Chapter 162
Chapter 162
After finally persuading and coaxing her away, Weiqing Song pointed at the bird on her shoulder before closing the door. “May Imperial Brother borrow your bird?”
Shengsheng Zhou’s gaze naturally dropped. “Doesn’t Imperial Brother have one of his own?”
Weiqing: “…” For the first time, he envied the deaf.
Fusheng Duan: “…” That was insulting…
In the end, before Weiqing needed to explain, the yellow bird flew over voluntarily and perched proudly atop his head.
Shengsheng regarded him suspiciously. “Imperial Brother, my bird has a bad temper. If he offends you, suppress your anger and endure it.”
Weiqing smiled without warmth and gestured for her to leave.
He thought he understood the shameless old creature wearing a young bird’s skin far better than she did.
Yet after the door closed, Shengsheng did not hurry away.
How strange. Why did the two seem acquainted?
Pecky never stayed with strangers.
With that thought, Shengsheng pivoted on her toes and leaned against the door to eavesdrop.
Hm?
Was this door so springy?
A cough sounded above her head. Shengsheng realized something and slowly looked up.
Controlling his expression, Jian Zhang asked as gently as possible, “Princess, have you touched enough?”
Shengsheng squeezed twice more before releasing him. “Mm, quite good. Rong Li is fortunate.”
At the name, Jian’s eyes widened. He wanted details, but Shengsheng had already fled like the wind.
Inside the study.
“Nobody else is here. Or do you plan to speak with me in that form?”
Weiqing sat and stared coldly at the bird flying from his head, all warmth gone from his eyes.
A breeze passed, and a man in red suddenly occupied the empty space.
He casually took the folding fan the owner had set aside, leaned an elbow on the armrest, and tapped it idly.
Only after the silence lengthened did he lift his eyes toward Weiqing and comment, “You’re the first man I’ve seen wear white yet still carry the air of a pauper.”
Weiqing flared. “Someone who made himself look half-dead has no right to criticize me!”
Uncertainty crossed Fusheng’s eyes. “Are you angry with me?”
Weiqing felt one more sentence would kill him.
Had every move he made to sever their friendship been a performance for himself alone?
Did this man possess no self-awareness at all?!
Weiqing took several hard breaths, veins standing on his forehead as he forced a smile. “Fine. You’re noble, you’re remarkable, you win, Fusheng Duan.”
Fusheng waved a hand. “Say what matters. I have no time.”
Wonderful. Everything Weiqing said was nonsense again.
After calming himself, Weiqing said, “I knew long ago that she was Shengsheng Zhou.”
Fusheng raised a brow. “Was it difficult to guess?”
Weiqing: “…How did you discover it?”
Fusheng described his suspicions and what had happened.
Weiqing suddenly frowned. “You mean you can no longer hear her thoughts?”
Fusheng nodded.
They had discussed the inner voice before, so the topic was familiar.
For some inexplicable reason, superiority soothed Weiqing. He said blandly, “I see. I can hear them.”
Fusheng: ?
“When you regained the ability to hear her thoughts, was anything different from before?”
Weiqing Song shook his head. “I thought about it for a long time afterward, but nothing differed. Does a parrot count? Like the bear before, it can speak with her.”
Fusheng Duan shook his head. “I’ve seen it. But the parrot may offer a breakthrough.”
After discussing matters, Fusheng prepared to leave. Weiqing did not forget to say, “She is now my biological sister. If you wish to pursue her, you must pass my test first.”
Fusheng did not answer. He turned and looked at Weiqing with sympathy.
That gaze seemed to say–
This is the only way you can comfort yourself.
Weiqing: “…” Infuriating. He really ought to find a way to drive out that damned bird.
…
Shengsheng Zhou stared blankly at the door while the empress lectured beside her.
She had returned only to experience maternal love. If she had known, she would have climbed trees for fruit in the imperial garden.
Why had Pecky not returned?
“Sheng’er, are you listening to Imperial Mother?”
Shengsheng blinked and looked back. “Of course, my dear Imperial Mother.”
The empress tapped her forehead. “Child, after all I’ve said, what do you think?”
Shengsheng’s gaze drifted upward, seeking help from Suo Luo behind the empress.
Suo Luo pressed her lips together and silently mouthed the words.
Shengsheng immediately understood. “Actually, Imperial Mother, my answer isn’t important, is it? What matters is what Crown Prince Brother thinks. Imperial Father has been unwell and entrusted everything to Imperial Brother. An important diplomatic matter like this should be his decision.”
The empress understood. All that speech reduced to two words.
“Won’t marry.”
“The Yong emperor seems sincere. His betrothal gifts stretch from Shuanglin Palace to the palace gate,” the empress said romantically.
Thinking of those treasures, Shengsheng looked pained. “Imperial Mother, if I don’t marry him, will he take the gifts back?”
The empress tapped her nose. “Of course we must return them. Otherwise, what would people call Zhen Kingdom’s royal family?”
Shengsheng nodded. That was true.
As mother and daughter chatted idly, an attendant called outside, “Greetings, Your Highness the Crown Prince.”
Shengsheng sprang up and rushed toward the door.
The empress smiled. Did seeing Imperial Brother make the child this happy?
The door opened, and Shengsheng’s eyes shone. “Pecky is back!”
A little yellow bird flew over, and girl and bird greeted each other intimately.
The empress: “…”
Weiqing bowed. “Imperial Mother, this son wishes to discuss something.”
The empress indicated she was listening.
Weiqing patted Shengsheng and told her to sit and listen.
Shengsheng sat obediently beside the empress and stared at him with innocent eyes.
After moistening his throat with tea from a maid, Weiqing began. “Several days ago, an incident greatly troubled Imperial Father and damaged his health. He finally entrusted it to this son.”
The empress frowned slightly. She had heard of it but did not know details.
The rear palace must not interfere in government. It was taboo.
“The matter is too bizarre. This son intends to investigate personally.” He glanced at the girl playing with her bird and smiled. “This son wishes to take Sheng’er along.”
Shengsheng: ?!