The Prime Minister's Darling
Chapter 1099 - 1099 530 Return and Recognition (Second Update)

Chapter 1099: 530 Return and Recognition (Second Update) Chapter 1099: 530 Return and Recognition (Second Update) Returning with the troops was the old Marquis’ carriage, as well as Princess Ning An’s carriage.

The old Marquis’ limbs had been broken, and even though Gu Jiao had set them, he wasn’t going to recover quickly; after entering the capital, he went straight back to the Marquis Residence.

Gu Changqing, along with Tang Yueshan, escorted Princess Ning An’s carriage into the Imperial Palace.

The Emperor was very excited, not only because the troops had triumphantly returned to the court, but also because Princess Ning An, whom he had been separated from for so many years, had finally returned to his side.

The Emperor first went to the Imperial Study Room to see Tang Yueshan, Gu Changqing, and the other military officers, generously praising their performance in this battle, “…after the court assembly, I shall reward each and every one of you handsomely!”

Issuing a decree to reward the meritorious officials was a major event, which concerned the public’s sentiment as well as the prestige of the royal family and Zhan Country, and it had to be done in Jinluan Hall, before all the civil and military officials.

“Your Majesty, I dare not take credit!” Tang Yueshan cupped his hands, sincerely stating, “I suffered a defeat at Ye City, causing nearly ten thousand of our troops to perish, and I am guilty. Please, Your Majesty, punish me!”

Having spoken, he lifted the hem of his robe and knelt down.

The Emperor walked around the desk, came in front of him personally, and helped him up, saying, “Grand Marshal, there is no need for this; victory and defeat are common in military affairs. Moreover, it was the remnants of the former dynasty who deliberately set up an ambush, and no one could have expected that the Chen Country’s army would invade the northern border of Zhan Country when we left the capital.”

If Marquis Xuanping were here, this matter might have been settled, for Marquis Xuanping had thick skin and wouldn’t be embarrassed by a defeat. Tang Yueshan, on the other hand, couldn’t get over this hurdle.

He couldn’t accept his own defeat.

He felt embarrassed.

The Emperor was troubled, as how was he to punish him? Indeed, Tang Yueshan had lost at Ye City, but that was ten thousand of his troops against Chen Country’s eighty thousand. Who could win in such a situation?

The Emperor even wanted to scold Tang Yueshan, thinking, are you too arrogant, believing you should not lose when one thousand faces eight thousand? Do you think you are the Yan Country’s War God Xuanyuan Li?

Not even Marquis Xuanping would dare make such an exaggerated claim.

However, these thoughts, the Emperor only mulled over in his heart, for it was not appropriate to speak them out loud.

In the past few days, he had been pondering over the Empress Dowager’s way of employing people and had come to understand many things. For instance, he now saw Tang Yueshan’s arrogance as not entirely without merit.

Tang Yueshan’s arrogance was accompanied by action, not just empty words; he would put in the effort and would demand even more of himself.

The renown of Tang Family’s archers in the six countries, even being on par with Yan Country’s archers, could not be achieved without Tang Yueshan’s contribution.

“Ahem, there is no need for punishment. My dear subject has just performed a great deed. If I were to punish you at this time, would it not chill the hearts of the military officers and the common people?”

Tang Yueshan said mournfully, “I am unworthy of Your Majesty’s leniency! Please, Your Majesty must punish me!”

Gu Changqing commented indifferently, “Grand Marshal Tang might as well not make things difficult for His Majesty. You are a meritorious official, and for His Majesty to punish you would not befit a wise ruler. If you truly feel remorseful, you might as well accept your own punishment. I hear Jiaojiao’s needle punishment is not bad.”

Tang Yueshan immediately fell silent—

Upon leaving the Imperial Palace, both men mounted their respective horses.

Gu Changqing was about to ride off when Tang Yueshan suddenly called out to him, “The matter concerning your mother, you had better settle it thoroughly.”

Gu Changqing frowned and looked at him.

Tang Yueshan said, “Your mother is from the Ling Family. If she is a spy, have you not considered that the Ling Family might also be involved in espionage?”

Gu Changqing was silent for a moment before replying, “My grandfather has also suspected this possibility. However, he has been investigating the Ling Family these years and hasn’t found anything. We only know that my mother was lost as a child and was found only a year later.”

Tang Yueshan queried skeptically, “Are you suggesting that even back then, the Ling Family’s daughter had been replaced with someone who looked similar—your mother?”

Gu Changqing nodded, “Based on the evidence my grandfather has, this is the most reasonable possibility.”

Tang Yueshan tugged on the reins, “I advise you to keep a closer watch on the Ling Family. Better safe than sorry. Now that I know your secret, I am complicit; don’t get me involved.”

Gu Changqing said lightly, “If that day comes, you can just feign ignorance.”

Tang Yueshan laughed, “But who guarantees that you won’t drag me into it?”

Gu Changqing didn’t respond further and rode off.

Tang Yueshan shook his head, clicking his tongue, “Young people these days, such bad tempers.”

Just then, a few palace maids carrying purchased items back to the palace accidentally brushed against Tang Yueshan’s horse, startling it with a whinny.

Tang Yueshan exploded on the spot, “Are you blind? Are you courting death?!”

Palace maids: “…”

On the way back, Gu Changqing did indeed consider seriously the situation Tang Yueshan mentioned. His disregard for Tang Yueshan stemmed from the fact that he and Gu Chengfeng would never betray Tang Yueshan unless he betrayed them first.

In this period on the frontier, his grandfather had mentioned quite a few things about his mother to him.

His grandfather had also been worried that the Ling Family might still be harboring other spies, so he had been covertly investigating the Ling Family over the years, but he had found nothing so far.

On the other hand, several dishonest servants had been exposed in the household after the incident with the quietly serene imperial concubine, and his grandfather had discovered and dealt with each of them.

In his view, the likelihood of the Ling Family being problematic was not great.

However, there is truth to the saying that caution will lead to safety in the long run. Tang Yueshan was right, it is always good to be more vigilant.

After Gu Changqing returned to the Marquis Residence, he summoned several shadow guards to secretly keep an eye on the Ling Family, and then went to pay his respects to the Old Lady Gu and Marquis Gu.

Meanwhile, after meeting Tang Yueshan, Gu Changqing, and the others, the Emperor went straight to the Longevity Palace.

In the Warm Pavilion of the Longevity Palace, he saw Princess Ning An, whom he hadn’t seen in many years. Princess Ning An was still wearing frontier clothes, her eyes were red after just having recognized her mother, the Empress Dowager, and the fresh tears still lingered in her eyes.

It had been twenty years. She was no longer the vivacious and charming girl she once was; she had become a wife, her face marked mercilessly by the passing years and the sands of the frontier.

Her face was haggard, her figure gaunt.

The Emperor could hardly recognize her.

Where was the blooming Ning An?

The innocent and carefree little sister?

The little girl who used to cling to his arm, always pouting and complaining that he didn’t spend enough time with her?

Gone.

No more.

The hardships she had suffered on the frontier were all written on her face; one might mistaken her for a common woman, not a princess of the royal palace.

Pain pierced the Emperor’s heart like a needle!

Even the Empress Dowager, known for her calm composure, couldn’t help but have her eyes redden.

“Your Majesty…” Princess Ning An choked back tears and knelt down to salute the Emperor.

The Emperor supported her, not letting her kneel: “Get up!”

Princess Ning An shook her head, tears streaming down as she persisted to kneel: “This kneel is deserved… Ning An is guilty… Ning An was blind… married to a monster… allowed the wolf into the house… bringing such warfare and calamity to the people of Zhan Country and the frontier… it’s all Ning An’s fault… Ning An deserves to die…”

Her tears fell in large drops, landing on her wrinkled dress and the flawless floor.

The Emperor gripped her shoulders tightly, his throat aching with pain: “Stop… don’t speak anymore…”

Princess Ning An couldn’t contain her self-reproach: “Ning An must speak! Mother and Your Majesty tried to stop Ning An time and again… It was Ning An who was obstinate… Ning An didn’t listen to Mother and Your Majesty… Ning An’s death would not be too harsh…”

Watching Ning An’s tears, the Emperor felt like his heart was being twisted in agony: “You are my sister! I won’t allow you to say such things! The events of that year are past, you were used by others, it’s not your fault… do not blame yourself… Mother and I have never resented you… you also shouldn’t belittle yourself… please, rise!”

The Emperor forcefully pulled Princess Ning An up.

Princess Ning An wept uncontrollably.

The Emperor then turned to look at the twelve or thirteen-year-old boy sitting in a wheelchair nearby, his gaze slightly shifting as he asked, “Who is this…?”

Princess Ning An turned her head, and choking back sobs, said to the boy, “Xian’er, come and greet your uncle.”

Compared to Princess Ning An’s breakdown, Huangfu Xian seemed much calmer; not a single tear fell, nor was there a hint of emotion or excitement for the reunion.

He stared straight at the Emperor, seemingly unaware that such direct eye contact was quite impolite.

“Uncle.”

He greeted coldly.

This greeting lacked both warmth and respect, something the Emperor could not be pleased with, whether as an uncle or as the ruler of a nation.

However, the Emperor had always shown boundless tolerance towards Princess Ning An and thus did not take offense at Huangfu Xian’s rudeness.

The Emperor’s gaze fell on Huangfu Xian’s wheelchair, and he asked, “What happened to Xian’er’s leg? Is it injured? Have the imperial physicians been summoned?”

“Tsk,” Huangfu Xian laughed coldly.

“Xian’er!” Princess Ning An’s expression turned stern, “Do not disrespect His Majesty!”