Princess, she is the one who facilitated the extradition.

The Prince of Shu dipped his finger in water and wrote the two characters "Xuanji" on the table.

"Uncle Emperor, is there something wrong with the Xuanji Tower?"

The emperor looked at the two words on the table, his heart pounding with anxiety, though he showed no sign of it on his face.

"I was merely curious; I had no idea such a mysterious thing truly existed in the world."

The Emperor clasped his hands tightly on his knees. "Xiao Huaijin only mentioned that a woman had helped you, without mentioning Xuanji Tower. I trusted you and didn't send anyone to investigate further."

It's also because his health has been deteriorating in recent years; he remembers things one moment and forgets to do them the next.

"I'm sorry, Your Majesty, it was my own selfish reason."

The Prince of Shu hurriedly knelt down, "Miss Guiyao has done me a great favor. She is a recluse, and I did not want her to reveal herself too much, which is why I kept it a secret."

In reality, it was Xiao Huaijin who initially didn't want Gui Yao to attract the attention of the royal family, which is why the two of them downplayed Gui Yao in their narrative.

But now that Gui Yao has come before the Emperor and the recent events have occurred, the Prince of Shu thought that since the Emperor already knows about it, he might as well help Gui Yao gain some merit so that he can obtain the Emperor's protection.

In his heart, his uncle was the best and most benevolent emperor, and seeing Gui Yao's pitiful state, he would surely be willing to protect her.

"Get up, I know you are a righteous child."

The emperor looked at him and said, "You are close to her only because she has done you a favor? You cannot hide this from me."

The Prince of Shu's parents died early, and he truly received the emperor's favor, so he was unwilling to lie. "Uncle Emperor, don't you think she looks a bit like Sister Baozhu?"

To be honest, I think some of them are perhaps extremely intelligent and kind women.

But her life was full of hardships, and her nephew couldn't bear to see her suffer, so he took her in as his sister.

"This matter was not reported to my Imperial Uncle, and the decision was made in private. It was truly impulsive, and I beg my Imperial Uncle to punish me."

"Like Pearl?"

The emperor's palms began to sweat. He had only been thinking about her, his nephew's sweetheart, and then he was frightened by her face. He hadn't thought about anything else.

The Prince of Shu then recounted his findings in detail, adding, "Also, look at her clothes; they're all sparkly."

Baozhu loved all things shiny since she was little, and at that time, some palace maids tried to please the emperor.

According to ancient legends, dragons are drawn to the light of pearls and are naturally fond of sparkly things. The Pearl Sister is said to be the reincarnation of a true dragon.

Upon hearing those words, the emperor's uncle immediately frowned, and he never saw that palace maid again in the palace after that.

As he grew older, he vaguely guessed his uncle's meaning: he did not want his sister Baozhu to be too prominent, especially since the Great Sheng Dynasty respected male superiority and female inferiority, and even if it were a true dragon, it should be the crown prince.

Otherwise, if word gets out, it will bring trouble to Baozhu.

However, Baozhu's fondness for sparkly things was never stopped by her uncle.

The emperor was drenched in sweat after hearing this. He shook his head and said, "You have few relatives. Right now, you are the only one in the Prince of Shu's mansion. If you want to adopt a younger sister, then go ahead."

The son was adopted, and the daughter was born from someone else's stolen body. The emperor also felt sorry for this nephew.

but.

"But your precious little sister is in Nanyao, she's doing well there."

These words were said to the Prince of Shu, but more like they were said to himself.

The Prince of Shu was unaware of the Emperor's worries, but seeing that his expression seemed rather unwell, he said, "Uncle, let me escort you back to the palace."

It had been several years since I last saw him, and my uncle had aged considerably. At over forty years old, his hair had turned gray, making him look like an elderly man in his sixties.

The Prince of Shu suspected that he might have a health problem and was worried.

The emperor shook his head again, "I'm fine."

He wanted to see Guiyao again to see if she was like her Zhuzhu'er, as his nephew had said.

But Xiao Huaijin also came with Gui Yao.

Xiao Huaijin bowed to the emperor. "I saw Yaoyao downstairs and, upon learning that you were also here, I came here with her."

Where is she?

They're calling each other so intimately, could it be...?

"Is this girl your fiancée?"

The emperor was taken aback; Xiao Huaijin seemed completely unconcerned about Gui Yao's expression.

Then he realized that the reason Xiao Huaijin had a fiancée was all the work of those scoundrels under him.

Xiao Huaijin nodded with a smile, "Yaoyao is indeed Huaijin's fiancée."

The emperor had suspected from the start that Xiao Huaijin's sudden addition of a fiancée was just a pretext to appease the officials of Dasheng.

Now I feel even more strongly that he and Gui Yao are not real. No matter how enlightened the Emperor and Empress of Nan Yao are, they would not allow a woman with a disfigured appearance to be a princess.

Thinking of this, a hint of pity flashed in his eyes as he looked at Gui Yao, but it disappeared in an instant.

Gui Yao was also looking at him, and caught a glimpse of pity, but was somewhat puzzled.

A tassel unconsciously wrapped around her finger, twirling at her fingertip.

The emperor's pupils contracted slightly; it was one of Zhuzhu'er's little habits when she was thinking.

Looking at Gui Yao's entire outfit, it was indeed sparkly, just like his Zhu Zhu'er.

He couldn't sit still any longer and raised his hand to Li Deshun, "I've been out for a long time and I'm tired. You young people can have fun."

Li Deshun hurriedly stepped forward to help him. When they reached the door, the emperor suddenly turned to look at the Prince of Shu, "What you just said, let's postpone it for now."

His daughter Zhuzhu wrote to him a while ago, saying that she was doing well in Nanyao.

A girl as capable and intelligent as her would never be so shameless; it's absolutely impossible.

Gui Yao may have been deliberately imitating Zhu Zhu'er, and her nephew is also soft-hearted.

"De Shun, send your most trusted person to Nan Yao, and be quick..."

Once inside the carriage, the emperor immediately gave instructions to Li Deshun.

Before Nan Yao sends word, it's best for my nephew not to reveal his relationship with Gui Yao to the public, lest he be taken advantage of.

"Send someone to investigate her more thoroughly."

"She" refers to Gui Yao, and Li Deshun quickly agreed.

Gui Yao watched from upstairs as the horse gradually departed, her eyes deep and unfathomable.

Xiao Huaijin walked to her side. "Why did you suddenly come here?"

Gui Yao smiled, "I was summoned here along with the Prince of Shu."

Xiao Huaijin immediately understood the situation and turned to the Prince of Shu, "Does Your Highness not intend to be frank with His Majesty?"

Last time, the Prince of Shu sent silver to Xuanji Tower, which caused Xiao Huaijin to misunderstand, so Xiao Huaijin investigated the Prince of Shu.

Considering that Gui Yao only seemed to care about Zhao Mingyue after arriving in the capital, the betrothal gifts that Gui Yao helped collect must have belonged to Zhao Mingyue.

The person the Prince of Shu was looking for was Zhao Mingyue, but Gui Yao didn't say so, so he naturally wouldn't remind the Prince of Shu.

Upon learning that the Prince of Shu had gone to Xuanji Tower, and that this street led to the Zhao family, Xiao Huaijin knew that the Prince of Shu also knew the truth.

But it implicated his mistress.

"I've heard that His Majesty wishes to remarry you."

Xiao Huaijin looked at the Prince of Shu, his eyes indifferent, "His Majesty dotes on his nephew and is unwilling to force you, but those who want to curry favor with His Majesty may not be so."

The Prince of Shu was pondering the meaning of the emperor's words when he heard this, and immediately stood up.

"Sister, go to the Zhao family and wait for me. I'm going to the palace."

He wanted to find out why his uncle wouldn't let him publicly swear brotherhood with Gui Yao, and he also needed to tell his uncle about Mingyue.

The Prince of Shu fled in a flash.

Xiao Huaijin squeezed Gui Yao's palm, "Why did you acknowledge him as your elder brother?"

Gui Yao's eyes flickered. "He's so good to me. Should I become the prince's younger sister too?"

"Nonsense."

Xiao Huaijin flicked her forehead, "You are my fiancée."

How to treat my future wife as my brother and sister.

If she really wanted to call him "brother," she could do so in her bedroom after they got married.

Thinking of this, my ears turned red again.

Gui Yao stepped forward curiously, "What is Your Highness thinking about?"

This person blushes easily, yet their skin is as white as jade; even a little redness looks like rouge.

So lovely.

Fortunately, it's hers.

How could Xiao Huaijin possibly tell her his own thoughts? He quickly changed the subject, "Are you going to the Zhao family to ask about Jishengtang?"

Gui Yao's eyes brightened slightly. "Has Your Highness already investigated?"

"Um."

Xiao Huaijin nodded. "Sui'er went to Jishengtang in Xinglanfang, which is a property under Princess Chengle's name."

Just as you guessed, the medicine from that pharmacy was problematic; they've been keeping an eye on Sui'er for a while now.

Gui Yao's gaze turned cold. "What else did you find out?"

The prince is decisive and efficient; there must be more to come.

Xiao Huaijin, however, took her hand and walked outside, saying, "Perhaps I know who this so-called mountain god is. Let me take you to see him."