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Chapter 1105: Trouble

What about the Crown Prince? He was constantly burdened with the task of balancing conflicts among his brothers. His selflessness was admirable, but his efforts seemed futile when faced with his difficult siblings.

It went without saying that the Emperor’s most trusted Daoist, Shangzhen, had been discovered by Honored Princess Mei and the Fourth Prince. Honored Princess Mei had always been favored, and the Fourth Prince possessed intelligence that endeared him to the Emperor the most. The only one who could challenge the Crown Prince’s authority was the Fourth Prince.

The Second Prince was not to be underestimated either. His mother, Princess Concubine Virtue, was the niece of the late Empress Dowager and belonged to the powerful Sun Family.

The Sun Family held military might, and the Emperor and the Empress Dowager shared a close relationship, having grown up with Consort De. Consequently, they held the Second Prince in high regard.

As for the Third Prince, although his maternal family lacked grandeur and excitement, he was the son of the current Empress Qi. Besides the Crown Prince, he held the most honorable status. This advantage, coupled with his Connate Realm cultivation, naturally garnered him many followers.

Empress Qi may not possess the same virtue as the former Empress, but over the years, she had amassed significant influence.

It was evident to all that the Emperor appointed Empress Qi as empress because her family lacked power or talent, ensuring that no one posed a threat to the Crown Prince.

During that time, the Emperor still held the Crown Prince in high regard.

However, as time went on, things would inevitably become more complicated.

The Emperor had no intention of abolishing the Crown Prince, but at times, he couldn’t help but feel that something was amiss.

No one knew what was truly on the Emperor’s mind.

With so much unknown, imagination ran wild.

Furthermore, the Crown Prince’s kind-heartedness often led him to make concessions to gloss over issues, inadvertently empowering his younger brothers and fueling their arrogance. They looked down on him even more.

Even Shao Yunduan, who had just arrived in the capital, couldn’t help but worry for the Crown Prince. The Crown Prince’s benevolence was admirable, but would he truly be able to withstand the challenges until the end?

It wasn’t that he lacked kindness, but rather, the other princes failed to appreciate his kind gestures and instead took advantage of them.

Shao Yunduan held a favorable impression of the Crown Prince. He was a friendly and benevolent man, but as the Crown Prince, he had no means to exert control over the others.

Although the surface of the capital appeared calm, the tension beneath the facade was palpable. No one knew when the taut string would snap.

Not wanting to offend anyone, Shao Yunduan decided it was best to leave the capital.

In fact, had it not been for the Emperor’s words at the banquet, he might have been forced out of the capital.

Shao Yunduan chose not to disclose this to Qiao Xuan. It would only add to her troubles, and it wasn’t necessary.

They still had time to devise a plan.

Two days later, the weather remained pleasant. During their break, Shao Yunduan took Qiao Xuan out for a walk.

The red leaves in the Fourth Prince’s courtyard were exquisite, but the mountains were adorned with a mesmerizing display of fiery red and golden colors, captivating their hearts even more.

They picked an abundance of mushrooms in the mountains, as well as persimmons and dates from the farmer’s house at the foot of the mountain. They purchased eggs and pickles produced by the farmer’s family, enjoying the afternoon until the sun began to set in the west, returning home with contentment.