Remembering the promise to share half, Huo Ling kept his word. Not only did he actually share half of what he received with the Marchioness of Dingguo, but also divided the promissory note he got with her.
"Half for you, half for me," Huo Ling, in a cheerful mood, almost forgot that the person in front of him was his grandmother. He was so excited that he almost hugged her shoulder, laughing heartily and expressing "we're going to strike it rich." At the last moment, Huo Ling quickly clapped his hands and laughed out loud, "Let's strike it rich together!"
Huo Ling's performance was so natural that even the always sharp Yexiao didn't notice anything wrong.
"Exactly right, Your Highness," the Marchioness of Dingguo clapped her hands to join in, even reverting to the accent she had changed long ago. "Next time, don't forget this old woman, Your Highness."
"Alright, alright...." The Crown Princess Liuyue, the Crown Prince Yezhizhang, and Yexiao all watched quietly as the Marchioness of Dingguo and Huo Ling showed off the things they had received.
In the exchange of glances, all could clearly see the helplessness in each other's eyes.
Different people, the same helplessness.
Although so, no one tried to stop the Marchioness of Dingguo or Huo Ling.
When the belated Marquis of Dingguo entered the main hall of Songhe Courtyard, he happened to see Huo Ling smiling as he handed over the promissory note that Mo Hongzhe had given him to the Marchioness of Dingguo.
"Grandmother, this is for you."
"Ah, alright."
Without any hesitation, the Marchioness of Dingguo reached out to receive the promissory note that Huo Ling handed to her.
As the Crown Prince Yezhizhang, who had been quiet and watching them divide the items, noticed what Huo Ling had given his mother, before Marquis of Dingguo could raise his voice to say that it was improper, Yezhizhang was the first to grab Huo Ling's hand, also blocking his own mother's reaching hand.
Huo Ling blinked, "Uncle?"
Ignoring the sudden grip from the Marchioness of Dingguo on his inner arm, he tightened his muscles before reaching out and smiling at Yezhizhang, "Your Highness, this promissory note represents the agreement between you and Lord Mo."
"It’s of no use to us if you give it to us."
Although Yezhizhang looked frail, he could handle five Huo Lings, the Marchioness of Dingguo's grip meant nothing to him. Realizing this, the Marchioness of Dingguo gave him a dirty look and went to put her grip on Marquis of Dingguo, who was unprepared.
——If she can’t grip her son, can't she grip her husband either?
Startled by the grip, Marquis of Dingguo: ".......?"
"What are you doing?" Marquis of Dingguo instinctively pushed away his wife's hand, "Just talk, don't use your hands and feet."
"Oh, then you can sleep in the study tonight."
Before he could finish these three sentences, Marquis of Dingguo and the Marchioness of Dingguo inexplicably began to argue.
Ignoring the ongoing antics of his parents, Yezhizhang, who knew that Huo Ling’s intelligence could occasionally leave him, smiled and remained calm, pointing out directly, "In order to reassure Lord Mo and prevent him from acting recklessly, I think it's best if you keep this promissory note." Only Huo Ling holding this promissory note could get the money, and in their hands, it would be a hot potato.
"Is that so?" Tilting his head, Huo Ling subconsciously looked at Yexiao beside him, “Is that so?”
Yexiao raised her eyes and nodded to him.
Marquis of Dingguo, having got rid of his inexplicable grip from the Marchioness of Dingguo, came to sit next to his son Yezhizhang, and, separated by a son, solemnly expressed his agreement with his son's words, "What Zimei (Yezhizhang's style name) said is right, Your Highness doesn't have to give us this promissory note."
"Well then..." Picking through the pile of things on the table, Huo Ling found a nice jade bracelet and waved it in front of Marquis of Dingguo, "Is this okay?"
Marquis of Dingguo reached out, and the Marchioness of Dingguo also reached out.
"You old wretch, get your hands off!"
"Old lady!"
Once again, Marquis of Dingguo and the Marchioness of Dingguo started quarreling in front of a group of juniors, but unfortunately, whether it was their sons, grandsons, nephews, or nieces-in-law, no one intervened to mediate or take sides.
One tried to argue based on facts, while the other kept saying "I don’t listen, I don’t listen", watching Huo Ling unblinkingly, he felt like he had learned a lot again—it seemed that he learned a lot of his fighting skills from his grandparents.
"I haven’t read many books, absorbed much of the trash that makes people stupider, yet you old folks don’t need to delude yourselves, you can't shake off the title of 'illiterate General Ye' in this lifetime!"
"Xu Cuihua!" Suddenly exposed, remembering the scene of being laughed at because of not recognizing big characters in the past, Ye Tiancheng angrily called out her name, "Don't think I won't hit you!"
Dingguogong's wife also called out the name she used before joining the military, "Then come on, Ye Ergou!"
"Xu Cuihua!!!!"
"......"
Suddenly it turned into a child's quarrel. Huo Ling touched his chin thoughtfully. Afraid that the two would really start fighting while arguing, he quickly reminded, "Elder, your bracelet is about to be broken by them."
Ye Tiancheng, who was still angry, suddenly regained his composure and quickly let go. Dingguogong's wife, who had taken the bracelet, put down her hands on her waist and quickly put the bracelet she had obtained on her wrist, so fast that Ye Tiancheng could not stop her.
In fact, Ye Tiancheng didn't want anything at all. However, facing the relentless Dingguogong's wife, he had no choice but to compromise as usual.
Unable to stop his old wife, Dingguogong couldn't help sighing. He couldn't help but look at his son, Ye Zhizhang, who refused to get involved and just wanted to watch the show, "Is this how you're going to act?"
Ye Zhizhang smiled and asked naturally, "What else?"
Ye Xiao glanced at Ye Tiancheng, then withdrew her gaze, picked up the tea in front of her, took a sip lightly, though her expression did not change, anyone could feel Ye Xiao's ease.
Ye Tiancheng, choked by Ye Zhizhang's question, withdrew his gaze irritably.
"Your Highness, I think..." before Huo Ling could point out something more terrifying than the promissory note worth 30,000, Ye Tiancheng swept a glance at the table, casually picked up a seemingly cheap sheep-fat jade pendant. "This will do. Your Highness, you don't need to distribute things to us anymore."
"It seems like this belonged to General Zheng Yangwen?" With a slight change in his gaze, Huo Ling recognized the original owner of the object, "Since grandfather likes it, then take it."
Unable to bear seeing Dingguogong Ye Tiancheng being taken advantage of, Huo Ling continued, "This thing is not worth much, it seems to be only around 3,000 or 2 taels, why don't you choose something else, grandfather?"
"No, no," relieved that the jade pendant in hand was only worth 3,000 or 2 taels, Dingguogong hurriedly waved his hand, "This will do."
Dingguogong's wife, who was admiring the emerald bracelet in her hand, couldn't help but roll her eyes, and directly snatched the sheep-fat jade pendant from Dingguogong's hand. "Old man, don't you recognize the value of this? This sheep-fat jade, with its delicate and moist texture and no impurities, is worth at least 30,000 taels."
There is more jade produced in the Great Zhou Dynasty, but most of the jade materials come from the northern region. Because of the enmity between the Great Zhou and the northern regions, jade products in the Great Zhou Dynasty stand out and are expensive. Sometimes, they can even be manipulated by merchants to reach sky-high prices.
Huo Ling, who was knowledgeable about jade but had too many good things in his hands and had never cared about the prices, said, "...30,000 taels?" It turned out that when the Jinyiwei showed three fingers, it meant 30,000 taels, not 3,000 taels.
Dingguogong Ye Tiancheng, who was a total failure in appraising jade and even worse than his old wife, said with a headache, "...So expensive!" He clearly picked the least valuable thing, were all the other things more valuable than this little thing?
Understanding Ye Tiancheng's expression, Dingguogong's wife had to suppress the urge to roll her eyes again, and directly handed the jade pendant in her hand to the consort Lui Yue, "Granddaughter-in-law, keep this."
"Grandmother?"
"Take it, or I'll get angry," said Dingguogong's wife with a smiling face, "If you don't take it, I'll get angry."
Consort Lui Yue subconsciously looked at Huo Ling, and Huo Ling shook his head indifferently. Only then did Lui Yue accept the sheep-fat jade pendant that Dingguogong's wife had handed to her.
Seeing Lui Yue accept the jade pendant, and Dingguogong's couple had already divided their things, Dingguogong's wife stood up, "Alright, it's almost time, let's all return home."
As for Ye Tiancheng's intention to gather together to discuss how to deal with the situation of offending so many people, Dingguogong's wife directly expressed her attitude, "It doesn't matter what you do. The bracelet is already on my wrist, so it's mine."
Ye Xiao remained silent, Ye Zhizhang smiled, Huo Ling indifferent, Lui Yue quiet... Looking at everyone present, Dingguogong Ye Tiancheng was surprised to find that none of them clearly stood on his side, as if offending so many people was not a big deal to them.
Realizing that he was the only one in a hurry, Ye Tiancheng felt no sense of authority as the patriarch. He sighed and waved his hand, "Fine, do as you wish."
"After all, I'm old and can't keep up with the thoughts of you young people."
Before he could finish his words, Dingguogong's wife gave Ye Tiancheng's shoulder a hard pat, "You're the old one, not me."
"Yes, yes, you are not old, you're an old monster who is as beautiful as a flower."
"Ye Ergou!"
"...Can you not call me that every time we quarrel?"
Dingguogong and his wife began to quarrel again. Huo Ling and Consort Lui Yue exchanged a glance, then Huo Ling smiled and bid farewell to Ye Zhizhang and Ye Xiao, "Uncle, cousin, we should also leave. It's almost curfew at the palace gates."
Ye Zhizhang narrowed his eyes, and when he met Huo Ling's gaze, they reached a tacit understanding that only they understood, "We'll see you off, Your Highness."
"I'll escort you."
Ye Xiao stood up and personally saw Huo Ling and Consort Lui Yue out of the Dingguogong Mansion.
Standing in front of the mansion's gate, Ye Xiao watched as Huo Ling and Consort Lui Yue stepped into the carriage. Just as Huo Ling was about to lift the curtains to get inside, he suddenly stopped and turned back. Today, Ye Xiao, who had been expressionless, suddenly smiled, "Your Highness, don't worry. I know what to do."
After all, their Dingguogong Mansion had offended people more than once.
Familiarity breeds contempt, and as the Dingguogong Mansion was fearless, Huo Ling was even more daring.
But out of a rational concern for Huo Ling, Ye Xiao called out to him as he was about to get into the carriage, "Your Highness."
Leaning against the car door, Huo Ling looked up at Ye Xiao, "Hm?"
Ye Xiao approached the carriage and handed a small box to Huo Ling, containing the good things his men had extracted from Li Yuexue. "This is for you, and I've attached the instructions for their use inside." This way, even if there is an unexpected situation, he will have some fighting power, although Ye Xiao felt that the unfortunate one who might run into trouble with Huo Ling might be someone else. "This is the most I can do."
As for whether Huo Ling can bring these things into the palace, considering how Emperor Li treated Ye Guifei who brought everything into the palace when she entered, Ye Xiao was completely unconcerned that Huo Ling would return the wooden box.
Huo Ling, who could not read minds, did not sense Ye Xiao's concern for him. He took the small wooden box handed over by Ye Xiao, and with some embarrassment, he grinned, "Oh, you're treating me to dinner and giving me things. I'm feeling a little guilty." That's what he said, but Huo Ling had no intention of returning the items.
Leaf Xiao:"……" Since getting used to Huo Ling's inconsistency, few things have been able to stir his inner emotions. Leaf Xiao's expression remained unchanged, "Your Highness, take care."
"Okay."
Huo Ling could be called "coming back with full load", as expected, he returned to the palace gate and saw the steward An De who had been waiting for him in the East Palace.
—Very good, An De has made progress this time, and did not block him on the way.
Thinking like this, Huo Ling directly gestured to An De steward with a lift of his chin, indicating "if there's something to say, say it, if not, leave quickly."
Finally meeting Huo Ling, the steward An De couldn't help but flash a smile, "Your Highness," considering the news he had just received, An De steward couldn't help but feel worried about the emperor's constant involvement in state affairs. However, he still smiled like a Maitreya Buddha, "The Emperor requests your presence."
Huo Ling was not at all surprised, his expression did not change at all, "……Oh."
On the side, seeing this scene, Li Yue suddenly thought of today's events and couldn't help feeling worried.
Before Li Yue could express her concern, Huo Ling turned to her, "Ah Yue, it's okay, don't worry." As he spoke to reassure her, Huo Ling also embraced Li Yue, who had heard the summons and couldn't help feeling worried.
Huo Ling shrugged, "Anyway, it's not the first time."
Li Yue looked at Huo Ling hesitantly, even the tassels hanging from his temple moved. Catching sight of the quiet steward An De waiting off to the side, Li Yue swallowed the words she had wanted to say. Subconsciously, she held Huo Ling's hand and called out, "Your Highness."
Li Yue's father, Mr. Liu Yuanjie, always used the phrase "unfathomable" when mentioning the emperor, and she rarely saw how Huo Ling and the emperor interacted — it was impossible to see before, and now there was no chance. So Li Yue always had a sense of awe towards the emperor, to the extent that she could not relax at all.
When His Highness is away, what if he is bullied or rejected? What to do then?
Thinking this way made Li Yue's brows furrow, she couldn't help but worry. She tentatively called out to Huo Ling, "Your Highness…"
"It's okay, you can rest assured." Releasing the hand held by Li Yue, Huo Ling reached out to smooth the furrowed brow on Li Yue's face, then smiled and pecked her on the cheek, "If I don't come back by the hour of the pig, you should sleep first."
"Your Highness…" Li Yue blinked, covered up the complex emotions in her eyes, and subconsciously smiled at Huo Ling, "Then I will wait for your return."
"Okay."
While Li Yue was lost in thought waiting for him, before Huo Ling left, he happened to assign a task to Li Yue, entrusting her to handle the things he had received and the small wooden box given to him by Leaf Xiao.
After that, Huo Ling walked nonchalantly, with An De steward leading the way to Qianqing Palace.
The evening palace was not much different from the daytime palace, with the same red walls, yellow tiles, and the same delicate lanterns lighting Huo Ling's way.
On the quiet street, he could hear his own footsteps clearly. As he walked, Huo Ling, who was enjoying himself, intensified the force of his steps.
Occasionally light, occasionally heavy, and occasionally clapping... Even when walking, Huo Ling could still derive pleasure from the sound of his footsteps and clapping, creating what he felt was a wonderful melody.
Huo Ling was extremely relaxed and carefree, not taking the matter of being called to Qianqing Palace in the middle of the night to heart at all.
Ahead, An De steward, who was leading the way but felt uneasy for some reason, thought it seemed like something extraordinary was following them.
Suppressing the thought of looking back, An De steward unconsciously quickened his pace.
When he respectfully led Huo Ling into the main hall of Qianqing Palace, An De steward couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief when he silently stepped back out.
Rubbing off the sweat that had appeared on his forehead at some point, An De steward turned to look at the half-closed door of the main hall after coming out, sincerely hoping that the Crown Prince and the Emperor have a peaceful meeting this time. After all, causing a disturbance in the middle of the night was really inconvenient for sleep.
An De steward's thoughts were very idealistic, but reality is often cruel.
As soon as Huo Ling entered the hall, he saw the emperor sitting on the dragon throne with an inscrutable expression. Before he could step forward to pay his respects, a teacup at his feet was smashed, and tea splashed onto his feet.
"Huo Ling!" The Emperor stood up, pointing at Huo Ling and pointing, "You've really outdone yourself!" It was just attendance at the celebration for the Duke's wife, but now this mess, the Emperor could already imagine how lively it would be in court tomorrow - will he even be able to attend court tomorrow?
Emperor Hou Jian stepped back, unable to control himself, and pressed against the temple that was already throbbing from the pain, "Have you considered the consequences?" Without waiting for Huo Ling to answer, the Emperor provided his own answer, "No, you haven't, you only think about yourself."
"Clearly there could have been a better solution, why did you end up choosing the worst one?"
Reaching out for the missing teacup on the table, the Emperor spared no mercy as he smashed it at Huo Ling's feet, forming "a complete set" together with the other pieces by his feet, "You've really outdone yourself!"
"Father's words are right, I also think so." Huo Ling said that he only understood the literal meaning, without any guilt in his voice. He stepped over the broken porcelain on the ground and, with a calm and steady pace, walked up to the Emperor.
When Huo Ling stopped, there were only three steps between him and the Emperor.
Huo Ling looked up at the Emperor, and feeling Huo Ling's gaze, Emperor Hou Jian unconsciously took a step back, then realizing what he had done, he hurriedly returned to his original position.
Coughing lightly, the Emperor, with an expressionless face, asked Huo Ling, who was silently looking up at him, "What do you want to do?"
Facing the Emperor's gaze, Huo Ling smiled, "Father!"
The next moment, Huo Ling hugged the Emperor's thigh, demonstrating what it meant to "turn against someone quicker than turning a page, even men, when they turn against you, it's really something women don't have to worry about."
With a mournful face, Huo Ling expressed his own grievances and fears, "Father, do you know?" After sniffing and not shedding a tear, Huo Ling's voice was hoarse, "Your son almost lost face in front of our ancestors today!"
The elongated "lost" at the end, the lingering sound resonated through the hall, allowing Emperor Hou Jian to fully feel Huo Ling's sorrow and his "despair".
"Speak properly, Huo Ling, let go of me!" Not being held so tightly for a long time, Emperor Hou Jian tried to tighten the belt around his waist, "Huo Ling!"
"I won't, Father, please listen to me first."
To prevent the Emperor from kicking him or not taking him seriously (?), Huo Ling clasped the Emperor's legs tightly, allowing the Emperor to listen to his accusations.
"You don't even know how excessive they are?" Thinking of those people who tried to plot against him, Huo Ling felt even more wronged, "Those people are too despicable, you have to stand up for me!"
Originally, the Emperor had called Huo Ling over to hold him accountable: "..." The reasoning was his, justice was also his, and the feeling of being wronged was also… Huo Ling said everything, what could the Emperor still say?
Watching Huo Ling, who wouldn't let go of his leg, the Emperor took a deep breath, controlled his emotions, and patiently told him, "Huo Ling, I'll give you a chance."
"Hmm?"
"You let go of my leg and talk nicely, and I'll let you go," His Majesty the Emperor said sternly. "As for anything else, I cannot guarantee anything, but I can make you a promise."
"Before things get out of control, I won't get involved."
Not really wanting to know why, although it was originally meant to hold Huo Ling accountable, in the end, it wound up giving him a promise that he would only fulfill after Hui Ling pleased him. At this moment, His Majesty the Emperor just wanted Hui Ling to — get away! Go wherever you came from!
Huo Ling, who was about to cry and had hugged the leg of His Majesty the Emperor, blinked and suppressed the tears that were about to fall. Even his voice was no longer as hoarse as it was at first. With a mix of doubt and even a hint of surprise, he asked, "Really?"
"Yes."
The flickering candlelight lengthened the shadows of His Majesty the Emperor and Hui Ling trailing behind them, casting them onto the map.
Under the assistance of the night breeze, the candlelight illuminating their faces momentarily turned the shadow of His Majesty the Emperor and Hui Ling into one — as if at that moment, Hui Ling had grown into the image of His Majesty the Emperor.
After receiving a satisfactory answer, Hui Ling decisively released his hand.
In the next instant, His Majesty the Emperor, freed from the restraint, extended his leg and kicked Hui Ling away.
"I'll give you another chance."
"— Go away."