Chapter 243: Don’t Go Anywhere, Just Stay by My Side
When Mr. Gu saw Mei Wanying and Ling in the Imperial Study Room, he was taken aback. Ling was being held by the Emperor, sitting on the Imperial Throne, and was even scribbling randomly on Xuan paper with the Imperial Brush.
Mr. Gu felt as if his old eyes were deceiving him.
He knew very well just how cold and heartless his nephew could be.
But at this moment, his expression was gentle, his eyes held a faint smile, and he was completely relaxed—a stark contrast to the cold, stern Emperor of the imperial court.
To just let a child cause such a ruckus...
A strange thought crossed Mr. Gu’s mind: the word "gentle."
’But... can that word really be associated with the Emperor?’
Not wanting to intrude on their conversation, Mei Wanying said, "I’m going to take a walk outside."
Pei Yan took her by the wrist and urged, "Don’t go far. I’ll bring Lingling to find you in a little while."
Ling wanted to go with her mother. She tossed the brush aside and declared, "I’m not drawing anymore!"
Pei Yan gently held her in place. "This is Daddy’s maternal uncle, which makes him your grand-uncle. An elder has come all this way to visit. Shouldn’t you stay and keep him company for a while?"
Ling was rarely here, so Pei Yan seized every opportunity to teach her about everyone’s roles and relationships.
He also wanted her to listen in on all sorts of matters.
His daughter was still young, but it was important for her to be exposed to certain things early. Such subtle influence could yield good results in the long run.
Ling was a well-behaved child. After a moment of thought, she agreed with her daddy.
She gave Mei Wanying an anxious reminder, "Mommy, don’t go too far. Make sure Daddy and I can find you."
Mei Wanying stroked her daughter’s little face. "Listen to your daddy and don’t cause any trouble."
"Okay! Ling will be good!"
Mei Wanying was completely at ease, knowing Pei Yan could handle Ling just fine on his own.
She gave Mr. Gu a slight nod and left the Imperial Study Room.
Fearing that palace staff might not recognize Mei Wanying’s status and inadvertently offend her, a eunuch from the Emperor’s personal retinue personally escorted her.
He led Mei Wanying to the Imperial Garden.
「Inside the Imperial Study Room」
Ling sat obediently in her daddy’s lap, not interjecting on her own.
Pei Yan asked Mr. Gu, "Uncle, what brings you here today?"
The use of the familiar term "Uncle" eased some of Mr. Gu’s tension, and a more relaxed expression appeared on his face.
He brought up Gu Xun’s marriage as if it were a casual family matter. "We’ve arranged a match for Xun. She’s the daughter of your aunt’s dearest friend, a girl who grew up in Shu. She will be arriving in the Capital soon, and I would like to request an imperial decree of marriage for my son."
’With an imperial decree, that rebellious son of mine will have no choice but to marry!’
Mr. Gu continued earnestly, "He’s not a young man anymore. If he doesn’t marry and have children soon, his branch of the family line will die out. This is the plight of all parents, Your Majesty. I implore you to grant this request."
Pei Yan raised an eyebrow, his fingers drumming on the armrest as he mulled it over.
’In the past, I would have certainly granted the marriage to put a decisive end to Gu Xun’s lingering hopes.’
’But I can’t ignore Ah Yin’s feelings. If I did this, she would definitely be angry with me.’
’I don’t want to fight with Ah Yin.’
’We only just got back together after so much trouble. I can’t stir up any more problems.’
The room fell silent.
Ling looked up at her daddy, covering her mouth to hide a giggle. "Daddy, it turns out you’re a matchmaker..."
Pei Yan: "..."
’Where on earth does this little imp learn these things?’
He gently pinched Ling’s chubby cheeks. "Don’t you go teasing your daddy."
Ling stared at Pei Yan with wide, earnest eyes and mumbled, "You are a matchmaker!"
’Only matchmakers spend all their time helping men find wives.’
’Before I came to see Daddy, a matchmaker visited our home, trying to arrange a marriage for Ding Xiang.’
’Sometimes when Mommy wasn’t home, I’d be playing at Grandmother’s, and Grandmother and Nanny Liu would be gossiping, and they always brought up matchmakers.’
Ling looked incredibly proud of herself.
’I understood everything!’
’I’m so smart!’
While Ling was bold enough to say such a thing, Mr. Gu didn’t dare listen. He could only lower his gaze and pretend he hadn’t heard a thing.
’To call the Emperor a matchmaker... this child is truly fearless in her ignorance!’
Pei Yan lightly tapped his daughter’s forehead. "Such nonsense. You are not to repeat this in front of your mother."
’If Ah Yin heard this, she’d laugh so hard she wouldn’t be able to stand up straight.’
’She might even tease me about it.’
Pei Yan could picture the scene perfectly with his eyes closed.
Ling covered her mouth, signaling that she wouldn’t tell her mother.
But seeing her eyes curve into mischievous crescents, just like a little fox, Pei Yan knew she would absolutely tell Ah Yin.
’Unless, by some miracle, the little rascal forgets.’
"Marriage should be a matter of mutual affection. We must not force a resentful union. Why don’t we wait for my cousin to return to the Capital? Uncle, you can ask for his opinion then. As long as my cousin agrees, I will immediately issue the decree."
’Now that the Gu Family has brought it up, they’ll surely find a way to make Gu Xun agree.’
’The one forcing Gu Xun won’t be me. That way, Ah Yin can’t get mad at me,’ Pei Yan reasoned.
Joy sparked in Mr. Gu’s heart.
’I knew the Emperor was magnanimous! It was impossible that he wouldn’t allow Xun to return to the Capital.’
’And that ignorant wife of mine at home insisted on arguing with me about it!’
Mr. Gu bowed to express his gratitude.
Pei Yan’s tone was casual. "My cousin’s assignment should be wrapping up soon. I will order him to return to the Capital at his earliest convenience to meet the young lady who will be traveling so far."
’As Gu Xun’s older cousin, I’m truly going above and beyond for him,’ he thought wryly.
’I’m just doing this out of the goodness of my heart. Ah Yin will surely understand, right?’
...
News that Mei Wanying and Ling had been in the Imperial Study Room spread once again.
It confirmed yet again that Mei Wanying was at the height of the Emperor’s favor.
It was a good thing she hadn’t given birth to a son; otherwise, people feared the Emperor might have already made him Crown Prince!
Having read the political climate, all the high officials and nobles in the Capital sent gifts for Ling’s birthday.
Had Mei Wanying sent out invitations, they would have undoubtedly shown up in person to celebrate with Ling.
The gifts piled up like a small mountain, but Ling’s favorite was the raccoon from Empress Dowager Gu.
The Little Raccoon was pure white, with eyes like glass jewels. It was beautiful and elegant, and seemed very docile.
Ling hugged it and refused to let go.
She secretly kissed the Little Raccoon’s fluffy head. It felt wonderfully soft.
Ling’s little face bloomed into a radiant smile. "I love it so much!"
Seeing her gift so well-received by her granddaughter, Empress Dowager Gu was also delighted.
She asked Ling to give the raccoon a name.
Ling answered without a moment’s hesitation, "Little Mei Hua!"
’Mommy and I have the surname Mei, so the family raccoon must have the surname Mei too,’ Ling thought imperiously.
Empress Dowager Gu didn’t read so much into it; she just thought it was a memorable name.
And so, the name was set.
This being Ling’s first birthday in the Capital City, Empress Dowager Gu felt it was far too quiet.
’If it isn’t celebrated with proper grandeur, how will people know that Ling is so deeply cherished by the Royal Family?’
She declared, "Ling must make an appearance at the New Year’s Eve palace banquet. The court officials must be made aware of her presence."
Since Mei Wanying already planned to spend the New Year in the Capital City, she did not object to the Empress Dowager Gu’s arrangement.
Ling was Pei Yan’s own flesh and blood, and outsiders were already aware of her existence.
’Since it’s impossible to hide her, it’s better to present her openly and confidently.’
’This would prevent people from making wild speculations and spreading malicious rumors about Ling behind her back.’
If the Royal Family was willing to elevate Ling’s status, Mei Wanying certainly wouldn’t stand in their way.
’My daughter deserves to shine brilliantly!’
"I’ll leave it to your arrangements," she said.
Empress Dowager Gu was extremely pleased. "You will attend as well. Sit right beside me."
’Mei Wanying has no official title or rank. No matter how favored she is, people will always use that to attack her.’
’Attending the palace banquet and sitting by my side will serve as my backing for Mei Wanying, and as a warning to those with ulterior motives!’
Pei Yan gripped Mei Wanying’s slender wrist. "Don’t go anywhere else. Stay by my side."
’So what if there’s no grand coronation ceremony? Ah Yin is my wife!’
’We performed the wedding ceremony.’
’Twice!’