Chapter 326 Heirs
The Crown Prince watched without changing his expression as the guards of the Prince of Zhenbei's residence carried Wang Wei away.
"Uncle has come today to apologize to Jinzhi."
Qin Jinzhi slowly swung on the swing, "Uncle, what you said is not right. In terms of public affairs, you are the crown prince of the country, you are the ruler, and I am the subject. In terms of private affairs, you are the elder and I am the junior. How can you apologize?"
The Crown Prince said apologetically, "It's all because Uncle is narrow-minded. He was tricked by Prime Minister Cui about the hunting grounds and almost lost Jinzhi's life. Uncle has been heartbroken these days."
As the swing swayed back and forth, Qin Jinzhi looked at the Crown Prince and said, "Uncle, there's no need to bring up the past."
Severely punishing Wang Wei was Qin Jinzhi's way of giving the Crown Prince a way out.
This was also Qin Jinzhi's warning to the Crown Prince.
The Crown Prince sighed, "In the end, I have wronged you. I will be more careful with my words and actions in the future and always be mindful of my conduct."
Qin Jinzhi swung on the swing, "Uncle must have come to see me for more than just about Eunuch Wang, right?"
The Crown Prince looked at Qin Jinzhi and said, "Can'er and Piao'er are not dead."
Qin Jinzhi looked up at the Crown Prince, "Uncle, are you missing them too much? No one from the Wu family survived that fire."
The Crown Prince looked at Qin Jinzhi and asked, "What if I told you that I sent Can'er and Piao'er away long ago?"
Qin Jinzhi looked at the Crown Prince without saying a word.
The Crown Prince said with a calm gaze, "The powerful families not only want to extend their reach into the inner palace, but also into my Eastern Palace. That fire was caused by the Wei family. However, I knew about it in advance and sent Can'er and Piao'er away beforehand. For many years, I have been close to the powerful families, and my feigned discord with my father and mother was also to protect them."
Qin Jinzhi spoke calmly, "Why did you tell me, Uncle?"
The Crown Prince looked at Qin Jinzhi with genuine affection, "Besides my father and my mother, you are the family I trust the most now."
Qin Jinzhi tilted her head, "What brings Uncle here today?"
The Crown Prince slowly began to speak: "I want to bring Can'er and Piao'er back to the capital. I have wronged them a lot over the years."
Qin Jinzhi nodded, "It is indeed inappropriate for a prince's grandson to be raised outside the palace."
The Crown Prince smiled and said, "Since Jinzhi also thinks this is feasible, then your uncle will begin preparations."
Qin Jinzhi looked at the Crown Prince, then smiled gently, "Uncle, I returned from the palace today and found that my grandfather and grandmother have very little black hair left. If you have nothing else to do, please visit them more often. You owe more than just your two children. Do you understand what I mean, Uncle?"
The Crown Prince nodded. "I understand."
Qin Jinzhi looked at the moon. "Uncle, it's late. Let's go back."
The prince stood up. "Uncle will come to see you another day."
Just as he was about to leave Qin Jinzhi's courtyard, a servant came to report.
"Princess, the person thrown into the back mountain has died."
Qin Jinzhi stood up and walked to the doorway, stopping there. "Send someone to keep an eye on things. This princess is very curious to see if it will attract wild dogs."
The words fell.
Qin Jinzhi entered the room.
The crown prince walked out of the courtyard.
Only after boarding the carriage to the Eastern Palace did the Crown Prince loosen his clenched fist.
The carriage stopped for a short time in front of the Zhenbei Prince's Mansion.
Then the Crown Prince's voice came from inside the carriage, "Enter the palace."
The Crown Prince informed the Emperor and Empress that his two children were still alive.
However, neither the emperor nor the empress showed any surprise on their faces.
The emperor looked at his son kneeling on the ground and said, "Now that A-Can and A-Piao have grown up, let's bring them back. How can my grandchildren be left to wander among the common people?"
The Empress also spoke up, saying, "The Wei family has been plotting against the Crown Prince's children for so many years, they must not be let off lightly. I do not want A-Can and A-Piao to see such a vicious person again after they return."
"Your subject will never let this wicked woman go!"
After leaving the palace, the crown prince returned to the East Palace and immediately immersed himself in his study.
"Wang Wei, serve tea."
He had barely opened his mouth when he remembered that Wang Wei was already dead.
A young eunuch came in from the doorway and said, "Your Highness, would you like some tea?"
The crown prince waved his hand, "No need, you may leave."
If it were someone else, he could easily have switched Wang Wei with Wang Wei.
But he dared not do that to Qin Jinzhi.
When did this fear become so deeply ingrained?
The letter from Lingnan indicated that Qin Jinzhi had not only met A-Can and A-Piao, but also the Crown Princess.
However, her meeting with Wu Suzhen was inevitable.
He established Qingyun Temple back then to prepare for Wu Suzhen's rise to power.
Qin Jinzhi will definitely investigate that batch of notes.
Knowing that Xuan Lingzi, who had once written her father's comments, was hiding in Qingyun Temple, Qin Jinzhi knew she would definitely go to Lingnan.
It was such a coincidence that I ran into Ah Piao and Ah Can.
However, he did not expect that the Wei family would not only find out the whereabouts of the brother and sister.
They were incredibly audacious enough to attempt to assassinate the brother and sister.
Unfortunately, this Wei was a fool, leaving behind so much obvious evidence that gave him an excuse to get rid of her.
Suddenly, there was a knock on the study door.
A young eunuch outside the door called out, "Your Highness, Consort Shen requests an audience."
After a moment of silence, the Crown Prince said, "Let her in."
Shen Liuying pushed open the door, holding a cup of ginseng tea.
Since the miscarriage, the Crown Prince has promoted Shen Liuying's rank.
Now, she is a respectable woman.
Shen Liuying stepped forward and said, "Greetings, Your Highness."
The Crown Prince smiled and asked, "Why is Liu Ying here?"
Shen Liuying placed the ginseng tea in front of the prince.
"Liu Ying thought that Your Highness must be very tired after just entering the court, so she specially prepared ginseng tea for Your Highness to relieve your fatigue."
The Crown Prince took Shen Liuying's hand and said, "You still care about me the most."
He picked up the ginseng tea and took a sip, then Shen Liuying walked behind him and massaged him.
As her fingers gently rested on the prince's shoulder, Shen Liuying's voice rang out.
"Your Highness, Liuying has come today to ask for your favor."
The prince closed his eyes. "Speak, Liuying."
Shen Liuying said softly, "Liuying wishes to ask Your Highness for an heir."
The crown prince opened his eyes, his expression darkening.
Shen Liuying, however, said calmly, "Your Highness, please don't blame me for being abrupt. I'm only thinking of Your Highness."
The crown prince's voice carried a hint of coldness, "Oh? Tell me about it."
Shen Liuying said neither humbly nor arrogantly, "I know that the Crown Prince has been without an heir for many years, and this is not the work of Lady Wei alone."
The crown prince grabbed Shen Liuying's hand, but Shen Liuying used the leverage to sit in the crown prince's lap.
"Your Highness, rest assured, Liuying is here to help you. Now that Lady Wei has been arrested, the position of Crown Princess is vacant. Both of the concubines come from noble families, and it is not what Your Highness wants to see either of them take that position."
The crown prince grabbed her chin. "You want to be the crown princess?"
Despite the excruciating pain in her chin, Shen Liuying smiled and said, "Your Highness is joking. Liuying knows her own status. Liuying dares not covet that position, but Liuying can ensure that neither of the two concubines can ascend to that position."
The Crown Prince looked at Shen Liuying's belly. If the Eastern Palace had no heir, Shen Liuying's child could indeed help to check and balance the two concubines.
He looked into Shen Liuying's eyes, "I remember you are also from a noble family."
Shen Liuying smiled slightly, "Your Highness, once I have children, I will belong to Your Highness alone."
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