Chapter 489: Chapter 488: Gemstone
Du Yunluo glanced at Zhuang Ke.
The so-called ancestral rule is nothing more than that women of foreign clans cannot become the legitimate wives of the Royal Family. Even in the Holy Emperor’s harem, there are several concubines of alien clans, whose ranks are not high due to their origins.
But Prince Shun’s situation is quite different from the Holy Emperor’s. Not to mention a Princess Consort, he doesn’t even have a concubine or a concubine not recorded on the family register.
It seemed that Prince Shun’s woman might only be Zhuang Ke’s mother, and with both husband and wife having passed away for many years, with the Empress Dowager’s intervention, and the Holy Emperor wanting to elevate the status of the Dingyuan Marquis Mansion, perhaps that barbarian woman might indeed be recorded in the family register.
In this way, Zhuang Ke’s status would be different.
Given Du Yunluo’s age, she definitely knows nothing about the life of Consort Zhuang of the late Emperor.
However, observing the attitudes of the Empress Dowager and the Imperial Consort, it seemed they were very close to Consort Zhuang. They harbored deep concerns over the unknown fate of Prince Shun Li Xian, and the sudden appearance of Zhuang Ke swiftly filled the hearts of these two elderly women.
The Empress Dowager asked about Li Xian’s life outside the pass and sent someone to report at the Imperial Study Room.
Zhuang Ke was much calmer at this point.
People may bear some resemblance, but when not just the appearance, but even the names and ages align, it’s too much of a coincidence.
Moreover, in Zhuang Ke’s heart, he also hoped to find relatives of his father, regardless of their origins, whether impoverished or noble; Zhuang Ke wished to meet them.
Little did he expect that his father hailed from the most honorable Royal Family under heaven, was a direct son of the late Emperor, and a brother to the current Holy Emperor.
Zhuang Ke spoke leisurely about life outside the pass, about how his father taught the people at the Oasis to speak Chinese, about riding horses through the Great Desert with his father, about the beautiful handwriting of his father...
"Child, is your handwriting similar to your father’s?" asked the Empress Dowager.
Zhuang Ke pondered and replied, "Since childhood, I’ve learned from my father. I think I’ve managed to imitate about seventy percent."
The Empress Dowager nodded, and with clear understanding, Aunt Ming prepared paper and pen. Zhuang Ke picked up the pen, unsure of what to write at first, then wrote "As vast as the heavens, unparalleled like Xian Xian."
After drying it slightly, Zhuang Ke presented the paper to the Empress Dowager.
Seeing the handwriting, the Empress Dowager couldn’t help but tremble as she held the edges of the paper.
As Zhuang Ke stated, most of the writing bore seventy percent resemblance to Li Xian, but the two characters Xian were exactly like Li Xian’s own handwriting.
The sound of greetings was heard outside as the Holy Emperor arrived.
The Holy Emperor entered, followed by Crown Prince Li Ke, Princely Heir Li Yu of Prince Cheng, with Mu Liankang and Mu Lianxiao at the rear.
Greetings were exchanged on both sides.
Quietly, Brother Yan saw Mu Lianxiao, called out in joy, and reached out for a hug.
Du Yunluo lowered her eyes.
The Holy Emperor glanced at Brother Yan, sat beside the Empress Dowager, and asked with a smile, "How old is he?"
"He turned one year old last month," Mu Lianxiao replied.
"Oh?" The Holy Emperor raised an eyebrow and asked, "What did he grab for his zodiac?"
Mu Lianxiao shook his head: "On the exact day, we were on our way back to the capital and haven’t had the chance to make up for it since arriving back."
The Holy Emperor understood and said, "It’s in childhood that they’re closest; if he wants you to hold him, then you should. The Imperial Grandson clung to me as a child, cried if I ignored him, and now avoids me when he sees me."
The words left Li Ke sweating profusely, wanting to defend his son but unable to find an appropriate moment.
The Holy Emperor’s gaze focused on Zhuang Ke, observing him closely, and said, "You indeed strongly resemble Lady Zhuang. If you stood over there, even I might mistake you. I heard that my fifth brother has already passed?"
Zhuang Ke nodded respectfully, "Father has passed away."
"Did he leave anything behind before he died?" the Holy Emperor sighed and asked.
Zhuang Ke frowned in thought, while Mu Liankang subtly glanced at Zhuang Ke.
That his wife was the daughter of Prince Shun was something Mu Liankang had never considered.
One could say he had long forgotten the old events. On this trip to the capital, Mu Lianxiao only discussed the current state of the nobles with him, and as for Prince Shun who disappeared decades ago, even Mu Lianxiao couldn’t clearly remember, let alone Mu Liankang.
He indeed didn’t care about who Zhuang Ke truly was, just as Zhuang Ke never cared about his background.
Whether he was a Han people lost outside the pass and brought back by the chief to the Oasis, or the eldest grandson of Dingyuan Marquis Mansion inside the pass, it made no difference in Zhuang Ke’s heart.
Similarly, in Mu Liankang’s eyes, whether Zhuang Ke was of Royal Bloodline or the Pearl of the Oasis, she was his wife.
However, the sudden change somewhat surprised Mu Liankang, but thinking back to the carefree yet innately noble demeanor of his father-in-law, he felt that being born as a Prince was as it should be.
Zhuang Ke couldn’t recall anything else her father left, but Mu Liankang remembered something.
"Responding to the Holy Emperor, my father-in-law left a gemstone," Mu Liankang said.
At this, Zhuang Ke also remembered.
At her father’s deathbed, Zhuang Ke was just pregnant with Sister Ying. Her father gave her this gemstone, saying if the child was a girl, she should let her play with it.
As it turned out, it was indeed a girl, and Zhuang Ke kept delaying, fearing young Sister Ying wouldn’t cherish and lose the memento left by the elder, so she kept it, intending to give it to Sister Ying when she was older.
This gemstone is probably lying in her jewelry box now.
The Holy Emperor kept Zhuang Ke for conversation and sent Mu Liankang back to the mansion to fetch it, and also to bring Sister Ying and Brother Hui over to meet the Empress Dowager and the Imperial Consort.
Mu Liankang returned alone to the mansion, found the gemstone from the jewelry box, and then went to Mrs. Xu to pick up the two children.
Mrs. Xu, seeing him return alone, asked in wonder: "Where’s your wife? Where are Lian Xiao and his wife?"
Mu Liankang, eager to return to the palace, hastily said to Mrs. Xu: "Mother, A Ke’s background might not be ordinary."
Mrs. Xu’s heart skipped a beat.
"They say in the palace that she is the daughter of Prince Shun."
The teacup in Mrs. Xu’s hand nearly fell onto the table; she took a deep breath: "Prince Shun? The fifth prince of the late Emperor?"
Seeing Mu Liankang nod, Mrs. Xu murmured: "Could there be a mistake?"
"In Cining Palace, they have confirmed it, saying she is exactly like Consort Zhuang of the late Emperor, and the Holy Emperor is still questioning, asking me to fetch this gemstone left by my father-in-law." Mu Liankang handed the gemstone to Mrs. Xu.
Women best understand the value of gemstones.
With one look, Mrs. Xu knew that this gemstone was no ordinary item. For Zhuang Ke’s father to produce such a gemstone, his origin must not be simple.
"Then you should head to the palace first, keep this matter under wraps, if rumors spread and the palace denies it, it would make a laughingstock of us," Mrs. Xu advised.
Mu Liankang nodded with a smile, knowing Mrs. Xu was considering Zhuang Ke. Zhuang Ke’s bloodline would indeed provoke gossip, and further rumors might bring forth additional whispers behind their backs.
They couldn’t resort to harsh words to quibble with rumors; it would only end up being detrimental to Zhuang Ke.
Mrs. Xu helped the two children into the carriage.
After living together these days, she genuinely liked Zhuang Ke. Whatever her daughter-in-law’s background might be, Mrs. Xu had come to accept it; what she sought was a peaceful family.
Yet at this moment, Mrs. Xu couldn’t help feeling a bit thrilled.
If Zhuang Ke were a noble of esteemed birth, their branch of the family would rise along with the tides, and the second branch, wanting to scheme against them, would have to think twice.
Even if they couldn’t crush the second branch terribly, causing them much bitterness and frustration would greatly please Mrs. Xu.