Chapter 50: Hot Potato

  The incident at Shoukang Palace was just a minor episode and did not have a significant impact on the birthday banquet that day, but Empress Luo felt it was inauspicious. Later, at the evening's birthday banquet, the smile she maintained on her face could not help but be somewhat forced.

  Chu Youyang remained in the side hall and did not reappear until the second watch, when the palace banquet dispersed, and he was summoned by Chu Yi'an to return to the mansion together.

  Back in the East Palace, the father and daughter went together to Chuyi An's study.

  Chu Sunyang told the truth about Tuoba Yunji and others, and finally asked, "Tuoba Yunji's words are worth pondering. Now it seems that Tuoba Rongyao will definitely stay behind. As for her whereabouts, King of the Northern Desert should have made plans in advance. Father, what do you think?"

  Chu Qi Feng is still young, so let's not consider him for now. In that case, Chu Qi Hui and Chu Qi Yan are the most popular figures among the current generation of imperial grandsons.

  If Tuoba Yunji's destination is fixed between these two people, then it can only prove that the position Tuoba Rongyao will occupy must be more noble than the side concubine of the imperial grandson and the princess consort of the South River King Mansion. At that time, Chu Jiongyang's first thought in his heart was——

  It's just his own father.

  Chu Yi'an is a very self-disciplined person when it comes to women, and as a daughter, she doesn't like to interfere in such matters. If the Mo Bei side really has such thoughts, then the East Palace would be equivalent to receiving a hot potato.

  Chu Yi'an was taken aback for a moment, then couldn't help but burst out laughing, and patted her shoulder saying: "You little girl!"

  Chu Youyang's face turned slightly red with embarrassment, and he muttered as he lowered his head: "I know a woman can't possibly control Father, but if she really were to be placed under his eye, it would still be somewhat of a nuisance."

  Chu Yi'an is now forty-two years old, but because of his good physical foundation, he looks like a man in his thirties. With an air of superiority, even if Tuoba Rongyao was stunningly beautiful, she would be just a foil to Chu Yi'an, and there's nothing much to pick on about her.

  Chu Youyang didn't want to pry into Chu Yi'an's private affairs, but that woman with ulterior motives was better avoided.

  Chu Yi'an didn't take this matter to heart, if the emperor really wanted to push someone into the East Palace, it would just be a matter of drawing out a courtyard and raising them.

  However, seeing his daughter's gloomy face, he had no choice but to carefully consider it again and said: "Since Tuoba Huai An has set his sights on you, this woman is unlikely to be aiming for the East Palace, so don't worry."

  Although the northern grasslands are open-minded, Xiyue is a country of etiquette and would never have the brother and sister of the other party discussing marriage with their father and daughter.

  Chu Sunyang didn't expect this, and upon hearing the words, he suddenly felt enlightened and let out a breath of relief, "I overthought it."

  He paused for a moment and looked at Chu Yi'an again, "So to say, Tuoba Rongyao is probably going to enter the backyard of King Nanhe?"

  "Maybe!" Chu Yi'an said, casually picking up the documents on the table to take a look, clearly not paying too much attention to this matter.

  "As long as it's nothing to do with our family, I won't bother thinking about it," said Chou Mou-yang. "If there's nothing else, my daughter will take her leave first. You should rest early too, Father. If the documents aren't urgent, leaving them till tomorrow is fine."

  "Uh-huh!" Chu Yi'an nodded, seeing her turn around to leave, suddenly remembered something, and said in a low voice, "Xin Bao!"

  "Huh?" Chu Nanyang blinked and turned back with a questioning gaze.

  Chu Yi'an put down the official document in his hand, walked around the desk and went over, staring at her face for a while before saying, "What's going on with that Yanling Jun?"

  Chu Youyang was taken aback for a moment.

  She hadn't brought up Yanling Jun's matter before, but she didn't think it was necessary to hide it from Chu Yi'an either. So she told him about the specific situation of how she had met that person in Chuzhou, only keeping the part in Lieyan Valley to herself.

  That place was secretive, and she had no right to spread it out on behalf of Yanling Jun.

  Chu Yi'an listened, pensive for a moment, but a hint of playful smile appeared at the bottom of his eyes, and he sighed, "So to speak, that kid chased you all the way to the capital?"

  Chu Youyang furrowed her brow, displeased, and shot him a glance. "Father, what's wrong with you today? You're actually teasing your daughter! This person's identity is unclear, won't there be problems?"

  Chu Yi'an smiled and sat back down, saying, "He was highly recommended by Old Man Chen to the wise King Shang. He's said to be Old Man Chen's junior apprentice, and you should know about Old Man Chen's temperament. The information that comes from his mouth is unlikely to be false."

  The Chen Lao in Chu Yi'an's mouth was Chen Gengnian, the former hospital dean who had retired and was living a peaceful life at home. This man was a genius in medical skills and had a straightforward and upright character. With him as a guarantor, it was no wonder that Chu Yi'an did not suspect anything.

  Chu Youyang was somewhat surprised, muttering to himself, "No wonder he said earlier that he came over to visit an elder, it seems that what he said should be referring to Old Man Chen."

  She was originally puzzled as to why Yanling Jun would have a relationship with Rui Wang, but now it makes sense.

  Chu Yi'an saw her careless appearance and shook his head, explaining, "The young master's daughter, Yi Jian, has been bedridden for many years. After a month of recuperation, she is said to have improved greatly. Chen Lao even boasted that this young man's medical skills surpass those of his predecessors, and he is indeed a rare talent."

  "Really?" Chu Youyang said with delight, "If Ruo's younger uncle's stubborn illness can be cured, it will also be considered one of his merits."

  Rui Wangfu's young master, Chu Yi Jian, although he had to call him uncle, was actually only a few years older than Chu Nanyang. Chu Nanyang and he had met several times before, and their relationship was not bad.

  Chu Yi'an saw her childish appearance and didn't say anything else. After Chu Mo Yang left, he called Zeng Guanjia in and said, "Send a message to the Chu State military camp and have Qi Feng investigate carefully."

  Although the trouble at Ta Hospital didn't have much impact on the Chao Bureau, since this person came for his daughter, he still had to investigate thoroughly before he could rest assured.

  The assassination attempt in the palace ended as Chu Zhiyuan had predicted, with nothing coming of it.

  Qingteng received the news and felt indignant in her heart. She held the needle in her hand and stabbed it fiercely into the embroidery, "That woman really got off easy."

  Chu Youyang just smiled and put it aside, but suddenly pointed at the handkerchief in her hand and said, "Let me try?"

  "What's with the county's main embroidery?" Qingteng's mouth was agape, as if he had seen a ghost.

  "Do you think I'm not capable?" Chu Youyang glared at her, then turned over and sat up on the couch, making a show of picking up her needlework. Just as she was getting into it, she heard Qing Luan's somewhat reluctant voice say: "Young Mistress, Lord Yanling has arrived!"

  Digression

  Uh-huh, when my family's Xinbao holds an embroidery needle, everyone automatically fills in the gaps.