The Legend of Zhen Huan: Rebirth of Ling Rong

"Baojuan, go call the Fourth Prince and tell him I have something to talk to him about."

"Yes, I will go find the Fourth Prince right away."

"I heard that my mother came to look for me, but I wonder what it means?" Hongli asked with a puzzled look on his face.

I just frowned slightly, staring straight at Hongli, and said in a serious tone: "Could it be that the Third Prince's affairs have anything to do with you?"

Although my voice was not loud, the questioning meaning contained in it was like an invisible pressure, weighing heavily on Hongli.

"Mother, I only casually mentioned this matter to my third brother. Who could have imagined that he would actually go straight to the Emperor and plead for mercy? This is truly beyond my expectations!"

"Acting like this is too risky. You must know that the Emperor is not so easily fooled. Even if he has even the slightest suspicion in his heart, he can easily get to the bottom of the matter. Don't be so reckless and impulsive as you are today in the future!"

"Yes, mother, I understand."

When I went to visit the Emperor, I couldn't help but feel a little uneasy. Perhaps it was because of the recent events that made the Emperor seem quite heavy-hearted and unhappy.

Stepping into the familiar and majestic palace, I immediately spotted the emperor sitting on the dragon throne. His brow was slightly furrowed, his eyes revealing a hint of worry and fatigue, as if the weight of the world rested on his shoulders.

Faced with this situation, I knew that speaking too much would be counterproductive. So, I quietly walked to the Emperor's side, gently knelt in greeting, and then stood there quietly.

Time passed minute by minute, and the hall was so quiet that one could almost hear each other's breathing. However, this silence did not make me feel awkward or uncomfortable. On the contrary, it was more like a tacit understanding that needed no words.

"I sometimes think that life is short, so we should enjoy it while we can. Why should we be so diligent? If I were a rich and noble prince, I would surely be freer and more relaxed."

"The Emperor is the Son of Heaven. He cares deeply about the world and takes it as his responsibility. The hardships involved are beyond the comprehension of ordinary people."

Not long after, the emperor fell ill.

I asked Wei Lin privately if the emperor's illness was serious. Wei Lin told me that the emperor's health was not as good as before, but he still insisted on taking elixirs. If he continued like this, his body would definitely not be able to bear it.

Since the Emperor fell ill, the concubines took turns tending to him. After a while, the Emperor gradually recovered. Although his health wasn't as good as before, he looked much better.

Perhaps because of suspicion, the emperor called Xia Qie late at night and gave him a secret order, sending Xia Qie to Yanming Pass in the name of reward. It was called reward, but in reality it was surveillance.

"It seems that the emperor can no longer hold back." Concubine Ning has been paying close attention to the emperor's actions in private.

"Go tell the prince to be extremely careful. Be cautious in everything you do."

Perhaps because of suspicion, the emperor summoned Xia Qie late at night and gave him a secret decree. In the name of reward, he sent Xia Qie to Yanming Pass. It was said that it was a reward for Prince Guo, but in fact it was a surveillance.

As for Xia Qian, I also learned everything from Su Peisheng. Xia Qian worked for the emperor, whether in the front court or the harem, it was all the emperor's will.

The Emperor had always been wary of Prince Guo and had never trusted him, even though he and Prince Guo had been very close in the past.

Prince Guo has always been hiding himself, not wanting the emperor to notice him. But even if he does not fight or compete, he cannot escape the emperor's suspicion and vigilance.

Outside Yanming Pass, Prince Guo was unanimously loved by the soldiers. This prince truly loved the people like his own children. He ate and slept with the soldiers and did not have any of the dandyism of a royal child.

Xia Qie came to Yanming Pass, claiming to deliver the emperor's reward, but secretly he had been investigating whether Prince Guo had any rebellious thoughts towards the emperor and intended to rebel?

Even Ah Jin could see that Xia Jian was sent by the Emperor to monitor their prince. How could Prince Guo not see it?

"Your Highness, look at that Xia Qie. Although he was sent by the emperor, he has been moving in and out of places freely since he arrived. Even I can't stop him. Your Highness, why don't you do anything about it?" A Jin couldn't help but feel sorry for their prince.

"They are people sent by the emperor. Naturally, we can't say anything, let alone be negligent. Let them investigate whatever they want." Prince Guo looked leisurely and contented.

"By the way, are you ready for what I asked you to prepare?" Prince Guo asked A Jin worriedly.

"Don't worry, Your Highness. Ah Jin has done everything Your Highness ordered. The Emperor's men won't find out anything. Whatever Your Highness wants Xia Qian to see, he will see it."

"Very good, now I feel relieved. My brother has been worried about me for a long time. I have no interest in state affairs and want to be a leisurely prince, but unfortunately, my brother still doesn't trust me.

Perhaps this is the most frustrating aspect of being born into a royal family. You spend your life either calculating others or being calculated by others; there's no escape.

"Your Highness, if the Emperor doesn't trust you, why are you still so loyal to him? Ah Jin can't understand."

"Ah Jin, you don't understand. Even those in high positions have their own frustrations and considerations. My brother has done very well. If it were me, I might not be able to do so well."

"However, all necessary preparations must be made. Just in case, my own safety is naturally not a big deal right now, but there are still the lives of my mother and the dozens of people in the palace at stake. I must make plans early."

"Your Highness, it's good that you think this way." A Jin couldn't help but feel much happier. His prince finally knew how to plan for himself and the people in the palace.

In the capital, at Prince Guo's mansion, the two concubines have been getting along quite harmoniously since Prince Guo left.

Yu Fu Jin managed all the affairs of the palace with ease and kept it in perfect order. Everyone in the palace praised her highly, and all of them were impressed and respected her.

Since Concubine Xian was weak, she naturally could not do these things, so she just stayed in her own yard and rarely went out.

Concubine Shu lived in Qingliang Terrace all year round, away from the prince's palace, which gave her less to do. There were only two concubines in the palace, and they didn't bother each other. But they both had the same wish: Prince Guo would return soon.

"Ah Jin, do you think the Emperor will ever truly disown me? Our years of brotherhood are nothing more than a feather in the face of imperial power."

Prince Guo seemed to be asking A Jin, but also seemed to be asking himself, but no one could give him an answer...