Do you know: I am Qi Heng

"Young master, it's cold outside, why don't you come inside?"

At this moment, Granny Feng came out. She was Princess Pingning's personal maid and had grown up with her.

Even when Princess Pingning entered the palace, she was brought into the palace with her.

Of all the servants in the Qi family, Princess Pingning trusted her the most.

From the time Qi Heng was six years old and began living alone, Princess Pingning assigned her to manage the maids in the courtyard.

"Mother Feng".

Qi Heng remained very polite to Granny Feng, his tone softening as he said, "Didn't I instruct you that it's cold outside, so there's no need to have someone guarding outside all the time?"

"As you instructed, I didn't send anyone to guard outside. But since you haven't returned for a long time, I sent Nanxing out to keep an eye on things," said Granny Feng.

"I misunderstood Madam Feng."

Qi Heng said, "It's getting late, Madam Feng should get some rest."

It wasn't that he believed what Granny Feng said, but rather that Granny Feng had always been very kind to him.

Princess Pingning sent her to Qi Heng's courtyard not only because she trusted her, but also to keep an eye on Qi Heng.

Although Granny Feng would report everything, big or small, to Princess Pingning, she would deliberately downplay some minor, harmless matters.

Normally, she wouldn't say anything about what Qi Heng did, as long as it wasn't a big problem.

This is also why Qi Heng respects her.

"Why."

Granny Feng said, "I've asked the kitchen to prepare some snacks. If the young master is hungry, he can eat some before going to sleep."

"Okay, I understand."

Qi Heng nodded, entered the house, and then left after bowing.

"Young master, may I wash up now?"

Lian Qiao stepped forward, took off Qi Heng's cloak, and asked.

"Yeah, I'm a little tired."

"Please rest a moment, young master. I will go and prepare hot water right away!" Lian Qiao said, bowing slightly.

Qi Heng entered the inner bedroom, where Bai Zhi, who was warming the bed, called out, "Young Master."

He had more than a dozen maids in his courtyard, including four first-class maids: Nanxing, Lianqiao, Baizhi, and Shaoyao.

The four of them served her personally, while the other maids were responsible for assisting with tasks such as cleaning and laundry.

Nanxing and Shaoyao helped Qi Heng take off his outer clothes, and Lianqiao led several maids in, carrying washing utensils and hot water.

Qi Heng first rinsed his mouth with willow twigs and salt, and then had his maidservant help him wash his face and feet.

After washing up, Bai Zhi came to the bedside, lifted the quilt and got out of bed, wearing only her undergarments.

Qi Heng quickly turned his head away, and only after she had bowed and gone to the side to get dressed did he get into bed.

Lianqiao covered Qi Heng with the blanket, carrying the lingering fragrance of the young girl.

"May you rest well, my lord!"

Lianqiao lowered the bed curtains, while Nanxing and the others blew out the candles, leaving a nightlight on.

The four women bowed to the bed. Bai Zhi and Shao Yao went to the small room connected to the bedroom, while Lian Qiao and Nan Xing left with their maids.

Bai Zhi and Shao Yao will take turns keeping watch tonight. The night light is left on so that Qi Heng can get up at night and they can add charcoal to the fire.

The room fell silent. Qi Heng put his hands behind his head and stared intently as he carefully recalled his conversation with his father and mother.

"We'll know tomorrow whether it works or not."

.........

The next day, Qi Heng got up, washed up with the help of a maid, and went to the main hall in the backyard to pay his respects to his parents.

As he entered the main hall, Qi Heng glanced at Princess Pingning's expression. Although she was expressionless, her face was not cold.

He was secretly pleased; it seemed his words from yesterday had worked.

It's unrealistic to expect Princess Pingning to have a complete awakening all at once; Qi Heng would be quite satisfied if she could make even the slightest change.

"Father and Mother, are you well?" Qi Heng bowed respectfully.

Qi Xuan glanced at his wife, and seeing that she didn't seem inclined to speak, he smiled and nodded, "I'm fine, I'm fine. Someone, bring the meal!"

"yes!"

One of the maids standing by responded and hurried away.

"Let's eat first. I still have to go to the yamen to work today," Qi Xuan said.

He was appointed as the Deputy Salt Transport Commissioner of the Gyeonggi Circuit, a lucrative position he obtained thanks to Princess Pyeongnyeong.

Otherwise, most of the fallen nobles like him would only hold honorary titles without any real power.

Of course, although Qi Xuan held a formal position, he didn't actually have much real power in his daily life.

His position as deputy salt transport commissioner was optional.

However, he got his position through his wife, and if he didn't take up the post, people would inevitably criticize him.

Therefore, he would go to work whenever he needed to.

Princess Pingning didn't say anything, but got up and walked towards the dining room.

"Let's go."

Qi Xuan gave Qi Heng a wink, and the father and son followed him to the dining room and sat down.

Soon after, the maid brought the food, and the family of three began to eat.

"Heng'er, now that you're better, it's time for you to go back to the Imperial Academy. You can't neglect your studies," Qi Xuan said.

"I understand."

Although Qi Heng harbored resentment towards studying, he didn't say anything.

He was only twelve years old after the New Year, an age when he should have been in school.

This has nothing to do with whether or not one takes the imperial examinations.

"With the year-end approaching, the Imperial Academy will soon be closed. Let's go after the New Year. Come with me to the palace today."

At this moment, Princess Pingning spoke up, saying, "The Empress Dowager is heartbroken because of the young prince's death. She loves Heng'er the most, so having him come to the palace might cheer her up."

Upon hearing this, Qi Heng's lips curled into a slight smile. He barely managed to restrain himself and said, "Your son will listen to Mother!"

He wasn't happy because he didn't have to study; going to the palace was far more boring than studying.

Qi Heng was pleased with Princess Pingning's change. With her strong personality, she usually didn't explain what she said; it was more like an order.

Qi Xuan glanced at his wife and smiled slightly.

After breakfast, Qi Xuan changed into his official robes and went out to work.

Princess Pingning then ordered a carriage to be prepared, and took Qi Heng by carriage to the palace.

Inside the car, neither the mother nor the son spoke.

"Mother, are the Emperor and the Empress alright?" Qi Heng took the initiative to start the conversation.

No matter what, Princess Pingning is his mother.

In feudal society, filial piety almost reached a pathological level.

Qi Heng simply wanted to change Princess Pingning's domineering nature, to make her respect him and stop treating him like a child with such a strong desire for control.

Instead of wanting to strain the mother-son relationship.

"The death of the young prince was a huge blow to the Emperor. He was bedridden for half a month and only recently recovered enough to see his court officials."

However, when court officials met with the emperor, they suggested establishing an heir apparent. Rumors also circulated that the Empress Dowager had murdered the young prince.

"The court officials' advice and those rumors have greatly angered the Emperor. The current situation is still unclear," said Princess Pingning.

"That's a bit much!" Qi Heng said, frowning.

"Hmm?" Princess Pingning looked at Qi Heng with a puzzled expression.

"Although the officials in the court were doing it for the good of the court, the emperor had just died and was still grieving the loss of his son when they forced him to establish an heir."

"This could very well provoke the champion and cause the officials to make impulsive decisions," Qi Heng said.

Actually, he had a question when he watched the show in his previous life.

Since the emperor had neither sons nor brothers, the pool of candidates for an heir was actually very wide.

The decision-making power rests with the government, and there should be no controversy about it.