good season

Zhao Tinglu guessed correctly; that person was indeed the Emperor Emeritus's secret guard.

The retired emperor lived in a quiet courtyard, a place not found in ordinary official post stations. This post station was already very close to the capital, and this courtyard was reserved specifically for members of the royal family and nobility. Princess Jiayi, the fourth prince, and others had all lived here. However, to date, the retired emperor was the highest-ranking person to have ever lived in this courtyard.

Zhao Tinglu followed the guard and entered the courtyard unnoticed. Zhao Shiqing was waiting for him under the eaves. When she saw him, she smiled and said, "Little Luolu, it's been a long time."

"Sister, how are you? Disaster relief must be very tiring, you've lost weight."

This child is so heartwarming. Zhao Shiqing subconsciously wanted to pat his little head, but then she realized that he had grown taller and was acting like a little adult, all serious.

“I also think I’ve lost weight. Once we get back to Beijing, we’ll have a few big feasts and drinks to make up for it.”

The two entered the house one after the other and saw two people playing chess. One was the retired emperor, and the other was Xiao Zhen, whom they hadn't seen in a long time.

Zhao Tinglu was slightly surprised. It really was Xiao Zhen, but...
He was ten years younger than Xiao Zhen, so they didn't get along and had never interacted or even spoken before.

But upon seeing Xiao Zhen today, Zhao Tingluo felt a sense of familiarity.

How could this happen?
I've only seen him a few times before.

Zhao Tingluo was puzzled, but his gaze only swept over Xiao Zhen briefly before he obediently stood aside and watched the two play chess.

The retired emperor won this game.

He was very pleased, stroking his beard which he had finally managed to grow, and said to Xiao Zhen, "This is my true level. I was just letting you have your way before."

Xiao Zhen: You lousy chess player, you have such a thick skin. If I don't let you win a game, you won't give up.

The Emperor Emeritus was in a great mood, and only then did he notice Zhao Tingluo standing to the side.

"Give me a seat!"

"Thank you for the seat, grand-nephew." Zhao Tinglu thanked him with a smile and sat down at the lower end of the table.

Zhao Shiqing pushed a box full of snacks in front of him, and he picked out a piece of candy and put it in his mouth: "This candy is so crisp and crunchy, it's even better than the ones in the palace."

"Yes, I think it's delicious too. I bought it in a small town."

The retired emperor watched coldly. Before, he only thought the child was pleasing to the eye, but now, looking at him again, he saw that the child was composed and intelligent. Indeed, he was quite good. That good-for-nothing Prince Fu actually had such an outstanding grandson.

Thinking of Prince Fu, the Emperor Emeritus recalled the scandalous deeds of Prince Fu's heir that Zhao Shiqing had told him. A slight smile appeared on the Emperor Emeritus's lips. Shameful, indeed something that Prince Fu and his son could do. Prince Fu's mansion was rotten to the core. This Zhao Tingluo must have taken after his maternal father and uncle.

The second son has good taste; he actually picked such a playmate for the seventh prince.

No matter how despicable Prince Fu was, his descendants were still of pure royal blood, and the second son's son was not worthy of the title!
"Your name is Tingluo? I heard you have a younger brother?"

Zhao Tinglu bowed slightly, and the Emperor Emeritus said, "Sit down and answer."

Zhao Tinglu sat up again and said, "Your Majesty, my grand-nephew's full name is Zhao Tinglu. He is still young and has no courtesy name yet. Tinglu has a younger brother, who is my biological brother."

"Hmm, tell me what's been happening in the capital lately," the Emperor Emeritus said.

Zhao Tinglu acted as if he knew nothing, and began to talk animatedly about the latest happenings in the capital.

From the moment the Fourth Prince arrived in the capital, to the myth of Xiao Zhen's resurrection, the conversation abruptly shifted to another matter.

"Something happened to the Fourth Prince's maternal family. Master You died inexplicably, and in fact, he died in his mistress's house. Before the You family could even deal with the matter, news of the Fourth Prince's death reached the capital. His Majesty ordered the You family to be surrounded. Master You hasn't even had his funeral yet."

The Emperor Emeritus looked at Xiao Zhen: "What's the deal with that Master You?"

Xiao Zhen said in a deep voice, "That Liu Wang is the man that Master You planted next to the Fourth Prince, I suppose..."

Xiao Zhen didn't say what came next, but the Emperor Emeritus already understood.

Xiao Si did it!

He believed that Liu Wang had betrayed him, so he also hated the You family. Therefore, he sent his shadow guards back to the capital ahead of time to kill Master You.

Master You is the Fourth Prince's maternal uncle!

"What a heartless and ungrateful creature!"

Although not a member of the royal family, he has perfectly learned the ruthlessness of royalty.

"It is said that you were raised in the palace when you were a child. Has anything new happened in the palace lately?" the retired emperor asked.

Zhao Shiqing also wanted to hear. The Wei family sent two beauties to the palace, plus Old Madam Wei. Oh, right, before going to Tongzhou, there was also the matter of Wei Wubing and Wei Ya'er. I wonder if there will be any follow-up.

Zhao Tingluo hesitated for a moment: "There are many interesting things happening in the palace. I've heard a few, but I'm still young and don't know what I should and shouldn't say."

The retired emperor snorted coldly, "This brat is even smarter than a monkey!"

"Children speak without thinking, you are innocent!"

"Alright, Imperial Grandfather, Tinglu will tell you everything. Let me begin..."

Zhao Tinglu made a fortune selling gossip. Some of the things he told had already been exchanged for money, some were still waiting to be sold, and some could not be exchanged for money and were only circulated in a small circle.

As a result, Zhao Shiqing learned a lot of things.

For example, the Wei family sent two more beauties to the palace. One of them became pregnant but unfortunately miscarried, resulting in the death of both mother and child.

It was Fan Qiuyun who made the move!
Fan Qiuyun was originally by Consort Qiao's side, and later became pregnant. The child was not Emperor Yongjia's, but the third prince's.

She was a palace lady-in-waiting, yet she became pregnant with the prince's child—this was a scandal.

Consort Qiao naturally did not want her eldest grandson to bear such a stigma before he was even born, so she wanted to force Fan Qiuyun to have an abortion. Fan Qiuyun refused, and in exchange, she would have to get rid of Consort Wei and the child in her womb. In return, Consort Qiao would give her a title so that she could give birth to the child.

Now that Consort Wei is dead, Consort Qiao has betrothed Fan Qiuyun to her own nephew. The marriage is set for next month, and Fan Qiuyun will be leaving the palace in a few days to prepare for her wedding.

Zhao Shiqing interjected: "Consort Qiao is having her nephew raise the Third Prince's son?"

Zhao Tingluo: "Perhaps the Imperial Concubine feels that there is no safer place than her own family." Zhao Shiqing didn't understand: "Even if Consort Wei gives birth to a prince, it won't affect the Third Prince's status. Why must she be killed?"

Zhao Tingluo: "Whether Consort Wei lives or dies is not important to the Imperial Concubine. This is just Fan Qiuyun's pledge of allegiance to her."

The Emperor Emeritus looked at Zhao Tingluo with a deeper meaning; no wonder she was a child who grew up in the palace.

If this child were placed with Zhao Yuan...
Zhao Yuan was ultimately alone and isolated, with only Xiao Zhen as his sole support in the capital, which was certainly insufficient. Zhao Tingluo, on the other hand, represented the Prince of Fu's mansion, and he was now in charge of the Prince of Fu's mansion.

Although Prince Fu is a good-for-nothing, he is still a prince and my brother!

His status within the royal family was extremely important.

If we add the Prince Lu's Mansion
The retired emperor thought of the Prince of Lu's heir, who always wailed and lamented whenever they met, and thought it was incredibly annoying. He knew Zhao Yuan would definitely not like him.

Well, let's take it one step at a time and try to bring the Prince of Fu's mansion over first.

Zhao Shiqing was most concerned about Old Madam Wei.

"Where is Madam Wei? Is she still living in the palace? Hasn't the Emperor banished her from the mansion? And what about Consort Li? Is she causing trouble again?"

Zhao Tinglu glanced at the Emperor Emeritus, and seeing that he looked normal, continued, "Madam Wei is still in the palace. Since she entered the palace, the relationship between Consort Li and His Majesty has become increasingly strained. His Majesty has been keeping the Seventh Prince by his side lately. The Seventh Prince lost his mother at a young age and was raised in Consort Shu's palace. After the Fifth Prince's accident, Consort Shu fell ill, and the Seventh Prince was entrusted to Consort De for upbringing."

The deceased Lady Baoqing, who was also the former daughter-in-law of Old Lady Wei, was the cousin of Consort De. Old Lady Wei disliked her former daughter-in-law and also disliked Consort De.

Unfortunately, Consort De was one of the four consorts and not an ordinary palace maid, so Old Madam Wei could not touch her.

So Madam Wei secretly sowed discord between Consort Li and Consort De. With the Seventh Prince gaining favor, Madam Wei said that Consort De was disrespectful to Consort Li because of her son's status.

Consort Li always listened to Madam Wei, so she complained to the Emperor about Consort De, causing Consort De to be confined to the palace and unable to leave to this day.

Even the family of Consort Yan, the birth mother of the Seventh Prince, was affected. When Consort Yan's uncle's term of office ended, his originally designated position was taken by someone else. The person who replaced him was none other than Consort De's cousin. As a result, the Seventh Prince also began to have a negative opinion of Consort De.

Sigh, ever since Madam Wei entered the palace, the relationships between the various palace mistresses have become more complicated than before.

Then there's Princess Huixin. She was already engaged, but she didn't want to, so she pleaded with Consort Qiao, and the marriage fell through. Now, Princess Huixin goes to the palace every few days to talk to Consort Qiao; they're closer than mother and daughter.

That night, Zhao Tinglu stayed in the Emperor Emeritus's courtyard until very late before returning home. After Zhao Tinglu left, the Emperor Emeritus remained silent for a long time. After a long while, he suddenly smiled.

"Look, I've only been gone for a little over ten years, and these villains have already turned my palace into a mess. The Wei family, how dare they! Not content with confusing the royal bloodline, they also want to trample on the face of the royal family. They are so ruthless, so ruthless!"

Zhao Shiqing rolled her eyes. The Wei family confused the royal bloodline, but they did it right under your nose. They are bold, but what about you? You are blind and heartless. You deserve it!

"Huixin? You must be Zhao Yuan's sister. Why is she getting so close to the Qiao family? Shouldn't she be keeping her distance?"

Zhao Shiqing didn't speak. She didn't know what was going on with Princess Huixin either. She didn't like these two princesses, so she was too lazy to meddle in other people's business.

The Emperor Emeritus shook his head. No wonder Jiayi had to keep the fact that Zhao Yuan was still alive from the two princesses. It seemed that Zhao Yuan's two older sisters were both clueless.

Zhao Shiqing asked, "Grandfather, you know everything that's happening in the capital and the palace. What's your next move? Are you going to force the emperor to abdicate and drag hook-nosed men off the throne? Or are you going to poison all the hook-nosed men in the palace, big and small?"

The retired emperor glanced at her; this girl seemed to thrive on chaos.

"Wait two more days, Yuan'er still hasn't arrived."

Zhao Shiqing: "Please stop calling him Yuan'er. He's Guanyue now. Have you forgotten that you gave him his name?"

"Yes, Guan Yue, from now on we'll call him Guan Yue."

The Emperor Emeritus smiled as he thought of Shen Guanyue, for she was his only remaining grandson!
The Emperor Emeritus refused to leave, so the Seventh Prince had no choice but to stay with him for three whole days.

On the third day, a eunuch rushed in: "Seventh Prince, someone has arrived at the official post station!"

The Seventh Prince was baffled: "This is an official post station. If no one comes here, is it still called an official post station?"

The eunuch raised his hand and slapped himself: "This servant is clumsy with words. What I meant was that the leader of the people who came was a young master who called himself the Moon-Viewing Master, and, moreover, he also said that he was the grandson of the Emperor Emeritus."

Before the Seventh Prince could speak, the Prince of Lu's heir interrupted, "Oh my, so the Emperor Emeritus really does have a godson. The rumors in the capital are true. I hadn't seen this person before and thought they were talking about Xiao Zhen. I thought the rumors were wrong and that they had passed off a grandson as a grandson. Turns out there's no such rumor. He just has a grandson, but he's not a blood relative."

Zhao Tingluo: You're lying through your teeth. When you left the capital, you secretly prepared generous gifts for both Young Master Guanyue and Sister Qing. Do you think I didn't know?
The seventh prince hurriedly asked, "Where is he?"

The eunuch said, "The Emperor Emeritus had someone waiting outside the door early this morning. As soon as that young master Guanyue arrived, he was led to see the Emperor Emeritus."

The Seventh Prince hurriedly said, "Uncle Xian, Luoluo, let's go see the Emperor Emeritus and also meet this man. Should I call him elder brother or imperial brother?"

Zhao Tinglu didn't know either. Logically, he should call the Emperor "brother," but this Young Master Guanyue was only the Emperor Emeritus's adopted grandson, not his biological brother.

"Let's see what the Emperor Emeritus has to say," Zhao Tingluo said.

The three of them did not immediately see the legendary Moon-Viewing Gentleman. They waited outside the door for half an hour before the eunuch led them inside.

Upon seeing Young Master Guanyue, not only Zhao Tingluo but also the Crown Prince of Lu were stunned. The Seventh Prince noticed their unusual behavior and subconsciously glanced at them. The Crown Prince of Lu opened his mouth, closed it, opened it again, closed it again, and finally forced out an ugly smile.

In contrast to him, Zhao Tingluo only paused for a moment before returning to normal.

But inside, he was screaming, "Ahhh, isn't that Xiao Yue? Xiao Yue, it's Xiao Yue!"

Similarly, he didn't know Xiao Yue personally, but he had seen Xiao Yue before. Xiao Yue was so handsome that anyone who had seen him would not easily forget him.

Xiao Fuma's two sons, Xiao Zhen and Xiao Yue, were resurrected from the dead. Xiao Yue transformed from a mocked concubine's son into the universally praised Young Master Guanyue. Not only that, he also became the Emperor Emeritus's adopted grandson!
Can anyone tell him what exactly happened?

Unlike the other two, the Seventh Prince had never met Xiao Yue. He was simply surprised that the Emperor Emeritus's adopted grandson was so handsome.

"You've arrived? This is my newly adopted grandson, Shen Guanyue. Oh, where are the people from the Imperial Clan Court? Someone, bring them here."

Prince Lu and Zhao Tinglu exchanged glances. They both understood that the Emperor Emeritus wanted to include this adopted grandson in the family genealogy!

Before the Imperial Clan Court arrived, the Emperor Emeritus looked at Shen Guanyue, his face crinkling with laughter: "When the Imperial Clan Court arrives, we'll change your name. From now on, your surname will be Zhao, and your name will be Zhao Guanyue. Emperor Xiaokang's youngest son died young, leaving him without any children. I'll register you under his name, is that alright?" (End of Chapter)