The Great Emperor's sudden appearance startled the young eunuchs guarding the Eastern Palace gate.
Just as they were about to announce him, Mo Liusheng impatiently waved them off and strode in with his hands clasped behind his back.
However, the sight that greeted him upon entering was quite jarring.
Crown Prince Mo was embracing his little wife.
Master Qiao Qiao was completely draped over him...
Truly, the world was declining; what an eyesore in broad daylight!
As Mo Liusheng strode in, the young couple turned their faces to look at him, their gazes a bit strange.
"Your father's here," Master Qiao Qiao jumped down from him, landing on the ground and glancing at the Great Emperor.
Crown Prince Mo, on the other hand, felt his father was a bit annoying.
Hadn't he just left the Imperial Study? Why was he following again? Couldn't he and his wife have some peaceful time together?
The Great Emperor saw his son's dark face, looking as if he didn't want to see him, and snorted with his hands clasped behind his back. "What kind of expression is that? You don't want to see your father?"
Crown Prince Mo mumbled softly.
"What did you say?" Mo Liusheng turned to glare at his son.
Crown Prince Mo stepped forward a few paces and bowed. "Your son said, you've arrived at just the right time. My wife and I were just about to dine. Since you're here, let's eat together."
This scoundrel of a son had finally said something sensible!
Mo Liusheng nodded, quite pleased. "Serve the meal."
Crown Prince Mo and Master Qiao Qiao exchanged glances, then walked hand-in-hand towards the dining hall in the side palace.
With His Majesty dining in the Eastern Palace today, the little eunuchs and palace maids below became exceptionally busy.
Dishes flowed in like water, and by the time the three entered, the table was already laden with food.
Mo Liusheng looked at the young couple's hands, which remained clasped together throughout, and felt his eyes stinging again. He cleared his throat and said, "How was your experience in the secret realm? Did you encounter any dangers?"
Crown Prince Mo shook his head. "It felt quite good."
Mo Liusheng put down his chopsticks and subtly twitched the corner of his mouth. "Ahem, but how did朕 hear that your trip was fraught with danger?"
Mo Liusheng looked at his son and pressed on, "Did you encounter dangers all the way from Du Chunjiang to Red River Canyon? Was anything wrong?"
"You can see we're all vibrant and haven't lost any limbs, so you know there was nothing wrong at all," Crown Prince Mo secretly rolled his eyes, then added, "But Father, my wife suffered a lot along the way. Perhaps you should open a treasury or something to help her recuperate?"
Mo Liusheng: ...
How dare you say that!
He, as a father, was more tired than anyone.
His son was squandering money up front, and he had to pay the bills in the back. What kind of Crown Prince behaved like this?
Reckless and chaotic!
Mo Liusheng grew increasingly exasperated, feeling like his beard was bristling and his eyes bulging.
The little poker face glared back at the Great Emperor unceremoniously, saying clearly, "Don't glare at Qiao Qiao's Lian."
Mo Liusheng: ...
Mo Lian was overjoyed, moving closer to his wife and putting a piece of fish on her plate. "Qiao Qiao, eat."
Mo Liusheng felt even more frustrated.
This son treated his wife a hundred times better than he treated his father!
"We encountered people from Heavenly Fate in Red River Canyon."
Master Qiao Qiao glanced at Mo Liusheng and said, "It seems Heavenly Fate is about to make a move. You should prepare as early as possible."
Crown Prince Mo nodded repeatedly beside her, in full agreement with his wife. "Although we annihilated the Divine Hall's forces, Heavenly Fate, this underground organization, has probably been developing for several hundred years."