If I were born again, I would marry a strong but short-lived husband.

He Jingyao was locked up in the darkest and smallest room in the imperial prison. He didn't seek medical treatment for his injured knee. They just bandaged it roughly, just enough to prevent him from dying.

Xie Changyu returned to the palace to report, and the emperor was very satisfied.

The second prince was puzzled, "Father, why don't you kill He Jingyao? He sneaked into our dynasty and was killed as an assassin. Even the emperor of the Southern Dynasty can't blame us."

The emperor signaled Xie Changyu to step back.

He leaned on the large pillow. Ever since his last illness, the emperor had been in poor health. The signs of stroke had improved a lot after Zhou Zhou's acupuncture treatment, but he could still only speak slowly.

"Do you think I am too trusting and biased towards Lu Yuan?" The emperor raised his eyes and glanced at the second prince.

The Second Prince's heart tightened, "I dare not."

The emperor patted his side and motioned for the second prince to sit down.

"I know what you are worried about. Lu Yuan is the commander of the Pacification Division. If he becomes the new emperor of the Southern Dynasty in the future and knows so many of our secrets, it will be disadvantageous to us. That's why you want to control his family first."

The Second Prince's face flushed. It was so easy for his father to see through his thoughts.

The emperor broke it down and spoke to the second prince, "You are too young and don't see things comprehensively enough."

"My health is getting worse day by day. When you ascend the throne in the future, are you able to ensure that the Yong Dynasty is stable and there are no wars on the border within the two years of the regime change?"

The Second Prince looked solemn when he heard this. He had thought about it, but now that the world is at peace, he did not think there would be a war.

The emperor seemed to know what he was thinking.

"Disputes are always on the verge of breaking out. Once your regime becomes unstable, the surrounding small countries will immediately rush over to bite off a piece of Yong Dynasty's flesh. Any alliance will be useless."

"You are treating Lu Yuan's family well now. This is a favor. Lu Yuan will remember your kindness."

The Second Prince: "He is just a newly recognized prince. Can he have a say in the Southern Dynasty?"

"Then you still underestimate Lu Yuan's ability." The emperor said, "As long as he wants, he can definitely do it."

"Father, I didn't do anything to Shen." said the second prince.

The emperor nodded, "This is also the reason why I did not kill He Jingyao."

"The He family and the Ruan family are irreconcilable. You can have contacts with both sides. He Jingyao is the favor you will give to He Zhiyuan in the future."

“You have to be good at taking advantage of it.”

"Don't just act on your own guesswork. You still have a long way to go. Broaden your horizons."

The second prince understood the emperor's good intentions and stood up, kneeling and saluting, "I will remember your father's teachings."

The emperor nodded, but in fact he had other selfish motives.

He hoped that Lu Yuan could save the eldest prince.

What Concubine Xian did is indeed too numerous to list, but it has nothing to do with the eldest prince.

In fact, he knew very well that after his death, it was unknown whether Concubine Yao and the new emperor would be able to accommodate his other sons.

For the sake of Yongning and the eldest prince, he would have people protect Shen Suian.

“Father, my mother has reflected on her mistakes for a long time. Can we…” The Second Prince whispered to plead for Concubine Yao.

Even if her status as imperial concubine is not restored, at least her house arrest should be lifted.

This was the first time his mother was confined to her house.

Your Majesty, "I am protecting your mother."

The second prince heard the displeasure in the emperor's tone and dared not plead any further.

"There is one more thing." The emperor whispered.

"I will confer the title of King of Zhenbei on your eldest brother and have him guard the border."

The Second Prince's eyebrows jumped, but he did not dare to say anything against it, "Yes, Father."

"Boss, don't have any ambitions. You don't have many talented generals available now. Treat your eldest brother well. He will be able to help you stabilize the world in the future." The emperor warned.

"I will keep my father's teachings in mind and will treat my eldest brother well." said the second prince.

After saying so many words, the emperor's face showed deep fatigue.

His body was already exhausted and he was only kept alive by medicine. No one knew when he died.

The second prince served the emperor some medicine and stayed with him until he fell asleep. Only then did he lower his head and leave the Yangxin Palace.

"Eunuch Fu, I'm going to visit Concubine Yao. If father asks about it when he wakes up, do you know what to say?" The second prince smiled as he looked at Fu An who was waiting at the door.

"I didn't see anything, so I dare not say anything nonsense." Eunuch Fu lowered his head.

Although the Second Prince is now the regent and the harem is still under the control of Concubine Yao, if the Emperor really wants to know, how can he hide it?

Just because he didn't say it doesn't mean the emperor doesn't know.

But now the emperor is powerless and can’t control it even if he wants to.

The second prince came to Zhaoxi Palace to see Concubine Yao and told her that the emperor wanted to make the eldest prince the King of Zhenbei.

"What is the emperor father thinking? He knows that the virtuous concubine is... but he still gives my eldest brother so much military power. What should I do in the future?" The second prince was very annoyed.

He felt that his father was so ill that he became demented.

In the past, because of him, my father never showed too much preference to other princes.

Why not prefer it?

Concubine Yao frowned, "You didn't say anything nonsense in front of your father, did you?"

"No, I will naturally follow my father's arrangements." said the second prince.

He was just a little worried. "Mother, my eldest brother and I have always had a good relationship. But, Concubine Xian died in our hands. Does he really have no grudges at all?"

"He is in the Southern Dynasty now." Concubine Yao said lightly.

I finally understand why the emperor asked the eldest prince to escort Yongning to the marriage. He wanted to protect the eldest prince.

Concubine Yao: "There is a long time to come, don't fight over the short term."

"As long as Feng Chuanjin has no ulterior motives and can guard the border for you, he is still different from Concubine Xian." Concubine Yao said.

If the emperor is afraid to employ people because of suspicion, he will only be timid and hesitant, and by then there will be no one available in the entire court.

It can be used both in doubt and in use, the key is to know how to use it.

The Second Prince: "Mother, I know what to do."

……

Feng Yuanjia came to Qilin Lane early in the morning and happened to see the servants sweeping the courtyard. He could also vaguely see traces of blood.

"What's going on?" She was startled and hurried to see Shen Sui'an.

"Some thugs broke in yesterday and used swords and knives." Shen Suian replied calmly.

Feng Yuanjia frowned, "What kind of villain dares to come here to commit trouble? Are you from the Southern Dynasty?"

She grew up in the palace and had experienced all kinds of calculations, so she could naturally see that this was no ordinary villain.

"Don't worry, the person has been caught." Shen Sui'an said.

Feng Yuanjia: "No, you come back with me and stay in the palace temporarily, otherwise I will be worried."

Shen Sui'an's heart moved. She was still thinking about where to move to. If she went to the Prince of Zhennan's Mansion, it would indeed be safer than anywhere else.

"Isn't that disturbing you?" Shen Sui'an whispered.

"Is there any need for us to talk about this?" Feng Yuanjia snorted.

Shen Sui'an smiled and pinched her cheek, "Okay, then I will bother Princess Yuanjia."

After He Jingyao's assassination attempt failed, the assassins from the Southern Dynasty did not dare to act rashly again. They had to wait for news from Prime Minister He.

Should we find a way to save He Jingyao, or continue to find a way to get rid of Shen Suian.