Chapter 99: Wouldn't that be creating another enemy?

Pei Aosong was quickly dragged away by the guards, but even so, he could only shout, "Thank you, Your Majesty, for your mercy! Thank you for your grace!"

Because it was only a beating and did not implicate his family, this was already the greatest leeway Lin Jiaojiao had managed to win for him!

She really still has feelings for me! Pei Aosong thought to himself, a satisfied smile appearing at the corners of his mouth. He didn't even feel the pain of the strokes landing on his body!

But at this moment, Lin Jiaojiao was truly extremely annoyed with Pei Aosong!

If it weren't for the fact that her own biological child was still being raised in the Pei Mansion, she definitely wouldn't have stood out at this time to try and save Pei Aosong's life!

She walked to Guo Shi's side, reached out both hands to encircle Zhu Geer, and gently hugged him into her arms. Seeing Zhu Geer reveal an innocent smile at her, she lowered her head slightly and pressed against Zhu Geer's chubby little face, only then feeling a bit more at ease.

Her smile, full of tenderness and maternal love, was reflected in Qin Yuan's eyes, suddenly reminding him of Rouyi.

If Rouyi were still here, after having children with him, she would surely have this same gentle appearance, right?

But why did she ask Qingdai to send the child and the wet nurse out of the palace?

"Lin Guniang, since you love your young child so much, why did you send him back to the Lu General's Mansion?" Qin Yuan took two steps forward and asked the question in his heart.

"I am staying in the palace for the time being only to cooperate with the investigation," Lin Jiaojiao said, reluctantly placing Zhu Geer into Guo Shi's arms, "Now that I have seen the child, my longing for him has been satisfied, and that is enough!"

"Your Majesty, this child is not yours. If he stays in the Huang Gong for a long time, it is easy to give people something to talk about, isn't it?" Guo Shi took the child and didn't forget to complain when she spoke, "This morning, someone in the palace couldn't stand it and pinched the tender flesh on Zhu Geer's arm!"

"Who is so bold—?" A surge of anger rose in Qin Yuan's eyes, "This is under the feet of the Son of Heaven, within the Huang Gong—"

Lin Jiaojiao and Qingdai both lightly nudged Guo Shi, signaling her not to continue!

To protect the young child, Lin Jiaojiao always maintained a cautious heart. If these words spread out and it was traced back to the Crown Prince's side, it would inevitably lead to another bloody storm brought about by accountability.

Qingdai was equally clear that if this matter spread throughout the inner palace, and Ningfei Niangniang, as the Crown Prince's mother, held a grudge against them, wouldn't that be creating another enemy for Qingju Pavilion?

Lin Jiaojiao and Qingdai exchanged a look and quickly understood each other's intentions: the inner palace and the outer court were always intricately intertwined. If someone with ulterior motives heard this and it spread outside the palace, who knew when they might strike at Zhu Geer?

Rather than letting the child stay in the palace, it was better to let him and the wet nurse go to the Lu General's Mansion; at least he could be kept safe there, right?

"Your Majesty, the wet nurse is exaggerating," Lin Jiaojiao bowed to Qin Yuan, her voice full of cautious apology, "The one who misses the child is this commoner, and the one who wanted to send the child out of the palace is also this commoner. It is all because this commoner was not thoughtful enough and caused a lot of trouble."

"And this morning, this commoner opened the door to promise to diagnose and treat people in the palace. Those who come to me are all suffering from minor or serious illnesses. If this illness were passed on to the child, it would be my fault as a mother."

After listening, Qin Yuan nodded thoughtfully. After all, since the child entered the palace last night, Qingju Pavilion had already experienced many things and many disasters. Perhaps it was the child who brought them.

After all, before this, he had heard rumors outside that this child was a strange-looking little Yaksha the moment he was born.

Although he saw now that he was no different from an ordinary infant, after all, when he was by her side, Lin Jiaojiao had suffered many slanders and grievances, which could be seen as inauspicious.

That Lin Jiaojiao could still be so kind and full of maternal love for a child who was not her own was truly admirable.

There was one more point: if she always kept this child by her side, it would ultimately be difficult to take her into the inner palace!

"Very well," Qin Yuan nodded, "I am here to tell you that I have already informed General Lu. He should be waiting outside the palace gate now."

Upon hearing this, a light of surprise burst forth in Lin Jiaojiao's eyes. She immediately knelt on both knees and kowtowed in gratitude, "Thank you, Your Majesty, for your fulfillment! Long live the Emperor, long live, long live!"

Guo Shi knelt down with Zhu Geer to thank him. Thinking that she would soon be able to return to the General's Mansion and reunite with her daughter Tuan Jie'er, she couldn't suppress the excitement in her heart, kowtowing repeatedly and shouting, "Your Majesty, you are truly benevolent. Everyone says that the current Emperor of the Dakang Dynasty is clear-headed and a wise monarch for all generations! Now that I, a common woman from the countryside, have witnessed it with my own eyes, I know it is true. Long live the Emperor, long live, long live!"

Qin Yuan was very satisfied with their praise. From ancient times to the present, emperors had always been in high positions and rarely heard heartfelt praise from the common people, and he, Qin Yuan, had achieved it!

This kind of appreciation from the common people was much more real than the flattery of the civil and military officials!

Eunuch Gao saw Qin Yuan reveal such a satisfied and comfortable expression for the first time. He couldn't help but look up at the blazing sun in the sky and followed suit, using a metaphor to praise the Emperor, "Your Majesty, you are like the sun in the sky, shining your ten thousand rays of light upon the earth, allowing people to live and work in peace. Everyone praises you in their hearts. Are you not a wise monarch for all generations!"

Qin Yuan helped Lin Jiaojiao up from the ground with a smile, while signaling Guo Shi to rise as well, "Qingdai, you lead the way and take them to the palace gate."

Lin Jiaojiao bowed again to express her gratitude, "This commoner Lin Jiaojiao thanks the Emperor once again."

"Go." Qin Yuan waved his hand at her, "I permit you to send your young child to the palace gate and bid him a proper farewell."

After the three women bid farewell to the Emperor, they walked along the long palace path toward the palace gate. Lin Jiaojiao saw Lu Zhenting waiting outside the palace gate from afar. Although she had only seen him last night, she had experienced too much from last night to this morning. Seeing a familiar person again, she only felt a series of palpitations in her heart, and an inexplicable sense of security arose.

If she could live in the Lu General's Mansion for a long time, then these things would not happen.

At this moment, Lin Jiaojiao completely understood Jiang Mianmian's girlish heart: for a woman without support, if she could find a husband who would protect her for a lifetime, how lucky that would be!

Although she didn't want to spend the rest of her life relying on others, General Lu's muscular build really moved her!

It was a pity that General Lu already had a deceased wife in his heart and couldn't fit any other woman...

As she walked, she sighed for no reason, attracting Qingdai's curious gaze: this look of sorrow on Lin Guniang's face was the first time it had been revealed in front of others!

"Lin Guniang, why did you suddenly sigh?"

"Hey, it's just a stir of spring heart, hard to express!" Seeing that everyone walking beside her was familiar, Guo Shi gathered her courage and spoke, "Lin Guniang, if this General Lu wants to marry you, will you follow him or not?" ===== CHAPTER 100 =====