External Chapter: Jiang Lian (This Life Chapter)
Jiang Lian was known as the "First Prince".
The person she respected the most was the current emperor — her mother, Jiang Pengji.
The person she respected next was the Grand Tutor — Wei Ci, who seemed to have an ambiguous relationship with her mother and was suspected to be her biological father.
The person he liked the most was his twin sister — the second princess, Jiang Yan.
The second person he liked was the youngest son of Boss Qiguan's family — Little Langjun Qiguan Xi.
Other than the four people mentioned above, the one she was closer to was her favorite playmate, Nannan.
It was rumored that Nannan was the eldest wife of Grand Tutor Wei Ci's family — an iron-eating beast who could not grow up but had a long life.
The above was a simple introduction of the people around Jiang Lian.
Even though she was born to be favored by the heavens, she still had her own troubles.
She …
Seems like a slacker.
What a cruel reality. Her entire family was a straight-A student, but she was just a slacker.
It was not that Jiang Lian's studies were bad, but with the requirements of the Crown Prince, her learning ability was not as good as expected.
Thinking of this, Princess Jiang Lian looked sad. Although the Grand Tutor and other teachers would not reprimand her because she was the Crown Prince and the future Empress, as her subjects, they had no right to punish Jiang Lian. However, weren't a few study companions used to take the blame? Take the blame for the Crown Prince.
The young Qiguan Xi was punished the most, and most of the time, he was the one who asked for it.
"Your Highness, I'm fine."
Qiguan Xi, who was chosen to be the study companion of the Crown Prince at the age of five, consoled the First Prince with a serious expression.
Because of Jiang Lian, his palm was slapped by the old teacher who was teaching him.
His right palm was red.
Actually, the Headmaster did not hit him too hard. After all, Qiguan Xue was Qiguan Rang's youngest son. Ordinary people could not afford to offend him, but he looked pathetic.
Jiang Lian pursed her lips, still feeling very uncomfortable.
How would he be able to give lectures in front of the Pavilion in the future if his studies were not good?
She also wanted to study hard, but her learning speed was not fast. There was always a gap between her and the Grand Tutor's expectations.
Jiang Lian even suspected that she was too weak. Was she born stupid and unable to be educated?
Could a mediocre person like him really live up to his mother's expectations and manage the world?
Occasionally, when she couldn't sleep, she would have a thought when she tossed and turned in bed.
Why don't I let my younger sister do it? My younger sister can do it better.
Although they were born in the royal family, Jiang Lian had a good relationship with her younger sister. Since they were young, they had no desire to fight for power.
Jiang Lian simply felt that her talent was not as good as her younger sister's. If her mother focused all her energy on her younger sister, it would be much easier for her to cultivate her.
"You've been beaten red, yet you say you're fine."
Qiguan Xi's face was as fair as jade, and she had been beautiful since she was a child.
Jiang Lian was the one who requested for him to be the study companion of the Crown Prince and his father happily sent him to the palace.
Under the teachings of his father, Qiguan Rang, Qiguan Yan had always kept one thing in mind — His First Highness was the most important and he had to be loyal to him for life.
Before becoming her study partner, Qiguan Xi had interacted with Jiang Lian a few times.
It was said that when he was one month old, this little prince had carried him and invited him to stay in the palace for a few days.
Of course, Qiguan Xi did not remember this.
But he knew that this young but steady Highness was a very likable person.
His only shortcoming was that his academic performance was not very good, and he often punished his study companions.
However —
However, Qiguan Xi did not think that this was a shortcoming. At most, it showed that she was not good at studying.
No matter how good the Emperor's academic performance was, he would not go to the imperial examinations.
His First Highness only needed to learn how to be a qualified Emperor who could work for the welfare of the people. Then, she would be successful and qualified.
Throughout history, most Emperors would brag about how smart and knowledgeable they were.
It was not difficult to learn these things, but how many Emperors could still remember the words of the saints after becoming Emperors?
Even if the Emperor's academic performance was excellent, he would not be able to let the people live a good life and would still be reviled by his descendants.
When Qiguan Xi used a serious tone to comfort Jiang Lian and spoke logically, Jiang Lian could not help but burst out laughing.
"Did Qiguan Xi teach you to say these words?"
Qiguan Xi nodded. "Indeed, Father often talks about them."
It was no secret that Jiang Lian's academic performance was poor, and some of the ministers had been worried about her for a while.
His First Highness's studies were mediocre, while his Second Highness was lazy and did not strive to improve.
Why would the outstanding Emperor give birth to such an ordinary daughter?
If the twins had an ordinary background, the ministers could still find an excuse to complain that the boy's talent was too poor and that he was a burden to the Emperor.
However, when Jiang Lian and the twins were born, they were accompanied by auspicious signs and the reincarnation of Zi Wei. The ministers could only swallow their complaints.
Qiguan Rang used to be one of them. He became bald because of the Crown Prince.
However, he soon realized that he was being too stubborn.
There was no need for a Crown Prince to learn better than a great Confucian scholar. She only needed to know that there was such a thing and learn it comprehensively so that she would not be fooled.
One could never be too old to learn. She was only a few years old, and she would have plenty of time to learn slowly in the future.
Compared to the other geniuses, Jiang Lian's academic performance could only be described as mediocre. However, this Crown Prince had the qualities of an excellent heir. She had her own opinions on how to judge and use people. The rarest thing about her was her temperament. She was neither arrogant nor impetuous, modest and gentle, but not weak.
Jiang Lian was a very patient person.
This could be seen from the time when Jiang Lian followed Yan Lin to the south to punish corruption and cheating cases at the age of ten. Although she was young, her actions were frighteningly steady. With Yan Lin teaching her how to set up schemes, her mind was so complicated that others could not see through her. She was full of schemes.
Qiguan Rang was speechless.
His Majesty was a person who wrote arrogance on his face. Now that he was older, he had to restrain himself.
The Second Prince could not wait to carve the word "lazy" on his face. He did not have much of a presence since he was young.
The First Prince …
She had an honest face. On the surface, the word "harmless" was written on her face. When she cut open her stomach, it was full of black liquid.
How did the honest and lovely First Prince of the past become a scheming smiling tiger in the blink of an eye?
Did she grow up in a bad way?
Qiguan Rang and the other old ministers expressed their concern.
"… But this is good. There are many civil and military officials in the court who are easy to deal with. If the First Prince does not learn to be as smart as His Majesty, how can he control the ministers?"
Qiguan Rang and Feng Zhen played chess. Occasionally, the two Princes were mentioned. Naturally, there was a lot of discussion.
Although the First Prince did not have much talent in learning, his practical ability was top-notch. After he officially entered the court at the age of thirteen, every case he handled was praised as "beautiful." This made the old ministers feel much more at ease.
It was settled!
Feng Zhen said, "I feel that the Second Prince is more unfathomable."
The Second Prince was synonymous with "lazy." She did not work hard, but no one could say that she was incompetent.
From Feng Zhen's point of view, the Second Prince seemed to be hiding her strength and biding her time. It also seemed like she was hiding to avoid arousing suspicion.
At first, they were worried like everyone else.
Worried about what?
They were worried that the two Princes would start a fight for the throne when they came of age.
Not long after, the First Prince was appointed as the heir apparent, and the Second Prince was conferred the title of a king.
The Second Prince even took the initiative to ask for the title of "Virtuous." More than once, she expressed in public that her lifelong wish was to assist her elder sister.
To be honest, the relationship between the two sisters was abnormal. It also made Feng Zhen wonder if there was some conspiracy behind such a harmonious relationship between the royal family.
Throughout history, were there any lack of quarrels between brothers and fratricidal strife?
His Majesty only had two children. If one of them was killed, the other would be the next Emperor.
How could the two of them be indifferent to such a great temptation?
The Second Prince protected the First Prince in all ways, and the First Prince pampered the Second Prince in all ways. Every time, she looked like she was saying, "You can say what's wrong with me, I can listen humbly and change seriously, but you can't say anything bad about my sister."
The First Prince had great self-restraint, but if anyone said anything bad about her sister, she would attack them without hesitation.
As Feng Zhen watched the situation unfold, he was a little worried that the Imperial Family was about to have a scandalous scandal!
Until —
The Second Prince had just come of age, but she had already taken away his cute youngest son, Feng You. Feng Zhen was finally relieved.
Great, the Second Prince was still a man. She was not gay.
Eh?
Something didn't seem right?
Qiguan Rang had the same feeling as Feng Zhen.
Feng Zhen, the prodigal son, could be deceived by Feng You for a while, but Qiguan Rang was very smart. He quickly realized that something was wrong with his son.
On the day that he realized something was wrong, Qiguan Rang returned home with a gloomy face. He asked for the family discipline and openly waited for his unfilial son to come home.
Qiguan Weishi was scared when she saw this.
"What happened to Ji 'er?"
His eldest son and several daughters were all serving as officials elsewhere. The only one by his side was his youngest son, Qiguan Xi.
Qiguan Rang's sudden anger must have something to do with his youngest son.
"This unfilial son!"
He had led the crown prince astray. Even ten thousand deaths would not be enough to atone for his crime!
Qiguan Weishi was frightened by this situation. She thought that her son was involved in the rebellion.
After waiting for an hour in fear, Qiguan Xi came back to see his old father with an ashen face.
He was startled for a moment, then immediately understood something.
The father and son went to the study and dismissed the servants. After confirming that there were no eavesdroppers, Qiguan Rang angrily reprimanded his son.
"Who instructed you to seduce the emperor?"
Qiguan Xi was speechless.
Was it his fault that he was good looking?
"Father, I don't understand. When did I seduce the emperor?"
Qiguan Rang felt that he needed some medicine.
"How dare you say that you didn't do anything about you and the First Prince?"
Qiguan Xi said, "The First Prince is the emperor, and I am the subject."
"How can there be a subject who seduces the emperor?"
Qiguan Xi said calmly, "Her Highness and I are devoted to each other. Although we are the emperor and the subject, I have never misled Her Highness into doing anything wrong."
Qiguan Rang said, "Her Highness is young. She doesn't know the depth of the matter. How can you not?"
Qiguan Xi was speechless.
Her Highness was three years older than him … However, even if he reminded his father, his father would have other excuses.
He was probably a fake father.
The atmosphere between the father and son was a little stiff.
Qiguan Xi said hesitantly, "Why can't I?"
"Why not?"
Qiguan Xi said, "Father taught me to be loyal to the emperor since I was young. I dare not forget for a moment. I have been reminding myself to put Her Highness first all these years. However, after Her Highness becomes an adult, she needs someone to serve her for the sake of having children. It is very dangerous for a woman to give birth. It is hard to guarantee that the royal father does not have the ambition to usurp the throne and replace her. Why should I let Her Highness worry about such things? Bear these risks? "
Qiguan Rang was a little confused.
Speak slowly and let him digest it.
"What do you mean …"
Qiguan Xi said, "I will be loyal to Her Highness all my life. Even if I have children with Her Highness, I will never have any disloyal thoughts of usurping the throne. After Her Highness inherits the throne, she will not have to worry about having children or being burdened by relatives. Won't she be able to focus on politics? Her son will let her have no worries. Father, you don't trust others, but can you not trust the son you have raised? You should trust your son even more! "
Wouldn't it be more reassuring to hand over the important task of protecting Her Highness to someone unfamiliar and let him, Qiguan Xi, do it himself?
Qiguan Rang was speechless.
This seemed to make sense … Bullsh * t!
Loyal to the emperor, Qiguan Rang only wanted to beat his youngest son to death and make him back into the furnace.
As expected, he should have had two more daughters back then. Sons and whatnot — they were born to piss him off.
Qiguan Xi quibbled but was still beaten by his father.
Fortunately, Qiguan Rang knew not to hit someone's face. Qiguan Xi's face was still fine.
However, Jiang Lian had been thrown by her mother since she was young and had suffered all kinds of injuries. She could see the problem with Qiguan Xi at a glance.
After asking, she found out that he had been beaten by his future father-in-law.
How could this be?
The next day, Jiang Lian secretly went to the manor to have a secret talk with Qiguan Rang.
The content of this secret talk was completely different from what Qiguan Xi had imagined.
Qiguan Rang, who valued women over men for decades, did not hide his worry for his son for the first time.
"Since Her Highness has come personally, I know that there is no turning back. I can only shamelessly ask for a promise from Your Highness."
Jiang Lian was mentally prepared to be scolded or made things difficult for the old man.
Qiguan Rang said, "Xi 'er has a good temperament, but no one can predict what will happen in the future. I shamelessly ask for a promise from Your Highness. No matter what happens in the future, as long as Xi' er doesn't commit treason, you can allow him to return to his hometown and retire if you dislike him."
Jiang Lian said, "You don't trust me?"
Qiguan Rang said, "This isn't a matter of trust. It's just a father's concern for his son."
A married son was like spilled water. Qiguan Rang would not go and break up the couple.
He dared to hit Qiguan Xi, but would he bear to hit Eldest Prince Jiang Lian?
The most important thing was that he was worried!
Wei Ci was a good example to learn from.
Although Wei Ci was still alive and kicking and had lived a peaceful life all these years, it was not easy to be an invisible "husband."
However, it wasn't easy to be this kind of invisible 'Di Fu'. If he wasn't careful, he would become the target of public criticism.
If Wei Ci had overstepped his boundaries, Qiguan Rang would not sit idly by and do nothing. He would find a way to get rid of him.
Similarly, if Qiguan Xi had overstepped his boundaries, would the other officials not take action?
Even the Emperor could not guarantee that he would be able to protect anyone in the Imperial Court.
Qiguan Rang did not expect Jiang Lian to protect Qiguan Xi. He only hoped that when something like this happened, Jiang Lian would give Qiguan Xi a way out and let him stay away from battles.
Jiang Lian said, "Alright, I agree."
"In addition, if Xi 'er insists, I will warn his sisters and brothers to stay away from him," Qiguan Rang said calmly. "In the future, just treat him as an ordinary relative. As long as I'm here, I won't let the children have too much contact with Xi 'er. Please tell Xi 'er about this in detail, Your Highness. I thought about it all night and realized with some shame that I might have hurt this child back then by favoring women over boys. That's why he became biased. I only hope that he and Your Highness are sincere and not because of the pressure and obsession that I put on him. "
When Jiang Lian mentioned this to Qiguan Xi, Qiguan Xi said seriously, "It's not obsession or pressure. I just can't imagine that someone will be closer to Your Highness than I am. I can't believe that someone else will love and admire you more than I do."
He could not take the risk, so he hoped that he would be the one to protect her.
So that she would not have to worry about anything and become a better person.
The future Emperor, who would go down in history, hoped that her descendants would praise and admire her when they mentioned her.
This was the greatest achievement that Qiguan Xi could imagine.
Jiang Lian smiled. "Yes, I know."
.。 m.
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