Indeed, that was the case.
She sobbed as she recounted her experiences over the past few days.
"Prince, you're finally back. I never thought that on that day, I'd conceive our child. In the palace over the past few years, I lived like a ghost just to keep him hidden from outsiders. I couldn't bear it any longer, so I secretly fled the palace."
"I understand. You've really suffered. Don't worry. From now on, with me around, no one will ever bully you and our son."
"I knew you'd still treat me the same as before, Prince. Alas, it's so pitiful for this child. He doesn't even have a legitimate status. As a mother, I don't mind enduring hardships and toils. But the child is so young. Will he have to be an illegitimate child all his life?"
There were still tears in her eyes. Her pitiful appearance was truly heart - wrenching.
Every word struck a chord in Ji Huang's heart. Was his own flesh and blood really going to be an illegitimate child who couldn't show his face in public?
No, he was not willing. Since they were his woman and child, they should stand beside him openly.
Glancing at the letter full of apologies, he had an idea in mind.
He Huai, who was standing by, watched him pick up the pen and start writing a petition. A flash of cruelty passed through her eyes, and then she threw herself into his arms again.
"Prince, are you going to write to the Emperor and the Empress Dowager?"
"Why not? Anyway, now that you've left the palace, no one will know that you were once a concubine in the palace. You and the child won't have to suffer anymore. I'll protect you."
"No, Prince. This wasn't my original intention. I did all this just to be with you. The Emperor and the Empress Dowager will surely not allow me and the child to stay with you. If they find out that we've met, they might do everything they can to separate us. It's better not to tell them. Even if I can only stay by your side in an unrecognized way, I'll be willing."
What she said made some sense, but Ji Huang was stubborn. He still wanted to give them a legitimate status.
"Mother once said that she wanted to be with one person for a lifetime. Having you by my side this life is enough. Anyway, Mother now knows she owes me. I didn't really care before, but this opportunity has come just in time. We might as well take this chance to make Mother compromise. As long as Mother agrees, it won't be a problem with the Emperor."
He Huai gritted her teeth. She had schemed so much, not just for the title of the Prince's consort.
"Prince, you've thought it through, but my status will never be presentable. If the Emperor and the Empress Dowager find out, then everyone in the world will know. Alas, it's so pitiful that the child is still so young, but he has to be someone who can't show his face in public because of me."
"Huier, don't say that. Then what do you want to do? I'll do whatever you say."
He didn't know how wrong his words were.
He Huai seized on his words.
"Prince, do you want to live like this forever? If you're just a prince or a duke forever, then the child and I will never be able to be in the open. We'll be despised by everyone in the world. I don't want you to get hurt."
"You're always so considerate of others, Huier. I'm so useless. I can only give you the title of the Prince's consort. I owe you in this life. If there's an afterlife, I'll surely give you a peaceful world."
"Why do we have to wait for the afterlife? Prince, do you want our child to be criticized by the world forever?"
"Of course not, but I really can't give you more in this life."
"When did the Prince become so unconfident? You're so different from the man I once knew. The man in my memory was high - spirited, with both literary and military talents. He was in no way inferior to the current Emperor."
These words made Ji Huang's eyes dim.
"Since the Emperor is always above me, I dare not overstep even half a step. Even if I have good literary and military talents, I've never let anyone find out. Huier, you're the only one in the world who knows me."
"No, Prince. I hope your talents can be discovered by more people. You shouldn't always hide in the shadow of the Emperor."
"I... I can't do it, Huier. Forget it. Let's live a peaceful life in the northwest. There, I'll send the betrothal gifts and marry you in a grand way. Even if I can't give you a status that everyone envies, I can give you a wedding ceremony that no one can match."
Hearing this, He Huai withdrew her hand. Her face turned cold.
"No need. I'm the daughter of a family that controls half of the world's business power. How could I not be able to afford a wedding ceremony? I didn't expect that after waiting for so many years, I'd get such an attitude from the Prince. Forget it. I misjudged you. From now on, our relationship is over. We'll go our separate ways. Goodbye."
With that, she turned around and was about to leave, but Ji Huang quickly pulled her back.
"Huier, what's wrong? I haven't seen you for several years, and I've never had any other women around me. I'm just clumsy with words. Don't be angry. Tell me what you want me to do, and I'll do it."
"Prince, if you really want me and the child to have peace, then you can only give us the most noble status in the world."
At this moment, everything around fell silent.
There was a dark look on Ji Huang's face. "Huier, do you know what you're saying? These words are disrespectful to the Emperor. Don't mention them again."
"Disrespectful? Ha, it's really funny. Has your mother or the Emperor ever taken you seriously? Have they ever treated you well over the years? They've always ignored you. They never even asked for your opinion. If the Prince can ignore these things, then just pretend I've never been here. By the way, I'll take the child away in the future. I hope the Prince won't bother us."
"No, don't go, Huier. You're the only one left by my side. If you leave me, what will I do in the future?"
"Prince, go back and apologize to the Empress Dowager. No one will question you. But as for me, I don't know what my parents will say when I go back with a child. Forget it. As the child's grandparents, they probably won't make things too difficult for us."
Every word she said pierced Ji Huang's heart. He became more and more reluctant to let her go. He hugged the person in front of him tightly, as if he wanted to blend her into his own blood.
"No, I don't want you to go. I'll do whatever you say. Since you want that status, I'll give it to you and the child."
A look of suspicion appeared on He Huai's face. She didn't believe that this man would change his mind so easily because of her words.
"Are you serious? Don't lie to me. I'm not a fool."
"How could I? Have I ever lied to you in all these years?"