Chapter 26: Don't Try to Guess Your Father's Thoughts
After escorting Huangfu Chang'an back to the Crown Prince's residence, Huangfu Yinhua lingered in the Eastern Palace for a while before taking his leave.
Huangfu Chang'an was no fool. Although the Emperor did not step in to defend her at the Yongshou Palace earlier, nor did he reprimand those who plotted against her, she did not hold it against him.
She understood that even as the Emperor, above all others, there were times when he was powerless. If he had insisted on protecting her at the cost of offending the Empress Dowager, the situation would have escalated out of control, spiraling into an entirely different realm that would be impossible to contain.
She had initially thought that the Emperor must be a foolish ruler to appoint such a character as the Crown Prince, but after seeing him in person, Huangfu Chang'an couldn't help but secretly praise him. Huangfu Yinhua was undoubtedly an exceptional, if not a once-in-a-century, wise and capable ruler - with a broad mind, a noble bearing, intelligence and talent, and deep scheming. Perhaps this was why, despite the ministers' best efforts to depose him as the Crown Prince, none dared to eliminate the father.
Setting aside other matters, the simple fact that the Emperor himself escorted her back to the palace was enough to reveal a lot.
Now, Huangfu Chang'an's reputation outside was abysmal, with everyone likely wishing to trample her name into the mud. If the Emperor were to show her excessive favor at this time, it would not be helping her but rather harming her. But if he were to remain completely indifferent, the opportunistic court sycophants would seize the chance to bully Huangfu Chang'an.
However, by acting as he had now, the Emperor not only demonstrated his sufficient attention to her, continuing to dote on her even if she had lost her memory, but also avoided bringing too much jealousy upon Huangfu Chang'an. The balance and measure were just right.
For the Emperor's empathy and care, Huangfu Chang'an was deeply moved.
She decided that, not for any other reason, but solely for the sake of this unconditionally doting father, she would rise again and regain her former glory!
She was determined to prove to the world that the Emperor's vision and wisdom were unparalleled. The heir he had chosen was undoubtedly the most outstanding, the most suitable, the most undisputed prodigy!
"Changan..." Before leaving, Huangfu Yinhua gazed at Huangfu Chang'an with a troubled expression, hesitating, but eventually couldn't help but speak up, his voice laden with deep concern, "You really won't... go and destroy the Marquis's manor, will you?"
Huangfu Chang'an almost burst into tears! Damn it, could you not cling to such a trivial topic at such an emotional moment? Father, please cooperate a little, will you? Otherwise, she won't be able to force herself to work hard to build up your magnificent image anymore!
Did he really think that by asking, he could get a result?
Even if she did intend to destroy the Marquis's manor, would she obediently answer "yes" and wait to be tied up to prevent it?! That's impossible!
But as she looked up and met Huangfu Yinhua's expectant eyes... Wait, expectant?! Was she seeing things?!
Huangfu Chang'an swallowed hard, a flash of insight striking her, and she tentatively asked, "That is... Father, do you hope for your humble servant to answer... yes, or... no?"
Huangfu Yinhua smiled faintly, his expression benevolent, yet somehow evoking the image of an ancient fox who had cultivated for a thousand years in the deep mountains.
"What do you think?"
"I... I don't know..." In an instant, a faint sorrow welled up in Huangfu Chang'an's heart. So the father she had been so moved by was actually using her as a pawn? How despicable! Too cunning!
Seeing Huangfu Chang'an's hesitation, the smile in Huangfu Yinhua's eyes deepened, and his gentle hand rested on her shoulder as he leaned in, speaking in a voice only the two of them could hear a line that stunned heaven and earth:
"Don't worry, even if you raze the Marquis's manor to the ground, you have your father to back you up."
Fuck! She had guessed it right! The one who was really going to deal with the Marquis was not her, Huangfu Chang'an, but her own Emperor father!
Realizing this, Huangfu Chang'an began to dislike this man. What the hell, this is just too much of a father-betrayal, she hated the feeling of being used, and in a completely unknown and unexpected way! At least when she was working for her Godfather, it was out of wholehearted dedication!
Just as she was about to reject Huangfu Yinhua's plan, he added another sentence.
"You like Wujie so much, and if one day your memories return and you see him married to someone else, you'll surely be unable to bear it. So, just in case, Father indulges you this time... Of course, if it can be done without anyone knowing, that would be best."
Hearing this, Huangfu Chang'an could only sigh in exasperation.
She had completely lost the ability to understand the Emperor's way of thinking and his intentions. She admitted defeat; she could not fathom his heart, nor his realm of understanding... Huangfu Chang'an felt that they simply did not belong to the same world.
It seems that now, not causing a ruckus at the Marquis's manor would be a bit of a letdown for the Crown Prince's reputation and the Emperor's "earnest guidance"! And she really couldn't stand Su Jingyao's hypocritical behavior either. Originally, she had just planned to secretly scheme against that little bitch, but now that the Emperor was so supportive, did that mean she could go all out?
Wonderful!
Huangfu Chang'an obediently nodded. Since the Emperor had put it that way, if she refused, wouldn't that make her seem unfilial?
However, before that, Huangfu Chang'an felt the need to ensure her own safety, lest another dangerous situation like last time occur. After all, only a few knew about the unwritten rule, like Su Jingyao, the "outsider," who dared to scheme against her.
"Father, I have a request."
"Say it, as long as you can voice it, and as long as Father can do it, Father will solve it for you..." Huangfu Yinhua looked at her with indulgence, but then, as if suddenly remembering something, he quickly added, "But if it's related to your figure... hmph, then Father is powerless, and you'll have to rely on your own self-control!"
Ugh, how annoying! Stop bringing up that topic, will you! Do you really think I can't get skinny and blind your titanium-alloy dog eyes in a minute?
Huangfu Chang'an glared at him in grievance, feeling the urge to push him into the wall.
"Father, rest assured, give me three months, and I will definitely get skinny for you to see!"
"Hehe, that's good." Huangfu Yinhua raised his brow slightly, with an air of "Didn't you realize I was just provoking you?"
To this, Huangfu Chang'an secretly sneered in her heart, Excuse me, I didn't miss that at all!
"I've just heard that the security in the Imperial City has been a bit unstable lately, so I want to ask Father for a highly skilled guard who can protect me at any time and place. After all, there are often too many situations, and Bai Su alone may struggle to cope."
Hearing this, Bai Su was furious. Damn it, she hadn't even complained about that chubby bun, yet the bun was now looking down on her! No way, she's going to resign, a scholar can be killed but not insulted, and no one better try to stop her!
However, Huangfu Yinhua found the request reasonable. The last incident with the assassin, though it didn't hurt him, had still left an indelible impression and given him quite a scare, even costing him a fairly amiable personal attendant... Oh no, personal guard.
"Mm, Father has also considered this. As for the candidate, the Li kid should be about time to return to the city. Father will arrange for him to be your guard then."
"Thank you, Father."
************
Comments
Post a Comment