Xiao Chengjing looked at his son, who had his head bowed in silence, and felt a complex mix of emotions in his heart.
Who could have imagined that Prince Chu'an's daughter would have such a background? She was, after all, a commandery princess.
After a distracted court report concluded, Xiao Chengjing quietly had Zhao Yande ask Prince Ying to stay behind.
In the quiet and stifling imperial study, Xiao Chengjing stared at Xiao Rongyan, whose eyes were filled with grievance, and let out a deep sigh.
"Now that things have come to this and He Shuwan has already married into Prince Ying's manor, if you truly dislike her, just accommodate her properly."
"I have only one demand: for the sake of peace between our two nations, she must remain alive."
Xiao Rongyan looked up in distress, his eyes red.
"Imperial Father, the Kingdom of Shuobei just wants to humiliate us. Otherwise, with so many women in their royal clan, why would they specifically choose He Shuwan to marry over!"
With the facade torn away, Xiao Chengjing's expression also turned ugly.
"How could I not know? But now is not a good time to wage war against Shuobei. For the sake of the bigger picture, we can only endure it."
His lips trembling slightly, Xiao Rongyan fell silent for a moment before speaking in a choked voice, "As long as I can share Imperial Father's burdens, your son is willing to endure this humiliation."
After saying this, he squeezed his eyes shut, as if he had suffered an immense injustice.
Seeing him so sincere and earnest, Xiao Chengjing was moved and stood up from the dragon throne.
He walked down the steps, grasped Xiao Rongyan's shoulders, and patted them reassuringly.
"This time, it is Imperial Father who has wronged you. Had I known He Shuwan had such a background, I would never have let her marry you."
Xiao Rongyan, who hadn't been this close to his own father since adulthood, felt his entire body stiffen, a tingling sensation washing over his skin.
A bit at a loss, he looked into Xiao Chengjing's eyes.
As their eyes met, the short distance of half a foot seemed to bridge more than a decade, taking them back to his childhood.
The corners of his lips curling up, Xiao Rongyan spoke with genuine emotion, "As long as Imperial Father holds me in his heart, your son does not feel wronged."
Xiao Chengjing's heart stirred slightly. After a half-second pause in his gaze, his grip on his son's arms tightened.
"Right now, you are the only one Imperial Father can rely on. Do not let me down."
Xiao Rongyan nodded vigorously.
"Your son is willing to share Imperial Father's burdens at all times."
Just as he left the imperial study, a palace maid serving Noble Consort Rong called Xiao Rongyan over.
"I am already aware of the rumors in the capital. What are your thoughts? Have you taken your anger out on Princess Shuwan?"
Xiao Rongyan lifted his eyelids.
"What does Mother Consort mean by this? Now that your son has become the laughingstock of the capital's commoners, can I not even question her?"
Noble Consort Rong waved her hand to dismiss the attendants. When she spoke, her tone was extremely stern.
"You cannot. Let alone the fact that her birth mother was a brothel woman, even if she herself were a brothel woman, you must not treat her coldly."
She walked heavily over to Xiao Rongyan. "Do not forget what I told you. He Shuwan is your bridge to the Kingdom of Shuobei. You must keep her happy, pamper her until she forgets her roots, and make her willing to help you."
Xiao Rongyan closed his eyes, not wanting to listen, feeling immense disgust in his heart.
"With her background, she is nothing but an abandoned pawn. Her title of princess is just an empty shell. She is merely a tool used by Shuobei to humiliate us. What use could she possibly be?"
Sharp nails poked hard at Xiao Rongyan's forehead, leaving four or five crescent-shaped marks.
"If you do not pretend to be completely bewitched by her, will Shuobei lower its guard and step in to help you?"
"Even if He Shuwan grew up in a brothel, she is still Prince Chu'an's biological daughter. As long as her blood ties remain unbroken, she has value to be exploited."
In the Palace of Eternal Harmony, Noble Consort Rong spoke with Xiao Rongyan for four hours, even keeping him for lunch, and he did not leave until the afternoon.
Upon returning to Prince Ying's manor, Xiao Rongyan sat in his room for a long time. Even when Princess Consort Ying came over, he did not give her a pleasant look.
"If Your Highness does not wish to see Secondary Consort He, the Ningshuang Courtyard is still empty. She can be moved there."
Meeting his gaze, the smile in Princess Consort Ying's eyes slowly faded.
That look wasn't quite right. What did he mean?
"There is no need. You may withdraw for now."
His icy voice was chilling.
Her heartbeat involuntarily quickening, Princess Consort Ying cautiously stood up to leave.
She said with concern, "It gets cold at night. Your Highness should remember to wear more layers to avoid catching a chill."
Xiao Rongyan remained silent, not even sparing her a glance.
Seeing his attitude, Princess Consort Ying's heart began to pound with uncertainty.
Things had already reached this point; could he possibly still like He Shuwan?
Had he stopped minding after just one day? Or did he like her so much that he was willing to endure it?
