Chapter 318

Chapter 318: His Majesty is Truly Pitiable

"Filial towards the Xu family? And what about me? What about the Empress?" He Jinli coldly said: "Am I wronging him?"

"He was raised crooked. Whether by his birth mother Zhang Shi or his foster mother Xu Shi, neither was simple. You may dislike him, but he is indeed pitiable. Now that he's out of the palace, just take more care of him. After all, he is of royal blood, your own son. I'm just speaking plainly, whether you care or not doesn't pain me. He's not my son," Yunli shot He Jinli a glance.

He Jinli frowned but nodded in agreement.

He had never intended to completely neglect him after sending him away.

Indeed, paying a bit more or less attention does make a difference.

"Let's see when he's older and ready for marriage. If he changes, he can return; if not, there's no need," He Jinli said.

After a hum from Yunli, the topic was dropped.

"Enough talk, I'm hungry," Yunli stood up to call for the meal to be served.

He Jinli smiled, he was hungry too.

The three of them had dinner, and then the Ninth Prince went off to play. Just having eaten, it wasn't time for bed yet, so he could play for a while.

With the nursemaids looking after him, Yunli didn't need to intervene.

Lying in bed that night, He Jinli suddenly asked, "I've noticed you never fuss over Little Nine's studies?"

"His studies are going well, he doesn’t need me to chase after him," Yun Li answered naturally.

"...Everyone else is chasing after their children to study hard." He recalled how the eldest prince was well-taught by Consort Jin De, who was indeed smart.

"People are different. Life is not long to begin with, and the time when one can enjoy being carefree is even shorter. I can't bear it," Yun Li said.

"But have you thought about the future? What if one day, the child needs to take on responsibilities?" He Jinli asked, massaging her smooth shoulders.

"He is no worse than others. I don't chase him to study because he has already learned a lot in Guanghong Palace for most of the day. He has learned everything the teachers have taught. I don't want to add extra burden to him. Besides, whether a child loves learning or not isn't something that can be forced," Yun Li said.

"Don’t you understand what I mean?" He Jinli pinched slightly.

"If you don't explain, I won't understand. And even if I do, so what? Were your studies good? When you were a prince, a crown prince, were your studies definitely better than your brothers?" Yun Li asked.

He Jinli fell silent.

No.

Not at all.

Back then, the one with the best studies, often praised by the Emperor, was King Li.

Not only were his studies excellent, but he was also the best at archery and riding.

In every aspect, he was outstanding. More favored, so the Emperor always praised him.

"Ah, our Emperor is truly pitiable," Yunli said, patting his head.

At night, his hair was naturally disheveled, and her touch seemed to disconcert He Jinli entirely.

"Impudent," he murmured softly.

"No one can hear us," Yunli chuckled, patting his head a few more times: "Little Nine has both of us to love him. As for responsibilities, if he can bear them, he will; if not, then he won't. If one day he needs to bear many responsibilities but can no longer be happy, then I choose his happiness over those responsibilities."

"Do you realize what you're saying?" He Jinli asked.

"I do~~" Yunli elongated her voice: "Stop hinting. The Crown Prince is frail, and you're bound to choose another someday. Yet here you are, still talking like this in bed. So annoying."

Yunli laughed and pinched his face: "As for Little Nine, I did say he should compete fairly with his brothers, but if he's not cut out for it, should I force him?"

"Isn't that how it is? Before having children, you feel invulnerable, but once you have them, you're all soft spots, always afraid the child won't have a good life. Some people think placing their child in a high position is best, but I think it's better for the child to be happier, to live a better life."

"Who said a child raised with affection will definitely be incompetent? Without you, if King Li had become Emperor, would he have necessarily been a tyrant?"

He Jinli was about to speak, but Yunli covered his mouth: "Can we sleep? I'm so tired."

He Jinli then fell silent.

After a while, he patted her back and also began to laugh.

Both of them then fell silent.

Yunli was truly tired and soon fell asleep.

He Jinli couldn't sleep for a long time.

This woman...

Would King Li have been a bad Emperor? No.

Initially, the Emperor favored the Crown Prince He Jinzuo, born to the first Empress.

Only after He Jinzuo's death did the subsequent Empress enter the palace, and He Jinli and King Li were born.

The Emperor adored Tao Shi, thus doting on the twelfth prince, He Jinqi the most.

That was King Li.

He Jinli was always clear that if not for his legitimate birthright, he could never have won against King Li. Not for any other reason but for King Li's excellence and favoritism.

It's just that the Emperor was fed up with the previous struggles for the throne among his sons, and couldn't bear to witness more fratricidal bloodshed.

Thus, he tacitly approved Empress Lin's switch.

Consequently, He Jinli, the so-called legitimate prince, was naturally made the Crown Prince.

Of course, He Jinli was not lacking; he was equally excellent.

But neither the Rebellious King nor King Li could let go; both wanted the throne, leading to their rebellions and eventual executions.

The former Emperor ultimately couldn't protect all his sons.

And to this day, how can He Jinli not fear those events repeating?

Thus, before he went to war and needed to appoint a Crown Prince, he dared not choose any prince other than the Crown Prince.

The Crown Prince was frail, but he was the legitimate heir.

Now, even knowing the Crown Prince has no future, he dares not depose him. He must wait.

But the Crown Prince is growing older, and so are the other princes.

Could they not develop ambitions?

He thinks Yunli's way is very good, truly good.

He indeed loves Little Nine deeply; Little Nine is not foolish, he is a very smart child.

It's because both parents dote on him that he's a bit childish and likes to act spoiled.

But he is said to be seven this year, yet hasn't had his birthday. Still young, very young.

The other princes are all exceptional children, too; no rush, he will observe and guide slowly, there will always be the most suitable one.

Yet this woman is all thorns, but exceedingly gentle with her own child, which is amusingly frustrating.

And yet, he thinks... it's really nice.

Having seen Yunli with Little Nine, He Jinli understands what was slightly lacking in the affection from his mother in his childhood.

Indeed, his mother also tried her best to be good to him. This can never be disputed.

He used to feel she favored Hua Ying more, but Hua Ying is a girl, and doting on a girl is always different.

But now, after seeing Yunli's affection for the Ninth Prince, he understands that loving one's own child is the same.

Indulgence and doting, helplessness and anger, all are vivid and lively.

Because they are your children, every reaction you have should be genuine and intense.

Yet, He Jinli lacked such experiences.

He thought about Yun Li calling him pitiful earlier and chuckled to himself, this woman really... dares to say anything.