novelraw Chapter 600 - 12: Empress Dowager, Peace Be Upon You (12)
Chapter 600 - 12: Empress Dowager, Peace Be Upon You (12)
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"Mother, do you know what you are doing?"
The Princess Consort Xian seemed baffled: "What’s wrong, my son?"
"Do you know that everyone in the Imperial City knows about you supplementing Lin Xiaodie’s dowry, are you trying to make the whole city laugh at me?"
The Princess Consort Xian looked at the Third Prince, her face full of surprise and confusion: "How have I embarrassed you? By supplementing Xiaodie’s dowry, wasn’t I giving her more face?"
"Mother, enough. Originally, marrying the Main Wife would have given me an extra advantage. Now, marrying Lin Xiaodie, what do you think I will gain? Hasn’t the Lin Family already sided with us? Do they have any other choice? Now Eldest Brother and Second Brother are laughing at me. I didn’t want to say anything, but you’ve never considered this, have you? You’re putting up appearances for Lin Xiaodie, but everyone is just laughing at us."
After saying this, the Third Prince flung his sleeves and left.
Only then did the Princess Consort Xian become a little flustered.
She hadn’t considered this aspect before.
So, what should she do now?
Unfortunately, the Third Prince had already walked far away, naturally unable to offer her any advice.
It’s no longer possible to tell the Emperor to not marry the Main Wife and make Lin Xiaodie a Concubine instead.
If she dared to do such a thing, the Lin Family’s face would be utterly lost.
Her brother would also be angry with her.
Even His Majesty might scold her.
She remembered the day His Majesty told her not to regret it...
The Princess Consort Xian was greatly resentful, even unwilling, yet completely helpless. She had no way of changing things. Thinking about how she previously boasted in front of the Empress, she wished she could slap herself. At that time, the Empress was probably laughing inside.
The Princess Consort Xian was falling apart.
When she went to greet the Empress on the first day of the month, her expression wasn’t too good.
Her words and demeanor naturally reflected this, showing some disrespect toward the Empress.
Over the years, the Princess Consort Xian had managed to maintain her position partly due to having a prince and partly due to her low profile.
But now, she reminded the Emperor of when she placed people by the Empress’s side.
The Emperor had initially had some expectations for the Third Prince but now felt inexplicably that if he chose the Third Prince, the Empress’s future days might be hard.
After all, the Third Prince has a mother like this!
The Princess Consort Xian was a foolish woman.
If the Third Prince were indeed to take that position, this foolish woman absolutely couldn’t remain.
Fortunately, his health had improved quite a bit.
The Little Prince raised by the Empress was also a good one.
If he could live a few more years, he might consider letting the Little Prince take that position. That way, then set positions for some advisory ministers in the court, letting the Empress and those ministers teach together, the Little Prince’s days would be easier.
With this thought, the Emperor made up his mind and stopped slowly grooming the Third Prince.
The Third Prince suddenly found himself idle, and being smart, he knew that the Emperor was likely angry or had already given up on him.
What to do?
The Third Prince’s mind raced. He was unwilling, for he clearly felt that his father had shown interest in him before.
Seeing the throne slip away was unacceptable to him.
The Third Prince’s face, always gentle and refined, grew fierce.
As for the Fifth Prince, he had aged a bit.
The Imperial Palace is inherently a big melting pot. Though he was not favored, he still had to go to his teacher to study.
Gradually, he understood some things.
Moreover, because of his somewhat reclusive nature, he often hid in corners, allowing him to overhear many conversations.
After hearing certain things enough, ideas naturally formed in his mind.
The Fifth Prince looked at his place of residence, still living with his mother in the side hall of Pianxian Palace.
The side hall was small to begin with, and with two masters living there, it was even more cramped.
He recalled what he had overheard while hiding among the rocks in the Imperial Garden.
"Xiao Ju, do you think Qi Cairen is foolish? The Fifth Prince was once a possible candidate for Crown Prince. Back then, His Majesty wanted the Empress to raise both the Fifth Prince and the Sixth Prince, but Qi Cairen made a fuss, making it seem like the Empress was forcibly taking the Fifth Prince. Look at the Sixth Prince, how comfortably he lives."
"Yes, if you ask me, it’s all Qi Cairen’s fault for the Fifth Prince. Do you think the Empress would actually snatch her son away? Look at Le Jieyu, the Empress allows her to frequently visit the Sixth Prince."
"It just shows that Qi Cairen can’t see her own position clearly, vying for favor until she collided with the Empress. If His Majesty truly valued her, would he continually neglect her rank?"
"Plus, the princes are growing up. The Empress obviously prefers the Little Prince. Frankly, the Fifth Prince would be more suitable; the Sixth Prince is still too small, and His Majesty’s health..."
"Okay, let’s stop discussing this. It’s just between you and me. If someone else hears, it’ll be trouble."
The Fifth Prince didn’t even know how he returned then.
Looking at the side hall now, he recalled walking past the Empress’s Phoenix Palace a few days ago, and seeing the grandeur and majesty of it, his hatred surged.
Though he bears the title of Fifth Prince, what about his life reflects that of a prince?
Returning to the side hall, seeing the slightly foolish Qi Cairen, his anger only intensified.
Everyone else’s mothers were elegant and noble, yet his mother had already gone mad.
Yes, unable to bear the disparity, Qi Cairen had lost her mind.
Without the capability, why challenge imperial power?
The Fifth Prince stared intently at Qi Cairen, recalling what he had overheard before.
The Empress had no children, so she needed an adopted son.
Yet, Le Jieyu was still present, with a gentle temperament; the Empress probably can’t outright take Le Jieyu’s Little Prince, and the Little Prince is too young. If Father were to pass, the brothers wouldn’t allow the Little Prince to ascend.
The Fifth Prince’s face was sweaty, but there was no ice in the side hall.
He thought about shivering in winter and dripping sweat in the summer.
Wearing old clothes or garments made from previously gifted fabrics sewn together by palace maids.
As a prince, living in utter destitution.
If Qi Cairen were gone, as a minor prince, wouldn’t someone be appointed to raise him?
The Fifth Prince was still young, without any personal power.
Whatever he wanted to do, he had to do it personally. Besides, there were things he didn’t want others to know.
The Fifth Prince, still a child, often went to the Imperial Garden, hiding among the rocks, so his movements within were not suspicious.
Li Shuning received word that Qi Cairen had been poisoned, immediately calling for the Imperial Physician and went to Pianxian Palace herself.
Although Qi Cairen was detested by His Majesty, there was still a prince involved, so when her situation became critical, they sought out the Empress.