Forced Into the Palace: Becoming the Emperor's Favorite-Chapter 439: Plan in the Long Run

Without the support of the Liu Family, she could only rely on herself and her maternal family.

She was certainly no match for Lin Wanyi’s imperial favor.

Moreover, she wasn’t blind.

The Fifth Prince clearly appeared extremely intelligent, and given the current situation, the future possibilities for him were more than those for the Third Prince.

The more she thought about it, the more frightened she felt.

"No, no, don’t scare yourself," she reassured herself despite her anxiety.

As long as the green hills remain, one need not worry about a lack of firewood.

Even if the Empress Dowager sent her and her son to Ce State, she was determined to find a way. 𝒻𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝘯𝘰𝑣ℯ𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝘮

She was resolved not to let the Third Prince’s brilliance be obscured!

She kept telling herself this incessantly.

Right now, the more pressing matter was how to win the trust of the Third Prince.

After all, it was at the New Year’s Eve banquet, in the grand hall.

How the Third Prince had described her, she remembered all too clearly.

Though her son had become someone else’s, she firmly believed that if she devoted twice as much effort,

She could change her son’s perspective of her.

By that time, if mother and son shared the same heart, they could overcome anything together.

Thinking of this, the fears that had arisen from the Empress Dowager’s palace gradually subsided.

"Ce State, Ce State..."

She mumbled to herself, her complexion as sallow as always.

Meanwhile, the Third Prince, whom she worried about, was not as spirited as she was.

He appeared more despondent and aimless.

After returning from the New Year’s Eve banquet, he had a huge outburst.

Upon learning of the suicide of his mother, Imperial Concubine Yi, the escape of the Marquis of Northwest, and the fall of the Liu Family,

He finally calmed down.

However, this calmness only lasted for two or three days.

Soon, crashing sounds started to emanate again from the Prince’s Residence where he lived.

Initially, the Second Prince could tolerate it.

He figured the Third Prince had undergone drastic changes and wasn’t coping well, which was understandable.

But after continuous smashing for so long, the issue must lie with the Third Prince himself.

He had a peaceful life that he refused to enjoy; what could he be aiming for?

On this day, the wind and snow ceased.

The entire Imperial City was enveloped in a biting chill.

Hardly anyone ventured outside.

As a result, the Second Prince settled down indoors to practice calligraphy.

He employed the methods once taught to him by Lin Wanyi.

Thus, over the years, he had made considerable progress.

His handwriting was now considered neat and powerful, earning praises even from the Grand Tutor.

Therefore, every day he allocated an hour for quiet calligraphy practice.

Yet such tranquility was disrupted by the noises coming from next door.

"Bang!"

The sound of something heavy hitting the ground almost made the Second Prince drop his pen.

Ink splattered onto the rice paper, ruining a fine piece he was working on.

His previously calm expression instantly furrowed into a frown.

"How many days has Third Brother been causing a ruckus? Hasn’t he smashed enough yet? How many things did Imperial Concubine Yi supply him with, to smash incessantly for over half a month?"

The Second Prince couldn’t help but grumble.

Nanny Du, standing beside him, hushed him abruptly.

"Second Prince, do not mention the Liu Family again. Her name is now a taboo in the palace. Don’t bring trouble upon yourself!"

Suicide by a concubine was already a grave offense, not to mention her transgressions in life.

The Emperor was merciful to allow her remains to be left intact.

Therefore, titles were revoked, and traces were erased.

By now, there wasn’t even a record of "Imperial Concubine Yi" in the annals.

Even the Third Prince’s name was inscribed under Consort Qian.

The Royal Jade Disc was redone, along with everything post-birth changed.

The plaque of Yuexiu Palace was removed, awaiting a new one to replace it.

Everything once belonging to Imperial Concubine Yi in this palace had become an unspeakable secret.

However, during her time in power, she had indeed been quite strict with the palace attendants and servants.

So, as soon as the Emperor’s order was issued, many eagerly executed it.

Thus, in less than a month.

Not a trace remained.

Hearing Nanny Du’s words, the Second Prince’s furrowed brow eased somewhat.

He couldn’t help but sigh.

To be frank, he never had a direct conflict with Imperial Concubine Yi.

For the sake of the Third Prince, she had said some sarcastic remarks to him.

Naturally, the Second Prince had a poor impression of the ruthless Imperial Concubine Yi.

Yet she was one thing, and the Third Prince was another.

Though this young one was arrogant and self-important, he never caused him any real harm.

Thus, it was pitiful to see the Third Prince end up like this.

Especially in such a condition, it was much like what he experienced back then.

A person has memories, only to suddenly have a mother replaced.

It would be hard for anyone to accept.

Seeing that calligraphy was no longer feasible, and the room becoming too warm,

The Second Prince, dwelling on his moment of compassion, decided to step out and head next door.

The Prince’s Residences weren’t far apart.

But with the accumulation of snow on the ground, the path wasn’t easy to navigate.

Nanny Du and Xiao Luzi cautiously accompanied him, lest the Second Prince slip on the snow.

Upon reaching the entrance to the Third Prince’s residence.

The Second Prince took a deep breath and entered.

While the layouts of the Prince’s Residences were similar in size, the Third Prince’s location was markedly warmer than where the Second Prince resided.

Imperial Concubine Yi had put a lot of effort into it.

As a result, every grass and tree, every flower and scene was far more exquisite and opulent than at the Second Prince’s residence.

He crossed the courtyard into the main house.

As soon as he entered, he saw palace attendants nervously cleaning up shattered porcelain pieces.

The old attendants who once served by the Third Prince’s side had either died or been dismissed following the affair of Imperial Concubine Yi.

The attendants now assigned were new faces.

The Third Prince wasn’t familiar with them, and they didn’t know how to serve him.

Thus, misunderstandings and conflicts naturally ensued.

In just this past half month, the Third Prince had smashed enough porcelain to create a small mountain.

Taking a glance, the Second Prince noted the broken items were quite valuable.

Truly a pity to have them damaged.

He hadn’t yet spoken when, from the corner, he saw the Third Prince panting heavily.

His eyes brimmed with defiance as he looked up at him.

His whole demeanor was prickly.

It was as if anyone approaching him would be met with a stab in the back.

"Third Brother,"

Entering from the outside, the Second Prince undoubtedly carried a chill with him.

This chill disturbed the Third Prince, who had been in the warmth.

So he lashed out with harsh words.

"What are you here for? To mock me? Get out!"

Standing to the side, Nanny Du frowned slightly upon hearing this.

Besides the fact that the Third Prince was a younger brother and ought to show respect toward his elder,

The real issue was not facing adversity itself but continuously wallowing in it, indulging in self-pity.