My name is Murong Zhi, and I'm the crown prince of Dongli. Ever since I was born, people around me have told me that I'm the future master of Dongli, so I must do my best in everything I do.
Since I was a child, everything about me was arranged by my mother.
Every day before dawn, a palace maid would gently wake me up. No matter how much I missed the warm bed, I had to get up on time.
The study time was precise to every moment. In the morning, classic historical books had to be recited, in the afternoon, state governance strategies had to be studied, and in the evening, calligraphy and painting had to be practiced.
As for food, my mother arranged various nourishing meals for me, such as bird's nest porridge and ginseng soup, saying that it was to keep me energetic, but I had long been tired of those tastes.
The clothes I wore were all carefully selected by my mother. The colors were either solemn black or noble purple, and the styles were all complicated and gorgeous to show off my status as a prince. I had no choice at all.
Even everyday recreational activities were strictly controlled by my mother. Horseback riding and archery were permitted, but there were limits on the number of times and durations. As for those fun folk toys like kites and spinning tops, I could only dream about them in my mind.
What frustrates me most is that my mother already has a future wife in mind. She chose the daughter of the Minister of Revenue for me, saying she is a good match and will help consolidate my position.
I had never met that woman, but I knew she was of noble birth, well-educated, and well-mannered. But so what? My marriage had become part of my mother's political scheme.
"Zhi'er, everything your mother does is for your own good and for the future of Dongli." Your mother always said this.
But I couldn't help but retort in my heart: "But is this really the life I want?"
But I didn't dare say it out loud and could only silently endure the fate that had been arranged for me.
"Your Highness, this is today's homework, you need to complete it carefully." The tutor said respectfully in front of me.
I looked at the pile of books, feeling annoyed. "Got it. Let's go down."
This arranged life makes me feel depressed and bored. I long for freedom and to be able to make my own decisions.
Until I met Chen Jing, the eldest daughter of a general's mansion. She was gentle and kind, and although she was sometimes not very dignified, she gave me a very special feeling.
"Your Highness, the sun is shining brightly today. Shall we go out for a walk?" Shen Jing said softly, with a sweet smile on her face.
"Okay, whatever you want, I'll do as you wish." I looked at her lovingly.
Only my two guards know of my preference for her. Because of my status, I cannot make her public, but Shen Jing doesn't mind.
“Your Highness, as long as I can be with you, I will be content.” Shen Jing said while nestling in my arms.
Life was going in the direction I wanted until that person showed up and changed everything.
Chen Qing, the real eldest daughter of the general's mansion who was left behind.
As soon as she came back, she pushed Jing'er out. Jing'er always looked sad when she saw me, but she refused to tell me the truth.
"Jing'er, what happened? Why are you always so sad?" I asked anxiously.
"Your Highness, it's nothing, I'm just in a bad mood." Shen Jing turned her head away, unwilling to say more.
One time I went to see her as usual. When I stepped into the yard, I saw Shen Jing sitting on a stone bench crying. Her thin shoulders kept shaking and tears rolled down like beads from a broken string.
I hurried forward and asked distressedly, "Jing'er, what's wrong? Why are you crying so sadly?"
Shen Jing raised her head and saw that it was me. She hurriedly wiped her tears with a handkerchief and said with a sob, "Your Highness, I... I'm fine."
I frowned and held her hand. "Don't hide it from me. What happened?"
At this time, the maidservant beside her couldn't help but speak up: "Your Highness, the young lady has been wronged. Ever since that Chen Qing came back, all the favors in the general's mansion have been taken away by her. The young lady has been neglected everywhere in the mansion."
Shen Jing quickly scolded: "Shut up, don't talk nonsense!"
I looked at the maid and said sternly, "Tell me in detail, what exactly is going on?"
The maid fell to her knees with a plop and said timidly, "Your Highness, I don't know what tricks Chen Qing used to make the general and his wife dote on her. The young lady's food, clothing and other expenses are not as good as before, and even the general's care for her has decreased a lot on weekdays. The young lady is very sad, but she dare not tell you."
I was furious. "How can this be? I want to see who this Shen Qing is!"
I decided to investigate this Shen Qing. As a prince, if he can't protect his woman, what kind of man is he?
But I sent a guard to keep an eye on her, but she discovered him, knocked him unconscious and sent him to the gate of the Prince's Mansion.
"This Chen Qing actually has such ability!" I looked at the unconscious guard in surprise.
Her abilities are beyond imagination.
I have killed many insignificant people. To me, they were all dispensable.
That day, I found out that Shen Qing had lived in Beishan for a period of time before coming to Beijing. Beishan was a gathering place for bandits. I ordered the guards to investigate that group of people. They were just a group of not very smart bandits. Shen Qing also wanted to train them so that they could protect themselves. It was ridiculous.
"Your Highness, why don't we just catch them all in one fell swoop?" suggested his subordinates.
"Okay, while Shen Qing is not in the capital, send people to wipe out everyone in Qingshan Temple, leaving no one alive. I want Shen Qing to know that there will be a price to pay for provoking me."
I finally got rid of my anger for Jing'er and Rong Qing.
Chen Qing returned from Qingzhou and transformed herself into a princess. Jing'er's life in the mansion became even more difficult.
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