The Humble Family's Daughter Has A Spatial Pocket!-Chapter 1164 - 987, Deep Scheming

"Your Majesty, the Duke of Fu is seriously ill. Logically, as his junior, my son should visit him. However, Xiao Heng is currently engaged with official duties and can’t leave his post. I have a humble suggestion, but I am not sure whether I should speak?"

The Emperor glanced at Consort An, who was diligently attending to his meal, and after taking a sip of soup, he asked, "What is it you want to say?"

Consort An was unsure about the Emperor’s attitude, but for the sake of her son’s future, she steeled herself and said, "The Duke of Fu is far away in Xiliang with only Yeyang and his wife to attend to him. He must be feeling quite lonely. I was thinking that Xiao Heng should also fulfill his filial duty."

The Emperor chuckled, "You mean to have me send Xiao Heng to Xiliang as well?"

Consort An’s expression stiffened, "Xiao Heng has official duties and must stay in Beijing to assist Your Majesty with state affairs. However, Xiao Heng’s children can go to Xiliang."

"Your Majesty, young children are most adorable. With Xiao Heng’s son by his side to cheer him up in colorful clothing, I believe the Duke’s illness will improve more quickly."

Understanding Consort An’s intention, the Emperor put down his chopsticks with an indifferent expression, "Xiao Heng’s eldest son is only ten this year, and Xiliang is extremely cold. Would Yeyang and the Crown Princess be willing to let their son suffer there?"

Consort An replied with a smile, "If the Duke can withstand it at his old age, why can’t others? We can simply send more servants to attend to him."

The Emperor did not outright reject the idea but fell silent instead.

He always felt guilty toward his mother and uncle.

He had never truly fulfilled his filial duties by their side. Although Yeyang was with his uncle, Yeyang was Xiaojiu’s son, and his own lineage truly hadn’t done anything for his uncle.

Seeing the Emperor deep in thought, Consort An’s lips curled up subtly; she knew that the Emperor would agree.

As long as the grandson spent time with the Duke in Xiliang and developed a bond, they could later hint at the possibility of adoption through her maternal family. For the sake of the Gu Family’s legacy, how could the Duke refuse to adopt his grandson?

Consort An had this well thought out, but before she could revel in her plan, Consort Xian, Consort Shu, and Consort De came to see the Emperor together.

The Emperor raised an eyebrow at the trio, "You’ve come for the uncle’s illness as well?"

Consort Xian, Consort Shu, and Consort De were momentarily startled, then nodded with a smile.

"Your Majesty is wise indeed. We’re here about the Duke’s condition. The Duke is seriously ill, and our sons, like Xiao Qi, are worried and wish to send their own children to show their filial piety."

The Emperor laughed, but the mirth didn’t reach his eyes. He did not mind his consorts and several sons manipulating for their own gain—such was inevitable in the Imperial Family.

However, he greatly disliked that they were targeting their schemes at his uncle.

Losing his appetite, the Emperor stood up without giving approval or rejection, and simply left the dining hall, leaving the four consorts to their silent rivalry.

That same day, the Emperor called several Crown Princes to the Council Hall.

"Your mothers wish for your sons to accompany the Duke in Xiliang. What are your thoughts?" the Emperor asked calmly.

The Fourth Prince was stunned to hear this, being the only one in the room unaware of the matter.

The Crown Prince was very displeased to learn that his brothers were also involved, competing not just with him but now with his son as well. He truly detested these brothers.

"Your Majesty, our uncle in Xiliang is far too lonely. I am willing to let my legitimate son go and entertain him. Please grant my wish, fulfilling this son’s piety," the Crown Prince said.

As soon as the Crown Prince finished speaking, the Second Prince, Third Prince, and Fifth Prince hurried to express the same sentiments.

The Fourth Prince was the last to speak, naturally following the crowd to avoid making a mistake.

The Emperor showed no emotion on his face and simply hummed in acknowledgment. After a moment, he said, "Xiliang is harsh and cold, but since you are willing, so be it."

Perhaps with the children around to play, the uncle’s spirits will be lifted, and he might live for a few more years.

Hearing the Emperor’s agreement, the Crown Princes were inwardly pleased and began preparations for their trip to Xiliang after returning to their residences.

Just a few days after the Emperor agreed to the Crown Princes’ request, a letter from Xiao Yeyang arrived once again.

Upon learning that Gu Jian’s condition had improved, the Emperor heaved a sigh of relief. However, not wanting the Emperor to change his mind, the Crown Princes had already sent their sons out of Beijing, and they were now on their way to Xiliang.

Eunuch An cautiously asked, "Your Majesty, the young princes should not have gone far. Should we send someone to fetch them back?"

The Emperor scoffed: "The Crown Prince and his brothers want their sons to experience the hardships of the world, why should I be the one to play the villain?"

Aside from the fourth son, who sent his eldest legitimate son to Xiliang, the rest have all sent their youngest legitimate sons over.

Thinking about how the fifth son’s youngest legitimate child is only four years old, and even the eldest’s is only eight, the Emperor couldn’t help but smirk coldly: "I never noticed before, but my children are indeed cruel, not even sparing their own sons, and they aren’t afraid something might happen."

Hearing this, Eunuch An lowered his head even further.

The Emperor fell silent for a moment: "We still need to inform Yeyang about this."

...

Upon receiving the letter from the Emperor, Xiao Yeyang felt awful.

Daohua hurriedly asked, "What’s wrong?"

Xiao Yeyang said with a stern face, "The Crown Prince and his brothers have sent their youngest legitimate sons to Xiliang under the pretense of paying respects to their maternal uncle, and fulfilling their filial duties."

Daohua, who loathed troublesome affairs, couldn’t sit still upon hearing this: "Now that they’ve arrived, where will they stay? Surely we aren’t expected to take care of them, are we?"

Having one Daozi at home was already enough to give her a headache, and now with a few more, how are people supposed to live?

Xiao Yeyang was also quite displeased: "Since the maternal uncle lives at the Prince Residence, their visit to pay respects naturally means they’ll be staying at our residence."

Daohua protested, "No way, I might overlook other children, but they are the Prince’s sons. If they get a headache or a fever, won’t the blame be placed on us? What is the Imperial Uncle thinking, why would he agree to this?"

Xiao Yeyang sighed, "The Imperial Uncle harbors guilt towards the maternal uncle, perhaps he also wishes for his descendants to keep the maternal uncle company."

Daohua was at a loss for words: "Even if the Imperial Uncle wants to honor the master, there are plenty of ways to do so. Why make things difficult for us? This won’t do; you need to send a letter to the Imperial Uncle right away."

"I’m pregnant and can barely manage one Daozi, and even then, I need my mother’s help. Where would I find the time to look after someone else’s children?"

"Children of Princes are known to be spoiled and hard to discipline at home, mustn’t be treated too lightly or too harshly. If any accidents happen, it will certainly be our fault."

"Just thinking about it now gives me a headache."

Xiao Yeyang quickly consoled her, "Don’t worry, I’ll immediately write to the Imperial Uncle. If push comes to shove, all the Princes have relatives in Liangdu. Send the children there."

...

Xiao Yeyang sent a letter not only to the Emperor but also to Prince Ping to inform him of Daohua’s pregnancy.

Prince Ping knew about the Princes sending their sons to Xiliang, and rushed to the palace to see the Emperor upon learning of his daughter-in-law’s pregnancy.

"Imperial Brother, you can’t let Yeheng and the others’ sons stay in the Prince Residence. Yiyi is pregnant; those boys are naughty and wild, what if they bump into Yiyi?"

The Emperor, when making the decision earlier, indeed hadn’t considered much, focusing more on making amends to Gu Jian and overlooking his nephew’s situation.

His nephew was busy with state affairs, and his niece-in-law was pregnant. Indeed, it wouldn’t be appropriate for them to look after the Crown Prince and his brothers’ children.

Upon seeing the suggestion in the nephew’s letter, the Emperor immediately agreed. With a single decree, he directed the sons of the Crown Prince and his brothers to stay with their respective maternal families instead.

The only exception was as the fourth son had no connections in Liangdu, his son had to be accommodated in the Prince Residence.

After receiving the news, the expressions of the Crown Prince and his brothers were all less than pleased.

"What does Xiao Yeyang mean by this? Are our sons, as Princes’ children, not worthy to stay in his residence?"

"Staying with someone else, how could they fulfill their duties to the maternal uncle?"

At this moment, several Princes were wondering whether Xiao Yeyang was also vying for the title of the Duke Residence, especially since Yan Yiyi was pregnant again; this was a significant possibility.

"We’ve underestimated Xiao Yeyang. His schemes are truly deep."

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