Free Web NovelChapter 1291: Chapter 1280: Illegitimate Son
"It must be one of my two brothers; otherwise, my Father Emperor would not have merely silenced the rumors and let it rest." Prince Kang had seen through the facts, his face expressionless.
"Prince An and Prince Min?" Ye Jing frowned, "Could it be they haven’t given up on winning over my brother? Aren’t they afraid he would despise them even more?"
"What is there to fear? No matter how much your brother wins Father Emperor’s favor, he’s just a minister. How could he surpass his own sons?" Prince Kang said in a matter-of-fact tone that left Ye Jing speechless. Indeed, her brother, powerful as he may be, is just a minister, while those two have a chance to inherit the throne.
"Moreover, after testing your brother’s status in Father Emperor’s eyes, they can act more decisively."
Ye Jing’s heart tightened: "Act? What do they intend to do?"
"Either win over your brother or ensure he is truly a pure minister. If there’s any suspicion, to ensure their future smooth accession, they might do everything possible to destroy him."
"My brother is already a superior Duke now. How could they have the courage or ability to do such a thing? My brother guards the border; are they not afraid of chilling the hearts of soldiers and citizens?" Ye Jing asked anxiously.
"We’re only a step away from the supreme position. What we can do is beyond your imagination." Prince Kang looked at her deeply and said.
Ye Jing’s heart skipped a beat; though she had been married to him for years, today was the first time she realized Prince Kang’s true nature. His usual behavior might be foolish at times, or perhaps very straightforward in speech and action, but he is by no means a fool.
She should have realized long ago that growing safely without any of the Emperor’s slightest favor relies not only on the Empress but also Prince Kang’s own judgment. His heart has its own plans.
Without plans, he wouldn’t have risked it all just on his brother’s analysis to come to Nanyue. Prince An and Prince Min are capable of doing anything for the throne, and so is he. Someone harsh on himself can do anything.
This realization made Ye Jing somewhat worried for her brother. Prince Kang came to Nanyue due to her brother’s persuasion, and her brother advised on how to develop Nanyue. Now her brother manages the military power in the Northern Territory. If Prince Kang were to successfully ascend the throne, would he act against him out of fear?
Ye Jing grew more anxious the more she thought about it. Fortunately, Prince Kang didn’t think much, assuming she was only worried because of his two brothers’ intentions towards Ye Qiu. He comforted her: "Don’t worry, your brother is smart; he won’t let my two brothers butcher him. Your body is getting heavier, don’t think too much."
Ye Jing smiled slightly after hearing this: "Mm, I’ll listen to the Prince."
"Speaking of which, it’s time we report to Father Emperor about our achievements in Nanyue. Otherwise, staying away from the capital for too long, he might really forget about me." Prince Kang looked at the letter beside him and smiled.
Ye Jing was curious: "What does the Prince plan to report?"
"Your brother suggested we report on the progress of the port’s construction."
"But isn’t the port just developed? It’s been almost half a year, and only a small ship has docked. What is worth reporting?"
"We need to show our plight to completely dispel suspicions from the capital. Maybe Father Emperor might pity me."
"We’ve come to Nanyue, but they still suspect us. Prince An and Prince Min are too cautious."
Prince Kang sneered: "It’s not only them but also my Father Emperor."
At this, Ye Jing was speechless. Indeed, Prince Kang’s situation was pitiful; despite being a legitimate eldest son, he was born unloved by Your Majesty, and even the Crown Prince position had to be wrested away by any means. The only time he saw a kind face was when he volunteered to come to Nanyue.
Ye Jing herself was a concubine daughter, and she had once been upset as a child because her Father favored Ye Sihui more. But as she grew up and understood the difference between legitimate and illegitimate, she gradually let it go.
But Prince Kang is a legitimate eldest son; if he were a bastard, it might be easier for him to accept. If she were in that position, she wouldn’t be reconciled either!
"Everyone has always thought I was incompetent. If I achieve something in such a short time, they would truly suspect. Mentioning the port’s promise that hasn’t been developed yet is exactly what they want to hear."
"We will definitely succeed in the future, and then everyone will look at you with admiration." Ye Jing comforted.
"It’s all thanks to your brother. Without him, I would still be struggling in the whirlpool of the capital. He enlightened me that gaining power doesn’t necessarily require clinging to the capital."
"My brother’s analysis was clear, but someone needed to understand his true intention. It was the Prince’s decisiveness." Ye Jing was afraid Prince Kang would overstate Ye Qiu’s credit to settle accounts later, so she desperately tried to sway him.
"Don’t be too modest; you and your brother are both my great contributors. Speaking of, the baby is less than three months away from being born." Prince Kang rarely showed a gentle expression, and he seemed genuinely looking forward to it.
"What if it’s not the boy the Prince hopes for?" Ye Jing deliberately asked this, for she didn’t have much of a bias towards sons or daughters; it was merely Prince Kang’s persistence.
It’s not his fault; while in the capital, his descendants were weak, with only two sickly daughters surviving over the years. Without a son, even if he gains the throne one day, to whom would he pass it?
"If it’s not, then so be it. We’re still young, and right now, none of those messy people are around. Surely we’ll have a son eventually."
"Does the Prince not favor legitimate sons? Why didn’t he bring the Princess Consort here?" Ye Jing finally asked the question she had been holding in for a long time today.
Prince Kang listened and looked deeply at her. Ye Jing quickly lowered her head: "It’s my overstep; please forgive me, Prince."
"No matter, I believe you were just curious." Prince Kang said this and left, without giving an explanation to Ye Jing’s question.
But Ye Jing sensed something unusual; yet what of it? Even if the Prince’s feelings toward the Princess Consort are extraordinary, what does it matter? The Princess Consort still hasn’t borne him a son and hasn’t managed the backyard well.
Her brother and elder brother have done so much, it isn’t to let others reap the benefits, especially since she is already pregnant with a boy. The first son is always different.
That’s right, Ye Jing was very certain she was carrying a male fetus. She had read her elder brother’s Medical Poison Holy Scripture twice, and she matched all the signs of carrying a boy.
Her child she would teach with dedication. She didn’t believe the Prince, who longed for sons, would abandon an outstanding son, and she certainly wouldn’t allow her son to end up in Prince Kang’s current predicament.
Meanwhile, Zhong Yi was also close to her due date. Recently, with no movements from the barbarians, he stayed peacefully by her side, taking care of her wholeheartedly, relieving Zhong Yi of much of her anxiety nearing her due date.
