"We have all accepted our fate. He wanted to leave the capital, but after learning I was carrying his child, he decided to stay... He is the most carefree and unrestrained person, meant to roam freely amidst mountains and rivers, living the life of a leisurely prince. Yet, because of me, he is trapped in this suffocating capital."
"He only had Lingyin, and only Lingyin, but Lingyin is also dead..."
The Empress finally fell silent, sitting there blankly, motionless, like a statue.
"You only think of his grievances, but have you ever considered Father Emperor? No excuse justifies your betrayal of Father Emperor. Of all people, Father Emperor is the most innocent. You made a mistake from the start, but why did you keep repeating it!"
As a person, one cannot be without principles. To put it bluntly, this is the crime of incest between a sister-in-law and brother-in-law, a sin punishable by being drowned in a pigsty in folk society.
"Prince of Runan feels wronged, but doesn't Father Emperor? Doesn't Consort Aunt feel wronged? Don't Second Brother and I feel wronged? All our grievances are because of you, you self-righteous woman!"
"Yes, it's all because of me... it's all because of me," the Empress murmured.
"A person's heart is only so big. Loving one person means you cannot love another simultaneously. You love no one. If you loved Prince of Runan, you should have remained faithful on the night you married Father Emperor. If you loved Father Emperor, you should not have been so reluctant to part with Prince of Runan. You and he are simply not worthy of speaking of love."
Love is steadfastness, loyalty, but also sacrifice and fulfillment, never fickleness and betrayal.
Ling Yao no longer wished to look at her and left the Buddhist hall with a cold expression.
This lifetime, she would stay here and repent!
Ling Yao walked outside, looking at the anxious wet nurse Zhou and the palace maid. Her voice was devoid of any emotion.
"Execute these two by beating!"
"Princess..." Wet nurse Zhou froze, then seemed to understand, bowing her head in resignation.
"Princess, spare me, Princess, spare me, this servant knows her mistake..." The palace maid struggled in fear, her mouth covered by guards as she was dragged away.
Ling Yao exited the Fengluan Hall, gazing at the layered pavilions and high towers. This imperial palace had changed nothing, yet everything had changed.
In this incident that had thrown the court into chaos, there seemed to be no winners.
The winter sun shone on her tall and graceful figure. The wind ruffled the long feathers on her hat, giving her a sense of soaring.
"Little sister!"
The Second Prince, clad in imperial yellow with a four-clawed golden dragon embroidered on his crown prince attire, exuded less of his former refined youthfulness and more authority and composure.
"Second Brother, just finished court? How is it, can you still adapt?"
"Yes, with the help of a few elder ministers, it's manageable. I've also been studying with the Grand Tutor these past few days, so I've been busy and haven't visited you."
The Second Prince glanced at the sealed Fengluan Hall with no expression.
"There's nothing for you to see here. You should focus on your own matters. Jing Kingdom has been in decline for a long time, the treasury is depleted, and everything needs rebuilding. Second Brother, you must grow up quickly."
"I know, little sister. I've demoted Lin Yue and reinstated Song Beiting as the commander of the Imperial Guard. You... have no objections, right?" the Second Prince asked, a hint of caution in his tone.
"You are the crown prince, you decide for yourself."
The Second Prince couldn't discern her mood, his expression dimming. "Little sister, are you disappointed in Second Brother? I had no idea Father Emperor was involved in such a major affair. I was even so willful as to run to the border. Even you could sense something was wrong, but I..." httpδ:/m.kuAisugg.nět
Hearing him say this, Ling Yao's heart softened. In truth, wasn't she the same as her Second Brother, having never experienced the intrigues and deceptions of court, growing up under a protective shield, smooth sailing?
When disaster struck and the Jing Kingdom was on the verge of collapse, they couldn't see the raging storm that was destroying their umbrella.
All they could see was that their umbrella was broken.
If it weren't for Eldest Brother, she probably would have believed until now that everyone had abandoned her.
"Second Brother, after this incident, we must both learn to distinguish right from wrong, understand the wickedness of people's hearts. Especially when holding a high position, one must be clear-minded and discerning, and never take a wrong step. The court is still unstable, and there are likely many more like the bandit Lu. You must remain clear-headed and not be swayed by hearsay."
It had infiltrated Jing Kingdom thirty years ago. How terrifying that was. How many such spies might still be hidden in Jing Kingdom? Perhaps even friends nearby. The thought sent a shiver down her spine.
The two walked and talked, and before they knew it, they were nearing the Fengque Tower.
"Little sister, do you think Uncle Prince of Runan... knew about Father Emperor's affairs?"
Ling Yao stopped and retorted, "What do you think?"
The Second Prince pursed his lips, looking somewhat lost. "I don't know."
"You've always lived in Fengque Tower and didn't interact much with Uncle, but I..." The Second Prince fell into recollection. "Father Emperor was always busy with state affairs and rarely had time for me. My studies were supervised by Uncle. If he caught me slacking off, I'd inevitably be scolded. He taught me horse riding and archery. He was more like a father than Father Emperor. Honestly, I really don't believe he would harm Father Emperor. Perhaps he truly didn't know?"
Ling Yao suddenly shivered.
Could she and her Second Brother also be illegitimate children?
"Are you cold?" The Second Prince's face, bearing a resemblance to hers, showed concern.
Ling Yao shook her head. She didn't know whether to tell him about Mother Empress and Prince of Runan, but if she did, would he also think along those lines? After all, he had deep feelings for Prince of Runan.
Never mind, this scandal, it was better not to speak of it.
Let it rot in her stomach!
"If you suspect something, then be wary of him. Time will prove everything."
As Ling Yao finished speaking, she saw a tall figure approaching.
He wore a dark purple qilin court robe, black brocade boots, had thick eyebrows and tiger eyes, hair like ink, a strong physique, and steady steps, exuding an aura of invincibility.
His eyes were fixed solely on her, as if everyone else were non-existent.
Ling Yao's lips curved upwards. This man was becoming more and more irresistible!
He was no longer the ugly, grizzled man she had feared upon their first meeting.
"Running around everywhere, aren't you tired?" He drew her into his embrace as if no one else were present, possessively claiming her.
The Second Prince's face turned cold. Such a rough, uncouth man. Little sister was delicate and fragile, like a flower. How could he be worthy of her? And to be so disrespectful to her in the palace!
"General Xiao, mind your words and actions. Where the princess goes, it's not your place to speak!"
It was like this in court, too. A group of people had to look at his face before speaking, standing there as solid as a mountain. It was impossible to ignore him.
How could little sister marry such a rough man, and even be carrying his child? She must have been forced.
"Oh, Second Brother, your performance in court just now was good. It would be even better if your voice didn't tremble."
"You! Who is your Second Brother? Look at how old you are!"
And calling him old again!
Where was he old? He was only a few years older than them, oh, nine years.
"Am I old?" He looked at Ling Yao with a profound gaze.
Ling Yao said sternly, "Great General is too young to have any authority. How can he lead the three armies?"
Exactly. Just like the Second Prince, how could he control those old fellows in court? If he wasn't there, look how obedient those people would be.
Xiao Shan glanced smugly at the Second Prince, who wore a look of disdain.
He was just a greenhorn kid who knew nothing. He only had a good face, and didn't even have a woman. Someone like him, who didn't look good at first glance, would reveal his true worth over time!
Wait.
Something was wrong!
Did Xue Niang mean he was old again?