She refused to marry.

Xiao Xuanjing slowly walked out of Xian'an Palace. It was already a bit chilly outside. He wondered if his wife had settled in yet.

They are still hiding.

Since his mother had been involved in his marriage, she should be able to accept this generous gift.

Jian Qingshan followed behind his master and asked, "My lord, should we inform Her Highness the Princess about this?"

Xiao Xuanjing chuckled and strolled down the steps. "His Majesty has spoiled her too much. Even if she has done it many times, it's time for her to restrain herself now."

"Once Prince Changxin enters the capital, perhaps..." Jian Qingshan nervously gripped the hilt of his sword.

"He won't kill his brother to seize power. With his mother around, he wouldn't dare." Xiao Xuanjing walked slowly under the red wall.

Looking at the long corridor, I thought of the lady's face and couldn't control myself.

After pausing for quite some time, they slowly made their way to the Yonghe Temple.

Inside the Yonghe Temple.

His Majesty has already retired for the night.

The Empress Dowager sat to one side, her face grim, but thankfully the Eldest Princess was there to keep her company.

"Mother, don't worry. My brother has just lain down. I'll take you to rest." The eldest princess walked up to the Empress Dowager and took her arm.

"Very well, there's nothing I can do sitting here anyway." The Empress Dowager stood up and glanced back at the Emperor.

All his ailments came about after he ascended the throne.

They finally had a chance to rest and let go, but they raised a rebellious son like the Crown Prince.

Why is all this happening?

She ate vegetarian food and chanted Buddhist prayers only to atone for her sins, but God still wouldn't let her child go.

"Mother, let's go," the eldest princess said softly.

After a long sigh, the Empress Dowager took the hand of the eldest princess and walked out.

The two had just left the palace.

Then, Feng Chenjun walked in from the front hall.

"Your humble servant greets the Empress Dowager and the Princess." Xiao Xuanjing stepped forward and bowed.

"When did things become so distant?" The Empress Dowager frowned.

"At home, she is a mother; once she enters the palace, she becomes a subject." Xiao Xuanjing raised his eyes.

"Hmph..." The eldest princess snorted coldly.

"We're all family. His Majesty's health is deteriorating. You shouldn't cause trouble for your mother. Just take good care of His Majesty and keep the court stable." The Empress Dowager sat down on a chair to the side.

"Your Majesty the Empress Dowager is right." Xiao Xuanjing stepped aside and stood to the side.

"What's wrong with you today?" The Empress Dowager felt something was amiss. "It's just that the new wife has left. Tomorrow I will personally choose one for you, no worse than that Su family girl."

"Thank you, Your Majesty. I already have a new wife, so there is no need for you to trouble yourself further." Xiao Xuanjing's face darkened.

"I know you are unwilling, and your mother is only speaking up for me. Now the court is leaderless, Prince Changxin is eyeing us covetously, and the powerful families probably have other plans. If things really get out of hand, the national treasury will be empty, which is really a difficult situation..." The Empress Dowager lowered her head and rubbed her temples.

"Your Majesty, Prince Changxin has set off for the capital and will arrive soon," Xiao Xuanjing said calmly.

"What did you say!" The eldest princess jumped up from her chair, asking again in disbelief, "Who did you say? Prince Changxin?"

"Prince Changxin," Xiao Xuanjing said coldly.

The eldest princess steadied her breath, gripping the edge of the chair tightly, her voice trembling slightly, "He can't return to the capital, never!"

"What if his son is about to enter the Eastern Palace?" Xiao Xuanjing asked his mother coldly.

His usually proud mother looked flustered and surprised.

"Say it again!" The princess walked up to him and slapped him across the face.

"Prince Changxin is going to the capital? Do you even know what you're talking about? I'm fine with what his arrival means, but the Xiao family is the real culprit behind this failure! What do you know!"

The princess felt her breathing become uncontrollable. She took several deep breaths and held onto the nanny's hand before she regained her senses.

"We have given everything, step by step, to get to where we are today. Can't you see the sacrifices the Xiao family has made for you, or the cultivation His Majesty has shown you? Is this how you repay us?" The eldest princess disregarded her princess etiquette and pointed at Xiao Xuanjing, her anger barely contained.

"Your mind is made up." Xiao Xuanjing slowly turned his head to the side.

"You!" The eldest princess was so angry she couldn't speak. "You—you're just doing this to get revenge on me! What's so great about that Su family girl that she's worth treating me like this? You—what's the difference between you and that beast from the Eastern Palace?!"

The princess angrily pushed Xiao Xuanjing away, but fortunately a nanny stopped her, preventing a second slap from landing.

The Empress Dowager was also anxious and stood up to comfort her, "Princess, watch your words and actions. No matter how wrong Jing'er is, she is still someone you raised yourself. You must not lose face as a mother."

"Mother..." The princess's sharp face suddenly broke into a sob. "Mother, he's the only one in my life. I've been good to him in every way, but he only remembers the things I did wrong. Has he ever understood me...?"

After saying this, he buried his head in the Empress Dowager's arms and sobbed softly.

The Empress Dowager comforted her daughter's back, but felt even worse inside.

Xiao Xuanjing took a deep breath, his voice even colder, "Mother, from a young age you have always wanted me to be obedient and to be above everyone else in everything."

Everything I do is to please my mother. When she smiles, I am free.

But I am a human being, a person of flesh and blood, with joy and sorrow. Mother, have you ever even glanced at me?

Whatever I like, you take it away from me.

"From childhood to adulthood, I have always obeyed you." Xiao Xuanjing's throat tightened with emotion.

"When I was little, I was Yuluo, and now I am your new wife. My mother doesn't like them, so she wants to take them away without any regard for my feelings."

"Who does Xiao Yuluo think she is? She pesters you every day, ruining your studies. I did what I did, what's wrong with that?" The princess said sharply.

Xiao Xuanjing met his gaze coldly, "Yes, Mother has done it."

"You don't need to hold a grudge against her. She did it for your own good," the Empress Dowager comforted her.

Xiao Xuanjing slowly turned his gaze to the outside of the palace. "From childhood to adulthood, my mother has always told me that everything I do in the future is for Your Majesty."

But when I was imprisoned, all alone, sitting in the dungeon, did you ever think of my well-being?

None of the officials, His Majesty, or even the Empress Dowager sent anyone to visit him.

Only one unmarried young woman was implicated by me and is now imprisoned with me, guarding my already foul-smelling body and taking meticulous care of me.

If she hadn't had Ying Zheng deliver the medicine, I would have died in prison long ago.

How did we come to this point?

The hall suddenly fell silent.

The Empress Dowager remained silent; someone had to bear the consequences of all this.

"I am determined to support Ying Zheng to ascend to the position of Crown Prince. I have come today to inform you both." After saying this, Xiao Xuanjing went to his bedchamber.

The eldest princess and the empress dowager were left staring at each other in astonishment.