Even though the Fourth Prince didn't succeed and his princess consort didn't actually suffer those injuries, for Prince Su who treated his consort as his lifeline, just the fact that the Fourth Prince had thoughts of harming Xie Ming was unforgivable.

However, now was not a good time to enter the palace and do anything to the Fourth Prince. The palace was full of Emperor Wen Xiao's spies. He could directly barge into the Cold Palace and beat the man up, but the problem was how to explain it to Emperor Wen Xiao afterwards?

He certainly couldn't tell the truth that his consort foresaw the Fourth Prince's despicable intentions in a dream. Let alone whether Emperor Wen Xiao would believe it, he would never mention a word of such supernatural things to others, because once this kind of thing spread, Xie Ming would undoubtedly be viewed differently by others, and even worse, it could put him in danger.

For the sake of his Ah Ming, he had to force himself to consider things more carefully and thoroughly.

Thinking of this, Prince Su nervously tightened his arms around his consort's slender waist and solemnly instructed, "Ah Ming, you must not tell these things to anyone else."

He Yan obediently let himself be held and softly replied, "Don't worry, I haven't even told my parents, only you alone..."

Prince Su couldn't help but lower his head to kiss his eyes, promising his consort, "I will protect you."

He Yan opened his mouth and bit his neck, humming, "Of course, if you're not protecting me, who else would you protect?"

Although based on his abilities, he could live happily here even without Prince Su's protection, Prince Su's declaration still made him feel very gratified.

He Yan didn't use much force, so the bite didn't hurt. For the thick-skinned Prince Su, it felt like being lightly nipped by a little kitten's tender baby teeth. Rather than pain, it would be more accurate to describe it as ticklish.

So Prince Su, feeling itchy in his heart from the bite, held his little kitten's face and thoroughly "punished" him with his lips and tongue.

"Ah Ming, I'm sorry, I can't do anything to him for now." Prince Su kissed the corner of his mouth with guilt in his eyes. "When Imperial Brother abdicates, I will avenge you."

Although Emperor Wen Xiao had developed an aversion to the Fourth Prince for framing the Second Prince, the Fourth Prince was still his son after all. If he punished him for no reason, it would only worsen Emperor Wen Xiao's already exceptionally irritable mood.

Emperor Wen Xiao's condition had been unstable recently. If provoked further, Prince Su really feared his imperial brother would directly faint from anger.

Although the relationship between the two brothers had been a bit tense lately, as the younger brother, Prince Su still decided to take his older brother's health into consideration.

Besides, the matter with the Fourth Prince couldn't be settled just by beating him up. This required careful planning.

Prince Su quietly explained this analysis to his consort.

After listening, He Yan gently kissed back the corner of his mouth. "Alright, I'll listen to you."

Actually, he himself didn't harbor such deep hatred for the Fourth Prince. Everything had already changed course in this life. It was just that he felt since he was using Xie Ming's body, he had an obligation to seek justice for the Xie Ming who was innocently used by the Fourth Prince in the previous life and had his life ruined.

In fact, he was quite surprised that Prince Su could consider things so comprehensively this time.

Prince Su was someone who really disliked trouble. As a military general, he was extremely impatient with the schemes of the officials in the capital and was used to being straightforward in his actions. Now, in order not to implicate him, he could actually put his mind to planning, which surprised He Yan and also moved him to some extent.

It was just that Prince Su was still not very proficient in this line of work after all, so there were inevitably some oversights in the details. He Yan thought for a bit and pointed out one by one the things Prince Su hadn't considered. The two of them spent an afternoon like this, nestled on the bed.

Unlike the cold, rigid and straightforward Prince Su, He Yan had always been a very patient person. He didn't mind waiting for a while before slowly dealing with the Fourth Prince.

In any case, the Fourth Prince was currently imprisoned in the Cold Palace and not having a good time. Waiting until the new emperor ascended the throne and he was released from the palace, and then striking the Fourth Prince who thought he could finally be free, would surely be even more interesting.

If there were no accidents, according to the original trajectory, Emperor Wen Xiao's health was deteriorating and he wouldn't remain on the dragon throne for many more years.

*

A few days later, New Year's Eve arrived.

Emperor Wen Xiao was a sentimental person who held family banquets in the palace every year during holidays like the Spring Festival and Mid-Autumn Festival. This time was naturally no exception.

He Yan and Prince Su had attended a family banquet in the palace together during the Mid-Autumn Festival, but that was when they had just gotten married not long ago. People hadn't figured him out yet. Plus, with the ever-scowling, intimidating Prince Su following him around, no one dared to approach him to make small talk.

At that time, Emperor Wen Xiao hadn't yet realized Prince Su wouldn't have heirs for his sake, and still felt a bit guilty about forcibly marrying He Yan to his brother. He spoke a few words to He Yan very amiably, appearing quite fond of him.

This time was quite different.

When he kowtowed to Emperor Wen Xiao together with Prince Su according to etiquette, although Emperor Wen Xiao was still smiling, no matter how He Yan looked at it, that smile seemed a bit forced.

Meeting Emperor Wen Xiao's somewhat complex gaze, He Yan was in a good mood and smiled at him.

Emperor Wen Xiao: "..."

Because this unreasonable brother-in-law wouldn't allow Prince Su to take concubines, Emperor Wen Xiao inevitably developed some dissatisfaction towards him.

But the instant he saw Xie Ming, he suddenly couldn't get angry anymore.

Xie Ming was born with exquisite features to begin with. After getting married, he had been doted on and cherished, making his eyes appear even more alluring, three points more eye-catching than when they met at the Mid-Autumn family banquet. Against the background of white snow, even wearing plain, light blue clothes, he was always the most eye-catching one in the crowd.

And when he smiled, it gave people the illusion of spring flowers brushing their faces. No matter how much dissatisfaction Emperor Wen Xiao had in his heart, facing Xie Ming in person, it all inexplicably deflated.

At this moment, Emperor Wen Xiao suddenly forgave his stubborn, foolish younger brother.

The pursuit of beauty is almost an innate nature of all men. Even if he had no other thoughts, faced with such a face, it would be difficult for him to show a nasty attitude. No wonder his brainless younger brother was being held tightly by someone.

With such a person in the mansion, it was no wonder he couldn't look up to anyone else anymore.

With a subtle mood, Emperor Wen Xiao shifted his gaze from his brother-in-law and reached out to signal his foolish younger brother to hand over the child in his arms, "Come, his name is Xuning, right? Let me hold him."

Xuning's health was also not very good, so he was wrapped up extremely tightly in this severe winter, looking just like a ball, held tightly in Prince Su's arms.

Hearing someone call his name, Xuning timidly looked at Emperor Wen Xiao, then looked up at Prince Su.

Prince Su looked at him and handed him to Emperor Wen Xiao.

Xuning was a little nervous, his little hand tightly clutching the collar of Emperor Wen Xiao's clothes, gently making an "ah" sound.

He had seen this imperial uncle before and had been patted on the head by him, but this was the first time being held.

Fortunately, Emperor Wen Xiao had cared a lot about the princes when they were young, so he was much more experienced in coaxing children than Prince Su. After a few words of coaxing, Xuning timidly called him imperial uncle.

Hearing this, Emperor Wen Xiao's face bloomed with a smile, and he happily coaxed him a few more times.

After Prince Jing left that day, he pondered for a long time and finally decided not to pursue the matter of Prince Su and Prince Jing secretly adopting Xuning into the Prince Su Mansion behind his back.

Although he couldn't understand, he still chose to fulfill the only wish Prince Jing had ever asked of him in this life.

In any case, this child was now the legitimate son of the Prince Su Mansion.

He Yan watched from the side, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes.

He had originally thought that Emperor Wen Xiao would not give him any good face at this family banquet, but unexpectedly, his attitude was quite good, and he even showed a very fond appearance towards Xuning.

Was this actively taking a step back, deciding not to interfere with their mansion's affairs anymore?

Although he didn't know how Emperor Wen Xiao compromised, for He Yan, this was undoubtedly a good thing. Without Emperor Wen Xiao tirelessly trying to stuff women beside their family's foolish big guy every day, life could be much more peaceful.

After teasing Xuning for a long time and giving him an exquisitely crafted gold bracelet as a New Year's gift, Emperor Wen Xiao finally returned this round ball to Prince Su.

He Yan and Prince Su took the opportunity to take their leave and went to their own seats. Emperor Wen Xiao sat at the head of the table, continuing to receive the remaining group of princes, putting on a smiling face to accept their equally joyous New Year greetings.

At this family banquet, in addition to the Empress, there were also many favored concubines present, including He Yan's legitimate elder sister, Noble Consort Hui.

However, the seats of the concubines and the seats of the princes were not close to each other. It was also inappropriate to run around in public, so after He Yan and Noble Consort Hui exchanged greetings from afar, they each sat in their own seats.

Noble Consort Hui sipped the wine in her cup from time to time, but her eyes kept sweeping towards the prince's seat from time to time.

Unlike most people at this family banquet who were busy with social interactions and didn't pay attention to the food, Prince Su's family began to eat intently after taking their seats.

Xuning was still young, and because the dishes on the table were a bit greasy for him, he couldn't eat too much. He mainly ate the porridge specially made for children in the palace.

He was very independent. Although he was only two years old, he could already hold a small spoon and slowly feed himself.

In fact, this was probably something that couldn't be helped, because his father beside him was busy serving his other father and had no energy to take care of him.

He Yan loved to eat shrimp but was unwilling to peel them himself, so Prince Su personally peeled the shrimp for him, feeding him one after peeling one. He Yan was only responsible for opening his mouth to eat the whole time.

Although Noble Consort Hui considered herself to be very fond of Xie Ming, she was still shocked to see Xie Ming acting as if his hands were disabled and relying on Prince Su to feed him.

Even the two-year-old child beside him could eat by himself. Xie Ming was really too delicate.

Noble Consort Hui thought with some worry that her younger brother had probably been spoiled too much by Prince Su...