The Cannon Fodder in Quick Transmigration Refuses the Usual Path

Chapter 603: The Arrogant Noble Consort Who Failed in the Struggle for the Throne (15)

"Your son pays respects to Mother!"

Accompanied by the crisp sound of beaded curtains, a pair of exquisitely dressed and exceptionally pleasing-to-the-eye young royals in brocade robes soon walked in from the outer room.

The leading young man, around fourteen or fifteen years old, wore a dark blue, wide-sleeved robe of cloud-patterned brocade woven with a qilin and flowing clouds, adorned with a white jade belt at the waist. At first glance, he appeared gentle, refined, and elegant, possessing an extraordinary aura. Beside him, a girl of about ten years old was equally delicate and lovely, dressed in a rose-colored high-waisted palace gown with several pink pearl strands the size of soybeans adorning her cuffs and skirt hem. A jadeite butterfly hairpin in her hair looked so lifelike it added a full twelve parts of vivid charm and cleverness.

These were precisely the two children of An Ning's current body: the current Prince Ning, Xiao Yu, and the newly enfeoffed Princess Changle, Xiao Lingyi.

Seeing the two, the eyes of Shen-dad and Lady Yang, who were sitting nearby, instantly lit up.

How wonderful, just look at them!

As an appearance-conscious person, the original owner had excellent taste and was particularly fond of gorgeous clothes and beautiful ornaments. Over time, her two children naturally picked up a bit of this influence.

Moreover, children of the imperial family mature early. Due to the original owner's temperament, the amount of daily attention she spent on her children was inevitably much less. To compete for their mother's favor, and with many fine things at their disposal, these two had always paid great attention to their appearance.

Especially little Lingyi, who was particularly sweet-tongued in front of An Ning.

Indeed, after finishing the formal greetings, she immediately smiled and spoke: "No wonder Mother has become visibly more radiant these past few days, to the point where Changle is truly envious. So it's because you, Grandmother, have come!"Well, one sentence scratched the itch of all three people present. Sure enough, as her words fell, the moods of the three people in the room, including An Ning, became even more cheerful.

As for Xiao Yu beside her, with all the nice words already spoken by his sister, and being someone who particularly cared about face, what could he do?

He could only say dryly:

"We are all family, Grandmother need not be so formal!"

Hmm, that works too!

Her gaze sweeping over her little daughter, An Ning was clearly in a good mood:

"Little Five has arrived, come sit here."

As for Xiao Yu beside her... *Hmph*, An Ning thought, unable to hide her indignation on her face. He already dragged her down from becoming Empress Dowager and nearly got her bullied by that white lotus spirit. Why should she give him a good look?

Dressing up beautifully is useless.

Alright, in fact, it was somewhat useful. Although he wasn't allowed to approach his mother like his sister was, fortunately, it wasn't long before palace servants came forward, serving the tea and pastries the siblings usually loved most.

It must be said, at this moment, Xiao Yu was even... a billion tiny bits flattered and overwhelmed.

Oh, who prepared today's clothes? He must reward them properly upon returning.

Across the distance of several seats, the two siblings exchanged a knowing glance. Little Lingyi silently gave her elder brother an encouraging look. Then she obediently leaned against her mother's front, accepting the successive rounds of caring inquiries from her maternal grandparents.

Xiao Yu: "..."

Alright, used to it.

Sitting on his own metaphorical cold bench below, Prince Ning skillfully picked up his teacup, once again silently reflecting.

Yes, it was his fault, his mistake, his lack of capability that caused Mother to lose the position of Empress Dowager, and even Imperial Father...

*Sigh!*

The fifteen-year-old Xiao Yu forcefully exhaled another heavy breath.

If earlier, there were still vague rumors, and even he himself nearly believed that it was because Mother performed poorly by Imperial Father's deathbed, disappointing him, which led to his ruthless decision to depose him.

However, after that earlier incident...

Disappointed? *Hah!* Xiao Yu rolled his eyes inwardly.

For Mother not to be bullied, Imperial Father could be angered back to life, and even stubbornly held on until now. What disappointment is there? Not even a ghost would believe that, okay?

Imperial Father, he clearly loved Mother to the extreme, okay!

Then, *sigh*, the youth sighed again. Even if he was most unwilling to believe it, the problem could only lie with him.

To be honest, admitting one's own failure and being beyond redemption is truly difficult, especially for someone like Xiao Yu, a heaven's favored child since childhood, even the Crown Prince standing above ten thousand and below only one.

But honestly, these things weren't entirely without warning signs.

From childhood to adulthood, was Imperial Father truly very satisfied with him?

Actually, not really!

Thinking back to those previous examinations and teachings, he didn't pay much attention then, but now thinking about it, Imperial Father was probably angry back then...

Indeed, it was all his fault!

Thinking of this, the fifteen-year-old youth lowered his eyes again.

Within the spiritual sea, seeing this scene, a certain system couldn't help but twitch its mouth.

Is it possible, young man! That you, like your imperial father, have already been unconsciously subjected to someone's psychological manipulation?

An Ning gave it a noncommittal sideways glance:

Just say it, is this the truth or not?

Alright, it is indeed...

Well then, isn't that it? Not to mention the original owner, do I look like someone who suffers losses and takes the blame for others?

Rather than being resented later, it's better to preemptively seize the high ground and blame others first.

The system: "..."

In the end, it was Lady Yang who couldn't bear to watch anymore, pulling her grandson aside to comfort him properly:

"Your Highness is actually already very intelligent. At your age, your little uncle was far inferior to Your Highness. Not to mention the books he'd read weren't even one-third of what Your Highness has, his martial arts and military strategy were even more incomparable to Your Highness."

These words, Lady Yang spoke sincerely.

In her opinion, her grandson wasn't outstanding enough, but to call him mediocre would be going too far. His knowledge and learning were actually passable.

It's just that his nature was a bit too benevolent and weak, not decisive enough, and additionally...

Uh, alright, Lady Yang couldn't help but fall silent for a moment. In the imperial family, especially one teeming with exceptionally shrewd and calculating individuals, this was indeed somewhat... lacking.

She had seen the new Crown Prince earlier. That one was... just his bearing alone surpassed him by more than a notch. To be honest, if not for the current emperor's bias, even if her three grandsons combined their efforts, they might not be a match for that person.

Reaching out to give her husband beside her a hard pinch, Lady Yang's tone now became even gentler.

Beside her, Princess Yongle nodded silently, sneakily glancing at her own mother before saying softly:

"Yes, what Grandmother says is correct. Elder Brother is actually very smart."

Thinking about her own studies, she was reportedly progressing at almost the same pace as her elder brother. Nestling silently in her mother's embrace, the Princess now even felt a subtle sense of small relief.

What was this called? The legendary 'half a catty versus eight taels'?

Thinking about how her imperial father had praised her as smart more than once, the Princess fell silent for a moment inwardly.

Not to mention, the relationship between these two children of the original body was actually quite good. Her gaze paused on the two children.

A moment later, under the pitiful gazes of the two children, she reached out to ruffle her little daughter's small head before magnanimously lifting her chin:

"Remember to study and handle affairs diligently from now on, no slacking allowed!"

Having been neglected and feeling down for over half a year, only now finally receiving a kind look from his mother, Xiao Yu nearly couldn't hold back his reddened eyes. He even momentarily felt that Mother actually loved him very much.

Otherwise, after causing such a huge disaster, even causing Mother to lose the position of Empress Dowager, he was forgiven so easily.

Indeed, before An Ning's words even finished falling, the person before her hastily added with reddened eyes:

"I've heard the Jiangsu-Zhejiang region is rich in pearls and often has rare and exotic flower varieties. Your son will definitely select the very best to send to Mother in the future."

An Ning: "..."

This child, hmm... actually, not ascending to the imperial throne isn't something to regret!

Wouldn't he just be utterly fooled otherwise?