“Anyway, the one you love the most…”
“Wait—who do you love the most?”
“Answer me that question.”
Xi Liyue let out a soft laugh. “Of course it’s you.”
“Have you even thought about it? Without you, there wouldn’t even be a baby. Who else would I have a child with?”
“Hey—so you actually love the child more!”
Xi Liyue told Prince Yu to accept taking concubines. If he refused, the Empress Dowager would never stop making trouble.
And besides, this wasn’t a workable solution.
Throughout history, which prince didn’t take concubines?
At present, aside from Xiao Jinghan, the Regent Prince, there probably wasn’t another prince left who didn’t.
“It’s just that they’re pitiful—no love, and no children.”
“No! I’ve already refused!”
Prince Yu said that in order to avoid choosing a consort, he had even met with the sons of those ministers.
He had clearly told those women everything—“If you follow me, you will never get love,” and “If you follow me, you will never have children.”
He had even revealed his identity as a prince.
Wasn’t that clear enough?
But even so, some still expressed willingness.
“They aren’t pitiful at all.”
“Some of them are here for power. Others think that even if I don’t like them now, as long as they’re around me, I’ll eventually grow to like them.”
Xi Liyue smiled faintly to herself.
Yes.
That’s how they were.
Many men believed women were nothing more than accessories.
Especially this year, after the child was born.
Many court officials came to visit Prince Yu, openly and secretly trying to send women into his residence.
She still remembered a while ago—wives of third-rank court officials came together.
Under the pretense of seeing the little princess, they spoke to her about stories of women who were not favored.
They said women would all grow old and lose their beauty one day.
They also said Prince Yu was still young now, and might love her deeply, but in time, she would no longer be able to keep his attention.
Prince Yu wasn’t stupid—how could he not understand their meaning?
Not only officials in the capital, even those from outside provinces were trying to send their daughters or nieces to him.
None of them dared to push women toward the Regent Prince, so they all targeted him instead.
Indeed, when someone is easy to approach, they become easier to manipulate.
“Your Highness… I truly believe you.”
“So they want to send their relatives in, and we can’t do anything about it.”
“You see, I trust you—so why don’t you trust yourself?”
“Or… do you think you won’t be able to control yourself?”
“Of course I can control myself!”
“I only love you. People always say men are not faithful unless they have no power or wealth—but I have both.”
“I’ll prove to the world how loyal I am.”
“I can keep it private for now, but the court historians must record every woman around me, even if I ‘favor’ them.”
Prince Yu had already thought it through. It wasn’t that he was betraying them—it was that they insisted on coming.
If they were without support, he could give them money and status, but he would not touch them.
But those who only wanted to cling to power… they would bear the consequences themselves.
Prince Yu reached out and pinched Xi Liyue’s cheek.
“Ow! That hurts!”
He was still the same as always.
“By the way, who allowed you to meet those women behind my back?”
“If they are to be seen, we’ll see them together—during the selection.”
Prince Yu leaned closer. “You really don’t care?”
“What I care about is your attitude—not this childish way you’re dealing with those officials.”
“Only long-term persistence can prove your sincerity. Or… are you afraid?”
“Go on, I’m not afraid at all!”
Prince Yu pulled Xi Liyue into his arms, and they fell onto the bed together.
He kissed her again.
“So we’re really going through with the selection?”
“Do it. I’d like to see what kind of people are coming this year, and which factions are behind them.”
Prince Yu continued kissing her without stopping.
“Good—you help me analyze them then.”
“Women are not supposed to interfere in politics.”
“You’re not an ordinary woman—you’re a princess.”
“Liyue… you smell so good…”
Perhaps because she had been taking care of the child, Xi Liyue carried a faint milky scent. It was very pleasant.
“Liyue… why don’t we tonight…”
Xi Liyue rolled her eyes. Forget it… as long as he was happy.
“Your Highness, I want to take the child to see my mother.”
“Although she comes to see me often during this year, I still want to visit her myself.”
Prince Yu was completely distracted, still kissing her while muttering in response.
“Alright… whatever you want…”
“Right now, don’t talk. In your mind… there should only be me.”
“Your Highness, it’s still daytime!”
Xi Liyue pushed him slightly, but couldn’t move him at all. Instead, he pressed her down…
Two days later, Xiao Jinghan finally found time and planned to accompany Feng Jingge to visit Xi Liyue. But the maid informed them—
Prince Yu had taken Xi Liyue back to the Xi Qing Kingdom, so they had to turn back.
“Your Highness, do you think our child will be a boy or a girl?”
The two of them didn’t return immediately; instead, they walked outside.
Xiao Jinghan held Feng Jingge’s hand as she gently touched her not-too-large belly, her face filled with happiness.
“Our child will naturally be beautiful.”
Feng Jingge smiled. “Your Highness, Prince Yu’s child was born earlier than ours. Are you unhappy about it?”
“Not unhappy… just a little displeased.”
Xiao Jinghan stopped and looked gently at the woman he loved.
“In the future, our child will have to call their child ‘older sister.’”
Feng Jingge’s smile deepened. “Then we should make sure our second child is born earlier than theirs.”
“Alright.”
They continued walking slowly.
But suddenly, Feng Jingge stopped.
Xiao Jinghan looked at her in confusion. “Jingge, what’s wrong?”
She suddenly felt light-headed, her vision blurring.
Her breathing became difficult.
“Your Highness… I…”
Xiao Jinghan immediately noticed something was wrong and frowned.
“What is it? Is your stomach uncomfortable?”
“No… it’s not… I might… be going…”
Before she could finish, Feng Jingge suddenly lost consciousness.
“Jingge?! What’s wrong with you?”
No matter how Xiao Jinghan called her, there was no response. He quickly picked her up and rushed back to the residence.
Ning An and Qing Shan were shocked when they saw Xiao Jinghan carrying the unconscious Feng Jingge back.
“Your Highness, what happened to the princess?”
Xiao Jinghan had a very bad feeling. His face darkened.
“Ning An, go find Su Xiu.”
“Yes.”
After placing her on the bed, Qing Shan asked anxiously,
“Your Highness, what’s wrong with the princess?”
“Is she sick? Should I call the physician…”
“No need… Jingge… she’s stopped breathing.”
This situation was just like before.
His Jingge… might have returned to her world.
Jingge, don’t leave me.
Our child hasn’t even been born yet—you can’t leave us…
Discussion
Comments
0 comments so far.
Sign in to join the conversation and keep your activity tied to this account.
No comments yet. Start the conversation.