Xie Zhui originally thought he would hear about the relationship between Xiao Shan and Xiao Jin, but he didn't expect the conversation to turn into Xiao Shan confessing his feelings to him.

 

However, this feeling wasn't bad.

 

Xiao Shan sensed Xie Zhui's happiness, which made him happy as well.

 

Regarding his relationship with Xiao Jin, there were naturally many things he hadn't mentioned.

 

Xiao Jin revered the Emperor, but he argued with the Emperor for Xiao Shan's sake. Since childhood, Xiao Shan disliked studying, and Xiao Jin, considering himself the elder brother, forced Xiao Shan to study diligently to avoid being reprimanded by the Emperor.

 

When the Emperor harshly scolded Xiao Shan, Xiao Jin stood up to the Emperor, and for that, the Emperor personally punished him.

 

The heavy paddle struck his palms, leaving them swollen.

 

Those incidents were minor, but Xiao Jin always remembered them.

 

Xiao Jin's sincerity towards him as a brother was genuine, so he was willing to reciprocate with his own sincerity.

 

Moreover, he had no interest in the throne. If one of the brothers had to become Emperor, it was naturally best for him if Xiao Jin took that position.

 

Xiao Shan always acted this way.

 

As for now, although there was a conflict between the Empress and Consort Lan, Xiao Shan would not let that negate the years of understanding and affection between him and Xiao Jin. When problems arose, they needed to be resolved, and the key lay in how he and Xiao Jin handled it.

 

***

 

While Xiao Shan was contemplating these matters, Xiao Jin was also pondering the current situation in the Eastern Palace. Crown Princess Liu Jingyi naturally heard the news as well.

 

Xiao Jin knew that Liu Jingyi had some unresolved issues with Xiao Shan, and he originally didn't want to see her during such a sensitive time. However, upon hearing that their child, Little Snowball, had been crying and spitting up milk all day, Xiao Jin immediately went to see Liu Jingyi.

 

By the time he arrived, Liu Jingyi already coaxed Little Snowball to sleep and was instructing the servants to clean up the soiled clothes.

 

Xiao Jin asked, "What happened?"

 

Liu Jingyi replied, "I just had the imperial physician take a look. He said it's a chill in the stomach." As she spoke, she wiped the corners of her eyes.

 

The room was heated with the finest silver charcoal, but Little Snowball's body was too weak. Even a slight draft from an open window could make her catch a cold.

 

These past days, Liu Jingyi had been taking care of Little Snowball with utmost dedication. Xiao Jin knew that when Little Snowball was unwell, she felt worse than anyone else.

 

So he said, "Since the imperial physician has already seen her, there's no need to worry too much. If she gets cold easily, just cover her with an extra blanket once she's asleep before opening the window for ventilation. It's good that there's nothing else wrong."

 

Liu Jingyi responded with a hum, hesitated for a moment, and then said, "I heard from the palace maids that the Crown Prince is in a bad mood, so I had the kitchen prepare some light food for you. Please have some."

 

Xiao Jin glanced at her but said nothing.

 

Liu Jingyi also remained silent.

 

Xiao Jin glanced at her again. He originally thought that Liu Jingyi would take the opportunity to speak ill of Xiao Shan, as she had done in the past.

 

Seeing Xiao Jin's gaze, Liu Jingyi gave a slight, bitter smile and said, "I admit that I have been narrow-minded and prejudiced against Prince Li, but I am not someone who can't listen to the Crown Prince's advice. I was irritable when I was pregnant, unable to control my temper. Now that Little Snowball is born, I naturally need to be more considerate of the Crown Prince."

 

Xiao Jin hadn't expected her to say such things, and he felt slightly relieved. It was indeed a blessing that Liu Jingyi wasn't causing trouble for him at such a time.

 

So Xiao Jin said, "You are thoughtful." He said this sincerely.

 

"It is I who have caused the Crown Prince too much worry," Liu Jingyi said softly. "As the Crown Princess, I need to be more mature in my thinking. If I continue to make the Crown Prince worry, then I am truly useless."

 

After saying this, she added wistfully, "Actually, it's not that I suddenly came to my senses. It's mainly because my father and mother have been writing to me frequently these days, often explaining the pros and cons. This has made me understand the Crown Prince's intentions better. In the past, I was too clumsy."

 

Xiao Jin responded, "How are your parents doing now?"

 

After the incident with Liu Jingxuan, Liu Shu took the family back to their ancestral home, which was a few months ago.

 

Liu Jingyi smiled slightly and said, "Father wrote that, thanks to the Crown Prince's care, they are doing very well." Although not in the court, he was still the Crown Prince's father-in-law. Who would dare to look down on him?

 

Just as Liu Shu said, as long as her position as Crown Princess remained secure, the Liu family would eventually rise again.

 

Moreover, Liu Shu helped Xiao Jin a lot when he was in court. It was impossible for Xiao Jin not to show any gratitude after he left. He already spoke with the local officials, ensuring that the Liu family could live comfortably now.

 

Xiao Jin nodded and said, "That's good."

 

After talking with Liu Jingyi for a while longer, he did not stay for the meal but went to his study instead.

 

Liu Jingyi watched his departing figure. After he left, she opened her jewelry box and took out the family letters from the bottom layer.

 

The letters were written by her father and her mother.

 

Liu Shu, who once held a high and important position, wrote letters advising her on how to maintain her own position.

 

Her mother's letters were more trivial, filled with everyday matters, such as how they were not quite accustomed to their new life and how much she missed her. Occasionally, she would mention Liu Jingxuan, who was suffering in exile.

 

Liu Jingyi read the letters once more and then quietly put them back.

 

Liu Jingyi completed her forty-two days of postpartum confinement, and on the first day after, she went to the palace to see the Empress.

 

Due to the cold weather, she did not bring the child.

 

The Empress previously valued Liu Jingyi quite highly, but now, because of the matter with Lady Xu, she had some reservations about her. However, since the truth had not yet been verified, the Empress still treated Liu Jingyi as she did before.

 

Knowing that Little Snowball's health was fragile, the Empress held Liu Jingyi's hand and urged her to take good care of herself and Little Snowball.

 

Liu Jingyi was naturally moved and praised the Empress profusely.

 

During their conversation, neither of them mentioned Lady Xu, and the atmosphere between the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law remained harmonious.

 

Before long, Liu Jingyi excused herself, citing the need to return and look after the child. The Empress patted her hand and said, "You were chosen by me to be the Crown Princess, and today I see that I did not choose wrongly. You have the grace and demeanor befitting a Crown Princess."

 

Liu Jingyi smiled and replied, "It's all thanks to your guidance, Mother Empress. I still have much to learn."

 

The Empress hummed in acknowledgment, then let her leave.

 

Liu Jingyi sat in her sedan chair and dropped the smile from her face. Not long after she returned to the Eastern Palace, a palace maid from her quarters came with a box and reported, "Crown Princess, someone has sent you something. It's a book for nourishing your health."

 

As she said this, the maid's face turned slightly red. Books entering the Eastern Palace must be inspected, and this maid glanced through it during the inspection. The book primarily discussed how to nourish the health of women postpartum, and some of the content was quite bold.

 

If an ordinary person sent this, the palace staff would definitely not have brought it to Liu Jingyi, and might even have scolded the sender for their audacity. However, this book was sent by the Dowager Marchioness of Anguo from the Anguo Marquis Residence.

 

The Dowager Marchioness of Anguo had some standing in front of the Emperor, Empress, and even the Crown Prince, so the palace staff naturally couldn't ignore the items she sent.

 

Hearing the palace maid mention the Dowager Marchioness, Liu Jingyi frowned slightly.

 

If she remembered correctly, the Dowager Marchioness should still be in her mourning period. Sending something during this time could be considered inauspicious.

 

However, she could only think this to herself and couldn't voice it. Instead, she had to outwardly express gratitude for the elder's concern.

 

Liu Jingyi said, "Since it is a kind gesture from my great-aunt, then keep the item."

 

The palace maid glanced at her expression and said, "Crown Princess, the person sent by the Dowager Marchioness of Anguo is still waiting outside. They said they were specifically chosen to deliver the message and are not in mourning attire. The messenger mentioned that the Dowager Marchioness has something important to convey to you."

 

Liu Jingyi felt displeased, thinking that the Dowager Marchioness was taking advantage of her seniority.

 

However, she had to maintain her image as a virtuous wife and could not ignore an elder.