I Became the Eye Candy: Four Bigshots Claimed to be My Dad?-Chapter 89: A Word Decides Life and Death, a Word Decides Wealth and Honor
"It’s eerily quiet. Something’s wrong."
"I had Luo Wen and Luo Xuan turn away all the gift-bearers. Besides, I don’t think Si Yan should go to Lou Mountain Academy anymore." ’The rumors have to be stopped.’
Xiang Minghou froze, staring at the daughter in his arms in disbelief.
"What is it?"
"Pangtuan, when you handle things, your father can truly rest easy. Si Yan and Zhenzhu won’t have to go anymore." The Emperor had said the same thing when he berated him in the Imperial Study.
"Zhenzhu can’t go either?"
"The rules of Lou Mountain Academy cannot be changed." The Imperial Family would not allow anyone to tamper with the late emperor’s rules.
"Then what about me?"
’If I were to attend, that would also be breaking the rules.’
"You don’t have to worry. Since Dean Chen has accepted you as his disciple, you can naturally come and go as you please." As Xiang Minghou spoke, a worried expression crossed his face.
Ye Qianning nodded, but she felt there was more to it. "Dad, did the Emperor blame you?"
"He just gave me a lecture. It was nothing serious."
"Then why do you still look so worried, Dad?"
Xiang Minghou stared at the child, hesitating for a long moment before saying, "In one month, it will be the Emperor’s birthday banquet. Several kingdoms will send envoys to offer their congratulations. Court officials will bring their families to the palace to celebrate, and the Emperor has specifically requested your presence."
Ye Qianning was a little surprised. "What would I be doing there?"
"Dean Chen hasn’t taken a disciple in many years. For him to suddenly accept one is a major event, so naturally, the Emperor wants to see what you’re capable of." Xiang Minghou’s expression was complicated. He sighed and added a warning, "I had people suppress the news about your competition with Teacher Song that day, so it hasn’t reached the ears of the Imperial Family. When the time comes, you absolutely must not display your academic talents in front of outsiders."
’I’ve served the Emperor for many years and have some grasp of his temperament. If the Imperial Family were to learn of Pangtuan’s talent, they would surely publicize it far and wide. From then on, Pangtuan’s fate would be in their hands.’
’That’s the last thing I want to see. Getting involved with the Imperial Family means she won’t be free to marry whom she chooses, nor will she have personal freedom.’
’A single word can determine life or death, a single word can grant fortune—such is the power of an emperor!’
"I understand."
Although Xiang Minghou hadn’t gone into great detail, Ye Qianning could guess that getting entangled with the Imperial Family never led to anything good.
’Besides, I’m already resistant to the imperial authority of this ancient era. The saying ’serving a ruler is like keeping a tiger company’ isn’t just an empty phrase.’
"Oh, right. Dad, you should send someone to check on the Gu family. I think Old Man Gu is a bigmouth; he definitely can’t keep a secret. He already mentioned it once in front of Young Master Zhan just now." ’I refuse to believe the old man only told one person.’
"...That Old Man Gu." Xiang Minghou sounded helpless. He called towards the door, "Someone!"
"General."
"Go to the Gu family and investigate Old Man Gu. And you must make him keep the matter concerning Lou Mountain a secret."
"Yes, sir." The Hidden Guard departed.
"What about Young Master Zhan?" Ye Qianning asked.
"Don’t worry about him. He’s not well-liked. Even if he wanted to tell someone, nobody would listen."
"..."
’Ye Qianning figured her father was just certain that Zhan Chi wouldn’t talk.’
"The most important thing right now is that the Emperor wants me to bring you to the palace in a few days for the consorts in the rear palace to see you. I can enter the front halls, but I can’t go into the rear palace. I don’t feel at ease letting you go alone," Xiang Minghou fretted.
’I have very few friends at court. Even if I wanted to ask one of their wives to trouble herself and accompany you, I’m afraid no one would be willing.’
"It’s okay, I know how to handle myself." Ye Qianning was naturally reluctant, but she didn’t want to make things difficult for her father.
’The Imperial Family is such a pain!’
"You don’t understand. The consorts of the rear palace are not easy to get along with. A few years ago, Lord Li’s daughter was taken to the rear palace. I heard she offended the Empress and was beaten so badly one of her legs was broken."
At that time, Xiang Minghou had just returned to the capital to report on his mission, and he had personally seen her being carried out of the palace gates.
