Chapter 302 Zhao Yunci, you are still a little naive if you want to fight with me.

Imperial Palace, Imperial Study.

The air was filled with a faint scent of ambergris, but it couldn't dispel the oppressive atmosphere.

The emperor sat on the dragon throne, his face tired and with dark circles under his eyes. He seemed to have aged a lot in just a few days.

Standing opposite was a young man in a green monk's robe, with delicate features, a gentle temperament, his hands clasped together, and a calm expression.

It was the third prince, Zhao Yunci, who had just returned to Beijing.

"Yunci, you're back." The emperor's voice was a little hoarse, and it was impossible to tell whether he was happy or angry.

"I heard about the unforeseen events in the capital and was worried about my father's health. I have hurried back to the capital to share his worries and to chant sutras and pray for the Empress Dowager and my mother."

The third prince nodded slightly, his eyes were clear and his heart was as calm as water.

The emperor's gaze lingered on him for a moment, as if examining him, or reminiscing about him.

"I haven't seen you for many years, but you look more and more like your mother."

The Third Prince lowered his eyes slightly and said, "My mother passed away young, and I was unable to fulfill my filial duty. All I can do is to always be with the ancient Buddha and pray for her well-being."

The emperor picked up the teacup beside him, but did not drink it. He just stroked the wall of the cup.

"You've been away from the capital for these years, so you must have heard a lot of gossip outside."

"The mundane world is nothing but fleeting clouds."

"I am devoted to Buddhism and don't care about worldly affairs." The third prince answered without any mistakes.

The emperor put down his teacup and said, "The crown prince has been deposed, the queen has passed away, and the Wei family has fallen. Now the people in the court are in a state of panic."

Zhao Yunci still kept her hands together and said, "Your Majesty is wise and will surely be able to stabilize the government and the country."

"You..." The emperor looked at his indifferent look, with mixed emotions in his heart, and finally just waved his hand.

"Forget it, you just came back and you must have had a hard time on the way. Go down and rest first."

"Your son will take his leave." Zhao Yunci bowed respectfully and slowly left the imperial study.

Looking at his departing back, the emperor remained motionless for a long time, with an elusive light flashing in his eyes.

Prince Su's Mansion.

The atmosphere in the study was solemn.

After hearing the report from his confidant, Prince Su's face was so gloomy that water seemed to drip out.

"He knows how to choose the right time to come back!" Prince Su snorted coldly and clenched the jade ring in his hand tightly.

The confidant whispered, "Your Highness, the Third Prince returned to the capital and went straight to the palace. The Emperor summoned him alone for a long time."

"What did you say?"

"The specific content is unknown, but I heard that they were chanting sutras to pray for the Empress Dowager's soul to be reborn?"

"Exorcism? The Queen Mother passed away a month ago due to illness. The war on the border was so intense that the funeral was delayed. He's definitely good at making excuses."

Confidant, "By the way, Your Majesty, the Emperor also mentioned the late Consort Xian."

Prince Su's eyes sternly said, "Xianfei..."

The woman who was once the most favored in the harem but died young has always been a thorn in the emperor's heart.

"This Zhao Yunci seems to be indifferent to worldly matters and devoted to Buddhism. Who knows if she's just pretending?"

Prince Su paced around the room, "This prince has been scheming for so many years, and now it seems that..."

He stopped and a fierce look flashed in his eyes.

"We can't let him ruin this great cause of ours."

The confidant asked, "What does the prince mean?"

"Send someone to keep a close eye on him. I want to know his every move, who he meets, and what he says."

Prince Su ordered, "Also, check whether he has really been so pure and ascetic during his years in the temple."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

"Also," Prince Su added, "have someone spread some news in the court, saying that the Third Prince has returned to the capital with great ambitions and is aiming for that position."

"Your Highness is wise." The confidant took the order and withdrew.

Prince Su stood alone in front of the window, looking at the gloomy sky outside, with a sneer on his face.

Zhao Yunci, you are still a little naive if you want to fight with me.

Wei Qiming was beheaded, and besides Chu Ruohan, there was another person in the capital who deserved revenge.

Lin Xingyao waved away all the servants.

The empty room suddenly became quiet.

There was only the sound of the night wind blowing through the treetops outside the window, one sound after another.

She sat alone in the room, with several jars of freshly opened liquor on the table.

She poured herself a bowl and drank it all in one gulp.

The spicy liquid slid down my throat, and the burning sensation spread all the way to my stomach.

Wei Qiming is dead.

From now on, she will no longer be threatened by anyone.

She could finally take a breath and live for herself.

She poured another bowl and drank it all. This time, the wine tasted a little sweeter.

She couldn't help but laugh, the corners of her mouth slightly raised, but with a hint of bitterness.

The Wei family hurt her so badly. She paid too much and sacrificed too much.

Even including one's own flesh and blood.

Thinking of this, her smile dimmed again.

The door was gently pushed open and Prince Yong walked in.

He was still wearing his daytime court robes, but with the buttons at his collar undone, he looked a little tired.

In her arms, she held a swaddling baby carefully.

The swaddling clothes were wrapped in thick brocade, blocking out most of the light, and only the outline of a small sleeping body could be vaguely seen.

Lin Xingyao's gaze froze instantly, and the wine bowl in her hand trembled slightly.

She stood up suddenly, her eyes fixed on the child in Prince Yong's arms.

Prince Yong's gaze swept across Lin Xingyao's pale face, then fell on the wine jug and wine glass on the table, and his brows frowned slightly.

"This child," Prince Yong said in a low voice, with a subtle complexity, "has the blood of our Prince Yong's Mansion flowing in his veins."

He paused, as if weighing his words.

"The Wei family... is completely finished. Father begged the Emperor to spare his life, considering he was still an infant and ignorant of the world."

Lin Xingyao's lips moved a few times, but no sound came out.

Prince Yong looked at her like this, sighed, and softened his tone a little.

"you……"

"After all, he's my own flesh and blood. Even if... even if I treat him like a cat or a dog, I'll treat him well."

Prince Yong's voice slowed down, with a hint of the expectations of an elder for his younger generation.

Lin Xingyao finally reached out and carefully took the child.

She looked down at the sleeping baby in her arms.

The little face had eyes tightly closed and brows slightly furrowed, as if feeling uneasy even in the dream.

Her heart was instantly filled with a soft emotion.

If she hadn't been threatened by the Wei family, how could she have endured the pain of sending her own flesh and blood away.

But she couldn't tell this to her father.

She took a deep breath and tried to calm herself down.

"Thank you, father. Your daughter...will take on the responsibilities of a mother."

Prince Yong looked at her, a hint of relief flashing in his eyes, but also with a hint of complex and inexplicable emotions.

He nodded, said nothing more, and just patted her shoulder gently.

"Have a good rest."

After saying this, Prince Yong turned and left the room.

"Your Majesty."

The confidant guarding the door called out in a low voice.

King Yong raised his hand, indicating that he didn't need to say more.

He turned around and looked at the brightly lit room.

Rumors outside?

After all, she is my daughter who I have seen grow up. The rumors outside must be true, and she should have known it a long time ago.

Prince Yong took a deep breath and felt a little stuffy in his chest.

He turned around, no longer looking inside the room, and lowered his voice to a very low level.

"Go check."

"Investigate the midwife who delivered the princess."

"Even though the person is dead, there are always clues left behind."

"Among her family, her former neighbors, or familiar relatives, there must be someone who knows something or has heard some inside information."

"This king wants to..."

King Yong's voice paused, and a dark light flashed in his eyes.

He didn't finish his words, but said in a deep voice, "Tell me everything that happened back then, and get to the bottom of it."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

The confidant didn't dare to ask more questions, responded respectfully, and quickly disappeared into the night.

Prince Yong stood alone in the corridor, the night wind blowing his robe, bringing gusts of coolness.