The carriage stopped at the Prince Ci's residence. Helian Ci, with a sullen face, had been waiting at the gate for quite some time.
Upon returning from the training ground, I heard that my mother had entered the palace. She was still wearing her armor, and the autumn wind was biting, making her handsome face appear exceptionally cold.
"Mother, why do you look so unwell?"
A maidservant pulled back the carriage curtain, and Consort Lian, with the maidservant's help, stepped down from the carriage.
His face was exceptionally pale, and Helian Ci swallowed the question that was about to come out of his mouth. He took a few steps forward and asked with concern.
"Ci'er, your mother is fine. It's windy and cold, so please don't catch a chill. Let's go inside quickly."
Consort Lian's eyes darted away, tears welling in her eyes. She patted Helian Ci's hand and pulled him into the mansion.
"Your Highness, you don't know, when the master went to the palace to dine with the emperor, the princess arrived and, after just a few words, got the emperor to kick the master out of the palace. That's why the master..."
The maidservant supporting Consort Lian was indignant. She twisted the truth and exaggerated the facts to complain to Helian Ci, implying that Helian Si was the one who had wronged Consort Lian.
"Bi'er, don't talk too much!" Consort Lian scolded, seemingly to stop her, but she waited until the maid finished speaking before scolding her, and her intention was obvious.
Even if Ci'er and Helian Si have a good relationship, she is still Ci'er's mother.
If Ci'er doesn't say anything today, I'm afraid that Ci'er might feel uncomfortable. Day after day, eventually, this relationship will not be good.
Helian Ci merely frowned slightly, saying nothing more. He didn't believe a word the maid said; he knew the little coward's personality all too well.
Even though he disliked his mother, he wouldn't provoke her out of respect for his status as the second prince.
"Mother, you should rest well." After sending Consort Lian back, Helian Ci said this and turned to leave.
"Ci'er, wait." Consort Lian called out to Helian Ci, who stopped in his tracks.
Consort Lian spoke a few words to the maid, who then led a group of servants out of the room, leaving only Consort Lian and Helian Ci inside.
"Ci'er, come, sit here. Your mother has something to tell you."
Consort Lian patted the wooden chair beside her. Helian Ci walked over and sat down. Consort Lian looked at Helian Ci and sighed.
"When was the last time you were a child, Ci'er, sitting in a wheelchair, living with your mother in that dilapidated courtyard of Ronghua Palace?"
At this point, Consort Lian's eyes reddened, and tears welled in the corners. Helian Ci frowned and began to comfort her.
"Mother, these things are over now, why should you grieve and harm yourself?"
Consort Lian choked up, "Ci'er, your mother knows, but in my heart, I'm afraid. I'm afraid that after a few years of finally having a comfortable life, things will go back to the way they were before."
Helian Ci's handsome face, his exceptionally red thin lips slightly pursed, his dark eyes looking at Consort Lian, assuring her.
"Mother, you are overthinking it. Your son will make sure you live out the rest of your life in peace."
Consort Lian grasped Helian Ci's hand. "Ci'er, are you aware that His Majesty has entrusted the First Prince with temporarily handling state affairs during this campaign?"
"What does Mother want to say?"
Helian Ci's eyes cooled slightly, though barely noticeable. His dark eyes, like a deep pool, looked at Consort Lian, as if he could see through her thoughts.
Consort Lian felt a little intimidated by such a gaze, but thinking of her future status and wealth, she tightened her resolve.
“Ci’er, if His Majesty were to bestow the title of Crown Prince upon the eldest prince, then what would become of us, mother and son…”
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