Chapter 103: Prince

Chapter 103: The Prince

"Sir, careless words invite disaster. Impersonating His Majesty is a capital offense."

Mu Yuanxi frowned, trying to break free.

Yet, Emperor Tianhong held on extremely tightly, like a drowning man clutching his last piece of driftwood, refusing to let go.

"Chen'er, I truly am your father."

His gaze locked onto Mu Yuanxi, eyes filled with sorrow and hope.

Eunuch Hu stammered, "Y-Your Majesty... is this truly the Third Prince?"

His voice was sharp and thin, unlike the deep, powerful tone of an ordinary man, immediately drawing Mu Yuanxi's attention.

The coldness and authority in the glance from the corner of his eyes made him resemble the Emperor in his youth even more.

Eunuch Hu was momentarily dazed.

This man is very strange.

The furrow between Mu Yuanxi's brows deepened.

Just then, a hand reached for his waist. Mu Yuanxi's eyes turned cold as he moved to block it. Unexpectedly, the hand changed direction and accurately took the jade pendant from his waist.

"Return it!"

Mu Yuanxi's expression darkened.

Emperor Tianhong lowered his gaze, his thumb stroking the plum blossom on the pendant, his face showing a hint of sorrow and nostalgia.

"This jade pendant was drawn by me personally while you were still in your mother's womb. The plum blossom on it represents your mother, and the dragon pattern represents me."

Mu Yuanxi was stunned.

"Your Uncle Shen saw it and, laughing, said he had obtained a fine piece of jade. He took the design and personally carved this pendant for you. On your full-month celebration, he placed it in your swaddling clothes."

Emperor Tianhong sighed, "After your death as an infant, it disappeared. I originally thought some palace servant had sticky fingers, but I never expected..."

He swallowed the rest of his words, though his voice carried a slight choke.

Mu Yuanxi looked dazed, "You..."

The wind suddenly picked up, rustling the leaves in the forest.

His expression turned serious, his whole body tensed as he warily looked around.

Several figures landed. The leader wore simple cloth clothes, appearing ordinary, yet his demeanor carried the fierce aura of one who had fought through bloody battles.

Glancing at the venomous snake pinned down by Mu Yuanxi, he said gravely, "This humble official failed in his inspection, nearly allowing this beast to harm Your Majesty. I beg for punishment."

The fabric at his waist was gently tugged.

Mu Yuanxi turned his head.

Qiu Lianying was holding onto his clothes, whispering, "A'mu, I followed my father into the palace a few times. This person before us..." She pursed her lips, "seems... to truly be His Majesty."

...

Shen Yuchao held Qiu Shuiyi's hand, saying softly, "The path is rough. Follow me."

Qiu Shuiyi glanced at him sideways, murmuring, "The path here was also rough. Why wasn't Your Highness so considerate then?"

If you want to take advantage, just say it directly. Spare me these high-sounding excuses.

Shen Yuchao chuckled softly, "The one who knows me best is Yi'er."

This laugh was like the dawn of all things, seemingly more dazzling than the scorching sun, sweeping away the gloom between his brows.

Qiu Shuiyi humphed, interlocking her fingers with Shen Yuchao's. "Now, will you tell me about my brother-in-law's background?"

Shen Yuchao looked up.

The red sun hung high in a cloudless sky.

Gazing at that red sun, he slowly began, "Yi'er, do you know of Consort Hong?"

Consort Hong, the woman held dear in the current Emperor's heart, the famous Consort Hong—of course Qiu Shuiyi knew of her.

She had once met her briefly at a palace banquet and nodded in response, "Naturally."

"The world says Consort Hong enjoys the Emperor's favor, is sharp and prominent, even the Empress yields to her somewhat. But compared to Consort Rong, she falls far short."

"Consort Rong?" Qiu Shuiyi was puzzled. "Who is she?"

How come I've never heard of her?

"Emperor Taizu campaigned across the land, with countless brave generals under his command. Consort Rong's father was one of them. Unfortunately, he died from an arrow wound while protecting Emperor Taizu in a battle."

Shen Yuchao recounted calmly, "Consort Rong lost her mother early, and later her father. Emperor Taizu, pitying her loneliness, raised her by his side. She, His Majesty, and my father grew up together."

Hearing this, Qiu Shuiyi began to understand.

"Later, she married His Majesty?"

Shen Yuchao nodded, "Consort Rong and His Majesty were deeply in love. Having grown up under Emperor Taizu's watchful eye, he naturally was happy to see their union."

"Unfortunately, our dynasty was newly established, its foundation unstable. For the stability of the realm, His Majesty could only ally with powerful families."

Recalling Empress Yu from the palace banquet, Qiu Shuiyi tentatively asked, "Emperor Taizu... chose the Yu family?"

"Correct." Shen Yuchao said, "But they wanted the Crown Princess position."

Qiu Shuiyi felt somewhat uncomfortable, "Did Emperor Taizu and His Majesty compromise?"

Shen Yuchao nodded lightly, "The Crown Princess position was settled. Emperor Taizu, feeling he had wronged Consort Rong, wanted to confer upon her the title of Princess and personally select a husband for her. But who knew Consort Rong would kneel before the Minghe Hall, determined only to marry the Crown Prince."

Qiu Shuiyi felt exasperated, "Instead of being a proper Princess, she insisted on becoming a concubine. She really..."

Even more of a love-addled fool than Qiu Lianying!

With a Princess title and the Emperor backing her, wouldn't that be much better than entering the palace, watching the man she loves pair up with another woman?

"Emperor Taizu was furious, ordering palace servants to escort Consort Rong back to her quarters. But then, His Majesty, still the Crown Prince, also came and knelt with Consort Rong before the palace."

Qiu Shuiyi felt dizzy, "In that case, wouldn't the Yu family come to utterly despise Consort Rong?"

It's easy to imagine Empress Yu's hatred when she heard her future husband was kneeling before Emperor Taizu alongside another woman.

Wasn't she just jumping into the fire?

Shen Yuchao smiled. "Exactly. After Emperor Taizu relented, Consort Rong entered the Eastern Palace as a secondary consort. Though she became a thorn in the crown princess's side, she remained the crown prince's favorite woman."

"After the current emperor ascended the throne, he doted on her even more. So what if the empress gave way to Consort Hong? Back then, everyone knew Consort Rong, but hardly anyone knew the empress."

"Unfortunately, Consort Rong lost two pregnancies in a row. During her third pregnancy, she finally gave birth to the Third Prince."

"But she seemed destined to have no children. After the Third Prince's full-month celebration, he quietly burned to death. Consort Rong's body was already weak from childbirth, and upon hearing this tragic news, she was devastated, remaining bedridden for months before passing away."

"After her death, the emperor was overwhelmed with grief, suspending court for three days. Whenever Consort Rong was mentioned, he would fly into a rage. Since then, her name became a forbidden topic in the palace. Strangely, from that point on, no healthy princes or princesses were born in the palace—any child born inevitably died young."

Qiu Shuiyi felt a deep unease hearing this.

A beauty of her generation, yet her fate was so tragic. If she had never entered the palace, would her life have been different?

The lady was gone, leaving nothing but sighs.

"But what does this have to do with brother-in-law?" Qiu Shuiyi was puzzled. "He..."

Her words trailed off as she suddenly stopped, her pupils constricting in disbelief. "He... is the emperor's... and Consort Rong's child?"

Shen Yuchao flicked his fingers and gently rapped Qiu Shuiyi's head. "Yi'er is truly clever."

But Qiu Shuiyi couldn't understand. "Didn't you say all of Consort Rong's children died young?"

Instead of answering, Shen Yuchao said, "The emperor practiced martial arts from a young age and is in good health. Even if Consort Rong's health declined after her miscarriage, among so many consorts in the harem, many became pregnant. Why has not a single prince or princess survived to adulthood all these years?"

One or two might be considered accidents, but not a single one surviving—that's a huge problem.

Under the scorching sun, Qiu Shuiyi felt as if she were in an ice cellar, a chill seeping into her heart, making her shiver involuntarily.

"That means someone doesn't want the emperor to have heirs."

Shen Yuchao nodded. "Why Mu Yuanxi survived and why he ended up outside the palace, I still don't know. But he is indeed the emperor's son—the Third Prince who supposedly died long ago."

This explained why the Mu family was wiped out.

Boldly speculating, Mu Yuanxi should have died in the fire, but by some twist of fate, he survived, was adopted by Old Master Mu, and grew up in Jiangnan.

Later, for some reason, the Qiyun Sect discovered his identity, exposing him and leading to the massacre of his family.

The Qiyun Sect, the Third Prince...

A flash of insight struck Qiu Shuiyi, and she looked up urgently, saying, "There are people from the Qiyun Sect in the palace?"

Though phrased as a question, her tone was certain.

Shen Yuchao chuckled softly, his laughter filled with pride. "I told you, Yi'er is clever."

"Enough with the flattery," Qiu Shuiyi shot him a glare. "Tell me, does the emperor know about this or not?"

"Perhaps not at first. But after all these years, he should know."

Recalling the original story, Qiu Shuiyi vaguely remembered that around this time, Consort Hong had announced her pregnancy.

If so, the remnants of the previous dynasty in the palace should have been cleared out by Emperor Tianhong, right?

But who caused Consort Hong's miscarriage?

And why did Emperor Tianhong suddenly die?

It didn't make sense.

Qiu Shuiyi frowned in frustration.

"Let's go. They should have met by now."

Shen Yuchao took her hand.

Qiu Shuiyi snapped back to reality and squeezed his hand tightly.

...

In the resplendent hall, incense smoke curled upward from the gilded auspicious beast censer, winding around the beams.

The ice basins melted quickly, and new young eunuchs bowed low, respectfully delivering fresh ones.

On the rosewood carved reclining couch, three or four palace maids knelt, ceaselessly waving silk fans.

A slender, fair hand picked up a crystal-clear grape and slowly brought it to her lips. Her languid voice was like a hook, tugging at one's heartstrings.

"You say His Majesty refuses to see me?"

The young eunuch kneeling below bowed even lower, replying respectfully, "His Majesty brought two people into the palace. The doors of Minghe Hall are tightly shut, with even Eunuch Hu guarding outside. It must be a matter of great importance. Once the matter is settled, His Majesty will surely come to see you, Your Highness."

After leisurely swallowing the grape, Consort Hong extended her hand. The palace maid beside her set down the fan and took her hand, gently wiping the fruit juice from her fingertips.

Leaning against the soft pillow, Consort Hong pouted her red lips and complained, "Who could be so important that His Majesty won't even see me?"

Glancing at the trembling young eunuch, she lost interest. "Fine, you may leave."

"Yes."

After the eunuch withdrew, a palace maid in a jade-green gown said softly, "Your Highness shouldn't be discouraged. Once His Majesty learns the good news, he will surely regret turning you away."

Consort Hong raised an eyebrow, her eyes brimming with a smile that made her even more enchanting.

Her hand, painted with crimson polish, rested on her still-flat abdomen. She hummed, "Of course. I carry his only heir in my womb. If he doesn't apologize, my child and I won't let it go."

Her rising tone was filled with obvious coquettishness and pride.

...

As soon as the door opened, Qiu Lianying rushed forward, eagerly asking, "Is it confirmed?"

Mu Yuanxi's expression remained calm, but the dazed look in his eyes betrayed his emotions—clearly, he wasn't as composed as he appeared.

Holding Qiu Lianying's hand, he said softly, "A'ying, he... really seems to be my father."

So it was true.

Qiu Lianying couldn't describe what she was feeling at that moment.

He had found his biological father and gained a noble status. Those fools could no longer trouble him.

She should be happy.

But in her heart, she didn't feel quite as happy.

“A’ying, my thoughts are all tangled up.”

Mu Yuanxi hung his head, a rare vulnerability showing in his eyes.

Qiu Lianying’s heart softened. “It’s all right. I’ll take you home.”

“Oh, that won’t do.”

Eunuch Hu, who had lagged behind, hurried forward. “Miss, His Majesty and the prince have only just been reunited—this is a time for them to enjoy family warmth. How could he leave with you?”

Mu Yuanxi’s eyes darkened.

Eunuch Hu felt a shiver of fear. Toward this long‑lost prince, he felt an inexplicable touch of timidity. He quickly added, “It’s already late. If you stay away too long, the Marquis and his lady will surely worry. Why not return home first? Once His Majesty makes the announcement to the world, His Highness can pay you a visit in person. What do you think?”

Mu Yuanxi’s brow twitched slightly, clearly displeased, but Qiu Lianying spoke first. “We’ll follow your suggestion, Eunuch.”

She turned to Mu Yuanxi, her almond‑shaped eyes glistening. “A’mu, I’ll wait for you.”

Mu Yuanxi’s expression softened. “All right.”

With a light smile, Qiu Lianying bowed to Eunuch Hu and then walked out of the palace gate.

Mu Yuanxi watched her retreating figure. No matter how chaotic his heart felt, there was still one corner of it that remained warm.