Superiors

A flicker of displeasure rose in Prince Qi's heart, but he had to compose his expression and could not let this matter show. He could only force himself to say to the Princess Consort, "Something urgent has come up ahead, and I must deal with it. You may decide matters in the rear courtyard yourself. Once I am done, I will come find you."

As he spoke, he placed his son back in the Princess Consort's arms, then hurried out and told the eunuch, "Make arrangements. We'll take the secret passage!"

"Yes!" the eunuch immediately answered.

"Father still hasn't asked about my lessons these past few days." The child, who had already begun his early education, watched his father's retreating figure and said somewhat aggrievedly to the Princess Consort.

The Princess Consort hurriedly coaxed him. "Your father has truly been too busy lately. He did not forget on purpose. Once he finishes his work, he will surely ask you about everything at once. So you must study hard, or when your father questions you, you will be unable to answer a single question. Do you understand?"

"Your son understands," her son said.

Holding her young child, the young and beautiful Princess Consort waved off the secondary consorts and concubines who had come to pay their respects. In the flower hall, which had fallen silent once more, she gazed toward the front courtyard, and a trace of desolation flickered through her eyes.

It was one thing for her husband to have secondary consorts and concubines. She had known before marrying in that, as the Princess Consort, her husband could not possibly have only one wife. Whether or not there would be a day when he went further, the existence of secondary consorts had been inevitable.

But her husband was often occupied