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Mianmian wondered why The Emperor had organized such a large family banquet with so many people present.
The Emperor, like an ordinary person, had a special fondness for his first child and held a particular regard for the children of his first wife.
However, as the number of children grew and grew, he could no longer keep up with them all.
There were either those he particularly liked or those he particularly disliked, and those in between, he sometimes couldn't even remember.
This was also partly due to the frequent deaths of his children.
At first, he was extremely saddened by these losses.
But over time, he grew accustomed to it, much like a wound that, when repeatedly torn, no longer hurt as much as it did initially. The skin hardened, and so did the heart.
So, despite having so many children, The Emperor did not have a special love for any of them.
A heart can only be divided so many ways; the more people it is shared with, the less each person receives.
Especially when The Emperor began seeking immortality through alchemy and Taoism.
He even regretted having so many children, believing it had drained his essence.
Later, he stopped visiting the harem.
But now, the room was filled to the brim with people.
Fortunately, it was the royal palace, and the room was large enough.
Ordinary nobility would not be able to accommodate so many people.
Even the sickly Tenth Prince was carried in, leaning against a chair and gasping for breath, clearly overwhelmed by the crowded environment.
Mianmian noticed him and suspected he had asthma, possibly allergic asthma.
Being a prince, he was well-cared for.
An ordinary commoner would likely have perished by now.
But even a prince was struggling.
The Emperor's condition was not just old age; there were signs of chronic poisoning. Knowing that The Emperor had been taking elixirs, it was clear what was happening.
Ancient elixirs often contained mercury, which is extremely toxic.
In a world where the average lifespan was only thirty-something years, Mianmian felt a bit uneasy.
It was only when she visited the Observatory with Brother Chong that she learned the Observatory kept records of annual astrological phenomena, climate, and their impact on humans, including statistics on human lifespan.
During years of great disasters, the average lifespan was about 25 years.
In the past century, which had been relatively peaceful, the average lifespan had increased to 33 years, considered a time of prosperity.
So, it was normal in ancient times for people in their thirties to become grandparents, as one might not live long enough to see their grandchildren otherwise.
Mianmian thought that while she couldn't do much else, neither did she engage in palace intrigue or court politics. It was possible she was in a world where longevity was key, and she would survive by simply living long.
Attending the palace banquet felt like attending a wedding feast during Chinese New Year back home, with dozens of tables filled with relatives, all connected by blood but difficult to recognize or remember.
Back then, when she was in school, she had a bit of a snobbish attitude and felt awkward greeting everyone.
As the banquet began, it became a bit noisy.
People couldn't just sit there in silence, but once they started talking, it was mixed with the cries of children, and the Tenth Prince's asthma worsened.
Mianmian saw Elder Sister leave with her child, and the Tenth Prince was also carried away.
Some restless princes and grandchildren also left.
The banquet suddenly became much quieter.
At this moment, Jiang Wan was unexpectedly summoned.
The Emperor called for Chu Xi and Jiang Wan.
The Ninth Princess-in-Law felt a bit uneasy.
The Emperor said there was an important matter to arrange.
He even looked at the Seventh Prince's eldest son, who was a concubine's child. What could this mean?
Fortunately, soon after, the Ninth Prince's child also arrived before The Emperor.
The Ninth Prince had a legitimate son.
The Ninth Prince himself was carefree, but his son Chu Ze was raised to be like the Sixth Prince, very dignified and bright.
Chu Xi, being a concubine's son, seemed more tactful, not as innocent and sunny.
The Emperor leaned on his throne, looking at the two grandsons, nodding and giving them rewards.
Seeing Jiang Wan, he was also impressed and gave her a reward.
Today, The Emperor seemed like a loving elder.
Extraordinarily kind.
The Ninth Prince was slightly excited. When his father had summoned folk healers to the palace for treatment, one of them happened to be his man.
That healer said The Emperor's health was failing.
While it was sad, the end was near, and the outcome would soon be clear.
If he were to luck into becoming the Crown Prince, then the Emperor, it would be wonderful. Being a thousand-year-old was not as good as being ten thousand years old.
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His children becoming princesses and princes would be better than inheriting a title and becoming a distant branch of the royal family.
Moreover, The Emperor had never liked the Seventh Prince, who was also super good at pretending, always acting meek.
Once he took the throne, he would immediately send the Seventh Prince back to his fiefdom, as far away as possible, too annoying to look at.
The Ninth Prince thought.
But he didn't know that in the previous life, when the Seventh Prince took the throne, he had immediately executed the Ninth Prince's entire family.
The Ninth Prince, usually appearing as a playboy, today seemed a bit anxious.
The Seventh Prince remained calm, no different from before.
Still acting humbly and fearful, as if just being called by The Emperor filled him with joy.
Until The Emperor spoke: "I am old, my health is deteriorating. The Ninth Prince is sincere and filial. After my passing..."
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