tallest building

Chapter 218 A Pretense Turned into Reality

Two days later, the eldest princess, along with Princess Zhao, Master Zhuge, and Gong Chang'an, entered the palace.

The Empress and the Emperor personally went to Yunguang Gate to greet them, and Wen Mingqian and others followed.

Zhuge Liang appeared in a wide robe and long gown, his white beard flowing, looking like an old immortal descended from heaven.

Although Gong Chang'an, whom he was holding, had a youthful face, he already showed signs of being a dragon or phoenix, and his innate nobility made him unforgettable.

The old man and the young boy truly resembled an immortal and his attendant, even more lifelike than in a painting.

The Empress spoke first: "No wonder this child was able to enter the Three Paths Academy; just looking at his demeanor, he is no ordinary person."

Although the Emperor did not speak, he greatly admired Gong Chang'an. As the saying goes, "You can tell what a child will be like at three and what he will be like at seven," and this child seemed more mature than his peers.

He even inexplicably felt that the child was lovable, and although it was the first time they had met, he only felt close to him.

As the master and disciple approached, Master Zhuge simply bowed to the emperor and empress.

Gong Chang'an then knelt down and performed a deep bow.

Wen Mingqian looked at him and couldn't help but tear up, overwhelmed with emotion.

But those around her thought she was just overjoyed to finally see her son and couldn't help but cry tears of happiness.

"Good child, get up!" The Empress greeted Gong Chang'an with a smile, "Come to me."

Gong Chang'an hesitated for a moment, but quickly put on a sweet smile, strode forward, and hugged the Empress in front of everyone.

The Empress was startled, and those around her rushed forward to try to pull Gong Chang'an away.

Wen Mingqian hurriedly said, "Chang'an, you mustn't be rude! Get out of here!"

"Your Majesty, please calm down. Chang'an knows that you are the mother of the nation. Although this is the first time I have met you, I find you kind and approachable, so I couldn't help myself..." Gong Chang'an released her hand, took two steps back, and blushed.

"Look at you, you've frightened the child." The Empress pulled him in front of her and hugged him, saying, "Good child, it's a good thing that you're close to me, I don't blame you. Don't be afraid, I like you."

He then addressed the crowd, saying, "He's just a little boy; don't frighten him. You see, he's a guest invited by His Majesty and me!"

The Empress's own son died young. Although she later brought the heirs of the Prince of Zhao and the Prince of Chu into the palace, the two children were already ten years old when they entered the palace.

The family repeatedly reminded him not to act childishly and to always be polite and well-behaved.

Therefore, they never dared to get too close to the Empress, and were always respectful and polite.

Gong Chang'an was different. He was young, good-looking, and had a sweet tongue. He could charm anyone around him.
The Empress felt a warm glow in her heart when he hugged her; she couldn't even remember the last time she had held a child.

She took Gong Chang'an's hand and said to Wen Mingqian with a smile, "You and your son can catch up later! Let him get to know me better first."

At the banquet, Gong Chang'an was poised and natural, without the slightest affectation. She ate and drank whatever was offered.

The Empress even served him some food herself, and he immediately served her a bite in return.

Everyone felt that he was being somewhat impolite, but the Empress actually ate the food he had offered. They then understood that the Empress genuinely liked him, and there was no need for further concern.

"Your Majesty, I think Mingqian and his mother haven't seen each other for a long time. Why don't we leave Chang'an in the palace? Let them have a good reunion for a few days." After the banquet, the Empress said to the Emperor with a smile.

"I also think it is the right thing to do. If Master Zhuge doesn't mind, please stay in the palace for a while! I also have many things I would like to ask you." The emperor went along with it.

Master Zhuge thought for a moment and nodded in agreement.

Princess Zhao was overjoyed to see this. In any case, things had already exceeded her expectations, and she hoped that her wish would come true.

After sending the eldest princess and Princess Zhao out of the palace, Wen Mingqian finally had a chance to speak with Gong Chang'an.

"Mother, I miss you so much!" Gong Chang'an hugged Wen Mingqian tightly, her eyes welling up with tears.

"Good boy, don't cry, your mother misses you too." Wen Mingqian said, holding back his tears. "Let your mother take a good look at you, see how much you've grown, and whether you've lost weight?"

Although she was smiling, her voice was choked with emotion. Although Gong Chang'an was not her biological son, he was no different from her own.

In some ways, she even surpasses her own biological children. If Gong Chang'an were truly her biological child, she wouldn't have such high expectations, nor would she place her entire future on this child.

“Mother, I’ve grown taller and stronger. How have you been these days, Mother? You always report good news in your letters, never bad. Zhang Ma and I didn’t know how difficult it was for you all alone in the capital.” Gong Chang’an felt sorry for his mother. Although he was young, he was very sensible.

"It's a real pity that Zhang Ma can't go to the palace this time. I don't know when we'll see each other again," Wen Mingqian sighed softly.

“Mother, don’t worry, Zhang Ma will enter the palace someday.” Gong Chang’an said, “Besides, he also said that it might not be a good thing for him to enter the palace too early.”

As the mother and son were talking, many palace maids and eunuchs rushed over, all wanting to catch a glimpse of Gong Chang'an's true face.

Upon seeing Gong Chang'an, they couldn't help but praise, "This child looks just like Lady Wen, and his demeanor is just as good. No wonder the Empress likes him; Heaven has destined you and your son to be favored by the Empress."

After a while of flattery, the crowd gave Gong Chang'an many gifts.

Gong Chang'an and Wen Mingqian could not refuse, so they had no choice but to accept them one by one.

Gong Chang'an said, "Mother, it's rare for these elders to care about me so much. How about we host a dinner party for everyone another day?"

Even the servants in the palace had a custom of hosting guests. All they had to do was find the kitchen that was in charge of the servants' meals and pay the cooks to prepare some food and snacks.

"This child is so polite, no wonder everyone likes him." Everyone was happy to hear Gong Chang'an say this, feeling that he was not obsequious to the powerful and looked down on the weak, and did not look down on them at all.

After everyone had left, Wen Mingqian said, "You must have gotten up very early. It's already past noon. You should take a nap."

“Son doesn’t want to sleep, son wants to talk to mother.” Gong Chang’an hugged Wen Mingqian’s arm. “Mother, I really miss you so much! Sometimes when I can’t sleep in the academy, I lie on the windowsill and look at the stars in the sky. I think the brightest star in the sky is my mother’s eyes looking at me.”

No matter how sensible or intelligent he was, he was still just a child. He grew up under Wen Mingqian's loving care and naturally had an immense attachment to her.

Moreover, he knew that Wen Mingqian had a harder time than the average mother because the tasks she had to accomplish were enormous.

"This morning, the Imperial Astronomical Bureau reported that the star of the Crown Prince is shining brightly, and the Empress is very pleased about it," Wen Mingqian said in a low voice. "She never imagined that this star would be associated with you."