I started as a concubine, and I made the crown prince cry with my delicious food.

She returned to Tinglan Pavilion, dejected. As soon as she entered the courtyard, she saw Xiao Jingshi standing under the crabapple tree, seemingly waiting for her.

He saw her and immediately came to greet her: "An'an, you're back?"

Seeing her pale, bloodless face and swollen, red eyes, Xiao Jingshi's heart skipped a beat: "What did Mother say to you?"

His voice instantly turned cold. He knew his mother would definitely look for her, and he knew what his mother would say to her.

Looking at his face, which was filled with worry and tension, Ye An'an could no longer hold back her tears, which fell down her cheeks.

"Your Highness..." She threw herself into his arms and burst into tears like a child who had suffered a great injustice, "They all bullied me... They all wanted you to marry another woman..."

"They all say... they all say you should take a concubine..." Ye An'an said, choking back tears. "Empress Dowager also urged me to accept it... but I can't do it... I really can't..."

"I know I'm selfish, I know I shouldn't be like this... But Your Highness, I just can't do it..."

She cried her heart out, releasing all her grievances, fear, and resentment. Xiao Jingshi held her tightly, feeling as if his heart was being slowly torn apart by knives.

"Okay, stop crying, stop crying..." He patted her back awkwardly, his voice hoarse and full of heartache like never before.

Xiao Jingshi's eyes turned icy cold.

He knew that his mother's summons of An'an was definitely not for good purposes.

"An'an, listen to me," he cupped her face in his hands, looking earnestly into her eyes, "I will not take a concubine, never."

"But Mother said..."

"I don't care what the Empress Dowager says, or what anyone else says," Xiao Jingshi interrupted her. "In this life, I, Xiao Jingshi, only want you."

"What's twenty million taels of silver? Even if it were thirty million or forty million taels, you can forget about making me marry another woman!"

"It's my fault, I'm useless, that's why you have to suffer this injustice." A surge of anger and intense self-reproach burned fiercely in his chest.

He, a prince, couldn't even protect his own woman and child, and made her bear this pressure and grievance that she shouldn't have to bear!

"I'm going to the palace to see my father right now!" he said through gritted teeth, enunciating each word clearly. "I want to ask him if, in his eyes, I, the Crown Prince, am only worth twenty million taels of silver!"

"I want to see if, without those twenty million taels, this emperor really can't even afford to fight a war!"

He finished speaking and turned to leave. That resolute and destructive back view instantly snapped Ye An'an out of her grief.

No! We can't let him go!

She knew Xiao Jingshi was currently furious. If he were to actually rush into the imperial study and say those words to the emperor, the consequences would be unimaginable. At best, it would cause a rift between father and son; at worst, it could even threaten his position as crown prince!

The Grand Tutor and his cronies were just waiting to see him make a mistake and find something to use against him. He couldn't let himself fall into their trap like that!

"I will find a way to resolve the situation at the front," Xiao Jingshi wiped away her tears, "but I will never use you as an exchange."

"An'an, you must remember, you are my wife, my only wife in this life. No one can take you away from me, nor can anyone try to put another woman in my life."

"I'll kill anyone who dares."

When he said this, his eyes were terrifyingly cold, as if he really wanted to kill someone.

Ye An'an looked at him, and a warm feeling welled up in her heart.

She knew that her Ah Shi wouldn't let her down.

"But what about Mother..."

"I'll talk to Mother," Xiao Jingshi said, pulling her into his arms. "You don't need to worry about anything, just focus on your pregnancy."

"Leave the rest to me."

Ye An'an nodded and hugged him tightly.

"Your Majesty," said Granny Gui as she approached, "His Highness the Crown Prince is waiting outside, saying he wishes to see you."

Empress Wei withdrew her gaze and said calmly, "Let him in."

Soon, Xiao Jingshi strode in.

His face was icy cold, and his eyes were even more frighteningly cold.

"Your subject pays respects to Your Majesty." He bowed, his tone stiff.

"Jing Shi has arrived," Empress Wei turned to look at her son, "Is it about An'an?"

"Yes." Xiao Jingshi didn't beat around the bush. "Mother, I will not take a concubine."

"Jing Shi, you—"

"Mother, there's no need for further words," Xiao Jingshi interrupted her. "Your mind is made up. I will find other ways to raise the twenty million taels of silver. But there is absolutely no way I will take a concubine."

"Are you going to disregard national affairs for the sake of a woman?" Empress Wei's voice became stern.

"An'an is not 'a woman,' she is my wife, my only wife in this life," Xiao Jingshi said coldly. "As for matters of state, I have my own ways of handling them, so there is no need for Mother Empress to worry."

"You—" Empress Wei trembled with rage, "Are you trying to kill your mother with anger?"

"Your subject dares not," Xiao Jingshi bowed, "but on this matter, your subject will absolutely not back down."

"If Your Majesty has nothing else to say, I shall take my leave."

After saying that, he turned and left Fengyi Palace.

Empress Wei was so angry that she almost fainted when she saw her son's resolute departure.