jdhmnovel Chapter 412 The Emperor's Son 8
Chapter 412 The Emperor's Son 8
Several months passed quickly, and the Third Prince returned from his disaster relief mission.
only…
The strategist said, "Your Highness, you are foolish! I only failed to accompany you to the disaster relief efforts, so why did you bring back a woman of unknown origin?"
"What happened to your promise to stay away from women? Have you forgotten what you told me?"
Upon hearing that the Third Prince had brought a woman back, the strategist rushed over in a great hurry.
He was so anxious that blisters appeared on his lips.
The Third Prince, however, remained unconcerned, his expression indifferent.
He gently stroked the hair of the woman in his arms, his tone calm: "Sir, you are overthinking it. Wan Niang is not a woman of unknown origin, but the daughter of the governor of the Southern Border."
The strategist's eyes widened: "The governor's daughter? That's even more inappropriate—"
"Your Highness! Have you forgotten how the Second Prince was deposed?"
Upon hearing this, the woman trembled slightly, looked up to reveal a stunningly beautiful face, her eyes filled with tears:
"Why must you be so harsh, my lord? My father has been punished for his failure to provide adequate disaster relief, and my entire family has been exiled... If it weren't for Your Highness's rescue, I would have already..."
The Third Prince gently wiped away her tears: "Don't be afraid."
He then turned to the strategist, his eyes suddenly sharpening: "Sir, her father was framed."
The advisor stamped his feet in frustration: "Your Highness! Even so, you shouldn't—"
"Shouldn't what?"
The Third Prince sneered, "Shouldn't we investigate the truth about the embezzlement of disaster relief funds by officials in the Southern Border? Shouldn't we redress the grievances of the wronged? Or shouldn't we..."
His tone suddenly softened, "Save an innocent woman?"
“I am different from my second brother. He was bewitched by that woman and dared to divorce his own wife.”
“My stepmother is different. She doesn’t want a title; she just wants to stay by my side.”
The strategist was speechless for a moment, disgusted by the two's affectionate gaze.
Sure enough, once a man has power, he starts to get arrogant.
He felt that without a beautiful woman by his side, he didn't find the power appealing anymore.
The strategist was so anxious he stamped his feet, but the third prince wouldn't listen.
He thought that he was just keeping a woman by his side, which was nothing, at most a concubine.
The two were still deeply in love.
At this moment, a guard rushed in from outside the door to report: "Your Highness, His Majesty summons you for an immediate audience."
The third prince paused, holding his stepmother's hand, and began to ponder what his father had to do.
Is it about getting involved in disaster relief?
Or something else...
He turned his gaze to his advisor: "Sir, what do you think is the reason Father has summoned me now?"
Strategist…
Because of him, if he doesn't tell you, you'll be unhappy; if he does tell you, you won't believe him.
He's like a tapeworm in the emperor's stomach; what could he possibly know?
"Your Highness is unaware. It is best to remain cautious in your words and actions and respond to any changes with constancy."
"If His Majesty inquires about this young lady, Your Highness should tell the truth. If it comes to a decision, I hope Your Highness will consider the bigger picture."
Hearing this, the maid in her arms trembled slightly and looked up at the Third Prince with her tear-filled eyes.
Her slender fingers gripped his sleeve tightly, her voice choked with sobs and fear: "Your Highness..."
The Third Prince sensed the unease in the person in his arms and patted her back reassuringly, but his gaze was as calm as a deep pool.
He turned to his advisor, a half-smile playing on his lips: "Sir, you are mistaken."
“Now that Wan Niang has entered my household, she is mine. If Father Emperor asks, I will answer him.”
"If I could easily abandon her, I fear that in my father's heart I would only be seen as heartless and ungrateful."
"It would be better to let my father think that I am a person who values loyalty and righteousness."
The Third Prince was very confident in his insights.
After all, which emperor wouldn't want his crown prince to be benevolent?
Upon hearing this, the strategist frowned almost imperceptibly.
Just as she was about to persuade him again, the Third Prince got up and gently put Wan Niang down, his movements gentle yet leaving no room for resistance.
He straightened his clothes and said, "Sir, there's no need for further words. Please wait here for my news."
Having said that, he followed the guards to the palace with a calm and resolute air.
Looking at his tall, straight back, Wan Niang suddenly took two steps forward, her voice so soft it was almost inaudible: "Your Highness... if His Majesty blames me, I am willing to atone with my death..."
Her voice wasn't loud, but it was just right—loud enough for everyone to hear.
The Third Prince paused, and when he turned around, a complex emotion flashed in his eyes.
He reached out and pinched Wan Niang's chin, forcing her to look him in the eye, and whispered:
"Remember, your life is now yours alone, and no one can take it away without your permission—not even yourself."
That damned domineering aura made the strategist's teeth ache, and his eyes twitched involuntarily.
The third prince's expression hardened, and he lowered his head to whisper to the woman in his arms, "You rest first, I'll be right back."
The strategist watched the Third Prince's departing figure, then looked at the pitiful woman, and suddenly felt—
Why does this scene seem so familiar?
It's just like the beginning before the Second Prince was deposed...
The maid stood there until the Third Prince's figure disappeared at the end of the palace road.
She slowly raised her face, the tears in her eyes long gone, replaced by a chilling calm.
Strategist…
Just pretend I'm blind.
Upon entering the palace, the Third Prince saw Qingmo sitting upright on the dragon throne, her expression not showing any anger, which reassured him somewhat.
The third prince bowed respectfully: "Your subject greets Your Majesty."
Qingmo raised her eyes, her gaze deep and unreadable: "Get up."
The third prince rose, stood with his hands at his sides, and secretly pondered the purpose of his father's summons.
Qingmo slowly spoke: "You did a good job in this disaster relief effort."
The Third Prince felt relieved and was about to say a few words of modesty when Qingmo suddenly changed the subject—
"However, I heard that you brought back a woman?"
The Third Prince's heart sank, but he remained calm on the surface: "Father, this is indeed the case."
Qingmo lightly tapped the dragon table with her fingertips, her voice unhurried: "Oh? I sent you to provide disaster relief, why did you bring back a woman?"
"Your subject... Your subject..."
“Please punish that woman, Father. She is the daughter of the governor of the Southern Border, named Wan Niang.”
“Her father was punished for his poor performance in disaster relief, but after investigation, I found that there was another hidden story.”
Qingmo's gaze turned slightly cold: "Oh? What's the hidden story?"
The Third Prince said in a deep voice, "The officials in the Southern Border embezzled disaster relief funds but shirked their responsibilities, causing the Prefect to be wronged. Your Majesty, I have collected evidence and am preparing to report it to you."
Qingmo sneered, "Is that so! What does that have to do with you bringing back the daughter of a disgraced official?"
"Your son... Your son only felt sorry for her father's fate and saw that she was pitiful, so he kept her by his side."
"Bold."
Qingmo was furious. She slammed her hand on the table and smashed an inkstone straight at the Third Prince's forehead.
He dared not dodge and had no choice but to endure it, which immediately caused him to bleed profusely.
"You unfilial son, I sent you to serve the court and seek the well-being of the people, but instead you pitied a woman."
"What? Aren't all the people in the world more pitiful than her? Or is it that only she has caught your eye?"
"Fool, if I were to hand over the empire to you, would you only know how to pamper women?"
The third prince knelt on the ground, blood streaming down his forehead, yet he still stubbornly said, "Father, I believe that having compassion for the common people and showing pity for the weak are not contradictory."
“My daughter is innocent. I really can’t bear to abandon her.”
Qingmo laughed angrily, "Fine, very well! I'd like to see whether you choose the throne or the beauty. You choose!"
The third prince was shocked and abruptly looked up: "Father! Your son...your son..."
He couldn't bear to give up his stepmother, but he also had to give up his position as crown prince, and the fate of his second brother was still fresh in his mind.
He hesitated for a moment, completely forgetting what his advisor had told him.
Qingmo wasn't in a hurry; she just waited quietly for her good son to make a choice.
After a long while, he slowly raised his head, his eyes showing a mixture of struggle and determination.
“Father, the country and its people are of utmost importance. Your son would never fail your expectations for the sake of a woman.”
Okay! Very good.