The wicked mother-in-law doesn't try to whitewash herself; she only abuses her awful children.

Chapter 725 What You See Is the Demystification
"Grandfather, thanks to Grandma and Mother, I was spared from suffering."

Zhao Yi pointed to Tong Huaqiong and the others.

Tong Huaqiong thought to herself that she hadn't raised the crown prince for nothing, and she knew to remind the old emperor and the others that they were still kowtowing.

At the reminder from the Crown Prince, the old emperor finally noticed that Tong Huaqiong and the others had not yet gotten up.

"Rise, and take a seat," the old emperor finally spoke.

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

Tong Huaqiong stood up and sat down gracefully in the chair behind her.

Gu Baishuang also sat down generously.

When Chen Sufen, Tong Pandi, and Zhao Shi saw Tong Huaqiong take a seat, they followed suit and sat down as well.

Tong Huaqiong secretly sized up the emperor. His temples were gray, his face was wrinkled, and his hands had age spots. If it weren't for the yellow robe he was wearing, he would have been just an ordinary old man.

He was no different from any other ordinary old man in Qinghewan.

But unlike the ordinary old men in Qinghewan, he held the power of life and death over the entire country.

"Are you the Lady of Suifeng Township?" The old emperor asked Tong Huaqiong after being reminded by the eunuch beside him.

If it weren't for the eunuch's reminder, the old emperor would have long forgotten about bestowing the title of "County Lady" upon her, and wouldn't have known what contributions Tong Huaqiong had made to earn that title.

"I merely prescribed medicine to eliminate the cotton aphids on the corn, and His Majesty bestowed such a great reward upon me. I have always been grateful, and now I can finally express my gratitude in person."

Tong Huaqiong only realized after speaking that this was the imperial palace, and that she should refer to herself as a commoner woman when facing the old emperor, instead of "I".

However, the Emperor seemed unconcerned and said with a smile, "Your family is full of outstanding talents. Your second son made contributions in the war against the northern deserts, and your eldest daughter-in-law protected the Crown Prince. I am very grateful."

Tong Huaqiong modestly replied that she dared not.

The old emperor asked who the foster mother of the crown prince was. Chen Sufeng came out and kowtowed. The old emperor asked Chen Sufeng what reward she wanted. Chen Sufeng waved her hand and said she didn't want any reward. She just stammered and asked the old emperor to love the crown prince more.

Seeing the old emperor remain silent, Chen Sufeng thought he was angry, so she knelt down and began to recount the tragic situation of the crown prince when he first arrived at Qinghewan.

“Your Majesty, His Highness the Crown Prince often says that his grandfather is the most loving old man in the world, and he thinks about his grandfather every day. If the Crown Prince says so, then Your Majesty must be the best emperor in the world,” Chen Sufeng said. “Please love him more; he lost his parents at such a young age.”

When Chen Sufeng reminded him, the old emperor suddenly thought of the former crown prince.

Three years have passed, and the former crown prince has gone from a traitor to the old emperor's beloved son, and he even feels guilty when he looks at the grandson of the emperor.

He believed Chen Su-fen's words.

Xin Taisun talked about his grandfather all day long in Qinghewan.

Chen Sufeng was just a peasant woman, and judging from her frightened appearance, she probably wouldn't dare to lie.

Chen Sufeng never expected that her actions would make the old emperor feel a little guilty towards his grandson.

The old emperor pointed at Man'er and said, "Is this your daughter?"

Before Chen Sufen could answer, Man'er gracefully stood up and bowed to the old emperor, addressing him as "Grandpa Emperor."

After speaking, he stared intently at the old emperor.

The old emperor couldn't help but ask, "Is there something on my face?"

Man'er shook her head and said innocently, "The Emperor looks just like the gods in the painting."

The Emperor was amused and laughed heartily, then beckoned Man'er to come forward.

The old emperor had granddaughters, but they all trembled before him like mice before a cat; none of them dared to look him in the eye.

The old emperor stroked Man'er's hair and then rewarded her with a jade pendant he was wearing.

After speaking with Man'er, the old emperor asked Tong Pandi and Zhao Shi, representing the people of Qinghewan, saying that the Tai Sui's safety was inseparable from the protection of the people of Qinghewan.

Tong Pandi remained calm.

Zhao cried with emotion.

Anyone would cry in that situation; most ordinary people never even see the emperor before they die.

She saw it, how could she not be excited? Zhao was already planning how she would brag to everyone when she got home.

However, Zhao was slightly disappointed. In most people's minds, the emperor was like a god, but the old emperor sitting on the throne, apart from being majestic, did not give people the feeling of a god descending.

What you see dispels the illusion.

Then the old emperor and Gu Baishuang exchanged a few more words.

A few months ago, when the border army entered the capital, the old emperor hosted a banquet for the generals, and he was very fond of Nie Xiaofeng.

Firstly, Nie Xiaofeng came from a commoner background and had no connections. Secondly, he was handsome and straightforward. The old emperor wished he could promote Nie Xiaofeng to a personal guard, but Nie Xiaofeng refused, saying that he wanted to continue fighting on the front line to protect the country for the emperor.

The old emperor was not displeased by Nie Xiaofeng's refusal; on the contrary, he gave Nie Xiaofeng extra points for his impression.

Who wouldn't want such a great opportunity to get close to the emperor? But this hothead refused.

Gu Baishuang could tell from the old emperor's words that her son was highly regarded by the emperor, which made her both happy and worried.

He was happy that his son's future was secure, but worried that the emperor's trust in him might make him enemies.

The old emperor, tired from speaking for so long, took his grandson to his bedchamber and ordered Tong Huaqiong and the others to finish their meal before leaving the palace.

"By the way, I really like Man'er. Let her stay in the palace with the Crown Prince for now." He then pointed to Yaozu and Duo'er and said, "Let these two children stay as well."

They skipped over Hua'er and Ying'er, who were still quite young.

Man'er, Yaozu, and Duo'er showed no fear whatsoever; on the contrary, they were happy to stay in the palace with Xiaolong.

Indeed, these children grew up in the countryside and had no idea of ​​the cruelty of imperial power. In their eyes, the old emperor was nothing more than a kind and benevolent grandfather in a dragon robe.

Chen Sufen and Tong Pandi were nervous but dared not show it on their faces.

Tong Huaqiong hadn't expected that the old emperor would keep Man'er and Yaozu away on their first meeting. She didn't know if he was keeping them as hostages or if he simply liked the two children.

She certainly didn't want the two children to stay in the palace, but she couldn't refuse.

Whether to stay for a few days or stay with the crown prince for an extended period, the old emperor had not given a clear verbal order.

She planned to ask Lu Zhaoyang about it after leaving the palace.

As a close advisor to the emperor, Lu Zhaoyang understood the emperor's thoughts.

The palace servants led them to the dining area.

Originally thinking the imperial cuisine would be delicious, Tong Huaqiong felt it wasn't as good as what she cooked herself.

The only one who ate heartily was Zhao.

She wanted to savor the imperial meal so she could boast about it when she returned to Qinghe Bay.

After the meal, palace servants escorted Tong Huaqiong and the others out of the palace.

The setting sun cast beautiful light and shadow on the glazed tiles, but Tong Huaqiong showed no interest in appreciating it.

"mother."

As soon as I stepped out of the palace gate, I heard a familiar voice calling my name.

Looking in the direction of the sound, a carriage was parked at the palace gate, and Lu Zhaozhao and Gu Taohua peeked out.

Gu Jingzhe, Lu Zhaoyang, and Gu Dashu stood outside the carriage.

Tong Huaqiong walked over quickly.

"Go, go home first."

The palace gate wasn't the agreed-upon location, so Lu Zhaoyang had everyone board the carriage first.

"Zhaoyang, the Emperor left Man'er, Yaozu, and Duo'er behind. Do you think the Emperor has any other intentions? I'm very worried." After the carriage had driven far away from the palace, Tong Huaqiong's first question to Lu Zhaoyang was about the safety of the children left in the palace.

Lu Zhaoyang said, "His Majesty probably just likes these children, which is why he kept them. As people get older, they crave family affection, and His Majesty is no exception. Besides, Man'er and the other children have no demands or threats to His Majesty, so the difference in how much he dotes on them won't be subject to speculation like it would with the princes' princesses and heirs. I'll inquire again tomorrow. Aunt Tong, don't worry, it seems the children will be fine in the palace for now."

Tong Huaqiong and the others felt somewhat relieved after receiving Lu Zhaoyang's assurance.