Chapter 339 (2/2)

Zeng Jing said softly. Then, he sighed and furrowed his brows after a silent moment. ”If our daughter had really been a maidservant in an ordinary family, then it could be easily settled. But do you know who her young master is?”

”Ning Que is not an ordinary person. He is the legendary author of 'the flower blooms' and is favored by the Emperor. Now that I think of it, isn't the name at the beginning of the Chicken Soup Calligraphy also Sangsang?”

Mrs. Zeng was slightly startled. She had been in a daze after seeing Sangsang at the palace and had forgotten the Empress' introductions. It was only now that she remembered that the immoral young guy that she had scolded the entire day wasn't any son of a random

a random official in Chang'an, but someone that her husband brought up often lately.

”I remember now. Her Majesty did mention Sir Ning's name.”

Mrs. Zeng continued. ”So what? Even if His Majesty likes his calligraphy, it is our right to retrieve our daughter. Who would be so immoral to stop us? I'm sure that His Majesty would greet this news with joy as well.”

Zeng Jing furrowed his brows. ”Do you know of Ning Que's another ident.i.ty?”

”What ident.i.ty?”

”He is a student of the Second floor of the Academy.”

Mrs. Zeng asked in surprise, ”There is a Second floor to the Academy?”

Zeng Jing said in a low voice, ”There are many floors to the Academy.”

Mrs. Zeng frowned in confusion. ”What kind of place is this Second floor?”

Zeng Jing answered, ”Those who are able to study on the Second floor of the Academy are the core disciples of the Headmaster of the Academy.”

Mrs. Zeng could not understand why her husband had brought up something completely unrelated. She asked, ”And who is this Headmaster of the Academy?”

Zeng Jing looked at her. He sighed and shook his head. ”You're really dumb. The Headmaster of the Academy is the dean of the Academy.”

Mrs. Zeng finally realized how difficult the situation was when she heard ”dean of the Academy”. However, her desire to recover her long-lost daughter was strong and was more important than anything. She said in annoyance, ”Even the dean has to be reasonable, no? Furthermore, our daughter is only a little maidservant. We can just give Ning Que some money. Why would he have any objections?”

Zeng Jing shook his head. He was an important official of the imperial court and was no stranger to Ning Que. He was involved in the earlier furor over ”the flower blooms” and the ascension of the mountain at the back of the Academy. Everyone was now concerned about his ident.i.ty as the Wayfarer of the Academy.

Ning Que was the

Que was the person from the Academy who was entering the human realm. His opinion was very important in deciding who would inherit the dragon throne. Zeng Jing knew that he was close to the Princess. As someone from the Empress' faction, he was worried that recovering his long-lost daughter would affect all their future plans.

It was just that he would not tell this to his wife. Instead, after a moment of silence, he said, ”Go to the palace tomorrow and see what Her Majesty has to say about it.”

Mrs. Zeng had never been to school and was not learned compared to all the ladies of the court. However, after that tragic incident and through the teachings of the Empress over the years, she had turned from the weak and helpless concubine into an opinionated housewife. When she heard her husband's words, she only raised a brow and said, ”I don't care what the Empress has to say, I will definitely acknowledge my own daughter.”

”Mr. Thirteen, Ning Que... the Academy... why is this so?”

In the depths of the palace, golden bricks sparkled warmly. The Empress murmured to herself as she held on to the letter in her hands with confusion and vigilance etched between her brows.

The letter had come from the General's Mansion in Tuyang City. Xia Hou had mentioned about the latest incidents in Tuyang City as well as his decision to quit his position and retire. He had asked her to help explain his decision to the Emperor.

There weren't many in the world who knew of the true relations.h.i.+p between the Empress and Xia Hou.

The Empress knew how stubborn her brother, who loved her deeply, was. What had the two from the Academy done in the Wilderness and Tuyang City for her brother to admit defeat and retire?

She was very willing for her brother to stay away from bloodshed. Retiring was a very good ending and she was very comforted after reading the letter. However, she was still confused about the events that had led up to this point.

That was when Mrs. Zeng arrived.

When she heard Mrs. Zeng recount what had happened to Sangsang tearfully and laughingly, the Empress remained silent for a long while. Then, a warm smile emerged from the corners of her lips and she said, ”This is good news.”

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