Chapter 475 – Extra: Fifth Prince

Chapter 475 - Extra: Fifth Prince

Fifth Prince was born into a decent family background.

After all, his mother, Concubine Ning, was the Empress Dowager's own niece. Though she wasn't particularly favored back then, her position remained secure with the Empress Dowager's support.

Unfortunately, she was short on fortune and couldn't accept her fate, leading her to harm Yun Li. The Empress Dowager dealt with the situation swiftly, sending her off with a poisoned wine.

Fifth Prince was once ambitious, but fortunately, he met a wonderful wife.

Liao-shi transformed from a proper lady to an actress after Yun Li's guidance, embarking on a path from which there was no return.

There were indeed some imperial princes who doted on their legitimate wives, like Seventh Prince who exclusively favored his wife, Cao-shi. His concubines were mere decorations, and he never had any legitimate offspring in his entire life.

Eleventh Prince also adored his legitimate wife, Qu-shi, who bore him six children.

At least, these choices were willingly made by the princes themselves.

But Prince Fifth was different.

Though he had been fond of Liao when she was young and beautiful, his affection didn't remain steadfast after he took in several concubines.

But Liao was cunning.

Not only was she cunning, but she also lacked scruples.

Ever since Yun Li gave her a breakthrough in her meridians, she seemed to have found her footing. Her tactics were endless.

Prince Fifth had a weakness: he submitted to persuasion rather than force, and he was quite patriarchal, easily swayed by flattery.

Too much praise could easily make him giddy.

Thus, Liao grasped the essence of this flaw.

When Prince Fifth spent the night with his concubine, the princess would suffer from chest pain.

She wouldn't ask for help, but would instead summon the imperial physician with a dramatic commotion in the middle of the night...

If Fifth Prince were a mere mortal, how could he neglect his legitimate wife when she was unwell?

With this concern, not only would he not leave the main courtyard tonight, he wouldn't be able to do so for ten days.

Especially now that the Princess was with child, any discomfort she felt could be attributed to the child longing for its father.

When Fifth Prince arrived, Lady Liao would dote on him even more, gazing at him with starry eyes while praising him. Her words would be: "Your Highness is truly remarkable, Your Highness is so knowledgeable, and you look so handsome like this..."

In reality, Fifth Prince wasn't foolish; he knew when his princess was putting on an act.

But that's just how people are – even an act can bring comfort.

Thus, every time, he would be charmed by his princess into a state of disorientation.

Due to his earlier experiences, ever since the new emperor ascended the throne, Fifth Prince had found himself with nothing to do but pick his toes.

There was simply no alternative; there was nothing for him to do.

The new emperor didn't think of him and had no intention of employing him.

After all, Ning Fei had almost taken Yun Li's life back then.

As for the Fifth Prince, he had some pride left and couldn't bear to beg. Thus, he was idle for over a decade.

With several children at home and an extended family to feed, everyone needed sustenance. Others could rely on their imperial mothers for support, but he had nothing of the sort.

The Lin family? They would have been glad if he had supported them...

Fortunately, there was Duke Duan. Duke Duan pleaded with the emperor, who eventually found him a position.

It's not a significant post, but at least it brings in some income.

Relying solely on the annual stipend, their household would truly be living on bran.

Madame Liao never complained; she even used her dowry to supplement their needs. But he couldn't bear to let that continue.

Once he secures this position, life in the mansion will improve. Then, all that will remain is the intrigue and scheming.

The Duchess engages in these power plays, and he is reluctantly drawn into them.

None of the concubines could compete with him, yes, him, not the princess consort.

For the princess consort didn't bother competing with them at all.

It turned out that if the legitimate wife was determined to gain favor, the concubines truly had no choice but to watch helplessly.

She could easily lower herself and behave coquettishly when alone with Prince Fifth.

Pouting came naturally to her.

Just as the concubine said she wasn't feeling well and hadn't asked Prince Fifth to visit, Liao already had tears in her eyes. "Your Highness, go ahead. Your sister has it tough too. Although I'm reluctant to part with you, there's... really nothing I can do." With that, she turned away, appearing extremely wronged.

Her maid chimed in, "Princess Consort, don't cry. You soaked your pillow last night..."

Prince Fifth's lips twitched. He really didn't know what to say.

"I'll just take a quick look and return." He couldn't ignore it either, considering the concubine had given birth to his child.

The princess consort maintained a vulnerable yet uncomplaining demeanor. "Your Highness, go ahead and accompany your sister. I'll wait for you. Any day is fine."

The Fifth Prince took a deep breath and left.

But he would have to come back.

For even if the concubine was genuinely ill, she could never replicate the air of immense suffering yet stoic endurance that the princess displayed.

When the Fifth Prince returned to the main courtyard, the princess would never say anything like "don't come back anymore."

Instead, she would grasp his hand, tears welling up in her eyes, "Your Highness, you're finally back..."

The Fifth Prince was always at a loss for words with such a princess, yet... he couldn't help but feel a deep affection for her.

As time passed, their children grew up.

The heir was once also at a loss regarding his mother. How did she manage to shed tears on command even at her age?

Madame Liao herself didn't understand. She used to be a very rational person when she was young.

After so many performances, her personality had changed.

It wasn't until the Fifth Prince fell gravely ill that she found herself unable to hold back her tears. Only then did she realize that she wasn't just acting—she genuinely cared for him. She genuinely wished for his companionship. She truly didn't want him to be with any other woman. The Fifth Prince survived his severe illness but was left irreparably damaged. For the following seven or eight years, he was perpetually ailing. Lady Liao attended to him tirelessly, hardly leaving his side. At that time, she was thirty-nine years old. From that moment on, there was no need for pretense between them. Alas...

Eight years later, the Fifth Prince's condition worsened. On his deathbed, he held the Princess's hand and smiled at her.

In the end, he realized that he was never destined to be an emperor. How could he possess such abilities?

He was even charmed by his own queen, so how could he possibly handle court officials and the people of the world?

Now, reflecting on his youthful ambition and foolishness, he found it all rather amusing.

His life may have been short, but he felt honored to have had such a wife by his side.

It was just regrettable that he couldn't stay with her longer. Left alone, she was prone to tears; what would become of her?

But when one reaches the end of their days, no matter how many regrets they carry, one must eventually let go.

Following the Fifth Prince's death, the funeral was not grand. The emperor would not have forgotten the grudge he held.

Yet, he didn't make things difficult for him.

Nonetheless, his branch of the family inevitably declined.

The heir was not particularly capable and unable to uphold the family's legacy.

Madam Liao was, after all, just a senior concubine.

Within a decade, she passed away, her once robust health withered away by longing.

In truth, this was the fate that befell most imperial princes.

How many of them enjoyed favor and lived long, prosperous lives?

Most often, the favored ones nurtured ambitions, while the unloved ones quietly reached their ends.

Soon, no one in the capital would remember him.

Or perhaps someone might mention Prince Xun.

Someone might recall the Lin family, but it would all be in the past.

Probably, people would sigh, acknowledging that in the end, the Lin family didn't make it. Neither did Ning Fei, nor did Prince Xun.

In such a short span of decades, nothing was left behind.

"An extra about the Empress Dowager, a side story about Little Nine, and another about Yun Li. There might be a couple more scattered ones, perhaps two or three, or maybe none at all? That's about it. There aren't many chapters left in total."