When that matter was mentioned, Hongli was still indignant. "At the time, I did suspect those two, but unfortunately I had no concrete evidence. Hongchang was also the son of my thirteenth uncle, so I didn't want to make a big fuss about it and didn't report it to Father Emperor."

However, the clues I was able to find, I'm sure Father Emperor could find as well. But he trusted Uncle Thirteen and didn't want to believe that Uncle Thirteen's son would be so audacious, so the matter was dropped.

Unfortunately, Hongchang did not change his ways and continued to do as he pleased. Fearing that he would do something irreversible, Uncle Thirteen asked the Emperor to confine Hongchang to his home.

Hongchang is indeed quite unruly, behaving like a lawless man at home, yet he is exceptionally polite to his fourth brother, Hongjiao. When Hongchang was confined, Hongjiao pleaded for him, so I suspect that Father Emperor may have harbored resentment towards Hongjiao because of this, which is why he didn't allow Hongchang to inherit the throne.”

Whether Hongjiao's plea for Hongchang was purely out of brotherly affection or for other reasons, Su Yushan couldn't know. From an outsider's perspective, he should have been the heir to the throne, but his younger brother had taken it from him. She wondered how he would react.

"Won't Hongjiao feel resentful if the older one loses to the younger one?"

Taking a sip of tea to moisten his throat, Hongli chuckled and said, "What can he do even if he's dissatisfied? This is the imperial decree issued by Father Emperor. Who would dare to disobey the imperial order? However, Father Emperor hasn't mistreated Hongjiao either."

According to custom, even if a prince has many sons, the throne can only be inherited by one person, and the other sons can only be granted the title of Duke or similar rank. But Father Emperor allowed Hongxiao to inherit the title of Prince, and also granted Hongjiao the title of Prince of the Second Rank, and even that scoundrel Hongchang has the title of Beile!

Speaking of this, Hongli felt heartbroken. "Father Emperor has been extremely kind to my thirteenth uncle's family. I am his own son, but I don't even have the title of Beile."

Su Yushan covered her mouth and laughed, "You are the crown prince, who was secretly chosen. What do you care about titles? The emperor has already given you the best."

With no outsiders present, Hongli spoke frankly, "Of course I covet the title, but I don't covet being a Beile; I want to be a Prince."

"Oh? Why become a prince?" In Su Yushan's opinion, even a prince is not as good as the crown prince!

Hongli gazed into her eyes, his smile carrying a profound meaning. "Naturally, it's because of you."

For her? Su Yushan was puzzled. What did the title of prince have to do with her?