Shang Changge: "Go prepare a gift. I will personally visit my third brother later."
When her younger brother injured his leg, it was natural for the older sister to visit him and show her concern. Of course, the visit was just a formality.
His main purpose was to personally visit the Third Prince's residence to observe the route and guard positions, so that he could carry out evil deeds in the future.
After agreeing, Qingyao did not leave immediately, but hesitated to speak.
Shang Changge: "What's wrong? Is there something else?"
Qingyao shook her head, then hesitated before finally managing to say, "Princess, I misspoke last time. Actually, the General is quite a good person."
Tall, strong, brave, and one of the most handsome men in our Qingyan tribe, the Great General truly has no flaws except for his cruelty and ruthlessness.
When Qingyao said these words, her expression showed a subtle pain, as if she had said something she shouldn't have and that made her feel uncomfortable.
Shang Changge watched all this, feeling both amused and puzzled:
Why are you suddenly saying this?
She didn't remember Qingyao seeing Xiao Ji recently, or perhaps the little girl had noticed something.
Qingyao considered herself a considerate maid, and she had to be mindful of the princess's dignity so that she couldn't speak too bluntly:
"It's nothing, I just suddenly realized something."
Shang Changge nodded, and seeing Qingyao's troubled expression, he didn't press further.
"Alright, I understand. Go and make the preparations."
The Imperial Palace.
Inside Consort Xirou's palace, Emperor Mingde patted Shang Rui's shoulder with the loving expression of an old father.
"Good child, you've grown a lot since you left. Don't worry about your leg, your father will definitely have the imperial physician heal it."
Compared to Emperor Mingde's genuine affection, Shang Rui, reborn into this life, felt less genuine respect and more resentment towards Emperor Mingde.
The words his father, the emperor, had spoken to him when the allied forces of several nations besieged the city, angrily rebuking him for regretting giving him the throne, still echoed in his ears. Moreover...
Before his rebirth, he had been an emperor for five years and was used to being the only one who mattered, but he had no choice.
Now, he
He also needs his father to pave the way for him and help him ascend the throne. Before that, he must still be the good son who does not compete or fight.
so,
Shang Rui made a gesture to get up from his wheelchair and bow, and said with emotion, "Your subject thanks Your Majesty."
Emperor Mingde personally reached out and gestured for Shang Rui to sit back down: "Alright, take good care of yourself since you're injured."
I've said it countless times, but in private, there's no need for these formalities between you and me, father and son.
Just then, Consort Yunrou arrived with some pastries she had made herself for the father and son, and said with a smile:
"Alright, alright, let's not talk about that anymore. Rui'er, are you hungry? Your mother made your favorite walnut shortbread, come and have a taste."
Shang Rui smiled and replied, "Thank you, Mother."
Emperor Mingde put his arm around the Consort's waist, feigning anger: "As soon as Rui'er returns, my beloved consort only thinks about Rui'er and neglects me. I'm going to get angry."
The imperial concubine secretly pinched the emperor's waist and scolded him, "Why is Your Majesty arguing with your own son? Really."
"Haven't I prepared enough food for you every day? If not, the other ladies in the palace will make it for you."
Emperor Mingde: "Their skills can't compare to my beloved concubine's. I only love Rou'er's cooking..."
Emperor Mingde and Consort Gui flirted and teased each other as if no one else was around, which Shang Rui found utterly ironic.
If Father truly loved Mother, why would he have compromised when the Empress's family and Shang Changze joined forces to force Father to order Mother's death in the previous life?
The most ruthless are those in the imperial family.
No matter how much favor one receives, if it threatens the emperor's throne, they will still be abandoned without hesitation.
Tea and snacks, casual conversation.
In the midst of the harmonious atmosphere, the Imperial Concubine brought up the matter at the opportune moment: "Your Majesty, now that Rui'er has returned, shouldn't we also choose a date to set a date for her marriage to Xiangrong?"
Shang Rui is 19 this year, and will only turn 20 this winter.
Yun Xiangrong is also only 19 this year. Neither of them is of marriageable age, so there is no need to rush into getting engaged.
The Imperial Concubine was anxious for only one reason: the struggle for the throne.
Her maternal family was inferior to the Empress and Rui'er, and she was inferior to the Crown Prince in every way. What worried her most was that old scoundrel Murong Yu.
No one knows whether Murong Yu, in order to solidify his position as crown prince and continue the Murong family's glory, will set his sights on Xiang Rong.
If one day Murong Yu were to use a scheme to force the Emperor to marry Xiang Rong to some official in the court who is neither high nor low in rank...
Ruier not only lost a major ally, but her younger brother would also likely turn against her because of it, and she absolutely could not allow that to happen.
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