“No, Father Emperor, can’t you see who she resembles?”
Hearing the Emperor’s words, Prince Ning looked at Wanqing, his expression completely frozen. Though helpless, he still turned anxiously to his father and countered with a question.
“Resembles? Chen’er, this…”
The Emperor was puzzled by his words. Undeniably, the girl before him bore a striking resemblance to the woman he had long yearned for, yet she was much younger. Recalling that she had not been pregnant when he left, he turned to Prince Ning in confusion.
“Father Emperor, you and Prince An went to war together, and afterward, Mother Consort became pregnant. She is, in fact, your own daughter—my sister. Father Emperor…”
Seeing his father’s bewildered expression, Prince Ning sighed in resignation and recounted the events of that time.
“My… my daughter? Qing’er. I never imagined your mother was pregnant after I left. This… now our family is finally reunited. Chen’er, Qing’er, my children.”
Though the Emperor found Prince Ning’s words hard to believe, he gazed tenderly at Wanqing, who was smiling shyly at him. Despite his disbelief at the drastic changes during his year-long absence at war, the joy of reuniting with his children overwhelmed him. Choked with emotion, he pulled both of them into an embrace.
“Congratulations, Your Majesty! Now that you have returned, your family is reunited. However, regarding Prince An…”
Just as they were speaking, a general leading troops entered. This general had long served under Prince Ning. Seeing Prince Ning and a man who resembled the Emperor—though his face bore scars and a weathered look—embracing, he was puzzled but knelt respectfully in joy.
After hearing a brief account of what had transpired, the general lowered his voice in concern. “Prince An has escaped…”
“By my decree, he must be captured on sight. Also, prepare my belongings—I must see the Empress Dowager.”
The Emperor, recognizing his loyal subordinate, nodded calmly and issued orders. Leaving the chaotic scene for them to handle, he took Prince Ning, Wanqing, and the others to the Golden Hall where the Emperor resided.
However, before he could even freshen up, Zhao Zhong arrived in a flurry with urgent news.
“What? The Empress Dowager has been abducted?”
Upon hearing that the Empress Dowager had been taken—and that Prince An was the culprit—Prince Ning and the others turned grim.
“Don’t worry, Father Emperor. Grandmother and Prince An share years of mother-son affection. I believe he won’t harm her for now.”
Seeing his father’s deep concern, Prince Ning stepped forward to reassure him, though he too was uneasy.
“Indeed, I can also assure you he won’t dare harm Grandmother now—or he will lose his life.” Recalling her earlier encounter with Prince An, Wanqing had secretly poisoned him when he was off guard. Even if he had fled the palace, he couldn’t have gone far.
She calmly reassured the Emperor.
“Let us hope so. Prince Ning, Prince Ji, and his son—heed my command. You must track down Prince An’s remaining followers and capture him alive. At the same time, locate the Empress Dowager’s whereabouts and ensure her safety.”
With such turmoil in the palace, though Prince An and the leader of the Night Shadows had been subdued, Prince An’s escape left behind a mess—his corrupt officials and schemes. The Emperor knew these issues would soon surface in court.
Acting decisively, he assigned tasks to Prince Ning and Prince Ji’s family while he focused on governance.
Officials were dismissed, Empress Sun and Prince Xiu were placed under house arrest, and the Sun family collapsed.
Wanqing was officially named a princess—Princess Qingya.
That day was long and exhausting. After an unsuccessful search for the Empress Dowager, Wanqing found herself sleepless that night. Unexpectedly, she received a message upon returning to her residence.
She was to go to Shili Slope outside the city—to exchange the antidote for the Empress Dowager’s life.
With time running out, Wanqing immediately set off with her maidservants Honglian and Wanchun, while others informed Prince Ning and Prince Ji’s family.
At the scene, after some deception, Prince An was tricked with a fake antidote and captured by Prince Ning and Prince Ji’s forces.
That night, the Empress Dowager was reunited with them. Prince An was sentenced to lifelong confinement, as were his son Prince Xiu and Empress Sun. The women from Prince An’s harem were either dismissed or sent away under various pretexts.
Three days later, peace finally settled over the imperial capital.
That day, the Mu Marquis residence was unusually lively. It was the formal recognition ceremony for Wanqing as the Emperor’s daughter. She was officially named a princess, while the Marquis was further honored as the Marquis of Zhen’an, and Qiu Xiang was granted the title of Lady of Honor.
Wanqing moved into the palace, residing in the Glazed Palace—rumored to be where her mother once lived.
The Grand Princess was also reunited with the Emperor and Empress Dowager. Amid the celebratory banquet, the Grand Princess proposed a wedding to heighten the joyous atmosphere—specifically, the marriage between her granddaughter Wu Qingyang and Leng Mingye.
“Grand Princess, Empress Dowager, and Your Majesty’s kindness is deeply appreciated. However, I cannot marry Princess Qingyang.”
Hearing the proposal, Leng Mingye glanced at Wu Qingyang, whose face flushed with shyness, while Wanqing—now a princess—remained expressionless. Suppressing a sigh, he stood and respectfully declined.
“Mingye, why not? I’ve seen Qingyang attached to you since childhood. This is a joyous occasion. Why refuse? Is she not good enough?”
The Grand Princess, seeing her granddaughter’s excitement fade, questioned him in surprise.
“It’s not that the Princess is lacking. But I am afflicted with a severe poison and cannot delay her life. I beg Your Majesty and the Empress Dowager to reconsider.”
Though Leng Mingye had feelings for another, he now realized she was the Emperor’s daughter—his cousin. Fate’s cruel irony weighed on him, but he used his illness as an excuse to avoid the marriage.
“Poison? Qing’er, can you cure Mingye’s condition?”
The Grand Princess turned to the Empress Dowager, who then looked pleadingly at Wanqing.
“Truthfully, while I can treat the Young Marquis’s condition, it will take more than a year or two.”
Speaking of Leng Mingye’s poison, Wanqing hadn’t expected they would end up as cousins. Though such a marriage defied ethics, the situation was already set. Though she wished to support Wu Qingyang, she answered the Empress Dowager with a composed smile.
“You heard her, Empress Dowager, Grand Princess. The Princess said my illness can be treated, but not quickly. What if I perish during treatment? That would only delay Princess Qingyang. Thus, I humbly ask Your Majesty, Grand Princess, and Empress Dowager to reconsider.”
Leng Mingye hadn’t anticipated Wanqing’s response. Though resentful, he seized her words and bowed respectfully, pleading for the marriage to be revoked.
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