In the Eastern Palace, the Crown Prince was utterly shocked upon receiving the news.
He had never imagined that Xiao Yun was the eldest imperial son the Wei family had been desperately searching for.
No wonder they could never find him; it was a case of the most obvious place being overlooked!
Xiao Yun was the Emperor's legitimate son, and also the eldest.
He held both titles of legitimacy and seniority. If he had grown up well under the Emperor's care, the position of Crown Prince would undoubtedly have been his.
Unfortunately, due to Grand Tutor Wei, his current status was awkward. Although the Emperor had acknowledged him, the Crown Prince had already been established.
As long as the Crown Prince behaved himself from now on, given the Emperor's temperament, he would not depose him.
Despite thinking this, the Crown Prince still walked on thin ice. Suppressing the fear in his heart, he rose to find Consort Wei.
Consort Wei had received the news slightly earlier than the Crown Prince. She was no longer as glorious as she once was. With the Emperor's displeasure, her Huayang Palace had gradually become desolate, day by day, resembling a cold palace.
If it weren't for the fact that the birth mother of the Crown Prince could not have too low a rank, the Emperor would have demoted her long ago.
What she feared had come to pass.
She had believed her son was destined to secure the position of Crown Prince, and once he ascended the throne, her own fortunes would turn.
But, but…
The eldest imperial son had appeared!
The eldest imperial son was none other than Xiao Yun!
Consort Wei was not only shocked but also severely struck.
She meticulously recalled the scenes of her previous encounters with Xiao Yun. Those features, were they not similar to Empress Xiaoxian?
Why hadn't she suspected anything at all?
She then thought of Wang Qingyao.
The news of the eldest imperial son had leaked from her. Grand Tutor Wei had searched for the eldest imperial son for two full years with no news, and it turned out to be Xiao Yun! Well done, Wang Qingyao, playing them, the Wei family, for fools!
Consort Wei's teeth itched with hatred.
A palace servant announced the Crown Prince's arrival.
Only then did she snap back to reality and look towards the doorway. The Crown Prince, draped in a cloak, had a grim expression. As mother and son's eyes met, they both saw fear in each other's gaze.
Consort Wei waved away the attendants. The Crown Prince, disregarding formalities, directly asked, "Mother Consort, do you know? Xiao Yun… Xiao Yun is the eldest imperial son!"
Consort Wei took a deep breath and nodded, "I know."
A surge of anger welled up in the Crown Prince, with nowhere to vent. His chest felt heavy, a mixture of frustration and annoyance.
"How could he be the eldest imperial son? How could he possibly be the eldest imperial son?"
He seemed to be asking Consort Wei, yet also talking to himself.
Consort Wei said, "He is the eldest imperial son. Although he has not yet been officially registered, the Emperor has already announced it to the world, and it is only a matter of time before he is. Instead of dwelling on why he is the eldest imperial son, shouldn't you be thinking about what to do next?"
The Crown Prince looked at Consort Wei in surprise.
Consort Wei, as his mother, had always seemed naive and innocent to him for twenty years. While he knew she wasn't as simple as she appeared, he hadn't expected her to be calmer than him, the Crown Prince, in such a significant matter.
"What should I do next?" he asked.
Consort Wei replied, "Do nothing."
"Do nothing?"
"Yes," Consort Wei nodded. "You should do nothing. Just fulfill your duties as Crown Prince. With your father's temperament, as long as you don't make mistakes, he won't depose you, even if you are mediocre and inactive."
"Furthermore," Consort Wei continued, "with Prince Ding'an's sudden change in identity, and being the esteemed eldest imperial son, the court officials will surely raise objections and doubts. Do not get involved then. Whatever the Emperor says, goes."
The Crown Prince hesitated, "Why? Xiao Yun's identity has no concrete evidence, nor will it ever have. Throughout history, there has been no reliable method for flesh and blood to reunite. Wouldn't it be beneficial for us if we could force the Emperor to be unable to confirm Xiao Yun's identity?"
Consort Wei shook her head, "You and I both know that Xiao Yun is the eldest imperial son. The truth is the truth. Even if you pressure the Emperor, you don't need to get involved. Of course," she curved her lips, "showing appropriate fear and confusion before your father is normal."
The Crown Prince nodded and asked, "Can I ask my maternal grandfather and uncles to pressure the Wei family's disciples…"
Consort Wei glanced at him, and the Crown Prince felt a pang of guilt.
Earlier, he had been eager to break free from the control of Grand Tutor Wei and the Wei family.
But now, he deeply regretted it.
Even Wei Yu, he regretted forcing her to her death so early.
If Wei Yu were still alive, her child would also be an imperial grandson, perhaps garnering some favor with the Emperor.
Consort Wei said, "Your maternal grandfather is gravely ill…"
Before she could finish, a palace servant rushed in, "Your Ladyship, bad news! Grand Tutor Wei… he… he has passed away…"
Consort Wei stood up abruptly. Father…
Her god-like father…
Consort Wei's eyes reddened.
The Crown Prince said, "Then won't my two maternal uncles have to observe three years of mourning?"
At this critical juncture…
The Crown Prince now deeply understood the saying: when it rains, it pours.