Free Web NovelChapter 1299: Chapter 1288: Illegitimate Son
Having been together for so many years, she could almost guess what Ye Jing was thinking, but she did not show anger and instead comforted her son.
Although she and Xiao Hong were tied together for the moment, things would completely change if he ascended the throne. Then he would be the Emperor, ruling the World. If he started to hold grudges over things now, what would happen? Even if her brother held military power, going against him would be disloyal, and he might even be accused of gross disrespect, like being a traitor.
Therefore, what she needed to do was to ensure that he had no handle on her, giving him no reason to deal with her.
However, she was not entirely passive; her brother’s military power was more help than pressure for her, for defending the border and stopping the barbarians from invading wasn’t something anyone could do. Even if in the future Prince Kang wanted to reduce military power, he would also have to consider the wishes of the other courtiers and the common people.
Moreover, she had her son as leverage. It could be said that Prince Kang had no descendant more outstanding or more favored by him, embraced by his strategists, than her son. If he wanted to cause trouble in the future, not only would it pain him, but others would also disapprove.
So Ye Jing was not afraid; she just didn’t want to create trouble for herself. Originally, her relationship with Prince Kang was primarily about mutual benefit, and whatever emotions Prince Kang might have for her were certainly not as deep as those for Princess Kang.
This time, he was genuinely disappointed in Princess Kang, which led to this. Whether men or women, most are impulsively swayed by beauty. Previously the two grew up together, and Princess Kang herself was stunning, so even if she made some mistakes, Prince Kang could forgive her.
But now, not only had Princess Kang aged in appearance, her character had grown extremely peculiar and twisted. To maintain her dignity and her family’s interests, she disregarded Prince Kang, never considering how others might see him or what he would lose because of this mess.
Perhaps it was indeed because Princess Kang didn’t trust Prince Kang, which drove her to exploit him so ruthlessly. How could a man permit others to doubt his capabilities?
Especially when he had endured and planned for nearly twenty years, almost to the brink of success; how could he allow Princess Kang to spoil it?
Ye Jing was very relieved that Prince Kang didn’t reveal his plan to seize the throne to Princess Kang; otherwise, who knows what that woman might have done.
Perhaps she might do nothing and simply conceal the plan, which would still be a problem for her future.
Given the current state, she believed that someone with no children, no achievements, and a questionable mental state could not become the Empress. Even if Xiao Hong insisted, others would not agree. Generally, such matters were decided within the Imperial Family, but if one’s virtue did not match the position, courtiers could intervene.
Before she arrived, she worried about how the Princess Consort might treat her. Initially, when the Princess Consort punished her, she felt relieved, thinking she wouldn’t have to trouble herself with how to deal with the Princess Consort.
"Why has Prince returned to the residence so quickly? Didn’t Your Majesty keep you?" Typically, they wouldn’t return so soon, which is why the Princess Consort acted so recklessly.
"It was Grandpa’s thoughtfulness toward me and Father Emperor, allowing us to return and freshen up. Luckily we did return, or else, Mother, you..."
"Let’s not speak of the past; don’t mention this matter before anyone in the future," Ye Jing stopped her son’s unfinished words.
Xiao Hong was very moved by her understanding: "You’ve endured the grievances."
"Not grievances, and hasn’t Prince stood up for me?" Ye Jing smiled slightly, then looked tired, "Prince and Ruirui should freshen up, lest Your Majesty becomes impatient waiting in the palace."
"Mother, I estimate Grandpa will ask me to stay for a while; you must take care of yourself," Xiao Rui said reluctantly.
"With your Father by my side and maidservants attending, everything will be fine. You, on the other hand, must be careful in the palace."
"I will ask Cousin Sian to visit you."
"Go ahead, Mother’s feeling a bit tired."
That night, the Imperial Palace was brightly lit, and the nearly seventy-year-old old Emperor smiled exceptionally radiantly, seating Xiao Rui close to him, praising him throughout the evening as if no other descendant mattered.
Xiao Rui sat alongside his father, Prince An, not too far from the old Emperor’s seat, casting a complex gaze at Xiao Rui, his cousin, whose name sounded similar to his own. Through their mothers, they were actually cousins.
No matter how one calculates, they should have been very close, but that wasn’t the case. He wasn’t familiar with him at all, and there were rumors that their mothers didn’t get along when they were in the boudoir.
Since he was a child, he was often labeled as someone else’s model child, praised as a prodigy, described as intelligent beyond his years. When he was young, Grandpa the old Emperor favored him greatly, but somehow, over time, Grandpa grew displeased with him, sometimes even accusing him of being scheming when he showed intelligence.
He admitted that his efforts were meant to distinguish himself from other Royal offspring indulgent in leisure, but hearing Grandpa’s comments about being scheming caused fear and pain.
Later, he noticed that Grandpa made similar accusations toward many of the subsequent young Princes and Imperial Grandchildren, which brought balance to his mindset.
However, today, this long-buried jealousy resurfaced, as he sensed Grandpa’s love for his cousin being different from that for others, genuinely caring for his cousin growing up in Nanyue.
Moreover, he hadn’t anticipated his cousin, raised in such an impoverished place as Nanyue, to be so outstanding, nearly comparable to him!
Nanyue lacked the educational resources of the capital, lacking an academic atmosphere; Xiao Rui must have had incredible perseverance to achieve this.
At this moment, Xiao Rui unmistakably felt threatened, just as his mother felt threatened by her aunt.
He was not only jealous of Grandpa’s differing treatment between his cousin and themselves but also of their uncle’s disparate treatment of them both. They were both Imperial Grandsons, both nephews to their uncle, but he knew in his heart their uncle favored Xiao Rui over him.
Ye Sian had been back to the capital for so long yet barely responded to him, but today was only Xiao Rui and Ye Sian’s first meeting. They exchanged several glances during the banquet, even shared a toast across the table.
In what way was he inferior to Ye Rui? Did Ye Sian realize Xiao Rui was unfit for the throne? Whereas his father, despite being suspect, was still the most capable and plausible candidate; couldn’t he even discern that?
