“Forgive you?”

Zhao Yanluo smiled lightly.

“This Crown Prince position of mine depends on the Crown Prince’s virtue to maintain it. How dare I hold your offenses against you?”

These words—Zhao Yishi didn’t dare respond to even half a word. He could only remain silent.

These seventeen years, the Emperor had repeatedly considered deposing the Crown Prince, but was dissuaded each time. The Crown Prince’s benevolent character was one factor, but more importantly was consideration for him as Crown Prince.

The Emperor had once even sighed meaningfully before the civil and military officials: “We have a worthy Crown Prince!”

Just five light words made Prince Han’s expression turn iron, the Crown Prince’s face turn ashen, and the hearts of officials with hidden agendas turn cold with shock.

“The Crown Prince must be cursing me in his heart!”

Zhao Yishi’s voice trembled slightly. “Father, this son dares not!”

“Dares not!”

Zhao Yanluo suddenly struck with his cane.

“In your eyes, what is there you dare not do?”

This strike was fierce and sudden. Zhao Yishi grunted, his face turning deathly pale.

“Ji Lingchuan embezzled so much silver—whose power did he borrow, whose courage did he rely on? The Zhang family?”

Due to rage, the features on Zhao Yanluo’s face had twisted.

“I warned you again and again, again and again—people shouldn’t be too greedy, hearts shouldn’t be too dark. You all treated my words as wind passing by your ears. Behind my back, you engaged in every kind of dirty dealing. Do you still have me, the Crown Prince, in your eyes?”

Zhao Yishi still remained prostrate on the ground, speechless.

Zhao Yanluo most hated this silent, enduring appearance of his. “Lift your head!”

His cane struck Zhao Yishi’s head twice. Zhao Yishi had no choice but to raise his head and look directly at the Crown Prince.

The disgust on the Crown Prince’s face was unconcealed.

“Ji Lingchuan’s fate—he brought it upon himself. I won’t plead with the Emperor because I have no face to plead. But you—openly and covertly helping, even going to prison in his place.”

Zhao Yanluo laughed coldly again and again.

“Crown Prince, you’re afraid others won’t know of your virtue!”

Every word pierced the heart.

Zhao Yishi’s eyes reddened as he protested, “Father, if this son had such intentions, may heaven strike me down, may gods and men alike abandon me!”

“Abandoned by gods and men?”

Zhao Yanluo sneered until the flesh on his face quivered.

“With such actions, the Crown Prince shows both sentiment and righteousness. Who wouldn’t praise you? Even His Majesty, moved by the Crown Prince’s loyalty, pardoned Ji Lingchuan from the death penalty. How touching!”

“Father.”

Zhao Yishi finally gathered the courage he’d been accumulating.

“This son has sentiment and righteousness because Father taught well, and because Father himself has sentiment and righteousness. As heir apparent, Father’s every move is under scrutiny—it’s inconvenient to act. This son was carrying out Father’s command to save the Ji family.”

“Look at this—I clearly never told you to do anything, yet you’ve done everything there was to do.”

Zhao Yanluo, leaning on his cane, slowly stood his corpulent body.

“Worthy Crown Prince, you were born from me. Do you think I don’t know your thoughts?”

Zhao Yishi straightened his back, his expression forthright. “Father, I have no other thoughts. I simply don’t want Prince Han to succeed.”

“Prince Han succeeding?”

Zhao Yanluo struck his cane forcefully against the ground and roared, “You’re protecting your mother, protecting your maternal clan, protecting your own position as Crown Prince.”

“What’s wrong with that?”

Zhao Yishi suddenly smiled. “When parents prosper, children prosper. When children prosper, parents prosper. Glory shared, ruin shared.”

Zhao Yanluo hadn’t expected him to say such words. He froze for a moment, then raised his cane and struck heavily again, directly knocking Zhao Yishi to the ground.

“Get out!” he roared.

Zhao Yishi closed his eyes, slowly rising from the ground and bowing to Zhao Yanluo.

“This son takes his leave. Father, take care.”

He turned around, not immediately taking steps, but straightening his back and walking out of the courtyard step by step.

Outside the courtyard, Gao Xing personally stood guard. Seeing the Crown Prince emerge, his lips moved but he didn’t know what to say.

Zhao Yishi looked at him and smiled faintly. “See? Whatever I do is wrong!”

…

Evening, the Xie residence.

Xie Zhifei dismounted from his horse.

“Third Young Master has returned!”

A servant quickly came forward to take the reins, then said to Pei Xiao, “Lord Pei has come too. Please, come inside.”

Xie Zhifei: “Where are Father and Elder Brother?”

Servant: “In response to Third Young Master, Master and First Young Master both have social engagements outside tonight.”

“Then who summoned me back?”

“The Madam.”

Xie Zhifei frowned slightly and grabbed Pei Xiao’s hand. “Come with me to see my mother.”

Pei Xiao’s thoughts had long flown to Jingsi Residence, but having already said he came to pay respects to the Old Madam and Madam, he couldn’t take it back.

“Huangqi, deliver the roast duck to Miss Yan first. Let her eat it while it’s hot. Also, I’ll come see her shortly.”

Xie Zhifei pulled hard, nearly causing Pei Xiao to stumble.

“What are you pulling me for?”

“Don’t keep my mother waiting!”

Lady Wu resided in Zhichun Courtyard on the eastern route. Though the courtyard couldn’t compare to the Old Madam’s, it was quite peaceful.

Just as Xie Zhifei reached the courtyard entrance, he heard Du Yiyun’s voice.

His expression changed and he turned to leave without a word, forgetting he was still holding Pei Xiao’s hand.

Poor Lord Pei was yanked into another stumble and completely lost his temper.

“Xie Fifty, what the hell are you doing?”

With Lord Pei’s shout, how could those inside not hear?

A graceful figure came flying out from inside.

“Third Brother, you’re back?”

Pei Xiao silently rolled his eyes. No wonder Xie Fifty turned to leave—turned out this young lady was here!

Xie Zhifei smiled but his tone was flat. “Why are you here?”

“I’ve been here all day, just waiting for Third Brother to return!”

Du Yiyun looked at Xie Zhifei with heartache. “How did Third Brother become so thin?”

“Already gained some back.”

Xie Zhifei touched his chin, each word laden with meaning. “When I first went to the temple, I was even thinner. This body is truly useless.”

Hearing this, Du Yiyun felt even more distressed.

“Perfectly fine—how did you fall ill? Was it from overwork? Let’s resign from that position at the Bureau of Military Affairs. I’ll have my father find you a respectable yet easy position.”

“Why trouble Uncle?”

Xie Zhifei smiled guiltily. “The Bureau of Military Affairs doesn’t require sitting in the office—quite leisurely. By the way, have you eaten?”

“No, I’m waiting for Third Brother to eat together.”

Du Yiyun pouted her red lips coquettishly. “Third Brother, I had our family cook make red ginseng and old duck soup—most nourishing. You must have two more bowls later.”

Listening to this made Pei Xiao’s teeth ache. Unable to bear it, he said, “You two eat slowly. I’m going to Jingsi Residence to visit.”

“You’re not allowed to go!”

Xie Zhifei suddenly roared.

In that instant, deadly silence fell over the entire courtyard.

Even Xie Zhifei himself hadn’t anticipated this roar could be so loud. He awkwardly touched his nose.

“My mother hasn’t seen you yet. Who gave you permission to go!”

“Aiya, I completely forgot about that.”

Pei Xiao slapped his forehead in chagrin, straightened his clothing, then strode into the room.

Xie Zhifei was about to follow when Du Yiyun blocked his path.

“Third Brother, why is he going to Jingsi Residence? Does he know Miss Yan? How did they meet?”

Couldn’t answer a single question.

Didn’t want to answer either.

Xie Zhifei frowned. “I’m hungry. My head’s a bit dizzy.”

“Madam, Third Brother says he’s so hungry he’s dizzy. Let’s start the meal!”

Du Yiyun entered the room with a beaming smile, reaching out to shake Pei Xiao’s arm.

“Brother Mingting should also eat before leaving. If you really miss Miss Yan, let’s call her over to eat together. Wouldn’t that be lively?”