With that paranoia of yours, even dogs would consider it bad luck!

Seeing Xiao Huaiqing’s self-reflective posture, Xiao Huaizheng remarked, "I don't think the Imperial Aunt is that evil. You shouldn't believe everything people tell you. Many things cannot be judged merely by the eyes; you must perceive them with your heart."

"From now on, you help me out, and I'll go to the Imperial Aunt to dig up information for you. If anyone dares to drive a wedge between you and your mother, I will be the first to stand up and bear witness."

That single mention of the mother-son relationship left a crack on Xiao Huaiqing’s expression.

He finally understood that the deep chasm between himself and Lin Yue was something he could never cross.

And those misunderstandings could never be fully explained away.

He reprimanded Xiao Huaizheng, "Stop talking nonsense. Just tell me what you need my help with."

"As for my imperial mother, don't go bothering her."

Xiao Huaizheng chuckled and said, "From that word 'Imperial Mother' you just used, I can tell you meant it sincerely."

"Cousin, you are still sensible after all."

A pang struck Xiao Huaiqing's heart. What if he hadn't been sensible?

He had already failed Su Yingyue, and he could not fail his father as well.

Soon, Xiao Huaizheng instructed Xiao Huaiqing, "Help me look into a pair of out-of-town siblings in the capital. They should have entered the city within the last three years. Their household registration is listed under Duyun Prefecture, though it might not be genuine."

"Anyway, they are an older sister and a younger brother living in a remote area. The sister is around my age, and the brother is a few years younger."

"Once you find them, let me know first. I'll confirm their identities in secret before making a move."

Xiao Huaiqing asked nervously, "Are you going to kill people?"

Xiao Huaizheng replied, "What are you imagining? I'll definitely have to arrest them and report back to my imperial father. I don't know how to kill people!"

Therefore, he had to think of a proper way to torture them, making sure not to play with them until they died.

Thinking this, a faint smile curved the corners of Xiao Huaizheng's lips.

Hearing this, Xiao Huaiqing nodded.

Yet he quickly added, "Very well, but you must answer a question for me."

Xiao Huaizheng said, "Go ahead!"

Xiao Huaiqing asked vaguely, "Has your imperial father taken a fancy to any beauty lately whom he wishes to elevate to a noble consort?"

Upon hearing this, Xiao Huaizheng immediately understood what Xiao Huaiqing was suspecting, and retorted, "Not to be blunt, cousin, but you are being utterly ridiculous."

"If my imperial father truly had such intentions, the Grand Empress Dowager would break his legs and have the Crown Prince ascend the throne immediately."

"He is the Emperor of Great Wei, with the people of the empire in his heart. He has to squeeze time out of his busy schedule just to see his existing consorts. Do you really think he has the energy for anything else?"

Xiao Huaiqing blushed, but his eyes lit up. He quickly apologized, "I'm sorry, I won't let my imagination run wild again."

Xiao Huaizheng scoffed, "No wonder the Imperial Aunt doesn't like you. With this paranoia of yours, even a stray dog would find you ominous!"

Xiao Huaiqing: "..." !!!

What's wrong with asking? Why say something like that to him?

Honestly!

"That's only because there are things you don't know!"

Xiao Huaiqing said righteously.

Xiao Huaizheng quickly sensed something was amiss and asked, "Did you see them meeting in private?"

Xiao Huaiqing had no idea that Xiao Huaizheng would guess it on the first try. Before he could wipe the look of surprise from his face, Xiao Huaizheng caught it squarely.

Xiao Huaizheng realized, "So that's how it is."

"But what is so strange about that? A few days ago, because your father lacked military supplies at the front lines, the Imperial Aunt even went to the Eastern Palace in person to discuss the matter with the Crown Prince. By your logic, is the Imperial Aunt forbidden from meeting any man in private?"

"You must understand that she is now the head mistress of the household. Running about for the sake of her husband's affairs outside is entirely justifiable. Even the Grand Empress Dowager cannot find fault with what she does."

Xiao Huaiqing immediately grew alert and asked, "What do you mean, military supplies were lacking? Aren't those managed by the Ministry of War?"

Xiao Huaizheng sneered, "Are you truly foolish or just pretending? There are worms in the Ministry of War as well. Furthermore, Minister Tan of the Ministry of War struts around the imperial court with arrogant tyranny, assuming he has a fine son-in-law, and ordinary people dare not offend him."

"He also has a daughter, which is Lady Tan of the Eastern Palace. Though not particularly favored, she commands great prestige. To put it bluntly, even if something really goes wrong at the Ministry of War, there are plenty of people willing to take the blame for him. But your father is thousands of li away at the frontier, where the tide of war shifts in an instant. Which do you think is more important?"

Shocked to the core, Xiao Huaiqing muttered, "No one has ever told me these things."

Xiao Huaizheng patted Xiao Huaiqing's shoulder and said, "Both of us are children without mothers, but we are also fortunate to have trustworthy people by our sides. I believe the Prince of Ding also wishes to see you grow up and become capable of supporting the Prince of Ding's Estate."

After Xiao Huaizheng left, Xiao Huaiqing stood rooted to the spot. The shocks he had received throughout the day came in continuous waves, leaving his mind buzzing and the reality of it all feeling somewhat surreal.

Yet he knew very well that he could no longer live as he had before.

Thus, after finishing dinner with Su Yingyue, he took the initiative to ask, "Have you fully recovered?"

A beat skipped in Su Yingyue's heart. Knowing he was asking about consummating their marriage, she lowered her gaze and nodded, her cheeks blushing scarlet.

Seeing this, Xiao Huaiqing affectionately stroked her forehead, and with that, the husband and wife were finally reconciled.

That night.

In the Eastern Palace, the Crown Prince and the Crown Princess erupted into a fierce argument.

The Crown Prince then stormed off in a fury to Lady Tan's bedchamber, venting as he said, "Who does she think she is, trying to police everything I do?"

"This time, escorting provisions to the border involves a force of tens of thousands of men. What possible danger could there be?"

"Besides, returning from such a trip would surely count as going to the front lines to boost troop morale. The ministers would have to look at me in a new light. I don't understand why she had to stop me!"

Lady Tan's gaze flickered slightly. Her father had instructed her to find out the ins and outs of this matter, and she never expected the Crown Prince to deliver himself right to her doorstep.

While pouring tea for the Crown Prince herself, she gently coaxed him, "Your Highness, do not be angry. The Crown Princess only worries for your safety."

"Worry? You women are all short-sighted."

"Word from the army is that there will surely be a battle this winter. If I go now, I might catch it in time; even if I don't, I will have done what was expected of me. Could a military defeat possibly be pinned on me in the end?"

"This is a good thing, and I must go."

Hearing this, Lady Tan's heart tightened. If that was the case, would the Prince of Ding inevitably return in triumph?

When that time came, the Xu family would enjoy supreme glory throughout their household. Although the Crown Prince would also bask in the reflected light, what did that have to do with the Tan family?

No, she could not let the Crown Prince go.

Lady Tan whispered persuasively, "Your Highness, even so, why not send my older brother instead? He is born of a military background, and with my brother-in-law over there, they could coordinate with each other and surely handle this duty well."

The Crown Prince realization dawned on him as he asked, "Your brother?"

Sensing an opportunity, Lady Tan quickly urged, "Yes, my brother. Tan Sheng, the Commander of Northern City, a fifth-rank military official. He is also a confidant of our Eastern Palace, so his going is the same as Your Highness going personally."

Upon hearing this, the Crown Prince let out a cold laugh. "The same?"

"I am going to win glory for myself, how could it be the same? Do you know how the younger imperial brothers view me?"

"If you don't know, stop offering half-baked ideas. Hearing this just annoys me!"

With that, the Crown Prince flicked his sleeves and strode out, his figure as swift as lightning, as if he feared being dragged back.

Bursting back into the main hall without even catching his breath, he grabbed the Crown Princess directly in an embrace and smiled, "It's done. Now we just wait to see if they take the bait."

Sensing his heart beating furiously, the Crown Princess instinctively supported his body in concern. Yet the very next moment, the Crown Prince's lips descended in a swift kiss, and she suddenly remembered that his physical ailment was fully healed.

Her fair face flushed crimson, and the hands that had been supporting the Crown Prince wrapped gently around the back of his neck like winding vines...