The prince kneels every day. Has the princess forgiven him today?

Song Junling was speechless and choked, and finally sighed softly.

So what if I'm sad?

His voice was very muffled. "Forget it. This matter is not something you and I can influence. The Third Princess will make her own decision. Big Brother is not as fragile as you think."

Song Xiwan's eyes rolled slightly, and she felt that her brother's words were a bit forced, and her face was about to fall.

"Brother, are you going to give up?"

Song Junling pulled a wry smile at the corner of his mouth, and his words were still full of persistence, "If the day comes when she becomes the king and I become the minister, how can I give up?"

They must be tied together, no matter what relationship they have.

Now it was Song Xiwan's turn to be speechless. Her eldest brother's feelings for the third princess were deeper than she had imagined.

Apart from the emperor and his ministers, my parents probably wouldn't agree to let my eldest brother enter the palace.

Song Xiwan didn't know how to persuade his elder brother, so he had to give up the matter. The most urgent thing was to resolve the dilemma in the court first.

I hope to have a peaceful year.

……

The next day.

Xie Qingyuan successfully entered the palace under the cover of Xie Chengqian's men.

She walked all the way to Kunning Palace with a heavy expression on her face, hoping to have a good talk with her mother and ask her not to make decisions for her without her permission.

Xie Qingyuan didn't believe that there was no other suitable choice for the crown prince except her!

The servant guarding Kunning Palace showed joy when he saw the third princess, but was stopped when he was about to report.

"I'll go in myself and guard the door."

"twitter."

The servant quickly agreed.

Xie Qingyuan came to the main hall with ease. Just as she was about to step in, she heard a cough, which made her heart tighten.

The Queen Mother continued, "I wonder how Qingyuan is doing? Her uncle has already arrived in Shangjing City. He will surely do everything he can to protect her. However, this Noble Concubine Shen is so cruel and ruthless that I am still worried."

The maid gently soothed, "Doesn't the Third Princess write letters to the Empress every day to report her safety? Besides, the Third Princess is intelligent and skilled in martial arts, so she has nothing to fear."

"I have been fighting with Concubine Shen for so many years. I know her very well. She is always using underhanded tactics. Qing Yuan is also straightforward. How can I win against her?"

Situ Zheng was really worried. If she hadn't been imprisoned by the imperial palace, she really wanted to go out and see Qing Yuan in person.

The maid handed the Empress a cup of soothing tea and said considerately, "Since the Empress is so concerned and has asked the King's uncle and Prince Xuan to protect the Third Princess, it's impossible for Concubine Shen to succeed."

After repeated comforting, Situ Zheng finally felt a little relieved.

Her eyes were filled with sorrow. "I just want her to be well."

Xie Qingyuan could no longer bear to listen, so she walked into the palace and asked, "If that's the case, why does Queen Mother still want me to ascend the throne?"

As a princess, Xie Qingyuan grew up in the palace since she was a child. She is quite familiar with her father's daily affairs and the intrigues with court officials.

How can this be okay?

Situ Zheng stood up suddenly when she heard the voice, her eyes filled with joy that could not be suppressed. She hurried to Xie Qingyuan and involuntarily touched her face with her hands.

"You, you are really back?"

The maid's eyes were also red as she explained in a low voice, "The Queen has not been sleeping well these past few days. She wakes up at night and says she thought you were back."

Situ Zheng frowned slightly and signaled the palace maid not to say these things, so as not to add to Qing Yuan's troubles.

Xie Qingyuan's heart trembled slightly, and the original displeasure disappeared at this moment.

She always knew how much her mother loved her. This time, she left without saying goodbye, which must have really scared her mother and made her unable to sleep or eat.

Xie Qingyuan's tone softened a bit, "I write to you every day, mother. You don't have to worry so much. I'm doing fine outside."

The Queen Mother did not explain much, but just smiled and nodded, "The Queen Mother knows."

Xie Qingyuan felt very sad.

If she had known, the Queen Mother would not have said those words just now.

Xie Qingyuan pulled her mother back to sit down, and the palace maid tactfully left to make tea, giving the queen and the third princess some space to be alone.

Situ Zheng's gaze never left Qing Yuan, and a hint of worry was still on her face.

She said distressedly: "You've lost weight."

Xie Qingyuan explained calmly, "It's because I've been busy with some things recently, so I've been moving around more. But I've always taken care of my health."

"Is there anything I can do for you, Mother?"

Situ Zheng remembered that she had said in her heart that she had something important to do, so she took the initiative to speak.

Xie Qingyuan stared at her mother for a while before hesitantly asking, "This matter has been taken care of, but I do have something I want to ask you, Mother, when I come to the palace this time."

Situ Zheng was slightly stunned, then she remembered what Qing Yuan had asked her when she entered the room.

"You knew already?"

The tone was so frank that Xie Qingyuan didn't know how to respond. At the same time, she was also sure that her mother really wanted her to ascend the throne.

Situ Zheng saw her expression clearly and sighed softly, "It's not that Queen Mother wants to control you, she just thinks this is what you want."

"When did this son of yours ever want the throne?"

Xie Qingyuan was shocked, wondering if her mother had heard some messy rumors outside.

She never thought about it!

The Queen Mother's voice slowly rose again, "Of course, what you want is not the throne, but the well-being of the people, the elimination of all treacherous villains, and the long-lasting prosperity of the Great Xia Kingdom. Isn't this what the Son of Heaven should do?"

Xie Qingyuan froze in place, staring blankly at her mother.

After a moment, she regained her voice, "This is not a trivial matter, and how can you treat it so lightly? I am a girl..."

"If you want, no obstacles matter."

Situ Zheng's expression became solemn, and her voice was extremely deep, like a huge rock falling on Xie Qingyuan's heart.

Does she want to?

What the Queen Mother said was indeed her lifelong wish, but she seemed unprepared.

"I have no confidence."

"You do, but you seem to have some concerns?"

Situ Zheng saw through Qing Yuan's thoughts at a glance and pointed them out sharply.

Xie Qingyuan's eyes flashed with panic, and she stammered to evade the question, "Of course I have concerns. This is not a trivial matter."

As she spoke, she met her mother's usual penetrating gaze and felt very guilty.

Fortunately, the Queen Mother did not press the issue further. She simply said, "Then think about it carefully. There's no rush. We need to eliminate Concubine Shen first. Are you going to leave the palace later?"

Xie Qingyuan nodded, "Yes, I have something I must do."

Situ Zheng's face showed a hint of disappointment, but she respected Qing Yuan's decision and instructed, "Go visit your uncle after you leave the palace. After all, it's been a while since you've seen him."

"it is good."

Xie Qingyuan has a deep affection for her uncle. Even though they haven't met over the years, she has been sending gifts from Lingnan.

She left Kunning Palace after having lunch. When she learned that her uncle had gone to Prince Xuan's Mansion, she simply took a shortcut to avoid attracting attention.

Unexpectedly, not only her uncle came, but also her spoiled cousin, Situ Ziyue.

Xie Qingyuan got a headache when she saw her cousin and wanted to run away.