Chapter 33: Terminal Stage of Love-Struck Fool? Beyond Saving, Just Wait for the End (2)

Originally, the Yun Kingdom was not only weak, but its territory was laughably small. Whether it remained the Yun Kingdom or became Yun Prefecture hardly mattered to the Rong Kingdom.

And as for Qin Yun—

He had no brothers or sisters vying for the throne, nor were there treacherous ministers attempting to seize control of the court and reduce him to a puppet emperor.

Yet what had he done?

How had he managed to ruin such a heaven-sent, unbeatable beginning, as if he’d been handed victory on a platter only to make a complete mess of it?

And that so-called Protector Princess at the end—what on earth was that about?

Truly, it was better not to mention Qin Yun. As soon as he was brought up, along with Huayang, Qin Ye felt a suffocating fury, wishing he could take a hammer to both of them.

The result was that the empress, who had spoken up to admonish him, nearly caused the newly revived emperor to die all over again.

The imperial physicians from the Imperial Medical Bureau were drenched with sweat, terrified that the emperor might expire once more. Occasionally, when they glanced at the empress, their eyes held a subtle reproach.

If you cannot offer proper counsel, better to keep silent—there’s no need to provoke the emperor so.

The empress: ...

Was there a single word wrong in what she had said?

No, not at all; her words had been reasonable and proper, and no one could find fault with them.

So why did the emperor get so agitated?

Truly, to serve by the emperor’s side was like living with a tiger—when would such days ever end?

Initially, upon hearing of the emperor’s death, the empress had been both panicked and a little saddened, but now that she thought about it, if the emperor truly did pass on, it would hardly affect her.

The throne would certainly go to her son, and her son was not some useless wretch—there was no reason he would fail to win the people’s hearts.

As for herself, she would be immediately elevated to Empress Dowager. Wasn’t that far more comfortable than being mere empress?

As long as she did not covet power and meddle in state affairs, there would be no conflict with her son.

With no clash of interests and her status as elder, even if the emperor son only put on an act, he would still have to play the role of the filial and virtuous child.

The more she thought about it, the more sense it made, and a treasonous thought crossed her mind: perhaps it would be better if Emperor Yong’an were dead after all.

“Prince Yue, Ding’an, and Yue Sheng remain; everyone else is dismissed.”

Qin Ye, having regained his composure, knew well that internal strife was worse than external threats, so he decisively sent away the infuriating Qin Yun and the other idlers.

At once, the bedchamber, scented with calming incense, felt more spacious, and even the air grew fresher.

Qin Yun and Huayang both had a mother famed as the greatest beauty in the capital, and Emperor Yong’an, in his youth, had been a peerless, handsome prodigy.

With such parentage, the two were both exceptionally good-looking.

Qin Ye had only seen Qin Yun; though still young, the boy’s features were already refined and outstanding, like an immortal banished to the mortal world.

He was rather silent, but his respect and concern for his father were sincere and openly shown.

Yet, despite his fine looks, he lacked the kingly dominance and heroic spirit a sovereign should possess—indeed, he seemed more like an immortal than an emperor.

There were no Daoist priests in the palace bold enough to sway the crown prince’s faith, so how had his predecessor managed to raise a son with such an ethereal air?

Was the boy perhaps an immortal lord come down to the mortal realm for a trial, merely passing through the world of men?

His thoughts tinged with solemnity, Qin Ye seated himself with the aid of the cautious attendants, then spoke in a deep voice, “As for Yun’er, what are your opinions, esteemed ministers?”

Prince Yue said nothing; if anything arose, Wen Ding’an would handle it, and if he did not, Ji Cheng would—after all, as a prince the emperor distrusted, it hardly concerned him.

Wen Ding’an frowned. “Your Majesty, the crown prince is the heir apparent. Do Your Majesty’s words suggest dissatisfaction with the crown prince?”

Prince Yue’s expression did not change, but inwardly he gave Wen Ding’an a thumbs-up—only Lord Wen had the courage to speak so bluntly to the emperor.

His elder brother was indeed a man of great talent and vision; it was a pity that his health was poor, likely due to his insistence on leading from the front in every battle.

“I find him more like a Daoist priest,” Qin Ye said frankly, unbothered by the discourtesy in the words of a man with one foot in the grave.

Wen Ding’an was momentarily speechless.

Qiu Ruhai had refused to take the post of Crown Prince’s tutor, insisting the emperor select someone else, so the emperor had assigned various court officials to instruct the prince.

Otherwise, with Qiu Ruhai’s learning, had he taught the prince himself, it was unlikely he would have produced such an ethereal and otherworldly heir.

Then again, in recent years, Qiu Ruhai had grown ever more indifferent to fame and wealth, and was said to be studying Daoist texts; perhaps the prince really had learned from his grandfather.

Wen Ding’an felt a headache coming on.

He truly wished to retire.

Meanwhile, Qin Ye rose from the bed, letting the ever-cautious Yang Lao drape a robe over his shoulders, then stepped forward and grasped Wen Ding’an’s age-spotted hand.

“When I was still crown prince, I attended Master Ding’an’s lectures and called you teacher. That is only proper.”

“Your servant is terrified,” Wen Ding’an said, dropping to his knees.

Who would dare so brazenly claim to be the emperor’s teacher? Was he tired of living, or simply had too comfortable a life?

Qin Ye ignored him, forcibly pulling him up and seating him in a chair, then turned to Prince Yue.

Speaking of whom, Prince Yue was rather pitiful.

Even if, in the past, he had indeed entertained ambitions for the throne, after the predecessor’s accession, he had abandoned all such thoughts, yet remained under suspicion, never allowed to leave.

All his life, Prince Yue had walked on thin ice, and only now, at the end, was he finally allowed to retire. As long as he supported his nephew’s succession, he could return to his fief and live out his days in peace.

Then, oh, he became the great villain. Because he was friends with Lord Xie, and Xie Fanghua sought vengeance against the Xie family, she entered the court under an alias, formed factions, and maliciously accused Prince Yue, painting him as a traitor.

In the end, to protect his family, Prince Yue calmly accepted death.

But his family was not truly spared; they were ambushed en route, his wife and daughters killed on the spot, and his son disappeared without a trace.

Naturally, it was people from the Yun Kingdom who did this, unable to take revenge on the great villain, as he had already perished.

So they took vengeance on the villain’s younger brother, seeking to make the villain suffer even in death.

If Prince Yue knew their reasoning, he would be furious enough to rise from the grave.

Where did they get the idea that he and his imperial brother were so emotionally close, that harming him would cause his brother unbearable pain?

This was truly tragic, for the predecessor saw clearly that Qin Yun knew full well Prince Yue was innocent.

But he was unwilling to contradict the one he loved, so he let Xie Hua slander Prince Yue at will.

One must understand, Prince Yue had spared no effort in supporting Qin Yun’s grip on the throne.

Qin Ye released Wen Ding’an’s hand, and this time took Prince Yue’s hand.

Prince Yue’s eyes widened, his hand starting to tremble.

Imperial brother, after all these years of endurance, now that you feel your health is failing, are you finally unable to hold back, and about to act against me, willing to bear the infamy of being unable to tolerate your own brother?

“Seventh brother, you have one son and three daughters. Your son is close in age to the crown prince, is he not?”

Prince Yue replied, lips quivering, “Yes...”

“Very well. Someone, deliver my decree: summon Prince Yue’s heir to the palace at once.”

Prince Yue fell to his knees with a crash. “Imperial brother, I swear to Heaven, I harbor no disloyalty. I truly wish only to be a carefree prince.”

Qin Ye pulled him up as well. “I know. There is no need for concern, seventh brother. I have summoned your son to the palace for his own good.”

Prince Yue felt utterly hopeless. Fine, fine, you are the living father—who can argue with you? Do as you wish.

Once Prince Yue was seated, Qin Ye turned his gaze to Ji Cheng.

Ji Cheng’s heart skipped a beat, unsure whether he should kneel at once or wait.

Previously, Emperor Yong’an had intended for Ji Cheng to marry Princess Huayang. The princess had just come of age this year, and normally, the engagement should have been settled before then.

But Princess Huayang, being spoiled, was willful both in and out of the palace. She refused to marry, and though the empress rebuked her, Emperor Yong’an, easily swayed, agreed without protest, so the matter was left unresolved.

When Ji Cheng became the top scholar in the imperial examinations, he was barely of age—a child prodigy famed since youth. Now, a few years on, he was just past twenty.

He was still very young, but had already caught the emperor’s eye and been exceptionally promoted.

He did not disappoint; he fulfilled the emperor’s expectations with outstanding achievements, silencing all the old ministers.

Such a talented youth naturally drew Emperor Yong’an’s favor, who wished to marry his beloved daughter, Princess Huayang, to him.

But Ji Cheng politely declined, for he already had someone he loved.

Thus, even at the risk of displeasing the emperor, Ji Cheng refused the imperial marriage.

To dare reject the emperor’s offer of marriage—he was indeed bold.

A more narrow-minded emperor might well have wondered, ‘Do you look down on my daughter?’

You truly do? Bold indeed; you are courting death!

Qin Ye seized Ji Cheng’s hand. Ji Cheng met his gaze calmly. “Your Majesty.”

Qin Ye: ...

Ah, the courage of the young—this one was truly bold.

Fortunately, Qin Ye did not mind. He gripped Ji Cheng’s hand firmly, then recalled Ji Cheng’s fate.

Huayang somehow learned of the marriage proposal from years past, and that Ji Cheng had refused it, so she held a grudge against him, repeatedly targeting him.

With Huayang’s encouragement, her only brother, Qin Yun, also developed a prejudice against Ji Cheng.

Xie Hua, attacking her own father and dragging Prince Yue down with him, saw Ji Cheng intercede on Prince Yue’s behalf, insisting on his innocence. For this, Ji Cheng was immediately demoted and exiled to the frontier, after which he vanished.

Of the three great ministers the predecessor had prepared to support his precious son, not one met a good end.

By comparison, Wen Ding’an’s fate was almost fortunate. Old and frail, he died before the precious son could begin his reckless actions.

Even on his deathbed, he lamented his failure to live up to the predecessor’s trust.

Afterwards, the Wen family, despite the son’s pleas, took their elder’s coffin back to their ancestral home to live in seclusion, never again involving themselves in state affairs.

Yet when the Yun Kingdom’s armies reached the capital, the Wen men still rushed to the city’s aid, persuading regional commanders and princes to send troops in defense.

In the end, they gained nothing for their efforts; in fact, for questioning Qin Yun’s decision to grant Xie Fanghua the title of Protector Princess, they were thrown into prison and suffered greatly for it.