I Am a Salted Fish in Ancient Times

Chapter 23

"Why do you say that?" Xiao Jin smiled and replied, "Naturally, because Third Brother is an exceptionally clever person."

Liu Jingyi: "..." To be honest, she didn't know what expression to show.

She even suspected that Xiao Jin could say this so effortlessly because he was biased towards Xiao Shan.

Seeing her expression, which was not entirely concealed due to her shock, Xiao Jin knew what she was thinking. He smiled and said, "You don't believe it? But Mother Empress does. That's why over the years, Mother Empress has always let Consort Lan make a fuss and then cleaned up the mess for her. Mother Empress feels guilty towards Third Brother."

These words completely piqued Liu Jingyi's curiosity. She asked, "What do you mean by that, Crown Prince?"

Xiao Jin had long wanted to share his thoughts with her but hadn't found the right time.

When Liu Jingyi wasn't pregnant, she was quite carefree. But ever since she became pregnant, she had been extremely protective of the unborn child, feeling that any slight disturbance was a threat to her baby.

Ever since the incident with the pastries sent by Consort Lan, although the culprit was eventually found, the maid couldn't withstand the torture from the Department of Punishments and died. Before her death, in a delirious state, she uttered, "You will never know who the real culprit is."

The officials from the Department of Punishments didn't dare to conceal anything and naturally reported it to the Emperor and Empress.

The Emperor also ordered a continued search for the mastermind behind the incident, but there were no results.

Thus, this matter became a knot in Liu Jingyi's heart that she couldn't untangle. She didn't want to suspect Consort Lan, but she couldn't help overthinking. Xiao Jin originally thought she had already let it go, but when he occasionally saw her being very resistant to being too close to Consort Lan, he realized she had never gotten over it.@@@@

From Liu Jingyi's perspective, Xiao Jin thought being cautious was a good thing. After all, this was the child they had longed for, and if anything were to happen, they wouldn't be able to bear it.

However, he also wanted Liu Jingyi to relax, as Imperial Physician Su had hinted during the last check-up that being overly anxious was not good for her health or the baby.

Today, Xiao Jin had some free time and, hearing Liu Jingyi's suggestive words, decided to have a long talk with his wife to thoroughly analyze the current situation.

Xiao Jin held Liu Jingyi's hand and had her sit down, then began, "You know that both Mother Empress and Consort Lan come from the Gu family, right?"

Liu Jingyi nodded, "This is known throughout the land. Why does Your Highness ask?"

Xiao Jin didn't answer her directly but instead said, "I just mentioned that Third Brother is a clever person, and you don't believe it, do you?"

Liu Jingyi immediately replied, "It's not that I don't believe it, it's just not very apparent."

Xiao Jin smiled, his features exceptionally refined and handsome, and said, "Isn't that the same as not believing?"

Liu Jingyi blushed and found herself at a loss for words.

Xiao Jin patted her hand and continued, "Mother Empress and Consort Lan both come from the Gu family. If Consort Lan and Third Brother truly had ambitions for that position, the two branches of the Gu family wouldn't only support me while completely ignoring Third Brother. After all, Second Uncle is Consort Lan's biological father. If Consort Lan and Third Brother had such intentions, how could Second Uncle not have any thoughts about it?"

Liu Jingyi was momentarily stunned, then her eyes sparkled with realization, showing that she had been enlightened.

Xiao Jin continued, "Over the years, both branches of the Gu family have consistently supported me, and Third Brother has done the same. Don't be fooled by Consort Lan's antics; she acts without a plan and is easily swayed by others. Her ambitions are simple and only concern immediate benefits. She has never thought of pushing Third Brother towards that position."

"As for Third Brother, he has shown through his actions since childhood that he has no intention of vying for that position," Xiao Jin said, his eyes curving with a smile. "I understand the concerns you and Mother Empress have. You're worried that Third Brother might use the opportunity of taking secondary consorts to expand his own influence. In your view, the position of Prince Li's secondary consort is certainly desirable to many. But think about it differently: if Third Brother has the support of the Gu family, why would he take such a roundabout way to achieve his goals? If he truly had ambitions, he would only need to have Second Uncle and the others feign support for me and then strike at a critical moment. Wouldn't that be more effective?"

Liu Jingyi saw that Xiao Jin was genuinely interested in discussing this topic, so she opened up and couldn't help but say, "What if Prince Li is doing this on purpose? He might be distancing himself from the Gu family while secretly forming alliances with others. This way, the Crown Prince wouldn't know and wouldn't suspect him."

"There always has to be a reason for forming alliances with others," Xiao Jin said with a smile. "Third Brother's temperament isn't suited to using secondary consorts as a means to win over external officials. Who would he be secretly contacting? Over the years, has he gotten close to any court officials? He simply doesn't like using such methods."

Liu Jingyi couldn't understand why Xiao Jin was so certain that Xiao Shan wouldn't take secondary consorts.

Xiao Shan was taken aback. Fearing his words were unclear, Xie Zhui explained further, "What I mean is, Your Highness not taking secondary consorts isn't necessarily because of me, but more because you don't want to be suspected by others. Consort Lan made a big fuss about you taking secondary consorts, making it known to everyone, but you yourself are unwilling. If your intentions are misunderstood, would Your Highness feel aggrieved?"

Xiao Shan looked steadily at Xie Zhui, then he laughed and said, "Xie Zhui, when you get straight to the point, it's really hard to handle."

Xie Zhui didn't understand what he meant, his eyes suddenly filled with confusion.

Xiao Shan threw himself onto the bed and said, "Do you know why I was so confident in telling Consort Lan that Father Emperor agreed to me not taking secondary consorts?"

Xie Zhui didn't answer.

Xiao Shan continued, "It's because I know Father Emperor doesn't want me to gain too much power through marriage alliances."

The Emperor's thoughts were quite simple. Xiao Jin was the Crown Prince and the future Emperor of Da Zhou, so the Gu family must fully support Xiao Jin without any divided loyalties.

As for Xiao Shan, being the Gu family's grandson, he should only maintain the most basic relationship with them.

Regarding taking secondary consorts, from a father's perspective, the Emperor hoped Xiao Shan would take a secondary consort because he wanted Xiao Shan to have his own children. If Xie Zhui couldn’t bear children, the children born to a secondary consort would still be Xiao Shan's bloodline.

But from an emperor's perspective, he hoped that even if Xiao Shan took a secondary consort, it would be best to choose someone not entangled with power and influence.

Because being too entangled with power creates a web of cause and effect. Sometimes, you don't need to act yourself; those behind you will push you in that direction.

So, regarding Consort Lan's proposal, the Emperor was conflicted. He threw the problem to Xiao Shan to understand his thoughts.

If Xiao Shan was willing to take a secondary consort, the Emperor would agree.

If Xiao Shan was unwilling, the Emperor would ask for his reasons and ultimately agree as well.

Xiao Shan had understood the Emperor's mind thoroughly since childhood, which was why he was such an unconventional prince.

They wanted to know what he truly thought, so he openly showed them.

He had no desire to become the Crown Prince, no ambition for the throne; he just wanted to be a carefree person who could enjoy life.

"But even if I were truly asked to compete, I wouldn't be willing," Xiao Shan said. "I just want to be a leisurely prince, living a carefree life is more comfortable than anything else."

Besides, even if they were to take a step back, if he truly had ambitions, he wouldn't take the route of marrying multiple wives to consolidate his power.

Others might, but he wouldn't.

Call him old-fashioned or accuse him of false modesty, he would accept it.

He had his own principles.

Crossing the line was easy, but holding the line was hard, and he just wanted to hold that line.

"As for whether I would feel aggrieved," Xiao Shan thought seriously for a moment and said, "if I were truly misunderstood, it would not only be aggrieving but also frustrating. However, if that day ever comes, I would only allow myself to feel aggrieved for an hour."

He was so clear and honest in his actions that if he were still misunderstood, there would be no need to feel aggrieved because it wouldn't be worth it.

An hour could be used to mourn his former self.

Xie Zhui looked at Xiao Shan, who spoke these words so nonchalantly, and felt as if he had touched a part of Xiao Shan's inner world.