Ever since Prince Mu obtained the “imperial edict,” his heart had been restless. Day after day, he hoped for Emperor Mingkang’s early demise. The reason he held back was partly because secret preparations needed time, and partly because he was waiting for Prince Rui’s death to be confirmed. Then he would be the unique heir, and the “imperial edict” would be unnecessary.

Who would have thought that after waiting and waiting, he would wait for a vigorous and lively Prince Rui to return? How could this not drive Prince Mu to distraction?

“No, no, I must hurry now.” Prince Mu heavily pounded the wall and said through gritted teeth, “Why won’t he just die!”

The “old one who won’t die,” Emperor Mingkang, was very gratified to see his son, who had nearly died outside: “It’s good that you’ve returned.”

He had said so – he had sent Fifth Son to Mount Lingtai to pray for blessings. Heaven should have assisted, so how could Fifth Son die outside?

Sure enough, hadn’t Fifth Son returned safe and sound?

Emperor Mingkang carefully examined Prince Rui and nodded with satisfaction.

Hmm, Fifth Son looked even plumper than when they had met three years ago.

Emperor Mingkang then asked about Prince Rui’s experiences during this period.

Prince Rui had escaped death entirely thanks to the personal guards sent by Shao Mingyuan. At this moment, he was full of gratitude toward Shao Mingyuan, but knowing well Emperor Mingkang’s taboos, he naturally didn’t mention a single word about it, picking out the most perilous events to recount.

“So you’re saying there were indeed bandits mixed in among those refugees?”

“Yes, Father Emperor. There was a group among the refugees with superior martial skills. Most of my guards perished at their hands, and the rest were scattered. Then I was pushed into the river, but fortunately Father Emperor blessed me so I could return safely.”

Emperor Mingkang pondered for a while and said, “The bandits who accused Lan Songquan are still imprisoned in the Ministry of Justice dungeon. Have the Minister of Justice take you to identify them.”

Going to identify people was merely going through the motions for Prince Rui. He wasn’t a fool – having finally brought down the Lan father and son, why would he seek to vindicate them? Over the years, the Lan father and son had given him plenty of trouble, clearly standing on Prince Mu’s side.

This matter was thus settled conclusively. Prince Rui returned to his residence to bathe, change clothes, and burn incense, sleeping soundly for two days before finally recovering.

Thinking that this trip through the gates of hell was only survived thanks to the Marquis Guanjun’s guards, Prince Rui pondered for a long time, then went to see Li Jiǎo.

During the period when Prince Rui’s life and death were uncertain, Li Jiǎo had grown much thinner. Her chin was so sharp it could almost be used as an awl, her slender waist barely filling one’s grasp. Having changed to summer garments, she looked as if she might be blown away by the wind.

Seeing this, Prince Rui couldn’t help feeling some pity. Holding Li Jiǎo’s hand, he said: “I’ve made you worry during this time.”

Li Jiǎo immediately shed tears: “My worry means nothing – it’s good that Your Highness is safe. If Your Highness truly had met with misfortune, I could only have followed you in death. I held on until now because I believed Your Highness has great fortune and would certainly be safe…”

Prince Rui was even more moved hearing this, tightening his grip on Li Jiǎo’s hand: “Jiǎo Niang, this prince intends to request that you be granted the position of secondary consort.”

If Lady Li became a secondary consort, the Li family would barely count as proper relatives. Then, using Li Jiǎo’s name to frequently visit the Marquis Guanjun’s wife, others could find no fault.

And naturally, his relationship with the Marquis Guanjun could advance further.

Li Jiǎo trembled all over, wildly joyful in her heart, yet showed nothing on her face. With lowered brows and compliant eyes, she said: “What virtue or ability does this concubine possess to deserve the position of secondary consort? The sisters in the residence either entered the household earlier than I, or have borne little princes for Your Highness—”

Prince Rui smiled dismissively: “What does entering early matter? Who in the residence has a more noble birth than you? Your uncle is a high official at court, your father a refined Hanlin scholar. Speaking of it, even becoming a secondary consort would be beneath you. As for little princes, you’ve already borne this prince an eldest daughter. Why worry about not bearing little princes in the future?”

Li Jiǎo suppressed her inner excitement and bowed to Prince Rui: “This concubine deeply thanks Your Highness for your generous love!”

She had finally waited for this moment. Though it was only a secondary consort, there was no primary consort in the residence, so she would reign supreme in the future.

Moreover, among the many concubines in the prince’s residence, she could surpass the two concubines who had borne sons to become secondary consort – this showed the prince truly held her in his heart.

Prince Rui had suffered greatly outside, and now with a beauty before him showing such complete compliance, he couldn’t help being stirred. He pulled Li Jiǎo over and kissed her.

Li Jiǎo was beside herself with joy and unconsciously let go of her reserved dignity as a well-bred young lady. For a moment, this made Prince Rui taste the marrow and crave more, demanding her twice before finally resting.

Prince Rui’s ordeal had arisen from praying for blessings on Emperor Mingkang’s behalf. Emperor Mingkang knew this well and quickly approved Prince Rui’s request for ennoblement.

When Empress Dowager Yang heard the news, she summoned Prince Rui: “I hear you want to request that Lady Li be granted secondary consort status?”

Prince Rui replied: “Grandson’s residence has long lacked a mistress – it should have someone to manage affairs.”

“Hasn’t Qian Niang been managing the prince’s residence affairs all along? I think she’s capable – she’s kept that whole establishment running smoothly all these years.”

“Though Qian Niang is good, she’s merely a personal maid of the former consort by birth, and having no children, granting her secondary consort status might invite criticism.”

Hearing this, the Empress Dowager smiled: “If we’re discussing offspring, don’t you have two concubines in your residence who bore you sons?”

“Those two – one is a butcher’s daughter, the other a dancing girl by birth – they’re even less presentable.”

“Alright, I understand.”

After dismissing Prince Rui, Empress Dowager Yang immediately sent Lai Xi to request Emperor Mingkang’s presence.

Though Emperor Mingkang was emotionally distant toward his consorts and children, he was filial toward his mother. He immediately set aside his current tasks and went to the Cining Palace.

Looking at her immortal, ethereal son, Empress Dowager Yang’s brow twitched. She silently recited “Amitabha” and spoke: “That Zhang’er could return safely has finally set my heart at ease after days of worry.”

“I troubled Mother Empress with worry.”

Empress Dowager Yang glanced at Emperor Mingkang, then changed her tone: “However, my heart is only half at ease.”

Emperor Mingkang assumed a posture of serious listening.

“Princess Rui has been gone for several years now. Such a large prince’s residence doesn’t even have someone to manage affairs. When news of Zhang’er’s incident reached me, my heart felt like it was being fried in oil. I thought, if Zhang’er met with misfortune, what would become of Prince Rui’s residence? Several newborn children don’t even have a legitimate mother – surely they can’t be raised by concubines?”

“Mother Empress means—”

“I think we should select a new consort for Zhang’er.”

When Princess Rui had died of illness and Prince Rui’s several children died in succession, officials and nobles had grown suspicious, all afraid to send their carefully raised daughters into the prince’s residence.

Becoming a successor consort was a good thing, but if one backed the wrong side, that would drag down the entire family.

Emperor Mingkang and the Empress Dowager understood this well, so they had temporarily set aside the matter of selecting a consort for Prince Rui.

“Does Mother Empress have someone in mind?”

Empress Dowager Yang raised her eyelids: “A few days ago, Old Madam of Marquis Liuxing brought her sixth daughter to the palace to see me. I thought that girl looked quite good.”

Emperor Mingkang’s eyelid twitched. After brief consideration, he agreed.

Fifth Son was older and had merit for going to pray for blessings on his behalf. Selecting his successor consort from the Empress Dowager’s maternal family could be considered a sign of his attitude.

Of course, he hadn’t spoken directly – if Fifth Son later displeased him, he could still change things at any time.

Three days later, a palace eunuch arrived at Prince Rui’s residence bearing an imperial edict.

Li Jiǎo was overjoyed and hurried to the front to receive the decree.