After the Second Prince was placed under house arrest, the Emperor dispatched the Crown Prince and Bai Yecheng to lead troops in suppressing rebels.
Most people who undertake such a suicidal endeavor nowadays are those who can no longer survive by other means, or those seeking a path to advancement through unconventional routes.
Upon learning that the entire faction of the Second Prince had been apprehended, they promptly laid down their arms and surrendered.
The loyal generals who chose to resist were all strangled one by one. The remaining soldiers were sent to the southern borders to defend against foreign invasions and protect the nation.
The Crown Prince's position became even more stable, and none of the other princes dared to challenge him. This was clearly an opportunity for the Emperor to bolster the Crown Prince's authority.
The Duke of Zhenguo also began to be more active in court. Bai Yecheng, the Crown Prince's companion, also earned merits this time and was appointed a minor official in the Ministry of War. With the Prime Minister's Mansion as his backing, his future was boundless.
The Second Prince appeared dejected, spending his days drinking and indulging in pleasures within his residence. In reality, he was constantly searching for a way to break free. His father, the Emperor, was outwardly stern but inwardly benevolent. While the Crown Prince possessed schemes, he lacked ruthlessness.
He was certain he could find a solution. Upon discovering that his rear encampment had been wiped out, he felt a pang of regret but also considered it a necessary sacrifice to survive. The Emperor's attention was now rarely focused on him.
The secret guards he kept hidden elsewhere had never been revealed to anyone; they were his greatest trump card. The weapons he had stockpiled in the mountains were being disguised as merchandise by these guards and transported to Xingcheng.
When he publicly went to Xingcheng to aid in disaster relief, he was secretly cultivating his own power and winning over hearts. Xingcheng was his true base of operations. His current objective was to find an opportunity to leave.
Seeing Bai Rantang approaching him gently with a food box, he knew the opportunity lay with this woman. He was only half a year younger than the Crown Prince, and their marriages had taken place around the same time.
The Crown Princess's womb had yet to show any signs of pregnancy. As long as Bai Rantang conceived and gave birth to the Emperor's eldest grandson, he would have a chance to turn the tables.
The Emperor's grandchildren currently numbered only a few, born to his elder daughters. The significance of an eldest grandson was considerable.
Bai Rantang knew Zhao Yunyi's capabilities. She firmly believed that even though Zhao Yunyi had fallen from grace, she would remain by his side, unwavering. Should Zhao Yunyi achieve great things in the future, she would always be different from other women in the Second Prince's heart.
Therefore, even though the Second Prince had subjected her to extreme humiliation in the past few days, she harbored no complaints or tantrums. She endured silently, expressing her love, attempting to warm Zhao Yunyi's hardened heart with her actions.
After exchanging a few words, they got down to business.
Shui Wa: "Host, why is the Crown Prince so soft-hearted? Why doesn't he expose the Second Prince's act of raising an army to rebel, letting the entire court know? Don't they say in TV dramas that there's no family affection in royalty, and shouldn't the Second Prince be crushed at this moment?"
Jun Jiuli: "The old Emperor knows everything clearly. When the Emperor issued the decree for house arrest, the Crown Prince understood the Emperor's attitude. If he deliberately pursued the matter with excessive ruthlessness, the Emperor would think that if he grew old one day, would this successor treat him the same way."
"But if a ruler lacks some methods, how can they secure their position? Won't the Emperor think the Crown Prince is incompetent?"
"Silly, the Crown Prince has made all arrangements in secret, yet he handed the decision-making power to the Emperor. This is enough to prove he has brains and values kinship and brotherhood. The current Great Xia has just fought a war, and last year there was a natural disaster. The future throne needs a benevolent ruler."
"Then the Crown Prince is quite clever, gaining the Emperor's favor and picking up a great merit without any effort. He's nothing like those in TV dramas who fight over the female lead, use power to oppress others, and end up dying because of a woman."
"How many such Crown Princes eventually become Emperor? They received elite royal education from childhood. It would be strange and abnormal if they couldn't see through the petty schemes of a few women."
"Then what do we do next? Let them develop? Now that we know his base, should we go there too?"
"I will let them have their wishes."
For the past few days, Bai Rantang had felt unwell and drowsy. She suspected she might be pregnant and asked her maid to have the guards invite a doctor.
Upon examination, the doctor confirmed her pregnancy, which greatly excited the Second Prince. The guards also immediately reported this to the Emperor.
The Emperor was also fond of the child's arrival and immediately dispatched the best imperial physician to ensure Bai Rantang's safety and fetal development.
Various high-quality tonics were sent to their residence as if they were free. However, Zhao Yunyi was still treated indifferently, with no indication of his status being restored or his house arrest being lifted.
After being placed under house arrest, most of the household staff had been dismissed. The remaining few no longer looked dejected; each wore a smile.
No one felt comfortable being confined. Now that Madam was expecting, if the Emperor were to show leniency out of consideration for the young heir, he might spare the master. Everyone hoped Bai Rantang would give birth to a son and prayed to the Buddha every night before sleeping.
In the Eastern Palace, Crown Princess Wang sat by the window, touching her belly and weeping silently. Seeing the Crown Prince enter, she quickly wiped away her tears and stepped forward to pay her respects.
"Your Highness, why did you come without sending word? I wasn't prepared at all."
The Crown Prince took her hand, led her to a seat, and then slowly said, "You don't need to worry. Since my second sister-in-law became pregnant, I've noticed you've been preoccupied, which makes your husband very concerned."
"Your Highness, I have been married to you for over a year, and now even my second sister-in-law is pregnant. I still have no signs of it, and every time I think about it, I feel I've failed you."
"The imperial physician has already said that there are no problems with our bodies. Just take good care of yourself, relax, and it will happen. Perhaps it's just that your and my fate with the child hasn't arrived yet. What's the use of being anxious?"
"I… Should I stop the contraceptive medicine in the back courtyards? So that our Eastern Palace can also have more children and be lively." The Crown Princess said, lowering her head somewhat hesitantly.
The Crown Prince pulled her into his embrace and gently rocked her. "Is that truly how you feel, my beloved concubine?"
"I am also for Your Highness to have many descendants."
The Crown Prince turned her around and lightly flicked her nose.
"You, you always overthink things. Don't you know who I cherish in this courtyard? How could I be so foolish as to let anyone look down on you? As long as you haven't given birth to a legitimate son, no one in the Eastern Palace will get pregnant."
The Crown Princess's face instantly turned crimson, and she shyly said, "Does Your Highness truly think so?"
"Silly girl, when have I ever lied to you?"
"Your Highness doesn't resent me."
"Pregnancy is a matter for two people, so how can it be your fault? The time hasn't come, fate hasn't arrived, and it can't be forced. Perhaps by relaxing, it will come."
"It's broad daylight, Your Highness, you're not even ashamed."
"Hahaha, you're teasing me now. Don't you remember who was just here secretly shedding tears over this matter?" the Crown Prince said, feigning seriousness and arrogance.
"You're annoying, I'm not talking to you anymore."
With that, the Crown Princess retreated into the inner room. The Crown Prince saw that she had forgotten her earlier worries.
After giving some instructions, and at the Crown Princess's urging, he returned to his study to handle official business. His young wife loved to overthink things; her emotions came and went quickly.