TRBDM -Chapter 189 As Long As You Want, I’ll Help

Because Zhao Jingrui poisoned His Highness Qingfeng, he was now imprisoned in the Princess’s residence. Thus, Zhao Jingheng’s visit to the Princess’s residence was perfectly justified.

No one could possibly guess the true purpose of his trip.

“Imperial Elder Sister,” Zhao Jingheng greeted with a slight nod.

Recently, Zhao Lingchen had been meeting Xie Yu at the dessert shop every single day. Hearing him call her “Mother, Mother” filled her with such joy that her mood had been exceptionally bright.

“Tenth Imperial Brother, what brings you here today?”

Zhao Lingchen looked at him casually, a faint smile curving her lips.

In the past, her smile had been proud and cold. But today, it carried genuine happiness from the depths of her heart.

Ever since she found Xie Yu, even the maids serving at her side could clearly sense the change in her.

She smiled more. There was more warmth and vitality about her.

The wet nurse was the happiest of all. These past few days, the corners of her mouth had been stretched wide in constant delight, impossible to close.

“Your Highness, this servant has sewn a new book satchel for the young heir. Tomorrow, please help me deliver it to him.”

The wet nurse was advanced in years, her eyesight no longer sharp. Yet she had stitched the satchel herself, needle by needle, thread by thread. She chose the finest fabric and even carefully copied the most popular design on the market.

Xie Yu was kind-hearted—returning tenfold for every single kindness shown to him.

Even Zhao Lingchen was touched by the wet nurse’s sincerity, let alone Xie Yu.

Holding the satchel in her hands, Zhao Lingchen studied it for a long time. “Nanny, you’ve put your heart into this. Yu’er will surely be delighted.”

Ever since Xie Yu learned that the dessert shop had been specially opened for him by Zhao Lingchen, he lingered there much longer each time he visited.

Mother and son would lean their heads together, whispering intimate words.

At moments like that, Xie Lan would always quietly step away, leaving them space to be alone.

Zhao Lingchen saw it all and remembered it in her heart.

In this world, aside from herself, only Xie Lan treated Xie Yu the best.

After all, she shared blood ties with Xie Yu. Xie Lan was merely his brother in name.

To care for him to this extent—how could Zhao Lingchen not see the sincerity of his affection?

Out of every three sentences Xie Yu spoke, two would mention “Third Brother.” From his fragmented chatter, Zhao Lingchen could piece together the childhood years the two boys had spent supporting one another.

It could be said that without Xie Lan, there would be no Xie Yu today.

If Xie Lan had not pulled Xie Yu from the servants’ rear courtyard into the Lan Courtyard at the very first moment, Zhao Lingchen might never have found her son in this lifetime.

Cause and effect intertwined; every person who appeared at each link in the chain was indispensable.

This debt of gratitude, Zhao Lingchen engraved in her heart.

A maid brought over freshly brewed tea. Zhao Lingchen withdrew her thoughts and unhurriedly lifted the teacup lid.

Zhao Jingheng had no mind for tea. After hesitating for a moment, he spoke: “Imperial Elder Sister, I came today to seek your advice on something.”

“Go on. What is it?”

Zhao Jingheng’s Adam’s apple bobbed slowly.

“If I were to join the struggle for the throne, would I survive?”

Zhao Lingchen narrowed her beautiful peach-blossom eyes, a dangerous undertone flickering within.

“You wish to become the new Emperor?”

Zhao Jingheng shook his head frankly. “I’m not certain. I feel… somewhat lost.”

Two imperial siblings, not particularly close, were openly discussing the struggle for succession while their father, Emperor Zhao Kuang, lay gravely ill.

Yet neither seemed afraid.

Zhao Lingchen saw the confusion in Zhao Jingheng’s heart, while Zhao Jingheng felt that Zhao Lingchen was the one who could guide him.

Between them, a chilling tacit understanding was formed.

Only a few months ago, they had been little more than strangers—hardly exchanging two sentences in a year. And now, they could sit calmly together and discuss the great matter of imperial succession.

Zhao Lingchen’s scrutinizing gaze swept back and forth over Zhao Jingheng’s figure.

Zhao Jingheng’s expression remained natural, without the slightest trace of fear or evasion.

Perhaps subconsciously, he believed that Zhao Lingchen would not expose him.

As it turned out, he had guessed correctly. Not only did Zhao Lingchen not reveal him—she seemed genuinely intrigued.

Interesting. Truly interesting.

In the dull monotony of her life, someone had suddenly appeared who wanted to contend for the throne. Zhao Lingchen found herself thoroughly looking forward to it.

Neither Zhao Jingxuan nor Zhao Jingyan had ever caught her eye.

But Zhao Jingheng—whether in appearance, temperament, or intellect—was, in her view, quite commendable.

Of course, his shortcomings were equally obvious.

His mother had passed away. He was not favored by the emperor. He had no supporters in court. He didn’t even possess the ability to protect himself.

Under normal circumstances, who would choose Zhao Jingheng?

But Zhao Lingchen was not a normal person.

She was the most unconventional Eldest Princess of the Dachong Dynasty.

Back when Zhao Jingheng had sought out Xie Yu, Zhao Lingchen had already said that if he ever wanted the throne, she would help him.

At the time, however, Zhao Jingheng’s only wish had been to stay alive.

In truth, Zhao Lingchen’s promise had always stood. The moment Zhao Jingheng opened his mouth, she would spare no effort to assist him.

His resolve to fight for the succession was far from firm; he was lost.

That was why he had come today—hoping Zhao Lingchen could give him direction.

Zhao Lingchen laughed softly.

“Tenth Brother, as long as you want it, I’ll help you.”

Zhao Jingheng abruptly lifted his head and looked at her in confusion. “Imperial Elder Sister, why don’t you scold me?”

Zhao Lingchen shrugged indifferently. “Because I’m in a good mood.”

She had always acted according to her own heart. What she liked, what she disliked—only she could decide. No one could ever force her.

Zhao Jingheng had not come seeking her support. He was simply confused, uncertain which choice to make.

Since that was the case, Zhao Lingchen would make the decision for him.

An invisible weight suddenly pressed upon Zhao Jingheng’s shoulders. Thinking of Wei Zhaorong and Jiang Yuelin, and facing Zhao Lingchen now, a faint spark ignited in his heart.

“Thank you, Imperial Elder Sister. I know what choice to make now.”

“Good. Since you’ve decided, spend more time at Taihe Hall these days. Father is gravely ill. As his son, you should at least show some filial piety.”

“All right. I’ll do as you say.”

Zhao Lingchen straightened slightly and said lazily, “Enough of this for now. Zhao Jingrui has woken up. Come with me to see him.”

Zhao Jingrui had been gravely injured and had spent many days recuperating in the residence before regaining consciousness.

Zhao Lingchen would not let him die so easily. He knew many secrets of the Northern Border tribes. Until he spilled every last one of them, she would not grant him a swift death.

The two of them arrived at the secret dungeon beneath the Eldest Princess’s residence.

The dungeon lay underground. The moment they entered, a damp, chilling wind rose from below.

Zhao Jingrui lay on a bed, his chest wrapped in bandages, his hands and feet bound to the bedframe with ropes, unable to move.

After days apart, his cheeks had grown hollow, his lips deathly pale—like some foreign specter.

“Zhao Lingchen, if you have the guts, kill me! Kill me now!”

Zhao Jingrui’s voice sounded as though hot coals had rolled through his throat—harsher than a crow’s caw.

Without careful listening, one could hardly recognize his original voice.

“Killing you would be over in the blink of an eye. Torturing you is far more interesting, don’t you think?”

Zhao Lingchen took her time admiring his miserable state and found herself quite satisfied.

“It was Zhao Jingyan who ordered me to poison them! Why don’t you arrest him? Where is Jiang Yuelin? I want to see Jiang Yuelin! I have evidence that Zhao Jingyan instructed me!”

Driven to desperation, Zhao Jingrui lashed out wildly, biting at anyone he could. The sight made Zhao Lingchen laugh again.

“Oh? Is that so? Very well, I’ll send someone to invite Lord Jiang at once. And before he arrives, you’d better keep your mouth shut for now. Your voice is too unpleasant—it’s hurting my ears.”