At the mention of the family estate, the emperor's expression darkened once more.
He could not reveal these truths publicly.
Rumors had always been a mix of truth and falsehood, but if he suddenly claimed an additional son, no one would believe him.
When a consort in the palace was discovered to have committed adultery, the punishment was usually severe. Yet the child of a palace maid was innocent, meaning Rong Zishen was entirely innocent.
In truth, Shang Qinghua was the real Second Prince, while Rong Zishen had been swapped at birth.
However, these matters could never be made public, unless the emperor was willing to forsake the reputation of the Beirong royal family entirely.
The deaths of Xie Lianhua, Rong Qinglei, and Yue Mingxuan had already left the Beirong royal family with a mountain of scandal.
If Shang Qinghua's true identity were to be announced now, it would be as if the family no longer deserved the title of royalty.
