Chapter 1398 - 1364: A Life Gone Astray 11
Chapter 1398: Chapter 1364: A Life Gone Astray 11
Chief Bai didn’t stay long at Anning’s place. After sitting for a little while, when several young eunuchs returned from outside, he took his people and went back to the palace.
Once Chief Bai left, Anning spoke to Xiao Yuan with emotion: "You know, I had such good backing in my previous life. This isn’t just a Golden Finger; it’s practically a golden leg, yet look at how it ended."
Xiao Yuan smiled and patted Anning’s hair: "This time you’ve found a golden leg, so hold onto it tight."
Anning joked for a while before furrowing her eyebrows and said: "It’s no wonder that the Miao family’s ending isn’t good no matter the lifetime. From the Heavenly Dao, I learned that in the life where Xin Lan didn’t reincarnate, the Miao family was later exterminated due to Mr. Miao’s embezzlement and bribery. In the life where Xin Lan reincarnated, the Miao family also ended with deaths and exiles. Thinking about it now, this must be Chief Bai seeking revenge and bloodshed."
"They deserved it."
Xiao Yuan sighed: "Those who bring disaster upon themselves cannot live."
Thinking of Noble Consort Chu and Chief Bai, Anning also sighed: "A Yuan, my parents are truly ruthless people."
Indeed, they are ruthless. Take Chief Bai, for instance; he had the audacity to castrate himself. Without the resolve to live through anything, one cannot carry out such an act, and Noble Consort Chu is not like common women either.
Common women when taken away, either gradually forget their former husband and live well with the one who took them or end their lives to preserve their chastity.
But Noble Consort Chu refused to accept fate. Even while at the Miao family, she was planning; she had a child and, when Mr. Miao thought she had willingly followed him, she faked her death.
After faking her death, she didn’t complain, but thought of finding an even higher and more powerful man to avenge her. Not only was her thinking different from others, but she was indeed fierce and ruthless.
Yuxian Palace
Emperor Jianyuan came to see Noble Consort Chu.
Noble Consort Chu was already able to get out of bed and move around. She could eat, which improved her complexion greatly. In just a few days, her nutrients were supplemented, and she no longer looked frighteningly thin.
Emperor Jianyuan embraced Noble Consort Chu’s waist as they sat down: "Chuchu is getting slimmer and slimmer, with only bones left all over."
Noble Consort Chu softly smiled, gently pushed Emperor Jianyuan away: "If Your Majesty finds it uncomfortable, you should go find Lady and her companions, why bother coming here to tease me."
Emperor Jianyuan hurriedly said: "I am worried for you."
Noble Consort Chu widened her charming eyes slightly, her gaze full of unspeakable allure: "Speaking of which, it’s thanks to the little Divine Doctor that I can live to accompany Your Majesty."
"Indeed." Emperor Jianyuan patted Noble Consort Chu’s hand: "I have already sent Bai En to deliver rewards to the Divine Doctor."
"The Divine Doctor saved my life. How could mere worldly goods suit the Divine Doctor?"
Noble Consort Chu was somewhat displeased and started to act petty with Emperor Jianyuan: "Or are you saying that, in Your Majesty’s heart, I am insignificant?"
Emperor Jianyuan quickly comforted her: "Of course Chuchu is the most important in my heart, Chuchu, don’t be upset..."
"I have long lost any relatives and friends, alone in this deep palace, relying solely on Your Majesty for food and clothing. With Your Majesty, I can live; without me, I fear I wouldn’t survive." Noble Consort Chu lowered her head and cried, looking all the more beautiful: "Now that the Divine Doctor saved my life, I feel comforted wherever I see her. Your Majesty, my lap is empty, what if I take the Divine Doctor as my goddaughter?"
Emperor Jianyuan pondered.
Noble Consort Chu wanting to adopt Anning as a goddaughter is really nothing.
After all, it’s just a daughter; giving her a county or local title and a bit more silver each year is enough, just to please Noble Consort Chu.
Moreover, Emperor Jianyuan truly felt sorry for Noble Consort Chu for all she’s endured.
He had sent people to investigate, but the poisoner hadn’t been found yet. Noble Consort Chu had raised the issue twice, urging Emperor Jianyuan to uncover the culprit. But the person was hidden too deeply, even the Hidden Guards couldn’t find them.
Emperor Jianyuan felt somewhat apologetic towards Noble Consort Chu.
Moreover, Noble Consort Chu had never asked him for anything in all these years in the palace. Her rare request now couldn’t be refused.
"Since that’s the case, have the Divine Doctor come to the palace another day so you may ask her well and see if she’s willing."
That’s what was said, but as long as the Divine Doctor isn’t foolish, how could she not be willing?
Noble Consort Chu was immediately delighted: "Your Majesty still cherishes me."
Emperor Jianyuan returned from Yuxian Palace to Qianyuan Palace, where Bai En was in the palace watching several young eunuchs tidying up the rooms.
Seeing Emperor Jianyuan returning, Bai En quickly instructed the palace attendants to prepare tea and snacks, and personally handed a warm handkerchief to Emperor Jianyuan.
Emperor Jianyuan wiped his hands and face, sat down, and asked Bai En, "How is the Divine Doctor doing?"
Bai En fell to his knees with a thud, bowing his head to the ground repeatedly: "Your Majesty, this servant, this servant has a matter to report."
Emperor Jianyuan squinted slightly and waved his hand: "Enough, Bai En stays, the rest of you may leave."
The people in the palace quietly withdrew.
Emperor Jianyuan then asked Bai En, "What happened to frighten you like this? I’ve told you, as long as I am here for a day, I will protect you for a day."
Bai En remained kneeling, bowing repeatedly until his forehead was red and swollen, then looked up.
Emperor Jianyuan was indeed startled.
Bai En’s forehead was bleeding, tears covered his face, and the mix of tears and blood was shocking to behold.
"Your Majesty, today this servant met with the Divine Doctor and asked carefully, only to find out, only to find out that she is this servant’s biological daughter."
This statement from Bai En surprised Emperor Jianyuan even more: "Explain clearly, what exactly is going on?"
Bai En recounted how his wife was kidnapped, his family was killed, and having no other option, he had to come to the capital and become a eunuch: "This servant thought that there were no relatives left in this world, but unexpectedly, unexpectedly that concubine from the Miao family is actually this servant’s daughter. Your Majesty, please grant mercy, this servant wishes to recognize his daughter."
Over the years, Bai En had endured many hardships with Emperor Jianyuan.
He had been by Emperor Jianyuan’s side even before he ascended the throne. Back then, Emperor Jianyuan and several other Princes fought fiercely for the throne, and Bai En had once taken a stab meant for Emperor Jianyuan. Later, after Emperor Jianyuan became emperor, Bai En handled many confidential matters for him.
In the past, Bai En had almost died from injuries but never shed a tear, yet now, this Chief Eunuch who had been with him for over ten years was crying uncontrollably, making Emperor Jianyuan feel somewhat uncomfortable.
"Stand up first."
Bai En wiped his tears while standing up: "Your Majesty, this servant’s daughter has suffered a lot, enduring much scorn and neglect in the Miao family’s inner quarters over the years to survive. Thinking about it breaks this servant’s heart, the servant just wishes to recognize her, to stand up for her."
Emperor Jianyuan waited for Bai En’s emotion to calm down before asking, "All these years, have you never thought of revenge?"
Bai En knelt down again: "This servant has thought about it, but my position is significant, and I cannot ruin Your Majesty’s great plans for personal grievances. This servant also cannot let personal matters interfere with public duties. This servant is human too, and each time thoughts of the past grievances of my wife’s abduction and my mother’s murder come to mind, this servant cannot sleep, but Your Majesty has been kind to this servant and is my true master, I cannot let personal vendettas overshadow Your Majesty’s interests."
"You have had a hard time."
Emperor Jianyuan sighed, patting Bai En’s shoulder: "Since it is your daughter, you should naturally recognize her, but just now the Noble Consort expressed a desire to take Anning as a goddaughter, and I was thinking of conferring her the title of County Princess—I’ve already agreed with the Noble Consort, how can I go back on my word."
Emperor Jianyuan looked at Bai En.
Bai En furrowed his brow, looking troubled: "But she is this servant’s biological daughter. In this life, this servant has but this one child."
Only then did Emperor Jianyuan relax.
He had been wondering if the Noble Consort Chu already knew Anning was Bai En’s daughter and wanted her as a goddaughter to draw Bai En closer, or if Bai En had already conspired with the Noble Consort Chu.
But seeing Bai En’s demeanor now, it didn’t seem like he had colluded with the Noble Consort Chu.
Emperor Jianyuan reflected on all that Bai En had done for him throughout the years, truly loyal and unwavering, which dispelled his doubts.
"Bai En."
Emperor Jianyuan patted Bai En’s shoulder and said, "If you truly love your daughter, you must plan for her well. Recognizing the Noble Consort as her mother means I can confer upon her the title of Commandery Princess, an immense honor. If she recognizes you as her father, she will face much criticism. Think carefully."
Bai En gritted his teeth, and after a while, said: "It’s up to Your Majesty to decide."
Emperor Jianyuan laughed: "Good, I originally intended to grant Anning the title of County Princess, now knowing she is your biological daughter, I shall confer her as a Commandery Princess. Consider it a reward for your many years of loyal service."
Bai En hurriedly knelt to express gratitude.
Emperor Jianyuan spoke only after he got up: "You and I know this matter; let it not be mentioned again."
Bai En bowed his head: "This servant will follow Your Majesty’s commands."
Emperor Jianyuan laughed again: "In the future, when you miss your daughter, you may visit her, and you can even present her with good things if you wish—I will not stop you from being close with her."
Only then did Bai En smile.