Last year's Tangquan Palace coup was a scheme orchestrated by the late emperor in his own cleverness, an attempt to trap the emperor.
However, he underestimated the destructive power of his sons.
They also underestimated the madness and profound foundation of these powerful families.
The most fatal flaw, of course, was underestimating women.
A palace coup occurred, and the late emperor first suffered a stroke, then passed away.
The third prince, who was favored by the late emperor, also lost a leg in the chaos of war.
The late emperor was deeply saddened, but Empress Dowager Xiao, as the mother of the third prince, was not as heartbroken.
The victor is king, the loser is villain; this has always been the case.
The third son had ambition, but lacked the wisdom and ability to match it; he was lucky to be missing only one leg.
In any case, her biological mother was the Empress Dowager, and the one sitting on the dragon throne was the Third Prince's elder brother from the same mother. The Third Prince was disabled and had long been out of the running for the throne.
Therefore, as long as Sanlang doesn't do anything reckless, he can live the life of a wealthy prince.
"To be a wealthy and noble prince in this life is already the best possible ending."
Empress Dowager Xiao was very satisfied with her own son.
The third prince himself was not satisfied.
Not only him, but his wife, relatives, and others were also extremely unwilling to accept this.
Just one step away!
If the Third Prince had not been injured, the late Emperor would not have suffered a stroke due to the shock of his beloved son.
Even if he suffered a stroke, if the Third Prince's leg could still be saved, the late emperor would probably pass the throne to him.
Even if the late emperor was unwilling, the woman who had always been with him was the third prince's biological mother. With his mother's help, even if the imperial edict was forged, the third prince could still become emperor.
Unfortunately, life doesn't offer so many "what ifs".
The third prince's leg bones were completely crushed.
To save his life, the imperial physician cut off his legs below the knees.
The third prince became completely disabled, needing crutches or being carried to walk.
His body may be ruined, but his spirit is not—I may be useless, but I still have my son!
Even the remaining forces of the Prince of Yan's faction probably harbored such ambitions.
Empress Dowager Xiao: ...You're all dreaming!
Even as a father, he couldn't defeat Helian Jue, so how could he possibly win as a son?
They were all her own grandsons, whether it was the four little ones or the heir of the Prince of Yan, Empress Dowager Xiao had held and coaxed them all.
The four little ones have just turned one year old, and the eldest, A-Ping, is already showing the demeanor of an "elder brother".
Calm, sensible, rarely cries or fusses, as if she can understand what adults are saying.
Xie, the mother, once jokingly said, "When A-Ping was reincarnated, he probably didn't drink the Meng Po soup!"
Although it was said in jest, it also shows that Prince Aping is "born with wisdom".
And then there's the third brother, Afu, always smiling, like a little Maitreya Buddha, but he's also a clever child. (Reading...)
You can tell what a child will be like at three, and what they will be like in old age at five.
The four little ones were not yet three years old, but seeing their lively and clever appearance, and looking at the "early education" that their mother, Xie Yuan, had put together, Empress Dowager Xiao had every reason to believe—
The two dragons among the quadruplets will surely be extraordinary when they grow up.
In fact, it's not just the twin dragons that are exciting, but the twin phoenixes are also different from ordinary children.
The second son, Ah An, has a loud voice and a bad temper. If he is not satisfied with something, he will yell and even hit people.
Like a domineering little tiger.
The fourth brother, Ah Le, is the weakest and most delicate, but being delicate doesn't mean being weak.
The little one has a terrible temper; she'll throw a tantrum if anyone around her slacks off even slightly.
Unlike her sister, who wailed loudly, she cried softly, just like a little kitten.
That sobbing little face was just so adorable and endearing.
Even someone as cold-hearted as Empress Xiao couldn't help but feel sorry for her granddaughter when she saw her like this.
Of course, Empress Dowager Xiao's preference for the youngest daughter, A-Le, was also related to the girl's appearance.
Ah Le is the one among the four who looks most like Helian Jue.
Helian Jue bears a striking resemblance to his birth mother, Empress Dowager Xiao.
Rounding up, Ah Le is the one among all the grandchildren who looks most like Empress Dowager Xiao.
Especially as the four little ones grow up, their appearances have gradually changed.
Ah Le is practically a one-to-one replica of Empress Xiao.
As an elder, one can imagine the profound emotion Empress Xiao felt upon seeing a granddaughter who so resembled her.
When Empress Xiao held A-Le in her arms, she sometimes thought: This, perhaps, is the continuation of bloodline.
Her granddaughter looks so much like her; it's a kind of cycle of life.
"I just hope this child won't think of me. Despite being born into a noble family, his fate has been full of misfortune."
"Alas, I only hope that she can live a life of wealth and peace."
For someone as cold-hearted as Empress Xiao to be so soft-hearted towards Ah Le is only because of her beauty.
As for her other grandchildren, sorry, Empress Xiao said: I don't even care about my sons, let alone people who are a generation apart.
For example, the heir apparent of the Prince of Yan!
"The cat is here!"
Empress Dowager Xiao sat cross-legged and smiled slightly when she saw the little boy who was a little over two years old.
She didn't wave or make a move to hug him; she just gave a casual greeting.
In ancient times, "狸奴" was a synonym for cat.
The Crown Prince of Yan used "Li Nu" as his childhood name, which was chosen because "a humble name is easier to raise."
It's the same idea as the common people's dog leftovers, or "tied up".
"This cat greets the Grand Madam!"
The little one can already run, play, and talk, but actions like kneeling and bowing still seem a bit too advanced.
The little guy was a bit clumsy, and his little body was wobbly. Although he didn't do it perfectly, he tried his best.
Empress Dowager Xiao looked on with a smile, "My dear cat! No need for formalities!"
Princess Yan also knelt down to pay her respects, but when she saw that her son's movements were not up to standard, a hint of displeasure flashed in her eyes.
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