Her hair was cloud-like and beautiful! She opened her eyes and found herself back in the third year

Chapter 186 Does becoming emperor mean I'm no longer your nephew?

Upon hearing the words, "Go early and come back early, I'll be waiting for you at home," Cheng Yan suddenly lost all desire to enter the palace.

He reached out and took her hand in his, squeezing it carefully several times, reluctant to let go.

"I don't want to go to the palace anymore."

"Why?" Qin Yi asked curiously. "Is it because Song Nian isn't here? If you're used to him being around, you can just call him back."

"Won't that interfere with his relationship with Hongying?" Cheng Yan asked her with a smile.

Qin Yizhen paused, thought for a moment, and could only say, "How about I let Hongying come back and stay for two days as compensation to him?"

Cheng Yan laughed out loud: "I was just joking. I'm just a little reluctant to part with you. I don't care whether Song Nian comes back or not. It's best to marry your wife as soon as possible so that she won't nag me all the time. It's annoying."

His words were particularly blunt, and Qin Yizhen blushed slightly. She held back and managed not to step on his foot. There were people serving in the room, so why couldn't he just hold back?

"You have to go even if you don't want to. The sooner you go, the sooner you'll come back. Go quickly."

Helpless, Cheng Yan patted her hand, letting her chase him away.

Too lazy to change his clothes, he took a carriage to the palace. When he met Empress Dowager Cheng, he told her about Cheng He's death.

After hearing this, Empress Dowager Cheng was in a daze for a long time. After an unknown period of time, she reached up and pressed her temples, asking him, "When did this happen?"

“I heard it happened last March, and he came to Qindu after a year of mourning,” Cheng Yan said calmly. “This third aunt also said that the third uncle’s last wish was to pay respects to his mother in order to ask for forgiveness. Since the road to the underworld is far, he will not go to see his mother.”

Cheng He was probably feeling guilty and had no face to see his sister-in-law, Ming Shi, again.

"I have already agreed to his request."

Now that Cheng He is dead, let all those grudges and resentments go.

Empress Dowager Cheng nodded: "Since it is his wish, then so be it. When we go to pay our respects next month, let's take them with us. By the way, did they plead for that old scoundrel?"

The "old thief" that Empress Dowager Cheng was referring to was none other than the Marquis of Cheng'en.

“No.” Cheng Yan shook his head. “He never mentioned it. But my second aunt’s family has had some trouble. I heard that her husband gambled and the family is almost starving. So she thought I should arrange a job for my cousin.”

"You agreed?"

"No." Cheng Yan lowered his eyes. "When the Empress Dowager gave the two families money, she said that the debt of gratitude was settled and that they should never meet again in this life. The affairs of the Cheng family are no longer related to you and me."

"Sister," Cheng Yan suddenly called out to her.

Empress Dowager Cheng snapped out of her daze: "What's wrong?"

"Tell me, what if I change my surname to Ming? If I change my surname to Ming, I will have no further connection with the Cheng family."

Empress Dowager Cheng's eyes lit up: "That's a good idea. The surname Ming, Mingyan, is quite nice."

Cheng Yan pursed his lips, surprisingly feeling somewhat relieved: "Yi Zhen also thinks it sounds good."

Empress Dowager Cheng then said, "What if I change it too? Ming Fuyao? Ming Fuyao... that sounds nice too."

Empress Dowager Cheng's maiden name was "Fuyao," which is the same as the roc that rises with the wind and soars ninety thousand miles high.

Even though she was as insignificant as a speck of dust back then, she has now risen to the top and stands at the pinnacle of power.

Ming Fuyao...

Empress Dowager Cheng was genuinely tempted, but after thinking it over, she lowered her eyes. She was now the Empress Dowager, and rashly changing her social status would likely cause unnecessary trouble. Moreover, even though Marquis Chengen had wronged her, her grandparents had always treated her well, and out of respect for them, she couldn't change her mind.

Empress Dowager Cheng pondered for a moment, then finally sighed softly: "If you wish to change your surname, after the ancestral worship ceremony next month, I will say that your mother appeared to you in a dream, lamenting that there is no one to carry on the family line, and that you will be adopted into the Ming family. After that, you will have nothing to do with the Cheng family."

"Why go through all this trouble?" Emperor Jing'an suddenly walked out from the side room. "If my uncle wants to change his surname, I will personally issue an edict to bestow upon him the imperial surname and grant him a princely title. In that case, who would dare to say anything?"

"Moreover, if that's the case, my uncle is not only my maternal uncle, but also my brother-in-law. We're truly one big family."

Upon hearing this, Cheng Yan quickly declined, saying, "Thank you, Your Majesty, but for me, it would naturally be best if I could take my mother's surname."

"That's fine too." Empress Dowager Cheng agreed. Emperor Jing'an's idea was quite wonderful. If Cheng Yan were granted the imperial surname, he would become a member of the royal family and share the wealth and honor of the world with the Qin family.

However, there is also a crisis. In this world, it is unknown how long the Qin family can maintain their rule. In fact, it might be better not to be a member of the royal family.

Emperor Jing'an nodded, not pressing the matter further, but instead asked Cheng Yan, "Why didn't Sister Yizhen accompany you to the palace? I haven't seen her for quite some time."

"Your Majesty, the princess is somewhat sensitive to the heat and rarely goes out these days. However, she recently acquired a cook who is making delicious desserts and other new foods, and she thinks about what to eat every day."

"Really?" Emperor Jing'an asked in surprise. "Sister Yizhen actually has this hobby?"

Qin Yi was a person of simple tastes and had no particular requirements for food. She preferred mild flavors and never put any thought into food.

"No, I must go and see for myself which cook is responsible for this delicious meal."

Empress Dowager Cheng coughed lightly.

Emperor Jing'an immediately looked at him: "Mother, I would like to go and see Sister Yizhen. Is that alright with me?"

Although Emperor Jing'an was somewhat calm and mature, he was still only twelve years old and a boy with the temperament and curiosity of a young man. Moreover, he had been staying in the palace all day and had long wanted to go out and see the world.

"Then go with your uncle to take a look. Remember, you are only allowed to stay at the Pingxi Marquis's residence. You must come back before the palace is locked down."

"Thank you, mother."

So Emperor Jing'an happily changed into ordinary clothes and then left the palace with Cheng Yan.

On the way back to the Marquis of Pingxi's residence, Emperor Jing'an was very curious. Sitting in the carriage, he lifted the curtain of the window and looked around from time to time, seemingly curious about everything.

Seeing a vendor selling candied hawthorns by the street, he was tempted to try them, but then he had to regretfully give up the idea.

Seeing his disappointment, Cheng Yan said, "The cooks at the Marquis of Pingxi's residence can also cook. I'll have her make some for you in a bit. Oh, and if Your Majesty likes it, you can also make it yourself."

"do it yourself?"

"Yes, your sister Yizhen made it the other day. The cook prepared the syrup, and she strung the fruit together, dipped it in the syrup, and set it aside. Once the syrup dried, it was done."

He ate two more and found them so sweet that his teeth ached.

Emperor Jing'an was very interested after hearing this, and rubbed his hands together and said, "Then I must give it a try. But little uncle, you must not tell the Empress Dowager. If she finds out, she will say that I am not doing my job properly."

Cheng Yan subconsciously reached out and patted Emperor Jing'an's head, and then the two of them were stunned.

Cheng Yan was a full twelve years older than Emperor Jing'an. Cheng Yan was twenty-four, while Emperor Jing'an was only twelve. When Emperor Jing'an was a child, Cheng Yan spent a lot of time with him, and the uncle and nephew were very close.

Later, Emperor Jing'an became emperor, and Cheng Yan became his subject. A distinction between ruler and subject arose between them, and they were no longer as close as before.

Emperor Jing'an blinked, a hint of grievance in his eyes: "Uncle, do you only see me as the emperor too?"