the imperial palace; Xiao Er presented his waist token: "Please inform: Prince Ning Xiao Yuanhang requests an audience with His Majesty."

The gate officials did not dare delay, immediately passing the token inside; shortly after, a eunuch hurried out of the palace gate, proclaiming loudly: "His Majesty has issued an edict: summon Prince Ning for an audience."

The eunuch beamed, stepped forward and said: "Prince, myriad blessings! His Majesty has issued an edict: 'Prince Ning has just recovered from a serious illness; specially granted permission to enter by sedan, exempting him from exertion.' The sedan is ready, Prince, please."

Xiao Yuanhang nodded, stepped out of his own sedan chair, and climbed into the emperor's bestowed sedan.

Xiao Er stepped forward, stuffed a red envelope into the eunuch's sleeve, saying: "Thank you for your trouble, sir."

The eunuch thanked him with a beaming smile, and following the sedan arrived at the outer gate of Zichen Hall, where the emperor resides daily: "Prince, we have arrived, please."