Do Not Offend the Reborn Wicked Wife

Chapter 824: I’m Sorry!

Long Yue slowly stood up and smiled, "What do you mean, ’don’t do this,’ Crown Prince?"

"You are my Imperial Aunt, my elder. It is I who should be saluting you!"

Long Yue shook her head and said, "No, Crown Prince, you jest. As the saying goes, a monarch is a monarch, a subject is a subject, a father is a father, a son is a son. The relationship between ruler and subject comes before that of parent and child. In other words, the bond of ruler and subject precedes familial ties, so please forgive me if I dare not overstep."

"Imperial Aunt..."

The young man showed a look of despair; he really wanted to be as close and unguarded as they once were, but he knew those days were gone, never to return.

Ever since learning that Li Qingmu was actually the long-lost Seventeenth Prince, everything changed. He could distinctly feel the estrangement between Li Qingmu and their family.

This estrangement would continue and only grow further apart.

He really didn’t want things to turn out this way.

To be honest, he cherished the uncle-nephew bond, so he tried very hard to mend the ties with their family, but why did everyone want to destroy this relationship?

What were they thinking?

His mother, his Imperial Grandmother, and even Grandpa—weren’t they all the same?

Things could have been peaceful and carefree, but Grandpa insisted on making Qi Junmu the Regent King, why?

What was wrong with being just Prince Mu?

Actually, sometimes people are clear-sighted bystanders and confused participants, such a simple matter, but Qi Jingyu just couldn’t understand.

It’s not that they want to break their bond, it’s just that the imperial family is heartless!

This is an eternal truth, irrespective of time and place, the Imperial Family rarely has familial affection. Want family warmth? Not in the Imperial Family.

Maybe Qi Yun was tired of this emotionless palace and thrown title, and that’s why he yearned to leave the palace and live a carefree, happy life with Rong Si.

You have to admit, this Emperor truly was a wise man.

He calculated everything.

Years ago, when Duanmu Nan drugged his room and tried to harm him with the burning smoke of the candlesticks, he saw through it. Later, whether it was the rebellion of the remnants of Chen Country or Pang Wenzheng’s defection, he uncovered them all one by one.

This Emperor seemed to have the eyes of a god, capable of seeing everything clearly.

With this divine vision, didn’t everyone find interactions with Qi Yun quite exhausting?

Qi Jingyu felt precisely that way now.

At sixteen, he’s still young, with occasional traces of rebellion. Though smart, he was often undermined by his own cleverness, thinking he could employ intrigue against others but should treat those close to him better.

With this mentality, seeing his parents, grandparents play with power made him feel disappointed and distressed.

In truth, he much preferred spending time with Li Qingmu, as playing with him felt so relaxing.

After all, Qi Jingyu was still just a child.

Seeing him hanging his head, deep in thought and sorrow, Long Yue discerned that he was genuine.

In a realm of deception and schemes, Qi Jingyu aspired to the kinship within the Imperial Family.

"Yu’er, really, your Imperial Uncle and I never blamed you."

Long Yue spoke earnestly, personally making him tea.

Qi Jingyu hurriedly offered to do it himself, but Long Yue only smiled and shook her head, "Wasn’t it always like this? Why? Is Yu’er being polite with your Imperial Aunt now?"

"No, it’s not..."

Qi Jingyu appeared awkward, his young face flushed, a typical sight in teenage boys.

At this age, youths are tinged with immaturity, like green apples, a mix of tart and sweet.

Long Yue brewed his tea, had someone bring snacks, and sat across from him to enjoy tea and snacks together.

"This tea is a fine quality green tea, sourced from the hills and basins of Bashu, sweet and refreshing to the taste, just as its name suggests, leaving one revitalized with every sip."

While sampling the tea, Long Yue introduced it, "Oh, we also have floral tea I made, would you like to try it?"

"Imperial Aunt, one tea is enough for me; no need for so much, you’re too kind."

"Pff!" Long Yue chuckled, finding the young boy amusing, "I’m not being courteous, you’re being too polite. Didn’t you often clamor for me to make you tea before?"

Qi Jingyu was stunned, perhaps... it was like that?

Time changed, after all, years passed, he no longer remembered, yet Long Yue did?

Qi Jingyu lowered his head, a trace of shame on his face, "Imperial Aunt, I’m sorry, truth is, you never changed, you and Uncle, neither of you ever changed, it was us who changed!

Since Father became Emperor, he started to worry about possessing inadequate power, feeling it was never enough, always seeking to centralize control, wanting everyone to obey him, over time, suspicion toward Uncle grew.

And Imperial Grandmother, who was already power-hungry, became more involved and held court when Father was frail..."

At this point, Qi Jingyu suddenly raised his head, "I get it! Imperial Aunt, I’ve figured it out, Grandpa made Uncle the Regent King not to weaken Father’s power, but to ensure imperial power doesn’t fall into others’ hands!"

Long Yue smiled, had the little fellow finally understood?

Although she hadn’t directly prompted him, her words and actions conveyed that she and Li Qingmu had no ambition!

When one’s mind is at ease, he thinks, reflecting deeper and more broadly.

So, Long Yue’s previous displays of humility and respect allowed Qi Jingyu to feel unexpectedly at ease, and in this lightness, he began to think more thoroughly, gradually realizing many things and no longer overthinking.

When Qi Jingyu left from there, realizing it was all Long Yue’s help, he felt even more grateful.

"Yes, the interference of external relatives in politics has been a main reason for the decline of many dynasties, gaining a kingdom is easy, holding it is not. How many dynasties flourished only a few decades before disappearing into history’s dust?

Our Dazhou, since its founding, has stood for two hundred years. I think Father’s wish is to continually pass on this ancestral foundation, so that in the afterlife, he can face our forefathers without shame."

This subject was weighty, leaving Qi Jingyu momentarily silent.

In this era, men were more inclined toward paternal lineage, particularly those like the Crown Prince, who focused on the splendor and legacy of the paternal side.

If, due to their actions, the empire was lost to external relatives, they’d truly have no face to meet their ancestors in death!

"I’m sorry, Imperial Aunt!" Upon understanding this, Qi Jingyu became lively, raising his face, "But, I’m even more thankful to you! You’ve awakened me with a start, really, thank you so much!"