When the Emperor suddenly appeared in the garden, everyone clearly panicked. Meeting the Emperor in person was the most honorable and solemn matter. During the court exam, the palace would prepare emergency pills for the older students to prevent them from fainting from being too excited when they saw the Emperor.
The servants of the Cheng and Huo families felt like they were about to faint. Disregarding the normal servants, the two daughters of Cheng Yujin and Cheng Yumo had only seen wang fei and junwang fei in their lives. They had never even seen the niangniang of the palace. Now that they suddenly saw the Emperor, their feelings were similar to that of an old scholar attending the court exam.
Huo Changyuan had seen the Emperor before, but it had always been with the civil and military officials. Even when he had been asked by the Emperor at the palace banquet, they had been separated by half the palace. It was rare for him to meet alone and in private like this. He was very nervous. The only person present who was calm was probably Cheng Yuanjing.
One could not be careless with the etiquette in front of the Emperor. No matter if the Emperor had passed by them or not seen them, the moment they heard that the Emperor had arrived, they should have lowered their heads and bowed until the imperial procession had passed.
After the Emperor entered the garden, a taijian naturally told him about the situation in the garden. When the Emperor heard that there were people in the pavilion, he seemed to suddenly become interested and walked straight towards them.
As the Emperor came closer, Huo Changyuan's body visibly tensed, and Cheng Yumo's face turned pale. Cheng Yujin glanced at Cheng Yuanjing out of the corner of her eyes and understood.
The Emperor's trip this time was for Cheng Yuanjing. The Emperor's every action in the palace was watched by tens of thousands of people. He could not summon Cheng Yuanjing alone. When accompanying the Empress Dowager out of the palace, the rules were relaxed. No one could stop the Emperor from walking around the garden.
The Emperor's movements were not a secret. If the Emperor met someone in the garden, everyone would know. Cheng Yuanjing still needed to conceal his identity. If they met alone, it would attract too much attention. If Empress Dowager Yang and Yang Shoufu heard about it, they might become suspicious of Cheng Yuanjing's identity. The Emperor could not let Cheng Yuanjing take the risk, so they needed a cover.
Huo Changyuan was just right. His status was neither high nor low. It was not so low that he would be suspected if he met the Emperor, nor was it so high that he would have any dealings with the Yang Family. Furthermore, Huo Changyuan's title had been mentioned by the Emperor a few times. After the Emperor ran into him, it was reasonable for him to stop and ask a few questions.
Cheng Yujin finally understood. No wonder Cheng Yuanjing and Huo Changyuan were walking together. No wonder Huo Changyuan followed Cheng Yuanjing into the garden without saying much. The garden was open to everyone, so it was not strange to meet anyone.
Cheng Yujin silently sympathized with Huo Changyuan, this idiot. He did not even know that he was being used as a shield. Huo Changyuan definitely did not realize that his movements were being controlled. Even the timing and place he walked into the garden was unknowingly influenced by Cheng Yuanjing. Cheng Yujin and Cheng Yumo appearing here could be said to be a coincidence, but it was also not a coincidence.
Old Lady Cheng also wanted to use the garden as a platform to let Zhai Yanlin meet Cheng Yujin. Old Lady Cheng clearly knew that Cheng Yujin was very outstanding as a front. No matter if it was a man or a woman, after seeing Cheng Yujin in person, they would only be more satisfied. Old Lady Cheng had single-handedly arranged for the meeting. Who knew that Cheng Yujin would arrive at the garden at the exact same time as Cheng Yuanjing.
Huo Changyuan and Cheng Yumo were husband and wife, so when they met, they would naturally leave together. As a result, Cheng Yujin also became a part of the meeting.
Cheng Yujin silently sighed. Her luck today was too mysterious. Cheng Yumo was Huo Changyuan's wife, Cheng Yujin was Marchioness's older sister, and Cheng Yuanjing was their Ninth Uncle. The appearance of the four of them in the garden was not abrupt, and it was reasonable. It was better for them to conceal themselves than Huo Changyuan alone. This was also the reason why Cheng Yuanjing did not stop Huo Changyuan from seeing Cheng Yumo.
Everyone lowered their heads in greeting. When they sensed the Emperor approaching, they lowered their bodies even more. When the Emperor walked in front of Cheng Yuanjing, Cheng Yujin felt that the Emperor's footsteps clearly paused.
Cheng Yujin lowered her eyes and silently stared at the cracks on the ground. She did not look at the golden dragon embroidery in front of her. The eunuchs had already arranged the pavilion. All of the Cheng Family's items had been removed and replaced with a set of bright yellow.
The Emperor quickly returned to his senses and continued to walk forward. After he sat down, he said in an easy-going manner, "This Emperor does not want to make a big fuss. There is no need for you to be restrained. You may all rise."
Huo Changyuan stood up in fear and trepidation. After he stood up, his head was still lowered. He did not dare to casually glance around. Cheng Yumo's face was even paler. She followed closely behind Huo Changyuan, hiding half of her body behind Huo Changyuan.
The Emperor looked very easy-going, like a gentle elder. He asked, "This Emperor remembers you. Has the Huo family's title been settled?"
Huo Changyuan did not expect the Emperor to be so kind. After so long, he still remembered the Huo family's title. Huo Changyuan was overwhelmed by the favor. He said, "Replying to Your Majesty, Marquis Jingyong's title has been settled. This subject thanks Your Majesty for your generosity! "
The Emperor smiled and nodded. In fact, he already knew about this matter. Now that he mentioned it, it was just to start a conversation.
As expected, as the Emperor spoke, his gaze naturally and warmly fell on the others. "Are these people your relatives?"
Cheng Yumo was dressed like a newlywed. She was nestled behind Huo Changyuan. It was not difficult to guess her identity. Huo Changyuan felt that the Emperor was too easy-going today. He even asked about his family matters. Huo Changyuan was in fear and trepidation as he carefully introduced them. "Thank Your Majesty for your concern. This subject is overwhelmed by your favor. This is this subject's wife. This is … "
Huo Changyuan was about to introduce the others one by one. When his palm touched Cheng Yuanjing, Cheng Yuanjing took a step to the side and avoided Huo Changyuan's pointing. He cupped his hands and said, "This subject Cheng Yuanjing greets Your Majesty. I wish Your Majesty's divine body to be in good health and peace. "
The Emperor's eyes could finally openly fall on Cheng Yuanjing. When he heard these two sentences, the rims of his eyes turned sour and tears almost fell. Ever since the eighth year of Jianwu, the father and son had to live separately. The Emperor had not personally heard Cheng Yuanjing speak for a full fourteen years. Every New Year and birthday, Cheng Yuanjing would personally write a congratulatory letter and have it delivered to the palace by his trusted eunuch. However, how could a letter compare to his son standing in front of him and personally speaking?
Moreover, for safety reasons, the Emperor burned these letters after reading them without exception. During other times of the year, the Emperor would miss his deceased wife and eldest son. He could not take them out for a second look even if he wanted to.
The Emperor lived in the palace and was accompanied by a large number of internal officials at all times. It was impossible for him to meet someone in private. On the surface, Cheng Yuanjing's identity was Marquis of Yichun's ninth son. There was no reason for him to enter the palace. The Emperor clearly knew where his eldest son was and what he had done recently, but he had not personally seen him for many years.
The last time he saw his eldest son was during the 19th year of Jianwu. At that time, many new candidates entered the palace. Cheng Yuanjing followed in the crowd and bowed his head to greet him.
The father and son did not know each other. That was the first time the father and son met after Cheng Yuanjing was sent to Qingxuan Observatory when he was six. Even so, the Emperor had to restrain his emotions and not reveal the slightest bit of abnormality. These people were new candidates. The Emperor should not have recognized them.
During the palace examination, the Emperor could not resist and personally went down to see the candidates answer the questions. He did not dare to directly stop beside Cheng Yuanjing. He could only pretend to be curious and stand beside the candidates beside Cheng Yuanjing. He used this action to secretly look at Cheng Yuanjing.
In the blink of an eye, ten years had passed. This child had grown up. His back was straight and he was tall and handsome. He was sick every day when he was young, but now he was all grown up. Cheng Yuanjing sensed that the Emperor was looking at him, but he did not turn his head. The Emperor only noticed that his handwriting was very beautiful.
Later, the Emperor followed Cheng Yuanjing's wishes and sent him out to gain experience. They did not see each other for three years.
This was the closest the father and son had been to each other for fourteen years. It could even be said that this was the only time they had met.
The Emperor could tell that Cheng Yuanjing's last sentence, "May the Holy Body be healthy and prosperous, may the world be peaceful", was the words from this year's birthday speech. Now that he said it again, he was personally giving the Emperor his birthday blessings. The Emperor was both sad and gratified. However, when he heard his eldest son say that his name was Cheng Yuanjing, he felt that it was very jarring.
His surname was not Cheng Yuanjing, and he was definitely not Cheng Yuanjing. He was Daqi's Crown Prince, Li Seung-kyung.
Thinking of this, the Emperor glanced at the other woman. Speaking of birthday speeches, the Cheng Family had done something interesting this year. In previous years, the Emperor had burned all of the speeches after reading them. Not a single one was kept. However, this year, the Cheng Family came up with a new idea. They used a double-sided embroidered screen and sent it as a birthday gift from the Marquis Household. In this way, they bypassed the Crown Prince and the Emperor could openly express his love. He could also place the item in front of his desk and observe it every day. He did not have to destroy it because he had no choice.
Although the Cheng Family had not done much for many years, they were very obedient. They did whatever the Palace told them to do. At this time, the Cheng Family's lack of ambition and lack of presence became an advantage. This way, they could hide Cheng Yuanjing very well. There was enough time for Cheng Yuanjing to grow up.
This year's screen was another thing that the Emperor was very satisfied with.
Cheng Yujin stood below and heard the Emperor casually ask a few questions about the Huo family. Then, he naturally led the topic to Cheng Yuanjing. When she heard Cheng Yuanjing greet the Emperor, Cheng Yujin couldn't help but sigh in her heart.
Every family had its difficulties, and the Imperial Family was not spared. Just as she was sighing, she vaguely felt the Emperor's gaze sweep over her. Cheng Yujin immediately reacted and performed a blessed ceremony. "This official's daughter, the eldest daughter of the Marquis of Yichun and the daughter of the Princess Qingfu, pays respects to Your Majesty."
The eldest daughter of the Marquis of Yichun. The Emperor slowly had an impression of her. It seemed that the person embroidered the screen was the eldest granddaughter of the Cheng Family. The Emperor looked at Cheng Yujin again and was surprised. The Cheng Family was not promising, but he didn't expect their daughter to be so well-educated. The Emperor had seen many women pay respects to him, and he could be said to be an expert in this field. Cheng Yujin's actions just now were even more standard than the steward aunties in the palace who specialized in correcting the manners of the imperial concubines.
Standard but not inflexible, it was rare. There was also the double-sided embroidery on the screen. Although it was written by Cheng Yuanjing, it was not easy to embroider the charm on it. The Emperor originally thought that the main embroiderer would have at least twenty years of embroidery skills. He didn't expect that it would be so young.
The Emperor looked at Cheng Yujin a few more times and said, "You may all rise."
Cheng Yuanjing and Cheng Yujin then stood up together. The Emperor looked at the scene in front of him and felt an inexplicable sense of emotion. He said, "The last time I saw Huo Changyuan, I felt a sense of familiarity. He was very similar to the Crown Prince that I lost in my early years. I didn't expect that when we met again, you were already married. "
Huo Changyuan lowered his head and said, "Thank you, Your Majesty, for your concern. The Crown Prince's good fortune fills the heavens. Heaven helps the worthy. I'm sure that we will find him soon. "
Huo Changyuan was originally speaking casually to flatter the Emperor, but when he said these words, the atmosphere in the pavilion suddenly became subtle. Cheng Yujin lowered her head and thought that what he said was true. His Highness, the Crown Prince, would probably be found soon.
Today, the Emperor's "accidental" encounter with the Cheng Family was a very important foundation for finding the Crown Prince. The Emperor couldn't announce to the world that he already knew the whereabouts of the Crown Prince. The Crown Prince was suddenly recognized, there had to be an opportunity to explain it.
However, the Emperor seemed to become more and more excited as he spoke. He asked Huo Changyuan with great interest, "When did you get married? How long has it been?"
Huo Changyuan answered truthfully, "Your Majesty, this subject got married in September of this year. It has been three months since then."
The Emperor nodded thoughtfully, "It has been three months. I remember that you are about the same age as the Crown Prince, only one year older than him. Your age of marriage is already considered late. If the Crown Prince were among the common people, I don't know if he would be married by now. "
In the ears of those who didn't know the truth, the Emperor's words could be said to be full of love for his son. Even though his son had already gone missing, he was still concerned about whether his son was doing well and whether he had married and had children. Unfortunately, Cheng Yujin unfortunately knew a little more. Now that she heard it again, she felt that it was funny and helpless.
Cheng Yujin secretly looked at Cheng Yuanjing. As expected, Cheng Yuanjing's expression wasn't too good. Sure enough, all parents were the same. Even if they weren't in front of them, they could still beat around the bush and urge them to get married.
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