He knew all too well what those two people meant to Sheng Jin!
Unlike the Crown Prince, Sheng Changling was ambitious and never gave up on winning over powerful officials.
Jiang Wu was the emperor's most valued military general, and also the most upright and incorruptible. He had tried to befriend Jiang Wu many times, but had failed each time.
Song Wen was also a veteran minister who accompanied the emperor to the throne, and had been trusted by the emperor for many years.
Let alone him, even if the late emperor were to be resurrected, he probably wouldn't be able to win their loyalty.
In other words, these two were essentially the emperor's loyal followers.
Both of them were over fifty years old. Outside, not only ordinary officials, but even princes and nobles had to give them a wide berth.
So, did the Emperor send them to the Crown Prince's side just to monitor him?
To monitor the Crown Prince, a few spies would suffice; why send out these two old ministers?
The conclusion was finally reached that the Emperor had indeed sent them to protect the Crown Prince.
What a loving father he is!
But didn't they have a rift between them? Wasn't the Emperor coveting the Crown Princess? What happened? Did he suddenly change his mind?
Sheng Changling was somewhat confused, wishing he could peel back the emperor's heart to see what he was thinking.
Was everything before just his wild guess, and not true at all?
What exactly happened?
Did the Emperor truly harbor feelings for the Crown Princess? Had I been wrong all along?
I really wish I had mind-reading abilities to know everyone's thoughts.
Unfortunately, he could only think about it, not do it.
Sheng Changling thought this to himself, but ultimately did not lash out.
At this moment, even the crown prince, who was kneeling upright on the ground, was filled with astonishment.
He had considered that the emperor might send someone to help him, but he only thought that the emperor would send some insignificant person.
After all, the relationship between father and son later became very strained... and it's likely that only a superficial father-son bond remained.
But unexpectedly—
The Emperor actually sent out two veteran ministers, Jiang Wu and Song Wen, and even... he bestowed upon them ten thousand elite soldiers!
That's a full ten thousand elite soldiers!
What does this mean?
In other words, unless someone rebels, he can do whatever he wants in Jiangnan.
How could he possibly die?
Even if he catches a cold, or becomes completely paralyzed, he can still survive and return to the capital.
Instantly, the crown prince was overjoyed, his whole face glowing with pride, a stark contrast to his previous dejection and dejection. He quickly expressed his gratitude.
"Your Majesty, I am grateful for your kindness. With these people, I am confident that we will achieve our goal successfully this time."
Sitting on the dragon throne, Sheng Jin listened to the Crown Prince's words of gratitude and nodded in satisfaction.
Whether the Crown Prince's intentions were genuine or not, he had given him the opportunity; whether he could seize it was up to him.
By doing this, he was also giving the crown prince a chance to live.
After all, he was a child he had watched grow up. Although they had had their disagreements, the bond between father and son remained.
In other words, he ultimately softened his heart.
The crown prince didn't do anything too wrong. He... he's getting old and still needs a stable successor.
Jiang Wu and Song Wen are both capable ministers and generals. With them protecting him, if something were to happen to the Crown Prince, it would truly be his fate.
Forget it, I don't want to think about it anymore.
The rest of the journey depends on how the Crown Prince chooses to proceed; he won't interfere too much.
However, there is still a hope that the Crown Prince can stand up for himself and protect Xi'er as she ascends to the highest position.
What you cannot give her, let others give her.
As for whether the Crown Prince would change his mind, Sheng Jin didn't know, but hoped he wouldn't, otherwise—
"Well, now that the discussion is over, court is adjourned."
...
After the court session, the Crown Prince and two ministers went to the Hall of Mental Cultivation to discuss matters.
Much later, he returned to the West Warm Pavilion with a big smile, eager to share this genuinely good news.
"Xi'er, Xi'er!"
"Hmm, that sounds like His Highness's voice?"
Inside the hall, Liu Lingxi was embroidering a small red bib on an embroidery frame. Judging by its size, it was for a child.
Under the warm sun, the woman's slender fingers deftly moved a needle back and forth, her expression gentle, especially her focused gaze.
The sunlight seemed to drape her in a soft veil, shimmering with a golden halo, making her feel incredibly beautiful.
At that moment, she seemed to hear something, but she wasn't quite sure, so she looked at her head maid.
"Yes, Your Highness, I heard it too. It's the Crown Prince, it's His Highness who has returned."
Ye Zhi was also very happy. She didn't have any other thoughts in mind; she was just happy for her master.
Sure enough, by the time Liu Lingxi spoke, the Crown Prince had already stepped into the inner room and come before her.
"Xi'er..."
"Your Highness!"
Liu Lingxi casually placed the embroidery frame on the table and tried to get up, but Sheng Changfeng, who had rushed over, pressed her down.
"Sit down, it's so inconvenient for you to be like this. Why did you get up so early today and even pick up your embroidery? Aren't you afraid of tiring yourself out?"
Looking at the young woman before him who pleased him in every way and was carrying his child, Sheng Changfeng's heart melted instantly.
However, as the months progressed, Xi'er's belly grew larger and larger, but her limbs remained very slender.
Every time Xi'er moved around, he was filled with anxiety, fearing that something might suddenly happen to her.
However, the imperial physician said that pregnant women should move around often so that their children will be stronger in the future, and he would accompany Xi'er by her side every time.
only……
He is about to travel south to Jiangnan, and it will be difficult for him to stay with his Xi'er any longer.
Thinking of this, Sheng Changfeng became even more reluctant to part, and his grip on the woman's large hand became tinged with longing.
Liu Lingxi was initially very happy, but when she saw that the man seemed to have something to say, she became uneasy.
"Your Highness, are you... in some kind of trouble?"
She tilted her little face up, her eyes filled with anxiety, as if to say, "Please, please don't let it be bad news."
The woman's rosy cheeks showed increasing anxiety, making her look pitiful.
Sheng Changfeng originally wanted to tell her that the result he got was good enough compared to before.
"Yes, I do have something to tell you, but don't worry, Xi'er, it's not a bad thing."
His voice was like a gentle stream, carrying a soothing power, as the flowing water slowly washed away the unease in the woman's heart.
"Don't be afraid. If it were bad news, I wouldn't have told you. The fact that you're telling me proves that things are getting better."
"Whatever Your Highness wishes to say to me, I will listen attentively."
After being gently comforted by the Crown Prince, Liu Lingxi's mood had improved considerably.
She clutched the front of his shirt tightly, her big, bright eyes wide open, asking questions relentlessly.
"I must go to Jiangnan. Jiangnan is frequently plagued by floods, leaving people displaced and helpless, while the officials are doing nothing..."
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