Dethroned the Crown Princess? Then she became your mother

After all, that light stroke had left a mark on her younger sister's delicate skin. Even though the storm had subsided, as a former family member, she knew that this action, in the eyes of others, especially in the heart of her former father-in-law, might have quietly sown seeds of doubt.

So, she decided to take the initiative.

"Your Majesty, I wonder how my second sister's injuries are progressing? Are there any signs of her injuries? I'm deeply concerned about her, and I wonder if there's any new information?"

Her words were gentle and urgent, and her eyes flashed with sincere concern, as if every word carried deep affection for her loved ones.

"You are trying to change the subject cleverly. However, since you are so concerned..." Murong Shuo then gently held her hand, trying to pull her closer, but unexpectedly felt her persistence and resistance.

He stared at her, a complex emotion flashing in his eyes. "It seems that your concern for her is far more than what it appears on the surface. However, what I heard was a peaceful and tranquil life, without any storm or waves."

"I'm curious, what are your feelings towards your second sister who will soon become the Crown Princess? Or perhaps, towards the Crown Prince..."

His words stopped abruptly, as if he was exploring something, or struggling with himself.

Zhang Tianai gently withdrew her hand, with a faint smile on her face, but maintaining a perfect distance.

"Your Majesty, I feel only guilt and blessings for my second sister. The fault lies with me. It was my stupidity and impulsiveness that caused all this. As for the Crown Prince, he is always my family. No matter how our status changes, this kinship will never change."

"You are indeed different." Murong Shuo was silent for a moment, and finally uttered only these few words. Each word seemed to be carefully considered and carried indescribable emotions.

There was admiration in his eyes, but also a hint of subtle disappointment.

Zhang Tianai sensed his change in mood, and her heart couldn't help but ripple, but she quickly adjusted her mood, lowered her eyebrows and said softly: "I know that I have many shortcomings, and I hope Your Majesty will forgive me."

"You mentioned the unexpected events that happened after you returned to your mother's home. Don't you have any doubts or deep thoughts?" Murong Shuo changed the subject, his tone becoming sharper.

He stared at her closely, as if trying to see through her eyes and into her heart.

"I remember everything you said before. Why are you saying this again now?"

Zhang Tianai was shocked when she heard this. She had never expected Murong Shuo to remember every word of her so carefully.

She took a deep breath and said slowly, "I did have my doubts and deep thoughts. But there are some things that I don't readily believe, even if I have the answer in my heart. I prefer to believe that there is still beauty and warmth in this world."

When Murong Shuo heard this, a complicated look flashed in his eyes, and finally turned into a sigh.

However, a subtle breeze of doubt seemed to still sway gently between her words, allowing the emperor to catch a hint of uncertainty - was he doubting her?

No, to be more precise, I wonder if she is pretending?

How could she allow this doubt to spread? She immediately raised her eyes, her eyes flashing with determination: "Your Majesty, my second sister has become the Crown Princess. No matter how the world changes, she will always be the only one in the Crown Prince's heart."

"And I am but a faint shadow in this deep palace. How can I care about anything? All family matters are speculation. Whether or not there is a concubine between my second sister and the crown prince is also shrouded in mystery and is difficult to determine."

"I am willing to put these troubles behind me with a heart of atonement, simply because I still do not want to believe in things that have not been proven."

She looked at the emperor with a slightly bitter smile, and that expression seemed to express endless sorrow and unwillingness to believe.

Murong Shuo stared at her and finally sighed softly: "Are you really stupid, or are you doing this on purpose?"

"Your Majesty." Zhang Tianai called again, with a little more tenderness and expectation in her eyes. She glanced at the emperor lightly, as if seeking some answer.

Upon seeing this, Murong Shuo finally turned his head away and said no more, but his heart was surging.

Zhang Tianai slowly loosened her clenched hands, trying to calm herself down, and softly suggested, "Your Majesty, if there is any news from my second sister, I am eager to know."

"I only wish her well, especially that stunning beauty. I am filled with regret. If anything unfortunate happens to her, I am willing to sacrifice myself."

After she finished speaking, she knelt down gently and touched the ground with her forehead, expressing her most sincere prayer.

It was too late for Murong Shuo to stop her and he could only watch her perform this great ceremony.

After she stood up, Fang said in a deep voice, "I hope your words are sincere, but there is something unpleasant between the lines. What kind of person are you?"

Zhang Tianai stood up gracefully. "If Your Majesty truly wants to know who I am, why not explore it yourself? Just like peeling an onion, you must delve deeper and deeper to reveal its true flavor. How many people can be honest with you if you ask them directly?"

Her words were like a spring breeze, gentle yet with a hint of teasing, which made Murong Shuo look at her again, thinking to himself: What kind of woman is she?

Murong Shuo's words hung in the air, the three words were like dewdrops in the morning mist, crystal clear but slow to fall.

"Okay..." He opened his lips slightly, then closed them quietly, as if he was considering what to say next.

"What can I do? Your Majesty's wishes are in my humble opinion, and I cannot fathom them. However, it is getting late. If Your Majesty finishes breakfast, I will accompany you to pray for blessings. I will also personally serve you meals in the future. Is that okay?"

Zhang Tianai's words flowed out like a gurgling stream, without waiting for a breath, with sincerity and expectation flashing in her eyes.

Murong Shuo's heart moved slightly, but he did not respond immediately. Instead, he was touched by her persistence.

"Do you really want to do this?" He asked softly, with a barely perceptible tenderness in his tone.

Zhang Tianai nodded heavily, her eyes full of determination and pleading, as if she wanted to tell a thousand words with her eyes.

"In that case, then stay. As long as you are in good health, it's up to you." There was a hint of compromise in Murong Shuo's words, and even a hint of imperceptible doting.

"I am fine, which is great. Your Majesty is so tolerant and does not care about my illness and frailty. I am deeply grateful."

How can true love come so easily?

Murong Shuo pondered secretly in his heart, and his eyes involuntarily fell on her slightly rough hands. The blisters caused by labor, although inconspicuous, deeply hurt his heart.

"Go back, there's no need to wait here. Take care of yourself first, there's still a long way to go." Murong Shuo's words were filled with unquestionable determination, but there was a hint of imperceptible tenderness in his eyes.

Upon hearing this, Zhang Tianai respectfully bid farewell to Murong Shuo. Only after he left did she turn around and prepare to leave.

At this moment, a guard appeared quietly, holding a bottle of precious ointment in his hand.

"Your Highness, the former Crown Princess, this is the ointment that the Emperor specially ordered to get for you. It works wonders on abrasions." The guard's voice was low and respectful.

Zhang Tianai felt a surge of warmth in her heart when she heard this. She looked up in the direction the guards had left, but Murong Shuo was no longer there.

She suddenly came to her senses, as if she had been pulled out of a dream.

Having already thought about many matters for the day, she specifically instructed Chunmei to follow Liu Pozi and her group closely like a shadow.

Because last night, a shocking piece of information quietly fell into her ears - Liu Pozi and others were plotting to pass the message to the capital.

This news was like a thunderclap in the dark night, making Zhang Tianai feel alert.

She knew very well that this would most likely reveal her secrets - the unknown and subtle relationship between her and her former father-in-law.

"We must not sit idly by and watch this matter!" Zhang Tianai swore in his heart.