After applying medicine to Consort Liu, Consort Wan drew her over to the dining table and picked up a bowl.
"You're hurt, little sister. Let me feed you," she said.
Clatter-
Not only did Crown Prince Xiao Yu drop his chopsticks in shock, but Consort Liu's jaw nearly hit the floor.
It was her face that was injured, not her hands. Why would she need to be fed...
How disgusting!
Consort Liu could not help feeling a wave of nausea.
His Majesty had ignored Consort Wan for years. Could she have lost all hope in him and fallen for her instead?
At that thought, Consort Liu's expression shifted. "I just remembered I need to air out my bedding today. I'll take my leave."
With that, she fled in a panic.
Consort Wan gave a cold snort.
Weren't you hoping to play loving sisters with me? Then I'll play along to the bitter end.
When she chose to treat Consort Liu well, the woman was a treasure. When she did not, Consort Liu was no better than a weed!
Did she think I was a pushover?
Turning around, she found the two children staring at her, dumbfounded-
Consort Wan cleared her throat. "Let's eat. Never mind her."
[My imperial sister-in-law is amazing! Looks like that wicked woman won't be able to bully her again in this life.]
[In her previous life, Consort Liu accused her of still loving her childhood sweetheart and having a secret affair with him. In a fit of rage, that incompetent emperor banished her to the cold palace.]
[Later, she happened to learn that the crown prince was her son, and that the second prince and Consort Liu had poisoned him to death. Utterly devastated, she killed herself by smashing her head against a wall!]
[That wicked woman concealed her death and secretly had her body dumped in a mass grave.]
[Until the day he died, that incompetent emperor never knew how miserably she had died. He thought her silence meant she admitted to still loving her childhood sweetheart. His resentment festered, and he grew increasingly violent, lost his conscience, and persecuted loyal officials!]
Clatter-
The crown prince and Consort Wan both dropped their chopsticks. They looked at each other, seeing boundless shock and grief reflected in each other's eyes.
"What's wrong with you two?" Xiao Yu asked after swallowing his food.
[A mother and son really do share a bond. Even their movements are perfectly in sync.]
Hearing that, Consort Wan and the crown prince hastily picked up their chopsticks.
When they looked up and saw Xiao Yu watching them, both cleared their throats to hide their embarrassment.
Xiao Yu stared straight at them.
[There's something going on between the little crown prince and my imperial sister-in-law!]
"Eat your food. Stop staring at us," they said in unison again.
The crown prince and Consort Wan: "..." This damned rapport...
Xiao Yu: "..."
Seeing that they were about to say something else, Xiao Yu hurriedly stopped them. "You don't need to explain."
"I understand."
That afternoon.
Consort Wan returned to her bedchamber, a faint unease stirring in her heart.
She did not know how Consort Liu would frame her and hurt her child this time.
She had only just found her child. She did not want to enter the cold palace or die, much less watch her child die before her eyes.
"Your Highness, what's wrong?" Nanny Fang asked, worried by the sorrow on Consort Wan's face.
Consort Wan looked up at Nanny Fang, the wet nurse who had accompanied her into the palace when she married.
When she had given birth, Nanny Fang had stayed by her side throughout.
It was also Nanny Fang who had told her that her son had died.
Although she did not want to suspect her, she no longer dared trust her completely. Anyone might be trying to harm her and the crown prince.
But according to Qi'an, in their previous life, the incompetent emperor had ordered Nanny Fang beaten to death after Consort Wan was banished to the cold palace. That probably meant she could be trusted.
"Nanny Fang, from now on, every ingredient delivered here must be tested for poison," Consort Wan instructed.
She would not let the crown prince's past tragedy repeat itself. "Also, starting today, every palace maid in Qiwanyue Hall must be thoroughly investigated at regular intervals!"
"Your Highness, do you suspect..." Nanny Fang left the question unfinished.
Consort Wan nodded.
"I'll get to the bottom of this right away and see what ungrateful traitors have slipped into this hall!" Nanny Fang declared indignantly.
As Consort Wan watched her leave, the worry between her brows refused to fade.
She hoped that in this life, her child could grow up safe and carefree.
That night.
The Eastern Palace.
Emperor Jinyuan had not managed to return for dinner, but he had sent rewards to the Eastern Palace.
Xiao Yu had finished washing and was preparing for bed.
He sat on the edge of the bed, removed his boots, and lifted the covers-
Xiao Yu froze.
He silently lowered them again, pretending nothing had happened.
However...
"We are your servants, Jinxin and Jinyu. His Majesty has specifically ordered us to serve Your Highness in bed!"
Two beautiful girls of thirteen or fourteen lifted the covers as they spoke.
Xiao Yu sprang off the bed, averted his eyes, and demanded coldly, "Who gave you permission to lie in my bed?"
Then he added, "Forget it. I won't hold it against you this time. Leave. I don't need you to serve me in bed!"
That damned incompetent emperor!
What did he take me for?
Never mind how young this body is.
Besides, shouldn't this sort of thing happen naturally? Forcing it only makes people recoil!
Hearing that Xiao Yu did not want them, Jinxin and Jinyu both knelt. "His Majesty has already bestowed us upon Your Highness. If we return like this, we can only face death... Please take pity on us!"
Xiao Yu: "..."
After some thought, Xiao Yu replied, "In that case, I'll send you out of the palace tomorrow."
"You can only accept my decision. There is no room for negotiation!"
He did not turn to look at them. "For tonight, stay here and rest."
With that, he left the bedchamber and headed out of the Eastern Palace.
As if! The place beside me is reserved for my future princess consort. How could I let anyone else sleep there?
"Little imperial uncle, save me-"
An urgent voice rang out behind Xiao Yu.
He stopped in his tracks.
He looked back.
The little crown prince was running toward him, his clothes disheveled-
Looking closer, he saw two graceful women following close behind-
"Your Highness, don't run! We're here to help you change for bed!"
The corner of Xiao Yu's mouth twitched.
That incompetent emperor really... won't even spare his own son!
The little crown prince had only just recovered from a serious illness.
Was there any need to rush women into his room?
"Little imperial uncle, please save me!" The crown prince looked at Xiao Yu as though he were a bodhisattva, his eyes full of desperation.
He had just been preparing for bed when Wei Yi brought in two palace maids, saying Emperor Father had sent them.
He had assumed Emperor Father was worried that Consort Mother would tire herself out and had specifically sent them to care for him.
So he had agreed.
Who could have known that after sending Wei Yi away, they would close the door, swarm him, and start undoing his clothes!
He had never encountered anything like it. Terrified, he had dodged this way and that, using every ounce of strength to escape!
Yet the two women still refused to give up and had actually chased after him!
"They're here to serve you in bed too?" Xiao Yu asked.
The crown prince paused.
Then he suddenly asked, "What do you mean, too? Did Emperor Father send women to serve Little Imperial Uncle in bed as well?"
"Yes. I refused."
After answering, Xiao Yu looked at the crown prince. "What do you think?"
"Actually... princes in the palace generally have maids serving them in bed when they're twelve or thirteen," the crown prince answered truthfully.
"Oh? Then why are you running?" Xiao Yu teased.
"I don't want them! I want to save everything I have for my future crown princess!" the crown prince said earnestly.
He had seen enough of the palace consorts competing for favor, with even the princes joining in their jealous rivalry.
But more often, they were neglected and bullied, without even food and clothing assured.
If possible, he wanted to marry only one crown princess in the future.
He did not want to be like Emperor Father, with so many consorts and so many princes.
A hint of appreciation and approval flashed in Xiao Yu's eyes. "To tell you the truth, I also intend to follow my father's example: marry one princess consort and never take a concubine!"
No sooner had Xiao Yu said it than he froze.
He had almost forgotten.
Once matters here were settled, he would return to Spirit Mountain to cultivate.
Even if he married after that, he would be looking for a cultivation partner...
Before you continue