Future Good Deeds

A scheme that failed, leaving nothing but emptiness. Even the Buddha himself would be unwilling if he were in this situation.

However, with Xiao Qianyu's current aggressive and exceptionally forceful approach, the only thing Yan Shi could do for now was to temporarily avoid his sharp edge and choose to appear weak and yield.

As expected, the Heir of Prince Jiujiang hesitated. He held his beloved concubine's hand and said, "Yun'er has been with us since birth. He's unfamiliar with Prince Jiujiang's Estate. This Heir is reluctant to part with him."

He patted the woman and continued, "Ah Yan, don't worry. Yun'er is the only flesh and blood of you and me. This Heir will protect him."

Yan Shi smiled brilliantly and said coquettishly, "Ah Yan naturally trusts His Highness the Heir." She gently leaned against his chest. "The Crown Prince has received Heaven's mandate and will be incredibly noble in the future. Ah Yan is truly happy for you, my Heir. When the Crown Prince becomes Emperor, you will be the Retired Emperor. I hope you won't dislike Ah Yan for growing old and losing her charm then."

The Heir of Prince Jiujiang smiled, but a dark glint flashed in his eyes, and a hint of displeasure quietly brewed.

Although they all tacitly acknowledged that Xiao Qianyu was favored by Heaven and would undoubtedly be the undisputed choice to become Emperor in the future, the sudden collapse of his own long-cherished ambition still weighed heavily on his heart.

Yan Shi then asked as if out of curiosity, "My Heir, if the next Emperor is destined to be the Crown Prince, how many years will Heaven allow him to sit on the dragon throne? The person who reigned before him was unfortunate. What about after him, will Heaven still intervene?"

The Heir of Prince Jiujiang suddenly tightened his grip on her hand, his heart racing, his eyes flashing with a strange light.

"Ouch, Your Highness, you're hurting me," Yan Shi cried out in pain.

The Heir of Prince Jiujiang snapped back to reality, laughing heartily to appease her. "Don't be angry, my good Ah Yan. It's this Heir's fault."

Yan Shi tilted her head, asking him with charming and bright eyes, "What are you thinking about, my Heir?"

He was thinking that perhaps he could also taste the flavor of ruling the empire. Since Heaven favored Xiao Qianyu to sit on the throne, what was wrong with letting him sit there for a while?

Xiao Qianyu had the destiny to rule the world, but who could guarantee how long he would reign as Emperor?

Being Emperor for a day, a year, or ten years was all being Emperor. If Xiao Qianyu was unfortunate enough to have a short life, then it would naturally be up to him, the Retired Emperor, to take charge and bring order to the realm.

The Heir of Prince Jiujiang hugged his beloved concubine and kissed her several times. "I thought of something good, all thanks to you reminding me, Ah Yan."

Yan Shi looked confused and tilted her head. "Ah, did Ah Yan remind Your Highness of anything?"

The Heir of Prince Jiujiang merely smiled without answering, patting her. "You should go back first and also comfort Yun'er. A man must have a long-term vision and not dwell on immediate gains or losses. Towards the Crown Prince, whether in public or private matters, you must show utmost respect and not be rude."

Yan Shi obediently agreed. "Ah Yan will listen to everything the Heir says, and Yun'er will too."

The Heir of Prince Jiujiang smiled with satisfaction.

On the other side, Prince Gong accompanied Xiao Qianyu to escort the Heir's Consort to Prince Jiujiang's Estate.

He didn't think highly of Prince Jiujiang's Estate, but the Heir of Prince Jiujiang was insidious, cunning, and deeply calculating. Fearing that Xiao Qianyu might be deceived by him in his absence, Prince Gong followed, unable to rest assured.

Prince Jiujiang's Estate was magnificent, occupying an entire street. The estate's main gate was wide open, and the Heir of Prince Jiujiang had already led his men to wait for a long time.

When the carriage stopped at the steps before the estate's gate, Xiao Qianyu alighted first. He then turned and said softly, "We've arrived at the estate. The Heir's Consort may disembark!"

There was silence in the carriage for a moment. After a long pause, the Heir's Consort, Liu Wanning, poked her head out. Her gaze, filled with hatred and resentment, fixed on the direction of Prince Jiujiang's Estate—she was back!

The Heir of Prince Jiujiang strode forward and first paid his respects to Xiao Qianyu. "Your subject greets His Highness the Crown Prince and Uncle Prince Gong."

Then, he looked at the gaunt, haggard, and aged Heir's Consort, his face showing sadness. "Wanning, you're back. You've been wronged."

Wronged, ha, wronged!

Liu Wanning trembled with anger, her eyes involuntarily welling up with tears of resentment.

She wasn't a fool. It was Xiao Jing who insisted she accompany the Empress to the palace even when she was pregnant.

The one who could calmly bribe the wet nurse by her side to betray her, and who had the ability to arrange for someone to swap the imperial son, could only be Xiao Jing.

Furthermore, besides Xiao Jing, who else could have the authority to take the pampered concubine's son and raise him as his own?

He was so heartless.

Without her consent, he had taken her child to swap with the imperial son, forcing her to raise the pampered concubine's son as her own, pouring all her heart and soul into it.

Twenty years, a full twenty years, and she never knew that the child she had poured all her effort into raising was not her own.

When the incident occurred, he had pushed her out as a scapegoat.

Was their entire family mocking her behind her back, treating her like a fool, deceiving her, and sucking her dry?

How could human hearts be so wicked!

She no longer hoped for his affection. She only wished for them to live together in mutual respect, to watch their child grow up, and to help him establish his career and family. That was all she desired. Yet, even then, Xiao Jing wouldn't let her go.

The Heir's Consort, Liu Wanning, her frail body suddenly surged with boundless courage. Her eyes crimson, she lunged towards the Heir of Prince Jiujiang. "My child, where is my child? Where did you take my child?"