Heartstrings Resonance: The Beloved Princess of the Female Power

Emperor Qing Zhao speculated, "It's very likely that after you left, your father couldn't find you and eventually turned to the Youdu royal family for help, agreeing to serve them in exchange for their help in finding you." At this point, he remembered that the book about Gu worms mentioned a type of Gu that could track people, so he asked Aliru, "Does your clan have a Gu worm called the Tracking Gu?"

Aliru nodded, looking downcast. "When I ran away, I was worried about being found by my father and the others, so I left the tracking Gu in the room and didn't bring it out. It's all my fault for being too playful. After I left, I never could go back!"

Yongle thought of the purpose of Mu Yunxi's visit and quietly discussed with Emperor Qing Zhao: "If the wizards of Pro City really took action because of Aliru, then can we discuss this matter with Aliru? Perhaps she has a way to solve this problem."

Emperor Qing Zhao pondered for a moment and nodded in agreement. He looked at Aliru and slowly spoke, "Madam Aliru, I know you and your people have been ostracized and treated unfairly by the people of Youdu, but the situation is urgent now, and I hope you can understand. I would like to ask you, if the wizards of Pro City did attack Zhao State because of you, what are your thoughts on this matter? Can we resolve this issue in some way?"

"I need to go back and confirm this!" Aliru's face was exhausted. She had been imprisoned for too long, and her body hadn't fully recovered. Now she was over sixty, and her health had been strained from all the traveling. Emperor Qing Zhao signaled for Chief Steward Fu to help her sit down and sent for ginseng soup.

After her complexion improved, Emperor Qing Zhao thought for a moment and decided to tell Aliru about Mu Yunxi's trip to Pro City, but he only mentioned that he wanted the people of Pro City to join the Zhao Kingdom. He then said, "Madam Aliru, I understand your grievances. However, please believe that I mean no harm. If you are willing to help us resolve this issue, I promise to give your clan the respect and treatment they deserve."

"But will the people of Zhao accept us?" Aliru shook his head, his face filled with worry. "My people have harmed them before, how could they easily accept us? Even if the people of Pro City go to Zhao, I'm afraid they will still be ostracized and discriminated against..."

Hearing this, Yongle couldn't help but interrupt her and said in a firm tone: "I really dare not make an absolute guarantee to you on this issue, but our Zhaoguo royal family can solemnly promise you that we will never force your clan to do anything that goes against conscience and morality!" After that, she turned her head and looked at Emperor Qingzhao. There seemed to be a hint of expectation in her eyes, as if waiting for his approval.

Emperor Qing Zhao naturally approved of Yongle's words. He nodded in agreement without hesitation and said to Aliru with certainty, "I have never been fond of using shady, underhanded means to gain control of the empire." Yongle knew his character and personality well, so he dared to say this. The old lady, who had been imprisoned for many years, though her eyes seemed somewhat hollow and her face slightly thin, did not exude that kind of repulsive aura. Instead, she gave off a kind and gentle vibe. This showed that she was a kind-hearted person.

Emperor Qing Zhao continued, "You just said that your poisonous insects can save lives, which means they are also a form of medical skill. If you wish, you can also exchange your experiences with the doctors of our Zhao Kingdom and create the pinnacle of medical skills. This is also possible."

At this point, his tone turned serious. "But... if your people threaten the people of Zhao, I will show no mercy. However, I know they are not truly helping the Youdu royal family, so I sent officials to persuade them first."

Aliru's heart tightened upon hearing this. She knew what Emperor Qingzhao said was true. If her people continued to harm the people of Zhao, Zhao would undoubtedly take action. She took a deep breath, calmed herself, and said, "I hope Your Majesty will forgive me. I'll go back and see which of the younger members of the clan has become the clan leader and discuss this with him."

Emperor Qing Zhao nodded in agreement. He then continued, "When the poisonous insects appeared in Zhao State, I investigated your clan. The current clan leader is called A Luosha!" He stared intently at Aliru, observing her reaction.

When Aliru heard the name Arosha, her eyes suddenly turned red, and crystal tears welled up in her eyes. Her lips trembled slightly, and she was so excited that she couldn't speak. Then tears fell like beads from a broken string. She sobbed and said, "It's my brother, it's my brother! I remember that my brother loved me the most!"

Thinking that she had been imprisoned for most of her life, Emperor Qing Zhao did not care about her disrespect and let her cry loudly. However, he was old and could not bear to see such a sad scene, so he signaled Yongle to comfort her.

Yongle walked gently to Aliru, patted her shoulder tenderly, and said in a soft voice, "Don't cry, you are all still alive, you can still see him!"

Upon hearing this, Aliru hurriedly wiped the tears from her face with her sleeve, trying to hide her loss of composure. Seeing her flustered yet adorable movements, Yongle couldn't help but shake his head and laugh. He pulled a clean white handkerchief from his sleeve and handed it to her, saying softly, "Look at you, crying like a little child. Wipe it off quickly! If it weren't for the wrinkles on your face, I would have thought you were a child."

After hearing what Yongle said, Aliru felt a little shy. "I didn't understand the rules of your Zhao Kingdom before. I also learned some from Baili Xi, but I was used to being wild and could never learn." She sighed after saying this. However, when she thought about how this man had ruined her, she couldn't help but curse: "If I could see him again, I would make him become a real stinky man who would be despised wherever he went!"

As if realizing her own incompetence in front of the princess wasn't a good thing, she raised her head and was about to apologize to Yongle, only to find him looking at her with a smile. Gazing at that flower-like face, Ali couldn't help but worry about what would happen if this beautiful princess's future husband let her down. With this thought, she suddenly grasped Yongle's hand tightly, her action startling everyone around her to their feet. However, all they could hear was her urgent words, "Princess, if your husband ever lets you down, please tell me. I'll make him so infamous that everyone will shun him."

Yongle looked at this sincere yet childish old woman and couldn't help laughing. He replied gently, "Okay, then you must remember this when the time comes!"

When Aliru heard Yongle agree so readily, she was delighted, her eyes sparkling with excitement, and she said cheerfully, "Don't worry, Princess, I'll give you as much as you want!"

However, Emperor Qing Zhao could no longer bear to watch. He felt that the two people were getting more and more outrageous, so he interrupted and said, "Madam Aliru, I will send an envoy to escort you back to Pro City safely. I also hope that you can persuade your brother to stop supporting the Youdu royal family."

Aliru nodded after hearing this, and then asked, "I wonder if the condition you just promised me, Your Majesty, is still valid?"

Emperor Qing Zhao nodded slightly and replied solemnly, "I am the ruler of a country, and my words are my promises. You can rest assured that when you have thought of the specific conditions, you can propose them to me at any time."

After hearing what Emperor Qing Zhao said, Aliru said excitedly, "Your Majesty, you are truly a benevolent monarch. I am deeply grateful for your tolerance and kindness. However, I don't know what my people will think. I will return to Pro City and discuss this with my family, and then I will give you an answer."

Emperor Qing Zhao smiled and nodded, expressing his understanding. He knew this was an important decision and couldn't force Aliru to respond immediately. He said gently, "Okay, Madam Aliru. I understand your difficulties. I will make a decision after I hear from you."

Aliru thanked him again, her eyes filled with gratitude. She knew this was a rare opportunity and the weight of responsibility she shouldered. She was determined to strive for a better future for herself and her people.

After everyone left, Emperor Qing Zhao kept Mu Cheng alone and asked, "Is Baili Zhong the grandson of Aliru?"

Mu Cheng quickly replied, "Your Majesty! That's not the case. It's simply because Baili Zhong once saved Aliru's life. Aliru was so grateful that he promised to teach him some secret recipes for removing poison. That's why the two of them call each other grandfather and grandson. Furthermore, Aliru has no children."

Emperor Qing Zhao then asked, "How did Baili Zhong save Aliru?"

Mu Cheng was about to answer when Emperor Qing Zhao interrupted impatiently, "Come on, stop saying 'Your Majesty,' 'Your Majesty,' and just say what you mean! You can't compare to your daughter in this respect!"

Mu Cheng rolled his eyes secretly in his heart, but on the surface he still said respectfully: "This is the privacy of the Baili family. I really don't know about it!"

Emperor Qing Zhao said unhappily, "You have a close relationship with Baili Zhong, why don't you go and ask him?"

Mu Cheng responded helplessly, "Then why doesn't Your Majesty ask in person? You are the ruler of a country. If you ask, how could Baili Zhong dare to hide anything?"

Emperor Qing Zhao feigned anger and rebuked him, "You said it was someone's privacy. How could I do such a thing?"

"Your Majesty, it is not appropriate for you to ask, and I am not in a position to ask either. Besides, which of these noble families doesn't have a few secret rooms? Besides, if Your Majesty wants to know, just send someone to investigate!" Mu Cheng said indifferently.

Emperor Qing Zhao felt somewhat dissatisfied after hearing this, but he also understood the logic behind it. He could only snort helplessly: "Humph! You are just as annoying as your daughter in this respect."

When Mu Cheng heard that his daughter had the same personality as him, he immediately smiled, his eyes full of pride, and said quickly with a smile: "Thank you for the compliment, Your Majesty!"

Emperor Qing Zhao looked at Mu Cheng's smug expression, and was so angry that his teeth itched. He couldn't help but add: "Equally shameless!"