Chapter 384: Sui Sui's Origin

His Majesty saw Prince Qi hesitating, and couldn't help sighing lightly: "Take a look, it's actually not a particularly big matter, and matters of fate…"

When those words were spoken, Prince Qi felt a slight hint of speculation in his heart.

He inhaled deeply, lifted the thick stack of papers, and examined them carefully.

Seeing the front documents, Prince Qi's eyes widened sharply, his pupils filled with surprise!

Soon, when he looked at the later documents, his eyes remained wide, but now carried shock, astonishment, and doubt.

This…

After reading everything, Prince Qi's hand gripping the documents tightened to a grotesque degree; after a long pause, he croaked, "Did you tell the Qing Wang Younger Brother?"

His Majesty shook his head gently: "I thought I'd ask you first, let you decide whether to tell him."

The Emperor and Prince Qi are full brothers from the same mother.

Therefore, His Majesty certainly favors Prince Qi.

Prince Qi fell silent after hearing that.

He actually wanted selfishly to hide this matter and never tell anyone.

In that case, Sui Sui would be his own precious darling.

But it's not just anyone; it's Prince Qing.

The investigation data His Majesty provided shows that Sui Sui is indeed not the daughter of Chen San Niang and Jin Yangzi.

She is…

A child Chen San Niang stole after her own daughter died prematurely.

These events didn't happen long ago, and the people His Majesty sent are all skilled investigators.

Many old matters, if visited a few more times, can be uncovered.

Moreover, there is more than one eyewitness here.

Back then, when Chen San Niang's own daughter perished, she feared losing the child, and the bond between her and Jin Yangzi was completely severed!

In her grief and despair, Chen San Niang encountered the Princess Consort of Qing carrying a child.

At that time, Prince Qing had penetrated deep into enemy camps and lost contact.

Everyone thought the opponent had died on the battlefield and not returned.

Prince Qing and the Princess Consort of Qing had exchanged marriage documents then, but had not yet held the grand wedding ceremony.

During the war, Border Pass City's atmosphere was also liberal.

Thus, after exchanging the marriage documents, they were considered husband and wife, so they performed marital rites and had a child.

The child was not yet a month old when Prince Qing went on campaign.

As a result, that campaign lasted more than a year.

In the meantime, news of Prince Qing's death arrived, and several Border Pass City towns fell again.

Heartbroken, the Princess Consort of Qing fled with the child, waiting for news of Prince Qing.

At that time, a maid serving the mother and daughter followed the Princess Consort of Qing.

The maid was young and a bit mischievous.

One time, when the Princess Consort of Qing went elsewhere and left the child with her, Chen San Niang set her sights on the child.

The maid's carelessness allowed Chen San Niang, by the time she realized, already be holding the child and riding a carriage back to Qingzhou.

In fact, after the Princess Consort of Qing returned, if the maid had spoken truthfully and reported to the authorities, there might have been a chance to retrieve the child.

But the panicked maid lied, claiming the child was taken by wolves!

The Princess Consort of Qing searched every forest on the nearby hills for the child.

Unfortunately, the child was stolen by a person, not taken by wolves, so where could she find it?

Her husband was gone, and the child was gone too.

Under the double trauma, the Princess Consort of Qing's mental state was not very good.

Then, on a spring day, she slipped and fell into the water, disappearing.

When pulled up, her body was already swollen.

Prince Qing later sought out that maid.

The maid, feeling guilty, dared not tell the truth, saying the child was gone, the princess went mad, and in her neglect she slipped into the water and vanished.

At that time, due to war, several towns near Border Pass City had massive population movement, making information hard to track.

Prince Qing sent people to investigate; what they could learn was indeed that a woman, after losing her child, went mad and then drowned.

Heartbroken, Prince Qing could only bring the Princess Consort of Qing's skeletal remains back to the city.

In that battle, he penetrated the enemy camp, captured the enemy leader's head, causing several small states around Border Pass City to cower like turtles for years.

He earned merit in Great Summer.

Upon his triumphant return, he had no other wishes, only to marry his princess fully.

Even if he married only a Spirit Tablet.

But he promised to receive her grandly at the Gate and give her a complete wedding.

When she was alive, he failed to do so and felt great guilt.

Now that she is gone, he must fulfill his promise.

Thinking back on Prince Qing's marriage to a Spirit Tablet, Prince Qi feels deeply sorrowful.

He always feels that Prince Qing, in recent years on the battlefield, has not cherished his own life, partly due to a death‑wish.

His heart has gone with his deceased wife and daughter; he cannot feel the meaning of living, yet does not wish to die easily.

After all, he indeed still bears responsibility on his shoulders.

Now Border Pass City is stable…

Prince Qing also lost his spiritual support, and Prince Qi actually fears that Prince Qing might one day be unable to hold on.

Prince Qing is different from me.

The other party went to the battlefield early and also met the Princess Consort at Border Pass City.

The two have spent many years together, becoming acquainted, understanding each other, and loving each other.

They have hand in hand accompanied each other for many years, and their feelings are deep.

To Prince Qing, the Princess Consort is truly a wife who can accompany him for a lifetime, a soul mate.

When the other is gone, half of Prince Qing's soul is also gone.

Moreover, there is a child between them who died prematurely.

And now the records show that Sui Sui is that child from back then.

Seeing this, Prince Qi seemed to understand.

Why, when Chen San Niang was alive, did she not treat Sui Sui as a matter of importance?

It is not because she resented Jin Yangzi's fickle nature, which also caused her to dislike her own daughter.

Then it's not her child; it would be strange for her to love it!

Perhaps Chen San Niang would even think, why is it her child that dies, why not someone else's?

When Prince Qi suspected this matter, it was a flash of insight.

He always felt that Jin Yangzi or the Chen family were unworthy of a child like Sui Sui, and that was what spurred him to have His Majesty investigate.

In the end, the investigation uncovered this truth.

Prince Qi's heart felt heavy and a bit sour.

He truly likes Sui Sui and cherishes the daughter that Heaven gave him.

But Prince Qing is also his brother!

Although they are not full brothers, they have gotten along well over the years, and compared to other brothers, their bond is naturally still deep.

Moreover, the other's fate is so tragic.

It truly makes Prince Qi keep it hidden, never speak of it all his life; his heart is also filled with guilt and unease.

But if he says it, his dear child would become Prince Qing's child.

Although that was originally the child of Qing Wang Younger Brother.

But he hasn't loved enough yet.

Thinking of this, Prince Qi covered his face and began to sob, "His Majesty, why is my fate so bitter? I just want a dear child, why can't Heaven grant my wish?"

With his sobbing, His Majesty realized Prince Qi's final choice.

His own younger brother is indeed too kind.

If it were him, and he also liked Sui Sui very much, he would definitely selfishly conceal all of this.

Don't blame him for being ruthless; everyone has selfish motives.

He only wants a daughter, what's wrong with that?

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