Chapter 265

Chapter 0265: Misguided

The Ninth Prince, still naive, nodded: "Mhm. I'll remember."

"Remember, your Third Brother doesn't see your Father Emperor as much, so he envies you. If you meet Third Brother, we must not boast. We can't talk about what happens in our palace, or it would make Third Brother sad."

"Things Third Brother tells you to say should be discussed with me privately first. Like yesterday, during the Crown Prince's enthronement banquet, such words are inappropriate. If your Father Emperor and Mother Empress get upset, they could punish you and me," Yunli explained.

"Father Emperor won't allow punishment!" the Ninth Prince protested urgently.

"Don't worry, my good child. This time, your Father Emperor wasn't angry. But let's not have a repeat, okay? My precious little one is still young and doesn't understand what shouldn't be said. When you're older, you'll understand and be able to protect me."

With that, she kissed his forehead.

The kissed Ninth Prince blushed, nodding vigorously: "Son has remembered."

"Alright, off you go then," Yunli said.

The Ninth Prince nodded and ran off, then ran back a bit to bow: "Mother, your son takes his leave."

Yunli chuckled: "Okay, go on."

The Ninth Prince ran off joyfully, endearing to anyone watching.

"Your Majesty, the attendants for His Highness are waiting, shall we let them in?" Zhuque approached after the Ninth Prince left.

"Let them come in," Yunli said softly.

Soon, a wet nurse and an eunuch entered; the nurse was around twenty-seven or twenty-eight, the eunuch merely thirteen or fourteen.

"We pay our respects to Your Majesty," both kneeled.

"Tell me, what happened yesterday?" Yunli asked.

The two had been worried since last night, but now faced with the question, they felt it was a clear path.

The wet nurse was the first to bow: "Your Majesty, I was accompanying His Highness yesterday. But I couldn't follow him during the toast."

"Your Majesty, I was with him during the toast," the eunuch hurriedly said. "But although I was there and heard the Third Prince's incitement, I really couldn't intervene at that moment."

After all, in such a grand setting, what servant would dare to stop their master from speaking?

"What kind of incitement? Let's hear it," Yunli prompted.

"Yes," the eunuch hurriedly complied.

"While going to toast the princes from Yuanzheng, the Third Prince pulled our Highness aside and said: 'I've always known Father Emperor loves you the most, Ninth Brother, so how come the position of Crown Prince went to Fourth Brother? Fourth Brother is frail and rarely seen. He sees Father Emperor even less. Father Emperor has always favored you the most, Ninth Brother, I thought the position of Crown Prince would naturally be yours. Ah, what a pity.'"

"At that moment, His Highness retorted, asking if being the Crown Prince was indeed that great. Seeing the Second Prince looking over, the Third Prince hastily added that it was indeed the best."

Yunli sneered.

"Well, rewards and punishments in this palace are clear. If you're at fault, you can't escape it. If it's not your fault, I won't force the blame on you. You both indeed couldn't have stopped it yesterday. I won't hold you accountable. But the Ninth Prince is still young; you must be more vigilant in the future. Especially you, Jili. When you can be with him, do so more. I expect you to fulfill your duties."

Yunli bent down to Jili: "Eunuchs like you are the most ambitious. I'm well aware. Since you're ambitious, aim it big, aim it far. Pay attention to those favored by the court officials in the Zhengyang Palace. Then lower your head, watch the path under your feet, walk it well yourself, and help your master walk it well too. Do you understand what I mean?"

Initially stunned, Jili's face turned pale.

Then his face flushed with excitement.

He suddenly kowtowed: "I understand! Your Majesty, rest assured, in this life, I will go through fire and water for His Highness."

"Going through fire and water is too much. I look for only two things: loyalty and sincerity. Both are indispensable," Yunli sat back down.

"Yes, I will heed Your Majesty's teachings and never forget," Jili kowtowed again.

"Alright, you may leave," Yunli waved her hand.

Wei Shi was still kneeling.

After Jili left, Yunli looked at Wei Shi: "You've always done well. You've remembered everything I said from the beginning."

Yunli had told the wet nurse when her child was born that they might accompany the prince day and night, but she was his mother.

Wei Shi was smart enough to know when to stop.

"Yes, I dare not forget."

"Good, take good care of him. If something like today happens again and I don't know about it, tell me. But remember, I'm not asking you to spy on my son. And you must not be too strict with him," Yunli said.

"Yes, Your Majesty, I understand."

"Good, you may go. Take good care of him, and your efforts won't go unnoticed," Yunli dismissed her with a wave.

Wei Shi walked a long way before she could finally take a deep breath. Having served for many years, she was still afraid of Her Majesty.

Indeed, being the wet nurse to the Ninth Prince came with great treatment, but Consort Yun, with her ever-smiling demeanor, was intimidating.

Yet, Wei Shi pondered over what Her Majesty said to Jili. What did it mean?

Walking in Zhengyang Palace and being supported by the ministers? That would only refer to Eunuch Meng, Eunuch Li, and Eunuch Song, right?

Those were the Emperor's closest eunuchs.

Wei Shi's heart started to race.

Her Majesty had said those words right in front of her? She must really consider her one of her own.

If Jili could live following Eunuch Meng's example, could she perhaps live like Madame Lian?

Madame Lian, who lost her husband and son, was still a noble lady, living a comfortable life.

And why? Because she was a royal wet nurse.

What if the Ninth Prince also reached such a day?

Wei Shi held her chest tightly, calming herself after a while, thinking everything takes time.

Isn't it seen how Her Majesty is still supporting the Crown Prince?

Indeed, how long can a frail Crown Prince live?

It's exactly why Her Majesty's support for him is fitting now. And she must take good care of His Highness the Ninth Prince.

Not just in daily needs but also in ensuring he studies and practices martial arts, while guarding against other princes' ill intentions.

Next year, when he starts schooling, even more caution is needed.

Remembering yesterday's incident, Wei Shi silently cursed, inwardly denouncing the Third Prince as the offspring of a schemer, now getting ahead with Consort Lan's backing, acting more like a true prince. Sooner or later, he'll fall.

In the main hall, Yunli's thoughts were similar: "Power truly blinds and fools. Consort Lan has struggled for years in her fights, all for such an end?"

"Indeed, the Third Prince is really... How discontent can one be to stir his brother into action so soon?" Zhu Ding shook his head.

"Years ago, he caused the Second Prince to crack his head open over a few words. Now that he's grown, he's become even less presentable," Zhi Fu added.

"He lacks any of his mother's success. If Lady Zhang hadn't overstepped at the end, she would still be here, and perhaps the Third Prince's situation would be different," Yun Li commented.

"That's Consort Lan's doing, raising her child all wrong," Zhi Fu said.