"Why is Father acting like this? We are his biological children, so why does he dote on that Song Shuyu so much?"
The Heir Apparent was furious.
If he or any other child in the estate had done what Song Shuyu did today, they would have been severely reprimanded.
Yet, not only was Song Shuyu spared from a scolding, but Father even demanded that Mother take extra care of her.
As the legitimate son of Prince Ling, the Heir Apparent naturally found this unbearable.
"Exactly, Mother! Why does Father love her and not me anymore!"
"Mother, I hate that Princess Funing!"
Commandery Princess Anning tugged at her mother's sleeve, her eyes brimming with tears.
Her younger sister, held by her wet nurse, looked quite frightened.
Princess Consort Ling felt just as bitter in her heart.
"Your father must have his reasons for doing this."
"No matter what, you are the true masters of Prince Ling's estate."
"No matter what happens, that Princess Funing will never surpass you!"
Princess Consort Ling pulled her son close and smoothed out the wrinkles on his clothes.
Then, she tidied her daughter's hair.
"Be good. Heir Apparent, you should go study now."
"You must not slack off in your daily studies, understand? Your father values scholars above all else, so you must work hard and make us proud."
"When the day comes that you pass the imperial examinations through your own abilities, your father will surely look at you with newfound respect."
The Heir Apparent understood Princess Consort Ling's meaning and bowed to her.
"Mother, your son will go study now."
Princess Consort Ling nodded and watched the Heir Apparent leave.
"Your brother has gone to study, and you must do the same. Go back and write the characters Mother taught you yesterday ten times."
Commandery Princess Anning pouted but bid her mother farewell as well.
Finally, only her youngest daughter remained.
Princess Consort Ling waved at the wet nurse. "Take the young miss to run around in the garden. Don't keep her cooped up."
"Yes."
The wet nurse bowed and carried Princess Consort Ling's youngest daughter out.
Princess Consort Ling raised a hand to rub her temples. Immediately, a pair of hands from behind her began to massage them.
Princess Consort Ling closed her eyes, enjoying the servant's massage.
"Nanny, your technique is always the most relaxing."
Nanny Li, who was massaging Princess Consort Ling, smiled.
"To receive Your Highness's approval is this old servant's honor."
Princess Consort Ling opened her eyes.
"Are you making fun of me, Nanny?"
Nanny Li moved her hands to Princess Consort Ling's shoulders and neck, massaging gently.
"This old servant saw that Your Highness was worrying too much, so I wanted to amuse you."
Princess Consort Ling felt very comfortable from the massage and closed her eyes again.
"Nanny, tell me, what exactly is the Prince thinking?"
"She is just a child with the so-called title of a lucky star."
"Yet, not only did the Prince register her under my name, but he also ordered me to arrange bird's nest porridge for her every day."
"The Prince doesn't run the household, so he doesn't know the cost of daily necessities. Does that little wench deserve to eat it every day?"
Nanny Li was Princess Consort Ling's personal nanny and was usually highly trusted by her.
Today, she was also baffled by Prince Ling's actions.
At this moment, there was no one else in the room besides Nanny Li.
Therefore, Princess Consort Ling poured out all her inner thoughts.
Nanny Li released her hands, walked to the door to take a look outside, and then closed it.
Afterward, she walked back and continued to massage Princess Consort Ling.
"On the contrary, this old servant feels that Your Highness does not need to be too anxious."
Princess Consort Ling opened her eyes and turned her head to look at Nanny Li.
"Nanny, what do you mean by that?"
Nanny Li stopped her hands and bowed to Princess Consort Ling.
"Since Your Highness asks, this old servant will boldly share my view."
"Nanny, tell me quickly!" Princess Consort Ling urged.
"Your Highness, think about it. Why would the Prince dote on Princess Funing so much?"
Princess Consort Ling was confused. "Isn't it just because she has the title of a lucky star?"
Nanny Li nodded.
"Your Highness, think about the position the Prince is currently in."
Princess Consort Ling lowered her head to ponder and immediately understood.
"You mean, the Prince wants to use Princess Funing's reputation as a lucky star to ascend to the throne?"
Nanny Li nodded.
"The Prince is someone who values rules so heavily, yet he broke them for Princess Funing."
"Actually, this shows that the Prince does not truly love Princess Funing."
Princess Consort Ling couldn't quite wrap her head around it.
"How is it not true love? He practically holds her in the palm of his hand."
"Not even the Heir Apparent and Commandery Princess Anning have enjoyed such treatment."
Speaking of this, Princess Consort Ling became very angry.
"Your Highness, you are blinded because you are too involved."
"This old servant remembers that when the Heir Apparent first started learning to read, the Prince was so delighted that he kept him by his side and taught him personally."
"The Heir Apparent is the Prince's legitimate son. Isn't that how it should be?"
"But, Your Highness, have you forgotten how often the Heir Apparent is punished by the Prince?"
"Of course I remember." Princess Consort Ling looked pained.
"It's exactly because I remember that the Prince's boundless doting on Song Shuyu makes my heart ache so much."
As Princess Consort Ling spoke, she raised her hand and struck her chest hard.
Frightened, Nanny Li hurriedly rubbed Princess Consort Ling's chest.
"Your Highness, you mustn't get angry. If you ruin your health with anger, what will happen to the Heir Apparent and the two young misses?"
Hearing Nanny Li say this, Princess Consort Ling let out a long sigh.
Nanny Li gently rubbed Princess Consort Ling's chest.
"Your Highness, do you remember a term called spoiling someone to destroy them?"
Nanny Li phrased it differently.
Princess Consort Ling did not speak but carefully pondered Nanny Li's words.
Spoiling to destroy?
The Prince is doing it on purpose?
"You mean the Prince is doing this intentionally?" Princess Consort Ling asked uncertainly.
"What does the Prince mean? How would this old servant dare to make wild guesses?"
Nanny Li withdrew her hands, clasped them in front of her chest, and lowered her head with a very respectful attitude.
Princess Consort Ling's eyes flickered.
If what Nanny Li said was true, everything seemed to make a bit more sense.
"Considering she can be of use to the Prince, I will tolerate her for a while."
"Isn't it just bird's nest porridge for every meal? At worst, I'll use my own dowry. I want to see how long she can live to eat it!"
Nanny Li revealed a smile.
"Bird's nest is a highly nourishing tonic."
"However, although it is a tonic, it still depends on who is eating it."
"If a person with a weak body eats it, it is naturally a good thing."
"But if a child eats it, it might not necessarily be a good thing, especially for a young girl who hasn't fully developed yet."
"The Prince is a man. How could he possibly know about these things?"
The expression on Nanny Li's face as she spoke was profoundly meaningful.
Princess Consort Ling thought about it carefully and suddenly realized the implication.
"Nanny, you really know a lot. If you hadn't brought it up, I would have forgotten."
Nanny Li smiled modestly.
"Not at all. Your Highness was so concerned about the Heir Apparent and the two commandery princesses that you naturally haven't had the time to think about this."
"Thanks to Nanny being by my side to remind me, otherwise, I would have made a huge mistake!"
Princess Consort Ling happily took Nanny Li's hand, slipped a bracelet off her own wrist, and put it onto Nanny Li's wrist.
"Your Highness, I cannot accept this," Nanny Li feigned refusal.
Princess Consort Ling held down Nanny Li's hand.
"Nanny, there is something I need you to do."
