Peach Blossom.

Si Yuan’s memory was pulled back to many years ago, the day when he was exiled to Yongchang by his father Xianzong.

Being young and energetic at that time, after contradicting Emperor Xianzong, he turned around and was about to leave the palace and return home, preparing to leave Beijing.

In the crowded hall, there were either people with smug faces or indifferent spectators. Only his younger brother Si Yu followed him out.

"Brother, don't go. We can still plead for mercy in front of our father..." Si Yu chased after Si Yuan and reached out to grab Si Yuan's sleeve.

Si Yuan was arrogant and pushed Si Yu away: "Let me go! I don't need your plea! And don't be so hypocritical in front of me."

Si Yu's eyes were filled with sadness, but he still held on to Si Yuan stubbornly: "Brother, why do you say that? I'm really worried about you. You've always been in poor health. How can you go to a place like Yongchang and suffer?"

Si Yuan sneered and replied calmly: "If I die early because of my illness, wouldn't it be a good opportunity for no one to compete with you for the throne?"

"I... I swear... I never thought of that..." Si Yu looked into Si Yuan's eyes, tears almost flashing in his sincere eyes: "Father has been asking me to practice four words recently, "Blood is thicker than water". You know, Da Qi is no longer as strong as it used to be, and the number of descendants is thinner with each generation.

My father wandered around when he was young and suffered a lot. He was already old when he ascended the throne and got married. He only had three of us brothers and sisters. If we don’t get along, the country will be in danger! My father often said, you have a bad temper, and my third sister is too spoiled, I must work hard to maintain the relationship between us.

Although Concubine Meng has many faults, she is my third sister's biological mother and my adopted mother. My father regards her as his only true love among the three thousand beauties in the harem. My father is already old and needs Concubine Meng's care. If we give her superficial respect, won't it at least make my father less angry? And live a few more years?"

"If you are filial, then just be a filial son, Your Highness the Crown Prince! Don't drag me along, I find it disgusting!" Si Yuan finally shook off Si Yu and continued to walk out quickly, getting faster and faster.

Si Yu, however, trotted along, following behind Si Yuan happily, still in a pleading tone, saying as he ran: "I can assure you that if one day it is my turn to make the decision, I will definitely stand by your side. If you are willing to accept it, I can even give up the throne to you..."

Si Yu was a little out of breath while talking while running, but he refused to give up easily: "Brother... please believe me... I really don't want you to leave, I don't want you to suffer, I don't want our family to be separated. Concubine Meng is not my biological mother, you are my biological brother..."

"Get out!" Si Yuan was getting annoyed by the nagging, he turned around suddenly and pushed Si Yu away.

Si Yu was caught off guard and fell backwards.

Si Yuan quickened his pace and walked outside.

"Brother...Brother..." Si Yu squatted on the ground, still shouting foolishly: "Please believe me, no matter what happens, you are my real brother..."

Later, after losing his legitimate son and his first wife, Si Yuan fell into trouble in Yongchang. In order to let his daughter Si Rong have food to eat, he had to lower his status as a prince and seek help from the Bai family, the head of Yongchang County.

During those years, Si Yu wrote many letters to Si Yuan behind Concubine Meng's back. He also made arrangements to secretly send Si Yuan's childhood study partner Shang Yun to Yongchang to take care of Si Yuan.

In order to gain a foothold in Yongchang, Si Yuan finally became a son-in-law. Whenever he was looked down upon by the Bai family, he was only slightly comforted thanks to Shang Yun being by his side.

After Si Yu ascended the throne, he invited Si Yuan to return to the capital many times in letters. Si Yuan actually believed that Si Yu was sincere, but as he was suspicious since childhood, he still worried that there was a trick.

More than ten years passed, and he never wrote a reply to Si Yu, perhaps because he was too suspicious, or perhaps because he was afraid that the reply would fall into the hands of others.

However, he didn't expect that Si Yu would die young. That hasty farewell and the only time he ruthlessly pushed Si Yu down turned out to be the last time they saw each other in this life.

Returning to reality from his memories, Si Yuan looked down at the yellowed note on the corner and took a deep breath.

Although they had never killed each other, he still felt a little guilty towards his brother Si Yu who had died. He didn't want to admit it, but he couldn't help but regret it in his heart.

After a long silence, Si Yuan looked up and glanced at Si Yao who was sitting on the ground. Her eyes were full of helplessness and fear.

"Considering the virtues of the late Emperor Xianzong and Emperor Xiaozong, I pardon Princess Si Yao's death sentence and allow her to observe mourning in the palace until the empress dowager is buried. From then on, she will be imprisoned in the Princess's Palace for life."

After a few brief instructions, Si Yuan picked up the note, turned around and walked back to Shiqian Hall.

Si Yao was stunned for a long time before he came to his senses and kowtowed to the ground excitedly: "Thank you for your grace, sir..."

Si Yuan ignored everyone and glanced at Si Xiu when he passed by him, then continued walking towards Zhongzhai.

Si Xiu understood and followed Si Yuan into the central room of Shiqian Hall.

"Do you have anything to say to me?" Si Yuan sat on the chair behind the desk in the middle room and looked at Si Xiu.

Si Xiu stood outside the desk, leaned forward slightly, and nodded: "Yes..."

"Then say it."

"Your son wants to tell your father that my sister is not the only one who is your biological daughter, I am also your biological son..." When saying this, Si Xiu's nose felt sore and he tried hard to hold back the tears that were about to flow out.

Si Yuan held the table with his hands, a faint smile on his face: "You think I am a biased father, right?"

"No... that's not what I meant..." Si Xiu shook his head desperately and explained hurriedly: "I just want to tell Father that what my sister can do for Father, I can do too. Even what my sister can't do for Father, I can do too..."

Si Yuan nodded.

Si Xiu continued to murmur with tears in his eyes, "My mother said that my sister was the child that the emperor took care of himself, so it's inevitable that he loves her more, and asked me not to compare. I also know that my sister is a girl, so even if the emperor favors her, I shouldn't care. I just... just..."

Having said this, Si Xiu suddenly didn't know what to say next.

Si Yuan raised his eyebrows slightly and asked with a smile: "Then has your mother ever told you that during the years when I was in Yongchang, especially before I was conferred the title of King of Yongchang, I was often looked down upon by the Bai family, including your mother."

"No...she didn't say that..." Si Xiu lowered his head, looking confused.

Si Yuan nodded meaningfully and smiled gently again.

"But...but I am your son, my...my last name is not Bai..." Si Xiu bit his lip, looking so nervous.

After hearing these two sentences, Si Yuan looked up again and examined Si Xiu again.

After a moment's silence, he waved his hand, motioning Si Xiu to come closer.

Si Xiu approached Si Yuan's desk.

Si Yuan took Si Xiu's hand and placed it on his own, then looked at Si Xiu and said three words solemnly: "I'm sorry."

Hearing this, Si Xiu was stunned, and the tears that he had been holding back for a long time suddenly flowed out.

"I shouldn't have tested you. I should have believed you. I will never do this again." Si Yuan stared at Si Xiu and finally a loving smile appeared on his face, which was completely different from his look when he was young.

"Father..." Si Xiu didn't know what to say anymore, his tears just flowed one after another.

Si Yuan asked again: "The one who gave you advice this time was your father-in-law, right?"

Si Xiu nodded.

"Why listen to him?"

"I think he has a point."

"Just because it makes sense?" Si Yuan seemed a little curious.

Si Xiu nodded seriously again.

Si Yuan looked at Si Xiu, a mysterious smile on his face again: "You are already married, I naturally hope that you and your wife will live in harmony. I also believe in the family education of the Wang family. However, I hope that you must have your own standpoint and not be led by the nose by close ministers or women. Only in this way can you be a qualified prince."

"I was not led by anyone. I decided to do this because the Meng family has been bullying for many years and deserves to be severely punished. I also think that these people do not deserve to be dealt with by the emperor himself. It would be even more unworthy if the world misunderstood the emperor as a person who "burns bridges after crossing the river" because of some small scoundrels."

Si Xiu's answer was so powerful that Si Yuan had to believe it.

Si Yuan asked jokingly, "You don't want others to say that I am "destroying the bridge after crossing it", but aren't you afraid that others will say that your methods are too cruel?"

Si Xiu replied: "My mother once said that there is no perfect plan in the world. All we can do is to strive for the greatest benefit and the smallest loss as much as possible."

"What else did your mother say?"

"My mother also said... Filial piety is the most important virtue..."

Si Yuan looked Si Xiu up and down again and nodded appreciatively.

He sighed deeply and said, "You have been taught by your mother for many years. Recently, I have gradually understood you. Seeing your current behavior, I asked myself, it turns out that not only she underestimated me, but I also underestimated her."

"Then... Father, can you consider my mother's request and bring her to Beijing?" Si Xiu took the opportunity to bring up this idea, but he didn't dare to speak too loudly.

However, as soon as Si Xiu finished speaking, Si Yuan suddenly glanced at him, and his eyes were no longer as gentle as before.

Si Xiu was shocked and didn't dare to mention the matter again.

Then, the room fell into silence.

After a while, Si Yuan instructed again: "I am tired today. Go back and tell your father-in-law to come to see me at noon tomorrow. I want to discuss two moves with him."

"Yes..." Si Xiu responded weakly.

Si Yuan leaned back lazily in his chair and said, "When he comes, he might as well bring Miss Tao with him."

"Peach..." Si Xiu was stunned for a moment and didn't dare to continue.