Shang Changze believed everything Shang Changge said. With each and every one of these things being proven, Shang Changze had no reason not to believe it.

As for whether he was convinced or not...

Shang Changge didn't think that the words and promises Shang Changze made while firmly holding her hand meant anything.

We need to keep watching and see how the handsome younger brother's behavior changes from today onwards before we can draw any conclusions.

The siblings talked for a long time after that.

By the time they finished talking, it was nearly noon, so Shang Changge invited Shang Changze to stay and have lunch with them.

After lunch, Shang Changze and his men bid farewell and left the princess's residence.

As for what they're going to do...

Shang Changge had no interest in asking or knowing; she was merely manipulating the thoughts and beliefs of her beautiful younger brother.

It's not like I want to completely control my younger brother. Why do I have to ask about everything he does?

Isn't that crazy? Besides, she only knows things that Shang Changze doesn't because she has the script.

In terms of intelligence, she is no match for Shang Changze, who was raised by the royal family as the crown prince from a young age.

She may not have anything else,

But she has always had self-awareness.

The princess's residence was tranquil and beautiful in the afternoon; the sun wasn't very strong after the heavy rain.

After a morning, some roads in the Princess's residence were still wet, and the streets were probably in no better condition.

Shang Changge gave up on the idea of ​​going out for a stroll and continued to lie down and fish in the waterside pavilion, letting others take the bait.

Mi Chan didn't come.

Qingyao was usually a woman of few words, quietly standing by and occasionally adding tea or water to the teacups.

The maids and servants dared not speak out of turn, and stood quietly in rows, behaving themselves obediently.

The atmosphere was quiet and peaceful.

Shang Changge held his fishing rod, closed his eyes, and pretended to sleep, but he couldn't fall asleep as his mind was racing.

Previously, she couldn't understand why the old emperor was so insistent on putting Shang Rui on the throne; after all, he was a ruler.

He wasn't guaranteed the throne but won a power struggle; his decades-long reign, when examined closely, shows his merits outweigh his demerits.

He could be considered a wise ruler, so how could he be so blind as to not see which son was the most suitable to sit on the throne?

An emperor,

Can favoritism really reach the point where one's eyes are blinded?

It wasn't until she explained the script to her handsome younger brother in detail that morning that she understood.

The old emperor wasn't that he couldn't understand; rather, he understood it all too clearly.

He knew better than anyone else how outstanding his son, Crown Prince Shang Changze, was, and it was precisely because he knew this that he wanted to establish another Crown Prince.

The reason is that the old emperor is only fifty years old this year.

How could an emperor in the prime of his life allow such an outstanding crown prince to exist?

What if the crown prince gets impatient and forces a coup? What will he do then?

Moreover, behind the beauty's younger brother is the Murong family, whom the old emperor has always regarded as a thorn in his side throughout his reign.

In comparison,

Shang Rui, who was only interested in having fun and had no desire to seize the throne, became the old emperor's best choice.

In particular, Shang Rui is the son of the emperor and the imperial concubine, who is the emperor's childhood sweetheart and the one he has always felt indebted to.

"Tsk!"

Shang Changge opened her eyes, and upon reflection, she could understand Emperor Mingde's actions.

However, we can't blame the beautiful younger brother for not being able to behave well.

Being designated as the crown prince at birth is itself a shackle that places high expectations on one's heir.

Moreover, with a mother who values ​​family honor and is very concerned about her reputation, Shang Changze couldn't hide his talents even if he wanted to.

The Empress's health is failing, and she cannot have more children. What if neither of her children amountes to anything?

Given the Empress's pride and desire to save face, who knows what she might do or how she might react.

and,

Shang Changze was designated as the crown prince at birth, while the original owner of this body was the eldest princess and held the title of Anguo, which represented supreme nobility and glory.

This is because my maternal grandfather played a significant role in Emperor Mingde's struggle for the throne, achieving the same position as my maternal mother, the Empress.

Emperor Mingde had no choice but to give it, so the current situation is a cause-and-effect relationship.

There's no way to delve into who's right and who's wrong.

There's no reason to definitively say who's right and who's wrong; it's just a matter of differing perspectives.

Of course, the old emperor's act of killing his wife and children was indeed cruel.

So she also wanted to make her beautiful younger brother ruthless, to see who could defeat whom and who would win.

As Shang Changge was lost in thought, a series of hurried footsteps approached from afar.

It's a servant:

"Princess, the General has returned and is waiting for you in the front hall."

Qingyao looked at Shang Changge and waited for his instructions.

A gentle breeze rustled the willows, and the post-rain sunshine was just right—neither too hot nor too cold.

Shang Changge sat back in the old chair, looking rather lazy and unwilling to move.

"Qingyao, go with him. Bring General Xiao over here; I'm too lazy to move."

Qingyao agreed and soon returned.

Xiao Ji also came along; he looked travel-worn, but his handsome, aloof face remained unchanged.

However, he had grown some stubble on his chin, making him look like he had just returned to the capital and came here.

Shang Changge had a chair brought over for Xiao Ji to sit on, and only after he was seated did he ask with a joking smile:

"Has General Xiao gone to the palace to report? Or did he come here to me without going to the palace to report?"

Xiao Ji did not miss the playful look in Shang Changge's eyes, but he was going to disappoint her: "He came after entering the palace."

Shang Changge clicked his tongue, seemingly extremely disappointed, and deliberately acted unreasonably:

"It seems that in the Prince Consort's heart, the Emperor is more important than me."

Xiao Ji chuckled, knowing full well that Shang Changge was deliberately making things difficult for him, but still solemnly promised:

"If a similar situation occurs again in the future, I will definitely come to pay my respects to the princess immediately."

This statement is somewhat improper, as it pertains to the proper order between ruler and subject. No matter how noble Shang Changge's status, it cannot compare to that of an emperor.

Moreover, with the struggle for the throne intensifying, General Xiao Ji making such a promise in front of everyone...

If someone with ulterior motives overhears this and makes a big deal out of it, it could be quite troublesome.

But Xiao Ji said so.

Shang Changge asked this question intentionally; how could she not understand the implications?

I thought Xiao Ji would avoid answering, or at least respond with better words.

I never expected Xiao Ji to make such a decisive and straightforward promise, without the slightest hesitation.

Shang Changge: "Xiao Ji, aren't you spoiling me too much?"

I may like her, but I shouldn't have answered her so directly and without any restraint when she said something that would only cause me trouble.

Knowing full well she's deliberately making things difficult, why bother cooperating? She won't get angry.

People naturally seek advantage and avoid harm, especially selfish people like her. It's completely understandable that Xiao Jiruo avoided answering her question.

Xiao Ji still smiled, every glance he gave Shang Changge revealing the understanding and tolerance a mature and steady man has for his woman.

"I want to reassure the princess and do not want her to worry about my wavering stance."

It was still happening in front of everyone, and it was still something that violated the rules.

Shang Changge: ...

Damn it, she's about to fall for him again!

This man knows what makes her interested and how to manipulate her. How awful!

Xiao Ji was indeed very astute; seizing the opportune moment, he rose and approached Shang Changge.

His tall and imposing figure bent down to embrace Shang Changge, easing his longing, expressing his love openly and without reservation:

"It has been several days since we last met, and I miss the princess dearly."