Chapter 1288 - 964: Unknown Truth, Dare Not Speculate

Tao Wanxin momentarily paused at the child’s laughter but immediately regained her composure: "I’ve heard a little."

"What do you think?"

"I don’t have the full picture, so I dare not speak rashly."

"Don’t have the full picture, dare not speak rashly," Yu Wenquan repeated these words, glanced at her, and a slight smile seemed to appear on his face. He said, "Your words always make sense."

"The Emperor overpraises."

Tao Wanxin smiled, looked up to meet Yu Wenquan’s gaze, observed him carefully, and immediately said: "The Emperor’s eyes are a bit red."

"Oh?" Yu Wenquan slightly furrowed his brow upon hearing this. Eunuch Yu sighed: "The young master cried all night. The Emperor didn’t sleep well to take care of him, so—"

Yu Wenquan immediately said: "Too talkative!"

Eunuch Yu was so frightened that he quickly bowed his head and retreated.

Tao Wanxin didn’t say much upon seeing his reaction, only cautiously tried to take Little Yuan Qian from the Emperor’s hands. But as soon as she moved, Little Yuan Qian started to pout and was about to cry, so she quickly retracted her hand, looked at Yu Wenquan, and then smiled: "He knows Grandpa cares for him the most too."

Hearing this, a hint of a smile flashed across Yu Wenquan’s face, but there was also some worry in his brow as he said, "This child..."

Tao Wanxin didn’t press the issue, only sat beside Yu Wenquan and gently patted Little Yuan Qian’s back with one hand.

Tao Wanxin continued: "But, Your Majesty, children are at their most troublesome at this age. With just one night, Your Majesty’s eyes are red; this can’t be good."

Upon hearing this, Chu Ruoyan, who had initially closed her mouth due to her arrival, immediately brightened her eyes, looked up at Yu Wenquan sincerely, wanting to speak but feeling timid. Yu Wenquan also glanced at her, hesitantly saying, "Ruoyan wants to take the child to care for."

"Oh?"

Tao Wanxin turned to look at Chu Ruoyan and smiled: "That’s not a bad idea."

Han Yuhui immediately said: "But Lady Chu hasn’t raised children before and doesn’t know how to take care of them; I’m afraid it might be inappropriate."

Tao Wanxin looked at her and smiled: "Then what do you suggest, Han Shanggong?"

Han Yuhui said: "Although clumsy, I once took care of the Crown Prince and King Qi in the imperial concubine’s quarters."

Tao Wanxin smiled: "If Han Shanggong is considered clumsy, then there aren’t any clever people in the palace."

Hearing these words, Chu Ruoyan’s face turned slightly pale, but in the next moment, Tao Wanxin said: "But even so, the young prince cried all night last night, indicating that each child is different. Furthermore, if Han Shanggong were to take care of Yuan Qian, she would have to come to Liangyi Hall, delaying her duties at the Palace Bureau. Besides, if the child remains in Liangyi Hall, the Emperor would still be distracted."

Yu Wenquan gave her a glance and said: "You have a point."

Chu Ruoyan quickly said to Yu Wenquan: "Your Majesty, although I haven’t raised a child, I often visit Qianqiu Palace and know how the Princess takes care of children. Yuan Qian is very close to me. I will be diligent."

"..."

Yu Wenquan remained silent, seemingly still hesitating, but there appeared to be some concession.

In all fairness, he was reluctant to entrust Yuan Qian to anyone else’s care. Keeping him close was the best. The bond between grandfather and grandson was unchangeable, regardless of King Qin’s relationship with him or whether Princess Qin was truly at fault this time.

However, his health was indeed compromised.

Since the battle at Longmen Crossing, his condition had deteriorated each day. Last night, he was troubled by the issue with Shang Ruyi and tended to the child throughout the night, making him feel dizzy. This morning, during the court session, he received the second letter from Princess Qiancheng, requesting immediate military action in Xiazhou.

At the same time, news came that several forces seemed to be eyeing the stalemate between Dasheng and Luoyang, harboring intentions towards Chang An.

If troops were dispatched to Xiazhou at this time, Chang An might become unstable.

But if no action was taken—

These matters brought unease to the entire court, and Yu Wenquan was particularly troubled. In such circumstances, it was indeed difficult for him to also care for Yuan Qian.

Seeing him somewhat relent, Tao Wanxin tenderly smiled and said: "It’s rare for Lady Chu to be so considerate; it would also benefit Yuan Qian. Furthermore, the Emperor should consider his health. National affairs are paramount, and the Emperor cannot be distracted."

Yu Wenquan said: "I’m just concerned about her youth."

Tao Wanxin laughed: "If the Emperor is worried, why not have the nanny and the palace maids from Qianqiu Palace accompany her? I’ve observed that they work well together. It would be thorough."

After speaking, she looked at Chu Ruoyan: "What do you say?"

Chu Ruoyan hurriedly said: "I will take good care of Yuan Qian."

Yu Wenquan watched her for a long time and finally said: "Very well."

Upon hearing this, a weight seemed to drop from Chu Ruoyan’s heart, but a heavier boulder pressed down, almost suffocating her.

Yet she immediately said: "Thank you, Your Majesty!"

Thus, the child was entrusted to her care. Chu Ruoyan let out a deep breath of relief, glanced cautiously at Tao Wanxin, and nodded gently to her.

Tao Wanxin said: "You must take good care of the princely heir."

Chu Ruoyan said: "I understand, I will return to arrange everything."

After speaking, she curtsied to them and left with Nanny Feng and Panqing.

Watching their figures disappear outside Liangyi Hall, Tao Wanxin also breathed a sigh of relief but, as she withdrew her gaze, accidentally saw Han Yuhui standing at the side of the hall. A nearly imperceptible cold smile appeared on her face.

Tao Wanxin’s heart tightened at once.

But in the next moment, Han Yuhui’s face returned to calm, as if the cold smile had just been a hallucination.

At this moment, Yu Wenquan leaned crookedly against the couch, waved his hand, and said: "Alright, all of you leave. Let me have a moment alone with Tao Jieyu."

Everyone quickly complied and turned to leave Liangyi Hall.

Watching them exit the hall and close the door, Tao Wanxin then stood up, walked behind Yu Wenquan, and gently massaged his temples. As her fingertips touched, she could feel a slight bulge there, a condition indeed caused by great fatigue. Yu Wenquan furrowed his brow slightly, and Tao Wanxin immediately whispered: "Did I hurt the Emperor?"

Yu Wenquan chuckled softly: "How could your little strength hurt me?"

Tao Wanxin also chuckled and increased the strength of her fingers, massaging Yu Wenquan to his comfort. He exhaled deeply and then said: "What do you think about Princess Qin’s matter this time?"

Tao Wanxin paused briefly, but her hand didn’t stop moving. She only smiled and said: "Didn’t I just say, without knowing the whole picture, I dare not speak recklessly."

Yu Wenquan half closed his eyes and said: "I want to hear your ’reckless words’."