His father the Emperor had always been wary of him, growing ever more distant in recent years. He did not even understand his father as well as his Fourth Brother did. His mother was harsh with him, offering little motherly love and much reprimand. His maternal grandfather had once cared deeply for him, but nine years ago, he had suddenly turned cold and never entered the palace again. Even his cousins from the Lu Household rarely associated with him. Only the youngest, Lu Ji, had the best relationship with him.
But Lu Ji was still young and spirited, more like his son. How could he dare pour out his troubles to him?
The Crown Prince had not known before, but now he did. His maternal family must have been involved in the matter of "Wen Xu's disappearance" back then, and Wen Xu's being hunted down and falling off a cliff nine years ago must also have had something to do with them.
He did not understand how his mother could go so far!
"Crown Prince, do not do something childish. If you speak those words today, you may be prepared to throw away your own life, but what about me? What about the Lu Household? And all those people in your Eastern Palace? For someone who is... nothing at all, you would drag everyone who loves and helps you into the mire. Crown Prince, you truly disappoint me deeply."
To be honest, the first time he heard such words, the Crown Prince had been deeply frightened. But after hearing them often enough, they seemed unremarkable. For he understood that even if he ascended the throne, his mother's control over him would never cease.
"Mother, do you truly think that burying the matter and keeping the peace can settle everything?"
For