"Why? Isn't our current situation perfectly fine?"
Playing with the other's fingers casually, An Ning tilted her head slightly, not hiding the confusion on her face at all. But soon it turned into curiosity, her dark, sparkling eyes blinking without moving away from the person before her.
Her clear eyes seemed to reflect the image of the person before her, clearer than anything. Situ Jing instinctively held her tighter, then after a moment softened his voice, carrying a hint of gentle coaxing:
"Then does A-Ning want a more noble identity?"
"Such as Crown Princess, or even Empress..."
The last few words were spoken very softly by Situ Jing, in the vast space, only audible to the husband and wife.
Crown Princess? Empress? Lifting her head from the other person, An Ning first widened her eyes in shock, her first reaction not being that the other was joking, but:
"Wouldn't that be very exhausting?"
Never expecting this kind of reaction from the other, Situ Jing couldn't help but chuckle lightly, yet warmth seeped into his heart. He reached out and firmly clasped the jade-like hand of the person on him.
As their fingers intertwined, the man's voice before her grew even gentler, his gaze fixed unwaveringly on the person before him:
"It's alright, it won't be."
"It's just changing locations, I promise you, A-Ning, everything about our family of three will remain exactly as before."
"Then... can we still go play at the manor in winter?"
"What if I don't want to get up so early in the morning?"
"That's fine too, just like in the manor, A-Ning can sleep as long as she wants, no one will disturb you."
"Then... what about my mother and Mu Yang and the others..."
"Don't worry, whenever A-Ning wishes, anytime is possible."
"But isn't there supposed to be etiquette..."
As if thinking of something, An Ning rarely hesitated, her originally bright little face showing a trace of uncertainty.
Situ Jing, however, didn't mind at all, just held the woman in his arms tightly, his always gentle and elegant eyes fixed steadily on the person before him:
"A-Ning, since ancient times, the word 'etiquette' has always been set by people, and only the weak have ever been driven by it..."
"A-Ning, you and I, in the future, will be the ones who make the rules..."
"Wow, who would have thought? This convenient husband appears to be a gentle gentleman on the surface, but he's actually quite domineering?"
Only after the person left did the system stealthily poke its head out, speaking with emotion.
"But host, are you really going to trust him?"
After all, this is the Crown Prince, the future emperor! Having three palaces and six courtyards is almost customary—it sounds so unreliable.
The system couldn't help but sigh.
An Ning, however, nodded with a smile, her lotus-like bright face still as radiant as ever:
"Trust him? Since he's already made a promise, why shouldn't I trust him?"
Ignoring the nearly bulging eyes of a certain dog, playing with the fresh flower branch in her hand, An Ning continued in her usual light tone:
"At least right now his sincerity is undeniable, so why should I insist on doubting him?" There's no need, really.
"Don't worry, as long as everything ends before he changes his mind, wouldn't that still count as him loving me and being sincere to me for a lifetime?"
It's just that if it's too early, her own son might have to work a bit harder.
Her fair hand broke the flower branch, under the sunlight, the beauty and the delicate flower complemented each other, becoming even more dazzling and captivating...
Just one glance could make one sink into it, forgetting all possible dangers within.
The conversation that day quickly passed, and at Jingyu Prince Manor, the daily life of An Ning's family of three remained as usual, still eating, drinking, and having fun every day, occasionally meeting with young lady friends. Except for the father and son spending more time in the palace, everything seemed no different from before.
Unfortunately, having just managed to clean up the court forces, the Mingde Emperor acted just as quickly, almost impatiently.
Just after Young Master Rui's fifth birthday, during one morning court session, the Mingde Emperor issued an imperial decree that completely stirred up a huge wave in the recently calmed court.
What? Prince Jingyu isn't the Empress Dowager's son, but the biological son of the current emperor and Consort Shu!
What? Back then, because the Empress Dowager's youngest son died at birth, she was once mentally distraught with grief. To comfort the Empress Dowager's pain of losing a child, the current emperor, out of filial piety, placed his biological son under the Empress Dowager's name.
Now the Empress Dowager has finally come to understand, emerging from the shadows of that day, deeply feeling that father-son affection must not be lost, hence ordering Prince Jing to return to his rightful position!
Of course, the most important thing was the final point—the current emperor wants to establish Prince Jingyu as Crown Prince!!! Crown Prince?
All court ministers: ""
Are we people really that stupid and foolish? No, such a careless excuse—is His Majesty, seeing that great power is within grasp, not even willing to pretend anymore?
Also, recognizing your own son as a younger brother—such an outrageous operation throughout history is unmatched!
How to put it? The current emperor's words aren't surprising!
In fact, this excuse was so blatantly lazy it's unbearable to look at, not to mention all the court ministers, even An Ning felt it was extremely perfunctory after hearing it.
She couldn't help but sweat for the Empress Dowager in the palace.
This... is simply too filial!
However, no matter how much gossip there was in the front court or the rear palace, nothing could stop the true determination of a feudal emperor who held great power.
Oppose? Look at those earlier who were killed until only the family registry remained, and the princes who were almost stripped bare earlier.
Not to mention anything else, this emperor really holds grudges! Especially when it involves that person...
In short, amidst the silence of all the court ministers, just after Young Master Rui's fifth birthday, the family of three packed their bags and moved into the already renovated Eastern Palace.
It was only then that everyone suddenly realized that Prince Jingyu—no, the esteemed Crown Prince—beside the Crown Princess, actually had no concubines or even chamber maids.
Even regarding offspring, there was only the five-year-old prince's son. Glancing at the composed Minister of Revenue nearby, the great ministers exchanged looks, and those with intentions soon had ideas:
For a time, countless memorials were submitted.
At the same time, in the imperial study.
Not even glancing at the repetitive and meaningless memorials before him, looking at the imperial father whose status had drastically changed before him, Situ Jing's face remained gentle, but his tone couldn't help but question:
"If with Imperial Father's full support, your son still cannot control the court, how could I possibly deserve the position of Crown Prince!"
"Besides, Imperial Father also knows the Crown Princess's temperament—if we bring others in, how is that different from taking A-Ning's life?"
"Imperial Father, people should always make choices; this is the principle you taught me earlier..."