Free Web NovelChapter 1307: Chapter 1296: Illegitimate Son
In the autumn of the following year, after the one-year mourning period for the late Emperor, the Empress and Emperor grandly selected concubines for the Crown Prince. After multiple rounds of selection, they chose the legitimate granddaughter of the Governor of Liangjiang as the Crown Princess Consort, the legitimate daughter of Mrs. Dong, Duke Cheng’en, and the legitimate granddaughter of the Minister of Ministry of Personnel as concubine. Thus, the grand event of selecting concubines came to an end.
What disappointed Ye Jing was that Ye Sian did not see any girls among the concubines whom he fancied, seemingly not in a hurry about his lifelong matters.
Another summer passed, the Empress Dowager fell gravely ill at the summer resort, and Your Majesty was immensely saddened, attending to her personally in all matters. A month later, he also fell seriously ill and ordered the Crown Prince to take charge.
Eventually, the Empress Dowager did not survive the winter. Her first half of life was indeed too painful, battling intellectually and fiercely with the late Emperor throughout her life, enduring years of suppression until she could finally breathe a sigh of relief near the age of seventy, watching her son safely sit on the throne, witnessing her grandson accomplish major life events, witnessing her family slowly regain vitality. She seemed to lose drive as if she lost her target.
Some people live for hope, some live for hatred. Upon achieving these goals, some people advance towards higher goals, while some lose motivation, subsequently losing vigor.
The Empress Dowager was evidently the latter kind. Years of struggle led to a sense of liberation, but amidst her relief, she didn’t know what to do, causing her body to gradually deteriorate.
The Emperor and the Empress Dowager shared deep affection, depending on each other since childhood, comforting each other in the palace when ostracized. With the Empress Dowager gone, the Emperor couldn’t endure the sorrow and thus fell ill.
Ye Jing was quite surprised by these events; she thought she would endure some more years under the Empress Dowager’s pressure, but unexpectedly, the Empress Dowager departed within just a year, leaving Ye Jing somewhat emotional.
Though the Empress Dowager uttered not to forbid marriage, alcohol, or music for a year before her death, the Emperor held deep affection for her and didn’t force others but chose to adhere to vegetarian life for three years and firmly practice Buddhism to gather merit for Empress Dowager’s reincarnation.
During this period, he handed over the affairs he wasn’t anxious to handle entirely to Crown Prince Ye Rui, projecting an intention of becoming a Supreme Emperor.
Three years later, he formally announced the abdication to the Crown Prince, moving with his concubines to the palace, but outside the palace, he bestowed a mansion to Ye Qiu, specifically declaring it for him to live in.
This suddenly gathered all attention on Ye Qiu. Your Majesty’s intention was apparent; fearing him holding high ranks and potential foreign interference in governance, so he let him retire together. If Ye Qiu disagreed, it is estimated that life for the new Emperor and Ye Family would become difficult.
Ye Qiu slightly smiled, "After all, he still doesn’t trust me, but it’s understandable, considering the considerable merit I established for his enthronement."
"So what have you decided to do?" Zhong Yi asked worriedly.
"What else could I do? To reassure him, naturally, I’ll move into the mansion he arranged." Ye Qiu replied indifferently.
"But this... doesn’t it seem rather inconsiderate?" Zhong Yi said displeased.
"You shouldn’t think like that. Since ancient times, there aren’t many Kings hoping for a Minister to wield extensive power, and I am not young anymore, also unwilling to toil for these trivial matters. The scenic views at the mansion outside the palace are definitely nice, retiring there is not bad, after all, Your Majesty is merely seeking peace of mind."
"But isn’t this equivalent to imprisoning you?" Zhong Yi is still angry, angry at Your Majesty’s ingratitude. Others might not know, but she witnessed firsthand her husband’s immense effort for Nanyue’s development, so it’s hard not to be angry now that major matters are achieved yet mistrust prevails.
"It’s not as though I’ll be stuck at that mansion forever and cannot leave, once I truly relinquish power, Your Majesty will be entirely relieved."
"Still, I feel uncomfortable inside."
"Silly girl." Ye Qiu helplessly laughs facing his wife, "Even if my merit is immense, I am still a Minister, he is a King, could I commit treason? Also, you truly think that once Ruirui ascends the throne, he wouldn’t have apprehensions about me?"
"But you’re his uncle!"
"So what? He is an Emperor first, then my nephew." Ye Qiu earnestly explains to his wife, "No Minister can gain lifelong trust from an Emperor, stepping down now isn’t bad, at least for our son’s future prospects, they won’t be compromised."
Upon hearing this, Zhong Yi, even with unease in her heart, couldn’t refute it.
Ye Qiu smoothly resigned from all his duties and quickly moved to the mansion outside the palace. Yet, no one dared to underestimate him, because despite shedding extended duties, he still held the Duke title. Though lacking concrete power, his son Ye Sian now serves as Minister of War.
The First Minister under the age of twenty-five with a second-rank position! The first since the inception of the dynasty!
Ye Qiu was indeed a legend of the Daru Dynasty, born a bastard of Lord Manor, yet managed border military power independently for twenty years without relying on any connections, later granted Duke title of superior standing, elevated to Minister of War, but after just five years in office, retreated at the age of knowing destiny and renounced all tangible power.
Yet, a century later, his son Ye Sian became more renowned because Ye Sian was not only the youngest Prime Minister in the history of the Dynasty but also the only Prime Minister holding a noble title.
What’s more intriguing was his emotional life, in an era where people married at fifteen or sixteen, this Lord Ye Qiu only married at the age of thirty, and his wife wasn’t an aristocratic noble lady but rumored to be the daughter of a mere commoner, despite the enormous gap in their identities, this Lord Ye Qiu deeply cherished his wife throughout his life, never taking any concubines.
Thus, many films and shows emerged about this Lord Ye Qiu, often attracting numerous female fans, wishing they could travel back to that era, witness the elegance of Ye Qiu, yearning to become the woman cherished by Ye Qiu unconditionally.
At nearly ninety, Ye Jing wobbled her way to her elder brother’s tombstone; she never imagined living this long, nor becoming the most esteemed woman in the world for decades.
All the honor she received over these decades were due to one person; she will never forget her elder brother’s promise when her father sent her into Prince Kang’s Mansion.
He promised to let her live freely, he promised to let her live happily, he absolutely kept his promises.
Ye Jing deeply knew her elder brother certainly sacrificed much for her, while she reciprocated poorly, as her and her son’s positions forced him to resign prematurely in his prime.
These years, memories of youth become clearer; she had vague suspicions; her elder brother seemed transformed entirely the year she married.
But what sense is there in dwelling over it now? All she knows is that he will always be her most loving elder brother!
