So what if she's my sister-in-law? You seduced me first.

Ink Academy.

After the Xie family members left, Xie Yan sat in a chair for a long time, looking at the secret letter sent back from the Northwest, lost in thought.

He didn't want to get involved in what Xie Xun was doing, but undeniably, when your power can't suppress him, you can't even protect your own woman.

Now that the eight passes of Yuzhou have been breached, Shangliang and Daxia are locked in fierce fighting, the Emperor is seriously ill, and the Eighth Prince, whom the Xie family chose to support, has died on the battlefield. It seems that the Elders' Council has reached a consensus with Xie Xun.

He tapped his fingers lightly on the table. "Someone come here."

"Your Highness."

"Send this secret letter to the Crown Prince's Palace."

"Yes." A-Zhou took it, then seemed to remember something and whispered, "The news that just came in is that the Crown Princess has been taken away by the Old Madam."

Xie Yan paused, his finger twitching. "Where is he?"

"Don't worry, he's fine and is staying at Rong'an Hall."

The pain in his chest had inexplicably lessened. Xie Yan lowered his eyes and asked, "Have you taken care of the household registration?"

"We should be there soon."

Liangzhou was his territory; no matter how powerful Xie Xun was, he couldn't find her.

Soon only he would know of her existence, and Xie Yan's cold and indifferent mood finally calmed down.

Crown Prince Xie Jingchen has been so busy lately that he has barely had a good night's sleep. There is war going on outside, and there are rebels in various places. His father, the emperor, has been seriously ill and has not attended court for the past few days. As a result, the clans in the northeast have begun to stir.

He was preoccupied with many matters and had not returned to the Eastern Palace for several days. When he thought of the Seventh Prince Xie Chizhang, who was still in Linzhou, a murderous glint flashed in his eyes.

He knew perfectly well what he wanted to do by requesting permission to personally go to the battlefield at this critical juncture. His father would not depose the crown prince, and once he passed away, he would naturally succeed to the throne, and his brothers would not have a good end.

The seventh prince, Xie Chizhang, who had opposed him for many years, died the fastest.

The news that he went to Linzhou suggests he might be having some illicit dealings with those northeastern clans.

"Where is Your Highness rushing off to?"

Suddenly, a familiar voice came from behind. Xie Jingchen's eyes flashed with coldness, and when he turned around, his expression changed to a dignified and imposing one that had been built up over a long period of time.

"Why did the Governor-General leave the cabinet instead of returning to his residence after court?"

The people following behind immediately bowed to the Crown Prince. Xie Xun's voice was indifferent, "What are Your Highness's thoughts on the matters discussed in court this morning?"

"The Beidaying granary has been completely supplied to the Xice Army, medicines are running out, and the eight passes of Yuzhou are unable to provide support."

"Then Your Highness is going to make the Seventh Prince's troops eat their pants."

The ambiguous laughter made everyone's faces turn awkward. The Crown Prince raised an eyebrow, thinking it would be best if he died at the border.

This morning, a battle report came from the court. Prince Murong Huang of Shangliang sent an envoy who said that as long as Daxia was willing to surrender, the battle of Yuzhou would be fought without bloodshed. He talked a lot of nonsense in the military camp.

The news arrived during the morning court session. Before Crown Prince Murong Huang could speak, Grand Commander Xie Xun directly approved the memorial, which read, "Let him go back to shoveling manure."

I wonder when these words will reach the border, and whether they will enrage Murong Huang to the point of cursing.

Xie Jingchen looked at his cousin standing in front of him. For many years, he had never gotten involved in the princes' struggles, never taken sides, and never expressed his position. But in the past six months, he had felt an unprecedented threat.

Anxiety lingered in his chest. Recalling his overstepping his bounds during the morning court session, and hearing his current taunts, he felt that Xie Chizhang and he had been tricked by him.

Just as he was about to say something, he saw someone rush over and whisper something in Xie Xun's ear. The latter's expression didn't change much, but Xie Xun caught a fleeting hint of displeasure.

Watching the person's departing figure, Xie Jingchen felt suspicious and narrowed his eyes slightly.

The Xie family, the Xie family?! It wasn't enough that Xie Yan was already here; this Xie Xun is even more difficult to deal with. Before, we were only focused on fighting with his brothers, but now it seems that these cousins ​​are the ones who are even more troublesome.

Thinking of the information he had uncovered, his heart sank deeper and deeper; the slightest misstep could lead to total annihilation.

"Your Highness, a letter has just arrived."

During this period, Crown Princess Wei Qingrou suffered from severe morning sickness and spent her days listlessly lying on a soft couch.

A few days ago, she dragged her heavy body to the Xie family ancestral graves. The journey to Yueshan was long and arduous, and she fell seriously ill after returning.

Upon learning that the palace maid who told her Ning Yu was dead had been transferred, she knew that the maid had most likely met with misfortune and pointed the finger at Crown Prince Xie Jingchen.

The two had a fight and parted on bad terms.

Xie Jingchen tried to make amends several times, but to no avail. However, he was also concerned because she was pregnant, so he suppressed his anger and slept in the study for several days.

The next day, when Wei Qingrou came over, she saw the woman at the corner of his bed and almost miscarried.

The atmosphere between the two had been icy for the past few days. Xie Jingchen had sent her many valuable gifts in an attempt to please her, but he hadn't come over even once.

She knew he was attending to her ailing husband in the palace, but she still couldn't help feeling sad and heartbroken.

"Your Highness, His Highness has returned."

Suddenly, a joyful sound came from outside. A flash of joy crossed Wei Qingrou's sentimental heart, but she didn't move an inch, leaning against the soft couch and ignoring everyone.

When Xie Jingchen came in, he saw the pregnancy-preserving medicine still on the bed table. He had a cold face and ignored everyone.

He took off his cloak, and once he warmed up, he went over and hugged her from behind. "Are you still angry?"

He really didn't have anything happen with that palace maid. He got drunk that night and went to sleep. The next day, he woke up to find her by his bedside.

He questioned the guard, who said he came in to deliver hangover soup and had no idea that she would be so bold as to undress and seduce him by his bedside.

When Qingrou arrived and saw the woman, that audacious palace maid had just taken off her outer garment. He woke up from the noise, and as soon as he lifted the curtain, he saw the woman with tears streaming down her face at the door. No matter how he explained, she wouldn't listen.

The imperial physician said it was because pregnant women experience significant mood swings, so he could only do his best to bend down and try to cheer her up.

"Don't touch me."

Xie Jingchen wouldn't let go, clinging to her shamelessly. The usually imposing Crown Prince was nothing more than a dog in front of the Crown Princess.

"Why have you lost weight again? You feel all bony when you touch you."

"Then Your Highness, please don't touch me." Wei Qingrou bit her lower lip, her voice soft and gentle as she rebuked him.

Xie Jingchen chuckled and tightened his arms. "Just touch it."

Wei Qingrou maintained the same expression on her face, but a sweet feeling involuntarily welled up inside her, and her hand unconsciously touched her waist.

After becoming pregnant, her body became plump, and when she thought of those slender and beautiful young women, she couldn't help but feel sad.

He is the crown prince, and it's impossible for him to bear the pressure of having only her as his sole focus forever.

Xie Jingchen had no idea what she was thinking. Smelling the familiar scent on her body, he couldn't help but greedily rub against her.

"Release that palace maid."

Xie Jingchen, who was buried in the crook of her neck, paused and couldn't help but twitch his lips. This kind and innocent Crown Princess of mine can even let go of the person who stole her husband.