Chapter 939: Meeting the Count of Anping

to a private room.The interior was grand and elegant. A solid wood round table with only two chairs suggested that the private room was reserved for just the two of them.Ripples and Gong Fan glanced a...Huiyuan, after hearing this, was dumbfounded. She shook her head and said after chanting a Buddhist phrase:

"Amitabha Buddha! Prince, there are no female disciples practicing in the Guocheng Temple."

The eldest prince was somewhat disappointed after hearing this, but he closed his eyes and recalled it once more, confirming that the woman had saved him last night. However, these matters could be put aside for now. When he opened his eyes again, he was once more the composed and intelligent eldest prince.

"Master Huiyuan, thank you so much for your help this time."

"Amitabha! As long as the crown prince enters Guoshi Temple, this old monk will ensure his safety."

Huiyuan immediately said, he was not talking nonsense, only as long as Dahuan dynasty lasted for a long time, the Guo Temple could forever have incense burning brightly.

"Rest assured, Your Highness. This old monk discovered that you immediately dispatched someone to the palace to send a message. People from the palace have already been sent."

Thank you, master.

The eldest prince immediately expressed his gratitude.

He went out this time to investigate the cause of the collapse of the Hengjiang levee, and unexpectedly discovered that the materials used in its construction were problematic. This led to a corruption case, and he followed the clues to find that it was his second brother who was involved.

After discovering the discrepancy, he immediately set out with the evidence and headed back. Halfway there, he started encountering relentless assassins. His men fought valiantly to protect him, some dying, others injured, and many scattered. By the time he reached the outskirts of Beijing, only two guards remained by his side, and he himself was wounded.

And those pursuing them also became frantic, growing more ruthless in their attacks. He realized there was no chance of entering the palace, so he had to gamble everything and flee to the Temple of National Protection. He knew that as long as he entered the temple, he would be safe.

The abbot of Guójí Temple, Huìyuán, would protect him no matter what. He was almost silenced, but if it weren't for the appearance of a woman in white, he probably wouldn't have waited for Abbot Huìyuán to find him.

"This old monk only treated the Crown Prince's wounds simply. I will return to the palace and have the imperial physician give you a thorough examination."

"OK."

The eldest prince tried to move his arms and legs. Both of those places had been cut, otherwise he wouldn't have escaped so painfully.

Once Abbot Huìyuán had left the room, the young eunuch who waited on the prince rushed in and knelt beside the bed, beginning to weep.

"Master, Wan Fu thought he would never see you again."

"Alright, stop crying. Your master is still alive! Hurry up and arrange for me to be sent back to the palace. I want to see my father."

"Yes, right away, master!"

Wan Fu stopped crying, wiped his face, and ran out to arrange people. He couldn't let his master get into trouble again.

He may be a slave, but he also knows the danger of the imperial power struggle. This time, as long as the eldest prince gets through this hurdle, the rest will be nothing to worry about.

That afternoon, the Crown Prince returned to the palace. The corpses of the assassins and guards were also removed, and the temple reopened.

Ripples listened to the message sent back by Doudou and knew that the eldest prince was eager to return and bring down the person behind the scenes. Now, he couldn't even find his benefactor. She wasn't in a hurry either, so she stayed at Guoguo Temple according to the original plan for three days, pushing her cultivation to the peak of the fourth level of Qi Refining, then returned home.

Back at the Hou Mansion, after just two days, on one evening, Madam Hou instructed Yao Mama to bring Lian Yi alone to the main courtyard. This time, it was Lord An Ding who wanted to see her.

Since his youngest daughter’s illness showed no signs of improvement, Duke An could only place his hopes on his eldest daughter. To make his eldest daughter serve him, he naturally had to show her some love as a father.

After being ushered in, ripples did not see Madam Hou. She must have been sent away beforehand.

Grandmother Yao stepped forward and respectfully performed a bow.

"My Lord, Miss Lianyi has arrived."

"Let her come over!"

A majestic voice rang out, but Lian Ri didn't immediately look at the speaker. Following the proper etiquette she had learned from Granny Sun these past two days, she performed a standard bow:

"I have met the Marquis of An Ding, my lord, ten thousand blessings."

"You and I, father and daughter, need not be so distant."

Although An Dinghou looked at his obedient daughter, he was still quite satisfied in his heart.

"Sit down and talk."

"Yes!"

Only after the ripples settled did she raise her head to look at Hou An Ding, and he was also looking at her.

Looking at his eldest daughter, who was more beautiful than her younger sister, with her rosy cheeks, the balance in his heart naturally tipped towards Lianyi.

"Child, your mother concealed your existence from me. It was only upon my return from this mission that I learned of another daughter. Please do not blame your father for this."

Ding Hou first distanced himself, stating that it was his wife's fault for concealing the information and that he was unaware of it.

"How could a daughter blame her father If there was no father, how would there be a daughter There was a reason for what happened back then. Mother did it to protect me and to maintain the reputation of the Hou Mansion."

The ripples replied politely.

"Good child, although you weren't raised with us, you are sensible and broad-minded. That is the most precious thing."

A tall hat was sent to Ripples first.

"Since the father is a man of integrity, his daughter will certainly not be any different."

The ripples immediately attributed the credit back to Hou An Ding.

"Regarding your joining the Lin family, your mother has already told me, and she also said that you are willing to do so. After all, this matter has wronged you, so as a father, I still want to ask about your thoughts."

Hou An settled down and went straight to the point.

"My lord, this was my own decision. Mother said that this marriage alliance is not only about joining forces to pacify the Qin and Jin states, but there are other reasons as well."

Although I don't understand, I still want to help ease your worries and repay you for your kindness in raising me.

"That's the best way to think about it. You're my daughter, and I wouldn't mistreat you. Once you marry into the Lin family, all you need to do is be a good wife and mother, and secure your position as the youngest mistress of the Minister's household."

The Marquis of An Ding spoke directly.

Yes, daughter knows.

The ripples obeyed obediently, although things were developing along the trajectory of their past lives, there were still differences.

In her previous life, Lady Hou treated Ripple as a mere substitute, temporarily filling the position of the young mistress of the Lin family while her ailing daughter recovered. Once her younger daughter was well again, the elder daughter would no longer be of use.

But this life was completely different. Their youngest daughter could die at any moment, so the eldest needed to be appeased even more. As long as their eldest daughter successfully married into the Lin family, everything else would fall into place. They could use this to control her then.

"This time when you get married, I'll have your mother give you another five thousand taels of silver to put in your dowry. That way, even after you enter the Lin family, you can stand tall."

The Stabilizing Marquis immediately gave Lianyi a sweet date.

"Thank you, Father, for considering me so carefully."

Ripples, seeing the other's magnanimity, immediately showed An Ding Hou a grateful and affectionate expression, portraying a daughter longing for paternal love to the fullest.

"Rest assured, the Xue family will always be your strong support."

Both parties were very satisfied with the "heart-to-heart" talk between father and daughter that evening. The Duke of An Ding was satisfied with Lian Yi's respectful attitude towards him, and Lian Yi was satisfied with the silver given by the Duke of An Ding.

Lianyi returned to Bi Lan Yuan with a smile on her face. Sun Mama, seeing this, proactively came forward to help Lianyi change her clothes. Then, she subtly inquired about what had happened at the main courtyard.

"My father has been very good to me. Before, he didn't know I existed, and now he's trying his best to make up for it.""Yes."Wen Zhao Ming did not beat around the bush, but gave a positive answer.