Crowned by the Treacherous Big Shot
Chapter 524 - 456 Treasure Piggy Grabs the Golden Seal_3

Chapter 524: Chapter 456 Treasure Piggy Grabs the Golden Seal_3

A maid handed a jar of ointment to Eunuch Yu.

Lu Zhaoyan said, "Your legs are not as nimble as before. You’re getting old. Leave the matters around Father to your adopted sons; there’s no need to personally handle everything."

Eunuch Yu felt a warmth in his heart. "Thank you, Your Highness."

Though he always claimed all six princes were his little masters, fingers of a hand are not all the same length—how could he not play favorites?

He was a eunuch with certain unspeakable ailments. Only His Highness would send him medicine, and only His Highness didn’t resent him for being unclean.

"Your Highness."

He held the jar tightly. "The State Preceptor has entered the palace."

-

Star-picking Tower.

Emperor Liang and Gongsun Yanming were seated together at a vantage point, as though immersed in a sea of stars.

A small table was placed before them.

Gongsun Yanming had just finished a divination.

Emperor Liang glanced at the compass and copper coins on the table and asked, "State Preceptor, what is the fate of the Great Liang?"

Gongsun Yanming replied solemnly, "The nation’s fortune is turbulent; a major event is imminent."

"A major event..."

Emperor Liang furrowed his brows, falling silent for a long time.

Gongsun Yanming gestured for the disciples of the Astronomical Bureau to withdraw.

The disciples left one by one.

Eunuch Yu, exhausted from the day, had been replaced by Xiao Dazi to attend to Emperor Liang at this time.

Xiao Dazi didn’t budge.

Emperor Liang didn’t send him away either.

Gongsun Yanming scrambled the divination signs.

Emperor Liang said, "State Preceptor, you must already know the truth of Qi’er’s parentage."

Gongsun Yanming rose, cupping his hands in apology. "This subject is guilty."

Emperor Liang gestured for him to sit. "It’s not your fault. It’s Hua’er’s own sin, causing Lady Dou to mistake someone else."

Gongsun Yanming sat back on the futon.

Emperor Liang asked, "This chaos in the nation’s fortune—does it refer to the matter of Qi’er’s rightful place?"

Gongsun Yanming hesitated briefly before saying, "The Gouchen Star grows dim and indistinct; it is an omen of great misfortune."

Emperor Liang immediately said, "Please, State Preceptor, enlighten me."

Gongsun Yanming replied firmly, "Right the wrongs."

Emperor Liang frowned and looked at Gongsun Yanming. "Are you suggesting that Zhaoyan should relinquish the Golden Seal and restore the Crown Prince title to his elder brother?"

Gongsun Yanming sighed. "The divination only conveys four words: ’Right the wrongs.’ Whether it pertains to the Crown Prince, this subject dares not presume."

Even so, what else besides the Crown Prince’s title could require such rectification?

Gongsun Yanming advised earnestly, "Your Majesty, for the sake of Great Liang’s future, please make a decision without delay."

Emperor Liang closed his eyes, letting out a deeply weary sigh. "I understand."

-

At the Thousand Mechanism Pavilion, Xiao Rong’er and her daughter also learned of Lu Qi’s true parentage.

Gongsun Ziyu was utterly shocked. "Heavens, he’s actually Prince Jin’s son! Then... then if Elder Sister marries him... wouldn’t that make her the daughter-in-law of the Jin Prince Mansion? Can she still become the Crown Princess Consort in the future?"

Gongsun Liuying maintained a calm expression.

Xiao Rong’er smiled lightly and said, "Who Qi’er’s father is determines who will be the Crown Prince. And your elder sister, born a phoenix—no matter whom she marries, that man will be an emperor."

She cared not a bit about who Qi’s biological father might be. Lu Qi and her daughter were destined to be Emperor and Empress; what did it matter who held the title of father?

Emperor Liang was crowned because of Lu Qi.

What had always mattered was Lu Qi.

-

The next day, at dawn.

People arrived at the Imperial Palace.

Eunuch Yu, due to his bad legs, had Emperor Liang send his adopted son Xiao Dazi instead.

Xiao Dazi greeted Lu Zhaoyan respectfully and stated his purpose for coming.

Emperor Liang intended to reclaim the Crown Prince Mansion and the Crown Prince’s Golden Seal.

Lu Zhaoyan had long anticipated this day, and had expected it to come so swiftly—the famous decisiveness of his father.

He smiled and said, "Wait a moment. I need to gather a few things."

Under his adoptive father’s instructions, Xiao Dazi was careful not to oppress the Crown Prince. He replied with great deference, "His Majesty said there’s no rush to vacate the mansion. You may stay for a while longer. The reason I’ve come today is primarily to retrieve the Golden Seal."

"Alright."

Lu Zhaoyan said, "Cui Hu, go fetch the Golden Seal from Prince Ming."

Cui Hu went to Prince Ming’s quarters. After a short while, he returned and reported, "Prince Ming said the Golden Seal was given to your son."

Lu Zhaoyan, intending to send Cui Hu to retrieve it, reconsidered and decided he should go himself.

He went to the main courtyard.

Lu Yuan was already awake, sitting on the swing Ji Feng had built overnight for the Treasure Piggy, reading a book.

"Up so early."

"Hmph."

No longer needing to play the role of a bumbling fool, Lu Yuan had resumed his old ways, starting his day early to immerse himself in scholarly study.

Lu Zhaoyan, powerless against his son, asked, "Where’s the Golden Seal?"

Lu Yuan replied coolly, "With the little brat."

Lu Zhaoyan headed to Treasure Piggy’s room.

Treasure Piggy was curled up and sleeping soundly. Suddenly sensing someone trying to steal her little Golden Seal, she opened her eyes wide and let out an extremely ferocious howl!

Lu Zhaoyan froze.

This little one, so fierce?

Lu Zhaoyan cooed gently, "Zhaozhao, give it to me, will you?"

"No!"

Treasure Piggy clutched the Golden Seal tightly.

Lu Zhaoyan tried bribing her with candy, offering to trade it for the Golden Seal.

Treasure Piggy refused to trade.

"The Golden Seal is mine!"