Free Web NovelChapter 1300: Chapter 1289: Illegitimate Son
"You’ve suffered in Nanyue for years. Stay longer now that you’ve returned," said the old Emperor publicly to Prince Kang at the palace banquet that night. It was because of these words that the courtiers began speculating internally, wondering why the old Emperor did this and what his true intentions were.
Could it be that he has become disappointed in the other princes? Is he considering following the ancestral tradition to establish Prince Kang, the legitimate eldest son, as the Crown Prince? Indeed, Prince Kang is the most rightful choice.
Though Prince Kang himself is mediocre, everyone has witnessed the intelligence and handsomeness of the Heir of Prince Kang. In a place like Nanyue, he excelled, so under the guidance of distinguished teachers in the capital, wouldn’t he become even more extraordinary?
Though formally this dynasty hasn’t directly named an Imperial Grandson, the previous dynasty indeed had a precedent where a favored grandson led to the throne being passed down to the grandson’s father, so thinking this way, it’s not impossible.
Moreover, if the Heir of Prince Kang wasn’t valued, why would the side hall of Yangxin Hall be cleared for the young heir to reside? Could it be that he wants to teach him personally?
What can Your Majesty teach him, if not how to review memorials and govern the world?
This question cannot be thought about deeply, for the more they think about it, the more they feel this possibility is high, and they begin to panic, wondering if switching their support to Prince Kang now would still be timely.
Prince Kang’s attitude during this period is also very subtle, neither accepting nor rejecting, making the situation even more inscrutable.
Xiao Rui felt like a thorn was lodged in his heart, believing that his cousin was unlikely to ascend the throne, but now it seems his cousin possesses the greatest opportunity, possibly due to Grandpa’s actions transferring the throne to an otherwise hopeless Uncle Prince Kang.
Especially since yesterday he was refused again when trying to invite Ye Sian, and then learned today that Ye Sian visited Prince Kang’s Mansion. The incident stirred further suspicions—isn’t it possible that Uncle has been initially supporting Prince Kang all along? Otherwise, why did he never notice him and Father?
Yet why did Uncle choose this way? Knowing that Prince Kang used to be worthless and regarded as the least hopeful? At that time, his Father was favored by the Emperor.
Ye Sihui also felt unwilling; her heart was more aggrieved, thinking reincarnating would allow her to avoid past life’s disasters. She indeed successfully exchanged marriage affairs with Ye Jing to evade her fate, but other developments took her by surprise.
The Prince Kang, who was initially supposed to be confined, and Ye Jing, confined with him, lived not confined but prosperously anyway. The Emperor, who was supposed to die early due to anger over defeat, remained healthy and lived nearly twenty more years.
Meanwhile, the once confident Prince An and Princess Rou gradually lost favor, and the throne drifted further from them.
She didn’t come back just to escape past life. She sought to rise above all, or what sense did reincarnation hold?
Reflecting on her hardships at Prince An Mansion, reflecting on Father’s disdain for Mother, as well as Aunt Lan and Ye Jing’s glory, she deeply felt fate’s injustice and life’s unpredictability.
Clearly, her Mother was the legitimate wife, and she the legitimate daughter. In the past life when she married into Prince Kang’s Mansion, no one stood up for her, yet this life her brother Ye Qiu resolutely joined the military for Ye Jing despite his fragile condition.
Yet she understood it was her mother’s sin; if back then Mother hadn’t attacked Ye Qiu out of jealousy, would her brother have aided her?
But there is no "if." Knowing the outcome now, she should have persuaded Mother to treat her brother and Aunt Lan better when she reincarnated.
She couldn’t help but questioning God about another chance for rebirth, feeling her days too painful to endure after all her waiting for twenty years, uncertain if she could continue to wait.
Moreover, her health was declining in recent years, especially herself and her Mother. Could she last until she gained prominence and vindicated herself?
Thinking this led her to blame her younger brother; while Ye Qiu could exert himself despite his condition, why couldn’t her brother move beyond comfort and seek progress? If her young brother was somewhat ambitious, she wouldn’t feel so helpless.
Prince Kang has stayed in the capital for three months without the old Emperor urging him back to Nanyue, nor did he take the initiative to leave. Now nearly everyone understood his intention.
Your Majesty, appearing aged, experienced declining health these two years; the thrice-monthly councils changed to once a month, often lacking vigor during sessions, which worried ministers over his possible demise, making the matter of establishing a Crown Prince compelling.
During such sensitive times, Prince Kang lingering isn’t merely aspiration for contention, for ultimately, he’s the legitimate eldest son, if Your Majesty doesn’t designate a Crown Prince, he’s the foremost heir.
Not to mention now, the Heir of Prince Kang attending daily beside Your Majesty indicated considerable favor; the once-hope-abandoned Prince Kang becoming most promising instead.
"See how the ministers behave, just because I show a bit of favor towards my eldest son, they’re unsettled, they certainly discern my intent well," the old Emperor remarked with a smile carrying chilly undertones.
No emperor wishes for old age, none relishes seeing his ministers favor his son, as it implies they consider him decrepit.
His life endured long enough, he merely probed, and unexpectedly uncovered substantial insight.
"The eldest has retreated for twenty years yet maintains ambition!" he sighed softly, "Is my position that fascinating to enchant them?"
Eunuch An dared not reply, lowering his head even further, motionless as if asleep.
"I’m asking you a question, can’t you reply?" Long Emperor kicked towards Eunuch An’s rear.
Eunuch An startled, "thud," falling aside, hastily seeking pardon: "Forgive me, Your Majesty, this old servant dozed off inadvertently; age brought declining vigor."
"Old creature!" the old Emperor snorted lightly, overlooking the incident; after all this time, only Eunuch An remained for conversation, serving long enough to warrant leniency.
"Get an Imperial Physician later, your condition evidently worsens than mine, make sure not to sleep permanently for some little eunuch to discover, hahahaha..." the old Emperor laughed more heartily, as indeed he remained this dynasty’s longest-lived monarch.
Eunuch An echoed neatly, "How could this old servant compare to Your Majesty!"
