My Lord, the princess doesn't want you anymore.

Anyuyuan was as deserted as ever, so quiet that it made people feel uneasy.

In the evening, the sky was dark, making the place seem even more eerie and strange.

Shufei was not afraid, she came here often and was used to it.

Ever since he saw the Eighth Prince in Merlin that time, Cui Qimo arranged for guards to protect the Eighth Prince at all times, and all food and daily necessities had to undergo strict screening.

Only Concubine Shu was allowed to visit at any time.

Therefore, when the guards in front of the Anyu Garden gate saw that it was Concubine Shu who came, they did not stop her.

This time, the Eighth Prince did not stand in front of the window, but sat at the stone table in the yard.

His back was straight, like a zombie, unable to bend his spine.

Hearing that Concubine Shu was coming, he did not turn around, and there was no expression on his face. His eyes stared blankly at the courtyard wall, and his face was as pale and stiff as a corpse.

Concubine Shu walked over, gently placed the food box in her hand on the stone table, touched his head lovingly, and sat down.

She opened a food box and took out a piece of dessert. "This is your favorite crispy biscuit. Have some."

The Eighth Prince did not answer, and his expression did not even change.

"Back then, your mother also loved to eat this."

The Eighth Prince then slowly turned his head, his movements somewhat stiff.

Then, he stretched out his equally stiff hand, took the snack from Concubine Shu, put it in his mouth, and ate it carefully.

Concubine Shu watched him finish his meal, then gently held him in her arms and whispered in his ear, "I went to the cold palace to visit you two days ago and sent some things in. Don't worry, your mother is fine. She said that she would definitely come out alive and make up for what she owed you over the years."

She could feel the Eighth Prince's body tremble.

Concubine Shu's eyes were a little moist, "Just think about it, if your mother came out, and you... how sad she would be!"

The Eighth Prince left Concubine Shu's arms and sat down again.

After a while, he actually spoke. However, perhaps because he hadn't spoken for too long or because he had taken poison, his voice seemed to be squeezed out of his throat, weird, stiff and cold.

"I'll be fine."

"Speaking of which, I have never known whether it is right or wrong to help you. I am worried that even if the poison is removed, there will still be some residue left, which is not good for the body after all."

"Don't worry, Aunt Shu, even if I die, I won't blame you, I will only be grateful to you."

"I'm worried about your body, not this!"

"…Only in this way can that person pity me. Then I will have a chance to rescue my mother." The eighth prince forced a sneer on his stiff face. On this ghost-like face, he looked extremely scary and weird.

After a moment's silence, he continued, "I saw him again two days ago and gave him the windmill I made myself. He was very happy. He said that he still kept the snack I gave him and couldn't bear to eat it."

Concubine Shu: "So, your father actually loves you..."

"That man is not my father. He is not worthy! I did all this just for my mother."

Concubine Shu sighed. She no longer wanted to call him "Father", but "that person". "...Okay. I came here today to tell you that I will not bring you any more medicine. You cannot take it anymore. With your current health, it is enough for him to have pity on you."

“Didn’t that person ask Miss Mei to find an antidote for me? If Miss Mei is smart enough and can find the antidote, that person will then know who caused me to be half dead. All these years, my mother has been imprisoned in the cold palace because of this person…” The Eighth Prince sneered again, his facial features distorted.

Concubine Shu sighed secretly and shook her head helplessly, "You two have been unwilling to tell me who hurt your mother to this point. I know you are doing this for my own good. But I have done so much. If your father knew, I would have no way to survive... Alas, I am leaving first. You have to cherish yourself, just for your mother. Do you understand?"

The Eighth Prince just looked at her, and when she turned around, he said, "Don't worry, Aunt Shu, you will be fine."

Concubine Shu walked out of Anyu Garden with an extremely heavy heart.

When she handed the poison to the Eighth Prince for the first time, she knew that she had embarked on a path of no return, but she still agreed to Lin Cairen and the Eighth Prince.

Once there is a first time, there will be countless times.

She watched the Eighth Prince's face and body become stiffer and stiffer, and his face become paler and paler. She was terrified, but there was nothing she could do.

Lin Cairen had been very kind to her whole family. She couldn't bear to see her die in the cold palace, and she also wanted to protect Lin Cairen's only child.

At first, she thought that all this was Lin Cairen's idea, but later she found out that it was the Eighth Prince's own idea.

A child of only seven years old actually had such a deep mind. No, the Eighth Prince was only six years old when he first took the medicine. And he was only three years old when he disguised himself as a lonely child who didn't talk to anyone.

Whenever she thought of this, Concubine Shu couldn't help but shudder.

"I have not hurt anyone who should not be hurt, let alone the emperor. I am just helping the mother and son to get justice." She always comforted herself like this.

Later, she herself felt that the situation was getting out of control. She didn't know that the consequences of the medicine would be so serious, and she didn't expect that the Eighth Prince would continue to take the medicine again and again.

She had advised Lin Cairen and the Eighth Prince not to use such extreme methods. But although the Eighth Prince was young, he was an extremely opinionated and stubborn child. Once he set his mind to something, he would not give up until he achieved his goal. Lin Cairen also let him do what he wanted.

Concubine Shu did not dare to tell anyone about this. Regardless of whether the Eighth Prince was favored or not, if anyone knew about this, she would be charged with murdering the heir to the throne, and she could not bear this.

Besides, Cui Qimo's attitude towards the Eighth Prince has already changed.

The eighth prince successfully aroused Cui Qimo's fatherly love by using his own "experience" and pretending to be well-behaved and sensible.

In the past two months, Cui Qimo has come to Anyuyuan from time to time. The Eighth Prince, who "never communicates with anyone", has a twinkle in his eyes every time he sees Cui Qimo. Although he still doesn't speak, he will try to pull his sleeves from time to time, looking cautious and afraid to get close. He will also give Cui Qimo some inconspicuous "treasures" from time to time.

That pitiful look makes people feel so heartbroken.

Let Cui Qimo's guilty fatherly love continue to overflow.

The Eighth Prince was only seven years old, but his forbearance and scheming made Concubine Shu shudder whenever she thought of it.

It is true that no one who can survive within these high walls is a simple person.

Except, King Yan.

Thinking of her son who did nothing all day and was good for nothing, she couldn't help but sigh inwardly.

But I soon came to terms with it.

That’s a skill, isn’t it?

Being able to survive is a skill.

Besides, the Princess of Yan is finally pregnant, which makes her happier than anything else.

As long as my son lives a good life, no matter what path he chooses, as long as it is the right way, as a mother, I can only support him.