Chapter 136: The Two Faces of Qiao Ke

Qiao Ke seemed to already know something, for he did not ask a single word about the sibling he had never met who had already passed away. He kept up a gentle, sweet-voiced chatter about the happenings around him, trying every way he could to amuse Lianyu.

After the recent ordeal, Lianyu was physically frail. A day of running about had exhausted her, and despite her efforts to keep up appearances, the weariness on her face was impossible to hide.

Qiao Ke eventually began to yawn, his eyelids fluttering as they struggled to stay open. Lianyu, her heart aching for him, gently tapped him awake. "Ke'er, shall we go to bed?"

"Mother, I should head back. I have morning lessons tomorrow," he said, stifling another yawn. "Let Little Aunt take me home."

Lianyu felt a pang of heartache. Though she longed to take him herself, her body simply could not hold out any longer.

Lianyue quickly stepped in. "Big Sister, you rest. Yaoyao and I will see him home." She nudged Yaoyao, who was nodding off nearby.

Yaoyao blinked, dazed, and mumbled, "Is it dawn already? What’s for breakfast?" Her comment drew a laugh from everyone in the room.

"First, come with me to take Ke'er back to the Crown Prince's Mansion."

Yaoyao stretched, yawned, and replied languidly, "Oh, alright."

"Then we shall leave you now, Big Sister. Rest well."

"Sleep well, Mother. I will come back tomorrow morning," Qiao Ke said, looking back with unconcealed reluctance.

Lianyu nodded, watching with maternal love as Lianyue and Qiao Ke left. Xiangju stepped forward to help her from the chair to the bedside. "The Prince sent word that he will be back later; he wants you to rest first."

Lianyu nodded. Shortly after Xiangju helped her bathe, she drifted into a deep, exhausted sleep.

Once outside the Yunxiang Garden, with their hands joined, Qiao Ke’s lethargic, sleepy demeanor vanished instantly. He looked at Lianyue, vibrant and alert. "Little Aunt, shall I take you to the night market?"

"That sounds wonderful! Let’s go," Yaoyao said, suddenly energized. "I’ve heard the Xijing night market is the liveliest place; it must be great fun."

Lianyue looked at her nephew with newfound appraisal. It turned out his sleepiness had been an act—she had been completely taken in by him.

Seeing Lianyue silent, Qiao Ke blinked his almond-shaped eyes and pouted with hopeful, spoiled charm. "I haven’t been to the night market in ages."

Lianyue’s heart was captured instantly. "Then let’s call your two uncles and Aunt Lan to join us."

Seeing her agreement, Qiao Ke urged, "There is no need to call my uncles. They haven't returned since we were with Mother, so they must be in the study. Let’s just call Aunt Lan."

Lianyue considered this and realized he was right. The matter of the prenatal medicine was of the utmost urgency; her elder brothers were surely occupied with that. She had almost forgotten it herself, distracted by her nephew, yet this little one had managed to foresee it.

If there had been any results, her brothers would have sent someone to inform her. Since she had not seen Qingfeng or the others, they were likely still deliberating. "Very well, we shall only call Aunt Lan."

Qiao Ke continued, "Aunt Yaoyao, would you mind calling Aunt Lan? My Little Aunt and I will wait for you in the pavilion ahead."

Yaoyao, her mind filled with visions of the night market, had no objections and turned to fetch Lan Shui.

Once Yaoyao was out of sight, Lianyue looked at Qiao Ke with astonishment. "You sent her away on purpose, didn't you?"

Qiao Ke nodded. The childlike innocence on his face was replaced by a grave expression. It was chillingly strange to see such an adult look on the face of a five-year-old. "There are some things I wish to ask you, Little Aunt. Let us go to the pavilion."

Startled by his transformation, Lianyue nodded instinctively. This time, Qiao Ke did not take her hand; instead, he walked ahead with his small hands clasped behind his back.

"Little Aunt, you have found some clues, haven't you?" Qiao Ke’s youthful voice rang out, devoid of any warmth.

Still adjusting to the shift in his personality, Lianyue probed, "You know everything?"

Qiao Ke did not answer until they reached the pavilion. He turned to face her. "Yes, I know."

"Who told you?" There was a hint of anger in Lianyue’s tone. How could anyone tell such a young child? What were their motives?

Sensing her concern, Qiao Ke sought to comfort her. "Don’t be angry, Little Aunt. I heard it in the palace. And I have discovered a great secret."

Lianyue realized she could no longer treat Qiao Ke as a mere child. She knew far too little about her nephew; perhaps even her sister was unaware that her son possessed such a mature side. She could not tell if this was a blessing or a curse.

"What secret?"

Qiao Ke checked his surroundings cautiously and beckoned her closer. Lianyue leaned in, and he whispered, "The Emperor has been wearing a green hat."

Lianyue was stunned. The implications were immense. Qiao Ke had stated it simply, but the deeper meaning was clear: whose son was that Prince? If the Crown Prince’s position were truly usurped, the Neon Dress Empire would change its name.

Lianyue’s expression turned solemn. She looked at him intently. "Can this be believed?"

Qiao Ke nodded gravely. "It was a slip of the tongue by Xiao Dengzi, who serves Concubine Yun."

Lianyue paused, a plan forming, her gaze unusually serious. "Ke'er, tell your aunt: do you want that throne? Think carefully; I will ask you only this once."

"No," Qiao Ke answered without hesitation. "But if Concubine Yun’s son is a fraud, I do not want them to succeed."

Lianyue was caught in a dilemma. What was to be done?

"Little Aunt, what do you think of the Sixth Uncle?" Qiao Ke’s question sparked a sudden realization. *Of course!* How could she have forgotten him? "You mean you want him to sit on that throne?"

Qiao Ke nodded. "Don’t you think he is suitable? At least, more suitable than I am."

Lianyue mentally scoffed at Qiao Zhi. Aside from his taste for the beauties of the inner harem and his penchant for posturing, she didn't see how he was fit for anything. However, if he were to show that serious side she had witnessed, perhaps he had a chance.

Regardless, since her nephew was unwilling, someone else would have to take his place.

Lianyue made up her mind; this would have to be discussed with her brothers. She began to observe Qiao Ke again. At such a tender age, he was already like this—what kind of monster would he become when he grew up? Lianyue, who had always prided herself on her intelligence, felt deeply defeated. "Are you truly just my five-year-old nephew?"

A bitter smile touched Qiao Ke’s face. "Little Aunt, if I were not like this, I would have lost my life long ago."

Lianyue felt a surge of heartache. She had been protected by her sisters since childhood, but her nephew lived alone in the Crown Prince's Mansion. His current persona had been forged by the great dyeing vat that was Xijing.

Light, quick footsteps approached. It seemed Yaoyao had finished her task.

"Only you have seen this side of me, Little Aunt. You must keep my secret." As he spoke, his face shifted like a mask, returning to its innocent, guileless state.

The feeling of being trusted was inexplicably wonderful. One only reveals their truest, deepest self to those they trust completely. Qiao Ke hadn't told his father or mother because he knew how guilty they already felt about pushing him into this position; if they knew who he really was, it would only break their hearts.

Perhaps blood ties were truly a mysterious thing. From the very first moment he saw Lianyue, Qiao Ke knew she was genuinely good to him and would help him without reservation.

As for Lianyue, whether Qiao Ke was the innocent, cute child or the shrewd, serious boy, he was her nephew—the person she would protect with her life.

Qiao Ke slipped his small hand into hers and smiled sweetly. "Finally, we can go to the night market! I want to eat so many delicious things tonight."

"Yes," Lianyue replied, her heart lighter. "We shall eat everything the night market has to offer."