MCSCPM -Chapter 357 Who Will Be Crown Prince

Chu Jingcheng was stubborn by nature. Moreover, now that she was living in the Prince Jing Mansion, everyone knew—even without anyone saying it—they all treated her as the Prince’s consort.

Finally, she said simply, “Whatever you decide.”

Chu Jingcheng was satisfied. He pulled her into his arms.

On one side, it was all affection and teasing, but on the other, matters at the palace were serious and tense.

After Prince Ling returned to the palace, he thought he wouldn’t be discovered. Yet when he leapt in through the window, he hadn’t expected that, even though the Emperor was away, his mother, Liu Sishui, would be there—sitting properly in a chair, composed and dignified.

“Mother? When did you arrive?” Chu Ling hurried over to greet her.

Liu Sishui’s expression was grave and displeased. She sighed, looking at her son. “Where have you been?”

“I… was just out for a walk,” Chu Ling replied.

“You went out of the palace?”

“No, Mother. I was only moving around inside the palace,” Chu Ling said cautiously. He couldn’t admit that he had left the palace, for Liu Sishui would surely question him further. If she found out he had visited Prince Jing’s mansion, he would be scolded severely.

Liu Sishui was no fool. Of course she could tell he was lying, but she didn’t want to expose him. Forcing him to stay inside reading memorials constantly would be a kind of torture. A little fresh air wasn’t a bad thing, so there was no reason to get angry.

“Alright,” Liu Sishui said, “forget where you went. For now, stay here and focus on these memorials. Your father wants you to review them carefully. If you ever become Crown Prince, this is exactly what you’ll need to learn.”

“Mother, what are you saying? How could I possibly become Crown Prince?”

“Why not?” Liu Sishui said. “You are now handling court affairs beside your father, and he even allows you to review memorials—a privilege no ordinary prince has. Can’t you see what Father means?”

Chu Ling fell silent. He wasn’t confused; he simply didn’t want to admit it. If it were true, he would feel utterly helpless.

Seeing her son’s unhappiness, Liu Sishui stepped closer. “Look at you, acting all carefree. If your father sees you like this, he’ll scold you.”

“Mother, you say I look carefree, but how could Father make me Crown Prince then? Stop joking—if anyone overhears, it’ll be a laughingstock,” Chu Ling said, frowning. He felt both embarrassed and resistant.

Liu Sishui snorted coldly, proud. “Laugh? Who dares laugh now? The Emperor values you so highly. Even in the palace, I walk with my head held high. Who would dare mock me?”

Liu Sishui had risen in influence. Though still a concubine, she had the Emperor’s favor, and now her son was receiving special attention. Even Lan Rao in the harem no longer dared behave as before.

Chu Ling, however, felt a great deal of helplessness. He stepped forward, turned his back to his mother, and spoke in a low voice: “Mother, I know you’ve always wanted me to succeed. Now that Father values me, you are happy, but you also know me. I dislike the palace’s constraints.”

“You mean…”

“If it weren’t for Eldest Brother and Second Brother disappointing Father, I wouldn’t be here. But in the end, Father favors Prince Jing most. Though Second Brother quarreled with him over the Divine Physician, in the future, the Crown Prince position may still go to Second Brother. Mother, please don’t place too many expectations on me—otherwise you’ll only be disappointed.”

For the first time, Chu Ling spoke so sincerely and earnestly to his mother.

Liu Sishui was shocked. As a mother, she had always thought her son was careless and frivolous, yet he could analyze the current situation so clearly. She was genuinely surprised—but in that surprise, she preferred to believe the situation as it was.

She said, “No matter what happens in the future, at least for now, you are reviewing memorials and assisting your father with governance. Work hard. Don’t be like Prince Yi or Prince Jing. Trust that Father will look at you differently—then becoming Crown Prince is possible.”

“Mother, you…” Chu Ling turned to her, eyes filled with a mixture of appeal and hope. He couldn’t bear to shatter this moment.

“Alright, enough for today. What happened today must not happen again. Luckily, I came and not your father. If he knew, you know the consequences.”

“I understand, Mother.”

“Ling’er, remember—Prince Yi and Prince Jing have already fallen from power. You must work hard and follow your father. Prince Yi is sent away, likely never to return. As for Prince Jing, as long as the Divine Physician is around, he will not concern himself with court affairs. So now, your father has only you.” Liu Sishui’s words were persistent.

Chu Ling didn’t argue. His heart, however, was heavy.

“Alright, Mother won’t disturb you further. Stay here and read these. I’ve had some of your favorite pastries brought to you. Try them after finishing the memorials.” Liu Sishui gestured to the pastries set aside.

Chu Ling nodded and said nothing more. He sent his mother off.

Turning back to the hall, he saw so many memorials on the table that his head immediately ached. He plopped down, supporting his head with his hands, sighing repeatedly.

If what Chu Jingcheng and his mother had said was true—that Father would one day make him heir—he would have to spend his entire life in the palace.

His freedom and carefree lifestyle would vanish entirely.

“Second Brother, please don’t actually hand this burden to me. I really can’t handle it.”

Sighs echoed through the hall. Yet despite his reluctance, he had to review all the memorials. Otherwise, not only would Father be angered, but explaining it to his mother would also be difficult.

After leaving the hall, Liu Sishui had originally intended to return to her own residence. But she suddenly paused.

“Your Highness, what’s the matter?” asked a palace maid.

Thinking for a moment, Liu Sishui said, “It’s been a long time since I visited Consort Shu. The weather is good today; I’ll go see her.”

“But Your Highness, Consort Shu has been under house arrest. None of the other concubines visit her. Are you sure—”

“Afraid of what? I’m only paying a visit. After all, she’s already quite pitiable.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

Liu Sishui smiled and headed toward Consort Shu’s quarters.

Her son was sent to a distant county, and Consort Shu was under house arrest. She had no chance to plead; she spent her days crying and lying in bed, her health deteriorated.

The room smelled of orchid incense, Consort Shu’s favorite, but now it felt sharp and acrid.

“Cough… cough…”

Consort He Ningxiang had been coughing for days. Her face was pale, and she had been bedridden. These past two days, she was slightly better, able to move around a little.

A maid entered to report, “Your Highness, Liu Zhaoyi is at the door.”

He Ningxiang sat up, her voice tinged with weariness. “What does she want?”

“To visit Your Highness,” the maid replied.

“Visit me? To mock me, perhaps.”

The maid cautiously asked, “Shall I tell Liu Zhaoyi that Your Highness is unwell?”

“No need. Since she’s come, I cannot turn her away. Let her in.” He Ningxiang took a deep breath, trying not to appear frail.

Liu Zhaoyi entered, smiling widely. Seeing Consort Shu in bed, she feigned concern and walked over. “Consort Shu, how are you feeling these past few days?”

“Thank you for your concern. I am feeling much better.”

“That’s good. I heard you were bedridden—I was worried.”

“Which meddling girl dared say such things about me? If I knew, she’d be slapped,” He Ningxiang said deliberately.

Liu Sishui chuckled lightly, quickly soothing her. “They only worried. Don’t be angry—it’s bad for your health. I brought some supplements, gifts from the Emperor. I couldn’t use them in the palace, so I brought them to you.”

Her words were clearly meant to show off, deliberately said in front of He Ningxiang, with a hint of malice.

He Ningxiang concealed her anger but her gaze darkened. “Thank you, Liu Zhaoyi, but you should keep these fine things for yourself in case you need them later.”

“Of course I must bring the good things to you, Consort Shu. In the future, the Emperor will grant more. You know, Prince Ling now has the Emperor’s permission to remain in the palace, often by the Emperor’s side, even reviewing memorials. There will be more opportunities in the future.” Liu Sishui now felt completely confident and flaunted it.

Everyone knew Prince Ling had been undisciplined before. No one took him seriously. Now with Prince Yi and Prince Jing removed, he was in the perfect position to profit from their fall.

Had she known the situation would be like this, Consort Shu would never have given Liu Sishui or Prince Ling an escape.

“Liu Zhaoyi, it’s late. You should return to the palace. I appreciate your concern,” He Ningxiang said.

“In that case, I won’t disturb you further. I’ll take my leave,” Liu Sishui said.

“Mm.”

Liu Sishui was about to leave. Consort Shu, who had not really targeted her before, called after her: “Liu Zhaoyi, I trust you haven’t forgotten what you said to me before?”

Liu Sishui froze. She had discussed cooperation with Consort Shu before—but who could have known? Prince Yi fell, and now her son rose to power.

Consort Shu continued, “I suppose now, Liu Zhaoyi, you don’t wish to proceed?”

Liu Sishui, turning her back to He Ningxiang, said calmly, “Consort Shu, I reminded you many times before, but you always declined. You rejected my goodwill. No one could have predicted this outcome. I only wished for Prince Ling to quietly be a prince, but your Prince Yi dug his own grave. This result—neither you nor I anticipated.”

“I understand your meaning. I need to rest now. Liu Zhaoyi, take care on your way back.”

“Consort Shu, rest well. I will visit again when I can.”

After Liu Sishui left, He Ningxiang could no longer restrain her emotions. Water flows downwards, but people strive upwards—everyone understood this truth.

“Liu Sishui, you’d better not give me a chance to rise, or I will make sure you regret it.”