Chapter 563 - 566: Favoritism
Li Ji chimed in coolly from the side.
"Not only will they refuse to play with you, they’ll mock and despise you."
Li Xun: "..."
He pictured the scene in his mind—
’Everyone’s looking at me with contempt, thinking I’m a good-for-nothing idiot.’
He bristled instantly.
’I’m their boss!’
’Those guys are just my underlings and followers!’
’How can I let my own underlings and followers look down on me?’
’Absolutely not!’
’As the boss, I have to protect my reputation!’
Li Xun’s head grew hot, and he roared.
"I’m going to school!"
’As the boss, I don’t just have to be the best at fighting! I have to be the best at studying too!’
’I’ll show those underlings—’
’Your boss is always your boss!’
Hua Manman and Li Ji glanced at each other and smiled in unison.
That did the trick.
...
「In the Imperial Palace.」
Princess Consort Zhen was blending incense.
With nothing much to do these past few years, she had cultivated a few hobbies for herself, and making incense was one of them.
Her slender, jade-like hands held a silver spoon, scooping a bit of incense powder into a green jade bowl.
A faint, fresh fragrance wafted around her.
The Beauty’s eyes were like shimmering water, her crimson lips as lovely as a flower.
As she lowered her gaze, her golden hairpin and green ring swayed gently.
It further accentuated her snow-white skin and natural, captivating charm.
Xi Xiang entered on light feet and curtsied.
"Reporting to you, Noble Consort, the man sent to the Regent Prince Mansion has returned. He said..."
At this, her expression turned troubled.
Princess Consort Zhen set down the silver spoon. Her beautiful eyes shifted, their gaze landing on Xi Xiang.
She took in Xi Xiang’s reaction, her own expression unchanging, but her voice was a few degrees colder than usual.
"What did he say?"
Xi Xiang’s heart tightened under her gaze.
Ever since her mistress had been titled Imperial Concubine, her aura of authority had deepened by the day. Even Xi Xiang, her personal handmaiden who had grown up with her, found it somewhat unbearable.
Steeling herself, she spoke carefully.
"He said he didn’t see the Regent King or the young prince. He also said the young prince is overwhelmed with his studies recently and has no time to enter the palace for now. He hopes the Noble Consort will forgive him."
Princess Consort Zhen let out a soft laugh. "Overwhelmed with his studies?"
Although she didn’t live with Li Xun, she had always paid close attention to his affairs.
She knew Li Xun hated studying. The Regent King had hired several teachers for him, all of whom had been driven away by his temper.
Now, Li Xun neither had to attend the Imperial College nor had a Tutor at home to teach him.
’So where did this "overwhelmed with studies" come from?’
’Even if the Regent King was going to make an excuse, he could have at least found a decent one.’
Xi Xiang said, trembling with fear.
"It is this servant’s incompetence. I failed to complete the task Your Highness assigned."
But Princess Consort Zhen had no intention of blaming her. Instead, she washed her hands, stood up, and her long skirt trailed across the white jade floor.
She went to the Crown Prince’s residence.
Normally, the Crown Prince should reside in the Crown Prince Mansion, but as he was still young and could not yet live independently, he still lived in the palace.
At this moment, the Crown Prince, Li Qiong, was finishing the homework his teacher had assigned.
When he learned his Mother Consort had arrived, he immediately rose to greet her.
Having just been blending spices, Li Qiong could smell a faint, elegant fragrance as he approached his Mother Consort.
The scent had a calming and focusing effect.
Li Qiong performed a proper bow. "Your son greets Mother Consort."
Princess Consort Zhen sat on a low couch, her posture elegant and poised, exuding an indescribable, moving charm.
She looked at her son, who stood respectfully a short distance away, and asked in a gentle voice.
"It seems the Crown Prince hasn’t seen Xun’er in a long time. Would you like to arrange a time to meet him?"
This was not the first time his Mother Consort had brought this up. Li Qiong felt a sense of rejection inwardly, but his expression remained unchanged.
"Your son has been rather busy with his studies lately. Once I have some free time, I will certainly invite the Heir of the Regent King to the palace for a chat."
Princess Consort Zhen’s expression turned a little strange. "Studies again."
’Why does everyone like to use their studies as an excuse?’
Her gaze toward her son gradually grew serious.
"I can tolerate others using their studies as an excuse to fool me, but how could you use the same trick on me?"
A wave of panic hit Li Qiong. "I didn’t..."
Princess Consort Zhen cut him off.
"Do not lie to me!"
Li Qiong choked on his words, his face gradually turning pale.
The servants in the room all lowered their heads, not daring to breathe too loudly.
The air seemed to have frozen, becoming unbearably oppressive.
Princess Consort Zhen raised a hand.
Xi Xiang understood and led the palace attendants out.
Only Princess Consort Zhen and the Crown Prince remained in the room.
Princess Consort Zhen spoke slowly.
"When you were little, you always called Xun’er ’cousin.’ Now you call him the ’Heir of the Regent King.’ It seems you’re reluctant to acknowledge him as your cousin."
Li Qiong slowly lowered his head, his lips pressed tightly together, not saying a word.
Princess Consort Zhen’s tone hardened. "Speak!"
Li Qiong knew he couldn’t hide it today.
Despite being precociously mature, he was still just a six-year-old boy who had experienced too little. At this moment, he couldn’t help but lose his composure.
He clenched his fists, lifted his head to look directly at his Mother Consort, and said loudly.
"You must be very clear about the current situation in the imperial court, Mother Consort.
The Regent King wields absolute power in the court. Even though I am the Crown Prince, I must give him a wide berth.
I have to do whatever he tells me to do, obediently.
I have the empty title of Crown Prince, but in front of him, I’m no different from a servant!"
Princess Consort Zhen frowned. "These are matters between adults. They have nothing to do with Xun’er. You shouldn’t take your anger out on him."
These words provoked Li Qiong even more, and the rims of his eyes turned slightly red.
’It’s been like this ever since we were children.’
’In Mother Consort’s eyes, Li Xun is always innocent.’
’Even if he and Li Xun made a mistake together, he would surely be the one punished, while Li Xun would get away scot-free.’
’No matter what good things Mother Consort received, she would always send the best share to Li Xun.’
’Mother Consort always favors Li Xun.’
’But I’m her biological son!’
Li Qiong felt extremely wronged.
He said resentfully.
"In your heart, Mother Consort, Li Xun is of course perfect in every way.
But if the Regent King successfully usurps the throne in the future, my position as Crown Prince will have to be given to Li Xun.
At that point, will you still think it has nothing to do with Li Xun?"
Princess Consort Zhen did not answer.
She just watched her son quietly.
After a long silence, she finally spoke, her voice carrying immense weight.
"Who told you these things?"
Li Qiong turned his face away. "No one told me. I thought of it all myself."
He thought his Mother Consort would press him further.
But she didn’t.
Princess Consort Zhen just said faintly, "You may continue with your work."
Then she rose and left.
Li Qiong felt a little uneasy. He escorted his Mother Consort to the door.
Princess Consort Zhen: "There’s no need to see me out."
Li Qiong had no choice but to return to his desk and continue with his homework.
Princess Consort Zhen watched as the door slowly closed before her.
As she turned, her gaze had become ice-cold.
"Give the order. Drag away all the servants attending the Crown Prince and have them beaten to death."
She paused, as if remembering something, and added another sentence.
"Keep the noise down. Don’t disturb the Crown Prince’s studies."
"Yes, Your Highness."
Princess Consort Zhen descended the steps slowly, her beautiful eyes catching the sunlight and refracting a magnificent glow.
’Since I don’t know who has been whispering poison in the Crown Prince’s ear, I’ll just get rid of everyone who possibly could have.’