Chapter 253 The Crown Prince Regent, Father Emperor in Danger

Ji Qingwu lay on his back in the grass, holding a heavy little one in his arms.

She called out softly, "Your Highness Yuanheng."

Zhao Yuanheng gave a mature "hmm" and replied, "It's me."

He only heard the news today from the eunuchs that Ji Qingwu had come to the palace.

Lately, she has been frequently seen around her father.

Yuan Heng spent half a day looking around the entrance of the Qin Zheng Hall, but didn't see a single person. Later that evening, he made a special trip to the vicinity of the Zhaoyang Hall to try his luck.

I actually ran into him.

He hid behind a tree and followed Ji Qingwu all the way. He saw that she seemed to be tired and squatted on the ground, doing something, her shoulders shrugging.

Yuan Heng thought she was crying.

He hadn't expected his appearance to frighten her. He wanted to grab her, but he just couldn't muster the strength.

Suddenly pulled into a soft, fragrant embrace, his little face showed a hint of unease.

Ji Qingwu felt a void in his heart, and just then, a little guy came knocking on his door.

She hugged me tightly and wouldn't let go.

Zhao Yuanheng had never lay on someone like this before, especially lying in the grass, which was truly unbecoming of his princely dignity.

He hesitated and said, "You, you let me go first."

Ji Qingwu hugged her even tighter, saying, "I won't let go. Why should I let go?"

Yuan Heng was forced to lean on her shoulder, looking at the grass beneath her, his little eyebrows furrowed.

But after a moment's struggle, his dark eyes, drawn by the scent emanating from her, quietly shifted to a more comfortable position and nestled peacefully in her arms.

Lying on the grass, Ji Qingwu felt more at ease and didn't want to get up, remaining in that position.

She asked, "What is Your Highness doing here?"

Yuan Heng looked at the embroidery on her collar and said, "Let's take a walk."

He then asked her, "Why did you come here?"

Ji Qingwu didn't know how he got here or where he was. Not far away was a palace he had never seen before.

Her voice was tinged with sadness as she said, "To clear my head."

The two of them took a walk and wandered to Anhua Palace, the most secluded part of the palace complex.

Yuan Heng asked softly, "Did you have a fight with Father?"

Ji Qingwu paused for a moment. Could this be considered an argument?

She shook her head, saying something she didn't mean: "Who would dare to argue with the emperor? Wouldn't they be risking their lives?"

Yuan Heng looked up at her delicate chin and said, "I heard noises in the hall, like something being smashed."

Is the little one outside the palace...?

How much did he hear...?

Ji Qingwu gently stroked his head, trying to comfort him.

"It was just that I accidentally broke a few things, there was no argument, nothing happened."

Yuan Heng didn't believe her explanation and asked, "Then why are you crying?"

Ji Qingwu's eyes widened as she looked down at him: "I didn't cry, you're mistaken."

Yuan Heng touched her face with his small hand; it was indeed dry.

"Your father..."

"My father..."

The two spoke at the same time, both wanting to talk about the emperor.

Yuan Heng said, "You go first."

Ji Qingwu sighed and said, "I want to say that your father's temper has really made you suffer all these years."

Yuan Heng nodded knowingly: "That's just how Father Emperor is. I'm used to it. But it's because he loves me so much that he's so strict with me."

He looked up and said with utmost seriousness, "Being an emperor is not easy. There are many things to deal with every day, and it's inevitable that there will be times when you feel irritable. Please don't be disappointed in him, okay? Give him another chance."

By now, Ji Qingwu's mood had calmed down considerably.

My feelings weren't entirely disappointment; there was also a lot of confusion.

She didn't believe that everything before was fake. The feelings she had for Emperor Wusu were not based on what she heard, but rather on the accumulation of their interactions over time.

Just as drops of spring rain gather to form a vast lake, gradually reflecting her heartfelt feelings hidden deep within.

The emperor's treatment of her was by no means a cheap trick to toy with her feelings.

What exactly happened, or what was about to happen, that would cause such a drastic change in Emperor Wusu?

Ji Qingwu bit her lip lightly, her delicate eyebrows slightly furrowed.

Seeing her lowered eyes and silence, Yuan Heng's eyebrows furrowed.

"Or, you could hold out for a few years, until I'm able to oversee the country, then I'll—"

Ji Qingwu quickly covered his mouth.

Her eyes trembled. Could she really say that?!

The person who oversees the country is usually the crown prince, and this usually happens when the emperor is seriously ill or about to abdicate.

Ji Qingwu lowered his voice and said, "Your Highness, be careful what you say. If someone with ulterior motives hears you, they will surely make a big deal out of it."

Yuan Heng grabbed her wrist and said in a deep voice, "Father only has one son, and that's an unspoken fact."

Whether or not the position of crown prince is conferred is merely a formality.

That makes sense. Ji Qingwu slowly loosened his grip.

Yuan Heng continued to persuade her: "When I am able to oversee the country or rule in my own right, Father will not be burdened by so many political affairs. Without worries, his temper will naturally become better."

Ji Qingwu answered decisively.

"Then let's keep him under control!"

She couldn't bear to part with the little one, who was still so young, yet already burdened with such a heavy responsibility for the country and its people.

Between two conflicting emotions, choose the lesser of two evils; let Emperor Wusu continue to worry.

Ji Qingwu moved her hand away, pinched his little face, and said softly, "Just grow up well and don't think so much."

Yuan Heng freed his face from her grasp and said solemnly, "If you're in a position, you have to do your job. I'm only thinking about my duties."

Ji Qingwu sighed inwardly. In terms of responsibility and commitment, Emperor Wusu had raised Yuan Heng very well.

Seeing that she remained unmoved, the little one said worriedly, "Are you going to leave the palace? Father has had a hard time all these years, please don't abandon him, okay?"

Ji Qingwu thought Yuan Heng had come to comfort him, but it turned out he was actually pleading for his father, the Emperor.

"I haven't decided yet."

Noticing his worry, she gently patted his back.

Do you want me to stay in the palace?

Yuan Heng stared at her with his dark pupils for a long time before burying his face in her chest.

He muttered, "I really want to."

The last rays of the setting sun shone on the two children.

As Ji Qingwu gazed at the orange-red halo of the sun, a delicate, intertwined feeling welled up in his heart.

She thought of Emperor Wusu's cold words, telling her never to appear before him again.

Ji Qingwu snorted coldly, "That will have to wait until she gets tired of it."

Yuan Heng looked up and saw that her expression had changed from her usual quiet and gentle demeanor, with the setting sun reflected in her eyes.

But unlike the desolation of a setting sun, it seems to carry sparks that could start a prairie fire.

Yuan Heng silently withdrew his gaze.

It's dangerous.

His father, the emperor.

The two got up after enjoying the sunset, and Ji Qingwu patted the dust off his clothes.

The dress was already splashed with soup, so it's not a big deal if it gets a little dirtier.

Ji Qingwu sized up Yuan Heng.

"Turn around."

Yuan Heng obediently complied, and Ji Qingwu reached out and patted Yuan Heng's little bottom.

He covered his backside, his eyes wide with shock: "Am I going to be implicated too?"