Joyful Motherhood in a Rural Family

Chapter 847: Chapter 847: A Trace of Killing Intent!

“Your mother’s tomb is in the Imperial Mausoleum; if you truly wish to pay your respects to her, I, your Father Emperor, can take you with me the next time I visit the mausoleum.”

Zhao Yuan Lang gently patted Liu Sisi’s head and heaved a long sigh, “Every time I see you, it’s as if I’m seeing Xin’er from those days…”

He seemed to have fallen into a reverie and only after a while did he recover, “Enough! The day is already late, and you should not linger in the palace any longer. You have been uneasy during your recent visits; you should go back early and rest.”

“Thank you, Father Emperor. Ruyu obeys the decree.”

It wasn’t until she left the sleeping palace that Liu Sisi unclenched her tightly held hands, her entire back drenched with sweat. The cold wind of early winter blew, and her whole back felt icy cold.

Knowing that mentioning her mother would displease His Majesty, Liu Sisi still wanted to get to the bottom of the matter.

...

Upon leaving the Palace, she found Di Yelei waiting outside the Xuande Gate, his brows tightly furrowed and his face full of heavy thoughts. Seeing Liu Sisi come out, he relaxed and gave her a smile.

“It’s getting late; let’s return to the manor first.”

Naturally, Liu Sisi would not refuse and got into the carriage to go back to the manor.

“… I’m not sure what Father Emperor means, but since he has asked me to investigate, I think I’ll take a trip in the next two days to avoid any longer and more complicated dreams. What do you think?”

“Speaking of which, this could be considered a disgrace to the royal family, and it’s debatable whether the details of your mother’s case were ever recorded by the Ministry of Personnel.”

Di Yelei’s eyes held a meaningful depth, “However, given the current situation, even though we know there won’t be a different answer, we still need to check it out.”

“Hmm, the two of us had just come from the cold palace, and Father Emperor actually sent someone looking for us, saying…”

Liu Sisi repeated what Zhao Yuan Lang had said at that moment: “At that time, all my hairs stood on end. You don’t understand, as soon as they mentioned it, I… I am not a coward, but… I am his daughter.” There was an indefinable implication in Liu Sisi’s words.

This statement actually made Di Yelei laugh!

“As the saying goes, ‘He who steals a hook shall be put to death; he who steals a kingdom becomes a prince; and he who steals the hearts and minds of the people can become a saint or a Buddha.’ There’s also, ‘Killing one is a felony, killing ten is an unforgivable evil; massacring hundreds makes one a tyrant, but slaughtering thousands allows one to be a king.’ Your father being a ruler of a nation, even if he does not act himself, the prestige and domineering aura accumulated around him naturally makes you uncomfortable when in close proximity.”

“That’s not quite as you’ve described it.”

Liu Sisi was torn between laughter and tears—such words, if spread, would be teaching children mischief, wouldn’t they?

“What I meant to say about Father Emperor is that… I think…” Liu Sisi leaned close to Di Yelei’s ear and whispered, “At that moment, I felt he harbored a killing intent towards me.”

“Shh! Are you certain?”

This statement made Di Yelei tense up instantly.

“It’s nothing; it was but a moment, and the aura disappeared. Maybe I was mistaken.” Liu Sisi herself didn’t believe her last sentence.

Di Yelei frowned and pondered, and by the time the carriage stopped in front of the main entrance of the Marquis Mansion, he had grabbed Liu Sisi’s hand firmly.

“Let’s stick to our original plan, and you’ll go to the Ministry of Personnel to investigate in two days. Regardless of what you find out, let’s end this matter here and not dig any deeper. Since His Majesty does not wish for you to know, let’s just play deaf and mute.”

His low voice sounded in her ear, and before Liu Sisi could respond, Old Cheng’s voice rang out from outside the carriage.

“Princess, Old Master Marquis, we have returned to the manor. Please alight from the carriage.”

Liu Sisi had not yet had a chance to speak before Di Yelei lifted the curtain and climbed out.

As soon as he got off the carriage, Old Cheng hurried to Di Yelei’s side, “Old Master Marquis, Grandmaster Di has been waiting in the hall for quite some time.” Old Cheng naturally was referring to Elder Di.

“Elder Di has come? Do you know what business he has? How long has he been here?”

“Old Master Marquis, this servant does not know. Grandmaster Di has been here for approximately four hours. In addition, there is a young official who also came with Grandmaster Di.”

Di Yelei glanced at Liu Sisi who had just stepped off the carriage, “You go back to the courtyard first to check on the two children, I’ll go see what matter has brought Elder Di to the mansion.”

“Understood,” she replied.

Watching Di Yelei head to the living room, Liu Sisi ordered Old Cheng to prepare some wine and dishes to be taken to the living room, then she went back to the courtyard as told.

From the courtyard came bursts of laughter and cheerful voices. Liu Sisi listened carefully, and in addition to Niuniu, Chou Chou, and Xiao Feng’s voices, there seemed to be another kid’s voice.

She couldn’t help but feel delighted and quickened her pace.

As she stepped through the yard door, she saw Di Qiu nestled in Xiao Feng’s arms, squabbling with Chou Chou.

It had been summer when she left, but now as she returned, it was the chilly early winter. Di Qiu, the kid, had grown a bit taller, hugging Xiao Feng’s neck with a face full of smiles.

Seeing Liu Sisi come in, Xiao Feng hurriedly stood up from the chair, “Third Aunt, you’re back?”

Di Qiu swiftly wriggled out from Xiao Feng’s arms and plunged straight into Liu Sisi’s, “Third Grandmother! Third Grandmother! Qiu’er missed you so much.”

“Mom, mom! Me and Chou Chou missed you too.”

Chou Chou and Niuniu also crowded over, nestling close to Liu Sisi and acting spoiled.

“Third Grandmother also missed Qiu’er, there, there! Qiu’er is such a good boy!”

Liu Sisi happily picked up Di Qiu and patted the two children, bursting with excitement, “Qiu’er has become quite tanned and has grown taller, he seems to be much sturdier as well.”

“It’s all thanks to Third Aunt’s good arrangements, the servants who were taking care of Qiu’er have been very devoted. They also kept an eye on the happenings in the capital city, and as soon as the ban was lifted, they brought Qiu’er back to the capital.”

“That’s splendid, if they have served well they should be handsomely rewarded. Ms. Gao, take 100 taels of silver bills later to give to those who took care of Qiu’er. Additionally, take some freshly harvested vegetables to let them taste something fresh,” she said with satisfaction.

“Yes, this servant will go take care of it immediately.”

Ms. Gao beside her joyfully went off to attend to it.

Xiao Feng, buoyant with happiness, said, “Di Cheng previously sent word that Elder Di and another Your Honor had come visiting, so Feng’er had the kitchen send some wine and dishes over…”

“Yes, I already know about it,” she acknowledged.

Liu Sisi nodded, “Your Third Uncle has already gone to handle it. No need to worry. Qiu’er, come! Tell Third Grandmother what you’ve seen and learned on this trip.”

As they talked, she led Di Qiu into the inner room, and brought out many snacks to treat everyone.

Di Qiu’s little mouth wouldn’t stop, “Okay, Third Grandmother, Qiu’er will tell you, this time out, Qiu’er saw many many things he has never seen before. Qiu’er saw stone masons, a lot of them carving out bluestone in the hills. He also saw snake catchers, they’d casually reach out and catch, grabbing the snake directly by its seven inches. Third Grandmother, do you know what the snake’s seven inches is? Qiu’er will tell you…”