“Yes, it’s time to investigate this matter. ★According to what you’ve said, these people are after something in Mother’s possession—could they be the ones who framed her? What exactly are they after? Is it power or something else?”
Wanqing’s explanation brought back memories of the tragic death of his mother during his childhood. Though he hadn’t witnessed it firsthand, he had seen with his own eyes how Aunt Bai and others were hunted down. At the time, he had been under protection, but the memory of his mother’s death remained vivid.
Hearing his sister’s words, Prince Ning narrowed his phoenix-like eyes, his expression filled with disbelief and even more confusion. He pondered the motives behind their actions and turned to her with a speculative gaze.
“I don’t know either. The Emperor is already the ruler of the nation—what more could he want with power? More importantly, I’ve heard that he and Mother were deeply in love back then. If it was him, it’s truly hard to fathom. But if not him, then who? Could it be the Empress? But if she did this, wouldn’t she fear the Emperor’s punishment? Or is it really the State Preceptor, as Aunt Bai suggested?”
Following her brother’s analysis, Wanqing also fell into confusion. She considered every possibility but couldn’t make sense of it. In the end, she returned to the suspicions Aunt Bai had once shared with her.
“The State Preceptor?… That man does seem suspicious. Could he be colluding with the Empress? But how could the Emperor remain completely unaware?”
Prince Ning was taken aback by Wanqing’s reminder. Considering the possibility of the State Preceptor’s involvement, he recalled that ever since the State Preceptor entered the palace, conflicts had arisen between his mother and the Emperor, and their relationship had deteriorated.
This situation made him deeply suspicious. But even if the State Preceptor and the Empress were in league, could they really deceive the Emperor? Knowing his father’s formidable intelligence, Prince Ning found himself truly perplexed.
“Regardless, the only way to get answers is to enter the palace and seek an audience with the Empress Dowager and the Emperor. By the way, Brother Ning, how has your relationship with the Emperor been these years?”
Seeing that her brother was just as puzzled as she was, Wanqing, unable to make sense of it, could only suggest this. Suddenly recalling another matter, she couldn’t help but ask.
“When I was young, Father treated me exceptionally well—there was nothing to criticize. He also adored Mother beyond words. But after her death, though he still accepted the counsel of the ministers who had supported Mother and named me Crown Prince, his affection for me became lukewarm. Why do you ask?”
At Wanqing’s question, Prince Ning sighed softly as he recounted this. Seeing her frown at his words, he grew curious about her strange reaction.
“Nothing. I just have a suspicion—whether our mother’s death is connected to the State Preceptor, or to the Empress and… our father.”
Her brother’s expression, combined with the information she had received from Aunt Bai and his current reaction, made her think deeper. She looked at him seriously as she spoke.
“Our father? That can’t be. Though Mother has been gone for years, his feelings for her have always remained deep and unwavering. I believe the ones who framed her were either the Empress or the State Preceptor—no one else.”
Prince Ning was baffled by Wanqing’s speculation. Though he had noticed a certain distance between himself and his father after his mother’s death, the idea that his father had harmed his mother was something he simply couldn’t accept.
“Perhaps I’m overthinking it. Sun Fengyu is aligned with the Empress, and he’s repeatedly mentioned the keepsake Mother left me. I suspect he’s only treating me this way on the Empress’s orders. That’s why I think it’s time to settle the matter of my marriage to him.”
Hearing her brother’s words, Wanqing spoke her mind. Though she didn’t fully understand why her father, who supposedly cherished her mother so deeply, would act this way, her brother’s reasoning had no flaws. Yet Aunt Bai’s words still weighed on her.
Though she couldn’t comprehend her father’s motives, she no longer wished to hide her suspicions about the Empress. She looked directly at her brother.
“Very well. I support you. Let him in.”
Seeing his sister’s resolve, Prince Ning nodded in agreement and instructed Honglian outside the door.
“Qing’er, you’re awake. Has your injury improved? I’ve wanted to visit you these past few days, but they said you hadn’t woken. I didn’t want to disturb you, so I… Sit down, let me see. In just these few days, you’ve grown so thin…”
Following the siblings’ conversation, Honglian stepped out, and soon Sun Fengyu entered.
As soon as he walked in, his eyes fell on the petite figure sitting up in bed upon his arrival, and then on Prince Ning beside her. The sight of Prince Ning caring for her so attentively filled Sun Fengyu with an indescribable displeasure. Yet, recalling how his previous attempts to win her favor had only earned her rejection and distance, he suppressed his emotions.
Seeing Prince Ning present and the two seemingly engaged in a pleasant conversation, Sun Fengyu felt an overwhelming frustration. Still, he acted as though Prince Ning didn’t exist—completely ignoring him—and stepped forward with a concerned expression, taking Wanqing’s arm. His eyes brimmed with tenderness as his long fingers reached out to caress her face.
“Enough. There are people present. If you have something to say, say it. Why must you be so hands-on?”
Though Wanqing was well aware of the changes on the Empress’s side during her days of unconsciousness, she feigned ignorance. Her voice was cool as she stopped him, subtly brushing his hand away and responding with detached indifference.
“Qing’er, I know I was wrong before. I shouldn’t have been involved with your elder sister while courting you—especially since she’s so malicious. From now on, my heart belongs only to you. I… I came today to tell you that Aunt Empress has already spoken with the Marquis. Our wedding is set for the eighth of next month. I wanted to ask for your thoughts on the arrangements…”
Wanqing’s aloofness stung Sun Fengyu. As her nominal fiancé, he received none of her warmth, while she seemed so at ease with Prince Ning. Suppressing his anger, he forced a patient smile and pushed past Prince Ning to stand before her, making his proposal.
His words were ostensibly to seek her opinion—a gesture of respect, even flattery.
But Wanqing, who despised both his intentions and his very presence, had no interest in whether he truly cared for her.
“Enough. This marriage has always been your one-sided wish—or rather, the Sun family’s one-sided wish. I don’t understand why, no matter how many times I explain, you refuse to listen. There’s no place for you in my heart. Isn’t this forceful pursuit of yours just causing unnecessary hardship? Or is it that you don’t care about me at all and only want something from me?”
Hearing his words, Wanqing cut him off coolly. She faced him directly in front of Prince Ning, sighing softly as she questioned his actions.
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