Chapter 2446: Extra - You'll Be the Little County Princess from Now On (Patreon)

Chapter 2446: Extra - You'll Be the Little County Princess from Now On



There was one more thing: the Emperor gave Meng Yunzheng an imperial edict, which was equivalent to a golden ticket to escape death. In the future, even if the Emperor was no longer around, this imperial edict would still hold significant power.


Such favor from the current Emperor was unparalleled.


However, the Empress understood the Emperor's intentions very well.


Meng Yunzheng and the Emperor had known each other since their humble beginnings. When the Emperor was still the Fifth Prince, they had gone through many trials and tribulations together, forging a deep friendship during their youth.


However, after the Emperor ascended the throne, Meng Yunzheng chose to withdraw from the political scene, returning to his hometown without any attachment to power or wealth.


Back home, he didn't completely abandon his responsibilities. He took on the role of a local leader and continued to assist and support the Emperor in a less threatening manner.


In the Emperor's eyes, Meng Yunzheng was utterly loyal. Over the years, everyone had changed to some extent, but he remained uninterested in fame, fortune, or any personal gains from the Emperor.


It could be said that Meng Yunzheng held a more significant place in the Emperor's heart than people like Qi Lie and Xiang Weinan.


The more selfless a person like Meng Yunzheng was, the more the Emperor wanted to give him.


The Empress knew very well that even if Meng Yunzheng wasn't actively involved in court affairs, even if they might not meet the Emperor for several years, the Emperor would never forget him, and he would always remember the benefits.


Now, when she heard that Meng Yunzheng had brought his wife and children with him, the Emperor immediately made up his mind. Without even seeing Mengmeng's face, he decided to have the Empress adopt her as a foster daughter.


This wasn't just the Empress's foster daughter; she was also the Emperor's.


The Empress said to Shu Yu, "Today, let me have a private chat with Lady Lu. Tomorrow, the Emperor will announce the imperial edict at the morning court session. Lady Lu, don't worry. Mengmeng is blessed to have two people who cherish her."


Hearing this, Shu Yu sighed inwardly.


Since this matter had nothing to do with court disputes and it was decided by both the Emperor and the Empress, she would appear ungrateful if she refused.


She nodded and said, "I understand."


She called Mengmeng over and said, "From now on, the Empress is your foster mother. Come, kneel and kowtow to your foster mother."


"Okay." Mengmeng didn't quite understand what was going on. By the time she came to her senses, she had already finished kowtowing.


The Empress took out a jade bracelet. "This is a gift from your foster mother. Take it. From now on, you'll be the honorable little princess."


Mengmeng knew that jade was fragile, so she didn't dare to touch it much. After glancing at it a couple of times, she quickly had Shu Yu put it away for her.


Shu Yu sighed in helplessness, but the Empress thought this child knew how to cherish gifts from others, which was a good character trait.


She also gave a jade pendant to Huohuo on the side, saying it was a gift for their first meeting.


Huohuo's father, Zhao Xi, also had a deep friendship with the Emperor.


Back when the Emperor was still the Fifth Prince, there were often dangerous tasks that needed to be handled secretly. At that time, Zhao Xi served as the physician exclusively for the Fifth Prince's residence.


One time, the Fifth Prince had almost lost his life, and it was Zhao Xi who saved him.


Four years ago during the southwestern expedition, Zhao Xi had also made significant contributions. However, Zhao Xi had already received his rewards. The Emperor gave him an imperial plaque and provided him with an unpublished medical book from the palace and several rare and precious medicinal herbs.


It was said that Zhao Xi's wife was pregnant again. When Meng Yunzheng and the others left the capital, the Emperor would probably send them back with quite a few tonics.