Chapter 104: The Dotting Crown Prince

“How is that possible?” Li Chengqian was horrified.

He could not believe this was the truth. If so, then the practice of marrying close relatives among families for thousands of years would be the greatest tragedy in human relationships.

“This matter is not hard to investigate. There must be many such families in Chang’an City. Your Highness, the Crown Prince, can find out how many children in these close-relative families are mentally disabled or die young,” Motun said. For Li Chengqian, verifying this was not difficult.

But that was not the entirety of the nightmare. Motun looked at Li Chengqian with a solemn expression and said, “From what I observe, Princess Changle is not yet fourteen years old, right?”

“What of it? She won’t be fourteen for another three months,” Li Chengqian said, eyes red with confusion.

“What of it? Hmph! Countless young women die in childbirth. At fourteen, her body isn’t fully developed. If the fetus is too large, difficult labor is inevitable. At best, the fetus dies; at worst, both mother and child perish.” Motun’s voice trembled. The thought of those innocent lives lost, helpless to intervene, twisted his heart.

“Ah!”

A chill ran through Li Chengqian’s body. The two cruelest tragedies in human relations both befell his poor sister.

“Indeed! Every word Motun says is true,” came a weathered voice from outside the door.

One major reason Li Chengqian had come this time was for his foot ailment, so he had informed Elder Hua early. For Li Chengqian’s safety, they arranged to conduct the examination inside the Motun residence.

“Elder Hua!”

“Divine Physician Hua!”

Motun and Li Chengqian stood up respectfully.

“I have practiced medicine for many years. I once compiled statistics from thirteen hundred families of close-relative marriages. Among them, over eight hundred children died young, one hundred and twenty were mentally disabled, fifty-two physically handicapped. More than thirty percent of mothers under fifteen experienced difficult childbirth; fifteen percent of fetuses died; and half of those cases resulted in the death of both mother and child.”

Elder Hua trembled as he recited each figure. When he arrived at Motun Village, he advocated banning close-relative marriages and late marriages there, one reason why so many bachelors remained in the village.

“Close-relative marriages cause such great harm?”

Cold sweat streamed down Li Chengqian’s face. He had never thought what seemed like a joyful tradition would push his sister into a hidden abyss.

He was half-doubtful of Motun’s words, but Elder Hua’s medical skill was something he had witnessed firsthand, leaving no room for doubt.

For a moment, the three fell into deep silence.

“Hee hee! What’s wrong with you all?” A ringing laughter came. Princess Changle no longer strained her voice but spoke in her natural, melodious tone.

Yet this enchanting voice only deepened Li Chengqian’s sorrow. He forced out an awkward smile. “How’s your painting coming along? Is it difficult?”

“Not at all! I’m a genius at painting, and Purple Clothes’ paintings are so interesting!” Princess Changle smiled proudly. Being confined in the deep palace was dull, and she had never seen anything as novel as violent comics before; she was deeply captivated.

“That’s right, you’re my sister, Li Chengqian’s sister!” he said, trying to comfort her.

“Well, Brother Crown Prince, don’t be sad. I believe your foot will definitely heal,” Princess Changle gently reassured him, thinking his gloom was due to his foot condition.

“Mm! It will definitely get better,” Li Chengqian said through tears.

“If it doesn’t, then Father will give this guy a good beating!” Princess Changle turned to Motun, raising her small fist in mock threat.

“Uh, uh!” Motun was speechless. How did he become the villain? He had been sitting at home when all this misfortune fell upon him.

“Princess, rest assured. His Highness the Crown Prince’s foot ailment is recovering. Given time, it will surely be cured,” Elder Hua said compassionately, truly pitying the unfortunate girl.

“Thank you, elder. Brother Crown Prince entrusts this to you!” Princess Changle said politely.

Motun stared at the ceiling in silence. Well, so he was the bad guy after all, despite his earlier desire to save her.

“Goodbye, Purple Clothes! I’ll come find you to play again!” Princess Changle waved reluctantly at Purple Clothes.

“Remember, we have to paint together next time,” Purple Clothes also appeared reluctant to part.

It must be said, girls’ friendships form so easily. In such a short time, Purple Clothes had become good friends with Princess Changle.

Watching Li Chengqian and Princess Changle leave, Elder Hua sighed, “Royal family?”

Motun nodded heavily.

As they approached the majestic imperial palace, Li Chengqian’s mood grew heavier. Born a royal man meant bearing the blade and shadow of succession struggles, while royal women could never escape the two words: arranged marriage.

To consolidate supreme power, the royal family would sacrifice anything. How could a woman resist?

“Greetings, Mother!”

In the Lìzhèng Hall, Empress Dowager Changsun looked at Princess Changle and Li Chengqian with delight. Princess Changle had changed into feminine attire—a water-blue palace dress that complemented her tall figure, making her look exceptionally charming.

“Changle, come here and see the portrait your cousin had Lord Yan paint for you. This is Lord Yan’s latest work, blending new painting techniques. You will surely like it,” Empress Dowager Changsun said with a smile, beckoning Li Chengqian to sit while beaming at Princess Changle.

“Cousin!”

Upon hearing those words, Li Chengqian shuddered. Seeing Empress Dowager Changsun still basking in the joy of close-relative marriages, Li Chengqian opened his mouth several times but could not speak.

Watching Princess Changle being dragged by Empress Dowager Changsun to view Yan Liben’s new painting, the woman in the artwork was lifelike, strikingly vivid—a rare masterpiece.

If it had been before, Princess Changle would have been delighted. But now, she looked at the painting without enthusiasm. To her, those paintings lacked the vividness of the figures drawn by Purple Clothes’ naïve brush.

“Delay it for now!”

At that moment, a nearly inaudible voice whispered in her ear. Li Lizhi turned her head in surprise, looking at Li Chengqian, who was solemnly bidding farewell to Empress Dowager Changsun.

If not for his secret wink, she would hardly believe it was her usually serious brother speaking.

“Gaoming, your foot is unwell. You should rest immediately!” Empress Dowager Changsun waved her hand.

“Come, Lizhi, let’s take another look at the Shu brocade your cousin sent you. This is the finest fabric, rarely seen,” Empress Dowager Changsun took Princess Changle’s hand, sweet-talking her.

“Mm! It is indeed nice! But Mother, I was out all day today and am a bit tired. I’ll take my leave first,” Princess Changle declined.

“Alright, you should rest! In a few days, I’ll have your cousin accompany you to tour the Western Garden. The flowers there are in full bloom—you will surely like it,” Empress Dowager Changsun said.

“We’ll see then!” Princess Changle hurried away.

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