Appreciation

Qi Lingheng and Emperor Jingshun had a private conversation that lasted half an hour.

As he was leaving, Emperor Jingshun said, "Leave Jun'er in the palace."

Qi Lingheng never intended to take his son with him.

Emperor Jingshun went to the Empress's Kunning Palace, where Empress Zhao whispered, "Jun'er is asleep."

They went together to the West Warm Pavilion to talk.

Empress Zhao was very anxious. "Heng'er admitted it?"

Emperor Jingshun nodded, saying helplessly, "She is the daughter of the Lin Family."

Empress Zhao's expression was far from pleasant, and she finally sighed, "What a tragic fate!"

Emperor Jingshun, with mixed feelings, said in a low voice, "Heng'er said the same thing."

"What's the meaning?"

Empress Zhao was somewhat confused.

Emperor Jingshun asked her, "Do you remember when Heng'er was twelve or thirteen years old, you and I were choosing a noblewoman for Heng'er?"

"Of course I remember. Over six months, they selected more than a dozen. Although the Di Daughter the Lin Family was a few years older than Heng'er, it was common for the Princess Consort to be a few years older. She was among them. However..."

Empress Zhao paused, recalling what had happened back then.

That was the first time she had a conflict with Emperor Jingshun after marrying into the inner palace and becoming Empress.

"I remember that we originally planned to select a few Palace Maids to teach Heng'er about matters between men and women. But the Crown Prince wet nurse, for some unknown reason, secretly sabotaged Heng'er's..." fertility.

Empress Zhao frowned and said, "Even now, I still don't know how the Crown Prince 'Crown Prince wet nurse could be so audacious!"

She no longer doubted the Crown Prince, but she still couldn't understand the wet nurse's behavior.

Emperor Jingshun patted the Empress's hand gently, soothingly saying, "Chen Shi was personally chosen by the late Empress, not selected from the palace. Although she is uneducated, she is indeed extremely loyal to the Crown Prince. Therefore..."

Empress Zhao retorted bluntly, "So, she wants my Heng'er to be unable to do what the Crown Prince cannot?"

Emperor Jingshun remained silent.

Empress Zhao said irritably, "Don't even mention Heng'er being frightened, I was frightened too!"

After the investigation, she almost had Chen Shi executed on the spot!

Emperor Jingshun said in a low voice, "Chen Shi is dull-witted, but her unwavering loyalty to the Crown Prince is worth mentioning. This is also why the Crown Prince values her the most."

"If it weren't for her kindness to the Crown Prince, and Crown Prince desperate pleas, I would never have let her go!"

Empress Zhao, holding her breath, exclaimed, "Chen Shi is truly ungrateful!"

"If she hadn't insulted me later, Heng'er wouldn't have cut out her tongue."

Then Qi Lingheng and the Crown Prince got into a fight.

Emperor Jingshun was unwilling to recall the scandalous affairs of the royal family, and in the end... he had no choice but to temporarily separate the two brothers.

Qi Lingheng's marriage was also delayed. Later, they let him have his way, and the delay continued.

Lin Yunwan originally had the opportunity to become the Prince Huan Consort, but instead married into the Wuding Marquis Residence.

Many years have passed, and the couple has long since stopped arguing about it.

Empress Zhao sighed, "Even if Heng'er had chosen Princess Consort normally, we might not have chosen the Di Daughter of the Lin Family. It's no wonder the Crown Prince."

Thinking of the current situation, she said, "Heng'er must know this too. He insisted on saying that only to protect his Princess Consort as much as possible. Your Majesty, what do you think?"

What do you mean, "what do you think"?

Emperor Jingshun raised an eyebrow.

Empress Zhao asked, "How do you intend to deal with Jun'er's Mother Consort?"

Emperor Jingshun closed his eyes briefly and said slowly, "After Jiangqian in to help with the disaster relief, Prince Huan Consort has been very popular with the people. Now, everyone in the Capital thinks that Prince Huan Consort is just Prince Huan Consort, only she looks like the Lin Family's daughter. And Jun'er so old, he remembers everything."

"Do I even have a choice?"

Empress Zhao was taken aback for a moment, then smiled.

This is truly her emperor husband!

"Imperial Grandmother, Imperial Grandmother..."

Qi Zaijun woke up and couldn't see anyone, so he ran out barefoot.

Empress Zhao and Emperor Jingshun both rushed over. As Empress Zhao ran, she said, "Jun'er, why aren't you wearing shoes?"

Emperor Jingshun strode over and carried Qi Zaijun to the bed.

They helped Qi Zaijun put on shoes and socks.

Emperor Jingshun asked Qi Zaijun, "Do you like your eldest uncle?"

Qi Zaijun's eyes glazed over, then instantly snapped awake, shaking his head vigorously. "I don't like it."

"Oh? Why?"

Empress Zhao also paused.

Qi Zaijun, though young, was precocious and asked Emperor Jingshun, "Imperial Grandfather, do you want Jun'er to like you?"

Emperor Jingshun thought for a moment and nodded.

Qi Zaijun then said, "Unless Your Highness doesn't make things difficult for my Mother Consort."

Empress Zhao was terrified and broke out in a cold sweat.

Children know everything about what their elders do!

Emperor Jingshun smiled and asked Qi Zaijun, "I promise you, your uncle will no longer make things difficult for your Mother Consort. How about Jun'er takes care of your uncle in his final Jun'er?"

"Imperial Grandfather, what is meant by 'attending the dead'?"

Emperor Jingshun didn't say much.

In the Winter Month, a light snow fell.

The imperial physician rushed from the Crown Prince's Residence to the Imperial Palace, stammering, "... He's been saved."

But he could not say that the Crown Prince was unharmed.

The Crown Prince's health is deteriorating. He has only lived this long because he is the Crown Prince. No one else could have lived this long.

Emperor Jingshun remained silent.

This is his eldest son, the son he raised himself.

He's not young anymore, but his son is going to pass away before him.

\

"I heard that the Prince was once attacked by Palace Maid with a knife... Is that true?"

After listening to the rumors for a while, Lin Yunwan also became curious.

Qi Lingheng looked into her eyes and said, "Really."

"..."

Lin Yunwan gasped and said, "In the middle of the night, Palace Maid came with a knife... So you've been refusing to get married because you're terrified?"

"How could that be?"

Qi Lingheng smiled and said, "It's just that after leaving the capital to study abroad, I've seen how vast the world is."

He also possessed youthful arrogance and resentment towards his Imperial Father.

He was the victim, yet he was banished from the Capital because of his Crown Prince Elder Brother, the Crown Prince.

Over time, my standards became more discerning, and I still haven't found someone who suits my taste.

Having been husband and wife, Lin Yunwan understood the whole story without him needing to reveal his true feelings.

Qi Lingheng said in a light tone, "The Duke Xingguo has returned to the capital."

Lin Yunwan was also very happy. "I also heard that the Duke Xingguo's Residence has found its Di Daughter. It seems that the current Di Daughter of the Chen family is living a very comfortable and fulfilling life in the Duke's Residence."

Qi Lingheng scoffed, "The legitimate Di Daughter of a noble family should be like this."

The two exchanged a glance and simultaneously thought of Ge Bao'er from the Wuding Marquis Residence.

Qi Lingheng said calmly, "Let the Lu family be in chaos for a while before they fall into my hands."

What he holds is also what the Imperial Court holds.

Those from the Wuding Marquis Residence were bound to suffer imprisonment.

Lin Yunwan frowned and said, "But Chang Gong this child, Chang Gong..."

Qi Lingheng smiled and said, "Don't worry. He's smarter than you think, and he can keep his composure."

"Has the Prince met with him in private?"

Lin Yunwan was very surprised.

Qi Lingheng, however, said, "It was he who came to see me."

Lin Yunwan was even more surprised!

"Yun Wan, your adopted son is truly devoted to you. He wants to protect you, just like me."

Qi Lingheng's tone clearly showed his admiration for Lu Chang'gong.