Deep in the inner courtyard of the imperial city, not far from the Qianqing Palace, there is a palace hidden away, tightly surrounded by lush green bamboo.
This bamboo forest is like a natural green barrier, isolating the palace from the world.
The name "palace" has long been a misnomer. When the heavy palace door slowly opened, what came into view was not the majestic grandeur of the past, but a ruin and scorched earth.
The blackened beams and bricks silently tell the story of the past splendor and present decline.
"Your Majesty, watch your step."
Chen Jin held a lantern and led the way carefully. The dim light danced on the ruins, adding a touch of vitality to the silent ruins.
The palace gate slowly closed again, isolating the noise from the outside world, leaving only the master and the servant facing the ruins.
Li Longze walked slowly towards the ruins, and every step seemed to be carried with heavy memories.
His thoughts drifted back to his youth, to the first time he stepped into Fengqi Palace.
At that time, rumors were rife in the palace that the emperor had built a new palace for a foreign witch.
Because of the appearance of that witch, it became even more difficult for me, who was already insignificant, to see my father, and the same was true for my unfavored mother.
In the imperial study, all the princes were usually competitive and incompatible with each other, but when it came to Imperial Concubine Mei, everyone would immediately become united in their hatred of the enemy and stand on the same front.
The same goes for Li Longze. He has a grudge against Concubine Mei, but he doesn't know what to do.
So he caught a toad beside the lotus pond in the imperial garden and wanted to hide it in the cradle of the little prince born to Concubine Mei to scare the mother and son.
Entering Fengqi Palace went much smoother than he expected. The eunuchs and maids smiled and bowed respectfully when they saw him.
This was in stark contrast to the cold attitude shown towards him by the maids in the other concubines' palaces.
But he did not let his guard down. His mother once taught him that those who greet you with a smile are often the ones you need to be most wary of, because they may have the intention of getting close to you and hurting you.
With this thought in mind, Li Longze stepped into the inner hall, but the furnishings inside instantly aroused his curiosity.
From the beams hung delicate bamboo baskets dotted with daisies, jasmine, and morning glories—flowers that other ladies would consider insignificant.
"Ninth Prince, please take a seat." The head aunt personally brought him some snacks. "This is a flower cake made by our queen herself. It has a unique flavor that you can't find anywhere else in the capital. Please try it."
After saying this, she glanced inside the curtain, whispered a few words, and asked him to wait a moment.
Li Longze was still young at the time, and he couldn't help but wonder: Isn't there a wet nurse? Why did he have to do it himself...
The flower cakes on the table exuded an enticing sweet aroma, which made him swallow his saliva, and his thoughts were also drawn by the fragrance.
However, he suddenly remembered his mother's stern warning: "Don't eat anything from other palaces. Remember this!"
Of course he always remembered!
So I tried my best to endure it!
"Zuo'er, look! It's your ninth brother!"
A clear and cheerful voice, as if carrying the warm sunshine that melts the ice and snow, penetrated the silence of the inner hall and echoed in every corner.
Li Longze was startled by the sudden sound. He suddenly retracted his hand that was about to reach for the flower cake and stood up quickly, while carefully ensuring that the toad in his sleeve pocket would not suddenly jump out.
In this panic, he was at a loss and saluted with both hands, "Greetings to Queen Mei."
"Aunt Li told me you're the Ninth Prince," Noble Concubine Mei's voice was filled with joy. "That's wonderful! Zuo'er hasn't had any brothers or sisters come to visit him since he was born. I'm so happy that you can come."
Li Longze didn't know how to answer for a moment. He was just here to play a prank. The moment he raised his head, a trace of disappointment flashed through his heart.
He originally thought that Concubine Mei would be a woman of stunning beauty and allure, but the woman in front of him, although outstanding in appearance, was far inferior to his father's Concubine Li.
But her smile is like a spring breeze, making people feel warm and happy unconsciously.
The little prince in Concubine Mei's arms was his sixteenth brother Li Longzuo.
This name implies the longevity of the country and obviously carries the emperor's deep preference for it.
Li Longze recalled the day of his hundred-day banquet, when his father hosted a banquet in the Hall of Supreme Harmony for all the ministers and clan members, but he was unable to attend because of his mother's "illness".
At this time, the little prince in Concubine Mei's arms stretched out his chubby, white and tender little hand towards him.
Li Longze subconsciously reached out to hold it. At that moment, he felt the innocence and kindness from this little baby.
"That's great, Zuo'er likes you!" Imperial Concubine Mei's smile became even brighter. "Ninth Prince, if you have time in the future, please come and see him more often."
Li Longze still clearly remembers the expectant look in Concubine Mei's eyes at that time. She actually knew that no one in the palace liked her.
Apart from my father, few people are willing to step into Fengqi Palace.
Because of this, she showed precious kindness and warmth to this unfavored prince.
From then on, whenever the morning class in the Imperial Study was over and his mother went to Shucairen's palace, Li Longze would take the opportunity to quietly go to Fengqi Palace.
He no longer carried the toad, but instead carried the cloth tiger he had cherished in his childhood, or the fat koi he had secretly caught from the virtuous concubine's palace.
During that time, Li Longze noticed that his father's attention to him seemed to have increased silently.
"Bring me the calligraphy written by the Ninth Prince. I want to see it myself."
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