Recalling the past, she seemed quite saddened, and the maid suddenly stopped.
He paused, then continued, "But later, because the Queen died in childbirth when she gave birth to the Second Prince, the First Prince became hostile towards the Second Prince from that time on."
Thinking of Tuoba Hong, whose life had been full of misfortunes since childhood and who had passed away at a young age.
The maidservant, feeling pity, said, "It is said that once when the prince was young, he tricked the young prince into leaving him in the desolate Gobi Desert, where the prince was almost eaten by wolves. When the old king found out, he was furious and punished the prince by making him kneel in the snow for three days and three nights without food or water. But the prince never begged for mercy."
"Did they really kneel in the snow for three days and three nights?" Yi Shangyun was utterly astonished upon hearing this.
The maid nodded and said, "During those three days and three nights, the eldest prince survived by drinking only snow water, while the second prince was personally protected by the old king afterward. When he grew up and learned that the queen had died because of him, the second prince always held a grudge. Therefore, he was determined to study medicine and was only very persistent in medical skills. He had no interest in court affairs and even rejected any political affairs."
Yi Shangyun finally understood: "So that's how it is. No wonder these two brothers are so different in personality and interests..."
The maid continued, "Without the Queen's protection, and with the old king becoming increasingly busy, he couldn't take care of the two princes at all. So, those royal uncles would come to cause trouble for the two princes every few days, bullying them. In order to survive, and unwilling to rely on the old king's protection, the eldest prince gradually developed into the domineering, unreasonable, and even seemingly cruel person he is today, rejecting everything."
Seeing that Yi Shangyun was lost in thought as she listened to what she had said, she realized that Yi Shangyun was deep in thought.
The maid suddenly began to examine her carefully and attentively, and after a while, a faint smile appeared on her lips.
She exclaimed, "But this time when he returned, I noticed that the First Prince has truly changed..."
Hearing this, Yunfu came back to her senses and looked at the maid's face, listening intently.
The maid said, "I see that the Crown Prince now bears some resemblance to the Queen when she was still alive. I believe all these changes are thanks to you, Miss."
"I...I didn't do anything?" Yi Shangyun denied it, looking at the strange look the maid was giving him.
The maid, however, remained steadfast in her belief in what she had seen, saying, "To change a person, you don't necessarily have to do anything for them. Sometimes, just a word, or simply being there for them, is enough!"
Seeing that the maid had clearly misunderstood her, Yi Shangyun quickly explained, "I... I have a reason for staying."
Then, looking down at her stomach, she said, "Look at me now, I obviously can't go anywhere. The only reason I'm staying here is to make the best of a good life here..."
As they were talking, Yi Shangyun suddenly realized something and questioned the maid instead: "Wait, you don't look that old. How do you know so much about the First Prince from childhood to adulthood? You wouldn't happen to... have secretly liked the First Prince all this time, would you?"
The maid's secret thoughts, which she had been plotting for a long time, were instantly exposed.
She knelt down in fear and said, "This servant dares not. The Crown Prince is of noble status; how could a servant like me covet him? That would be a great desecration to the Crown Prince."
Yi Shangyun disagreed completely, saying, "There's nothing wrong with liking someone, so why are you afraid to admit it?"
As he spoke, he reached out and helped the maid to her feet, asking, "By the way, you still haven't told me your name."
The maid replied, "You may call me Zhu'er, young lady."
Yi Shangyun happily took her hand and said, "Zhu'er... I'll remember you."
The maid smiled.
He then led Yi Shangyun to a table and said, "Miss, you've just recovered from a serious illness. Please eat something! These are all good things to help you regain your strength."
As soon as Yi Shangyun sat down happily, she saw a table full of milk-related foods on the shore. The smell alone made her want to vomit immediately: "Ugh..."
Upon seeing this, the maid asked anxiously, "Miss, what's wrong? Is none of this food to your liking?"
Yi Shangyun waved her hand, quickly got up and left, saying only, "No... I'm just not very hungry yet. Why don't you take it away first? I want to rest for a while longer!"
The maid was a little puzzled, but after thinking for a moment, she said, "Alright then! If you want to eat, just have someone call me."
Yi Shangyun smiled and nodded.
The maid then carried the entire food table out.
After the maid left, Yi Shangyun gently touched her chest and slowly walked to a bronze mirror.
After tidying his clothes, he stepped out of his tent.
She was still worried about Tuoba Ze's health, especially since if it weren't for him, she and the baby in her womb would have been in serious trouble.
So they quickly arrived at the tent where it was located.
Upon seeing this, the guard at the gate hurriedly reported to her, "Miss, the First Prince has just retired for the night and has not yet woken up!"
Yi Shangyun raised a slender finger to his lips and hissed, "Shh..."
Then, lowering her voice, she explained, "I know, don't wake him. I'll just quietly go in and check, then I'll come right back out!"
They tiptoed inside and found Tuoba Ze sleeping peacefully.
Yi Shangyun gently approached him, reached out and touched his forehead, murmuring, "It's alright, he's fine."
So she carefully tucked the blanket around him.
Just then, Tuoba Ze suddenly let out a nightmare-like voice: "Why are you so stupid? Why won't you listen to me? I told you not to leave the grasslands, why won't you listen?"
But soon, things returned to calm.
Looking into his eyes, I said, "Why can't you just be yourself? It must be so hard to pretend like this."
Unexpectedly, at that moment, Tuoba Ze suddenly opened his eyes, grabbed Yi Shangyun's hand tightly, and pulled her close to his face.
The sudden eye contact made Yi Shangyun feel extremely embarrassed.
In a panic, he forcefully shook off Tuoba Ze's hand and stood up.
He explained to them, "Please don't misunderstand, I just came to check on things and specifically to thank you!"
Seeing the blush that appeared on Yi Shangyun's face, Tuoba Ze felt a little smug.
He glanced at her, sat up, and said impatiently, even with a hint of anger, "Keeping a woman like you around is really troublesome! I don't understand whether you're here to atone for your sins or to collect a debt. Can't you even take care of your own health?"
"I..." Yi Shangyun stammered, clearly at a loss for words.
Suddenly remembering what he had said in her dream, she quickly changed the subject: "So, you've already forgiven the Second Prince, haven't you?"
Upon hearing this, Tuoba Ze realized that Yi Shangyun was actually asking about him: "You already know?"
Yi Shangyun remained silent.
Tuoba Ze immediately guessed who had told her all this, and angrily said, "That wretched servant girl, she really talks too much!"
Yi Shangyun quickly explained to him, "Don't blame Zhu'er, I begged her to tell me."
Unexpectedly, Tuoba Ze suddenly changed his mind and denied it, saying, "It is impossible for me to forgive him."
After a moment's thought, Yi Shangyun suddenly asked him, "Do you remember when I had my miscarriage last time?"
"Hmm," Tuoba Ze responded weakly.
Yi Shangyun said sadly, "That's because the imperial physician said I had a very serious illness. If I were to force myself to give birth to that child, the outcome would most likely be the death of both mother and child. So, in order for me to live, he personally sent our child away!"
"He is really very good to you!"
Upon hearing this, Tuoba Ze suddenly felt a pang of jealousy.
Yi Shangyun, however, was dejected: "But this is not what I wanted."
Tuoba Ze asked curiously, "Then what do you want?"
"I..." Yi Shangyun hesitated, wanting to say something but stopping herself.
But in my heart, I was silently shouting loudly.
"I want to return to my own time and space."
"I want to find Wei Mingxuan."
"I want to hear his explanation in person: why did he leave without saying goodbye?"
"I want an answer."
But it seems she can only say these things in her heart.
Finally, she took a deep breath and said, "What I want to say is that every life in this world deserves respect."
Turning to Tuoba Ze, she said, "In your mother's eyes, you are clearly her everything. But have you ever thought that the Second Prince is also her everything?"
Upon hearing this, Tuoba Zedun withdrew his gaze with extremely complicated feelings.
Yi Shangyun continued, "That's right, the birth of the Second Prince did shatter your original happy life, causing you to lose your mother's love forever. But what did the Second Prince do wrong? He was born without ever seeing his mother's face, and you will hate him for the rest of your life. In that case, isn't he more pitiful than you?"
At this moment, Tuoba Ze suddenly asked, "Why do you want me to forgive him so much?"
Yi Shangyun gently stroked her belly and said, "Because I am also about to become a mother, I can better understand how reluctant the Queen was when she passed away."
At this point, Tuoba Ze closed his eyes tightly.
For a long time afterward, the room remained silent.
After an unknown amount of time, Tuoba Ze suddenly broke the silence again, saying, "It's not impossible for me to forgive him!"
As he spoke, Tuoba Ze suddenly got off the bed, and abruptly leaned close to Yi Shangyun's ear, blurting out, "Marry this prince?"
Upon hearing this, Yi Shangyun looked at him in surprise and firmly objected, "No way!"
Tuoba Ze said, "Do you still love him?!"
Yi Shangyun retorted, "Don't talk nonsense. I have nothing to do with him anymore!"
Tuoba Ze smiled helplessly at her insincere words and said, "There is another way. Since the imperial physician said that you are not suitable for pregnancy, then give up the child?"
"Don't even think about it. If you dare to hurt him, I will never forgive you."
Looking at the resolute gaze that Yi Shangyun had given him this time, Tuoba Ze thought to himself, "For his child, you're really willing to risk your life? And you still say you don't love him?"
He sighed and said, "You're unwilling to do this and unwilling to do that. I don't even know what use you are anymore. How exactly do you plan to help me? You're not planning to run away after the child is born, are you?"
Yi Shangyun understood this in her heart and had her own plans: "You don't need to test me again and again. If I say I'll help you, I will. The first step in helping you is... revenge!"
Tuoba Ze asked, puzzled, "Revenge?"
Yi Shangyun gritted her teeth and said, "That dog emperor must repay the Second Prince double for the suffering he endured in the Qin Palace..."
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