Rebirth: Pampered by the Lord
Chapter 1088: A Thorn in the Flesh

Chapter 1088: Chapter 1088: A Thorn in the Flesh

"Have you found out who is behind this?"

"Not yet, we’re still investigating!"

"What direction do you plan to investigate?"

"There are no leads whatsoever. We’ll have to rule things out one by one, slowly and methodically." When speaking of this, the Fourth Prince felt deeply frustrated. Such a large gambling house had been destroyed right under his nose, and his subordinates were completely unaware. They had slept soundly through the night as if nothing had happened. If their living quarters hadn’t been next door to the gambling house, they’d have surely been roasted alive like pigs.

Of course, he cared nothing about the lives of his subordinates.

The most infuriating thing was that the gambling house was gone.

The Empress glanced at him and said meaningfully, "Xuanxuan, the struggle for the throne is fast approaching. Surely you know who considers you a thorn in their side?"

Her words were like a wake-up call, jolting the Fourth Prince to his senses.

Indeed! How could he have forgotten?

The ones who hated him most were undoubtedly the other princes of the current dynasty.

Each of them coveted the position of Crown Prince; naturally, they treated him as a mortal enemy—an unbearable thorn in their flesh, someone they would eliminate to achieve their aims.

"Mother, you are absolutely right. I will investigate them first and find out who’s been sabotaging me behind the scenes. They’ll pay the price for this." The Fourth Prince’s expression turned fierce. If they didn’t let him live peacefully, he would ensure they faced equal misery.

"It’s good that you understand."

"Your son will remember your teachings, Empress Mother."

"Mm!"

The Empress wore a long fingernail cover on her finger, and a jade ring glimmered a deep green light upon her hand.

"Xuanxuan, the reason I summoned you to the palace today was to inquire about how things are progressing between you and Miss Situ?"

"All is fine; it’s going smoothly overall."

As for Situ Xuexue, the Fourth Prince felt no real concerns. A girl who had returned from the countryside wasn’t someone he, a dignified prince of the empire, would struggle to control.

Of course, this was merely the Fourth Prince’s unwarranted confidence.

Were Xuexue to hear this, she would undoubtedly let out two rueful chuckles and scoff at his inflated self-opinion.

"That’s good," the Empress nodded with relief. "Propose to the General’s Mansion as soon as possible and settle this matter."

"Don’t worry, Empress Mother. Your son knows what to do."

"Xuanxuan, I’ve also heard that your relationship with Second Miss Situ seems to be rather close?"

Rumors from outside had already made their way to the palace. The Empress’s concern was, naturally, understandable.

"Second Miss Situ is a national beauty with poise and grace, warm and enthusiastic toward me. When I’m with her, I feel thoroughly comfortable—so unlike Miss Situ. Though beautiful, she always carries a cold demeanor, rejecting me from miles away. It’s impossible to get close to her or confide my feelings."

Upon hearing this, the Empress’s expression turned stern, her voice carrying newfound gravity. "Xuanxuan, such thoughts are dangerous. Going forward, you must never think that way. If you aspire to the highest seat of power, you must pay the price—doing things ordinary people would not do, enduring pain that ordinary people could not bear. Even if you have the strongest feelings for the Second Miss, you must keep your distance. Are my words clear to you?"

"Yes, Empress Mother, I understand."

"Once you ascend to the supreme throne, what woman could you not have? A mere Second Miss is nothing. Besides, she is but a concubine-born daughter; she has no right to the position of Main Consort."

The Empress’s words struck a chord with the Fourth Prince, who was intelligent enough to grasp her point.

"Rest assured, Empress Mother. Going forward, I will definitely keep my distance from the Second Miss and ensure I do nothing inappropriate."

"That is the right course of action!"

The Empress nodded in satisfaction. She and her son’s futures were intertwined; their fates were interdependent. Should they fail in the battle for succession, their lives would undoubtedly be forfeit. For both their future survival and for the unparalleled power they sought, the Empress took this matter very seriously.

"If there’s nothing else, Empress Mother, your son shall take his leave." The Fourth Prince felt overwhelmed—there were still many pressing matters awaiting him back at his residence.