all basket of red potatoes hanging under the eaves, so he quickly took it down and stuffed it into Tie Zhu's hand."Take this as an apology gift, go now! Make sure to explain everything clearly, don't...Chapter 1239: He Once Had Ideals Too

The two argued all the way to Her Sheng's palace. As the Thirteenth Prince hadn't officially married and taken a wife, he was still unable to leave the palace to set up his own residence.

It's more convenient to live in the palace and find him.

The following spring, the King of Xixia officially reorganized his army and prepared to attack the border of Daxia. He would personally lead the troops.

On the last day of the month, just before the army set off, the Thirteenth Prince suddenly announced that His Majesty was gravely ill, suffering from a relapse of an old ailment that had worsened rapidly.

At that time, there was no other physician in Xi Xia with such high medical skills as Fang Yu. The king of Xi Xia could only lie on the bed and barely survive with a faint consciousness.

He wasn't clueless about what was wrong with him, he just couldn't figure out how they did it.

He had set up so many safeguards within the palace, including having someone assassinate him. The Tiger Guards would appear and have the assailant buried with him as well. This was his last order to the next Tiger Guard.

But after he fell, the palace remained surprisingly calm. Even the eunuchs and maidservants who attended to him showed no sign of distress or panic on their faces.

At that moment, the Xixia King was utterly shocked. From when had it started The people around him had already been eroded and infiltrated by other forces, and he hadn't noticed a thing

Could it be that he is truly old, unable to compete with those youngsters

The final answer didn't keep the Western Xia king waiting long.

When Princess Ruochang and He'er Sheng appeared before the Western Xia King, he felt a mix of anger and amusement seeing his own son standing alongside his most feared sister.

I'm overwhelmed with emotions right now.

"So that's how it is."

"Older sister, you chose me back then, and now you've chosen this boy again."

"Aren't you afraid he might grow up to be just like me"

The elder princess rolled her eyes. "By that time, I'll be an old woman! Will this boy still be able to give me a good match as an old woman"

Even if he becomes someone else like you in the future, no one who can be manipulated by him will ever be me again.

"To me, the only one who harbors hatred is you, Herqing. You've gotten enough in this life, and lived long enough."

"Besides, seeing that you're about to die, I'll tell you one last thing."

"Back then, at Daxi, did you really think what you did was flawless and unknown to anyone"

"It was you and Emperor Daxhi who spread rumors that the child in my womb wasn't his, which is why he killed it without mercy upon my return."

"But you promised me then, that as long as I agreed to live in the deep palace forever and not interfere with your court affairs, you wouldn't harm that child."

"It was you who went back on your word!"

Hel Qing chuckled bitterly, "That child possesses the bloodlines of both the Da Xi and Xi Xia royal families. Even if I didn't intervene, do you think the Emperor of Da Xi would truly tolerate that child living"

Even if Emperor Dayi himself is unwilling to harm his own child, the people around him would pressure him into doing so, or take action in his stead.

"That child couldn't survive no matter what."

Just then, Fang Jinshu who had always been standing beside the princess with a veil suddenly took it off.

"That might disappoint you and those so-called others, the Crown Princess's son is still alive and well."

"The children who died that year weren't his."

Heller was only momentarily astonished before understanding dawned on him.

"No wonder you were willing to return to Xixia with me. It turns out you were already prepared and had switched the baby."

"Where is that child now"

Fang Jinshi curled her lips into a smile. "Didn't Your Majesty already see it"

He is General Wudinghou, who has been fighting the Western Xia army on the frontier for over a year.

Hearing this news, Hel Qing only felt like something in her head exploded.

As a matter of blood relation, Zongyu was his nephew. He tried repeatedly to kill him and always felt that he was the only one who could threaten Daxii.

"Haha, hahaha, it's actually him."

"What a twist of fate! It's just unbelievable!"

"I, the Western Xia, would one day die at the hands of my own people."

The Eldest Princess glared at him, clearly displeased. "If anyone in the palace heard you say that, they'd think we were traitors to Xixia!"

Revolt and usurpation are different from treason and selling out the country.

At this point, He Sheng stepped forward and said, "Father Emperor, Daxi is willing to coexist peacefully with us, as long as you do not insist on waging war, no one will perish."

"That's what Emperor Dahxi told you, isn't it" Heling snorted coldly.

What's said is better heard than sung.

They are now in a weak position, but their foundation is much deeper than that of Xixia. Once they recover, just wait and see if they won't turn their swords on Xixia!

"However, Hel Sheng retorted, 'If Emperor Daxhi truly intends to go back on his word and wage war in the future, then we shall each rely on our own abilities to protect our people.'"

"At least for now, the common people and soldiers are spared from the suffering of war."

"The Great Xi will rest and recuperate, continuously advancing. Could it be that my Xixia would stand still and never progress"

"If our forces were equal, even if Emperor Taixi wanted to wage war, he would have to carefully weigh the costs."

"Father, isn't the most important thing about ruling a country seeing your people live and work in peace and contentment"

"When you ascended the throne, was your original intention to invade others"

Hel Qing was speechless when confronted by his own son. Back then, with his status, he dared not even dream of the throne. All he thought about was protecting himself and living a peaceful life without being bullied.

Later, it was Royal Sister Ruqing who saved him, protecting his life from the other brothers. She was kind to him, teaching him and helping him become strong.

But after he grew strong, he began to harbor resentment in his heart toward those who had bullied him in the past. When he had the power to take revenge on them, he did so without hesitation.

Even his benefactor, Rōqihing Empress, he wouldn't let go.

Because she had seen him at his most vulnerable, most helpless, and most pathetic.

It's simply because of this one reason.

These years, he hasn't stopped regretting it. The moment he locked up Elder Sister Ruoqing, there wasn't a single person in this world who truly cared for him anymore.

Everyone approached him with flattery, each with their own agenda. Even his sons and wives, their familial bonds – the joy of family, the love between husband and wife, the affection between father and son – were all underpinned by power struggles.

If he were not an emperor, how could these beautiful women willingly marry him as his concubines, sharing a husband with so many other women

Her Qing had everything figured out in her mind.

"Perhaps you're right."

"From the very beginning, I have forgotten the original intention of ascending to the throne."

The eldest princess suddenly spoke.

"Your original intention was to hope that there would never be a distinction between legitimate and illegitimate children among the nobility again. You once said that people are labeled with their status from birth and treated differently, which is unfair."

"You hope that in the future, there will be no more people in Xixia who are bullied into such a state as you. Ideally, there should be no distinction between legitimate and illegitimate children."

He Erqing was taken aback. It turned out that he had once had a pure heart as well.ind the iron pillar."Brother Tiezhu, I'm all yours now. You can't just leave me alone," she looked at Tiezhu pitifully.Tiezhu looked at Fang Jinxiu in bewilderment.When Zhao heard this, she was so ang...