The Seventh Prince picked up the tiger seal and handed it to the Emperor.
Upon hearing the Seventh Prince’s words, Emperor Mingcheng burst into laughter.
"Look, Noble Consort Lian, Huai’er has already made the decision on my behalf..."
Noble Consort Lian’s expression changed drastically, and she hurriedly said,
"Your Majesty, Huai’er is still young and doesn’t understand; he is just babbling, please do not listen to his words."
With that, Noble Consort Lian looked at her son. "Huai’er, do you like the tiger in your hand?"
The Seventh Prince looked at his mother and nodded.
"Then, are you willing to give the tiger in your hand to someone else?"
The Seventh Prince looked at Emperor Mingcheng and saw the Emperor gazing at him with hopeful eyes.
Clutching the tiger tightly, the Seventh Prince recalled what his mother often whispered in his ear: "If you like something, you must hold onto it tight; never let it go, or you will lose it."
A moment later, he shook his head at Emperor Mingcheng.
"I like the tiger; it is mine."
Hearing this, Noble Consort Lian breathed a sigh of relief.
A few days later, far away in Tongzhou, Lu Hanting received a secret letter delivered by a rider who had been galloping at top speed from the Capital.
It contained only a few words: "Return to the Capital immediately."
Seeing the cold glint in his master’s eyes after reading the letter, Rufeng knew that the Emperor must have refused.
He asked cautiously, "Heir, are we setting out for the Capital now?"
"…
Chapter 71