"What is that look for?" Emperor Chongwen felt uneasy under Qian Yuanbao's gaze. "Can't I have a moment of youthful recklessness?"
"Do the Empress and the Noble Consort know?" Qian Yuanbao asked cautiously.
Emperor Chongwen shook his head. "Li An has no intention of acknowledging his lineage. If I were to confess to them, wouldn't I be asking for trouble?"
It wasn't just asking for trouble; it could also put Li An in danger.
After all, with the Crown Prince not yet established, various factions were secretly stirring. Li An clearly lacked support from a maternal clan. If his identity were exposed, he would either become a target or be courted. If the person who courted him succeeded in claiming the throne, he might have a good outcome. If not, his fate would surely be grim. Therefore, staying away from this vortex was a very wise choice.
"Apart from Li An and me, you are the only one who knows about this."
"Your Majesty can rest assured. My lips are sealed. I guarantee this matter will not be revealed by me," Qian Yuanbao swore, raising his hand.
"Alright, I'll write you a handwritten note. You can go find Li An then," Emperor Chongwen waved his hand.
He didn't know why he had revealed this secret to Qian Yuanbao. Perhaps it was because he still didn't fully trust the child in his heart. He didn't believe that Li An didn't envy the status of a prince, or that he was content with merely seeing his father occasionally, as he claimed.
Once Qian Yuanbao knew about this, he would be able to respond appropriately if any changes occurred in the future.
After leaving the imperial palace, Qian Yuanbao let out a long sigh. Being forced to know the Emperor's secret felt terrible, as if a mountain was pressing down on him.
What was the Emperor's purpose in telling him? He couldn't possibly want someone to share it with, could he? There were many ministers with whom the Emperor had good personal relationships, so why didn't he tell them? Was he afraid that someone would support Li An, thereby controlling the court?
Qian Yuanbao felt this was the only possibility.
He was different from those ministers. His paternal grandmother was the Emperor's wet nurse, and the Emperor had been raised by her since birth. The bond was not comparable to that of the ministers. Moreover, his father had died saving the Emperor. He himself had no ambition and was solely focused on making money. Therefore, in the Emperor's heart, he should be considered a completely trusted confidant.
Should he tell his paternal grandmother about this? No, he had sworn not to let this matter slip from his lips.
The carriage soon arrived at the Dali Temple. Qian Yuanbao collected his thoughts, straightened his clothes, and requested someone to announce his arrival. Soon, someone came out to greet him.
"My lord is currently handling official business. I will escort Young Master Qian to the side hall to wait."
"Thank you, Brother Cha, for leading the way."
Taking this opportunity, Qian Yuanbao inquired about Li An from the bailiff.
He was just and upright, having cleared many backlog cases. He also did not fear power and authority; the powerful and influential could not get away with anything when they committed offenses before him. He had an excellent reputation among the populace, serving the people well, and was known as Li Qingtian. He had also sponsored several impoverished students, earning him a good reputation among scholars.
In addition, there was another piece of news that Qian Yuanbao found incredible. Li An did not even own his own residence and was currently living in the backyard of the Dali Temple. Besides a personal attendant who took care of him, he had only a runner.
In Qian Yuanbao's opinion, this was a life of asceticism. Even without the identity of the Emperor's illegitimate son, based on his title as Minister of the Dali Temple, he should not be living such a life!