Chapter 1308

When the first ray of morning sunlight fell upon Huangcheng, Qiqi had already arrived at the Hall of Nurturing the Heart; she had come early to seek an audience with the Emperor, thinking she might still be turned away, but she never expected that Long Xuan'en had already risen early and even agreed to see her.

Qiqi said to Yin Zheng, "How is the Emperor's mood today?"

Yin Zheng reported in a low voice: "Report to the Princess, the Emperor's mood is still not bad today."

Long Xuan'en's complexion indeed looked good; he had just finished breakfast, sitting quietly by the window, and upon hearing Qiqi's voice requesting an audience, he slowly opened his eyes and, with a pleasant expression, said: "Qiqi has come!"

Qiqi said: "I heard the Emperor has been unwell lately, so I came especially to pay my respects!" She did not mention at all how Laohuangdi had repeatedly turned her away.

Long Xuan'en smiled: "I carelessly caught a chill a couple of days ago; today I feel much better, Qiqi! I was just wanting to talk with you in person."

Qiqi said: "I respectfully listen to the Emperor's teachings!"

Long Xuan'en chuckled: "I'm not here to lecture you, Qiqi. Without realizing it, you've grown into a young lady; every time I see you, it's like seeing your mother." He gazed at Qiqi, and a long-lost warmth appeared in his eyes.

Yet Qiqi felt a faint nausea from his gaze. If everything Hong Beimo had said earlier were true, the Emperor before her would be one of the masterminds behind her mother's death. Recalling Long Xuan'en's deceit toward her, hatred surged in Qiqi's heart. Perhaps Long Xuan'en truly believed he was her father, but she quickly dismissed that thought— a tiger does not eat its own cub; if he regarded her as his biological daughter, how could he plot a scheme to wipe her and Hu Xiaotian out in one fell swoop? Still, it's hard to say, given how many princes and grandsons have died at his hands; losing one more would not matter to him.

Qiqi said: "Even now I still don't know what my mother looked like."

Long Xuan'en gazed at Qiqi's lovely face. Suddenly he sighed, shook his head, and said: "Painful memories—better left unspoken. If your mother were alive today to see you married, she would surely feel great comfort."

Qiqi said: "But I suddenly don't want to get married!"

Long Xuan'en furrowed his brows and said: "Why say this all of a sudden? You and Hu Xiaotian already have a marriage pact, known throughout the land. You are beautiful and outstanding, lovely outside and wise within; Hu Xiaotian is also a handsome, talented youth—originally a match made in heaven." He paused, then laughed: "Are you saying this just to test me, child?"

Qiqi feigned reluctance and said: "I'm actually a bit afraid of getting married."

Long Xuan'en smiled faintly: "It's not just you; many people feel this way before their wedding. When I first married, I too felt nervous, even contemplated fleeing the marriage."

Qiqi whispered: "In that case, I really am somewhat like the Emperor."

Long Xuan'en fell into a brief reverie at her words, silently thinking. Indeed, this girl bears many of my traits. So what? Among my sons and grandsons, which one does not carry my likeness? Whose veins do not flow with my blood? Yet without exception they all scheme against my empire. They wish I would die sooner, that I would abdicate. If one day power truly passes into their hands, who would still respect me? Who would still care about me?

Seeing Long Xuan'en silent for a long while, Qiqi whispered: "What does the Emperor wish to discuss with me?"

Long Xuan'en then emerged from his reverie, smiling: "I have some good news to tell you."

Qiqi knew exactly what he was about to say, but she kept up an appearance of ignorance: "What good news?"

Long Xuan'en coughed, then raised his voice: "Wang Qian, bring him in."

Wang Qian emerged trembling from inside, followed by a sturdy man—none other than Qiqi's third imperial brother, Long Tingzhen.

Although Qiqi had already learned from Hong Beimo that the Emperor would announce Long Tingzhen's well-being to the world, seeing him before everyone she could not help but be deeply shaken: her beautiful eyes widened, her cherry lips parted slightly, then trembled; her eye sockets instantly reddened, and crystal tears welled up in her eyes as she quivered, "Imperial brother… you… are still alive…"

Long Tingzhen smiled at her, his voice noticeably agitated: "Qiqi!"

"Third imperial brother!" Qiqi cried, then hurried over and tightly embraced Long Tingzhen, tears streaming down. Even Long Tingzhen thought she was genuinely moved, comforting her: "Qiqi, why are you crying? I'm fine, I'm fine."

Only then did Qiqi release him, her face streaked with tears, gripping Long Tingzhen's two large hands; she could clearly feel his palms rough and covered in old calluses. Although she had already learned from Hong Beimo that Long Tingzhen was alive, she had never seen him in person. Now, facing him directly, she naturally wanted to examine him closely to make sure he was not an impostor.

Qiqi said through tears: "It's best that you're unharmed, imperial brother. You have no idea how grief-stricken I have been since news of your misfortune spread."

Long Tingzhen half-believed, half-doubted her words, having heard that the Former Emperor had enfeoffed her as Yongyang Prince and even considered passing the throne to her; having himself returned from the dead, he could not imagine how devastated she must feel. He comforted Qiqi: "Princess, I've indeed returned safely. Don't cry—who would have thought you've grown this tall, even taller than me?" Indeed, standing beside Qiqi, he is half an inch shorter; this girl's height is truly remarkable.

Qiqi drew out a silk handkerchief to wipe her tears, took Long Tingzhen's hand and approached Laohuangdi, then knelt with a thud. Long Tingzhen did not know why she knelt, but seeing her do so, he could only follow suit and kneel as well.

Long Xuan'en said: "Qiqi, why do you kneel?"

Qiqi said: "Your Majesty, I have a request."

Long Xuan'en smiled: "Rise and speak."

Qiqi said: "In the past I believed my brothers had all perished, so I gritted my teeth to relieve the Emperor's worries; the Emperor even ennobled me as Yongyang Prince, which actually contravenes ancestral custom. I know the Emperor dotes on me and cannot bear to see him toil, and I have always struggled to uphold state affairs. Now that my imperial brother has returned safe, I can finally breathe easy. I earnestly beg the Emperor to relieve me of my princely title; I will return the princely estate to its rightful owner, and with my third imperial brother assisting in governance, I will at last be able to relax."

Long Tingzhen secretly praised this girl for her sensibility, knowing the situation could not be opposed; rather than have the Emperor demand she relinquish her power, it would be better for him to volunteer to do so. Yet he said aloud: "Absolutely not, Your Majesty. Although Qiqi is merely a girl, Dakang has survived its crises solely through her efforts, while I have achieved nothing—how could I dare to enjoy the fruits of her labor?"

Long Xuan'en stroked his chin beard, then said softly: "Qiqi, it is rare that you harbor such devotion. Since you are so sincere, if I were to refuse, it would seem unfeeling. Very well, I will follow your wishes: relieve you of your princely title; you will remain my Yongyang Princess, move into the palace to reside, and you may stay either in Zilan Palace or in the Palace of Stored Excellence—whichever you prefer. In any case, your wedding is only a few days away; by coming to the palace, I will be able to see you more often."

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

Long Xuan'en also said to Long Tingzhen: "Tingzhen, these past days you have been harmed by treacherous villains and suffered much, but I believe these experiences are not altogether bad for you. The princely estate was originally yours, and now it is rightly returned to you. As for the Divine Strategy Office, which you yourself established, it remains under your charge. Although state affairs have been managed by Qiqi, even if they were handed to you, a period of familiarization would be needed; for now Qiqi will remain in charge, with you assisting from the sidelines, and the handover can occur once you are accustomed."

Upon hearing this, Long Tingzhen secretly rejoiced, feeling that the Former Emperor still regarded him favorably; he bowed his head and said: "Thank you, Your Majesty! Tingzhen is filled with awe and trepidation!"

Long Xuan'en waved his hand: "Everyone, rise—this isn't court, so don't all stay kneeling."

Qiqi, however, did not rise immediately, and added: "Your Majesty, I have another suggestion."

Long Xuan'en chuckled helplessly: "Your suggestions today are indeed numerous—are you voicing all your requests at once because you see I'm in a good mood?"

Qiqi laughed: "Your Majesty is sagacious! What I wish to say is that the position of crown prince has long remained vacant; although Prince Zhou would also be a suitable candidate, he is controlled by the rebel Li Tianheng, who continues to exploit this matter for his own propaganda. You would do well to seize this opportunity to appoint my third imperial brother as crown prince—this would boost the people's morale and prevent that treacherous villain Li Tianheng from further slandering, letting the world see his vile nature."

Long Tingzhen's heart pounded; he never expected Qiqi to proactively suggest that the Emperor appoint him as crown prince. If the Emperor agreed, it would be a tremendous joy—it seems this imperial sister regards him fairly well, and he was so delighted he forgot to decline.

Long Xuan'en's smile instantly faded; he coldly stared at Qiqi and said: "When have my affairs ever needed your arrangement?"

Qiqi bit her cherry lip and said: "I dare not!"

Long Xuan'en snorted coldly, rose to his feet, and flicked his sleeves as he departed.

Qiqi's lips pursed, she felt wronged and on the verge of tears; Long Tingzhen's expression was extremely awkward. On the surface, it seemed Qiqi's proposal that he become crown prince had drawn a rebuke, but the Former Emperor's conduct showed he outright rejected the idea—had he never considered making him crown prince? Had he never even imagined letting him inherit the throne someday? Thinking this, Long Tingzhen's inner feelings blazed like fire, his anger rapidly swelling.

Senior Eunuch Wang Qian sighed: "Princess, you know the Emperor's temper—some things simply cannot be spoken directly."

Qiqi said: "Could I have been wrong?"

Wang Qian said: "This servant will go persuade the Emperor; you two highnesses had better go out and relax for a while."

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