A wicked mother swaps her son and sucks his blood? The true legitimate daughter is reborn and goes o

Xie Yunli originally intended to go to the Imperial Study with his fourth brother to discuss matters.

Given the current situation, he doesn't need to go.

Xie Yunli dismissed the eunuch, the eunuch's words echoing in his ears, and the image of Song Qingning appearing in his mind. The feelings hidden deep in his heart leaked out a little uncontrollably, but were quickly hidden again.

He stood there for a while before turning around and leaving the palace.

When Xie Xuanjin ascended the throne, he entered the court, was granted the title of Prince, and was even granted a fiefdom in an unprecedented manner.

The former Prince Yu's Mansion has been renamed and is now Prince Li's Mansion.

Xie Yunli went to the Jingzhao Yin (prefect of the capital) and then began searching for a renowned doctor. By the time he returned to the Prince's residence, it was already night.

Since Prince Yu was executed, Princess Yu began to practice vegetarianism and chant Buddhist scriptures, rarely leaving the palace.

She used to be in the Buddhist hall, but today she was in Xie Yunli's studio, waiting for him.

Xie Yunli loved art and literature. He painted occasionally, but this studio was mostly used to store and collect paintings.

After Rou'an left the capital, Xie Yunli stored the paintings Rou'an had painted in this studio. When Rou'an traveled to the great rivers, she would occasionally have some paintings sent back, which were also placed here.

When Princess Yu misses Rou'an, she comes to this painting studio to spend some time.

But today, Princess Yu's expression was clearly different.

Xie Yunli noticed it as soon as he entered the studio.

"Mother Consort," Xie Yunli bowed.

Seeing the brocade box on the desk in front of her, he immediately understood why his mother's expression was strange.

"Mother..."

A hint of guilt flashed in Xie Yunli's eyes, as if his secret had been discovered.

He wanted to explain, but when he opened his mouth, he didn't know how to explain.

Princess Consort Yu sighed. "Today, Rou'an sent another painting back, so I put it in. Rou'an also sent a letter saying that she will be returning to the capital soon."

"Really?" Xie Yunli's face lit up with joy.

He saw Rou'an once after leaving the capital.

It has been several months since the brother and sister last saw each other.

Princess Yu noticed Xie Yunli's expression. "Rou'an's letter said that she will bring two people back with her when she returns to the capital this time."

Two people?

Xie Yunli frowned.

"Yunli, you and Rouan are both of marriageable age. I will not force Rouan to marry. If she finds someone she likes, I will approve regardless of their social status or academic achievements, as long as she is happy. However..."

Princess Yu paused, not looking at Xie Yunli, but her gaze fell on the brocade box on the desk in front of her.

Xie Yunli immediately understood what she meant.

"Mother, it is time for your son to take a wife," Xie Yunli said in a deep voice.

Princess Yu looked up in surprise; she hadn't expected him to bring up the matter of taking a concubine.

She looked at Xie Yunli.

Yunli, once elegant and unrestrained, with an untamed spirit, was quite unwilling when she chose a concubine for him.

But now he is less impulsive and much more composed.

She saw the changes in him, and felt gratified, but also heartbroken.

So much has happened during this time. The Prince Yu's mansion was almost punished because of Xie Bi's entire family. Now, only Yun Li can support the mansion.

Princess Yu doesn't care about wealth and glory, but Yunli and Rouan must live peacefully and well.

To live a good life, one must not make mistakes.

"Yunli, your mother knows you and your fourth brother better than blood brothers, but he is, after all, the emperor, and there are certain taboos. Whether you are a brother or a subject, you must not violate them."

"There are so many women in the world, your mother will find one that suits your taste."

Princess Yu said softly, "It's both a reminder and a warning."

Xie Yunli: "Your subject understands."

"So, what's inside this brocade box...?"

"Your subject will handle it."

Princess Consort Yu sighed. She felt sorry for Yunli, who loved but could not have the one he desired, but things in this world are not always as one wishes.

Princess Yu left the painting studio, leaving Xie Yunli alone.

Xie Yunli walked to the desk, placed his hand on the brocade box, but hesitated to open it.

After a while, he opened the brocade box, revealing a scroll of paintings inside.

Unfold the painting; it depicts a woman.

The woman was dressed in red, with a red veil covering her face, only her eyes showing through the veil. She was aloof, proud, and full of heroic spirit.

Although the woman did not show her face, her identity could still be identified at a glance.

Song Qingning!

It was the image of Song Qingning rescuing Princess Yu at Shuyu Zhai that night.

He drew it, hid it, hoping for a lucky break, but he also knew that if outsiders saw the painting and made a big deal out of it, it would be detrimental to everyone.

We can't keep them any longer.

Xie Yunli took out the painting from the brocade box, left the studio, found a quiet place, and lit it.

He was about to watch the painting burn to ashes when a servant suddenly came to report, "Your Highness, Lord Cui has come to visit and is waiting for you in the front hall."

"Um."

Xie Yunli responded.

The painting depicts flames burning brightly.

Minister Cui came to see him, presumably to discuss matters concerning the Grand Canal. Not wanting to keep Minister Cui waiting, Xie Yunli turned and left before the painting had finished burning.

He left, but didn't see a figure emerge from the artificial hill beside him.

The young maidservant hurriedly stepped forward and extinguished the flames on the painting.

Part of the painting was burned.

The young maid glanced at the woman in the painting; the woman was wearing a light veil, and she had never seen her before.

She didn't care who the woman was; she only cared that the painting was done by the prince.

The maid carefully put the painting away as if it were a precious treasure, then looked in the direction Xie Yunli had left, her eyes filled with admiration.

……

Inside Jinhua Palace.

In the afternoon, when Xie Xuanjin returned to Jinhua Palace, Song Qingning was still asleep in the courtyard.

He didn't wake her. Instead, he sent someone to fetch the imperial physician who had diagnosed Song Qingning as pregnant. After questioning her carefully, he ordered someone to bring over the memorials from the imperial study.

Song Qingning took a short rest in the courtyard, while he worked on his desk nearby.

Hongling and the four palace maids of Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter served her in an orderly manner.

Seeing the emperor occasionally raise his eyes and stare blankly at the sleeping people in the courtyard, it was hard to tell whether he spent more time reading memorials or looking at people.

The group exchanged glances, understanding each other without saying a word.

Song Qingning slept for a very long time, not waking up until evening.

Xie Xuanjin had the memorials removed and dined with Song Qingning.

Finally, Xie Xuanjin took out some characters and let Song Qingning choose.

Those words all have excellent meanings.

Song Qingning looked puzzled, unsure of the purpose of these words.

"His name." Xie Xuanjin's gaze lingered on Song Qingning's lower abdomen.

Song Qingning was slightly taken aback, then realized what she meant and chuckled, "The imperial physician said it's only been a little over two months. Isn't it a bit too early to name it now? Besides, we don't even know if it's a boy or a girl yet."

"Choose both boy's and girl's names, keep them handy, you'll always need them, you can choose slowly." Xie Xuanjin seemed very expectant.

Not wanting to spoil the emperor's mood, Song Qingning said, "Alright, I will take my time choosing."

She originally wanted to make a selection immediately, but drowsiness overcame her.

She had clearly slept for a long time today, but somehow, drowsiness clung to her like vines.

Song Qingning assumed it was due to pregnancy.

It wasn't until a few days later, when her mother and several ladies came to visit her at the palace, that she realized something was amiss.