After Marrying the Disabled, I Became the Prime Minister’s Wife

Chapter 448

"Yes, Mother." Seeing her mother's furrowed brows, Chu Ruoyan thought she still couldn't let go of the national feud and hurriedly said, "The one who breached the capital and destroyed the Great Sheng Dynasty was his father, Yan Xu, not him, Mother..."

Before she could finish explaining, her mother gently interrupted her. "I know. It's just that your second brother told me he is now the emperor. Since ancient times, it has been inevitable for emperors to have three palaces and six courtyards full of concubines. Your father was also concerned about this back then, which is why he only became the Regent and yielded the throne to Emperor Yunning..."

Hearing this, Yun Lang sneered. "So he has a bit of a conscience?"

The Princess Consort gave him a light glance, and her son instantly shut his mouth.

The Princess Consort continued, "Miaomiao, I know you two are newlyweds and deeply in love, but I still have to ask you: if that day comes, will you... be able to bear it?"

Meanwhile, outside the medicine hut.

The Regent was asking Yan Zheng the exact same question.

Yan Zheng replied without a second thought, "Impossible!"

"Why is it impossible? Even if you can withstand the pressure from the royal court, can you avoid the scheming in the inner palace? Those trying to climb into your bed, those slipping you drugs, or at the very least, relatives and sisters connected to the Empress being sent into the palace. If something really happens, could you actually kill them?" The Regent's face was dark, and he gritted his teeth, seemingly having learned this lesson the hard way long ago.

Yet Yan Zheng looked indifferent. "So what if I kill them?"

The Regent raised an eyebrow, only to hear the new emperor say, "If one comes, I'll kill one; if two come, I'll kill the pair. I can't speak for others, but A'Yan will definitely not doubt me, nor will she stop me. If that still can't deter them, then it just means I haven't killed enough!"

"Good boy! You've got guts!" The Regent's eyes lit up, and he burst into hearty laughter.

Heaven knew how much he had wanted to slaughter the Princess Consort's sister back then, but the Princess Consort's family threw a massive fit, crying, making a scene, and threatening suicide. Even their ancient, frail ancestor hobbled into the palace to beg him, forcing him to swallow his anger.

Seeing the young man's boldness now, his opinion of him changed drastically.

"I always thought your father was a blockhead, and figured his son would be much the same, but I didn't expect you to be an exception. Fine, for Qing'er's... ahem, for Miaomiao's sake, I won't pursue what your father did. Just one thing: treat Miaomiao well. Do you hear me?"

Yan Zheng respectfully cupped his hands. "Rest assured, Father-in-law. I will certainly never give her a reason to return to her maiden home crying."

The Regent hadn't expected him to be so tactful. The more he looked at this son-in-law, the more pleasing he found him. "Good! And as for her second brother..."

"As the Master of the Baixiao Pavilion, Second Brother-in-law controls the world's intelligence. How could he remain in seclusion on Mount Mei for long? It just so happens that the imperial court is preparing to establish the Imperial City Department to supervise the officials. I will have to ask for Second Brother-in-law's full assistance..."

The Regent repeatedly voiced his approval. With his aloof and cold temperament, he unprecedentedly patted Yan Zheng on the shoulder. "The imperial court and the state are of utmost importance. If you need anyone, just ask!"

Yan Zheng was overjoyed. He knew that although this prince was no longer in the court, his prestige remained. If he could truly invite some capable talents to assist him, he wouldn't have to overwork Cao Yang to death!

"Thank you, Father-in-law!"

This expression of gratitude was entirely sincere. The Regent waved his hand dismissively. "It's nothing. But establishing the Imperial City Department is a crucial matter. When do you plan to depart?"

Yan Zheng's eyelids twitched. He hadn't expected to be chased away so quickly, but he told the truth. "I'm afraid we'll have to stay a while longer. We must wait for Wu Xian to return and find the Medicine Human Gu to eliminate the threat once and for all."

Just as his voice fell, a heart-wrenching, sorrowful cry rang out from inside the medicine hut.

The father-in-law and son-in-law rushed in one after the other, only to see the Princess Consort covering her face, tears leaking through her fingers.

The Regent pushed his children aside and rushed forward. "What's wrong?"

Yun Lang glared at his back, about to make a sarcastic remark, but Chu Ruoyan spoke first. "Father, Mother... she knows about eldest brother."

The Regent's eyes turned cold, and the air pressure around him dropped drastically. But then the weeping Princess Consort suddenly raised her head. "Have your martial skills deteriorated, Your Highness?"

Her gentle, tear-stained face was full of resolve.

The Regent raised his sword-like eyebrows. "What a joke! Ask them yourself!"

His gaze turned to the younger generation. Yan Zheng stepped forward. "Mother-in-law, Father-in-law's skills are unmatched in this world."

Although Yun Lang was reluctant, he turned his head and admitted it too.

There was no helping it; this old madman was simply too strong. Even if they all teamed up, they probably wouldn't be his match.

The Princess Consort breathed a sigh of relief and turned to look at her husband. "For the suffering Zhao'er endured, I want them to pay back a hundredfold. Please capture them alive, Your Highness."

Beneath her gentle tone lay a cold, murderous intent.

For some reason, Yan Zheng thought of A'Yan. He felt that this mother and daughter were truly alike—both appeared as delicate as weeping willows in the wind, but were actually masterminds who strategized brilliantly.

Chu Ruoyan saw what he was thinking and secretly scratched his palm.

Yan Zheng caught her mischievous little hand, a smile touching his lips. "With Father-in-law taking action, it will surely be an effortless capture. You need not worry, Mother-in-law."

The Regent said slowly, "Zheng'er is right. Just put your heart at ease."

The Princess Consort nodded, then belatedly realized something. Zheng'er?

It wasn't just her; Yun Lang also had an expression as if he had seen a ghost.

Was this a mistake? When they were coming up the mountain, he had almost taken his life. How was he calling him Zheng'er so quickly?

Yan Zheng certainly wasn't going to mention that he had earned this by selling him out, and respectfully lowered his head.

And so the matter was settled. The Regent would personally handle things on Wu Xian's end.

After coming out of the medicine hut, Chu Ruoyan couldn't help but ask, "What did you say to my father to make him accept you so quickly?"

She had just spent ages talking when her mother asked about the three palaces and six courtyards, recounting all the trials and tribulations they had gone through over the years before her mother finally accepted him.

Yun Lang also leaned over curiously. "That was the first time I've heard that old madman call someone by their name, too. Hurry up and tell us, what trick did you use?"

Yan Zheng said calmly, "I didn't say much. I just catered to his preferences."

Yun Lang: "???"

Only upon returning to the wooden cabin did he explain the cause and effect to his wife.

Chu Ruoyan was left speechless. Who would have thought that her own father would start chasing them away after they had only been reunited for a little over a month!

"But it's good to go back. You are the Emperor, after all. Being away from the capital for too long might invite trouble."

Yan Zheng asked, "Are you not going to manage your father and second brother?"

Speaking of those two, Chu Ruoyan rubbed her forehead. "I can't manage them. I privately advised my second brother, but he shut me down with one sentence, saying the matter with eldest brother cannot be overlooked. Sigh, anyway, now that Mother is awake, this is a headache for her to deal with."

Yan Zheng smiled and kissed her forehead. "You just worry too much. Since you have this free time, have you thought of a formal name for Xiaoniu?"

When asked about this, Chu Ruoyan's eyes focused. "I think Wenfei sounds nice."

"Yun Wenfei? That works too."

Chu Ruoyan shook her head. "Yan Zheng, whether his surname is Yun or Yan, he is our child. As for the Yun family... Mother also said that Second Brother is still so young, and it's too early to worry about it. So I think we should just call him Wenfei. In a few years, if Second Brother truly has no heirs, we can talk about adoption then. What do you think?"

Yan Zheng nodded, leaning in close. "A'Yan, it's still early. Why don't we..."

Suddenly, Shadow burst in and handed over a secret letter.

Yan Zheng felt displeased, but he also knew the youth wouldn't be so reckless unless it was an absolute emergency.

He had no choice but to take it and tear it open. "Yun Zihao has been abducted?"