Princess, she is the one who facilitated the extradition.

"That Aunt Lianmi is so righteous."

Before the emperor could say anything after Gui Yao finished speaking, De Shun's eyes were already brimming with tears.

"This old servant will certainly handle Shen Feiwan's matter well."

He wanted to repay everyone who was kind to his young master tenfold.

Gui Yao took out a handkerchief from her sleeve and wiped his chubby face, saying helplessly, "De Shun, you still cry so much."

"snort!"

The emperor glanced at Li Deshun.

This old man used to use tears to attract Zhuzhu'er's attention, and he's still using the same trick now.

"Zhuzhu hasn't had your cooking in a long time. Go and make some, and be quick."

As evening approached, and with her daughter's identity still unknown, she needed to leave the palace before the gates were locked.

Now, if I want to have dinner with my daughter, I have to move dinner earlier.

Li Deshun knew the emperor found him annoying, so he took the handkerchief, wiped away his tears, and asked Gui Yao with a smile, "What would you like to eat today, young master?"

Gui Yao suggested a few simple dishes, and De Shun, dusting himself off, happily walked away.

With only the father and daughter inside, the emperor asked, "What other health problems do you have? What can your father do for you?"

"Right now, there are still some gaps in my memory."

After Gui Yao helped the emperor relax, he sat down opposite him and said, "Father, you are already working hard on state affairs. I can handle my own affairs, so Father need not worry."

Besides, Xiao Huaijin has been performing rituals for the deceased in her name and doing good deeds for her these days.

However, she didn't say this, lest her father become jealous again.

Even if she didn't mention it, the emperor knew it was a pig that was stealing his cabbage; how could he not pay attention?

The secret guards reported that Xiao Huaijin had bought a lot of incense, candles, and paper money, and folded paper ingots at home every day, burning them all over the capital at night.

He could tell with his toes that he was definitely doing this for Zhuzhu'er, and that he was trying to please her.

However, he didn't mention it either, because it would break his heart. He had raised his daughter with great care, and he had always thought that when she got married, he would be extremely selective.

As a result, without his involvement at all, his daughter ended up with someone else's child.

But during the meal, he couldn't help but ask, "Daughter, what do you like about the Xiao family boy?"

I used to think Xiao Huaijin was a great guy, but now that I know he's my son-in-law, I feel like he's not good enough for my daughter at all.

Gui Yao stuffed a piece of pork rib into her mouth, spat out the bone, and smiled, "He's handsome, smart, gentle, and good to me."

The emperor choked.

Does it have that many advantages?

My daughter said yes, so be it; that's a reason to like it.

However, "My daughter, although he is smart and has some talent, he really has no ambition."

He's just someone who's coasting along.

With such outstanding daughters who care deeply about the common people, one diligent and the other lazy, can these two live together?

Gui Yao could tell from the emperor's slightly disgusted expression that he had a lot of opinions about Xiao Huaijin.

I decided to help Prince Jin. "With a ruler like Father Emperor, the Great Sheng Dynasty will eventually prosper and be peaceful. What I admire about him is his lack of ambition and humility."

Isn't this also a testament to his wisdom? What I really want is a simple and peaceful life, which he can provide.

Besides, I have just arrived in the capital, and he did not mind my appearance; he has taken such good care of me.

The emperor immediately thought of Gui Yao's skinned face, and his heart softened instantly.

When his daughter returned to the capital for the first time, she was unable to go home. Xiao Huaijin was very considerate and even built a restaurant so that his daughter could have a hot meal.

Thinking this way, his dissatisfaction with his son-in-law taking away his daughter dissipated considerably. He immediately instructed Li Deshun, "Send more of the fine brocades, fabrics, and jewelry suitable for men from my treasury to Prince Jin."

If his daughter thought Prince Jin was handsome, then he would have Xiao Huaijin dressed up even more handsomely so that his daughter would find him pleasing to the eye.

Gui Yao smiled and thanked Xiao Huaijin on his behalf, then asked the emperor, "Father, among the eight dukes and ten marquises, has any family lost a child?"

The emperor, who was serving her food, paused upon hearing this. "Why are you suddenly asking this?"

A daughter's question is never asked for nothing.

Gui Yao didn't hide anything from him and told him about her idea to add laws.

"Your Highness's Bureau of Extraordinary Events was originally established to find a destined person for me. Now that I am renowned, I have no shortage of destined people."

"Since the Bureau of Extraordinary Affairs is idle anyway, I thought I'd let them help the people find their lost relatives; that would be a good deed for me."

The emperor gave Gui Yao a long, wistful look.

Everyone says daughters are more outgoing, and he's certainly seen it for himself. His words were clearly meant to support Xiao Huaijin.

Without knowing that his daughter was in trouble, Xiao Huaijin had done a lot for her, so how could he possibly find fault with him?

"Alright, as you wish."

The emperor swallowed his bitterness. "I still need to have someone investigate the Eight Dukes and Ten Marquises. Do you want them to owe you favors?"

Gui Yao made no attempt to conceal his identity, put down his chopsticks, nodded, and then stared intently at the emperor.

"Father, if I successfully establish a girls' school and help countless people find their loved ones, could you bestow upon me the title of Prince Dangdang?"

"You want to be a prince?"

The emperor was not at all aware that his daughter had ambitions; on the contrary, he became quite interested.

Gui Yao nodded, "Your subject has never been a prince before."

She didn't say much about those ideas to elevate women's status and defy ancestral rules, but the emperor could understand them after careful consideration.

These words were both frank and a test.

The emperor put down his chopsticks, suddenly looked up and patted her head, "Good."

Based on her past achievements, she could easily become the crown prince, let alone a prince.

However, ancestral rules cannot be violated; at the very least, the emperor himself cannot lead the way in defying ancestral rules. Otherwise, how can he govern the country?

But if the people's voice is heard and even the most powerful and influential figures agree, then he is acting in accordance with the will of the people.

This is why the daughter wanted to help the eight dukes and ten marquises find their children.

Knowing that his daughter was winning people's hearts, the emperor had no fear or precautions.

The reason why emperors throughout history were wary and guarded against their children was simply because they feared losing their empire.

But emperors are ultimately just mortals, living at most a hundred years, and sooner or later the throne will be handed over to their children.

His children wouldn't risk his life for the sake of the country, so what is there for him to guard against?

The emperor ruffled Gui Yao's hair again. "Father is very happy."

He was pleased that his daughter, as always, was open and honest with him.

He was luckier than many emperors because he had such an outstanding daughter. His other children, though not very capable, were not particularly wicked either.

Gui Yao was also happy, happy that her father really loved her as De Shun had said; otherwise, what emperor could tolerate her ambition?

The father and daughter enjoyed a pleasant dinner and then strolled back to Prince Jin's residence.

The prince hadn't gone out to burn paper money yet; he was folding paper ingots. When he saw her, he smiled and stood up. "I heard you've returned to the city, so I had the kitchen prepare a meal."

We're just waiting for Gui Yao to come back so we can eat together.

Gui Yao was full and not hungry. She took the prince's hand and asked, "Is Your Highness hungry?"

Xiao Huaijin had been folding paper ingots all afternoon and hadn't moved much. "I'm not very hungry, what's wrong?"

"I miss the Prince."

Gui Yao hugged his neck, blinked, and wanted to spend some more time with the prince.

Mao Dan poked its head out from the pile of papers, rolled its eyes, and said, "Master, be reserved."

"Hey, why didn't you go back to be with Qingqing?"

Gui Yao was in a good mood today. She let go of the prince, scooped up Mao Dan, and kissed it on the head. "I missed Mao Dan too."

The bird immediately stammered shyly, "Master, Master, Master, man, man, men and women should not touch each other."

"Hahaha."

Gui Yao burst into laughter, hugging and kissing the bird's head repeatedly, saying, "You're a bird, so I'll kiss you, I'll kiss you..."

"Brother-in-law, brother-in-law."

Mao Dan cried out for help, "Do something about her!"

Despite shouting, Bird Head didn't flinch an inch. Xiao Huaijin saw through it but didn't say anything, letting Gui Yao be happy.

Laughter filled the air, but the man in black was in a terrible state at the mass grave. As soon as it got dark, Bai Yunshu led a bunch of ghosts around in front of him, scaring him so much that his back was soaked with sweat and his eyes were wide open.

After the rooster crowed, the scene finally quieted down, and he was able to move again. He used his light-footed skill to return to the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion.

He plopped down on the edge of the Duke of Zhenguo's bed and said pitifully, "Father, that Gui Yao is too evil. He haunted me all night. I was almost scared to death."

Zhenguo Gongzheng was fast asleep when he suddenly appeared, which startled him greatly. He gasped for breath, "Why are you only coming back at this hour?"

The man then recounted what had happened the previous day and asked, "Godfather, Gui Yao is so powerful that I am no match for him."

You wouldn't be upset that your son has been wandering the world for years and hasn't returned, so you're deliberately using her to punish him, would you?

The Duke of Zhenguo glared at him. "In your heart, am I that bad?"

"You've been hiding outside for years without returning; if I weren't so pleased, I would have dragged you back long ago."

The man thought about it and realized it made sense; his godfather had many capable men under him, so it wouldn't be difficult to capture him.

The Duke of Zhenguo glanced at him. "I heard you got into a fight with Zhang Tuo as soon as you returned today?"

Zhang Tuo was the second adopted son of the Duke of Zhenguo.

The man before them was Zhang Ming, the first adopted son of the Duke of Zhenguo.

Mentioning this, Zhang Ming looked even more depressed. "Godfather, you've wronged your son this time. As soon as I returned to Beijing, he blocked my way and provoked me. When he couldn't beat me, he threw mud at me."

A man nearing forty is still so childish, causing his son, at his age, to go swimming in the river and be watched by an old woman.

If I hadn't received your letter, which sent my son to the mass grave to test Gui Yao's whereabouts, I would have thrown him into the cesspool.

The Duke of Zhenguo looked helpless. "When will you all grow up?"

Then he adopted a serious expression, "Let it go this time, but never show the birthmark on the back of your neck in public again, lest it bring you trouble."

Zhang Ming nodded.

His adoptive father said that he was the son of a disgraced official, a crime punishable by death, but he was saved by his adoptive father. However, he had a birthmark on the back of his neck, and fearing that someone would recognize him, he rarely showed the birthmark.

I was really caught off guard by Zhang Tuo today. He hit me on the back of the neck with mud, so I had to tie up my hair and take off my clothes to wash myself.

"However, that woman must have seen it today. Should we have our son investigate who she is?"

The Duke of Zhenguo waved his hand, "No need, I have already had Zhang Ming investigate. She is just an ordinary woman and would not know your identity."

Alright, look at the bruises under your eyes. Go wash up and go to bed. I have something to tell you later.

Zhang Ming just wanted to take a nice hot bath and get a good night's sleep, so he didn't think much of it.

Not long after he left, the secret room of the Duke of Zhenguo's bedroom was opened, and a woman in black robes appeared before his bed. "Is this your method for dealing with Gui Yao?"