Seeing that Lian Chengyi did not react for a long time, King Wucheng walked over, helped him up from the ground, and said earnestly:
"This King knows that you have always regarded this King as your father since you were young, and how could this King not wish to acknowledge you as his son.
But there is no wall that is impenetrable. In order to deceive my suspicious elder brother, this King could only act as your adoptive father.
In fact, you are considered fortunate. Your brother Xu Shouxin never saw this King before he was murdered, nor did he know his true identity."
Having finally recovered from the shocking fact of going from 'adoptive father' to 'biological father', Lian Chengyi asked with some difficulty:
"Father King, besides brother Xu Shouxin, were there other brothers?"
"Of course."
King Wucheng sat back down in the rattan chair, beginning to reminisce:
"Besides Xu Shouxin, you have another younger brother who was implicated by his maternal grandfather some years ago and不幸 died in a fire.
So, the only ones still alive are you and your other brother."
"Another brother?"
"Although your other brother received royal education from childhood, it was precisely because he was born into royalty that his personality became arrogant and he was very self-important.
Although he was the first to know his true identity, you, Chengyi, are still the successor this King has the highest hopes for.
So Chengyi, you must not disappoint Father King again!"
A flicker of struggle crossed Lian Chengyi's eyes, but seeing his biological father's trusting gaze, he cupped his hands and responded:
"Yes, Father King!"
Seeing this, King Wucheng nodded with satisfaction, and then a slight smile touched his lips:
"By the way, Chengyi, this King just received news from a secret informant in the palace and learned something extremely interesting."
With that, King Wucheng gestured for Lian Chengyi to look at the pigeon message on the table.
Lian Chengyi picked up the note, glanced at it, and was so shocked that his lips trembled.
"This, this..."
"Chengyi, this King orders you to go back and continue to stay by Lin Jingxing's side and await this King's signal.
Hmph, what if he has the jade pendant bestowed by the Supreme Emperor?
If this King wants someone dead before dawn, even Yama would not dare to keep them past the fifth watch!
Lin Jingxing, this King is determined to take your life!"
At the same time.
Unaware that King Wucheng was thinking of him again, Lin Qingge had just changed back into comfortable male attire. Before she could retire, Ling Han brought Wu Suowei back.
As Lin Zimo had been led to rest by Empress Dowager by Nanny Yu, Lin Qingge naturally pulled Leng Ningyue to share her room.
Under the pretense that the imperial palace was not as safe as the Lin residence, claiming that there were always villains trying to harm her official.
Thus, Lin Qingge, a fourth-rank minor official, brazenly shared a room with the newly appointed Empress.
The most crucial point was that even if the new Emperor found out, he could not say anything. Instead, he would have to dispatch his attendants to discipline the eunuchs and maids of Changshou Palace one by one, making him mentally exhausted and withdrawn.
So when Wu Suowei descended from the roof beam and pushed open the door to enter the room, he was first met not by Master Lin, but by Madam Lin, who was sitting coldly by the table.
"Uh—
Madam, it, it was the Master who summoned me."
Subconsciously offering this explanation, Wu Suowei suppressed the urge to flee and stood by the door.
"Oh, Wu Suowei is here."
Lin Qingge, having just washed her face, draped the towel over her shoulder and beckoned the newcomer to sit.
However, even if Wu Suowei were given a hundred times his courage, he would not dare to approach Madam Lin, who was more terrifying than a vengeful spirit.
"That, Master, if you don't need me, I was also planning to come and find you."
"Looking for this official? Have you discovered something at the Shangguan residence?"
"Reporting to Master, discoveries have indeed been made!"
After speaking, Wu Suowei took out a small notebook from his waist and read word for word:
"November 3rd, third watch of Hai hour.
Madam Xiahou brought ginseng soup to the study and said to Prime Minister Shangguan, 'My lord, it's late, you should rest.'
After Prime Minister Shangguan drank the ginseng soup, they returned to their room, and their conversation was as follows:
My lord, your sword is still as sharp and majestic as ever.
Jing'er, you haven't changed at all after all these years.
My lord, you are so bad~
Haha, Jing'er, don't you love my sword the most?"
...
Nearly disgusted to the point of vomiting by the vulgar words, Lin Qingge quickly made a stop gesture, then grabbed the feather duster hanging on the wall and swung it.
"In the middle of the night, you're making me listen to this, what if I have nightmares? Should I slaughter you to sacrifice to the heavens?"
Wu Suowei, who was being severely beaten, covered his head and explained innocently:
"Master, didn't you tell me to record everything Prime Minister Shangguan said at night and report it to you?
I didn't even find it earsore or my eyes pricked by needles, listening from beginning to end. Why are you still hitting me?"
Lin Qingge, upon hearing this, was furious:
"You lack the most basic discernment, who else should I hit if not you!
Don't run away, hurry up and tell me the important matter!"
"Oh, oh."
Seeing that his Master had truly stopped hitting him, Wu Suowei quickly flipped through the small notebook in his hand.
"November 6th, first quarter of the Xu hour.
Madam Xiahou rushed into Prime Minister Shangguan's study and loudly questioned why he had not saved their daughter, Shangguan Yuyan, from death.
Prime Minister Shangguan explained that the situation was dire, but Madam Xiahou was relentless.
In the end, the two parted on bad terms.
I kept my wits about me and this time, instead of keeping an eye on Prime Minister Shangguan, I followed Madam Xiahou.
Master, do you know what I discovered?"
"Speak quickly if you have something to say, spit it out if you have any farts!"
...
Unexpectedly, Wu Suowei flinched at his Master's crudeness even in front of Madam Lin, and dared not stall any longer, continuing:
"Master, I followed Madam Xiahou out of the Prime Minister's residence and arrived at a secluded courtyard on South Street.
As soon as Madam Xiahou entered the room, she threw herself into the arms of the man inside.
And she kept calling him 'cousin'."
"Cousin?"
"Reporting to Master, although Madam Xiahou kept calling him cousin, in my opinion, that was clearly Madam Xiahou's lover!
However, the cousin with whom Madam Xiahou was having an affair was wearing Japanese attire!
Later, from their post-coital reminiscing, I learned that.
The Xiahou family was originally a prominent family in the capital, but because their ancestors chose the wrong side, the family was sent to the border.
And the place where the Xiahou family was exiled was only separated from Japan by a body of water.
Thus, the resourceful cousin went to Japan to take up an official post.
And that cousin seemed to be doing quite well in Japan, not only was he in charge of this Japanese delegation but he was also a trusted confidant of the Crown Prince of Japan."
"Tsk, truly birds of a feather!
To not be a good man of Great Xia and instead become a dog in Japan!"
"Master, these are not the most important things. Do you know what I heard afterwards?"