Chang Lai, lying on the bed, uttered painful murmurs. Tian Yun gently closed the door of the side hall so that he could get some rest.
Fortunately, I brought my acupuncture kit with me today. If something had happened to Chang Lai, I don't know how sad the boy would have been.
The two walked side by side along the covered corridor, enjoying the tranquility. The path was covered with fallen leaves, yet no palace servants came to sweep them away. The eunuchs and maids of the palace, always adept at reading their superiors' expressions, dared not venture into the Lin Hua Palace.
What is the consequence of working for the Third Prince?
Just look at Chang Lai now, who's been beaten half to death!
As a prince of the Great Liang Dynasty, Xiao Ziwu only had two eunuchs by his side, one of whom was lying unconscious on his bed. How ironic!
Tianyun also knew that the next two years would be filled with undercurrents and crises.
At that time, she had not yet developed any improper thoughts about the boy. She only thought that if he could live a safe life in two years, she would have accomplished her mission. However, the ordeal she had experienced this time changed her mind.
Xiao Ziyan must never ascend the throne!
No matter the cost, she was determined to get the boy into that position...
Thinking of this, she smiled brightly and said, "I've already encountered such a thing upon arrival, and I've almost forgotten the purpose of my visit. Your Highness, it's your birthday today, have you eaten longevity noodles?"
Xiao Ziwu, who went out early in the morning to look for timber: "..."
A flicker of emotion crossed his deep eyes, then he lowered them and shook his head slightly.
Tianyun didn't notice his unusual behavior, assuming that he didn't want to celebrate his birthday because of his mother's death anniversary. So she quickly went into the main hall, brought out three lively little koi fish, and placed them on the table.
"This is a birthday gift for His Highness."
"Does Your Highness know why they can swim so freely and carefree?" She wouldn't ask such a question without reason. Xiao Ziwu didn't know she had something in mind. He gazed at the carefree little fish fry blowing bubbles in the tank and asked, "Why?"
"Your Highness is so wise, how could you not know the principle of natural selection? Fish have no natural enemies watching them, so they naturally swim freely without any worries."
"What happened today was no accident. Has Your Highness considered why the Second Prince knew about Chang Lai's every move and stormed into the palace to arrest him? It's clear that Your Highness has spies in the palace, watching your every move. How can Your Highness live in peace if this continues?"
Xiao Ziyan harbors ill intentions and has repeatedly bullied and oppressed the young man. The young man can no longer turn a blind eye and tolerate this. He is suffering now, but who knows if it will fall on Xiao Ziwu in the future?
Having grown up in this cutthroat palace, Xiao Ziyan was exposed to countless ruthless methods. If the young man continues to be so passive and unambitious, his safety may very well be at risk.
Her responsibility was to protect the boy's safety. If he met with misfortune, she would not be able to survive on her own. And being in the imperial family, there was only one way to live peacefully.
That is to ascend to the throne!
Otherwise, given Xiao Ziyan's temperament, after ascending the throne, the only thing waiting for the young man would be death.
The current emperor is suspicious and ungrateful, delaying the appointment of a crown prince and refusing to betroth Mu Yao, the daughter of the Left Chancellor, to Xiao Ziyan. This clearly shows that he has developed a distrust of Xiao Ziyan. Now, Xiao Ziyan's power is immense, and none of the princes can rival him. With the Left Chancellor Mu Chengye protecting him, he is truly like a tiger with wings!
His Majesty must also be eager to promote another prince to curb his arrogance!
However, His Majesty has few children, having fathered five sons in total. The eldest prince was executed by slow slicing for plotting a rebellion. The fourth prince is still young and inexperienced, not even five years old. The fifth prince is still an infant.
Even if His Majesty despises the Third Prince Xiao Ziwu, he must admit that he is the most suitable candidate at this moment. Perhaps this is why Xiao Ziyan relentlessly suppresses and bullies him, trying to destroy his mind and turn him into a mediocre and useless person!
But now is also the best time for him to rise to prominence, taking advantage of the current situation when His Majesty is wary!
Xiao Ziwu, however, raised his hand to cover his eyes as if disgusted with himself, and when he spoke again, his voice was hoarse and weak...
"Nobody wants me to compete, and I have no right to compete."
The emperor, the second prince (his nominal father and brother), and even the tutor who raised him from childhood, never had any hope for him or believed that he was qualified to participate in the struggle for the throne.
Xiao Ziwu, a person whose very birth was a mistake, what right does he have to dream of the dragon throne...?
The next moment, a soft little hand grasped the large hand covering his face. She gently stroked the calluses on his palm from years of wielding a sword. He heard the girl's slow but firm voice, "Who says no one has hope? I hope Your Highness will stop being so closed off and despise yourself! If you don't even believe in yourself, how can I, who has expectations of you, live my life?"
"Your Highness is highly skilled in martial arts, handsome, and not a vicious person. You are a thousand times better than Xiao Ziyan. How can you not be qualified?"
Tianyun looked at his handsome face, which was completely exposed, his deep, glass-like eyes, his sword-like eyebrows that slanted upwards to his temples, and his noble demeanor, which gave him the air of an emperor who looked down on all things.
If he were in a different role, what an exceptionally talented young man he would be! And who knows how many women would secretly fall for him.
Is the "self" she speaks of still herself? He raised a brow with his narrow, phoenix-like eyes and said with a self-deprecating smile, "If it were truly as you say, how could I be in this state?"
He withdrew his hand, stood up, and stood with his back to her.
She said hurriedly, "Your Highness, why do you belittle yourself? In my eyes, you are excellent!"
From the first moment she saw him, she felt that he was a cold-faced but warm-hearted and kind-hearted young man, completely different from Xiao Ziyan's sanctimonious appearance.
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