Chapter 135: The Fifth Princess Consort

Chapter 135: The Fifth Princess Consort

After returning to his courtyard, Hongsheng sat alone by the window, lost in thought for a long time.

He was feeling very disoriented, but when he recalled what Hongzhi had said earlier, a slight smile crept onto his face. He also remembered the words his birth mother had spoken to him today at Yikun Palace. He could sense her concern, but for some reason, a hint of loneliness flashed across his eyes.

As he grew older over the years, he heard many rumors. Some said that his birth mother did not genuinely care for him and only pretended for Ama's sake. Others claimed she had manipulated Ama to leave him behind in the Imperial City while they went to Horqin with their family of three, suggesting ulterior motives. Hongsheng never believed these rumors.

He wasn't foolish; he could feel how his birth mother treated him. In his memory, she had never deliberately approached him. She would only give him delicious snacks and show concern for his daily life when he came to greet her. She never interfered excessively, nor did she pretend to be kind to him in front of Ama. Yet, he still sensed her goodwill.

When he was younger, he didn't fully understand why his birth mother seemed distant despite not disliking him. As he grew older, he gradually realized that she was likely avoiding suspicion.

After Hongzhi was born, encouraged by Aunt Ruijuan, he began visiting his birth mother's courtyard more often. Eventually, he would go there every day once his brother grew up, and most of his meals were shared with her during those years.

Then came the time when Ama, his birth mother, and Hongzhi left the capital. At that time, Ama had asked if he wanted to join them. If he wished to, Ama would find a way.

However, he had already studied in the Imperial Academy for several years and understood many principles. He knew that the Emperor valued the education of royal descendants, so it wouldn't be easy to arrange. One misstep could displease the Emperor, so he declined Ama's offer.

Recently, someone told him that his mother's death was related to his birth mother. His first reaction was disbelief.

He didn't remember much about his mother, only that she died of illness. Few people mentioned her, including Ama. Only Aunt Ruijuan occasionally spoke about his childhood, mentioning his mother. But at night, he often thought about her.

Sometimes, seeing his birth mother interact with his brother made him wonder if his mother would have been like that too if she were alive.

These days, Hongsheng had repeatedly considered asking Ama or his birth mother for clarity but couldn't find the words when he saw them. Intellectually, he trusted his birth mother, but this matter felt like a thorn in his heart.

Whenever he saw his birth mother and Hongzhi, he felt awkward, yet their kindness towards him made him feel ashamed.

Hongsheng felt trapped, struggling but unable to find an escape.

In the study of the front courtyard, Yinqi's face darkened after hearing Ma Xiang's report.

How dare the Liu family spread such baseless rumors to sow discord! They must be tired of living!

"Master, what should we do with the Liu family?" Ma Xiang asked.

Yinqi pondered for a moment and replied, "We'll deal with the Liu family later. First, bring Hongsheng here."

Since returning to the capital, Yinqi had noticed Hongsheng's unusual behavior but didn't think much of it, assuming he might just be adjusting. After An Qing pointed out that Hongsheng seemed troubled, Yinqi started paying closer attention and discovered the Liu family's involvement.

Soon, Ma Xiang brought Hongsheng to Yinqi.

"Ama, you called for me?"

Yinqi nodded slightly, gesturing for him to sit down.

Hongsheng assumed Ama wanted to check on his studies and didn't pay much attention.

Without beating around the bush, Yinqi said, "Hongsheng, you're not a child anymore. Ama thinks it's time to tell you something."

Hongsheng stiffened, sensing something significant, and looked up at Ama.

Yinqi paused briefly but maintained eye contact. "It's about your mother. I know the Liu family has recently approached you."

Hongsheng felt a dryness in his throat, unable to speak, and simply stared at Ama.

Yinqi sighed silently and said, "This is a long story, but I can't summarize it. Please listen patiently and ask any questions you have."

He then recounted how Liu Jiashi and Baijia Shi had conspired to harm An Qing when she was pregnant with Hongzhi.

After listening, Hongsheng swayed slightly, a look of pain crossing his face. "Ama, are you saying... my mother tried to harm the Princess Consort and me?"

Yinqi knew this was cruel, as no one wants to accept their mother as such a person, but the truth could no longer be hidden.

"These are the evidence and confessions from the involved parties, including your mother's."

He had kept all the evidence, thinking it might be useful someday, and now it was.

Hongsheng trembled as he examined the documents, noticing the seal of the Imperial Household Office's Criminal Court. This confirmed that the matter was handled according to palace rules, leaving no room for doubt.

"What about my mother..."

Yinqi understood what he was asking and shook his head. "Your mother did die of illness. At the time, Ama pleaded with the Emperor not to make the matter public. She was confined instead."

Hongsheng wasn't foolish; he understood the reasons behind this confinement.

It was all for him.

Reflecting on the Liu family's words, he found them absurd. They claimed his birth mother had killed his mother, but the truth was that his mother was the one who had tried to harm others.

"Ama, if the Liu family hadn't approached me, would you and the Princess Consort have kept this from me forever?" Hongsheng's eyes welled up, showing his struggle.

Yinqi didn't deny it. "The Princess Consort said she was still your mother."

Hongsheng understood. Both Ama and the Princess Consort had tried to preserve his mother's image in his mind. No wonder no one ever spoke ill of her.

But this image was now shattered.

He felt ashamed of his recent doubts and wondered how he could face the Princess Consort and Hongzhi in the future.

Yinqi patted his shoulder. "Don't worry. The Princess Consort and Hongzhi don't know about this, and Ama doesn't plan to tell them. You can continue interacting with them as before..."

Leaving Yinqi's study, Hongsheng felt like a soulless shell, wandering aimlessly until he reached Hongzhi's courtyard.

Hongzhi had just returned from his mother and was delighted to see Hongsheng. "Brother, did you come to see me?"

Hongsheng opened his mouth but couldn't say anything.

Though Hong Zhi did not know what had happened, he still pulled his brother into his courtyard and dismissed all the servants before asking, "Brother, did something happen to you?"

Hongsheng looked at his younger brother, who was full of concern, feeling deeply guilty. He knew that Ama said he would not tell his younger brother or his birth mother to avoid embarrassing him, but he could not get past the guilt in his heart.

So, he chose to tell everything, including his hesitation and wavering in recent days. Even if Hong Zhi would no longer recognize him as a brother, he would accept it.

Hong Zhi listened with wide eyes. So his brother's mother had once harmed his own mother and him. This...

Although he was usually quite clever, he was still only eight years old, and it was normal for him to be overwhelmed by this revelation.

But Hongsheng mistakenly thought that his brother would no longer want to speak to him and lowered his head.

"Brother, don't be sad. We can't choose our parents, but we can choose who we become." Hong Zhi patted Hongsheng's shoulder like a little adult.

These words were spoken by his mother before. At the time, they were stationed at the border. One day, while clearing land, they encountered a dirty little beggar whom others called a thief because his father had been imprisoned for theft. With no one else in the family, the boy had to beg for a living.

Later, his mother took in the little beggar, gave him work, and provided food. At the time, Hong Zhi did not understand why his mother would take in a little thief, but she said that the boy had never stolen anything, even when he was starving. Therefore, he should not be called a thief.

Those words were what his mother had said to the little beggar. Later, they brought the boy from Heilongjiang to Fengtian Prefecture, where his mother arranged for him to work at the agricultural experimental field. He was very capable and supported himself through his own hard work, unlike his father.

Hongsheng raised his head in surprise, "My mother once harmed your birth mother and you. You don't mind?"

Hong Zhi thought for a moment and replied, "I do mind, but it has nothing to do with you. Your mother is your mother, and you are you."

With that, he smiled and winked, "I remember when I was young, I once caused trouble by pulling up the wheat seedlings in Mother's field. It was you who stood in front of me, saying you did it. Another time, I accidentally broke Ama's favorite inkstone, and you took the blame for me..."

Hearing these memories, Hongsheng's lips curved upward, "Actually, my birth mother and Ama knew about it."

When they were young, they thought they had fooled everyone well, but later they realized that their tricks were just not exposed by the adults.

Hong Zhi waved his hand, "It doesn't matter. Even if Mother and Ama knew, it doesn't change the fact that you helped me."

Hongsheng looked at his younger brother, four years his junior, feeling warmth in his heart. The previous gloom seemed to dissipate completely.

Before, the Liu family had told him that sibling rivalry was common in the imperial family and advised him to be cautious. But at that moment, he clearly knew that they would not.

*

October arrived soon.

An Qing's belly had grown larger, and she was bored staying in her courtyard. Today was the day everyone went to Ningshou Palace to pay respects. Besides the palace concubines, the princes' consorts also came. An Qing decided to join them.

The Empress Dowager was surprised to see her and quickly had someone bring a chair for her to sit down, "Didn't I exempt you from paying respects? With your big belly, why come and join the crowd?"

An Qing laughed and replied, "Grandma, don't blame me. For some reason, I felt compelled to come to the palace this morning. It must be the baby missing you."

"You naughty child, how dare you blame it on the baby! Do you have any sense of being a mother?" the Empress Dowager scolded with a smile.

The grandmother and granddaughter bantered back and forth, creating a lively atmosphere. Everyone in the hall was infected by their joy and laughed along.

Today, besides Noble Consort Tongjia and the four favored concubines—Consort Hui, Consort Yi, Consort De, and Consort Rong—there were also several favored minor concubines present. Among the princes' consorts, everyone except the former Crown Princess had come.

Such gatherings were akin to small parties, where everyone chatted with the Empress Dowager to keep her company. An Qing sat between the Ninth Consort and the Tenth Consort.

The Ninth Consort needed no introduction; they were sisters-in-law and naturally close. As for the Tenth Consort, since she was also from Mongolia, she and An Qing had much to talk about.

Everyone chatted away, making the hall lively.

Suddenly, a little eunuch rushed in, "Empress Dowager, something terrible has happened. The Emperor is furious with the princes in the Palace of Heavenly Purity, and he... he..."

The Emperor is furious with the princes?

Since the dethronement of the Crown Prince, the Emperor had been in a bad mood. What could have caused this now? Everyone in the hall held their breath.

The Empress Dowager frowned and scolded the eunuch, "What else? You incompetent fool, can't you even speak clearly!"

The eunuch knelt down immediately, trembling with fear.

"The Emperor drew his sword to strike the Fourteenth Prince. Fortunately, Fifth Beile knelt down and held onto the Emperor's legs at the critical moment, preventing a tragedy!"