Chapter 342: Chapter 343 Refusal to be Ennobled

Pei Huaian saw the person with a worried face, raised his hand to smooth his furrowed brows, and consoled, “As long as the Empress and the Zheng family fall, Pei Chengye won’t be able to stir up any trouble.”

“But…”

“Pei Chengye is not smart, and he always listens to others in everything he does, without any thoughts of his own. If there’s no one to strategize for him, he wouldn’t dare to do anything excessive.”

“Then you must be extra careful.” Shao He knew that he planned to make a move against the Empress, and this battle was bound to be extremely dangerous, likely involving him as well.

Pei Huaian took her hand, lifted it to his lips, and gave it a deep kiss, “I won’t let anything happen to me; for you and our son, I will take good care of myself.”

Shao He withdrew her hand and got up to leave.

“Smooth talker.”

Pei Huaian, hearing her last words, curled his lips into a faint smile.

Feeling the warmth in his hand that had yet to fade, he couldn’t help but grip it tighter.

The Emperor’s health gradually improved, and the wound on his chest no longer needed a splint to stay fixed, with the stitched area slowly beginning to heal.

Xiao Linzhang still ran to the next courtyard every day, and whenever he returned, he came back with a bounty of various pastries and jade ornaments.

Qingxia and Qing Shan were both amused and exasperated by this behavior; after all, these were gifts from the Emperor. Anyone else would be overjoyed, yet this little guy just tossed them aside.

Perhaps it was the bond of blood, but Xiao Linzhang was especially fond of the Emperor.

Whenever he made some tasty pastries, he would waddle over, steadying himself against the wall as he made his way to the Emperor’s courtyard.

An eunuch was reporting the affairs of the imperial palace to the Emperor, and there was a pile of memorials on the table that still needed to be reviewed.

“Hmm, I knew Huaian would handle all the state affairs properly,” said the Emperor.

Eunuch Liu, upon hearing the Emperor’s praise, understood that the Emperor placed great value on the Fifth Prince.

Eunuch Zhu, standing behind him, turned his gaze to the child who had just entered and walked towards him.

He was about to carry the child out when he heard the Emperor command, “Let him go.”

Not understanding why, Eunuch Li, seeing such an inconsiderate person, hurried over to push him away, whispering, “How many times do I have to tell you not to speculate on His Majesty’s intentions?”

“Master, this child…”

“Quiet.”

Eunuch Li scolded in a low voice and, turning his head, he saw a stone not far away. He quickly went to move it, carefully walking alongside Xiao Linzhang.

Eunuch Zhu grumbled behind him, “It’s just a child, why does Master care so much about him?”

Xiao Linzhang approached the Emperor, raised the pastries in his hand, and said, “Grand… Grand… Eat.”

The Emperor couldn’t help but laugh joyfully as he took the pastries from the child’s hand to eat. He was about to lift the child up when Shao He hurried over and stopped him.

“Your Majesty, please wait.”

Shao He strode forward and pulled Xiao Linzhang over, “You little rascal, always sneaking over to play.”

“Do not blame him; it’s his company that has kept Us from feeling lonely recently,” the Emperor said delightedly, touching the child’s chubby cheeks.

“Your Majesty is still recovering and should not exert yourself too much. You still need more rest,” Shao He advised.

The Emperor could only sigh and let it go, though his eyes lingered on Xiao Linzhang.

Three days later, the stitches on the Emperor’s chest had completely healed, leaving only a faint scar.

Before returning to the palace, the Emperor specially summoned Shao He and Xiao Linzhang. Eunuch Zhu didn’t understand why the Emperor always seemed to show extra affection whenever he saw the child.

He thought it might be as rumors suggested, that the Emperor wanted to embrace his grandson. But Eunuch Liu happened to overhear this conversation.

Immediately, he muttered a curse, “How many times have I told you not to speak nonsense? Be careful or you won’t even know how you lose your life.”

“Understood, Master. But why does the Emperor hold such affection for this child? He even seems to care and dote on him more than the princes.” Eunuch Zhu truly couldn’t understand the reasoning.

Eunuch Liu looked around to make sure no one else was present, then whispered, “This little master is of no ordinary status; do not wildly speculate.”

“Yes, I understand,” replied Eunuch Zhu. He was no fool; hearing his master’s words, he grasped the underlying intrigue and spoke no more.

In the room, the Emperor held Xiao Linzhang, feeding him nonstop, “Tomorrow, We will return to the palace. You can ask for any reward. How about We grant you the title of County Princess or Commandery Princess?”

“Thank you for Your Majesty’s generous love, but it’s my privilege to have treated Your Majesty. I dare not ask for rewards,” said Shao He, which might have sounded like flattery, but pleased the Emperor.

“You do have a way with words. But for curing Us, you should have your reward. Speak,” urged the Emperor.

“I fear that receiving an appointment might cause dissatisfaction among others,” Shao He confessed.

More than flattery, Shao He had no desire to join the social gatherings of the ladies; just the thought of those women chattering together was enough to give her a headache.

“Who would dare to be dissatisfied if We decide to confer a title upon you?” declared the Emperor confidently.

Shao He knew that the Emperor’s insistence was to better protect the child but still declined, “I do not wish to expose myself and my son more to the public eye. Please understand, Your Majesty.”

He knew the Emperor held Xiao Linzhang in high regard and certainly wouldn’t want him harmed.

Sure enough, as she expected, the Emperor sighed lightly, “Very well, if you do not wish for the title, We won’t force you, but you must still accept a reward. How about We grant you a position as an Imperial Physician at the Imperial Medical Bureau? You don’t have to take regular shifts, and you may use the Bureau’s resources and staff as you like.”