Free Web NovelChapter 1294: Chapter 1283: Illegitimate Son
Afterwards, the days passed peacefully. Ye Jing did not hear anything about the Princess Consort from Prince Kang’s side. Since he did not mention it, she pretended to be unaware and focused on raising her son.
As she raised her son, Prince Kang dedicated himself to developing and strengthening Nanyue, occasionally selectively reporting their progress to the capital. Everything proceeded in an orderly manner.
However, while they were not anxious, there were people in the capital who were anxious, and that person was Ye Sihui. According to the timeline from the past life, at this time, Your Majesty should have been so angry over the war that he vomited blood, and then forced himself to appoint Prince An as the Crown Prince. But now, not only does Your Majesty show no signs of illness, he is brimming with life, with no intention of appointing a Crown Prince, so how could she not be anxious?
If Prince An cannot be appointed as Crown Prince, then what has been the point of her years of endurance?
Yet, even in her anxiety, she had no means to act, she could only wait, choosing to trust Your Majesty, Princess Rou, and Prince An. She firmly believed that even if the process had changed, even if the timing had altered, the outcome would remain unchanged.
And during this wait, she ended up waiting for nearly twenty years. What does twenty years mean? It means she transformed from a young maiden into a grandmother, her grandson was about to be born, and Prince An had still not been appointed Crown Prince.
During these twenty years, Noble Princess Consort Zhu and Princess Rou gradually aged, losing Your Majesty’s favor. The little princes below them also grew up, and Your Majesty increasingly disliked Prince An and Prince Min, always feeling as if these two sons were wishing for his death.
As age progressed, the longer the old Emperor sat on the throne, the more he doubted, looking suspiciously at everyone. He did not wish to die; he had the Divine Medicine and believed he could live for decades more.
In reality, these past years, he increased the dosage of the medicine, but he was near his limit, which made his sons increasingly restless, especially Prince An and Prince Min. As the two most qualified to ascend the throne, they were unwilling to give up, having worked hard for half their lives, unwilling to let their younger brothers claim the prize.
Though both were subject to the old Emperor’s suspicion, the network and resources accumulated in their youth surpassed those of the younger princes. Recently, both had been trying to win the support of one person: Ye Sian.
Indeed, it was Ye Qiu’s son Ye Sian. Over the years, as Ye Qiu guarded the border under Imperial Ming, he rarely returned to the capital. However, Ye Sian, having grown up, frequently returned. First, because the Emperor summoned him, and second, because Ye Qiu wanted his son to fulfill filial duties to Aunt Lan.
After all these years, Ye Qiu’s status in the old Emperor’s heart became even higher; he could be said to be the most trusted Minister of the old Emperor. Sometimes, the favor shown to the princes in front of the Emperor was not even comparable to that of Ye Qiu’s son, Ye Sian, an outsider.
Ye Qiu held great military power, and if he supported someone, the future contention for the throne would be almost certain. Therefore, recently, the one returning to the capital, Ye Sian, became the most sought-after choice, with everyone wanting to win him over.
Today, the old Emperor routinely summoned Ye Sian to the palace to examine his knowledge and martial arts, only then allowing him to pay respects to the Empress. Watching the tall and handsome young man walk out of the main hall, he became momentarily nostalgic as if he saw Ye Qiu for the first time coming to the palace to receive honors.
"Minister Ye has indeed taught his son well; his son is far better than many of my sons. All they know is how to act in front of me, hoping for my aging and death, so they can ascend the throne. None of them truly has filial piety."
The words spoken were deeply probing, even Eunuch An had no response, and a person finally surfaced in his mind.
"At the very least, Prince Kang is earnest towards Your Majesty, and every year he considers sending the most precious things from Nanyue. Only just now did I hear from the inner treasury staff that Prince Kang offered a Luminous Pearl dredged from the South Sea, specially sent in a hurry!"
Upon hearing this, the old Emperor indeed smiled: "This child is so sincere, through all these years he doesn’t keep anything good for himself, he offers it all. How is his Nanyue supposed to develop?"
"Wasn’t it said the new port has opened, and from now on it’ll enable contributions to the court taxes?"
"Listen to him say that; this kid’s not only sincere but very sensitive about appearances. If taxes aren’t enough, he’d probably cover it himself. You look at how many years that smaller port was open before having business? Having barely earned money for a couple of years now, he’s built a large port, likely spending all the earnings from before. If it were my other princes, they’d likely fatten their coffers for a few years before reporting tax collections. Yet he’s just earnest, unaware of self-preservation." Even though the old Emperor’s words were reproachful, his face retained a smile.
Eunuch An smoothly replied: "Prince Kang isn’t calculating, isn’t it knowing Your Majesty has concern for him?"
"Indeed, if I don’t care for him, no one else will. The Empress, growing older by the day, even foolishly handed over harem authority and is incapable, enough, I’ll care a bit more for him. Speaking of which, hasn’t he not returned to the capital for three years?"
"In reply to Your Majesty, it’s been nearly three years since Your last Longevity Festival."
"Then this year, summon his whole family back. It’s been a long time since I’ve seen Ruirui; that child serves best. This time let’s prepare the side hall of Yangxin Hall for his stay."
Eunuch An was taken aback; letting the Heir of Prince Kang stay in the side hall of Your court was an unparalleled favor, even the previously favored Prince An never experienced such. What was Your Majesty’s intention? Testing the princes or truly favoring the Heir of Prince Kang?
Eunuch An thought, if news spread, likely the capital would fall into turmoil again.
"Did His Majesty prepare the side hall?" Ye Jing frowned. "For us to return this time, trouble probably isn’t small."
Prince Kang’s gaze was intense: "Avoiding and being in Nanyue these years, it’s time for everyone to be reacquainted with us. Father Emperor is old, relying increasingly on that medicine, uncertain when illness may strike. In all these years of absence, there’s been loss and gain, the loss being Ministers’ support towards me, the gain’s naturally Father Emperor’s trust. Truthfully, after years of striving, Father Emperor only trusts me and the younger underage brothers."
"But Ruirui staying at Yangxin Hall’s side hall might invite resentment." Ye Jing, as a mother, believed her child was the most important.
"No matter, Father Emperor favors Ruirui more than he did Third Younger Imperial Brother. With Father Emperor’s protection, no one dares harbor ill intentions. Worst comes to worst, there isn’t Ye Sian, that child, to assist? He often visits the palace and will aid Ruirui."
"Let’s hope everything goes smoothly!"
