Quick Transmigration: What to Do When the Male Supporting Character You Saved Becomes Obsessed with

Chapter 227 The Ruthless and Disabled Crown Prince (127)

Ji Shumin was somewhat surprised to hear his confident words, because he had asked Ji Shuqin the same question before, but Ji Shuqin had stammered and clearly had never thought about it.

But by this time, he had already made up his mind about what he wanted to do.

Ji Shumin did not continue to ask him what he wanted to do, but pushed several volumes of annotated memorials in front of him for him to look at.

Ji Shuqin's serious expression softened as he looked at the memorials he had approved but not yet approved, and sighed softly, "I'm seeing these all day long, and I'm not recognizing any of the characters anymore."

He joked that he looked much more relaxed than when he first arrived at Ji Shumin's residence.

The Second Prince's faction did not quiet down. They were caught off guard when the memorials they had submitted to the Emperor ended up in the hands of the First Prince. However, they could only go with the flow, since their intentions had already been revealed to the First Prince.

Now, they are even less willing to let the eldest prince inherit the throne. Otherwise, how could they, as ministers and families with ulterior motives, expect to have a good outcome?

Although everyone praises the Crown Prince for his magnanimity, respect for scholars, and gentleness, who knows what the future holds?

If they turn on us and try to settle scores, they'll be in deep trouble.

When the eldest prince, Ji Shuqin, returned to the palace, everyone speculated that the relationship between the former crown prince and the eldest prince must not be good. They had not communicated with each other for so many years, and although they were both born to the empress, their relationship must not be close...

He's rarely seen these days, and now that the former crown prince is facing a crisis and about to be deposed, what could his intentions be? Isn't it simply to join the struggle for the throne?

Even many people in the court believe that although the eldest prince appears to be impeccable, he is actually cunning and is using the emperor's pity for the former crown prince as a stepping stone to gain favor with the emperor.

Ji Shuqin did not defend himself. He had already heard all sorts of suspicions, but others could say whatever they wanted. If he argued, he might just be seen as angry and ashamed.

He knows how he treats his younger brother, and Min'er knows that's enough. Why should others care about their opinions?

On this point, Ji Shuqin thought very clearly without any formal instruction.

“If they make things difficult for you again, Your Majesty, you must not be lenient. A person in a high position sometimes needs to have the domineering spirit to speak with absolute authority.” Ji Shumin saw a messy document in a memorial.

He snorted coldly, casually tossed it aside with a "thud," and scolded, "That's completely irrelevant."

"Like Min'er now?" Ji Shuqin imitated Ji Shumin's movements with great interest.

Ji Shumin tilted his head slightly, looked at him, and sighed, saying, "My brother is not as fierce as I am. Nowadays, people say I am like a demon or a wolf."

Ji Shuqin certainly didn't have that imposing, intimidating aura that made others afraid to look him in the eye.

He was like a deep, calm lake. Even if there were changes, they would only cause slight ripples before returning to calm. Everyone felt that he was peaceful and steady, but no one thought that he was weak or easy to bully.

“Min’er…” Ji Shuqin thought he was being self-deprecating, but then he saw genuine joy in his younger brother’s eyes: “To receive this kind of discussion is indeed a good thing…”

No matter how Ji Shuqin looked at his younger brother, he didn't think he was anything like the rumors suggested.

“Actually, Min’er is the most soft-hearted; they just never got to see it,” Ji Shuqin said earnestly.

Ji Shumin blinked. It was indeed the first time he had heard someone say this about him. He was about to refute when he met his brother's sincere and clear gaze. There was no flattery or compliment from others. His sincerity made Ji Shumin pause for a moment. He opened his mouth, but couldn't utter a single word.

If Lu Liruan heard Ji Shuqin say this, she would agree.

Although she has never praised him so openly, it doesn't mean she can't see or feel it.

Even when Ji Shumin's emotions were at their most sinister and unpredictable, most of his sharp and biting remarks were directed at himself, stabbing himself indiscriminately until he bled, without restraint in expressing them to the outside world.

Because Ji Shumin knew very well that in his position, it was far too easy for him to do evil and harm others. When he looked down from his high position, everything seemed as small as ants, but they were not ants. Ji Shumin always restrained himself. Those who wield power need to be consciously bound by their own power.

"What's wrong?" Ji Shuqin asked, puzzled as Ji Shumin stared at him.

"It's nothing, I just wanted my brother to always see the good and kind side of people."

Upon hearing Ji Shumin's words, Ji Shuqin's expression stiffened for a moment, and then a gloomy atmosphere seemed to descend upon him.

He put the pen on the shelf and said wistfully, "Min'er, you said I've never been able to see what Mother is thinking. Am I stupid, or is Mother..." This question had been weighing on Ji Shuqin's mind. He couldn't shake it off, feeling that he was being blinded, yet he couldn't truly convince himself that Mother had always been that kind of person.

"Does Your Majesty feel deceived by the Empress Dowager? Or do you feel that you have been living in a delusion all these years, as if in a dream?" Ji Shumin's words revealed what he was thinking.

Ji Shuqin nodded silently, wanting to hear how Ji Shumin would respond, but also feeling a little timid.

Those involved are often confused, while bystanders see things clearly. He didn't know how much he had overlooked, nor did he know what was true and what was false. His brother would certainly not lie to him, but what if the truth he heard from his brother was something that would break his heart and be unacceptable to him?

For a moment, he wanted to tell Ji Shumin to stop talking and let him continue being so confused.

But in the end, he gritted his teeth and waited for Ji Shumin to say something next.

"Why are you looking at me like that? I haven't even seen how she treated you, so how can I judge her?" Ji Shumin's slow, deliberate words reached Ji Shuqin's ears without him even realizing it, and he let out a long sigh...

"I only saw how the Empress Dowager treated me, and I judged her based on that. How you judge her is up to you." Ji Shumin had no intention of speaking ill of the Empress in front of Ji Shuqin; it was useless to him, and Ji Shumin disdained it.

Ji Shumin thought Ji Shuqin should have asked this question long ago, but he waited until now. Seeing his absent-minded look, Ji Shumin felt sorry for him.

"A truly wicked person may be a filial son at home, while a treacherous and cunning person may be a loving father. It is common for the same person to exhibit different behaviors and conduct in the face of different people and situations. If good people are always good and have no selfish desires, and evil people are always evil and have no conscience, wouldn't the world be too rigid and one-sided if good and evil were so clearly distinguished?"

Ji Shumin said quietly, "You should judge for yourself. If you feel that the other party is sincere, then treat them sincerely. If you feel that they are insincere, then be wary and cautious. Why ask others?"

"Over the years, only you can judge how the Empress Dowager has treated you. She didn't like me..." Ji Shumin said calmly, "but that doesn't mean she was heartless towards you. You remember everything from the past. Believe what you believe, and don't listen to anyone else, including me..."

Ji Shumin didn't want to take responsibility either. He was already an adult, and he should be the one to judge right and wrong.

That day, after returning to the palace, Ji Shuqin tossed and turned, pondering Ji Shumin's words. When the moon was high in the sky, he still couldn't sleep, so he opened the window and tilted his head back to let the cool breeze blow on his face.

Suddenly—everything became clear.

Yes, why insist on attributing all of a person's actions to being either entirely right or entirely wrong?

He got stuck on the details, pondering over and over the past, trying to find something amiss. But his mother, disregarding everyone's indifference, repeatedly found a way to save his life, taking care of him night after night without sleep. Whenever he was lucid from his illness, he could see his mother's face, and that sense of peace was still firmly etched in Ji Shuqin's memory.

Back then, my mother was caring and loving towards me...

The Empress Dowager's current changes cannot erase the past, and I don't need to get caught up in it. I must not equate the current Empress Dowager with the past Empress Dowager, just as I cannot equate the current Min'er with the young Min'er.

Time flies by like a white horse, and people change.

Just follow your heart and keep moving forward...

When Lu Liruan heard Ji Shumin recount this matter, she agreed: "The Empress's feelings for my brother were mostly genuine." Although she couldn't understand the Empress's actions, she was still moved by what she heard from Ji Shuqin and the Dowager Consort about how the Empress protected her own flesh and blood.

The Empress's obsession may stem from her unwavering and strong-willed nature. Her love for Ji Shuqin over the years has seeped into her delusions and obsessions, making it impossible to unravel.

"Why do I feel like you're more like the older brother between the two of you?" Lu Liruan had this thought, but then felt it was inappropriate.

In terms of temperament and behavior, Ji Shuqin was indeed like his elder brother.

However, at times, Ji Shuqin did indeed regard his younger brother as a pillar of support he could rely on.

"Hmm?" Ji Shumin was obviously also puzzled, and he put down the words he had written.

"It's more accurate to say that I acted as his tutor every day..."

Lu Liruan couldn't help but laugh; this time it was just right!

Ji Shumin was originally the kind of person who would think ten parts, say two parts, hide five parts, and act three parts when doing things. Now, he not only can't hide anything, but he also has to lay bare the truth. He talks until his throat is dry and he feels tired. It's really funny.

"Yes, yes, you've become an old scholar now!" Lu Liruan laughed so hard her eyes disappeared. "Look at how furrowed your brows are!"

Lu Liruan touched Ji Shumin's brow with her fingertip.

Ji Shumin blinked, feeling the warmth of her fingertips, and his brows relaxed...

“I’ll get you a ruler tomorrow, then you’ll look even more like a ruler,” Lu Liruan teased him.

"Aren't you worried that if you teach your apprentice, you'll starve to death?" Lu Liruan asked pointedly. In her opinion, Ji Shuqin was becoming more and more adept at the regency. He might not realize it himself, but being in that position, his aura was becoming more and more dignified.

“If he understands nothing and knows nothing, then I will…” Ji Shumin didn’t explain it that clearly.

Even if he wanted to compete with Ji Shuqin, he didn't want to compete with him when Ji Shuqin was ignorant and allowed him to bully him. He and Ji Shuqin were brothers, so even if they were to compete, it would be fair and square.

Lu Liruan didn't really have any insights into this, but thinking about it, Ji Shumin was just that kind of person, good at open schemes, so he naturally wouldn't use any underhanded tricks against his brother.

A few days later, another important matter arose in the court:

His Highness the Crown Prince refused the An family's request to see the Empress.

Everyone knew why the An family sought an audience with the Empress. The eldest son of the An family's main branch inherited the strength and liveliness of a military family, but he did not learn the composure of his elders and was spoiled as he grew up.

Over the years, the An family has not achieved any great success, but they have lived a peaceful life under Ji Shumin's protection.

This young master had little chance to go to the battlefield. He spent his days in the capital, idling around with a group of纨绔 (playboys), fooling around and having no serious manners.

As he got older, he became increasingly outrageous, and no one at home restrained him.

A few days ago, something bad finally happened. He was riding his horse recklessly in the middle of the city and crashed into a young lady's carriage, causing her to suffer a cut on her forehead that bled profusely.

Daughters value their reputation most, and this could potentially leave a scar, so they are naturally unwilling to let it go.

If it were an ordinary family's daughter, the An family wouldn't even care about her. But they just happened to encounter the youngest daughter of the Minister of War!

After having four sons, the Minister of War finally had a daughter, a precious jewel. This man, who was nine feet tall and could wear two hundred pounds of armor, showed no trace of murderous intent whenever he mentioned his daughter.

Now that her daughter has encountered this situation, she naturally doesn't want to let it go easily.

As a result of this commotion, the matter was brought to the attention of the Dali Temple.

Ming Wen'er had a rule that riding horses was not allowed in the capital, but the sons of noble families could do whatever they wanted without anyone interfering. However, once the matter was brought to the Dali Temple and fell into Xing He's hands, it could not be handled so easily.

Especially since the young master of the An family was so noisy and disruptive, He Diaoyu coldly investigated him thoroughly. After all, the capital was relatively peaceful, and the Dali Temple didn't have much to do.

The investigation revealed that his horse-riding was a minor matter, but it also uncovered that he and several other spoiled young men were supporting the casino and lending money at exorbitant interest rates for profit!

The An family had been trying to figure out how to get the Minister of War's family to drop the matter, but Madam An's words completely enraged them.

People wanted to hold her responsible for disfiguring the girl, but Madam An actually said, "Judging from the fact that the girl is about the same age as my son, if she is really disfigured, it would be better for my son to marry her..."

Before he could finish speaking, he was kicked out.

If it were anyone else, they would have to deal with her, but the Minister of War didn't care. He wasn't unrelated to the An family; he had even fought alongside General An. But after General An passed away, the An family became increasingly disreputable.

Now that he's said something so absurd, the Minister of War, a military officer, naturally wouldn't buy it.

Seeing that things were getting out of hand, the eldest son of the An family thought of the Empress in the palace.

The patriarch of the An family's eldest branch is the Empress's maternal elder brother. After not contacting her for so many years, they thought their sister would never return in this lifetime. Unexpectedly, she has such good fortune. Seeing that their sister's son has the possibility of inheriting the throne, they are even more pleased.

He deliberately chose to tell Ji Shuqin during court that he wanted to visit and request an audience with the Empress, also to show the Minister of War that the An family was no longer what it used to be.

To everyone's surprise, Ji Shuqin directly rejected his request.

This caused him to embarrass himself greatly in court.