"Your Highness, you cannot be so foolish again. If I hadn't reminded you this time, the Seventh Prince would have sent troops to arrest you by now," the middle-aged man advised.
Yun Lang nodded and said, "Father is right."
"However, Father, I think the Seventh Prince isn't as bad as he appears. He actually cares a lot about Mother," Yun Lang said.
"Hmph, he treats his mother well, but does he treat you well?" Xuan Yuan Hao Tian said resentfully.
"It's not like that, Father," Yun Lang explained. "The Seventh Prince has no intention of harming Mother. He is just using her to deal with me."
Xuan Yuan Hao Tian frowned, "What do you mean?"
"Have you heard, Father, about the intense battle that occurred between Yun Lang and the Seventh Prince for the throne?"
Xuan Yuan Hao Tian furrowed his brow. Thinking carefully, he recalled that indeed, such an event had happened.
He remembered it vividly, as Yun Lang's martial arts were formidable and he was a brave warrior, making his claim to the throne constantly precarious.
"The Seventh Prince's performance during this period makes me feel he is not an ambitious monarch, but rather a gentleman."
"A gentleman?" Xuan Yuan Hao Tian sneered. "He would be a gentleman?"
"Regardless of how he is, I don't want to be his enemy," Yun Lang said indifferently.
"Why are you so rigid, child! This is for your protection," Xuan Yuan Hao Tian said earnestly. "You must know, even though the Seventh Prince isn't bothering you now, he could attack you at any moment!"
"Father, I have my own judgment," Yun Lang didn't want to say more.
"Alas, none of your generation is easy to deal with!" Xuan Yuan Hao Tian sighed and said, "Fine, do as you please! But I warn you, don't do anything foolish! Otherwise, don't acknowledge me as your father!"
"Yes." Xuan Yuan Mo Yu nodded.
The next morning.
"Miss, it's time to take your medicine," a maid entered the bedroom with a bowl of medicine and placed it on the table by the bed.
Su Qian Mo looked at the maid and said, "Aren't there still a few more days? Why the rush?"
"The Old Madam is eager for Miss to deliver quickly so she can hold her grandchild soon," the maid said.
"Hehehe, you just know how to please the Old Madam."
Su Qian Mo chuckled lightly.
The maid's cheeks flushed. She shyly scratched her head, then took out a bowl, poured a bowl of herbal soup, and handed it to Su Qian Mo.
Su Qian Mo took a sip of the bitter herbal soup, then frowned and placed the bowl on the table, saying, "I'm not drinking it, it's too bitter."
"Miss, no, that won't do! The Old Madam specifically instructed that if you don't take the medicine, she will punish us maids. That cannot happen!" the maid said anxiously.
"I'm not sick, why do I need to take medicine?" Su Qian Mo asked strangely. "Besides, it's not a serious illness, so why take this medicine?"
"Miss, please don't be stubborn. This medicine is made with herbs to replenish blood. A little bit won't make you feel so weary," the maid insisted.
"You girl, what time is it, and you're still arguing with me about this? Hurry and take it away, I'm fine," Su Qian Mo said with some annoyance.
"Miss, please, just drink this one bowl of medicine. Otherwise, I'll really be doomed. Woo woo..." The maid cried and knelt on the ground, begging.
"Alright, stop wailing." Su Qian Mo said, annoyed.
She was only three months pregnant and had no major issues. She just didn't want to drink the medicine, was it really that serious?
"Miss, just drink this one bowl of medicine, please, for my sake," the maid said, weeping.
"Oh, you girl."
Su Qian Mo sighed helplessly, then took the medicine bowl and gulped down the medicine in one go.
"Thank you, Miss, for your generosity."
Seeing that Su Qian Mo finally agreed to take the medicine, the maid, tears of joy replacing her sorrow, quickly took the empty medicine bowl and left.
For several consecutive days, Yun Lang stayed at Xuan Yuan Hao Tian's residence, spending his days drinking tea and chatting with his father, and helping him handle state affairs.
Although he was reluctant, he had to do it because his father's words were clear: he must not defy him.
He was the sole heir to the imperial throne and had to bear responsibility and possess authority.
Therefore, to secure his position, he had to compromise himself.
"Third Brother, have you truly decided to marry Nangong Yan'er as your consort?"
Yun Lang was correcting memorials at his desk when Xuan Yuan Hao Tian's voice suddenly sounded from the doorway.
"Yes, I have," Yun Lang replied, putting down his brush.
"But, don't you find this matter suspicious?" Xuan Yuan Hao Tian asked.
"Hmm? What does Father mean?"
"Have you forgotten that Nangong Yan'er, the legitimate daughter of the Nangong family, is your wife? Yet, she has suddenly declared that she is not your wife, but your friend," Xuan Yuan Hao Tian said slowly.
"What does Father mean?" Yun Lang asked.
"You should know that in this palace, there are no eternal friends, nor eternal enemies. The Nangong family holds a significant position among the royalty. Therefore, this friend of yours is likely an enemy, so you must be careful," Xuan Yuan Hao Tian advised.
"I understand. Thank you, Father, for your wise counsel."
Yun Lang stood up and walked towards the door.
Of course, he would not be blinded by the Nangong family. It was just that he did not want to fall out with Xuan Yuan Hao Tian at this moment, as he needed this father.
"By the way, Third Brother," Xuan Yuan Hao Tian called out to Yun Lang. "Have there been any recent developments regarding your mother?"
"Yes, there has been news," Yun Lang nodded.
"What news?" Xuan Yuan Hao Tian's eyes lit up, and he asked.
"Mother is now the eldest lady of the Nangong family, and she is also Nangong Yun Xi's personal guard," Yun Lang said.
"Oh? So soon!" Xuan Yuan Hao Tian was surprised.
He had initially thought his mother would take much longer, but he hadn't expected her to regain her memory so quickly.
"Yes," Yun Lang nodded.
He had also received the news a couple of days ago.
"Then, can our plan proceed?"
"Of course," Yun Lang's lips curled into a sinister smile, and a bloodthirsty glint flashed in his eyes. "I've been waiting for this day for a long time!"
"Good, then I'll go prepare."
"Mm."
"Father, I have something to attend to, I'll be going now," Yun Lang said, turning and walking out of the room.
As soon as he stepped outside, the devilish smile on Yun Lang's face vanished instantly, replaced by an incredibly cold expression, as if the wicked grin from before belonged to someone else.
He still hadn't figured out the exact relationship between himself and Xuan Yuan Hao Tian, but he knew it was definitely a marriage of convenience.
Therefore, this matter absolutely could not be known by anyone else, not even his mother.
As a result, he had to be absolutely watertight.
As Su Qian Mo returned to the courtyard, she heard Xiao Cui chattering about something in the yard.
"Have you heard? Tonight, the Crown Prince will invite the fourth daughter of the Nangong family, Nangong Yan'er, to a palace banquet."
"Isn't that our Sixth Prince's fiancée? Why has it changed to someone from the Nangong family?"
"Who knows."
Hearing these words, Su Qian Mo couldn't help but furrow her brow. She always felt there was more to Xiao Cui's words than met the ear, but she couldn't pinpoint what was wrong.