Do you know: I am Qi Heng

How could you have such a thought?

Qi Xuan was startled, and the doubt in his heart completely disappeared.

Princess Pingning was so angry that she couldn't think of anything else.

But Qi Xuan was different. On his way to the ancestral hall, he was wondering why Qi Heng's temperament had suddenly changed so drastically.

Qi Heng has always been humble and polite since childhood, and has never talked back to his parents like he did before.

He worried that he might have been possessed by some evil spirit, which caused his drastic change in personality.

"There's nothing I can do, I'm so depressed, I'm almost driven crazy!" Qi Heng said numbly.

He knew very well that his drastic change in personality would inevitably arouse his parents' suspicion.

Moreover, it won't be easy to get Princess Pingning to change her mind.

Princess Pingning did indeed make changes in the future, but that was because the Prince of Yan rebelled, and she witnessed it firsthand in the palace.

This major change made her realize the truth.

Of course, it's also possible that her change stemmed from guilt.

After all, Qi Heng was unwilling to marry Princess Jiacheng. If she had agreed to Qi Heng marrying Minglan earlier, there wouldn't have been so many problems.

She felt that she was responsible for all of this, and it was out of guilt that she changed.

Regardless of the possibility, Qi Heng would never allow his family to experience such a thing, nor could he wait until that time.

Therefore, there was only one way for him to change Princess Pingning's mind: to take advantage of her maternal love.

Princess Pingning's maternal love for Qi Heng is beyond doubt.

He said this to tell Princess Pingning that he was being driven crazy by her.

Pingning County's main problem is that she doesn't restrain her desire for control, so he should act even more crazy.

Only by threatening his safety can Princess Pingning be forced to make a change.

Qi Xuan felt a pang in his heart when he saw his son's numb expression.

Even in later generations, few men could tolerate the strong personality of Princess Pingning.

Not to mention in ancient times when the ideology was even more feudal.

Qi Xuan himself was also somewhat repressed, but he had a soft personality, and Princess Pingning focused all her attention on her son, which relieved him of much pressure.

Therefore, he had no doubt about Qi Heng's words.

"Heng'er, don't overthink it. Go back to your room and rest. I'll talk to your mother about it."

Qi Xuan wanted to give his son some advice, but he was afraid that saying too much would upset him, so he could only speak gently.

"Father, please go and rest. I feel calmer in the ancestral hall, so I'll stay here for a while," Qi Heng said.

"The weather is cold now, and you've just recovered; how can you stand it?"

Qi Xuan advised, "Listen to your father, go back and get a good night's sleep. I will persuade your mother to change her ways."

Upon hearing this, Qi Heng lowered his head and remained silent. Qi Xuan offered a few more words of advice, but Qi Heng could only sigh helplessly and turn to leave the ancestral hall.

Not long after he left, several maids brought in several basins of charcoal and placed them not far from Qi Heng.

.........

The main house in the backyard.

Princess Pingning finished washing up, put on her undergarments, and sat on the edge of the bed.

Hearing the commotion outside, she quickly pulled back the covers and lay down, turning to face inwards.

Qi Xuan entered the bedroom, sat down by the bed, looked at his wife, and said in a deep voice, "Madam, just now Heng'er..."

"What did you say?"

Upon hearing that Qi Heng was conscious while unconscious and even felt that death was a relief, Princess Pingning sat up abruptly and anxiously asked, "Is Heng'er saying this on purpose to scare us?"

"When Heng'er spoke, he looked numb and his eyes were lifeless. He didn't seem to be faking it," Qi Xuan shook his head.

"But...but I was doing it all for his own good!"

Princess Pingning murmured, "In Bianjing, with so many noble families, who wouldn't praise Heng'er?"

"Heng'er began his education at the age of five and has been studying diligently all these years. His teachers have all praised him for his humility and understanding."

Qi Xuan said, "But has Madam considered that among the noble families of Bianjing, who isn't playful at his age?"

That's a child's nature, and Heng'er naturally has it too. It's not that he doesn't want to play, but rather that you're too strict with him.

“But we only have one son. If we don’t discipline him strictly, are we going to let him become like those spoiled brats?” Princess Pingning retorted.

"I didn't say that discipline is wrong, but some harmless things don't need to be strictly controlled."

Qi Xuan said, "Be strict where you need to be, and lenient where you need to be. He's still young and emotionally fragile. If you're too strict with him, he'll be under too much pressure."

We only have one son, are we really going to drive him crazy?

Princess Pingning lowered her head and pondered for a long time before asking, "Has Heng'er gone back?"

"He's still kneeling in the ancestral hall. I couldn't persuade him, so I had a maid bring him several basins of charcoal!"

"No, I have to go check it out!"

Princess Pingning was about to get up when she spoke.

"You'd better not go!"

Qi Xuan said, "He was just traumatized. If you go over there, you might start arguing. Let him calm down first."

"But it's so cold in the ancestral hall. Even if there's a charcoal fire, how can he endure it all night?" Princess Pingning asked worriedly.

"When Heng'er entered, he asked the gatekeeper to fetch a doctor to treat the two gatekeepers who had been punished."

Qi Xuan said, "I asked them, and they are both fine. I asked Buwei to go and tell Heng'er the news. After he knows, his worries will be relieved, and he should go back."

"I see."

Princess Pingning nodded blankly, lay down again, pulled the blanket over herself, turned her back to Qi Xuan, and seemed lost in thought.

Do you know where Heng'er went out tonight?

Qi Xuan said, "He has been eating bland food these past few days, but he couldn't resist going out to Fanlou for a meal. After eating, he brought Buwei back with him."

Princess Pingning did not speak, but her hands clenched tightly under the covers.

A few days ago, Qi Heng caught a cold. After recovering, the doctor advised him to eat a light diet for the first two days, and if his complexion returned to normal, he would not need to avoid any foods.

But she was still worried, so she changed the time to five days.

If she hadn't made that request, Qi Heng wouldn't have run away.

So she caused all of this?

…………

"Young master, the doctor has already treated them; they are fine!"

He bowed and said, "I will not enter the ancestral hall."

"That's good!"

Qi Heng breathed a sigh of relief and stood up, supporting himself.

Because I had been kneeling for a long time, my legs were a little numb, and I stumbled when I stood up.

"Young master, are you alright?"

Buwei hurriedly stepped forward to help Qi Heng up.

"It's nothing, I just knelt for too long."

Qi Heng rubbed his legs and stomped his feet. Feeling the discomfort subside, he said, "Let's go."

"Quickly fetch the young master's cloak!" Buwei hurriedly ordered.

The maid who was tending the brazier quickly fetched a cloak and draped it over Qi Heng.

The two left the courtyard where the ancestral hall was located and walked along the covered walkway towards the Purple Bamboo Courtyard where Qi Heng lived.

In the courtyard, directly opposite the study, there is a small patch of purple bamboo.

This was planted when the predecessor was young, and the name of the courtyard was changed to Zizhuyuan (Purple Bamboo Courtyard).

In the mild and humid spring and autumn seasons, I love to sit by the window and read.

A gentle breeze rustles through the bamboo leaves, creating a sound that is not noisy but rather like music played by the wind.

"Young master."

Nanxing, who was waiting outside, greeted Qi Heng with delight upon his return.

Seeing her pale face, Qi Heng frowned and said, "Everyone says it's cold now, and there's no need to leave anyone waiting outside. Why didn't you listen?"