Xiao Huaishi was explaining things to Xiao Hanzhi, hoping that his fourth son could understand his heart as a father and as an emperor.
"Prince Ten has already become engaged to the daughter of the prime minister. Prince Two and Prince Seven have been married for many years. At present, only you are lacking a proper wife. Princess Seven is worthy of this status."
Xiao Hanzhi continued to nod. He took a deep breath and then slowly exhaled. Looking firmly into his father's eyes, he said in a loud voice, "Father, I understand all that you've said. For the sake of all the common people in the world, marrying a princess from another country is the best choice. Although it may be a hidden danger, for you, for the people, and for our Dongling Kingdom, I'm willing to treat the princess well and not give Xiyue Kingdom any chance to provoke us."
His upright face gave an air of being willing to sacrifice everything for the common people.
Xiao Huaishi let out a long sigh. Looking at his son with some relief, he patted him hard on the shoulder and said, "Rarely do you have such a heart. I'm truly gratified!"
Xiao Hanzhi lowered his head and showed a smile.
But the gloom hidden in his eyes was not noticed by anyone.
On the surface, he seemed to be a very filial son, who listened to his father's words very obediently, for the sake of the people and the country.
However, his heart was not as he appeared. A poisonous snake had slowly coiled around Xiao Hanzhi's heart.
"How hypocritical! Hmph, they don't want me to inherit the throne but still talk so grandly!" Xiao Hanzhi thought secretly. "This throne should belong to me. If others want to take it away... it seems I have to resort to some inhumane means."
Xiao Huaishi waved his hand, indicating that Xiao Hanzhi could leave. Then, as if suddenly remembering something, he reminded Xiao Hanzhi, "Remember to go with Shen Yi to receive the princess. After all, not only the princess is coming this time, but also a princess consort is accompanying her. She is going to marry Shen Yi! You two should take this matter seriously."
Xiao Hanzhi was taken aback but then agreed. Then he withdrew from the imperial study.
His mind kept repeating what his father had just said to him, and finally his father had mentioned Shen Yi...
This made Xiao Hanzhi feel a bit strange. After all, in previous imperial dynasties, only princesses were sent for marriage alliances. And Xiyue Kingdom was not a defeated country in a war with their own country. Why would they send two young ladies this time?
Moreover, they were to be married to him and General Shen of Dongling Kingdom respectively.
But Shen Yi was in charge of the Night Shadow Division. If he married a princess consort from another country, wouldn't it expose the most secret army of their own country to the sight of another country?
Xiao Hanzhi really couldn't figure out why the emperor would do this.
Lost in thought, he didn't even look at those who saluted him as he walked on the road.
It wasn't until a little palace maid blocked his way that Xiao Hanzhi was pulled out of his thoughts.
Xiao Hanzhi stared intently at this unfamiliar little palace maid. He had already been angry with Xiao Huaishi. Now even a little palace maid dared to block his way. He was immediately filled with rage.
With an unhappy look on his face, he roared at the little palace maid, "Which palace are you from, you little girl? Don't you look where you're going? How dare you block my way! I think you're tired of living!"
Instead of being afraid, the little palace maid bowed slightly to Xiao Hanzhi calmly and explained, "Your Highness, Prince Four, please don't be angry. This servant is from Chengqian Palace. If it weren't for something important, this servant wouldn't dare to block your way. It's really that the imperial concubine has something important to see you about, so this servant dared to give it a try."
The way the little palace maid behaved made Xiao Hanzhi not think that this was the courage of an ordinary palace maid at all. It turned out that she was someone beside his mother.
After listening to the little palace maid's explanation, Xiao Hanzhi was not so angry anymore. He carefully looked at the little palace maid's face - it was a new face. He had never seen this person in his mother's Chengqian Palace.
So he asked curiously, "Are you from Mother's palace?"
The little palace maid nodded. "Yes, I am."
"I've never seen you in Mother's palace." There was a hint of threat in Xiao Hanzhi's tone.
The little palace maid still replied calmly, "To answer Your Highness, Prince Four, this servant just started serving beside the imperial concubine recently. It's normal that Your Highness finds this servant unfamiliar. But please go to Chengqian Palace quickly, Your Highness. Don't keep the imperial concubine waiting."
Xiao Hanzhi looked around and found that there was no one around. Then he nodded and followed the little palace maid in the direction of Chengqian Palace.
He didn't see a single person along the way.
After all, adult men were not allowed to stay in the palace for a long time. So Xiao Hanzhi had to try his best to avoid others and not let others find out that he was secretly going to see his mother, lest it would be hard to explain if it reached the emperor's ears.
As soon as they arrived at Chengqian Palace, Concubine Chen told all the servants and maids to withdraw and stand guard outside the door to prevent anyone from coming in, leaving the space only for herself and her son.
Concubine Chen sat on a small seat and sipped her tea gently. There were delicate pastries on the table, but there was no sign that they had been touched. Seeing her son's arrival, the first thing Concubine Chen asked was, "I heard that your father summoned you to the imperial study today?"
In front of his mother, Xiao Hanzhi was obviously not so restrained. He wasn't as nervous as he was in front of Xiao Huaishi. Facing the mother who gave birth to and raised him, Xiao Hanzhi only trusted her unconditionally, so he didn't hide anything about this matter at all. "Yes, Father summoned me to the study today to discuss the visit of Princess Seven of Xiyue Kingdom in a month."
As soon as Concubine Chen heard this news, she directly slammed the teacup on the table. A few drops of the hot tea in the cup splashed out. Immediately, Concubine Chen's delicate and fair back of the hand and wrist were scalded red by the hot tea. Anger flashed in her beautiful eyes.
"I knew it would be such a result! I'm afraid it has something to do with that old woman! She really has a good plan!"
Xiao Hanzhi rarely saw his mother showing such an expression. Immediately, he took the cup from Concubine Chen's hand and put it aside. He took out his handkerchief and gently wiped Concubine Chen's hand.
Xiao Hanzhi gently blew on the red area on Concubine Chen's hand that was scalded by the tea. He said helplessly and painfully, "Mother, why be so angry? There must be a way to solve this matter in this world. Where there's a will, there's a way. Mother, don't ruin your own health. I can't always stay in the palace to accompany you. I hope Mother can take good care of your body!"