After the noble lady was reborn, the whole mansion begged her for forgiveness

The Queen walked lightly into Chunxi Palace with lotus steps, her brows filled with unremovable worry, like the darkest clouds in the night sky, obscuring the light of the stars.

Her words were soft and delicate, like the drizzle brushing against the flower petals in spring, and she was afraid to disturb this rare tranquility.

"You are currently engaged in the endless search for the lost treasures of the Xiliang Kingdom. How did you end up with General Qi and stir up such a turmoil in this vortex of power?"

After saying this, her gaze involuntarily slid to the Second Prince's arm wrapped in fine bandages. An imperceptible trace of pity and worry flashed across her eyes, as if even a faint sadness permeated the air.

Emperor Dongyue arrived shortly afterwards, wearing a dragon robe that shone with golden light, but it could not hide the lingering worry between his brows.

He walked slowly into the hall, his voice steady and powerful: "Qiyuan has been weak and sickly since childhood. As a prince, you should be more considerate of others and take the overall situation into consideration." There was both blame and some subtle expectations in his words.

The Second Prince felt mixed emotions when he heard this. He lowered his head, and a complex emotion flashed in his eyes, including grievance and unwillingness, but it eventually turned into a deep respect: "Father, Mother, I have deeply reflected on my mistakes and can correct them."

Although his words were light, they revealed an indescribable stubbornness. The light that inadvertently flashed in his eyes seemed to be telling of an unknown past and persistence.

"What is the charm of Qin Suling that can make you obsessed with her so much?" Upon hearing this, the emperor and the empress were both surprised and exchanged meaningful glances with each other, as if at this moment, the tacit understanding between them had reached an unprecedented level.

The second prince's cheeks flushed slightly, and his shyness was evident in his words. He took a deep breath, mustered up his courage, and poured out his feelings: "My child... has fallen deeply in love with her and cannot extricate himself."

As soon as these words were spoken, the entire Chunxi Hall seemed to be frozen by an invisible force; even the flickering candlelight seemed to stop at this moment. An indescribable tension and awkwardness filled the air.

When the queen heard this, her face suddenly changed and anger surged in her heart.

She sternly rebuked him, "Ridiculous! As a member of the royal family, how can you treat your marriage so lightly? Although you are not my biological child, I have always treated you as my own. Every decision you make concerns the reputation and future of the royal family!"

Her voice was filled with pain and disappointment, and every word was like a heavy hammer, hitting the second prince's heart.

Emperor Dongyue seemed more profound.

He stroked his beard gently, his eyes sharp as torches, staring at the Second Prince for a long time, as if weighing something.

Finally, he spoke slowly: "A prince's wife must not only be a descendant of a famous family, but also have the wisdom and vision to help you achieve great things."

Although his words were calm, they revealed unquestionable majesty and determination.

The second prince was secretly delighted.

Does the emperor's words imply recognition and expectation of him?

He quickly collected his thoughts and answered respectfully, "Father, all I want is to spend my life with the person I love and help manage the household affairs to relieve your worries. As for other things, I have never had any unreasonable wishes."

Seeing this, the queen sighed softly, with helplessness and kindness in her eyes.

She ordered the maid to help the second prince stand up, and said sternly: "Qin Suling's matter is indeed against etiquette. But considering your sincerity, I can allow you to discuss it after your wedding. However, if she is willing to be a concubine, she must nod her head and agree."

The Second Prince smiled bitterly upon hearing this. He knew very well that Qin Suling was of noble character and would never accept such an arrangement.

His tone was full of powerlessness and bitterness: "Mother, I have already tried this. She even declined the position of wife, let alone the position of concubine."

Upon hearing this, the emperor and empress fell silent again, and the atmosphere in the entire palace became more solemn and depressing.

Under the flickering candlelight, everyone's face was filled with complex emotions and unsolved mysteries.

At this moment, outside the palace, the night was as dark as ink, the stars were hidden, and there was a faint coughing sound.

It seemed to pass through the thick palace walls and come slowly, like the sigh of the last fallen leaves touching the ground in late autumn.

Inadvertently, the solemnity that had been accumulated in the room due to the long silence was dispelled.

Qi Qiyuan was thin and pale, and although he was suffering from illness, his eyes sparkled with a determination that would not be shaken in the slightest.

"I know my time is running out, and I don't want to be a burden to my family and country. However, Qin Suling is the only one I want in my life, and I am willing to spend the rest of my life with her. I have no other requests, but I hope that after I die, someone can help me resolve this unfinished relationship."

Although his voice was soft, every word was clear, like a ray of sunshine in winter, penetrating the cold and warming people's hearts.

The Queen felt mixed emotions when she heard this. She turned around and looked at the steady Emperor Dong Yue beside her. A touch of tenderness and determination flashed in her eyes. She suggested softly, "Your Majesty, perhaps we can give Qin Suling a chance to come to the palace in person and tell her what's on her mind. This may bring a glimmer of hope to this deadlock and also let Qi Lianglun feel at ease."

Upon hearing this, Emperor Dongyue nodded slightly, a hint of approval flashed in his eyes, and he agreed to the Queen's proposal.

"As you wish, this matter will be handed over to the Queen." The Queen responded with a complex look in her eyes, which showed worry and expectation for the future, as well as deep emotion for this deep friendship.

The Second Prince was standing aside. Upon hearing the news, his face turned pale as paper in an instant. His shock was like the surface of a lake in a storm, with waves rising and falling that were difficult to calm down.

He knew very well that if he continued to force it, not only would he fail to win Qin Suling's heart, but he would also become a laughing stock in the court and a topic of conversation for everyone.

Although Qi Qiyuan was weak and sickly, he won the respect and understanding of the world because of his gentleness and noble character.

The second prince was filled with resentment and indignation. He gritted his teeth and angrily asked, "Why can Qi Qiyuan easily get what I want? As a direct descendant of the royal family, how can I easily admit defeat?"

So, he resolutely knelt down again before the emperor and empress, his knees touching the ground with a dull sound, and his words were earnest, every word was tearful: "Father, Your Majesty, and Mother, my love for Qin Suling can be witnessed by the heaven and earth, and by the sun and the moon. There is absolutely no falsehood. I am willing to exchange my sincerity for true love, and only wish to spend my life with my beloved. I do not ask for tremendous power, but only for our two hearts to depend on each other and grow old together." His eyes were like torches, as if he could penetrate numerous obstacles and look directly into the emperor's heart. His determination and infatuation were moving.

The emperor and empress looked at each other with embarrassment on their faces. Emperor Dongyue stroked his long beard with a deep gaze, as if he was weighing the pros and cons, or thinking about life.

After a moment, he slowly spoke, his voice steady and powerful: "Although I have granted Qi Qiyuan the title of Prince, his physical condition is indeed not up to the task. As for your marriage, I think that the overall situation should be given priority and it should be handled flexibly. As a prince, you should abide by the ancestral teachings and put state affairs first."

The Second Prince felt as if his heart was being cut by a knife when he heard this, but he still clenched his fists tightly, his nails digging deeply into his palms, and blood oozed out quietly, but he was completely unaware.

He kowtowed resolutely, his voice firm and resolute: "I, your son, dare to ask your Majesty to understand my deep love. Your son does not seek fame, wealth or honor, but only wishes to be with the one I love and spend the rest of my life with him. Please grant my wish, your Majesty!"

Seeing this, the Queen was extremely anxious. She quickly stepped forward and gently stroked the Second Prince's back. Her tone was both accusatory and loving: "How can you be so stubborn, child? Have you ever thought that what you shoulder is not only the responsibility of the East Palace, but also the safety of the entire country and the well-being of the people? How can you ignore the overall situation because of your own personal feelings?"

Her words were like a heavy hammer hitting everyone's heart, making the atmosphere in the hall instantly tense to the extreme, with undercurrents surging, as if it would explode at any time.

Everyone knows that every word the Queen said is full of meaning.

If the second prince could let go of his romantic feelings, it would perhaps be a great blessing for the royal family.

But in this world where power and glory are intertwined, who can easily give up the power and honor that people covet?