Deep Palace Pet Peach Blossom Flawless

On the hillside a thousand miles away from the imperial palace, the Sixth Prince and the Second Prince couldn't help but look towards the direction of the imperial city.

The autumn wind was blowing, and the weather was getting cooler. The Sixth Prince looked at him for a moment and said, "Don't you regret it, Second Brother? Do you know what you've given up by coming with me?"

From now on, both the imperial court and the harem will regard the Second Prince as the Sixth Prince's supporter. The Second Prince has clearly chosen his side."

The Second Prince smiled gently, as gentle as jade. "Why should I regret this? I'd rather spend more time appreciating the beautiful scenery and the people. Xiao Qi is eagerly waiting for my painting!"

Thinking of the unwilling Xiaoqi, the Sixth Prince shook his head helplessly.

The Second Prince suddenly asked, "By the way, Sixth Brother, could you and Xiao Qi teach me the painting techniques you use? I know this is a secret developed by our mother, but that painting method is truly lifelike and exquisite! Throughout the past few hundred years, there has been no such painting technique!"

The Sixth Prince scoffed, "What secret?! Father has already taught it to a group of people, specifically for use in solving crimes at the imperial court!"

The Second Prince shook his head. "That's different. I've studied it. The painting skills used in the court are limited to painters drawing portraits of people to catch criminals. Mother... Mother's painting skills are more than that!"

The Sixth Prince smiled softly and walked away: "When I get home, I will teach my second brother."

The Second Prince muttered to himself as he followed the Sixth Prince: "That's true. We must get Mother's consent."

When the Second Prince decided to follow the Sixth Prince out of the palace, Imperial Concubine Jiang heard about it and sat alone for a long time in silence. She then asked the Second Prince, "Why did you make this decision? Is it for Mother? You don't have to do this. Mother's situation isn't that bad right now."

The Second Prince sighed deeply and spoke bluntly, "Mother, your situation is my own. It's not good, but it will only get worse. With this grudge against you, Mother will only distance herself from you, and your status and power will decline. Furthermore, you've angered Father! The situation in the harem is complicated, and you won't have it easy. But right now... as long as I express my feelings, I believe Father and Mother will treat you well. Besides, I truly don't have that intention. Why not reassure Father and resolve your predicament at the same time?"

Concubine Jiang murmured, "But, that's too unfair to you! You..."

The Second Prince shook his head gently. "How could I be wronged? I know I'm not cut out for it, and I'm a little unwilling to accept it. But, Mother, you haven't been to the previous dynasty, so you don't know how resolute Father is. Father loves the Queen Mother, the Queen Mother, so Sixth Prince is legitimate. The efforts Father has put into Sixth Prince are obvious to all, both in the previous dynasty and in the harem. It's just that Father hasn't clearly appointed a Crown Prince, so he's paralyzed the remaining princes, thinking they still have a glimmer of hope. Father... has already made up his mind. I believe the position of Crown Prince will soon fall to Sixth Prince."

As for Concubine Jiang and the Second Prince, both mother and son, have never been ruthless or good at using conspiracies and tricks. If the Second Prince wanted that position wholeheartedly, Concubine Jiang would not be unwilling to give it a try. However, seeing her son's character, Concubine Jiang let out her anger. She knew her son well that the Second Prince was not a man of strong will and ambition. That's all, as long as her son is safe!

The Second Prince recalled the last words he had said to Concubine Jiang before leaving: "Mother, the most important thing is that Father has doted on you for over a decade. He will not allow the Empress, or his legitimate sons and daughters, to fall into such a miserable state!"

If another illegitimate prince succeeded to the throne a hundred years after Emperor Shenwu, what would be the fate of the several beloved legitimate princes and princesses?