Group pet Xiaopangbao: I have four big daddies

Chapter 1350 Secrets, Truth

Prince Changyang and the Qian family have always had a good relationship. Now that he has learned that the Qian family's case has been resolved, he is very happy and specially sent someone to invite Qian Fu to the Prince's mansion as a guest.

"Your Highness, Lord Qianfu and his entourage have arrived outside the manor gate," the steward reported, bowing.

Prince Changyang, dressed in a dark blue brocade robe, immediately stood up upon hearing this.

Outside the mansion gate, Qianfu was dressed in plain clothes. Although his temples were white, his back was still straight.

Standing beside her was Qianfanji, whose elegant figure was accentuated by his blue robe.

"Qianfu, congratulations!" Prince Changyang stepped forward quickly, grabbed Qianfu's hand tightly, and could not hide his joy. "Your Qian family has been exonerated, this is a great joy. Today I have specially prepared some wine, and I must drink with you until we are drunk."

A warm feeling welled up in Qianfu's eyes as he grasped Qianfu's hand in return: "Your Highness is too kind. I am truly sorry to have troubled your esteemed residence."

"You're being too polite!" Prince Changyang waved his hand with a smile, his gaze sweeping over Qianfanji: "Please come in."

Just as everyone was about to take a step, a hearty laugh came from not far away, and Zhan Yi strode over.

"Oh, Brother Qian, Prince Changyang." Zhan Yi stepped forward, patted Qian Fu on the shoulder without any politeness, and then cupped his hands to Prince Changyang. "I heard that Your Highness is hosting a banquet for Brother Qian, so I shamelessly came to join in the fun. Your Highness won't be unwelcome, will you?"

Upon hearing this, Prince Changyang laughed heartily: "Not at all. Your presence makes my banquet even more lively. Please come in; Elder Chen is already waiting in the hall."

Ye Qianning stood in the courtyard, his gaze subtly sweeping over several shadowy spots not far from the gate of the Prince's Mansion, clearly keeping watch in secret.

Now that the grievances of thousands of families have been redressed, the matter has spread far and wide, and various forces are secretly watching.

The Prince of Changyang's residence was already under the Emperor's surveillance, and now that he was hosting a banquet for thousands of families, the Emperor of Beili was naturally uneasy.

Inside the main hall, Old Chen was already seated in the guest seat next to the main seat, wearing a gray-white robe and with white hair and beard.

Seeing everyone enter, he slowly stood up and nodded to Qianfu: "Qianfu, congratulations."

"You're too kind, Elder Chen," Qianfu returned the greeting with a cupped hand.

The guests and hosts took their seats, and soon the table was filled with exquisite dishes.

Prince Changyang raised his cup and stood up, saying loudly, "Today's banquet is to celebrate the exoneration of Brother Qian's family and to express my gratitude for our many years of friendship. Brother Qian, Elder Chen, Brother Zhan, and my nephew, I would like to offer you all a toast first!"

Everyone raised their glasses, the clinking of the glasses breaking the silence of the hall.

After several rounds of drinks and several dishes, everyone's conversation grew increasingly lively.

While eating, Zhan Yi muttered, "Prince Changyang, the chef in your manor is really good. He's much better than the chef in my house. I'll have to let my chef come and learn from him sometime."

Prince Changyang replied with a smile, "No problem, it's ready anytime, as long as Master Zhan gives the word."

Old Chen chatted with Qian Fu about old times in the imperial court, his words filled with emotion.

Qianfanji occasionally chimed in, his words concise yet to the point.

Prince Changyang put down his wine cup and looked at Qianfu: "Now that we've had our fill of food and drink, I have an elegant study in my residence. Why don't we move there and play a few games of chess? I've been studying a new chess strategy these past few days, and it's been many years since we've sparred."

Qianfu readily agreed: "Yes, that's exactly what I was thinking."

"Old Chen, why don't you come to the study with us? You might be able to offer us some guidance," Prince Changyang invited, turning his head.

Old Chen nodded: "That's fine."

Upon hearing this, Zhan Yi, an impatient man, immediately replied, "Let's go, let's go, I'll go and see what's going on. Although my chess skills aren't great, watching you guys play is still interesting." Everyone got up and headed towards the study.

Ye Qianning and Nan Xiang stayed in the Princess's courtyard. Nan Xiang, being lively, leaned close to Ye Qianning's ear and whispered about interesting things that happened in the mansion. The two chatted and laughed softly, creating a harmonious atmosphere.

When Ye Qianning heard that they had gone to the study to play chess, she dragged Nan Xiang along as well.

Nan Xiang was a little reluctant: "A Ning, it's stuffy in the study. Why don't we sit on the corridor outside the study?"

Ye Qianning glanced in the direction of the study, then looked at Nan Xiang's expectant eyes, and nodded: "Okay."

Ye Qianning raised her hand, and the hidden guards dispersed.

Given Xiang family's Ye Qianning's anger, it's not surprising that the Xiang family guards dispersed.

After all, Ye Qianning had already made it clear that she didn't like being monitored.

As everyone entered the study, the butler stepped forward to serve tea, then bowed and withdrew, closing the study door behind him.

The study was elegantly furnished, with bookshelves filled with all kinds of books. A pear wood chessboard was placed by the window, with black and white chess pieces already laid out on it.

Just as Prince Changyang and Qianfu were about to sit down, a hidden door in the corner of the study suddenly creaked open.

A figure slowly walked out, and upon closer inspection, everyone realized it was He Yuting.

He was wearing a dark blue long gown and looked haggard.

Zhan Yi immediately frowned: "He Yuting? What are you doing here?"

He Yuting nodded slightly to everyone: "Master Zhan, Prime Minister Qian, Elder Chen."

She looked up and stared directly at Prince Changyang, her expression complex.

“I invited Dean He here,” said Prince Changyang.

"What?" Zhan Yi's eyes widened, his face full of confusion. "Your Highness, why did you invite him here? Have you forgotten the despicable things the He family did?"

Old Master Chen and Qianfu looked at Prince Changyang.

Prince Changyang said, "Confucius He knows some of the secrets of the past, which are closely related to the royal bloodline."

Everyone present understood immediately upon hearing this, since the reason for their pretense of coming to the Changyang Prince's residence was precisely because of this matter.

They just didn't expect that He Yuting also knew.

Qianfu looked at He Yuting: "He Yuting, what do you know? Please tell me the truth."

He Yuting pondered for a moment before saying, "Back then, when I was teaching the princes in the palace, one day I passed by a secluded spot in the Imperial Garden and accidentally stumbled upon Consort Xi and Qin Qing pulling and tugging at each other, behaving intimately. At the time, I didn't dare to make a sound."

"Consort Xi? Qin Qing?" Zhan Yi frowned. "Qin Qing was the commander of the Imperial Guards back then?"

“It was him.” He Yuting nodded. “Since then, I have been keeping a close eye on Consort Xi and Qin Qing’s movements. Later, I noticed several times that the two met in private with strange expressions. Not long after, news spread in the palace that Consort Xi was pregnant.”

He Yuting paused for a moment: "At that time, I had a terrible guess in my heart, but this matter concerned the reputation of the royal family, so I dared not speak recklessly and could only keep it to myself. It wasn't until later, when the current emperor ascended the throne and not long after, the entire Qin family was wiped out, that I dared to be sure that my guess was true—the current emperor was not the bloodline of the late emperor at all, but the child of Consort Xi and Qin Qing who had an affair."

Upon hearing this news, neither Elder Chen nor Qian Fanji were particularly shocked.

They knew these things when they left Dayu City.