This essentially made them targets for the crown prince.
The Imperial Noble Consort had long wanted her son to request a fiefdom outside the capital, even if the fiefdom was barren, as long as they could leave this place of trouble safely.
Especially after that incident, her thoughts grew stronger every day.
I just never had the chance to say it.
Today might be a good opportunity.
Thinking of this, the Imperial Noble Consort hurried her steps even more.
Seeing that the Imperial Noble Consort was leaving quickly and showed no intention of waiting for him, Tantai Haoze's expression turned ugly.
He cursed inwardly.
"Why didn't you just fall and kill yourself, old woman? You didn't even care about your grandson when you heard you wanted to see your son. You deserve to die without any children or grandchildren to see you off."
The Imperial Noble Consort was naturally unaware that her beloved grandson would curse her so viciously.
All she could think about was how to persuade her son to go to the fiefdom.
When the Imperial Noble Consort returned to the palace, she saw the Third Prince standing tall and handsome outside.
"My son has arrived, why don't you go inside?"
When the Imperial Noble Consort saw her son, who was nearing thirty, her eyes welled up with tears.
At least her son grew up safely; there were countless children who died young in this palace.
She never thought about how successful or talented her children would be; she just wanted them to grow up safely and healthily.
But since her last trip to Ningcheng, she has never seen her son again.
Although people outside reported that the Third Prince was safe and sound, how could she, as his mother, be at ease until she saw him with her own eyes?
The Third Prince remained as gentle and polite as ever upon hearing the Imperial Noble Consort's words.
He first bowed to the Imperial Noble Consort.
"Your son greets His Majesty."
Then she turned her gaze to Tantai Haoze's face, saw the fleeting look of disdain on his face, but didn't care. Instead, she smiled gently at him before speaking to the Imperial Noble Consort.
"Hao'er, have you been obedient these days and haven't caused your mother any trouble?"
With tears in her eyes, the Imperial Noble Consort looked at him and smiled.
"No, Hao'er is diligent and studious, and the Grand Tutor often praises him."
Upon hearing this, the Third Prince did not show much joy. Instead, he stepped forward and took the Imperial Noble Consort's arm, slowly leading her inside.
He said softly, "I have been gone for many days and have not paid my respects to my mother. I am sorry that I have worried about you."
The Imperial Noble Consort tightened her grip on his arm with her other hand.
The bitterness in my heart intensified.
"A mother worries when her son travels a thousand miles; isn't it only natural for a mother to worry about her own child?"
It's good that you're back safe and sound.
The Third Prince felt the strength in the Imperial Noble Consort's hand, and a pang of sadness welled up in his eyes.
He knew that his mother had recognized him.
The mother and son understood each other without saying a word and talked for a while longer.
Tantai Haoze, who had been ignored for a long time, was getting a little impatient.
"Grandmother, your grandson wants to go back and review his lessons."
The Imperial Noble Consort did not approve of his habit of interrupting his elders.
Just as he was about to say a few words of admonition, the Third Prince held his hand down.
"Mother, it's a good thing that Hao'er wants to study, so let him be. We'll have someone call him when the palace banquet starts."
When Tantai Haoze heard the Third Prince speak up for him, he was not surprised. Instead, he glared at him with some displeasure.
It seemed as if she was secretly blaming him for meddling.
The third prince was not annoyed, and his kind smile remained unchanged.
Seeing that her son had said so, the Imperial Noble Consort did not say anything more.
He waved his hand and summoned the head palace maid.
"Jin Cai, you should escort the Crown Prince back."
Jin Cai curtsied in response.
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
Watching Tantai Haoze leave, the Third Prince's smile faded somewhat, but he looked even more sincere.
Seeing her son like this, the Imperial Noble Consort sensed something was amiss and glanced back at her personal nanny.
The old woman understood and subtly dismissed all the servants in the palace, personally guarding the palace gates herself.
She was a maidservant of the Imperial Noble Consort when she was in her maiden home. After she entered the palace through the imperial concubine selection, the Emperor of Chu was afraid that she would be lonely in the palace, so he invited her to keep her company.
Over the years, the bond between mistress and servant has grown stronger than ever, and the Imperial Noble Consort has become increasingly reliant on and trusting of her.
Now only the mother and son remained in the vast palace, and the third prince rose from his chair.
"Plop"
He knelt before the Imperial Noble Consort and kowtowed heavily before speaking, his voice choked with emotion.
"Your son is unfilial and has frightened Mother."
The Imperial Noble Consort's eyes immediately reddened, and tears welled up in her eyes, which she tried her best to hold back.
Since the Third Prince returned to the capital safely, but the Emperor of Chu refused to let him enter the palace to pay his respects, she had been unable to find peace of mind.
Now that the mother and son have reunited, everything that they couldn't understand before is now clear.
The Imperial Noble Consort tightened her grip on the handkerchief before raising her hand to wipe away the tears from the corners of her eyes.
He personally bent down and helped the person up.
"My son has suffered."
“My son is not suffering. He is fortunate to have received help from benefactors, and his journey has been relatively smooth.”
The Third Prince looked at the Imperial Noble Consort with eyes full of sincerity, and because of these words, the Imperial Noble Consort's aching heart gradually calmed down.
However, what the Third Prince said next greatly frightened the Imperial Noble Consort.
"Don't worry, Mother. Not only did I not suffer, but Hao'er also gained a great opportunity because of it."
The Third Prince's eyes still held a hint of envy as he spoke.
He had already visited his son before entering the palace. Seeing the changes in him, he was happy for him but also somewhat disappointed.
He knew that once his son had this opportunity, he could no longer stay here, and their father-son bond was probably coming to an end.
Upon hearing his words, the Imperial Noble Consort immediately thought of Tantai Haoze, who had just left.
She wasn't stupid; otherwise, she wouldn't have been able to remain safe and sound in the treacherous imperial harem for so long.
Based on what the child said earlier, some answers are already obvious.
The Imperial Noble Consort could hardly believe that the child had been switched right under her nose without her knowledge.
The Imperial Noble Consort found it difficult to accept this fact.
His dejected and defeated appearance deeply distressed the Third Prince.
He quickly stepped forward to comfort her.
“Mother, this has nothing to do with you. Even Father, who has spent the most time with Hao’er, did not recognize him at first.”
Even I only realized something was wrong when I saw that child again after I had seen Hao'er.
It can only be said that the person behind this has a very far-reaching plan. That child's words and actions are just like our Hao'er."
The Imperial Noble Consort was not comforted by these words; instead, she became even more dejected.
It's not that the child looks like him, but that they simply don't understand Hao'er enough. Otherwise, how could they explain how the young prince of the Zhenguo family recognized the fake at a glance?
At this moment, the Imperial Noble Consort had no time to concern herself with the matter of the real and fake Crown Prince, and hurriedly pressed for an answer.
"My son, have you seen Hao'er? Where is he now? Is he injured? Has he suffered any hardship?"
When the Third Prince heard his mother's repeated questions, he quickly spoke up to comfort her.
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