A moment later, the palace attendant brought the person in.
Everyone looked over curiously and saw an old woman, roughly in her forties or fifties, dressed in coarse cloth.
Someone asked in confusion, "Your Majesty, who is this?"
Only Yun Wan and Lu Yuanduo's expressions faltered slightly upon clearly seeing the woman's face.
Seeing this, the palace attendant nudged the old woman, signaling her to speak for herself.
This was the first time in her life entering the palace and meeting the Emperor and the imperial relatives. The old woman was so nervous her face turned pale, and her body trembled uncontrollably.
But she was even more afraid of performing poorly and making a mistake that would cost her life, so she tried her best to remain composed and said shakily,
"This lowly woman... my surname is Feng. I was once the wet nurse for the Third Young Master of the Lu family. After the young master married, by Old Madam's order, I took care of the daily life of the young master and his wife."
So she was a servant from the Lu family. The crowd immediately became more interested.
Emperor Jingxuan glanced over, and Jiang Fusheng immediately spoke up, "You heard what was said outside the hall just now. What do you have to say?"
Madam Feng: "This lowly woman... I can prove that the little young master... no, the little prince is definitely not the Third Young Master's child!"
"I cared for the Third Young Master for over ten years and am most familiar with his appearance. I can swear to heaven, the little prince does not resemble the young master in looks. Moreover..."
She swallowed, seeming afraid.
Emperor Jingxuan: "Moreover what?"
Madam Feng gritted her teeth and said bluntly, "Moreover, our young master was frail since childhood. Five years ago, his health was already at the end of its rope; he did not have the ability to father children."
"This was something I overheard by chance from the physician's conversation with the young master. The young master did not wish this to be known, so he ordered the physician to conceal it. Naturally, I did not dare reveal it to anyone."
After quickly finishing what she knew, she prostrated herself on the ground.
Soon after, the old physician who had always treated Lu Fenglan swore to heaven, confirming Madam Feng's words.
Yun Wan was stunned, as she had not known about this.
She tried to find any trace of unnatural lying on their faces, but there was none.
For a moment, she wasn't even sure if this was the truth or something Emperor Jingxuan had people fabricate?
Someone looked at Lu Yuanduo and asked with a smile, "Duke Lu, this matter concerns your own younger brother. Won't you offer a few words in defense?"
Yet Lu Yuanduo was exceptionally calm and indifferent. "One only needs to defend against fabricated falsehoods. What Madam Feng said is indeed the truth. What is there to defend?"
He drained the wine in his cup, turned to look at the speaker, and said with a faint, ambiguous smile, "This was originally my younger brother's private matter, yet because of your groundless speculation about the little prince's identity, it has been exposed to the public. If my brother's spirit in the netherworld has any awareness, you all should be careful when walking at night."
The person he looked at felt a chill in his heart, then became resentful and thought to himself, if Third Master Lu were to claim a life, it shouldn't be his turn, right? After all, he wasn't the one who stole the wife and child.
At the head of the hall, Emperor Jingxuan placed a morsel of food in Yun Wan's bowl. Seeing that the timing below was about right, he said, "Since you persist in questioning, I might as well tell you."
He took Yun Wan's hand, his gaze gentle as he said, "Years ago, I fell victim to a plot. Fortunately, my beloved consort saved me with her own person, which is how we had Sui."
"Unfortunately, a master diviner once asserted that because I killed too many enemies in my early years, I am entangled with baleful energy, making it difficult to have offspring. If we wanted Sui to grow up healthy, the only solution was to raise him outside the palace."
"Now that the baleful energy on my person has been dispelled, Sui's identity must naturally be made public."
In a few words, he explained the origin of the child, A'Sui, while simultaneously downplaying as much as possible certain private conduct issues that could easily invite criticism and gossip, framing Yun Wan to the greatest extent as his life-saving benefactor.
As for the rest, he only hinted at it.
Taking in the expressions of the crowd, he said in a measured tone, "Do you all think that I would mistake my own flesh and blood, or that Consort Zhao's life-saving grace to me is unworthy of her position as a consort?"
"Or perhaps," he paused, his gaze sharp as a torch, "there are still remnants of those who plotted against me five years ago among you?"
His words were like cold steel, chilling to the bone.
Everyone couldn't help but recall the time five years ago when, due to traitors' designs to assassinate Emperor Jingxuan, the palace and the capital were guarded by the imperial army. So many conspirators were uncovered that the prisons were nearly overflowing.
Everyone trembled in body and mind, hurriedly declaring, "Your Majesty, please investigate clearly! We subjects harbor no disloyalty!"
Emperor Jingxuan said lightly, "It's best if there is none."
"I know some are unconvinced in their hearts. To prevent anyone from ever again using Sui's lineage as a topic of discussion, why don't you all propose a method that can prove Sui is indeed my bloodline."
Everyone looked at each other, unable to decide.
What does His Majesty mean by this?
Just now, he forbade them from questioning the little prince's lineage, even forcing them to hear the Lu family's 'shameful secret.' Now he is actively asking them to verify the little prince's lineage?
His Majesty's thoughts are profound and unfathomable; it feels like a trap.
For a moment, no one spoke, all bowing their heads in thought.
Except for Yun Wan. Connecting Emperor Jingxuan's unusual behavior before and after, she had a vague idea.
Sensing her gaze, Emperor Jingxuan returned a reassuring look, then turned his eyes, cold and stern, towards one person and said, "Li Qing, I see you seem to have something to say. Speak frankly."
Grand Tutor Li had not expected Emperor Jingxuan to call his name. He struggled internally but still could not bear to give up.
This was the last chance.
If it were just a prince who had fallen among the commoners and was illiterate, it might be one thing. But it was precisely this four-year-old toddler who had recently stolen the spotlight and overshadowed the Crown Prince.
He had a premonition: if this child was not removed, there would be endless trouble later.
Having made up his mind, his eyes turned sharp for an instant, then he lowered his gaze and said, "Your Majesty, the method I propose may... injure the imperial person."
Emperor Jingxuan's expression remained unchanged. "Speak. I pardon you."
Grand Tutor Li: "It is... the blood test."
As soon as the words fell, they were met with rebuttal.
"Outrageous! The imperial person is sacred and noble. How can it be harmed? Li Bohong, what is your intention?" Zhang Lian angrily rebuked.
Princess Yongshou frowned. "Imperial Brother is the Son of Heaven. How can his body be cut to draw blood?"
Even if it were just a drop or two, it is more precious than that of an ordinary person.
Seeing everyone oppose him, Grand Tutor Li grew even more determined. "I merely propose a feasible method to prove the little prince's identity. I have no other intention. I await Your Majesty's judgment!"
Contrary to expectations, despite everyone's objections, Emperor Jingxuan's expression remained calm. He even instructed the palace attendants, "Bring water."
He pinched A'Sui's cheek and asked softly, "Are you afraid of pain?"
A'Sui shook his head. "Not afraid!"
He already knew what was about to happen and was exceptionally brave.
Emperor Jingxuan's lips curved. "Truly my son."
He faced the crowd. "Did you hear that? A four-year-old child is not afraid. What should I fear?"
The palace attendants quickly brought clear water in a silver basin and prepared a silver needle.
Upon learning that the Emperor and the new prince were to undergo a blood test, the Imperial Physician hurried over.
With everything ready, Emperor Jingxuan picked up the silver needle and cleanly pricked his fingertip, letting a drop of blood fall into the water.
Next was A'Sui. Yun Wan cupped his little face, talking to him to distract him.
In a momentary lapse of attention, Emperor Jingxuan held his middle finger, pricked it, and squeezed out a drop of blood.
Two drops of blood fell into the water and began to change.
Under the watchful eyes of all, people couldn't help but stand up, craning their necks, wishing they could stretch further to see the situation in the silver basin.
Everyone held their breath. The hall was utterly silent.
