Chapter 349: Persuading with Emotion, Moving with Reason
This novel is translated and hosted on Bcatranslation
“Auntie, Chao Chao found something good!”
Nan Mu Bai sneered, “What good things could the Northern Zhao possibly have that we would care for? The Southern Kingdom has everything.” His voice was deliberately low, only audible to those nearby.
The emperor had already returned to his seat and did not seem to take notice.
Lu Chao Chao pouted. “Fine, if you don’t want it, you don’t want it!”
“Uncles and elders, do you want it? Chao Chao worked so hard to find it! It’s really pretty…” The little girl racked her brain for the right words.
“Shimmering and dazzling, super pretty!”
Her bright eyes were full of expectation as she looked at the court officials.
Lord Su did not even turn his head, pretending not to hear.
The Shen family, who were close allies of the Su family, also waved their hands dismissively. “Princess, you should gift it to someone else.”
A child’s trinket—how valuable could it be?
However, Lord Ming took a closer look at the girl, seeing that she was about to burst into tears. He immediately said, “I will take a brocade box. Thank you, Princess, for the thoughtful gift.” Lord Ming considered that he should return a gift next time as well.
The Yue family, who worshiped the Four Seasons God, Gan Tang, and were known for their gentle nature, also spoke up. “Give one to the Yue family as well. Thank you, Princess.”
Lord Yue had a faint trace of sorrow between his brows. The Yue family’s old ancestor was a celestial herb, but without divine nourishment, it was on the verge of withering away.
Lu Chao Chao beamed with joy as she handed over a box.
The others declined with polite smiles.
“Yu Shu, Yu Qin, put the boxes away. Uncles and elders don’t seem to like them much…”
The little girl drooped her head, looking utterly dejected.
The Northern Zhao delegation was then led to the back of the hall, where palace attendants brought tea and refreshments.
It was not until the court session ended that the old emperor and the empress arrived together, accompanied by Nan Feng Yu and Nan Mu Bai.
The Empress, Madam Su, had a warm smile and a benevolent expression. “You must be Shi Yun? Please, rise. You have suffered all these years in exile.”
“Your father has longed for you for many years. Now, at last, our family can be whole again.” The Empress dabbed at the corners of her eyes with a handkerchief, appearing deeply compassionate.
Lu Chao Chao obediently maintained a respectful demeanor, though internally, she had plenty to say.
“The royal bloodline cannot be mistaken. Do you have proof of identity?” The old emperor asked after a moment of contemplation.
“A token would confirm your identity,” the Empress explained with a smile.
Shi Yun retrieved a jade pendant from her waist and solemnly presented it.
The emperor did not allow the eunuch to take it but received it personally, a flicker of emotion flashing in his eyes.
The imperial jade pendant, lost for thirty-six years, had finally returned.
For thirty-six years, he had endured sleepless nights, food that tasted like ash, and restless turns in bed. Now, at last, the burden in his heart was lifted.
“It is the Dragon-Patterned Jade.”
The old emperor sighed softly.
“Back then, I lost my memory and washed ashore. The only thing I had was this dragon-patterned jade. Later, I used it as a betrothal gift to marry Ning. In the blink of an eye, over thirty years have passed.” The old emperor was visibly moved.
He still remembered those days in Peach Source Village.
It had been the purest love he had ever known.
But fate was cruel.
He had no choice but to wrong Ning.
Back then, when he found her and asked her to help him retrieve the dragon-patterned jade, she had outright refused. She would not even let their daughter acknowledge him.
In anger, he had her placed under house arrest.
Fearing she would reach out to their daughter, unwilling to return to the Southern Kingdom.
“Go spend more time with your mother. Once the recognition ceremony is set, the palace will notify you. You will be given an official title.” The old emperor clenched the Dragon-Patterned Jade tightly.
“Chao Chao still wants to talk with all the uncles, elders, and their ancestors!” Chao Chao pouted.
“Then talk all you like. If the civil and military officials agree, so will I.” The emperor answered absentmindedly.
“About what?” the Empress asked.
Nan Feng Yu grinned. “Mother, they want to request a dual-empress title for Madam Ning.”
The Empress held her teacup, her eyelid twitching slightly, but she smiled. “Madam Ning saved His Majesty’s life, which is equivalent to saving the entire Southern Kingdom. She also bore His Majesty a daughter. A dual-empress title seems reasonable.”
“In fact, if I had to give up my position, it would be worth it.”
“As long as His Majesty lives, I am willing to do anything.”
The Empress sighed, as though reluctantly accepting fate.
The old emperor shook his head. “You are the mother of the nation. No one can shake your position. If she has the ability, let her fight for the Western Palace Empress title herself.”
“With the full court as witnesses, if she can win them over, she deserves it.”
The Empress merely smiled, unfazed.
Those stubborn old ministers never bowed to anyone.
Would they agree to make Ning a dual empress?
Dream on.
“Chao Chao will persuade them with emotion and reason!” Lu Chao Chao beamed. If the Northern Zhao ministers were here, they would be shivering in fear.
They stayed until evening, after the banquet. Only then did the emperor say, “The Princess’s Manor will be completed in a few days. Until then, stay at the Ning Manor and keep your mother company. She has suffered much over the years.”
After the guests departed, Nan Feng Yu helped the Empress back to her chambers.
The moment the doors shut, the Empress’s kind smile vanished.
“Good thing we got rid of that wretch beforehand, or she would have caused us trouble!” Her eyes were filled with murderous intent.
“It seems His Majesty still holds some affection for her. After all, they did spend a year together in harmony.”
“And that wretch was born stunningly beautiful. No wonder he remembers her.”
Nan Feng Yu quickly soothed her. “Mother, don’t be angry. Father is an emperor; how much true affection can he have?”
“Think about it, isn’t that so?”
The Empress’s heart eased slightly. “That is true. The throne matters most to him. What does Ning count for?”
“You children are my pride. No one can summon divine descent anymore, but you all have extraordinary talent. You are the future of the Southern Kingdom.”
“His Majesty values talent. For the Southern Kingdom’s thousand-year foundation, he won’t be foolish.”
Nan Feng Yu massaged her back. “Father only remembers Ning’s face and voice. I burned her face beyond recognition, poured hot oil down her throat, and buried her alive. She will never be reborn.”
“I watched her be entombed myself. Rest assured, Mother.”
The Empress smiled coldly. “You are the one who understands me best.”
“Make sure the fake at Ning Manor does not expose herself. Xu Shi Yun will surely feel guilty towards her mother and be more devoted.”
“A mere country wench, thinking she could stand equal to me? She belongs in the underworld!”
“Let Lu Chao Chao talk all she wants. The old ancestors of each clan are thousand-year-old monsters. They’ll grind her to dust and show her the power of the Southern Kingdom!”
The Southern Kingdom was no Northern Zhao.
At this moment, Lu Chao Chao knocked on the Ming Family’s door.