Obsession

Gu Shuhe married into the Crown Prince's residence at the age of fifteen, becoming the Crown Princess. In the same year, Consort Xian and Consort De entered the residence. Consort Xian gained favor and soon gave birth to Xiao Liao.

Gu Shuhe had been childless for several years. Her aunt, Gu Yutang, who was the Empress at the time, was worried that Gu Shuhe's position as the principal wife was in jeopardy. She was very anxious and, believing in a secret method, made a bold decision.

Gu Yutang's personal maid, Granny Ji, had a daughter named Ji Qiongyu, who was young and beautiful. Gu Yutang presented her to the emperor.

Soon after, Ji Qiongyu became pregnant. During this time, Gu Shuhe lived and ate with Ji Qiongyu, taking advantage of her pregnancy.

Afterwards, Ji Qiongyu gave birth to Xiao Heng'an, and with Gu Yutang's support, she was promoted to the rank of Consort Shu.

In the same year, Crown Princess Gu Shuhe became pregnant and gave birth to her legitimate son, Xiao Yi.

This is called "using one's own child to attract another." It means using one's own body to bring forth a blessed child, who then attracts another blessed child. It is a folk secret method for summoning children.

Gu Shuhe cherished her hard-won child and took great care of him. She was also extremely grateful to Ji Qiongyu for bringing her the good news.

Unfortunately, Ji Qiongyu was short-lived and did not live to see Xiao Heng'an's first birthday. Xiao Heng'an was raised under Gu Yutang's name.

Soon after, the emperor died, and Xiao Juebai ascended the throne. Gu Yutang converted to Buddhism and stopped caring about worldly affairs, so Xiao Heng'an was taken care of by Gu Shuhe.

Gu Shuhe believed that Xiao Yi was summoned by Xiao Heng'an, and as long as Xiao Heng'an was well, Xiao Yi would be well; they had a symbiotic relationship. Therefore, Gu Shuhe never mistreated Xiao Heng'an in the slightest.

Xiao Juebai doted on Consort Xian, and naturally favored her two children.

Gu Shuhe originally thought that Xiao Juebai simply disliked her, which was why he was indifferent to Xiao Yi and Xiao Heng'an, who was fostered in her palace.

Unexpectedly, Xiao Juebai was so cunning that he even schemed against a three-year-old child.

“King Jin, I have come today as an elder to make a request of you.”

Xiao Heng'an had already guessed her purpose after hearing her heartfelt confession.

"Your Majesty, you're being too serious. Please just say what's on your mind." Xiao Heng'an's face remained indifferent, without any ripples.

Gu Shuhe looked up at him and pleaded earnestly, "Please, I'm begging you, just to break off the engagement with Jin Ning." She then knelt down.

Xiao Heng'an quickly helped her up, saying, "Why must you make things difficult for me, sister-in-law?"

Gu Shuhe's eyes were filled with tears. "If I had any other way, I wouldn't be asking you for help. Now, the only person who can influence His Majesty's decision is you."

Xiao Heng'an said seriously, "Everyone says the problem lies with me. May I ask, have you asked the Crown Prince what he thinks? Do you know why Jin Ning is so determined to annul the engagement?"

“You are their family, but you don’t understand them at all. You just want to control yourself by controlling their lives. It’s all wishful thinking on your part.”

Gu Shuhe looked horrified as if she had heard something terrible. She stood up, slammed her hand on the table, and roared in anger, "Xiao Heng'an, how dare you!"

Ignoring her warning, Xiao Heng'an continued, "I'm rather blunt, so please bear with me. The Gu family has consolidated its power through women, dividing half of the Xiao family's territory for a hundred years. This is a major taboo in any dynasty or era."

"A tall tree catches the wind, and water overflows when it's full. Old Master Gu saw through the situation and has spent these years biding his time, allowing the Gu family to gradually fade from the center of power to ensure their safety. Why are you so stubborn, clinging to the position of Empress?"

Gu Shuhe replied firmly, "This is the mission of a daughter of the Gu family."

“No,” Xiao Heng’an bluntly exposed, “it’s just your obsession. You’re trapped in this for your whole life, so you want Jin Ning to walk your path and suffer your pain.”

No, no.

Gu Shuhe covered her ears, trying to escape reality. "You're wrong. I'm doing this for Jin Ning's sake, for the Gu family's sake, for everyone's sake."

She sacrificed everything to gain the honor of taking care of her family, and she must continue her achievements.

Xiao Heng'an looked at her coldly and said calmly, "Jin Ning will never marry the Crown Prince."

Gu Shuhe was still trapped in her own obsession, shaking her head repeatedly.

Suddenly, she laughed, arrogance spreading across her face. "Don't forget, the Empress Dowager is still here."

Xiao Heng'an reminded him, "Do you think His Majesty, with his current methods, would like the Gu family to interfere with his decisions?"

Yes, the Empress Dowager is also a member of the Gu family, someone Xiao Juebai despises the most, yet cannot abandon.

Her position as crown prince was already in jeopardy, and she could not afford to anger Xiao Juebai at this moment.

Gu Shuhe was once again lost in confusion.

She lost all her strength and was in a daze, forgetting even how she left the Prince of Jin's mansion until she entered the Gu residence and regained some clarity.

The Gu family received the imperial edict for the Empress's visit home early in the morning, and the entire family lined up in their finest attire to welcome her.

Nearly a hundred people stood neatly on both sides, and wherever Gu Shuhe went, there were sounds of people kowtowing and paying their respects.

Gu Weiju did not come out of the mansion to greet her. He had long lost any sense of closeness to this empress's daughter, who had held a high position for so long; only the estrangement between ruler and subject remained.

After Gu Shuhe entered the courtyard, Gu Weiju slowly came out of the house, cupped his hands and bowed to her, "Your Majesty, I am unwell, so I will not perform the proper ceremony."

Gu Shuhe's carefully constructed defenses crumbled in an instant, and tears streamed down her face.

"Father, you're angry with me."

Gu Shuhe went over to help Gu Weiju, sobbing aggrievedly, "You all want to break my heart."

Gu Weiju patted her shoulder and led her inside, saying, "You worry too much. Why bother?"

Gu Shuhe wiped away her tears, "If I don't take care of this family, who will?"

Gu Weiju held her hand and said earnestly, "The children are grown up, it's time to let go."

Outside, Gu Wende and Liang Xiaoqiao, along with Gu Xueshu, Gu Xuewen, and Gu Jinning, waited for orders.

Upon closer inspection, Gu Shuhe realized that Gu Xueshu was already twenty, handsome, and increasingly mature, capable of handling things independently. Gu Xuewen had also reached marriageable age. Gu Jinning, on the other hand, was incredibly capable and wouldn't let anyone take advantage of her.

Needless to say, his own two sons were also a given. Xiao Yi had been the Crown Prince for many years and was quite decisive in his dealings with people. Xiao Jing was playful, but not one to cause trouble.

Yes, the children are all grown up. What is she still insisting on?

Was Xiao Heng'an's prediction correct? Was she just too obsessed?

No, she is a mother and has to plan for her son. Unless Xiao Yi successfully ascends the throne, she will not be at peace.

Gu Weiju took in her stubbornness and shook his head, saying, "You still haven't figured it out."

Gu Shuhe lowered her head and called out to her father, unwilling to admit defeat.

Gu Weiju sat on a straw mat by the window and said, "You don't need to worry about Jin Ning's marriage anymore. It was I who insisted that Prince Jin marry her."

“Father!” Gu Shuhe suddenly looked up, only to meet Gu Weiju’s resolute and unyielding gaze.

The visit to her family ended unhappily. Gu Shuhe didn't even stay for a meal before hurriedly returning to the palace.

She wanted to escape those places that made her unhappy and return to the palace to continue being the ruler.

Xiao Juebai was extremely displeased when he learned that Gu Shuhe had entered the Prince of Jin's residence, and went to Yikun Palace late at night to question her.

Having suffered a series of blows in one day, Gu Shuhe was already numb and calmly knelt down to confess her guilt and beg for punishment.

Upon learning that Gu Shuhe and Xiao Heng'an had parted on bad terms, Xiao Juebai was in a good mood and punished Gu Shuhe by confining her to Yikun Palace and making her copy one hundred Buddhist scriptures for the Empress Dowager.

The rumors about the annulment of the engagement gradually faded from the city, but new rumors quietly spread.

Rumors, which began from nowhere, all said that Li Ranyi had long admired Xiao Heng'an and would not marry anyone but him.

Some even say that the two had been on the front lines together for years and had long since begun a secret affair.

This matter involves Li Ranyi's reputation and is far more serious than spreading rumors about Ji Lin and Xiao Heng'an.

Li Jinghe had a volatile temper. Upon hearing the rumors, he immediately went to the Prince of Jin's residence to demand an explanation from Xiao Heng'an.

Song Ming and Song Hui each tried to pull one side of the group, but no amount of persuasion could change their minds.

Li Jinghe only has this one precious daughter. She followed him on his campaign and endured a lot of hardship, so how could she be easily slandered?

Xiao Heng'an asked, "How do you intend to explain this?"

Li Jinghe remained silent. He genuinely admired Xiao Heng'an and was quite willing to betroth Li Ranyi to him, but since he had received an imperial decree for the marriage, Li Ranyi could not become a concubine and therefore could not marry him.

Yes, how should we explain this?

Frustrated, Li Jinghe simply put his sword on the table and gave up.

"I don't care, this matter has to be dealt with. Otherwise, how will my daughter get married? I've worked my whole life to the death, and in the end, my daughter is being slandered. What a load of rubbish."

Xiao Heng'an poured tea and said, "Rumors stop with the wise, General. Why should you care?"

Li Jinghe took the porcelain cup and said, "So it's not your daughter. I wonder which bastard did this."

Xiao Heng'an sat down with him, "This matter is my fault."

Li Jinghe was startled, "Why are you blaming me again? You really..."

Xiao Heng'an explained, "A few days ago, I went out of the city, and the King of Qin was chasing after me to investigate. On the way, I accidentally knocked over Ranyi's carriage. Ranyi argued with him, which probably angered the King of Qin, and he took it to heart."

"Alright, I knew that King Qin was no good." Li Jinghe slammed his cup down, splashing water all over the table.

Song Ming silently found a handkerchief, which Xiao Heng'an took and slowly wiped away the tea stains, saying, "That day, it was the Crown Prince who came to our rescue."

Li Jinghe sat down again and said, "The King of Qin has been acting terribly these past few years. He is truly not as kind-hearted as the Crown Prince."

Xiao Heng'an asked, "Between the King of Qin and the Crown Prince, who do you choose?"

"Of course, the Crown Prince."

As soon as the words left his mouth, Li Jinghe realized he had spoken out of turn, slammed his hand on the table, and angrily said, "You're trying to trick me. I don't do anything like forming cliques."

Xiao Heng'an handed over another cup of tea and said kindly, "Have some tea to calm down, my table is about to collapse."

Li Jinghe grumbled as he took the tea and drank it.

"What if you were to become related to the Crown Prince through marriage?"

"Pfft!" Li Jinghe spat out a mouthful of water. "What did you say?"

Xiao Heng'an asked, "What do you think of Ranyi and the Crown Prince?"

Li Jinghe was stunned for a long time, then waved his hands repeatedly, "How could that be? They have absolutely no connection."

He never imagined that Li Ranyi's name would appear alongside the Crown Prince's, let alone that they would be married.

Xiao Heng'an's expression, however, did not seem to be feigning.

Li Jinghe became nervous. "Has Ranyi been here? What did she say to you?"

Xiao Heng'an nodded in agreement, "It means dyeing clothes."

Li Jinghe jumped to his feet. "How could she have thought of currying favor with the Crown Prince?"

This time he was truly angry. For many years, the Li family had remained neutral, insisting on not getting involved in royal affairs. Therefore, even when his deceased wife was alive, he rarely interacted with the second wife of the Gu family, despite they being sisters.

Nowadays, he and Xiao Heng'an maintain minimal private contact. How could Li Ranyi dare to be in this precarious situation...?

Li Jinghe's face turned bright red. That was his proud daughter. How could she have such thoughts of currying favor with the powerful?

Seeing that Li Jinghe was about to lose his temper, Song Hui and Song Ming quietly withdrew.

Xiao Heng'an reassured her, "It's not about currying favor; Ranyi's intentions are genuine. Honestly, putting aside his status as the Crown Prince, what do you think of Xiao Yi as a person?"

Li Jinghe thought to himself, if Xiao Yi were an ordinary young master, that would be perfect. But as a match for Li Ranyi, they would be a rare and wonderful couple.

But he is the crown prince; he can't let go of him.

Xiao Heng'an added, "Ranyi is elegant in literature and strong in martial arts. She is calm, rational in her actions, and has a heart that cares about the country and its people. She is a model for the nation's mother, and no one can compare to her."

Li Jinghe's anger had subsided considerably, but his eyelids twitched rapidly. "You're serious."

Xiao Heng'an nodded solemnly.

Li Jinghe suddenly understood Xiao Heng'an's intention, and a chill ran down his spine.

After a long silence, he sheathed his sword, hung it back at his waist, and said firmly, "Fine, since I must choose one, I choose the Crown Prince."

The neutral flag, which had stood for so many years, has finally fallen.