Do you know: I am Qi Heng

"Uncle, the reason Father went to Guanzhong this time was to fetch a doctor."

Qi Heng feigned doubt and asked, "Didn't Mother mention that before?"

"Yes, yes, yes."

Guo Wu suddenly slapped his forehead and said, "Look at me, I'm getting old and confused again. Auntie already mentioned it before, yet I still asked."

"Father, you're just concerned about your brother-in-law," Guo Yungong said.

Others echoed his sentiments.

Qi Heng smiled but didn't speak. Perhaps the Guo family wasn't the only ones with this suspicion; other families in Bianjing might also have similar thoughts.

Just before lunchtime, Qi Heng finally found an opportunity to tell his mother about Guo Yong.

Princess Pingning's expression turned somewhat unpleasant upon hearing this. She said, "I understand. You don't need to concern yourself with this matter. Just keep quiet during the meal."

"I understand," Qi Heng nodded.

Princess Pingning gave a few more instructions before leaving.

At lunchtime, men and women ate separately. There were also quite a few younger members of the Guo family, with Qi Heng's cousins ​​sitting at a separate table.

Guo Wu wanted Qi Heng to sit at the main table, but Qi Heng firmly declined and sat at the same table as his cousin and the others.

These people have such complicated thoughts. When you talk to them, you have to think about the meaning and purpose behind their words. You probably won't even be able to have a peaceful meal with them.

After dinner, while we drank tea and listened to their casual conversation, about half an hour later, Princess Pingning and a group of female relatives walked in.

"Second Uncle, it's getting late, I should head back."

Princess Pingning smiled and bowed, saying, "I will visit my second uncle again when my husband returns."

Guo Wu tried to persuade him to stay a few more times, then sent his brothers Guo Yungong and Guo Yunjian to see him off.

After exchanging pleasantries at the door, the mother and son boarded the carriage.

"Did they ask anything during the meal?" Princess Pingning asked.

"No!"

Qi Heng shook his head and said, "My great-uncle wanted me to sit at the head table, but I declined."

"You did the right thing!"

Princess Pingning praised, "The Guo family is so wealthy, yet they are still not satisfied."

"Mother, have you told me about my cousin?" Qi Heng asked.

"I told him, he can't escape a beating."

Princess Pingning frowned and said, "However, you won't be able to study at the Imperial Academy after the New Year."

"Is Mother worried that some people with ulterior motives are deliberately approaching me?" Qi Heng asked.

"Now that the Emperor has no son, which of these nobles in Bianjing doesn't have some thoughts about this?"

"You haven't been to the Imperial Academy lately, and everyone's been watching you. If you go, even more people will be looking for you," Princess Pingning explained.

Qi Heng said solemnly, "Mother, rest assured, I know what's important and will not associate with them."

"This is something you can't avoid just because you want to."

Princess Pingning shook her head, a hint of annoyance showing between her brows.

Although we asked Old Madam He to help Empress Cao recuperate, Empress Cao might become pregnant.

But such hope is very slim, after all, having a child involves an element of luck.

Even if Empress Cao was indeed pregnant, who knew whether she would give birth to a boy or a girl?

Before the emperor had no son, those members of the imperial clan still had hope.

If Qi Heng rejects their overtures and incurs their resentment, the Qi family may face retaliation if the Emperor truly has no son in the future.

Before things settle down, anything can happen, so she has to be cautious.

If we don't let Qi Heng study at the Imperial Academy, we can't just keep him at home to learn, can we?

In Bianjing, many children of officials and nobles would go to private schools to study.

Even if Qi Heng is sent there, it's hard to guarantee that those members of the imperial clan won't get close to him through his classmates.

Qi Heng saw the worry on his mother's face and knew what she was thinking.

"It seems I'll still have to study at the Sheng family's school," Qi Heng thought to himself.

He neither looked forward to nor resisted studying at the Sheng family's school.

He is no longer the Qi Heng he once was, so it's impossible for him to feel naturally close to certain people just because he knows some of the future's trajectory.

He is Qi Heng, and yet he is not Qi Heng.

The future he knew was that of another Qi Heng, not his own.

…………

Qi Xuan returned to Bianjing, travel-worn, three days before the New Year.

As he approached the city, he sent someone home to inform his family.

Upon learning the news, Princess Pingning immediately arranged for people to keep watch at the crossroads and sent her servants to call Qi Heng.

"Have the servants for that courtyard been chosen yet?" Princess Pingning asked.

Mrs. Su quickly replied, "I've chosen them all; they're the most capable people in the family."

"Once they've moved in, keep a close eye on things there. Don't neglect them," Princess Pingning instructed.

"I understand!" Su Mama replied.

A moment later, Qi Heng entered, bowed, and said, "Mother!"

"Your father just sent someone to report that he has invited Old Madam He and she should be in town by now."

Princess Pingning said, "Old Madam He's grandson is about your age and has come along too. You'll need to help entertain him."

"yes!"

Qi Heng wasn't particularly surprised to hear that Old Madam He had been invited.

It's just an experiment anyway, and the chances of success are slim to none.

It would be best if it succeeded, but it's okay if it failed.

A short while later, the servant who had been sent to keep watch at the crossroads returned to report that Qi Xuan had already entered Gonghou Street, so Princess Pingning took Qi Heng out the door.

Upon arriving at the gate of the mansion, two carriages were seen approaching, with guards following on both sides.

The carriage stopped outside the mansion gate. Qi Xuan got out of the front carriage, followed by a boy of about ten years old, and then a woman in her fifties leaned out.

"My lord!"

"Father!"

Princess Pingning and Qi Heng stepped forward to pay their respects.

"Um."

Qi Xuan smiled and nodded. After being away from home for many days, he was also a little homesick.

However, this was not the time for pleasantries. Qi Xuan led his wife and children toward Old Mrs. He, who had just gotten out of the car.

"Madam, let me introduce you. This is Old Madam He, and this is her grandson, Hongwen," Qi Xuan said.

"Old Madam He must be tired from your journey. I have already ordered some wine and dishes to be prepared. Please come in." Princess Pingning said with a warm smile.

"Your Highness is too kind to this old woman!"

Old Madam He quickly led He Hongwen to pay their respects, exchanged a few pleasantries, and entered the mansion at the invitation of Princess Pingning.

Upon arriving at the main hall, Princess Pingning, having a favor to ask, requested that Old Madam He be seated in the honor.

Grandma Kehe resolutely refused and sat down in the first seat on the left.

He Hongwen stood beside Old Mrs. He.

Qi Heng stood beside his mother, sizing up He Hongwen.

He Hongwen was dressed in a white round-necked robe and a turban, looking every bit the scholar.

His face was youthful, yet he possessed a refined and scholarly air, making him appear more like a young scholar still in school.

Princess Pingning and Old Madam He chatted for a while, and then the servants reported that the meal was ready before they moved to the flower hall to eat.

After the meal, they chatted for a while over tea, then had someone lead the grandfather and grandson to their accommodations.

During dinner that evening, Qi Heng noticed that Princess Pingning was even more polite and warm towards Old Madam He, and he knew that Old Madam He must have already seen Princess Pingning.

Princess Pingning was very satisfied with the result; otherwise, she wouldn't have been so enthusiastic.