A Cutie Spoiled by Her Seven Uncles-Chapter 581: Princess Ata’s Vow
Chapter 581: Chapter 581: Princess Ata’s Vow
Xiaosuisui glanced at her. "My Seventh Uncle said it!"
"Your Seventh Uncle said it? What else did he say?" Princess Ata blurted out.
"Seventh Uncle said that you are actually scheming against Great Han."
As soon as Xiaosuisui said this, the Emperor’s piercing gaze fell upon Princess Ata. Princess Ata’s face flushed red. The Emperor looked at her and spoke coolly, "Are you still not planning to speak?"
Princess Ata looked extremely embarrassed, her face burning. She hadn’t expected a child of only four or five years to so casually expose her intentions.
"Yes! Princess Ata, aren’t you going to tell us?" Xiaosuisui’s words seemed to pierce right through to Princess Ata’s soul.
"I... If I speak, Your Majesty, can you promise not to hold me accountable?"
The Emperor’s gaze was profound, but he remained silent.
Princess Ata turned to Xiaosuisui again, forcing a reluctant yet fawning smile. "Eldest Princess, if I tell the truth, will you help me?"
Xiaosuisui blinked and turned to look at her Imperial Adoptive Father.
The Emperor frowned. "Speak first, and we shall see."
The Great Wizard of Nanjiang might not be dead. In fact, he could very well be controlling the King of Nanjiang, or even have allied with other nations. Ji Youzhi had already intended to find an opportunity to secretly travel to Nanjiang to investigate this matter. If Princess Ata’s request concerned this, he could indeed use the situation to his advantage, making Princess Ata indebted to Great Han.
"It’s true that I schemed against the owner of that silk shop, but someone had tampered with things beforehand," Princess Ata confessed. "I’ve mentioned this before. Also, our Great Wizard of Nanjiang—he isn’t dead. My royal father is no longer himself; you know of this as well."
Xiaosuisui nodded upon hearing this, but the Emperor merely stated coolly, "This is all just your side of the story. You have no evidence to convince me!"
Princess Ata silently lowered her head, her hands ceaselessly twisting a handkerchief—a clear sign of her nervousness. The Emperor noticed this action and was inexplicably reminded of Xie Pan’Er. She too had such little habits: twisting her handkerchief when nervous, and looking down at her toes when frightened.
Why would I suddenly think of Xie Pan’Er?
he frowned to himself.
Is it because Xiaosuisui mentioned her just now?
The Emperor shook his head, pushing these thoughts to the back of his mind.
Princess Ata’s low voice then drifted over, "I have no evidence, but I am certain that since the Eldest Princess removed my Gu, he can no longer control my words and actions. He will definitely send assassins after me."
Hearing this, the Emperor suddenly recalled a from the Divine Hunt Platform: recently, several unidentified individuals had secretly infiltrated the Capital City, their target being the Imperial City.
"To think of committing murder in the Imperial Palace of my Great Han—it’s not that easy."
Hearing the Emperor’s words, Princess Ata’s heart leaped with joy. "Do you believe what I said?"
The Emperor neither affirmed nor denied it.
Xiaosuisui, however, chimed in, "Imperial Adoptive Father, she has already admitted to scheming against the pretty lady’s brother. You should release him!"
The Emperor opened his mouth to call for Eunuch Ling to issue the release order, "Eunuch Ling—" He stopped mid-call, remembering he had sent Eunuch Ling to Ji Mansion to question Nanny Zhang. At the same time, he recalled that he had already handled this matter; Xie Si could not be released yet. Previously, after Ji Youzhi had uncovered the truth, Xie Pan’Er had pleaded with him. However, considering the broader situation at the time, he had not ordered Xie Si’s release. Instead, he had told Xie Pan’Er that Xie Si might have unexpected gains in prison, reassuring her that Xie Si would naturally be released when the time was right.
"Your Majesty! Eunuch Ling went to Ji Mansion and has not yet returned," a young eunuch hurried in from outside to .
The Emperor waved his hand, dismissing the eunuch without further comment. He then ordered the dining table to be cleared and took Xiaosuisui for a walk in the Imperial Garden.
Princess Ata brazenly followed them. She cautiously asked the Emperor, "Your Majesty, I wonder if I might accompany you when you go to Yunhang for disaster relief?"
Upon hearing this, the Emperor couldn’t help but give her a couple more glances.
Xiaosuisui blinked excitedly and asked, "Why do you want to go with us? You’re not even from Great Han!"
Princess Ata’s mouth twitched. "I... Who says I can’t go for disaster relief just because I’m not from Great Han?"
Xiaosuisui was surprisingly stumped for a rebuttal.
The Emperor, however, mused for a long moment before saying, "Princess, you came to my Great Han, ostensibly for peace talks with Great Han and to renew the alliance between our two nations. You would then take the alliance treaty back to Nanjiang. This matter should ideally be handled with utmost urgency. Yet, I observe, Princess Ata, that you seem to be in no particular hurry regarding these negotiations."
Hearing this, Princess Ata’s face flushed red once more. She knew the Emperor was deliberately teasing her.
This young Emperor understands my current predicament better than anyone,
she thought.
If I truly concluded negotiations with Great Han now and left the Imperial Palace, only death would await me.
"Your Majesty, you are well aware of my difficulties. Why must you tease me so?"
The Emperor put Xiaosuisui down, letting her go play by herself for a while.
I’m not actually teasing you,
he thought.
I know exactly what’s on your mind. Having one Xie Pan’Er vying with me for my daughter is quite enough. There’s no need for you to try and get involved too.
"Princess Ata," the Emperor said, his tone serious, "no matter how capable or resourceful Xiaosuisui may be, she is still just a child. You may seek her protection due to her martial abilities. However, if you harbor any malicious intentions, plot against her, or harm her, then I will not hesitate to eliminate you before any such thing occurs. Should such a thing truly happen, do not blame me for not having warned you!"
Princess Ata listened silently to the Emperor’s words and immediately knelt. "Your Majesty, please rest assured! I will absolutely never harm the Eldest Princess. I can swear an oath: if I ever truly harm the Eldest Princess, may I suffer a terrible death and be struck by lightning!" With this vow, Princess Ata raised her hand in a swearing gesture.
Seeing that Princess Ata’s demeanor did not seem feigned, the Emperor bent down and helped her up. "Rise. Remember what you have said today."
Princess Ata rose and said, "Thank you, Your Majesty!"
This scene was witnessed by many spies within the Imperial Palace. Soon, rumors of the Emperor and Princess Nanjiang cultivating their relationship in the Imperial Garden spread among all the civil and military officials of the court.
「That night」
This news reached the ears of the young ladies from the noble families. These ladies were currently offering incense at Qixia Temple and made it a habit to visit the back mountain before dawn, hoping to catch a glimpse of the phoenix.
"This is outrageous!" In the Pavilion, Xiao Ning’Er, the young lady of Duke Zhen’s Mansion, slammed her hand on the table, her anger flaring. "To think that Princess Nanjiang is such a vixen! I initially thought she was merely recuperating in the Palace from her injuries. I never imagined she would use the pretext of convalescence to seduce His Majesty!"
Shi Ning, the young lady of Marquis Tingsheng’s Mansion, who was standing on the other side of the Pavilion, heard the commotion and gave a cold smirk. She then said to the maid beside her, "Find someone to spread this news far and wide. First thing tomorrow morning, we shall go and pay our respects to the Empress Dowager!"
Chapter 581: Princess Ata’s Vow
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