CHAPTER 466: CHAPTER 413 TEACHING MISS 2_2

"That’s because he has something to hide."

Dou Qingyi brushed the fallen leaves off her son’s shoulder and said, "Even if we take ten thousand steps back and assume he truly is another son of your father, so what? You are the future Monarch of Great Liang, the whole kingdom is yours. Why would you fear your father’s illegitimate children? You’re about to marry Liuying; don’t overthink things—someone else will deal with these matters for you. Besides, hasn’t your father already said he wouldn’t keep him in the mansion? If he can’t even live in the Crown Prince Mansion, how much importance could he hold in your father’s heart?"

Lu Qi tucked his uneasy feelings back into his chest. "I understand, Mother."

The study.

After the mother and son left, Lu Zhaoyan opened a memorial and said:

"Drink the medicine. I’ll have Ji Feng escort you back."

Ji Feng—the Imperial Guard who had been stationed at the door the entire time.

Lu Yuan didn’t respond.

Lu Zhaoyan rounded the partition screen, only to find Lu Yuan had already tilted his head and fallen asleep.

This time, it wasn’t an act. He had truly drifted off deeply.

Running around exhaustively was real, acting in front of Lu Zhaoyan was also real, but pretending to sleep—it seemed even he hadn’t anticipated this development.

Lu Zhaoyan glanced at the medicine bowl on the table.

Untouched.

Lu Zhaoyan sighed. "So stubborn."

Ji Feng asked from the door, "Your Highness, should I escort him out?"

Lu Zhaoyan looked at the deeply sleeping Lu Yuan. "Forget it, let him rest and send him away when he awakens."

Ji Feng asked, "Should I report back to you?"

Lu Zhaoyan frowned. "Hmm?"

Ji Feng formally clarified, "If he wakes while you are away from the mansion, should I escort him out immediately or wait for your return before doing so?"

Lu Zhaoyan: "...Wait for me to return."

Ji Feng: "Are you sure he’ll still want to leave by then?"

Meanwhile, in the courtyard, Meng Qianqian sat with Si Snake, Chen Long, and Shangguan Ling on the stone bench, discussing the next phase of their plan.

Yu Zichuan sat on the rooftop, polishing his bow.

Ji Li lay on the rooftop, gazing at the moon.

Suddenly, a Hunting Eagle swooped down from the sky, whizzing past Shangguan Ling’s head.

Shangguan Ling jolted, nearly pulling his blade to strike at the bird.

The Hunting Eagle landed on Meng Qianqian’s arm, which was clad in a protective cuff.

And then, it started its performance.

It raised its head, spread its wide wings, and fervently hugged Meng Qianqian’s arm. "Chirp~"

Shangguan Ling: "What is it—"

Meng Qianqian: "Lu Yuan calls him ’Father.’"

The Hunting Eagle gave a dramatic eye roll and collapsed flatly on the stone table.

Meng Qianqian: "Lu Yuan fainted."

The Hunting Eagle struggled to rise and resumed its act.

"Lu Yuan drinks medicine."

"Lu Yuan weeps pitifully."

"Lu Yuan begs for a hug..."

Meng Qianqian’s mouth twitched. The eagle was overacting—it was supposed to perform, not go off-script.

Shangguan Ling shuddered.

Surely this was the Grand Commander? Someone who acknowledges a ’father’ like this without any dignity?

The Hunting Eagle: Dog men worth only two pieces of jerky don’t get to have dignity. Onward with the show!

At that moment, Lu Yuan was oblivious to the fact that his reputation as a noble warrior was being systematically destroyed by an eagle; if he had known, he would have killed the bird before falling asleep.

"It appears there’s no imminent danger with Lu Yuan for now."

Meng Qianqian said earnestly.

Shangguan Ling’s expression turned indescribable. "Young Madam, you call this ’no issue’?"

"The Grand Commander has been driven to madness!"

Meng Qianqian coughed lightly. "It’s a temporary measure. A great man must learn to compromise. Remember King Gou Jian of Yue lying on firewood and tasting gall..."

...She couldn’t keep spinning the narrative.

"Anyway, the key point remains—he managed to enter the Crown Prince Mansion. As for him, I’m more worried about Wuyou."

She quickly changed the topic, trying to salvage her husband’s dignity, though not much could truly be salvaged.

Shangguan Ling refocused as well. "I’ll head back to Thousand Mechanism Pavilion now."

Meng Qianqian asked, "As an Outer Disciple, can you even meet the Young Master?"

Shangguan Ling laughed. "If I can’t reach him, he’ll come to meet me! Brother, deliver this message, won’t you?"

He reached out to stroke the Hunting Eagle’s head.

The Hunting Eagle skirted his hand with a slap of its wing—Stay away, fool!

-

Thousand Mechanism Pavilion.

Tan’er had just finished eating braised pork, her belly full. She walked out of Tingtai Pavilion to stroll around and digest her food.

"Thousand Mechanism Pavilion, pretty big, huh!"

She wandered seemingly aimlessly, weaving through a small garden, gliding along winding paths, and eventually arriving at a pavilion perched on a slope.

Standing at the pavilion, one could overlook half of Thousand Mechanism Pavilion.

"Now then, where does Gongsun Yanming live?"

Even though Thousand Mechanism Pavilion had just relocated, not even Shang Wuyou knew where the Pavilion Master’s residence was.

As she struggled to memorize the layout, an arrogant voice came from the side: "You, come here."

Tan’er continued to look around.

Gongsun Ziyu frowned. "I’m talking to you. Didn’t you hear me?"

Only then did Tan’er turn to look at Gongsun Ziyu. Pointing at herself, she asked, "Are you calling me?"

Gongsun Ziyu got a better look at Tan’er’s face and couldn’t help but be secretly amazed. What a radiant little maid, more stunning than the noble ladies of the Imperial City.