Chapter 352: Won’t Destroy the Country

Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations

Emperor Jingyuan chuckled. “That year, 1 didn’t want to harm you at first, but 1 unintentionally heard Mother mention your background…”

When the dazed Prince Xian heard these words, he immediately looked up, and his eyes became clearer.

“That day, the essay that i wrote was praised by Father, so 1 was very happy. I couldn’t wait to rush to Kun Ning Palace to share this good news with Mother, but I didn’t expect to see Mother’s hysterical side… At that time, I found that Little Seven, you weren’t born by Mother, but the son of Imperial Father’s most beloved Concubine Shu. Back then, Mother and Concubine Shu were both pregnant at the same time, and then they gave birth at the same time… At that time, the Jiang family’s status wasn’t stable yet, and Mother’s younger brother caused trouble and caused the people to be angry. Mother urgently needed to give birth to another prince to stabilize her position, but Mother gave birth to a little princess who had stopped breathing… For this reason, Mother’s gaze fell on Concubine Shu, who didn’t fight for favor at all. Everyone in the harem thought that Father loved the women in the harem equally, but only Mother knew that Concubine Shu was different!”

Concubine Shu was the late emperor’s first love, the woman he had admired for many years!

However, in order to protect Concubine Shu, the late emperor deliberately hid it, allowing Concubine Shu to live a peaceful life in the palace for so many years.

It was not until Concubine Shu was pregnant that the empress gradually realized that the seemingly unremarkable Concubine Shu was the woman the emperor truly wanted to protect.

This made the proud and arrogant Empress Jiang unbearable. Hence, after some planning, she finally turned Concubine Shu’s seventh prince into the seventh prince of the Central Palace…”

Prince Xian frowned. His hands, which had landed on his knees, were tightly clenched into fists.

His peach blossom eyes were bloodshot.

“When you were young, Mother always doted on you. Even if you didn’t write well, you wouldn’t be scolded. However, Mother was especially strict with me. At first, I really didn’t understand. 1 always felt that Mother was biased, but later on, I unintentionally found out about your background and understood why Mother did this. Only by doing this could she make you useless and nurture me into a qualified crown prince…”

Emperor Jingyuan had always thought that he was the son that was not liked, which was why he had evil thoughts.

He deliberately got someone to lay down slippery moss near the back pool. He wanted to kill his biological brother.

His thoughts were simple. As long as Little Seven died, his mother would feel more love for him.

He had never thought deeply about how vicious this idea was.

“Actually, the moment I saw you struggling in the water, I regretted it. Before I could decide if I should jump in to save you, my aunt’s maidservant happened to pass by, so 1 had no choice but to jump…” Emperor Jingyuan coughed again. “I’ve regretted it all these years. If i hadn’t done that back then…”

“There’s no medicine for regret in this world,” Prince Xian interrupted him forcefully. His tone was deep. “It’s already late. I’ll take my leave.”

This time, Prince Xian really left.

When the door of Qianqing Hall was slowly closed, Emperor Jingyuan closed his eyes in grief.

August 15th, Mid-Autumn Festival.

It rained early in the morning in the capital. After the autumn rain, the chirping of the cicadas became even more joyous.

The autumn air was refreshing. When the wind blew, the maple leaves fell.

Prince Xian’s Residence.

Shen Yao carried a box of crystal mooncakes to the prince’s residence. At that moment, Prince Xian was drinking alone in the study.

“My wife made some new mooncakes. Your Highness, why don’t you try them?”

“That’s very thoughtful of you.” Prince Xian forced out a hint of gratitude and said indifferently.

“Your Highness, have you ever thought about what to do next?” Shen Yao went straight to the point. “Or do you plan to continue claiming to be ill? Now that Chuzhou is in chaos, the northwest faces war and disaster, and the rain in Huzhou… The Great Jing Dynasty is in turmoil. Does Prince Xian really want the country to perish?”

The words ‘perished country’ were like a warning bell that ruthlessly struck Prince Xian’s heart!

“I… have never thought of destroying my country.” After a moment, Prince Xian said firmly, “The Great Jing Dynasty will not be destroyed.”

“Since Your Highness has already made up your mind, 1 hope Your Highness can pull yourself together,” Shen Yao said slowly. “My wife has been pestering the Grand Princess Imperial to ask about Consort Shu’s past. 1 heard that Consort Shu likes to eat crystal mooncakes the most. Your Highness, why don’t you give it a try?”

After saying this, Shen Yao left.

He had only stayed in Prince Xian’s residence for a quarter of an hour.

Zhou Yuheng opened the box of crystal mooncakes and gently picked up a piece to take a bite.

The fragrance of roses was refreshing.

Prince Xian was not a person with a sweet tooth, but on this day, he ate six crystal mooncakes.

Twenty-eight years ago, during the Mid-Autumn Festival, a huge fire suddenly erupted in the Hall of Joyous Union in the harem. The fire was raging.

Concubine Shu, who was favored by the late emperor, also lost her life in that fire…

Grand Princess Imperial’s residence, Jade Garden.

After the Mid-Autumn Festival, the chill of autumn was getting stronger.

Ji Zhao often felt bloated, and Immortal Crane gave her a serious checkup.

If nothing went wrong, Ji Zhao would be giving birth at the end of the month.

Shen Yao had also applied for leave at the Hanlin Academy and was by Ji Zhao’s side at all times.

“I heard that His Majesty has already written an edict for the throne.” Ji Zhao walked into the garden and asked in a low voice, “Is Prince Xian about to ascend the throne?”

“If nothing goes wrong, it should be at the end of the year,” Shen Yao said in a low voice. “The northwestern army is in chaos. Prince Xian needs to personally go to the northwest to calm the army.”

“But the Empress is eyeing us covetously. Once Prince Xian leaves the capital, will the Empress act rashly?”

“Silly Zhaozhao, if the empress doesn’t act rashly, the position of Prince Xian wouldn’t be legitimate!” Shen Yao tapped the tip of her nose helplessly and said with a gentle smile, “Zhaozhao, don’t let your imagination run wild. The person you should be most worried about now is yourself.”

At the thought that Ji Zhao was about to give birth, Shen Yao’s heart was in turmoil.

When a woman gave birth to a child, she would be walking near the brink of death.

Shen Yao was really afraid—

However, he could not suffer for her.

“Lord Shen, 1 think I’m the one who’s about to give birth.” Seeing his distressed expression, Ji Zhao couldn’t help but shake her head and smile.

“Zhaozhao, why don’t we go and find Mother for another drill?” Shen Yao thought for a moment and suggested, “1 feel uneasy…”

“I think you’re the one who shouldn’t let your imagination run wild!” Ji Zhao shrugged helplessly. “When the melon is ripe, it will fall. When the baby wants to come out, there will naturally be movement.”

“But…”

“Alright, stop dilly-dallying.” Ji Zhao quickly changed the topic. “By the way, I heard from Grandmother that there are two new pastries in the capital’s Almond Blossom Restaurant. Go buy some. I want to eat them!”

“Shall i help you back to your room to rest first?”

“Might as well..”