Remarrying Chun Yuan

Chapter 328 Betrayal

Yuan Cuo was indeed summoned to the palace in a hurry.

Moreover, it is very secretive.

Emperor Qi Xiao also took the rare opportunity to chat with him, saying, "You have made great contributions to the Great Qi on this trip, and I am very pleased."

"I am grateful to Your Majesty for recalling me to the capital. I can also take this opportunity to rest." Yuan Cuo said respectfully, taking the initiative to back down. "I just promised Princess Chen that I would not leave the capital before the beginning of the month when she gives birth, otherwise it would be difficult to bring my wife home."

Emperor Qi Xiao: "...Are you trying to preemptively address me?" He hadn't even said anything yet!

"It's not an exaggeration, it's just the truth. Your Majesty knows that I'm afraid of my wife." Yuan Cuo would never admit it.

Emperor Qi Xiao looked at him for a long time, then sighed, "There are some things that I am willing to do but unable to do. If I didn't have this identity, I would be free."

"I understand that you have suffered these past years, and I remember all of this in my heart."

"Your Majesty, please speak freely if you have any instructions," Yuan Cuo said, not wanting to beat around the bush any longer.

Cheng Hai coughed lightly twice, wondering why he was so unwilling to give him a way out.

This is His Majesty, and also his own father.

Emperor Qi Xiao was also somewhat embarrassed, after all, what he was about to say was not very pleasant to hear.

"Today, Prince Chun came to see me. He said he was interested in recognizing you as his son and that he was willing to give up his western fiefdom and place it under your name."

"I am naturally unwilling, but after careful consideration, I must find you an identity and promise you a future."

……

Upon hearing this, Yuan Cuo laughed. "Does Your Majesty think he is my biological father?"

"You know that's not what I meant, but I really can't openly reveal your identity..." What Emperor Qi Xiao wanted more was the wealth in the west, so Prince Chun had a heart-to-heart talk with him today, and he was indeed tempted.

"More than twenty years have passed, and Prince Chun and I have grown old. He only hoped that someone would remember him so that after he passed away, someone would remember to offer sacrifices and burn paper money for him... In fact, I will have that day sooner or later too."

“Your Majesty is young, and Prince Chun is not yet old. Is it too early to send him off to his western fiefdom?” Yuan Cuo raised this question, which struck a chord with Emperor Qi Xiao.

He had the same doubts, but Prince Chun said that it would be more reassuring to settle things sooner. Moreover, he was eager to acquire the western fiefdom as soon as possible, which was why he said he would consider it.

"Regardless of his thoughts, I only want to know your opinion. If you are willing, I will consider it carefully and then have the Imperial Clan Court study whether it is feasible." Emperor Qi Xiao was just waiting for Yuan Cuo to nod. In fact, letting him take over was only a nominal matter. He would find a reason to take control of the west.

"As Your Majesty knows, I cannot make decisions at home. I must consult Yuechu and listen to her opinion on this matter," Yuan Cuo said with a grin, completely unafraid of being ridiculed.

Emperor Qi Xiao's lips trembled. "I am discussing serious matters with you, which are also family matters!"

"I understand Your Majesty's intentions, which is why I brought up Yuechu. She is my only family member, and I cannot act on my own." Yuan Cuo smiled faintly, but his attitude was already very clear.

Emperor Qi Xiao felt a tightness in his chest. "You don't need to use her as a shield. If you're unwilling, I will never force you. A grown man like you has to ask a woman about such a thing!"

"It is a blessing from heaven that I was able to marry Yuechu. Although it is said that I married her, everyone with eyes can see that I am the son-in-law of the Liu family." Yuan Cuo did not mind that these two words lowered his status at all. "Moreover, Yuechu is my lucky wife. If she had not suddenly pointed to Huaizhou when I was leaving, I really would not have gone there."

"If this matter is investigated thoroughly, she will be the true hero of the Great Qi."

Emperor Qi Xiao raised an eyebrow. "Her? How would she know about Huai Prefecture?"

“I was afraid she would be worried, so I took a travel map and calculated how far the journey would be and how long it would take to leave.” Yuan Cuo was not lying. “At the beginning of the month, I looked at the map every day and planned how to travel so that she would not have to give birth alone, and I could also take the opportunity to come back and see her.”

He spoke with genuine sincerity, without embellishment whatsoever. The route was indeed pointed out by Liu Yuechu, and he was simply following the instructions.

Emperor Qi Xiao's doubts gradually disappeared. He really hadn't expected that Liu Yuechu was involved here.

"Then go back and think about it. I think this is a good thing."

"I will go back and think carefully about how to avoid putting myself in danger while still getting His Majesty to take back the western fiefdom..." Yuan Cuo got straight to the point, "Actually, the Third Prince is in Huai Prefecture, which is very close to the west. There is no need for me to go there to receive the reward. I really want to stay at home with Yuechu and her newborn baby."

"Don't forget, you're still the commander of the Dark Guard!" Emperor Qi Xiao exclaimed angrily.

"I have already informed the secret guards today that they should consult Eunuch Cheng on all matters, and I have also handed over all the information the secret guards have recently investigated to Eunuch Cheng. I haven't read a single word." Yuan Cuo's eyes were already prepared, and he would never give Emperor Qi Xiao any ammunition.

Emperor Qi Xiao looked at Cheng Hai, who immediately agreed, "This old servant hasn't had time to hand it over to Your Majesty yet..." Emperor Qi Xiao summoned his court officials to discuss fundraising, and just as he was taking a breather, Prince Chun came knocking on his door.

Before they could even take a sip of water, they arrived at Yuancuo...

Cheng Hai felt a pang of sympathy for Emperor Qi Xiao; it seemed like he hadn't seen such an energetic emperor in a long time.

A good reputation can truly transform a person, and His Majesty is a prime example.

Emperor Qi Xiao was helpless and even somewhat disgusted. He waved his hand impatiently at Yuan Cuo, "Going back and forth, you're truly spineless!"

Yuan Cuo smiled and cupped his hands in greeting. Before leaving, he hurried away, almost running, as if he really missed his family.

As Emperor Qi Xiao watched his retreating figure, he suddenly blurted out, "Does he really not care about his reputation? Does he really enjoy being a live-in son-in-law that much?"

"He's called a live-in son-in-law, but the Liu family has never treated him like one. They give him money when he wants money, they give him people when he wants people, and no elders mistreat him..." Cheng Hai couldn't help but sigh. Which live-in son-in-law lives so comfortably? If he could have a next life, he would want to be reborn as a live-in son-in-law!

Emperor Qi Xiao could not agree, but he had no choice. He gestured for Cheng Hai to bring out the investigation letters from the secret guards, so he could take a closer look.

Cheng Hai immediately served it, which still had the special wax seal unique to secret guards, clearly indicating that Yuan Cuo was not lying and that he really hadn't opened it.

Emperor Qi Xiao personally took a knife and began to disassemble it.

His face changed instantly after opening just one letter, then the second, the third, the seventh, the eighth...

His hand holding the knife was trembling incessantly.

"Third brother, oh third brother, he has truly let me down!"