Wei Shuxuan looked at Xin Zizhao seriously, and Xin Zizhao understood her eagerness. "I know. I'll talk to Father Emperor about it as soon as possible."
"Then thank you, Xin Zizhao!" Wei Shuxuan patted Xin Zizhao on the shoulder.
"Don't thank me. You just need to marry me."
Xin Zizhao looked at Wei Shuxuan seriously. Wei Shuxuan originally thought it was just a joke he made. However, when she looked at him, his eyes were burning with determination.
Was he... serious?
Wei Shuxuan hurriedly lowered her head, avoiding Xin Zizhao's eyes. She was afraid that she would develop a different kind of feeling because of this.
Seeing Wei Shuxuan dodging his eyes in a hurry, Xin Zizhao couldn't help feeling a bit dissatisfied. The impulse in his heart was almost out of control. He wanted her to look at him properly, but he thought he couldn't force her like this. According to Wei Shuxuan's character, being too overbearing would have the opposite effect.
"I have something to do. I'll go out first."
Since the atmosphere between them was too awkward, Xin Zizhao had to break the strange silence actively.
"... Ah? Okay."
Hearing what he said, it took Wei Shuxuan a long time to react. Then she nodded.
After Xin Zizhao left the main hall, Wei Shuxuan finally felt relieved. Xin Zizhao had been too serious just now, which made her feel at a loss.
She propped her chin and sighed deeply. In fact, she didn't know whether she liked Xin Zizhao or not. When Xin Zizhao said such things, she didn't feel disgusted. Instead, she was just surprised. If it were someone else, she would have beaten him to the ground.
It was just that... Wei Shuxuan also had her own concerns.
"Alas, it's really annoying."
After leaving Fenghe Hall, Xin Zizhao walked in the direction of Qianyu Palace. Just as he arrived at the door, the two eunuchs guarding the door saluted him. "Greetings to the Fifth Prince."
"Is Father Emperor inside?"
"Replying to the Fifth Prince, His Majesty is indeed inside."
"I have something to talk to him about."
"Please allow this servant to announce your arrival."
The eunuch went in and came out a moment later. "Fifth Prince, His Majesty said you can go in. Please enter."
Xin Zizhao walked into Qianyu Palace and saw Emperor Jinzheng looking at a painting. He bowed slightly. "Your son, Zizhao, pays respects to Father Emperor."
"Dispense with the formalities, Zizhao." Emperor Jinzheng put away the painting in his hand and looked at Xin Zizhao. "What do you want to talk to me about?"
"It's about the case of the Wei family. Your son sincerely requests Father Emperor to give Wei Shuxuan a chance to thoroughly investigate this case. Otherwise, she won't be reconciled."
"Did she ask you to do this?"
"No. Your son voluntarily made this request. General Wei Tu is a good official. Your son believes he wouldn't do such a thing. Please give Wei Shuxuan a chance to thoroughly investigate this matter."
"What if I say no?" Emperor Jinzheng stared into Xin Zizhao's eyes.
"Then your son will find a way to make Father Emperor agree."
Facing Emperor Jinzheng's stern eyes, Xin Zizhao didn't dodge at all. Instead, he looked directly back at him.
"Hahahahaha. I can tell at a glance that you have romantic feelings for that little girl. If I don't give you this chance, wouldn't I be making it hard for you to save face?" Emperor Jinzheng stroked his white beard. "Actually, even if you didn't say anything, I was already planning to do so. I was too impulsive before and listened to the words of my favored concubine, which made the Royal Dragon Country lose a great general."
"Wasn't it two?" Xin Zizhao asked him.
Emperor Jinzheng was stunned for a moment and showed a bitter smile on his face. "Yes, it was two great generals. Since General Long An was released from the prison by me, he has resigned from his post. Even if I didn't allow it, he didn't come to court. He just listened to and watched operas in his mansion all day. To be honest, I was really angry. However, if I got angry with him again, our country would really lose a brave general."
"Wasn't it all Father Emperor's fault?"
"Regarding the case of the Wei family, you can go to General Long An to learn about all the details. I'll give you the right to investigate this case. Don't worry."
"Your son thanks Father Emperor."
Emperor Jinzheng waved his hand, indicating for Xin Zizhao to leave. Just as Xin Zizhao was about to leave, he caught a glimpse of Emperor Jinzheng picking up the painting on one side and looking at it. From his angle, he could clearly see the content of the painting.
When he saw the content of the painting, Xin Zizhao couldn't help widening his eyes. It was clearly a portrait of a woman, and the woman's appearance was somewhat similar to his own.
At that moment, there was only one thought in Xin Zizhao's mind. Could the woman in this painting be his biological mother?
It was impossible for Xin Zizhao not to care about his biological mother. He had never seen his biological mother since he was a child. Even a portrait, he wanted to see her.
However... judging from Emperor Jinzheng's appearance, he didn't seem to want to show the painting to him.
Xin Zizhao left Qianyu Palace and returned to Fenghe Hall, but he didn't see Wei Shuxuan. He asked Chief Eunuch Li, and Chief Eunuch Li said that Miss Wei was resting in her room.
"Chief Eunuch Li, you actually saw that Young Master Wei was Miss Wei a long time ago, didn't you?" Xin Zizhao asked him.
However, Chief Eunuch Li just smiled respectfully. "Fifth Prince, if Your Highness hopes this servant to know, then this servant knows. If Your Highness doesn't hope this servant to know, then this servant doesn't know."
Xin Zizhao felt the tact of the people in the palace for the first time. He nodded. "You can go back to your work first."
"Yes, Fifth Prince. This servant takes his leave."
He came outside Wei Shuxuan's room and gently knocked on the door. "Wei Shuxuan, I've already asked Father Emperor. He said he would give you a chance to thoroughly investigate the case of the Wei family. Do you want to go to General Long An's mansion now?"
Just when Xin Zizhao thought Wei Shuxuan wouldn't answer, her somewhat lazy voice came from inside. "... Why do we have to go to General Long An's mansion?"
"Father Emperor said that if we go to General Long An, we can better understand the ins and outs of the matter. So do you want to go there now?"
"... I want to go."
Wei Shuxuan in the room said so, then rolled off the bed, quickly put on her shoes, and opened the door. As soon as she opened the door, she saw Xin Zizhao standing outside looking at her. She couldn't help thinking of what had just happened not long ago. She felt a bit embarrassed and couldn't help turning her face slightly, avoiding Xin Zizhao's direct gaze.
"Then let's go now. I'll ask someone to prepare the carriage first."
They got on the carriage going to General Long An's mansion. Wei Shuxuan and Xin Zizhao were in the same not-so-spacious space. She still felt a bit embarrassed and didn't know what to say to break the silence.