Chapter 52: Your mother never lies, really

“After entering the study, I quickly found the secret compartment hidden behind the calligraphy and paintings. Aside from some evidence of crimes committed by officials, which the Marquis of Guangling had kept in secret, there was nothing else inside.

“However, while activating the mechanism, I noticed that the paintings on the wall were slightly askew, and the latch of the mechanism had not fully returned to its original position.

“I suspect someone has already entered before we did.”

Inside the Yangrong Studio, the lead attendant was reporting with a bowed head.

As he reached the end of his report, he took a thick roll of documents from his robe and presented them with both hands to Yan Bei, who sat behind the desk.

“This is the batch of hidden evidence. I originally did not intend to take it, but considering someone had already been here before us, I decided to bring it back instead.”

Yan Bei took the documents.

Gao An stepped forward: “It seems the person who struck first must be the Princess. This roll of documents will likely be very useful to her. She must have left it behind to avoid alerting the enemy.”

Yan Bei flipped through a few pages, placed them on the desk, and after a moment of contemplation, said, “She doesn't need it.

“Since she didn't take it, she must have another way to deal with this.”

Had it been before his meeting with Yue Tang today, he might have followed Gao An's suggestion and immediately sent someone to investigate the background of these documents.

But today, he had seen that side of her—decisive, agile, and meticulous in every detail. One could no longer view her through preconceived notions.

Now, whenever it came to her affairs, Yan Bei felt the need to think three steps ahead.

“After nightfall, go and summon Du Minghuan,” he added. “The Du family will realize sooner or later that something is missing, and they will certainly conduct various inquiries. I will deal with him personally to give him a warning.”

Gao An understood immediately: “Since Your Highness is taking responsibility, the Du family will not cast suspicion on anyone else.”

Having said that, he glanced toward the desk: “Is Your Highness no longer angry with the Princess?”

Mentioning this caused a flicker of gloom in Yan Bei's heart.

He *wanted* to be angry. What kind of logic allowed someone to not only trick him into bed but also trick him into becoming a live-in son-in-law?

But if he actually dared to make a scene, there was no guarantee she would even acknowledge him.

—No, it would be better if she didn't acknowledge him.

If she did, it would be even more terrifying. If Ali gained a mother, he might just lose a father.

As he was having a mental battle with himself, Cui Xun spoke from outside the door: “How did I just hear Ali say that he saw his mother at the Marquis's manor today?”

As he walked in, he looked at the expressions of the two men inside and grew panicked: “It can't be true, can it? Is the Jingyang Prince's Manor finally going to have a Princess Consort?”

Yan Bei's expression darkened: “If you dare leak even half a word, watch your head—and the heads of the hundreds of members of the Cui family!”

Hearing this, Cui Xun fell to his knees with a thud: “Your Highness, please be discerning! Uncle, spare my life! If I had such courage, I wouldn't need you to act; my parents would have snapped my neck themselves!”

Yan Bei glanced at him: “Get out!”

Cui Xun scrambled to his feet.

Yan Bei added, “What business do you have?”

Cui Xun turned and pointed toward the side gate: “Someone is outside looking for you. He says his surname is Hua.”

Yan Bei and Gao An exchanged a glance, and both turned around simultaneously.

“Quickly, go and welcome him in!”

Yan Bei paused for a moment before instructing Gao An: “He is her person. Go to the gate and receive him personally!”

Gao An immediately exited.

Yan Bei barked at Cui Xun: “What are you standing there for? Get out!”

Cui Xun turned and hurried out.

He then caught up with Gao An: “Eunuch Gao! Is Ali's mother really coming back? Am I really going to have an aunt by marriage?”

Gao An didn't know whether to laugh or cry: “Young Master Cui, you had better forget those words. Do not pry, and do not ask. Otherwise, as you know, the Prince's word is final.”

Cui Xun hurriedly covered his mouth and asked cautiously, “Then my uncle won't hold it against me, right?”

Gao An smiled: “Go with peace of mind, Young Master.”

Cui Xun looked greatly relieved.

“Then I shall return to my room and continue writing my *Chronicles of Imperial City Anecdotes*!”

Gao An sighed with a smile.

He quickened his pace toward the manor gate.

Cui Xun was the second son of Yan Bei's eldest sister, the County Mistress of Changping.

The Cui family was also a prominent household in Mobei.

One wondered how such a decisive County Mistress and a strictly disciplined son-in-law could have raised such a gossipy son?

Two years ago, the couple had sent Cui Xun to the Prince's Manor to serve as a Disciplinary Officer, intending for him to familiarize himself with court politics under Yan Bei.

As it turned out, Cui Xun, who had been interested in street gossip since childhood, had essentially fallen into a nest of scandals in a capital city filled with officials and constant political strife.

By this time, Gao An had reached the side gate.

He ordered the gate to be opened and immediately saw an elegant man in his thirties standing outside. Although he was dressed in plain cloth, there was a hint of pride in his eyes. His temperament was somewhat similar to the female attendant by Princess Yongjia's side; one could tell he was accustomed to serving high-ranking masters.

Gao An smiled first, stepped across the threshold, and clasped his hands: “I am Gao An, the head eunuch serving His Highness. May I ask if your surname is Hua?”

Hua Lin sized him up, handed over an invitation, and returned the gesture: “I have come by the command of my family head to treat our Heir.”

Hearing him say "our Heir," Gao An froze momentarily, but he quickly unfolded the invitation and smiled, stepping aside to make way: “Please, come in, sir.”

With Cui Xun acting as a human ear, the various households were already well-acquainted with these public matters.

Years ago, the Prince of Duan's manor had received permission from the late Emperor to allow Princess Yongjia to marry and bear children to continue the lineage. Later, when news reached the capital that Princess Yongjia had given birth to her eldest son in Bieye, the late Emperor quickly issued an edict for the Imperial Clan Court to collect the child's hand and footprint molds. Upon the child's one-month celebration, he was granted an imperial jade register and established as the Heir of the Prince of Duan.

This "Heir" naturally referred to Ali.

In the past, everyone assumed Princess Yongjia had been victimized and had no idea that he and Ali's biological mother were the same person; thus, no one had ever considered this possibility.

Now, Hua Lin's smooth use of the phrase "our Heir" immediately made Gao An feel as though a mass of nerves was growing on his head.

He remained composed throughout the journey, leading Hua Lin directly to Yan Bei.

Ali was already by Yan Bei's side.

Hua Lin performed the formal salutations to Yan Bei, but his gaze became fixed on Ali, unable to move.

Yan Bei had intended to say a few words to show respect to this direct descendant of the Hua family, but he had no chance to speak.

“Grandpa Hua.” Ali sat on a small stool, his tiny hands resting on his knees, calling out in a milky voice, “Mother didn't lie to me. He said you would come, and you really did.”

Even when he was still in Yue Tang's womb, Hua Lin had stayed by her side constantly to ensure a safe pregnancy.

Although they had only met a few times later, he had essentially witnessed the child's arrival into the world.

Such a healthy child had suffered so much for no reason, and now he was so thin and small.

Hua Lin, who usually had a prickly temperament, involuntarily softened his voice: “Of course. Your mother never lies.”

Beside them, Yan Bei immediately shot him a look.

*Is that right?*

*Does your conscience not ache?*

As he was mentally scolding him, a young eunuch approached: “Reporting to His Highness, the Marquis of Guangling has arrived.”

Yan Bei squinted at the still-bright sky: “So soon?”