Chapter 439: Blood‑Test for Kinship

Mu Mingcheng let out a long sigh, hot tears in his eyes: "I never expected Father to have died for the country, gone from this world, leaving only us two siblings, yet we've been separated for many years... Fate really toys with people!"

Mu Yuanzhi exchanged a glance with Gu Rongjin without leaving a trace.

This person really can't go three sentences without mentioning their own background; it feels so deliberate.

Gu Rongjin: "Besides this jade pendant, how else could Young Master Mu prove his background? That's rather vague."

Mu Mingcheng, hearing this, looked toward the new emperor and bowed: "Your Majesty, I, a commoner, have found one of the midwives who assisted my mother's birth back then, Li Pozi. She can testify that it was the spy Zhang Pozi who deliberately hid me, intending to secretly give me to the general of Huangli State as leverage."

The new emperor narrowed his eyes: "Where is Li Pozi now?"

Just wait for Your Majesty to summon her.

Summon her!

Mu Mingcheng's words sounded reasonable as well, so Mu Yuanzhi and Gu Rongjin remained silent, waiting to see how things would develop.

Soon after, an elderly woman in coarse cloth entered, walking nervously across the hall, not daring to look around, she trembled as she greeted everyone, then stood cautiously.

This is the Hall of Proclamation; naturally everything must wait for the new emperor to decide. When he doesn't speak, others may speak, and now it is clearly the emperor's turn to speak.

Li Pozi, tell us everything you know." the new emperor said.

The Chief Eunuch beside him warned: "This is in the emperor's presence; if you speak falsely, it's a crime of deceiving the sovereign. Li Pozi, think it over before you speak."

Upon hearing this, Li Pozi quickly glanced at the emperor, then shifted her gaze to Mu Mingcheng, and nodded firmly: "This commoner woman knows! This commoner woman absolutely dares not utter a single false word!"

She took a deep breath before continuing: "Back then, the General's lady went into labor suddenly, and it was in the camp, with enemy troops constantly harassing nearby—it was utter chaos! We midwives were scrambling, and none of us noticed a spy sneaking in."

Li Pozi spoke sincerely, her expression solemn, as she tried to recall the situation: "That Zhang Pozi was the chief midwife, we were assistants. When she carried the young lady out, I felt she seemed to be hiding something, though I couldn't see clearly. At that time the lady appeared to be hemorrhaging, the room was in total chaos, but fortunately the lady was fine afterward, just a false alarm."

Mu Yuanzhi couldn't help but interject: "Then how did you know Zhang Pozi was hiding a baby and that she was a spy?"

In reply to the Princess, these are things we only learned later; if I had known back then, I would have promptly exposed Zhang Pozi's true identity!

And how did you find out later?" Mu Yuanzhi asked.

Li Pozi: "Later, one day in Huangli State I met the dying Zhang Pozi, who said that those about to die speak kindly, and she wasn't afraid to reveal this secret, considering it a way to accumulate hidden virtue for herself."

Gu Rongjin: "So there's no living witness, then?"

Li Pozi nodded somewhat unnaturally, then raised her hand and swore: "Everything I say is true; otherwise may heaven strike me with thunder!"

The new emperor, hearing this, remained silent, while the Chief Eunuch beside him understandingly asked: "This is just your side of the story; do you have any other evidence to prove it?"

Isn't the Three-Fish Jade Pendant the best proof? This is an imperial gift to the General!" Li Pozi exclaimed urgently.

The Chief Eunuch still didn't understand: "If you say Zhang Pozi secretly took the baby, how could she have the General's imperial gift?"

It was Zhang Pozi who stole it, to give the enemy army proof of the young master's identity." Zhang Pozi said.

The logic is at least self-consistent.

Mu Mingcheng, who had been silently listening at the side, suddenly bowed and said: "Your Majesty, I know that both you and my sister have many doubts; caution is right, so I humbly request a blood‑test to verify kinship!"

As soon as he spoke, everyone turned to look at him.

A blood‑test for kinship is indeed the most direct and effective method.

Moreover, for him to say that, he must be fully confident.

Only then did the new emperor finally speak: "This is certainly not a bad method; Princess, what do you think?"

Mu Yuanzhi nodded: "I have no objection; let's follow Young Master Mu's suggestion."

Indeed, a blood‑test for kinship is truly the only way to verify it.

Gu Rongjin said: "To keep things fair and impartial, let Li Pozi and I go prepare the bowl and water."

The new emperor agreed.

Mu Mingcheng had no objection.

Soon, Gu Rongjin and Li Pozi returned, the bowl held by the Chief Eunuch, ensuring no one could tamper with it when no one was looking.

Mu Yuanzhi took out a silver needle, swiftly pricked her finger, and let the blood drop into the bowl.

Afterwards, Mu Mingcheng, under everyone's gaze, rose, used a silver needle handed by another palace attendant to prick his index finger, and let his blood fall beside Mu Yuanzhi's drop.

The new emperor rose to his feet, Mu Yuanzhi and Gu Rongjin drew close, and other palace attendants strained their necks to look.

Whether this sudden newcomer truly is the General's son, everyone was curious; regardless, they wanted to see the spectacle.

Mu Mingcheng gazed anxiously, as if a whole day had passed.

At last, his drop of blood, in his anticipation, merged with Mu Yuanzhi's drop!

At that moment, a faint intake of breath sounded in the hall.

They merged!

He really is the General's son!" the Chief Eunuch couldn't help exclaiming.

The new emperor had already descended the jade steps and approached the bowl.

They truly have merged; only those related by blood can do so!" the new emperor exclaimed.

Mu Yuanzhi exchanged an incredulous glance with Gu Rongjin, then turned her gaze back to Mu Mingcheng.

Is he really her brother?!

For some reason, although the blood‑test had proven the fact, Mu Yuanzhi felt no sense of recognition at all; this intuition was strange.

She had no ripples, and felt no affection for this so‑called brother.

But the bowl of water had been personally brought by Gu Rongjin; there was no chance for anyone to tamper with it…

Sister, now can you believe me as your brother?" Mu Mingcheng walked over, took Mu Yuanzhi's hand, his eyes full of the relief of having survived disaster: "We two siblings can finally reunite; our parents in heaven must surely be comforted."

Li Pozi nodded repeatedly beside them, also feeling relieved: "It must be the General and his lady guiding the young master and the princess to reunite!"

Mu Yuanzhi really wanted to pull her hand away, but it wasn't appropriate; still she couldn't wholeheartedly regard this person as her brother.

Could something be wrong?

What's wrong, sister? Do you still not believe me, or does being your brother make you feel embarrassed?" Mu Mingcheng said, his spirits low.