In danger, he traveled through time to save her, and the black-bellied prince doted on her

Li Shenghuang personally poured tea for his sister. Although they were not born from the same mother, he admired Rongde very much and felt that she was a role model for women. When they were young, they often studied together. He treated her closer than other royal family members. He smiled and said:

"Rongde, tomorrow is the day to confer the title of Crown Prince on my brother. I asked my father for mercy, and he promised not to confine you anymore."

Rongde looked delighted and excited. Emperor Ming was dissatisfied with her marrying Mu Chen and giving birth to a son after marriage. The couple lived in harmony and lived in peace. Sometimes he punished her by confining her to her house and also sent Mu Jingyi to the palace as a hostage.

Rongde was worried that Mu Jinan might be in danger, so she placed some of her hopes on King Wei. She believed that Li Shenghuang was kind and generous, and that he would be able to protect Mu Jinan. She immediately knelt down and saluted:

"Congratulations, brother, for firmly establishing your position in the East Palace. I have only one wish, that Jin'an stays in Sheng'an forever. When brother ascends to the throne in the future, please protect Jin'an and don't let her travel thousands of miles away."

Li Shenghuang quickly helped Rongde up. He understood what she said. He was reluctant to let Mu Jinan leave Shengan, but it was too early to say that. He motioned Rongde to sit down. The young man showed determination in his eyes:

"As long as I am here, I will protect Jin'an Ronghua and keep her safe."

Rongde smiled. She had long hoped that Li Shenghuang would be the crown prince, and that he would be a wise ruler who would care about the people who worked day and night, give women more opportunities, and that the people would have good farmland. Now that he had finally become the crown prince, her nervous heart calmed down a little.

Mu Jinan followed Li Yuanyang to learn martial arts. At this moment, Li Jingye was only six years old and did not know any martial arts yet. He could only stand by and watch the two of them practice sword fighting. Mu Jinan saw Li Jingye standing by and looked at him coldly:

"Idiot, if you don't know martial arts, are you still a man? What's your name?"

Li Jingye was not angry. He picked up her other wooden sword, learned a few moves from her, and said with a smile: "My name is Li Jingye, what's yours? I'll ask my father to teach me, and I'll protect you in the future."

Mu Jinan glared at him, pointed the wooden sword at his knee and hit him: "Who needs your protection? I can protect myself. My name is Mu Jinan."

Li Jingye's smile froze on his face. He touched his knee that was hurt by the beating. He looked up at her fierce appearance, but he was not angry with her. He felt that she was a little girl and it was not easy to hit her. He immediately ran to find the King of Wei, grabbed his father's sleeve, and his pair of sparkling peach blossom eyes were full of confidence:

"Father, cousin Mu is very fierce. If you teach me martial arts, I will be more powerful than her."

Li Shenghuang glanced at Mu Jinan. She was glaring at Li Jingye who was complaining. He just thought she was cute. Children often stumble when playing. He would not be superior to others because of his status as a prince. He would only educate his son well. He picked up Li Jingye and said with a hearty smile:

"Jingye, you are a man, you can learn martial arts, but you have to give in to your sister. When you grow up, you can be a gentleman who is considerate of women and kind to others."

"Mu Jinan, how can you hit someone casually? Say sorry to cousin Jingye quickly." Princess Rongde looked apologetic. She thought that it was painful to hit someone with a wooden sword. Li Jingye didn't cry. She motioned Mu Jinan to come over and apologize. She quickly untied the jade pendant tied around her waist and tied it to Li Jingye's clothes. She smiled gently and said, "Jingye, this jade pendant is given to you by your aunt..."

"Cousin Jingye, I'm sorry." Mu Jinan also felt that she had done something wrong, so she bowed her head and apologized. When she saw the jade pendant, she hurriedly threw down her wooden sword, ran over to grab Rongde's sleeve, and tried to snatch the jade pendant. She jumped several times but still couldn't reach it. She looked unhappy, "Mother, this is my jade pendant, why should I give it to him?"

Rongde picked up Mu Jinan and gently stroked his daughter's cheek: "Jingye is open-minded and frank. He will not bother with you. The jade pendant is your apology for hitting someone casually."

Mu Jinan stole a glance at Li Jingye. He was always smiling and was indeed generous. She lowered her head guiltily, wondering if he was pretending to be in pain on purpose since she didn't use much strength just now.

Rong De looked at Li Jingye and thought that although he was so young, he had the ability to be a prime minister. That was why he did not complain just now. He just wanted to become more powerful and smiled confidently. He felt that Li Jingye was a diligent, progressive, generous and benevolent person with the talent of an emperor who was feared by all.

Rongde cares about her country and once led troops to suppress the rebellion of Yuhe. She only hopes that the successors of the Li Dynasty will be people-loving, diligent and frugal. She looked at Li Shenghuang with an extremely serious expression:

"If one plans before speaking, he will not stumble; if one plans before doing things, he will not be in trouble; if one plans before doing things, he will not be guilty; if one plans before the way, he will not be poor. My brother must cultivate Jingye with all his heart, pass on his wisdom to his grandchildren, and pass on his talents to his children, so that his roots and branches will last for generations."

Li Shenghuang was thoughtful. Anyone who became the crown prince would be feared by the emperor. It was indeed necessary to take precautions before it happens. He hugged Li Jingye tightly and said:

"There are blessings that come unexpectedly, and there are disasters that come unexpectedly. If you plan ahead, you will succeed. If you don't plan ahead, you will fail. Thank you for your advice, sister. I will go ahead."

Li Yuanyang left with the King of Wei and several others. After Li Shenghuang returned home, except for the enthronement ceremony and after finishing the affairs of state, he stayed up day and night in the East Palace every day, recording in detail his military strategies for wars, sword techniques, formations, and diligent governance of the country.

He personally taught Li Jingye the Four Books, including "Strategies of the Warring States", "Zizhi Tongjian", "Zhenguan Zhengyao", "Han Feizi", "Records of the Grand Historian" and "The Doctrine of the Mean", as well as "The Book of Changes" and the Five Classics.

Although Li Jingye was young and didn't know many words, Li Shenghuang taught him in detail and gave him practical examples. He was gifted and understood quickly. When he felt tired of studying, he learned swordsmanship from his father. He didn't go out for ten days.

Jiang Xiaoyue felt sorry for her son and thought it was too early for him to read these things, but Li Jingye worked hard. He understood his father's good intentions and enjoyed learning.

Li Yuanyang came to Sheng'an as a hostage and was often bullied by King Chen. Li Shenghuang asked him to come to the mansion often to protect him and also taught him poetry and books. Li Yuanyang and Li Jingye got along well with each other and they often competed in swordsmanship. Li Yuanyang was five or six years older than Li Jingye and was taller.

Li Jingye was young and occasionally lost to him, but he never felt resentful. He just thought that he would grow taller soon.

On the eleventh day, the news reached the East Palace. The visitor looked panicked, panting, and anxiously said:

"Your Highness, it's bad. General Huaihua was defeated at the border. Your Majesty has ordered General Xue to take him back to the capital and execute him soon."

"There has been no military intelligence from the border, so how could they suddenly be defeated?" Li Shenghuang signaled the palace maids to go down. After calming down and thinking in panic, he ordered his confidant Fu Rong, "Send the death squad to the military camp to find out the traitors."

Fu Rong left after receiving the order. Li Shenghuang was worried about Rongde and wanted to go to Mu Mansion, but the servants came to report that Rongde had entered the palace and was kneeling outside Chaolong Palace, wanting to see Emperor Ming to plead for mercy.

Rongde didn't believe that Mu Chen would lose the battle. Having been in the royal family for more than ten years, she was accustomed to conspiracies and intrigues, and was well aware of the ruthlessness of emperors. She disobeyed the imperial order and refused to marry into a noble family. Emperor Ming had been angry and resentful for a long time and was determined to force her to surrender.

Outside the Chaolong Palace, the scorching sun burned everything. The eaves of the nine palaces were cold and golden. Crows flew around the phoenix trees. A blue dragon peeked through the window. In her sight was a thin and haggard figure reflected on the blue bricks and stones. Rongde knelt and trembled. She had never been so frightened. It was not because she could not see through the conspiracy, but because she had a weak spot. She was no longer as heroic as before. She raised her crouching back slightly, her eyes full of sorrow and pleading, and looked at Emperor Ming standing in front of the window:

"Father, I beg you to investigate the military situation at the border and not to hastily order the execution. The suspected crime should be treated as minor, and the suspected merit should be given priority. Mu Chen has guarded the border for seven years and captured Yu Khan eleven times. He is a brilliant general with outstanding strategies and great military achievements. He is not arrogant. He is loyal to the emperor and cares about the country. He forgets his family and children. You should not let your family and the people lose such a good general because of your disobedience. It is your wish to stabilize the border and the people, and to unify the south and the north. Why are you threatening him?"

A beam of light shone on Emperor Ming's sinister face, and he did not hide the calculation in his eyes. No one had ever disobeyed him. He was determined to make Li Rongde submit. He just didn't like military generals. No matter how much time had passed, he would remember that others disobeyed his orders. Even though Rongde had given birth to two sons, he still refused to let him go, with a malicious smile on his lips:

"As long as you two get divorced, I can spare his life! Otherwise, you will never see Mu Jingyi, Mu Chen, or your daughter Mu Jinan again."

The bright light and strong flame pierced her eyes, Rongde's back gradually straightened, she looked up, the beasts on the eaves of the palace were awe-inspiring, cold and ruthless. Being in the royal family, she enjoyed all the glory and wealth, but she was worthy of the word royal family. She had to rack her brains to grow up safely in the harem.

These years have been like walking on thin ice. Rongde has always been worried about Mu Chen and her children. She is anxious and terrified. Her health is not as good as before and she is often bedridden. Finally, on this day, she knows that her father will not let this go and will definitely settle the old scores with her.

Rong De looked calm and prepared to die, but her heart was in great pain and tears welled up in her eyes. She missed her husband and son so much that her resolute voice began to tremble:

"Shancha fought bloody battles frequently, Beijian's soul was in a dream. His glory floated in the forest, and his virtue was known to all households. The city of worrying about the country has been settled, and I confess my sincere heart. In the next life, I will have an ordinary surname, and the emperor will not be unhappy. I, Li Rongde, was born as a general of the people, and died as the wife of Mu Chen. I will never abandon my country in life, and I will never abandon my husband in death. As a member of the royal family, I am worthy of the people, I have taken on responsibilities, and I have fulfilled my mission."

"Since Your Majesty wants a life, then take my head as a punishment for those who are disobedient and unfilial in the world, so that the world will be alert and the royal court officials will submit to Your Majesty. I have lost the battle without fighting. I only ask Your Majesty to let me see Jing Yi for the last time. I haven't seen him for a year. I wonder if he has grown taller. I dream about him day and night, but I can't find his figure in the palace. Is he alive? Your Majesty, I miss him. Please let me see him..."

Tears blurred her eyes, and she could only see her son's face in the clear water and the shimmering phantom. Rongde was heartbroken, and her body and mind were in agony. She imagined that Mu Jingyi appeared in front of her. She waited for a long time, but there was no movement.

The figure standing in front of the window trembled slightly, and Emperor Ming's eyes were misty. Even so, she refused to divorce. Since she admitted her mistakes, why didn't she want to divorce? This was the daughter he loved. He clenched his fists tightly. The desire to win and the irrefutable imperial power, along with the hypocrisy in his heart, made it increasingly difficult for him to tolerate these words. He closed his eyes and said coldly:

"Then I will take your head in exchange for the three lives of the Mu family. Tonight, I will have someone bring Mu Jingyi back to the palace."

Rongde raised her eyes to look at Emperor Ming with a short-sighted look. The relationship between them was no longer like before, with a loving father and a filial son. There was resentment and injustice in both of their eyes. The imperial family was the most ruthless, and she could not escape it. Not every broken relationship needed to be repaired. She had forgotten the father-daughter relationship between the emperor and the princess when she had experienced countless political intrigues and missed her young son.

Any relationship requires careful management by both parties. Once resentment has been passed, the relationship is severed, the passion in the heart dissipates, cold treatment becomes a habit, and the feelings gradually fade, until there is no place for the other person in the heart, and no one cares about him at all. Even if she forces herself to go back to the past, she cannot ignite the fiery heart for this person. She looked coldly at Emperor Ming, bowed her head and kowtowed:

"If the king wants me to die, I have no choice but to die. I bid farewell to your majesty. I hope your majesty will keep his promise and protect the lives of my husband and children."

"Father!" She heard a familiar voice and saw that it was Li Shenghuang who came. Li Shenghuang looked at Rongde worriedly, then knelt down respectfully. He knew Emperor Ming well, he was extremely cunning, shrewd, and suspicious.

In the past, he was just the King of Wei and could speak out directly, but now he is the Crown Prince of the Eastern Palace. If he is not careful, he will be suspected. However, Rongde is his most admired sister, and he can't bear to see her suffer physically and mentally, so he looks up at Emperor Ming:

"Father, Rong De missed her son so much and was worried about the war on the border. She said something wrong. I hope you will remember our friendship and not blame her."

Emperor Ming stood in front of the window, his expression was angry and solemn. He had many sons and daughters, and he was always worried that someone would usurp the throne. Mu Chen was in charge of the army and was at the frontier, so he naturally did not want to see the princes interacting with the generals.

Emperor Ming was thinking, how dare Li Shenghuang come to the palace to plead for mercy, could he be colluding with Mu Chen? Suspicion was hidden in his eyes, and he immediately flew into a rage:

"You have only been the crown prince for ten days, yet you dare to collude with the generals and question my orders? You stay, Rongde, go back home."

Rongde saw clearly the emperor's suspicion. Mu Chen had never had any contact with Li Shenghuang, but only sent her letters home. The emperor had no handle on him, and now he was seriously hurt by his malicious words and suspicion. She was extremely disappointed. Being a royal heir, she was terrified, and she had long been accustomed to it. She hid her anger in her heart and immediately got up and left.

Li Shenghuang followed Emperor Ming into the palace without saying much. The high eunuch brought a pot of wine. Emperor Ming stood in front of the painting of the dragon catching the tiger and carefully observed the painting. His pair of phoenix eyes were cold and ruthless, unfathomable, revealing his disregard for human life:

"Send this pot of wine to the Mu Mansion and watch Princess Chengsheng and Prince Rong Li Rongde drink it with your own eyes. If you dare to disobey my order, I will make you the crown prince for ten days and a commoner for life. If you dare to say anything more, I will send Mu Jingyi away and take Li Jingye to the palace. I am tired, please leave."

Since Li Shenghuang came here, he was ready to be reprimanded. He did not take the wine. He glanced at the painting of Qinglong Qinhu. His brain was thinking quickly, but he could not guess the emperor's intention. He said:

"Father, a horse from another country does not yearn for Yue, and a bird from Yue does not yearn for Yan. Hard work in battle is not rewarded. Loyalty is hard to express. In times of war and chaos, there are cries of panic, the heads of soldiers hang on the blades of the enemy, their souls drift in foreign lands, their uniforms are stained with blood, their spears are not destroyed, all for the country's security and stability, they are loyal warriors who stabilize the country, the iron fortress of Yinshan River and River, Mu Chen is a god in using troops, he has never lost his battle, and his loyalty to Your Majesty is undoubted."

"Yuhe has 200,000 soldiers and horses. If Mu Chen is not guarding them, the border will be frequently disturbed, and the war will last all night long without dawn. You and Rongde are family affairs, while Mu Chen and Shengguo are national affairs. A country cannot be without a wise ruler, and a border cannot be without a good general."

"It's an accidental mistake, but I won't let a small mistake cover up my great virtue. Besides, Mu Chen didn't make any mistakes. What Rong De said in the palace today must have been spread to all officials by now. Do you want to let all the civil and military officials in the court discuss this matter?"