The Crown Princess didn’t expect Jiang Si to initiate a conversation with her. She had been observing coldly how the Princess of Qi had repeatedly tried to ingratiate herself with the Princess of Yan, only to be rebuffed each time. It was evident that the Princess of Yan wasn’t the type to be all things to all people.
Jiang Si broached the subject: “Second Sister-in-law, why didn’t you bring the Crown Prince’s son? Father Emperor adores him the most.”
The Crown Princess forced a smile: “I was worried Chun’er might disturb Father Emperor. By the way, I haven’t properly thanked you and Seventh Brother for saving Chun’er when he fell into the water—”
Jiang Si smiled: “Second Sister-in-law, you’re too kind. It was a small matter for the Prince, no need to dwell on it.”
The Crown Princess shook her head: “It may have been a small matter for Seventh Brother, but it was of utmost importance to me. Seventh Brother saved Chun’er, and I’ll be forever grateful. I fear I may never have the chance to repay Seventh Brother and you.”
Jiang Si’s gaze deepened.
The Crown Princess’s words were rather pessimistic, suggesting she wasn’t optimistic about the Crown Prince’s future.
Jiang Si sighed inwardly once again.
Such a perceptive person, yet trapped in the Crown Prince’s cesspool—truly unfortunate and ill-fated.
“Second Sister-in-law, please don’t worry about it. With Father Emperor unwell, the Prince and I are staying outside the palace and can’t remain here for long. If you often bring the Crown Prince’s son to visit Father Emperor, it would be like fulfilling our filial duty on our behalf.”
Hearing Jiang Si’s words, the Crown Princess gave her a long, searching look.
She wasn’t sure of the Princess of Yan’s intentions.
Yet the other’s expression seemed sincere as if there were no hidden meaning.
“Seventh Sister-in-law’s filial piety is admirable and puts me to shame.”
Jiang Si smiled faintly and lowered her voice: “When I saw Father Emperor today, I noticed more white hair at his temples. People tend to yearn for family affection when they’re ill. If the Second Sister-in-law brings the Crown Prince’s son to accompany the Father Emperor often, his mood will improve, and his health will surely follow. It would put all our minds at ease.”
The Crown Princess nodded: “Seventh Sister-in-law is right. I’m not as thoughtful as you.”
“Second Sister-in-law, you’re too modest. Father Emperor will see your filial piety; he’s a perceptive man.” After saying this, Jiang Si nodded slightly to the Crown Princess and quickened her pace to catch up with Yu Jin.
Once in the carriage, Yu Jin asked with a smile: “What were you discussing with the Crown Princess?”
“Just reminding her to visit Father Emperor often and show her filial piety.”
Yu Jin gave Jiang Si a long look and sighed: “You’re just too kind-hearted.”
Jiang Si shrugged it off: “It was just a few words, nothing to do with being kind-hearted.”
Although she sympathized with the Crown Princess’s fate in her previous life, she couldn’t possibly warn her about the Crown Prince’s future treason. This was all she could do.
Emperor Jingming was a soft-hearted man who valued emotions. If the Crown Princess appeared before him often with the Crown Prince’s son, when the Crown Prince’s treason was eventually exposed, these memories might spare the Crown Princess’s life.
Yu Jin narrowed his eyes and smiled: “A few keywords can often change many things. But it’s fine, the Crown Princess is indeed a good person.”
Jiang Si smiled: “As long as you don’t mind me meddling.”
Yu Jin took Jiang Si’s hand, amused: “Your business is my business. There’s no such thing as meddling.”
Jiang Si leaned against Yu Jin and sighed softly.
Once the Crown Prince was deposed again, their days would likely become even more tumultuous.
But it didn’t matter. If it was unavoidable, they’d just have to take out a few more small targets. After all, she had experience in this.
For now, they needed to deal with that beast of a Crown Prince first.
“Ah Si, what are you thinking about?”
“What about you?” Jiang Si asked with a smile.
Yu Jin’s thin lips curved into a handsome arc: “I was thinking, no matter what happens in the future, let’s take out the Crown Prince first.”
Jiang Si laughed.
Yu Jin put his arm around her shoulders and asked with a smile: “Are we of one mind now?”
Jiang Si glanced at him sideways: “Who’s of one mind with you?”
“We are, and you still won’t admit it.”
“Fine, if you say so.”
“We are…”
The sound of their playful banter filled the carriage.
On the way back to the Eastern Palace, the Crown Prince waited for the Crown Princess to catch up, asking irritably: “What were you dawdling for?”
“Just chatting with the Princess of Yan.”
“What could you possibly have to chat about?” The Crown Prince felt inexplicably agitated.
He still suspected that it was Seventh Brother’s people who had rescued the Princess of Yan’s sister that day, causing him to miss out on his prey and end up in a mess. Now, seeing the Princess of Yan getting close to the Crown Princess made him feel uneasy.
“Stay away from those people in the future. None of them have good intentions.”
The Crown Princess couldn’t be bothered to say more to the Crown Prince and replied flatly: “Understood.”
The Crown Prince was in a foul mood. Back at the Eastern Palace, not wanting to face the Crown Princess’s cold demeanor, he retreated to his study.
In these precarious times, seeking comfort with palace maids was out of the question, but he could still relieve his frustrations by looking at erotic paintings in his study.
The Crown Princess kept pondering Jiang Si’s words.
She wasn’t close to the Princess of Yan; their only connection was through the Prince of Yan saving Chun’er, which led to more interactions.
The Princess of Yan’s words weren’t particularly out of place, but the fact that she had deliberately brought it up seemed odd.
“Mother, did you visit Grandfather Emperor today?” Chun’er entered and greeted the Crown Princess respectfully.
“Yes, I did. How was your day at the academy, Chun’er?”
Chun’er smiled: “The teacher praised me for reciting my lessons well.”
The Crown Princess felt quite pleased and her lips curved slightly.
“Mother, don’t worry. Grandfather Emperor will surely recover,” Chun’er said earnestly, trying to comfort his mother.
After a moment’s thought, he added: “I’ll study even harder.”
Perhaps this way, his mother wouldn’t be unhappy every day.
Looking at her son acting like a little adult, the Crown Princess felt the urge to cry. She gently stroked Chun’er’s hair.
Her son was so intelligent and well-behaved, yet he was stuck with such a father.
If the Crown Prince caused an even bigger mess, how could they even hope for a peaceful life?
Her own life wasn’t worth much, but what about Chun’er?
No, she couldn’t just wait passively. She had to do her utmost to protect her Chun’er.
At that moment, the clever Crown Princess suddenly understood Jiang Si’s meaning.
If she brought Chun’er to show filial piety to Father Emperor, it would at least be better than doing nothing.
The Crown Princess quickly made up her mind. She picked up a bowl of golden millet porridge and, holding Chun’er’s hand, headed towards the Hall of Mental Cultivation.
“Your Majesty, the Crown Princess has brought the Crown Prince’s son to see you.”
Emperor Jingming was somewhat surprised.
His daughter-in-law was intelligent and proper, always knowing her place. She had already come once with the Crown Prince, and now she was here again with Chun’er, which was unexpected.
“Your Majesty, should we—”
“Let them in.”
The Crown Princess waited outside, feeling a bit nervous, her hand holding Chun’er’s was cold.
Chun’er, seeming to sense his mother’s anxiety, appeared even more well-behaved.
Pan Hai came out and said: “Crown Princess, Young Master, His Majesty summons you both.”
When the Crown Prince received the news, he rubbed his eyes in disbelief.
This wasn’t right. Father Emperor had seen all his sons and daughters-in-law, even the Crown Princess, but not him?
In the following days, the Crown Princess brought Chun’er to visit Emperor Jingming three times a day. Seeing his favorite grandson, the Emperor’s face gradually showed signs of joy.
Meanwhile, the Crown Prince grew increasingly anxious and summoned his officials to discuss countermeasures.