After being released from prison, Madam Qi wanted to talk to Qi Jiejing alone, but Qi Jiejing did not give her the opportunity. Fortunately, she had the memories of her past life. Otherwise, anyone who grew up under such favoritism would either become psychologically dark and harmful, or become cowardly, self-conscious, and constantly suffer internal strife. No matter which path they took, the harm they would suffer would not be small.
Besides, it could only be her. Otherwise, who would have a good ending if they had a selfish adoptive mother and brother like Si Hengnian?
So an apology is useless; it only makes her mother feel a little better. In the end, it's all for her own sake.
Fortunately, everything is almost over. Feng Shao's calamity in this life should be on Si Hengnian and Xu Huixin. Si Hengnian is capable, but unfortunately he is too arrogant. Even without them, with his godmother around, the ending is obvious.
The tragedy that the court officials were worried about—the eldest prince and the second prince fighting for the throne—would not happen. Perhaps the fifth prince would eventually succeed to the throne, but the fifth prince is just a child now. With careful guidance, he may not be a wise ruler, but at least he can't touch these people.
Song Lingling found it amusing to think that after the Fourth Princess said that Consort Xian had become much more obedient after Si Hengnian escaped from the capital.
“After all, he’s not her own son. Consort Xian claimed to be ill and said she was unable to raise him. Now the fifth prince has been sent back to the princes’ quarters. The poor child, only two or three years old, is living in constant fear.” Princess Song Xinghe felt a little sorry for him. “I went to see him yesterday and he wouldn’t let go of my hand. I found out that those nannies are not responsible either.”
"How was it finally resolved?"
"Of course, we sent someone to inform Consort Chen. Now that Consort Chen is in charge of the Phoenix Seal, she is the only one who is most qualified to manage it. However, it is not a good thing that the Fifth Prince has no one to teach him."
"So you brought him to the General's Mansion?" Song Lingling looked at the child peeking in from outside the door and waved helplessly.
"I only brought this child out of the palace with Consort Chen's permission. If this child's character isn't corrected, he'll be spoiled."
Song Xia picked up a pastry to tease the child, and then thought of her previous life. Although the fifth prince succeeded to the throne, all power and influence were in the hands of Si Hengnian. He was more of a puppet than an emperor, unable to command even the eunuchs and guards in the palace, and lived in constant fear and trembling.
The Fifth Prince, seeing her gentle smile, trotted in, his little face beaming with a sweet smile: "Thank you, Madam."
Song Xia touched his face: "Good boy. You are a prince, and your two older sisters are here, so you don't need to be reserved when you come to the General's Mansion."
"Um."
Seeing that he could make Song Xia happy, the Third Princess and the Fourth Princess felt much better about him. After all, it was unlikely that the two older brothers would succeed to the throne, so in order to make their future days more comfortable, they should take good care of this younger brother!
"Since you like it here, I'll try my best to bring you here when my elder sister goes out of the palace in the future."
The Fifth Prince's eyes lit up instantly: "Really?"
"Father has recently become obsessed with alchemy, and the harem is entirely managed by Consort Chen. Consort Chen is also a gentle person, so there is no need to worry about her."
Actually, Consort Chen wasn't always as peaceful as she is now. It was only because she couldn't control her eldest son that she gradually became so detached. Not only her, but also Consort Shu, who gave birth to the second prince and the third princess, and Consort De, who gave birth to the fourth princess, have all gradually faded into obscurity in recent years and become indifferent to worldly affairs. Otherwise, how could Consort Xian have risen to prominence? Even with such favor, it doesn't affect the status of the other three consorts.
"Thank you, Your Highness." Even though he was only two or three years old, the Fifth Prince already knew how to read people's expressions, which showed how difficult his daily life was.
After deciding to raise the child, the Third and Fourth Princesses began to think about finding a teacher for the Fifth Prince. In fact, they could teach him themselves, and much of their knowledge was unknown to people in this world.
However, firstly, they are lazy; secondly, no matter how much they know, they don't understand the art of rulership; and thirdly, their knowledge cannot be casually used to influence the course of the world. Therefore, it is better to ask the court officials to teach them, as they are more professional.
Having gained the favor of the two princesses, the Fifth Prince's treatment improved dramatically. He frequently visited the palaces of the other three consorts to pay his respects, much to the chagrin of Consort Xian.
But who could blame her for giving up on the Fifth Prince first? Besides, His Majesty's mind is now focused on seeking immortality and he rarely visits her palace, so even if she wanted to back out, she couldn't.
Her frequent antics finally pushed Consort Chen to her breaking point, leading her to confine Consort Xian to her quarters. Coupled with the covert attacks from the other two consorts, Consort Xian suffered several hidden losses and had no choice but to behave herself.
The inner palace remained calm and undisturbed, while the border was filled with unease and suspicion. Even the most ordinary soldiers sensed something unusual.
The eldest prince's eyes flashed with a cold light: "He really did contact the Mirror Kingdom. For the sake of power in his hands, he didn't hesitate to betray the lives of the people and soldiers on the border. Does such a person deserve so many supporters?"
"There's nothing we can do. He was really fierce in those ten years of fighting, so it's understandable that his soldiers respected him."
"But he is now risking the lives of tens of thousands of people to achieve his ambitions!"
Fortunately, all his actions were under our control.
In a desolate mountain area, Si Hengnian and his troops were stationed. Judging from the thousands of weapons buried in the mountains, he had planned this for a long time.
"It was clearly just a last resort, but I never expected to need it so soon." Si Hengnian's ambition surged as he looked at the weapon. "Since you want to discard me after I've served my purpose, then don't blame me for being ruthless!"
The followers shouted in unison, "We will follow our lord to the death!"
"Very well, since His Majesty is unjust, I will lead you to conquer the capital from now on."
Xu Huixin looked at him with worry, her hand on her belly. Although she had servants and doctors by her side, she was still not comfortable after traveling such a long distance, and her face was pale and unsightly.
Si Hengnian frowned: "Didn't I tell you to rest? Why did you come over?"
"I'm just a little worried, is that really the only way to go?"
"Did His Majesty give me another choice? Huixin, now that things have come to this, let's not say anything discouraging."
Xu Huixin hesitated for a few moments, but ultimately swallowed her words. She still hadn't decided whether or not to cooperate with Madam Song and the others for the sake of the child in her womb.
Si Hengnian seemed to have seen through everything. That night, when he went to sleep, he was completely unguarded. He placed the list of tens of thousands of soldiers on the border who had already surrendered to him on his desk, and also opened a corner of the secret letter about when to take action.
Uncomfortable during pregnancy, coupled with worries on her mind, Hsu Hui-hsin couldn't sleep peacefully. When she got up and saw these things, her heart pounded.
In the end, she couldn't help but unfold it, and when she didn't see Si Hengnian behind her, she opened her eyes in disappointment.
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