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  Simarui didn't mean to drive him away, actually, the grudge between Simarui and Simaqiang was only because of what happened in the past when Simaqiang designed to take the red jade from Simaphilosophy's hand, resenting Simaqiang's baseness. Thinking about it, it's also pitiful, not for love, but just for power, facing a woman, guarding a woman, too tiring.

  "How can you suddenly be so open-minded." Sima Rui smiled lightly, with only a hint of calmness in his expression, "It seems that this Si Gu Yuan, you don't seem to be having a hard time living here."

  Simarong laughed heartily, his laughter carrying a mix of vicissitudes and bitterness, but also a hint of openness. His tone was carefree, revealing a sense of liberation: "To be honest, in the past, I was driven by a desire to become someone important, to never again suffer humiliation. I tried every means possible to climb up, even if it meant selling myself out. But then I met Miss Murong, and strangely enough, my heart felt at ease when I saw her. She didn't look down on me just because I was the Fourth Prince; her expression was always calm, and she liked me for who I was, not because of my title. It's truly enviable. The biggest obstacle between you and me is probably Red Jade. Am I really happy? Everyone knows about Red Jade and Sima Zhe's past... it's a joke to bear the name of someone who stole his older brother's fiancée. But I won't deny it - back then, my mother and I did scheme to get Red Jade. However, one hand can't clap by itself; Red Jade was never content with Sima Zhe's gentle nature and hoped to meet someone more bold. Without me, there would have been others; it was only a matter of time."

  Simarui did not think that Simaqiang would talk to him about these things, which were old affairs of Simaqiang's and not something he wanted others to know.

  Simazheng didn't look at Sima Rui, but instead gazed at the candle flames dancing in the room. Quietly, he had already walked to a position where he couldn't see Murong Feng, only seeing the reflection of the candle flames on the window, but his heart felt warm and comfortable. "Just like now, although I can't see Miss Murong, knowing she's safely back makes me feel very at ease. She belongs to you, and I, Simazheng, am not worthy of her. I won't have any thoughts of taking her away. As long as she lives well, I'm happy. And Hongyu, I've actually lost interest in caring about her. Before me, was she or wasn't she Sima Zhe's woman? I never wanted to ask, after all, I used schemes to take her away from him, but I have no right to inquire about where her heart belongs. Moreover, as a deposed crown prince, I'm afraid I can barely protect myself, let alone have the time and emotions to care for her. She can stay in her maiden home, it's just that...I also know, with her personality, she must belong to someone, she can't live alone, she needs people to take care of and cherish her. Actually, she's pitiful, a woman born out of wedlock, who could have married the future Emperor of the Great Xing Dynasty, but instead followed me...originally hoping I could bring her glory for life, yet...it's also hard on her."

  Simarui let out a faint sigh and said lightly: "Actually, being locked up in the Siwang Garden is not necessarily a bad thing for you. If you were still on the border, your ambition would have been enough to harm you. Even if Father Emperor didn't know, you wouldn't have been able to hide it from everyone, including your alliance with the State of Wumeng. Now that you're locked up inside, slowly grinding away at your ambition, for you, it can only be said to be a good thing."

  Simarong was taken aback and blurted out, "How did you know?"

  Simajiang just smiled lightly and said quietly: "How I know is not important, what's important is that you didn't make a big mistake, but had some ambition, wanting to have a stable foothold in the Daxing dynasty. Now, being locked up in Si Gu Yuan, cutting off your thoughts of becoming prime minister, can also be considered as saving your life, otherwise, trouble would arise sooner or later."

  Simaqiang smiled wryly, sighed and said softly: "Originally thought that no one could know about my transaction with Xiangguo, even the king of Wumeng country. Otherwise, how would Yali come to this Daxing dynasty? The prime minister of Wumeng country is Yali's uncle. If he hadn't plotted in secret, I'm afraid I wouldn't have been able to get Yali. Now, it seems that I've brought a big trouble upon myself."

  "Since Prime Minister can trade with you, he will naturally trade with others. This conversation has reached this point, it's enough to stop here. Now that you no longer have that thing, let's not mention it." Sima Rui said lightly, "Looking at your feelings towards Feng'er, I'll spare you this time and won't bring it up again. You'd better take care of yourself from now on."

  "I no longer have that ambition and pride, but instead I'm enjoying my current life, without disputes, and no one flattering me in front of others. I can't see the true face, nor hear the true words. Now it's quiet in my ears, calm in my heart, feeling pretty good, nothing wrong with that. Moreover, Wu Meng is more talented than me, more suitable for guarding the border, sometimes I'm just a nominal figure." Sima Qiang smiled slightly, his tone sounding somewhat desolate, but not resentful.

  Simarui didn't say anything, he just stood there quietly.

  "It's late, I should go back." Sima smiled faintly and turned his head to look at the swaying candle flame again. He thought about the person sleeping peacefully behind the flame and felt comforted in his heart. "Staying any longer would be boring. I've seen what I wanted to see, heard what I wanted to hear, and said what I wanted to say. It's all good. But let me tell you one thing, that Meng Wanluo, I've heard people talk about her before. She's a strong-willed woman with many schemes in mind. If Murong misses out on even the slightest bit of happiness, don't think I won't take it seriously. Although Murong is your concubine, to me, she's just as important as my own family. If anyone harms her, I'll be the first one to not forgive them!"

  Simarui smiled lightly and said, "You are the second person to speak like this. The emperor once said that as long as Feng'er needs it, he can do anything for her; now you say that if someone dares to harm her, you will not forgive them first. This is very good, even if I, Simarui, am neglectful, there are others who will protect her well. The imperial palace is a place of right and wrong, and I have always been worried that Feng'er would be harmed by others, and some things would involve her. With your words, I really feel at ease."

  Simazhuan listened to his words, which were ambiguous and not very clear, and he was somewhat puzzled. However, Simarui did not say anything else, but just smiled and said: "The night is indeed deep, you should go back, lest the patrolling guards discover it and cause trouble."

  Simazheng no longer asked, knowing that even if he did ask, Simarui would not say anything. However, the conversation tonight made Simazheng have a completely new understanding of Simarui. He was absolutely not as despicable as he seemed; in fact, he was more like a wise and clever person who hid his true nature behind a mask of foolishness.