The words of the Eldest Prince were indeed sowhat provocative.
But what could Emperor Yongning do? Now, holding military power, and among the many princes, the most formidable and outstanding, was only the Eldest Prince.
And he, as the mighty Emperor Yongning, struck by the loss of his son, beca like this, needing the support of Xiao Lizi to walk, no longer resembling the wise and valiant image of his youth.
Were the Eldest Prince to force the Emperor at this mont, he could easily succeed.
Not to ntion, he only negotiated a single condition with him.
Emperor Yongning sighed and collapsed onto the chair behind him, appearing indifferent, resigned to his fate.
He closed his eyes, "... Speak?"
The Eldest Prince said, "Father, please issue a decree to appoint as Crown Prince. I will dedicate myself wholeheartedly to the Eastern Chu Kingdom, serving until death."
Emperor Yongning remained silent, saying nothing.
From the mont of the Crown Prince’s death, he had already predicted that the Eldest Prince would, sooner or later, find an excuse to ask for the position of Crown Prince.
But as long as the Eldest Prince remained silent, he held onto a sense of hope, believing there was still room for maneuver, that he still had a little ti to burn out his last life force and select from his ten sons the one most suitable to sit on the Golden Throne.
Unfortunately, the Eldest Prince spoke today, and he had no opportunity to wait any longer—no chance to do anything else.
Because if he did not agree, his only beloved daughter would be in trouble.
His treasure could not be hard.
Seeing Emperor Yongning not answer for a while, the Eldest Prince puzzled, asked, "Father, what exactly dissatisfies you about ? Why can’t you decide on this insignificant matter of making Emperor?"
"Am I not the most outstanding, prominent, and formidable among the remaining princes?"
"Shouldn’t this throne rightfully belong to ?"
The Eldest Prince seed to be losing his mind without an imdiate affirmative reply from Emperor Yongning.
He stared wide-eyed at Emperor Yongning, unwillingly trying to discern sothing from his expression. Unfortunately, having walked this far, experiencing ups and downs for half his life, and recently losing his mother and son, his heart had long been still, unable to stir the slightest ripple.
His deanor was calm, free of any visible emotion.
The Eldest Prince thought he would not receive any answer from Emperor Yongning. However, after a long silence, Emperor Yongning finally spoke: "Eldest, after Qi Qin’s death, the various disturbances and battles at the border were all quelled by you leading the troops. You are indeed skilled in leading troops and fighting battles; Father cannot deny that."
Recognized at last, no longer overshadowed by the Crown Prince.
The Eldest Prince’s lips slightly curved with joy for just a mont.
After a while, he asked again, "Then why did Father just remain silent?" Not imdiately voicing his affirmation of him?
Emperor Yongning said, "It’s because, Eldest, with your qualifications and talents, you’re best suited to be a general, fighting on the battlefield, slaughtering across all territories. If you were to beco Crown Prince, or Emperor..."
Emperor Yongning suddenly stopped speaking. He sighed deeply, eyebrows furrowing, "Your temper is too aggressive and impatient; you don’t understand the strategy of gradual progress, and your emotions often show on your face, making you easily transparent to others. This is a great taboo for rulers..."
A king who cannot maintain composure, possessing little wisdom, only brute strength. Even a slight mistake could harm himself, and ultimately, the entire country.
Emperor Yongning had long seen through the Eldest Prince.
Thus, he had never considered the Eldest Prince.
The Eldest Prince was very dissatisfied with this answer.
He was filled with anger, about to erupt, when he heard Emperor Yongning say, "Bring Ah Ning back to the palace; once I’ve seen Ah Ning, I’ll write you a decree appointing you Crown Prince."
Everything in the world has its destiny.
If the next generation’s heir to the Eastern Chu Kingdom is destined to be the Eldest Prince, Emperor Yongning can only grudgingly accept. But, what if he isn’t?
The Eldest Prince demanding to be crowned Crown Prince now is akin to placing himself in the fire.
Once he is engulfed by the jealousy and heavy blows of his brothers, roasted almost thoroughly, the one truly fit to be the next king will erge.
Blessings and misfortunes coexist.
Crowning the Eldest Prince as Crown Prince now isn’t necessarily all downside.
The inability to act at this mont isn’t necessarily a bad thing for Emperor Yongning.
Emperor Yongning eagerly anticipates the appearance of the one suited to be Emperor.
The Eldest Prince felt sowhat guilty, "... Can’t you issue the decree right now? Why must I see that wretched girl before issuing it?"
Emperor Yongning squinted at the Eldest Prince, "What do you think?"
The Eldest Prince felt even more guilty under that gaze and avoided Emperor Yongning’s eyes, "I’ll go bring Ah Ning over right away."
The Eldest Prince hurried away, but Emperor Yongning grew even more suspicious of him.
Why did he leave in such a hurry?
Moreover, he didn’t seem to be enthusiastically and eagerly going to retrieve soone, aiming to soon acquire the position of Crown Prince. Rather, it’s more like...
Avoiding!
Yes, avoiding his inquiry.
And feeling guilty!
"Xiao Lizi..."
Emperor Yongning summoned Xiao Lizi, whispered a few words to him, and Xiao Lizi dispatched the Hidden Guard to follow the Eldest Prince.
Half an hour later, the Hidden Guard returned.
The Hidden Guard reported to Emperor Yongning that he heard the Eldest Prince ordering people to search for Princess Anle. Princess Anle was not currently at the Eldest Prince’s residence.
"That Eldest, dares to even deceive ..."
"His audacity is really growing..."
Emperor Yongning’s eyes, previously calm as ancient wells, suddenly showed a murderous intent.
"Xiao Lizi, dispatch people imdiately to find the Princess," Emperor Yongning said. "First, check the Qi Mansion, and if she’s not there, search the entire Imperial City, house by house, ensuring she’s found before the Eldest Prince."
...
Jun Ning was tidying up the devastated remnants of Qianji Pavilion, having not rested properly for days, dreaming of the scene where all the mbers of Qianji Pavilion mobilized to save her on that day.
Upon waking, her face was filled with worry.
She and Ye Ying’s painstaking efforts over many years were largely destroyed. Many loyal to them had perished.
"Ye Ying," Jun Ning said with so sadness, "if it weren’t for saving , there wouldn’t have been such great losses, right?"
Having been lying comfortably in bed, Ye Ying heard these words, struggling against the pain coursing through his body, attempted to rise.
"Ah Ning, don’t think like that..."
Jun Ning hurriedly said, "Ye Ying, your wounds were just re-dicated and bandaged; don’t move, or the wounds will reopen..."
"I’m fine." Ye Ying forced himself to sit up, "Ah Ning, without you, there would be no Qianji Pavilion today. Not only saving you, but even if rescuing you ant the ruin of the whole Qianji Pavilion, I would be willing."
Jun Ning was about to say, "We cannot be so selfish, ignoring the wishes and lives of others."
Ye Ying spoke first, "It’s not about being selfish; it’s that as long as you can be saved, whether it’s or anyone else at Qianji Pavilion, everyone is willing to give everything..."
"Because without you, there wouldn’t be Qianji Pavilion today."
"You are worth risking lives to save."
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