Liu Heng is giving Liu Kang one last chance. He hopes that during the six months Liu Kang is away on campaign, Liu Kang can truly grow and become worthy of the position of Crown Prince.

Furthermore, Liu Heng wanted to take advantage of this opportunity, while he was away from the harem, to lower the guard of the real mastermind behind Consort Zhen and expose this person completely.

Although he failed to detect Liu Yan's unusual behavior, Liu Heng did not trust Consort Ning.

Originally, Liu Heng would have treated Consort Ning with some respect when they were still in the Prince's residence, because Consort Ning had taught Liu Yan quite well.

However, when Liu Heng learned from Consort Yu, who had been imprisoned because of the phosphorescence incident, that Consort Ning was still a concubine, he plotted against her, and from then on, Liu Heng had no good feelings towards Consort Ning.

Despite her seemingly timid and harmless appearance, Consort Ning was actually quite cunning, and Liu Heng detested women who were two-faced.

However, Consort Ning had been staying quietly in Jinghe Palace all these years, neither showing off nor revealing her abilities, and had not committed any misdeeds, which made Liu Heng temporarily overlook her.

In fact, Liu Heng also knew that there were only three women in the palace with sons at present, and that in the future, there would only be these three.

The only ones who will benefit from scheming against Mengmeng are the Empress and Consort Ning. Although the Empress is currently imprisoned in Kunning Palace, she is still the Empress. As long as Liu Kang remains the Crown Prince, she will not truly lose power.

Even though she's currently restrained, a centipede doesn't die easily; there are still plenty of people inside and outside the palace who want to rely on the Empress for support. She's managed palace affairs for so many years, she must have her own people; the only thing that hasn't been found yet is evidence that the Empress is manipulating everything.

Aside from the Empress, Consort Ning is also a suspect, especially since Liu Yan had previously been in contact with Consort Zhen.

However, in Liu Heng's mind, Consort Ning was just the daughter of a minor official guarding the city. No matter how cunning she was, it was limited. As a woman in the harem, it was unlikely that she could have set up such a meticulous plan. Moreover, what made her so special that Consort Zhen would take notice of her and be at her beck and call?

These are all currently in doubt because they cannot be confirmed due to a lack of crucial evidence.

Liu Heng really didn't want to speculate whether Liu Kang or Liu Yan were also involved.

Although Liu Kang and Liu Yan had many frictions in recent years, they were mostly minor squabbles. However, placing gold thread charcoal in Mengmeng's room, which weakens people's bodies, was tantamount to murder.

Even though he had fierce conflicts with his brothers in his early years, and later even ordered the deaths of the Princes of Luyang and Xinyang, Liu Heng still harbored some hope for his sons. He did not want to see his sons also commit murder against their own brothers for the sake of the throne.

Having experienced bloodshed and intrigue himself, he was increasingly reluctant to see his son go through the same thing as him as he grew older.

However, rationally, Liu Heng understood that there was still one chair left on the throne. Once someone sat on it, everyone else would have to bow down and submit, and there would always be someone who would be dissatisfied. There is no bloodless path to the throne; throughout history, the struggle for the imperial throne has always been fraught with turmoil and upheaval.

However, he is still in his prime, and as long as he has the ability to control the situation, he does not want to see his sons fighting each other openly and covertly.

In Liu Heng's heart, he hoped to choose the most suitable son as his successor. This son would not only gain his approval but also the approval of the court officials and his brothers. He would be able to win the support of the people and thus peacefully transfer power without having to go through a brutal struggle and step on his own brothers to take the throne.

Clearly, Liu Kang couldn't do what he envisioned, and Liu Yan couldn't gain his approval either. Of his other two sons, Mengmeng was the one he was most satisfied with, and the one most like him. Liu Heng even felt that Mengmeng was the person he could most confidently entrust with the future of the enterprise.

Liu Heng cares for and loves each of his sons equally from the bottom of his heart, regardless of who the child's mother is.

To be fair, Liu Kang is already married and has a career, but Liu Kang still seems unreliable to him. Mengmeng, on the other hand, is only six or seven years old, yet he has already gained her trust.

The matter of the crown prince is of paramount importance; changing the crown prince is tantamount to shaking the very foundation of the state. Liu Kang is the eldest son of Empress Yuan, and if the crown prince is to be changed in the future, the empress must be deposed first, which will lead to many problems. Previously, Liu Heng had been hesitant, feeling that there was still plenty of time, and had been avoiding the issue of the crown prince.

However, Mengmeng's murder served as a wake-up call for him. He felt that there was still plenty of time and that he was still young, but his two sons had already grown up and he couldn't wait to take action.

To minimize the damage, he needs to prepare well in advance.

Therefore, Liu Heng set aside a final buffer period for himself and for Liu Kang. If Liu Kang could perform to his satisfaction during his regency, he would continue to educate and support Liu Kang, while also suppressing his other sons.

If Liu Kang cannot satisfy him, then he will no longer hesitate and will instead prepare to groom Mengmeng. Once Mengmeng is older and Liu Heng is certain that he is the most satisfactory successor, he will find an opportunity to replace the Crown Prince and Empress, clearing obstacles for him and paving a safe path for Liu Kang.

After making up his mind, Liu Heng went to Yanqing Palace. He was worried about the mother and her two children.

"How long will it take? Will it be dangerous?"

Looking at Liu Heng's thin frame, Lin Yuqiao felt worried ever since she heard that he was going to personally lead the army.

Isn't it said that a son of a wealthy family shouldn't sit under a dangerous roof? He's the emperor, he doesn't know how to fight, so why does he have to go to the battlefield himself?

"Don't worry, there won't be any danger. It will take at least one or two months, and at most six months, before I'm back."

Taking into account the time the army would spend traveling back and forth, Liu Heng thought they should be back within six months. After all, this great battle was to respond to the provocation of the Quanrong, reclaim the territory, teach the Quanrong a lesson, and ensure peace on the border in the future, so that the people of Qin could recuperate and rebuild their lives. There would be no protracted war.

Judging from his tone, he had already made arrangements. Since Liu Heng had already made up his mind, Lin Yuqiao, who originally wanted to persuade him further, swallowed her words.

"Be careful out there, I'll be thinking of you every day."

Lin Yuqiao threw herself into Liu Heng's arms, hugging his waist tightly. In the harem, a place like an isolated island, only he and her two sons were her family. With him by her side, she felt as stable as a mountain, always having someone to rely on.

"Take good care of your two sons. Mengmeng will stay in Yanqing Palace for now, and we'll move her out when I return. After I go to war, Wei Jiang will serve you here."

Liu Heng was still worried about her and his two sons. The sons were still young, and she herself was not very reliable. Although he had left enough people in the palace to deal with emergencies, after thinking it over, Liu Heng decided to leave Wei Jiang to her again.

Regardless of whether the person behind the scenes is the Empress or Consort Ning, she needs an accomplice to deal with it.

"We didn't just keep Wei Jiang, but it's good to arrange more people, who knows, someone might take the opportunity to do something else."

Upon hearing Liu Heng's words, Lin Yuqiao tilted her head up and kissed his chin.

Judging from his usual style, he must have left behind many people, so she wasn't afraid of encountering anything. The person who harmed Mengmeng hadn't been found yet, and if she found another opportunity to strike, she was eagerly waiting.

After talking with Lin Yuqiao for a while, Liu Heng went to see his son.

Mengmeng is recovering very well now, almost fully recovered, which puts his mind at ease. However, having been sick for quite some time, Mengmeng's body is still a bit weak. Fortunately, her constitution has always been solid, and with a little more rest, she'll be fine.

When he arrived, Guai Guai was reciting his lessons to Meng Meng. He had now officially begun his formal education and was studying with Meng Meng in the study.

After her two cousins ​​returned home to observe mourning for their parents, Mengmeng didn't find another study companion but instead took Guai Guai with her. This way, the two brothers could go to school together and keep each other company, which made Lin Yuqiao feel more at ease.

After listening to Guai Guai recite her lessons and reviewing Meng Meng's recent homework, Liu Heng nodded in satisfaction. He was confident in Meng Meng's academic performance, but he hadn't expected Guai Guai to perform so well since officially starting school.

As brothers from the same mother, they were close since childhood. Compared to Mengmeng and Guaiguai's genuine brotherly affection, Liu Kang and Liu Yan's public displays of brotherly love seemed hypocritical.

Watching the two little heads huddled together reading, Liu Heng's eyes filled with warmth. He himself didn't have a brother from the same mother, but he had once longed for a true blood brother.

In this respect, Mengmeng is much luckier than he was when he was a child. Liu Heng thought that Guai Guai was already four years old, and both he and Mengmeng were in school. Lin Yuqiao didn't have much to worry about, so it was time for them to have a fifth child.

Thinking of the fair and soft dumpling, as cute as Guai Guai and Meng Meng when they were little, Liu Heng felt as if a thick layer of cotton had been laid in his heart.

After he finished washing up and returned to his bedchamber, he found that the person inside was exactly the same as him.

Lin Yuqiao knew that he would be going to war soon and she wouldn't see him for a long time, so she decided to give him an unforgettable farewell gift, hoping that he would think of her all the way.

So she found the sexy lingerie she had prepared beforehand, which she had been keeping hidden away, waiting for the right opportunity to make a grand entrance. As she changed, Lin Yuqiao wore a sly smile; it was time to further test Liu Heng's limits.

As soon as Liu Heng entered the room, Lin Yuqiao blew out all the candles on the table.

"What's wrong?"

The sudden darkness puzzled Liu Heng. Just as he was about to call for help, the scene before him left him speechless.

Moonlight slanted through the vermilion door, casting its clear glow on the floor and bed. A fist-sized luminous pearl emitted a soft glow around them. A gentle breeze stirred the long, light gauze curtains beside the bed, and at the foot of the bed stood a breathtakingly beautiful woman.

"you……"

Liu Heng's voice was somewhat hoarse. In the dim light, Lin Yuqiao had floral patterns drawn on her forehead, and two long, snow-white ears appeared on her head.

Her clothes were also strange; Liu Heng had never seen such revealing clothing before. She wore a light, thin, plain gauze robe, which made her shoulders appear and disappear, revealing her slender neck, fair and full breasts. The pale purple moon-shaped skirt reached down to her chest and was tightly cinched at the waist, making her figure both sexy and alluring.

Furthermore, the neckline and sleeves of her sheer dress were indeed trimmed with snow-white rabbit fur, and the belt was also trimmed with rabbit fur, swaying slightly in the wind. Combined with the rabbit ears on her head, the whole look was both eerie and alluring.

Lin Yuqiao gracefully walked to Liu Heng's side, looking at the infatuation and amazement in his eyes with satisfaction. Her lips slightly parted, a slight smile playing on her lips.

"Young master, do you still remember the snow rabbit you saved when you were a child? I have now cultivated myself into human form and have come here to repay your great kindness."

After speaking, Lin Yuqiao tilted her head slightly, and the rabbit ears followed suit, drawing a white arc, making her look even more lifelike and vivid. She was actually a little worried, afraid that Liu Heng, that clueless fellow, wouldn't follow the script she had arranged.

She designed it based on the Tang Dynasty women's clothing she had seen on television in the past. It was both revealing and a piece of clothing, not as exaggerated as modern erotic costumes.

The rabbit ears were made into half-circles like hair clips, then painted black and glued on. The effect was nice, but it didn't stand up to close scrutiny. So she turned off the lights. The light from the luminous pearl was soft and dim; it was in this half-light, half-dark state that the charm was most apparent.

"Really? I don't remember."

Liu Heng actually continued acting along with her lines. Aside from his initial slow breathing, he now just stared at her intently with great interest.

At first, Liu Heng was truly moved. The person in front of him was clearly not an ordinary woman. For a moment, he couldn't tell whether the person in front of him was really a rabbit spirit.

Later, when she leaned closer to speak, Liu Heng heard a familiar voice and regained his composure. It was indeed the person he held in his arms every night.

"How can you be so heartless, young master? My original form was such a beautiful, snow-white snow rabbit, and I have thought of you every day all these years. How could you not remember me at all!"

With her face half-covered by a handkerchief, Lin Yuqiao turned her head away mournfully, even squeezing out a few tears from the corners of her eyes, looking like she had suffered a blow, though her acting was a little exaggerated.

"I really don't remember. Why don't you turn into a rabbit again and let me see?"

Liu Heng flicked the rabbit ears on her head with his finger. He had wanted to touch them for a long time. Sure enough, they were soft to the touch and swayed with her movements, adding to her charming and gentle nature.

Lin Yuqiao pouted; this person must have done it on purpose.

“Young master doesn’t remember me, but I have longed for you for many years. Over time, I have developed feelings for you. I have specially cultivated myself into human form, and I am willing to repay you with my body to fulfill the fate we had many years ago.”

Lin Yuqiao looked directly at Liu Heng with a shy and timid expression, and surprisingly, she did have a pitiful and charming girlish charm.

She's been so direct, Liu Heng shouldn't refuse.

“Your original form was a snow rabbit, not of my kind, how can I accept that?”

Liu Heng smiled quietly under the moonlight, his eyes sparkling like stars, his long hair flowing down after washing up, making him look like a handsome young man full of elegance.

The little demon in front of him, who called himself Snow Rabbit, widened its eyes instantly upon hearing his words, and then looked as if it had been hit hard.

Why can't we accept it?

Lin Yuqiao was truly discouraged by Liu Heng. He wouldn't cooperate with her role-playing, so how could she possibly have fun on her own?

Her eyes seemed to be brimming with two clear springs. Lin Yuqiao slowly unbuckled her belt, loosened her clothes, and revealed her bare skin beneath her skirt, which seemed to glow. Her entire body was now completely exposed.

“Young master, look, my body is just like that of an ordinary woman.”

She spoke with a sense of grievance, her ears drooped, and her expression was as innocent as a child's. Yet, the magnificent scenery of her chest was on full display, her snow-capped peaks trembling slightly, and her slender waist gracefully swaying.

Seeing Liu Heng unable to resist looking down at her, she shyly covered her face and peeked at him through her fingers.

"In that case, I understand your intentions. However, I do not seek a fleeting romance or a night of passion. If you are truly interested, would you consider becoming my wife for life?"

Liu Heng swallowed hard, feeling hot all over. He tried hard not to look at her plump, delicate body, but instead let his gaze linger on her beautiful, peach-like face.

Lin Yuqiao was surprised by Liu Heng's response. Instead of seducing her with his beauty, he was thinking of taking responsibility, which touched her. Even though she had only made up the story to spice things up, he didn't treat her lightly.

"Of course, I dream of being your husband forever..."

Now tears really fell. Whether she was a concubine or a noble consort, she was never his wife. The constraints of her title meant that even though he was the only one in the entire harem who doted on her, she dared not consider herself his wife.

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"Don't cry..."

He pulled her into his arms and gently wiped away her tears with his fingers. Looking into her eyes, which were now exceptionally bright after being washed by tears, he leaned down and kissed her between her brows and eyelashes.

"With this vow to grow old together, we pledge our friendship and friendship. This vow is as clear as day and as bright as the sun and moon."

Liu Heng's eyes were warm and clear. He cupped her cheeks and met her gaze. After speaking, he solemnly sealed her eyes with a kiss.

He knew what she was thinking, and there was no way to make up for her regrets now, but apart from the title, she had long since firmly taken up residence in his heart.

Lin Yuqiao closed her eyes, hot tears streaming uncontrollably down her cheeks. This was enough, perfect enough.

Her heart was overflowing with happiness, and all she had ever wanted in her life was to be like this.

A reliable partner, a long-lasting and enduring relationship.

In the vast mortal world, she spent two lifetimes before she unexpectedly met Liu Heng. This predestined fate from past lives eventually led to a vow of lifelong commitment, where they loved and were loved, hand in hand.

At this moment, all regrets have been resolved. I only wish for our good fortune to last forever, and for us to grow old together.

After their lips met, both were completely absorbed in the moment, their breaths rising and falling. Through Lin Yuqiao's shoulder, Liu Heng saw the wine still on the table, so he put his arm around her and led her to the table.

Liu Heng poured two glasses of wine, placing one in her hand and holding the other for himself, and said with a smile, "Let us drink wine and grow old together. With music and harmony, all is well."

Lin Yuqiao's wrist trembled as she pressed her wrist against his arm, and together they drank the belated wedding wine.

This Autumn Dew White wine is smooth and sweet, and after drinking one cup, Lin Yuqiao poured herself another.

As he watched a few drops of wine slide down her lips, down her open collar, and into her collarbone, disappearing into her undulating breasts, Liu Heng's already restless body could no longer contain itself, and a raging fire of desire burned fiercely within him.

He leaned over her, tearing off all her clothes along her open collar, his lips exploring his territory inch by inch, his hands roaming over her cool, delicate skin, his erection pressing against her thighs.

Lin Yuqiao leaned against the table, her legs weakly hooked around his waist to maintain her balance. Her body was burning hot from his large hands rubbing her, but her back against the table was icy cold. The alternation between hot and cold was both pleasurable and unbearable, so she could only rub her thighs against Liu Heng's waist.

Touching the already moist valley beneath him, Liu Heng gazed deeply at the person beneath him. Lin Yuqiao's face was like a lotus flower, her eyebrows furrowed in a way that seemed to express both joy and sorrow, her face flushed with a captivating blush, and her snow-white skin glowed with an alluring pink hue.

Unable to resist the thousand allure before him, and with her soft, melodious voice still lingering in his ears, Liu Heng quickly tore off his clothes, then grabbed her legs with both hands and thrust himself in forcefully. He was immediately enveloped by the familiar wetness and tightness, feeling the soft flesh of her private parts tightly clinging to his thick member, and a wave of pleasurable numbness ran through his lower back.

As she was being thrust into, deep and shallow, Lin Yuqiao bit her lip and kept letting out moans as she was being pounded. Her exposed body tried to meet his rhythm, but this half-suspended position was too tiring. After a while, her legs went weak. Just before her body was about to slip down, Liu Heng lifted her buttocks and, still buried in her body, led her to the bed.

As she took those few steps, Lin Yuqiao felt the part buried inside her swell even more. The soreness in her lower body made her tremble and shrink back, but she was pressed even tighter into his arms, and he penetrated even deeper.

As they walked, she pressed close to him and was then slightly released, her body moving rhythmically with his thrusts, and slippery fluid sliding down between his legs with each step.

Their night was filled with unbridled pleasure, even more intense than on their wedding night. Their joy was boundless on the pillow, and their passion continued beneath the covers.

The warbling of orioles never leaves my ears. Sweet saliva, slurred on the tip of her tongue. Her willow-like waist sways gently in the spring breeze, her cherry lips slightly breathless. Her starry eyes are hazy, fine beads of sweat glistening on her cheeks; her soft breasts sway, dewdrops like drops of peony heart.

The rabbit ears Lin Yu-Chiao was wearing were still hanging in her hair the next morning.

After Liu Heng woke up, he unusually did not get up immediately, but instead held the person in his arms and rubbed that soft ear.

"Oh, you're holding me so tight, I can't breathe."

Lin Yuqiao was exhausted last night and didn't even know when she fell asleep. She was woken up early this morning and was so sleepy that she could barely open her eyes.

"If I don't hold you tighter, what if you turn into a rabbit and run away in the morning?"

Liu Heng smiled slightly as he continued to knead the rabbit ears and long hair. Because Lin Yuqiao's hair was thick and black, it was spread out on the pillow, burying the hair clips on her head, making the two ears look as if they were really growing on her head.

"If you like it, I'll turn you into a fox again when I get back from the expedition."

Struggling to make room to breathe in Liu Heng's arms, Lin Yuqiao mumbled something and fell asleep again.

"No need, just a rabbit..."

She was fast asleep and didn't hear Liu Heng's reply. Liu Heng gazed tenderly at her sleeping face, stroking her ears, until a moment later, when he carefully got up and dressed.

The thought of leaving her for some time filled Liu Heng with a tender and reluctant feeling. Over the years, he had always been aloof and self-possessed, but unknowingly, he had developed many emotional ties because of her, and his heart overflowed with tenderness when he thought of her.

After about ten days of preparation, Liu Heng had made proper arrangements for the imperial court and the harem, and then led his army on an expedition.

Lin Yuqiao spent her time in the palace with her two sons, and when she had free time, she was filled with longing. Fortunately, she received a letter from Liu Heng every month. Although most of the letters were plain and simple, unlike her own rambling and incessant writing, she wanted to describe every single meal she had.

Because Liu Heng intended to take this opportunity to find out who was behind Consort Zhen, he released the Empress before leaving the palace.

This move serves to stabilize both internally and externally, reassure the Crown Prince, and create a balance of power between the Empress and Consort Ning. Regardless of who the real culprit is, they can restrain each other and prevent major chaos. It can be described as killing three birds with one stone.

Consort Ning truly hadn't expected that the Empress would have a day when she could rise again. She thought that Liu Heng was probably letting the Empress take charge of the situation because of the Crown Prince.

The weight of a legitimate wife and son is immense. Even though she and the Imperial Concubine managed the harem flawlessly, when Liu Heng went on campaign, he still trusted the Empress the most.

Even if Liu Kang was mediocre and useless, Liu Heng still had to let him oversee the country when he went on a campaign.

It seems she underestimated the Empress's position in Liu Heng's heart. Now that the situation in the harem has changed, her previous plans must also be changed accordingly.

Since being declared "cured," the Empress had been overjoyed. She had lived in constant fear, dreading the day Liu Kang would be deposed and she and her son would have no way to survive. This newfound opportunity was invaluable to her; she never wanted to experience imprisonment again.

When she was imprisoned in Kunning Palace, she felt the entire palace was desolate and quiet, so quiet that a chill ran through her bones. Coupled with the constant fear that she and Liu Kang might be deposed, the Empress became so haggard during this time that she was almost unrecognizable.

The Empress was convinced that it was the Consort Gui who had framed her, and her heart was filled with resentment. But she didn't want to be imprisoned again, so she could only watch the Consort Gui's feigned innocence and try to tear her hypocritical mask to shreds every day when she paid her respects.

During Liu Heng's campaign, although there were ministers in the court to assist him, Liu Kang was acting as regent, temporarily fulfilling the responsibilities of the monarch. This feeling of being above all others and full of power quickly captivated him, and he completely shed his initial lack of confidence. Even the empress became more energetic.

If only Liu Kang could ascend the throne smoothly sooner, she could finally relax and be the Empress Dowager. The Empress was overjoyed, but also a little regretful. Liu Kang was currently enjoying great power, but once Liu Heng returned to court, power would have to be returned to him.

During this period, Consort Ning turned to the Empress and took the initiative to visit Kunning Palace on several occasions to show her affection.

"Hmph, that shameless Consort Ning, now that Kang'er is in charge of the country, she and Liu Yan see that they have no chance to perform, so they turn around and beg me like dogs."

The Empress fundamentally disliked Consort Ning. Although she didn't explicitly reject Consort Ning's offer of allegiance, she ignored her. Furthermore, Liu Yan had always been at odds with Liu Kang, and his ambitions were obvious; the Empress couldn't trust him either.

However, the fact that she had swept her old rivals aside again greatly improved the Empress's previously depressed mood. She no longer harbored malice in her eyes when she looked at the Consort, which also relieved Lin Yuqiao.

She kept a close watch on Yanqing Palace, and ate with Mengmeng and Guaiguai every day, watching them fall asleep, fearing that something might happen again. Liu Heng's absence from the palace made her feel very insecure.

Lin Yuqiao knew that her only backer was Liu Heng. Although she was a favored concubine, she was still vulnerable to other unexpected events. Fortunately, the Empress was not so heartless and cared about her reputation, so she would not do anything in public, allowing Lin Yuqiao a little respite.

"Does Mother miss Father very much?"

Inside Yanqing Palace, Mengmeng watched as Lin Yuqiao spent the entire night repeatedly reading Liu Heng's letter, and then asked her a question.

"Yes, Mother misses Father very much. She can't rest easy when he's not around."

Lin Yuqiao touched her son's face, a faint smile on her lips. She knew she had been under a lot of stress lately, which had worried Mengmeng as well.

Mengmeng tilted his head, his eyes clear and innocent. He didn't know what his mother was worried about, but he vaguely knew that his last illness had been a bit frightening. Remembering how worried and sad his mother looked at that time, Mengmeng wanted to grow up quickly even more.

Grow up quickly, so you can be as wise and powerful as your father, all-knowing and all-powerful. Then you can stop making your mother cry, and protect her even when your father is not around. All you need to do is laugh happily, eat your favorite snacks, and play with your younger brother.

Don't worry, don't be afraid.

I really want to grow up quickly.

Looking at her chubby little brother who was writing next to her and felt his gaze, Mengmeng looked up and smiled at him. The wish hidden in Mengmeng's heart firmly sprouted.

Guai Guai finally got her wish and was fed by Lin Yuqiao from a little dumpling into a chubby pumpkin. She was soft to the touch, but not easy to squeeze anymore. She also became stronger when she struggled, so Lin Yuqiao could only watch her struggle most of the time.

Time flies, and good news came from Liu Heng's side: the border town has been successfully reclaimed, and if nothing unexpected happens, he will return to the capital in half a month.

Consort Ning, having failed to find any loopholes in the matter, has remained inactive. The Empress, however, has been focused on Lin Yuqiao, hoping to find something to hold against her. Surprisingly, the three of them have managed to coexist peacefully until now.

Just as Lin Yuqiao was waiting for Liu Heng to return victorious, bad news suddenly came from the border: Liu Heng had been assassinated, was seriously injured, and his fate was unknown.

The news spread rapidly to Kyoto, and while everyone was worried, they couldn't help but have their own thoughts.

"How could this happen! I have to go find him!"

Unexpectedly, Liu Heng was assassinated again, and Lin Yuqiao was so worried in the palace that she could hardly sit still. She still longed to travel thousands of miles to get there for him, just like she had done back then.

If only he wasn't seriously injured like he was back then.

"Your Highness, you must hold on! The Third Prince and the Fourth Prince are also relying on you."

Granny Jiang quickly advised her, saying that she now had two sons and was no longer as carefree as she had been back then, so she needed to remain calm and composed. Moreover, now that she was a Noble Consort, she could no longer come and go as freely as she had in the Prince's residence.

Knowing that what Granny Jiang said made sense, Lin Yuqiao still couldn't eat or sleep, and was terrified.

Her happiness had just begun; was it about to be taken away? Was Liu Heng going to break his promise of growing old together?

She was filled with fear and anxiety, while the Empress was also deeply shaken.

When the Empress first heard that Liu Heng was on the verge of death, she was worried. But when she thought of the Consort and the Third Prince, she couldn't help but feel a chill.

Now that Liu Kang is rightfully acting as regent, if Liu Heng does not return, he can rightfully and immediately succeed to the throne.

No, no, no! At this thought, the Empress herself felt a jolt of fear. How dare she be so rebellious! The Empress quickly stopped her thoughts and dared not continue to ponder them.

Consort Ning was also extremely anxious. How could this have happened? She had planned everything meticulously, but she never expected Liu Heng to suddenly meet with misfortune. If anything bad happened to him, Liu Kang would ascend the throne, and Liu Yan would have no chance. Wouldn't all her previous efforts and scheming have been in vain?

She had always thought the Empress would be the biggest loser, but she never expected to be so lucky. A title truly is more important than anything else. Consort Ning was bitter; she should have targeted the Empress and Liu Kang first.

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"Mother, what should we do now?"

Liu Yan looked at Consort Ning with a flustered expression, hoping that she could come up with another useful idea. He couldn't just stand by and watch Liu Kang ascend the throne.

After the initial panic subsided, Consort Ning suddenly came to her senses and began to have some doubts about the news. After all, according to common sense, if an emperor were assassinated or fell ill, he would try every means to conceal it, especially now that his life or death was unknown, it should be kept even more secret.

Unless Liu Heng deliberately leaked the news, or he was unable to control the situation.

So she sent Liu Yan to secretly gather information, but according to what Liu Yan found out, it seemed that Liu Heng was ambushed by the Quanrong on his way back to the palace after the victory and was accidentally shot by an arrow and fell off his horse.

Liu Heng's injuries were so severe that everyone in the border town was in a panic, which is why the news was sent back.

Upon hearing the news of the Emperor's injury, the Prince of Pei, the Prince of Jiling, and the Prince of Fuling, who were in their fiefdoms, also rushed to the capital, instantly making the situation in the capital tense.

"Don't panic, let's take another look."

Consort Ning's expression was also unpleasant, but she managed to remain calm. She had a feeling that things weren't so simple. Moreover, at this moment, the Empress and the Crown Prince were the most likely to lose their composure, so she wanted to wait and see how things unfolded.

Liu Kang indeed quickly went from being in his element to facing difficulties.

Besides the three princes with ulterior motives who came from their fiefdoms, the royal family members who remained in Kyoto, as well as various noble families and important officials, all had different thoughts and were making things even more complicated in Kyoto from their own perspectives.

"Your Majesty's condition is currently unknown, and the generals at the border have lost their leader. If the Quanrong receive the news and launch a counterattack, it would be a waste of Your Majesty's efforts. The Crown Prince should go to the border to take charge of the army in Your Majesty's place until Your Majesty's health improves."

Prince Pei earnestly advised Liu Kang to leave the capital in court, and he also had the support of many court officials and relatives, including Liu Yan's father-in-law, Zhang Chong, a Grand Academician of the Wenhua Hall.

Liu Kang was furious. At such a crucial moment, he, as the crown prince, was the one who should have stayed in the capital. In case anything happened to his father, he could react in time. How could he let these treacherous rats benefit from this?

"Before his father passed away, he instructed Kang to act as regent in his stead, and Kang dared not disobey the emperor's order."

In name only, Prince Pei was still Liu Kang's uncle. As an elder, Liu Kang still had to give him face, which made him even more upset.

He knew better than anyone what everyone was up to; they were all plotting something sinister, especially the three princes who had come from their fiefdoms—they were all trying to take advantage of the chaos and get a share of the spoils.

Liu Kang was exhausted from dealing with these people, and he realized even more clearly the distance between the Crown Prince and the Emperor. Before Liu Heng was injured, his temporary reign as Emperor had gone very smoothly, and his decrees were effectively implemented. But now, the court officials all had their own agendas, and whatever he did was met with opposition.

The matter of sending someone to the border city to visit Liu Heng and stabilize the army's morale has been causing a stir for three days. Liu Kang himself cannot leave the capital, but Liu Yan has volunteered to go, yet he cannot allow Liu Yan to go.

If Liu Yan were to arrive at the border city, amass military power, and use the emperor to command the other lords, it would be like releasing a tiger back into the mountains, leaving behind future troubles.

However, the person sent at this time must be someone with status and influence. Liu Yang is a good candidate, but he is too young. Sending a 7-year-old boy to the border town, let alone whether he can shoulder the heavy responsibility, would just be a cause for gossip if he mistreats his half-brother.

Choosing the right person to satisfy all parties was truly difficult. Liu Kang struggled with the decision for a long time until a bold strategist in the Eastern Palace gave him an idea.

"The vanguard commander Zuo Chongxiang has a daughter who is of good age. Your Highness can take her into the Eastern Palace as the Crown Prince's consort. It would be perfect if Your Highness could send Zuo Chongxiang to the border in your place. He is a military general who can stabilize the situation, and he is also on Your Highness's side. You can trust him."

"But firstly, the timing is not right for taking a concubine, and secondly, the people in the court will certainly not agree."

Liu Kang thought about it for a while and felt that the plan was good, but the key problem was that it would not be easy to implement.

"Forgive my rudeness, but this is indeed a critical and dangerous time. Your Highness is the crown prince and must be resolute. No matter what you do, there will be objections in the court."

The strategist spoke with such conviction that Liu Kang was somewhat persuaded.

Yes, at this time, whatever he does will be opposed. Liu Yan has not been idle during this period either. He has been making connections with powerful families and even his father-in-law to make things difficult for him. Now he is even in close contact with the Prince of Fuling.

He needs to make plans quickly so that he doesn't find himself in a passive position later.

Liu Kang immediately ordered someone to contact Zuo Chongxiang, who was also ambitious and had long been eager to curry favor with the Crown Prince. Although the Crown Princess's position was secure, the Eastern Palace still had no son. If his daughter was fortunate enough to have a son first, their family would prosper.

Moreover, the Crown Prince's current status is extraordinary; he might even ascend the throne in a while. With such a good opportunity, he naturally had to seize it.

Liu Kang has decided to take a woman from the Zuo family as his Crown Princess. The wedding date is yet to be set, but Zuo Chongxiang has already naturally become part of his household.