tallest building

Grand Tutor Dong's eyebrows and beard were already snow-white. His eyebrows were so long that they almost covered half of his eyes.

Although his eyes have aged, his gaze has not.

He looked up at the children who came forward to greet him, his face bearing a kind smile, but his eyes held a chilling edge.

He first praised Yu Chao and his sister: "Have you two gotten used to life in the capital these past few months? I think you've both grown quite a bit taller."

"The capital is certainly good, but it's a pity there are too few places to ride horses." Yu Chao was actually a little homesick, but since the Eldest Princess had recently come to the palace to accompany Princess Duanmin during her pregnancy, and Sang Er had also come to the palace, he felt that this was the best place in the world.

"The young master enjoys riding horses; it's in his nature. It's like how we Han people always want to grow crops wherever we go," Grand Tutor Dong said with a chuckle.

He then took Ying Shan's hand and asked, "What books has the Second Young Master been reading lately? Reading is good, but you should also learn to be a little mischievous."

"Why does the Grand Tutor want me to be naughty? The teachers talk about rules every day." Ying Shan was only six years old, so naturally he spoke without restraint.

"If you're not naughty when you're young, you'll be even less likely to be naughty when you grow up," said Grand Tutor Dong. "Don't you think so? If you look back on your childhood when you're older and realize you haven't been naughty much, that's not good."

Everyone was amused.

Finally, Grand Tutor Dong spoke to Gong Chang'an: "What books has Fourth Young Master Gong been reading lately?"

"Thank you for asking, Grand Tutor. I have recently been reading 'Wen Dian' written by Wu, a scholar from the previous dynasty," Gong Chang'an replied.

“Oh, this is quite a large volume,” said Grand Tutor Dong, stroking his beard. “No wonder you are called a child prodigy; you have already delved into the ‘Wen Dian’ at such a young age.”

"You flatter me, Grand Tutor. I've only just begun reading it, and I've only skimmed through it," said Gong Chang'an.

"Back then, I worked with your grandfather in the same office. I was a judge, and he was a clerk. We had a long history together. Your grandfather was a loyal, upright, and talented man, and I have always admired him."

It's a pity that he passed away before you were born, and I often feel regretful about it.

After all, when we sat together under the tree for shade, we talked about how, after retiring from officialdom, we would gather a few close friends and wander the rivers and mountains together. Grand Tutor Dong's actions were merely a prelude to his next move. "Seeing you again now, you seem to have inherited much of your grandfather's style; it truly evokes a sense of感慨 (gǎnkǎi, a feeling of deep emotion and reflection)."

"Your father served as an official for decades and had countless colleagues and old friends, but I have never heard you reminisce about anyone like this before," the Empress said. "It is clear that you truly cherish the late Marquis Gong."

"Yes, seeing this child has moved me deeply," said Grand Tutor Dong, carefully examining Gong Chang'an.

Those who didn't know the situation thought he was looking for the shadow of the old Marquis Gong in Gong Chang'an, but the more he looked at the child, the more he felt that this child was not a member of the Gong family.

"Your Majesty, I like this child more and more the more I look at him. He is currently a companion in the palace. Why don't you adopt him as your godson?" Grand Tutor Dong suddenly said this, and everyone present was stunned.

After a long pause, the Empress said, "Father, this was so sudden. I wasn't prepared."

"Hehe, this idea just came to me on a whim." Grand Tutor Dong said calmly, "This child is so lovable that the more you look at him, the more you love him. I thought that now that his mother has become a noble lady in the palace, it would be appropriate for the Empress to adopt him as her godson."

The Empress did not object. Firstly, she liked Gong Chang'an very much, and secondly, she trusted Wen Mingqian. Moreover, it was her own father who made the suggestion, so she figured he would also think it was appropriate.

"Since Father has this intention, then I..." The Empress began, intending to grant the request directly.

But Gong Chang'an interrupted him: "Thank you for your kind words, Grand Tutor, but how can my son Fubo be worthy of being the Empress's adopted son?"

He could never acknowledge Empress Dong as his mother; she was the murderer of his mother, how could he possibly recognize a thief as his mother? "Your Majesty, Grand Tutor, I also feel this matter is inappropriate." Wen Mingqian, who was burning incense nearby, also walked over gracefully and said sincerely, "Although it is due to the Grand Tutor's favor and Your Majesty's grace, recently, because my two elder brothers and I have been promoted, many people have become dissatisfied."

Those who know this will praise the merit of those who are close to their relatives, while those who don't will inevitably offer some criticism.

Because I serve Her Majesty the Empress, I have received much favor from her. My two elder brothers have already been transferred from the provinces to the capital, which is already a rare honor.

Your Majesty's concern is that if Your Majesty were to adopt Chang'an as your adopted son again, many people would be eager to curry favor with my two elder brothers. I fear they might not be able to control themselves, and I also fear they might be deceived by those with ulterior motives.

Summoning them to the capital was intended to serve the court and be loyal to His Majesty. If it backfires, wouldn't that be a betrayal of His Majesty and the Empress's good intentions?
Some will inevitably believe that the Empress intends to allow the Wen family to form a faction, and if this rumor spreads, it will certainly be detrimental to the Dong family.

Wen Mingqian also knew that Gong Chang'an could not recognize the Empress as his godmother, because the Empress would definitely be stripped of her title and demoted to a criminal in the future.

If Gong Chang'an were to become her adopted son, abandoning her would be considered unfilial. But caring for her would be unfair to her birth mother.

Moreover, it would arouse suspicion, making people think that Gong Chang'an was contrary to benevolence and filial piety, deceived and used Dong Shi, and would stop at nothing to achieve his goals.

He is destined to be a ruler; how can he bear such a stain on his reputation?
Therefore, this matter must not be agreed to under any circumstances.

"Well... if that's the case, then let's just forget about it." The Empress wavered and looked at Grand Tutor Dong.

"Indeed! Consort Wen's considerations are very thorough; it was I who was rash earlier." Grand Tutor Dong nodded with a smile. "I am indeed getting old."

He got the answer he wanted; he came to the palace today to test them.

Zhang Ma's identity is suspicious, and so is Gong Chang'an's.

Consort Hui sensed something was wrong, but they turned the tables and killed her.

Grand Tutor Dong did not have any solid evidence, and besides, he did not intend to tell the Empress. The Empress could not keep secrets and would definitely show it once she found out.

It's impossible to send anyone else to investigate, as that might alert the enemy.

Therefore, he could only probe discreetly, making sure the other party didn't notice anything.

Now the Empress has many of their people around her, and it's likely that even the Emperor is in cahoots with them.

If you disturb them, they might do something desperate.

It's really not worth it if things end up in a lose-lose situation.

"Father isn't old at all; you'll live to be a hundred." The Empress still acted like a little girl in front of her father.

"Alas, I'm old and useless now." Grand Tutor Dong shook his head. "Fortunately, the court is full of capable people, so we old folks can just enjoy our remaining years."

He got the answer he wanted: if Gong Chang'an was truly a child of the Gong family, he would be happy to have the Empress recognize him as her adopted son.

The fact that neither he nor Wen Mingqian agreed is enough to prove that he is Shen Fu's son. (End of Chapter)