novelbin Chapter 209
Chapter 209
When the news reached the council hall, the atmosphere inside grew exceptionally freezing.
Learning that the Emperor Jingxuan knew all about what he had done in private, all color drained from the Crown Prince's face.
He knew he was finished.
Meeting Emperor Jingxuan's sharp eyes that seemed to see right through a person's heart at a glance, the Crown Prince's mind went blank. He couldn't utter a single word of defense and merely knelt on the ground, begging for mercy and admitting his wrongs:
"Imperial Father, your son was momentarily possessed by ghosts. I beg you to give me one more chance to turn over a new leaf. I promise I won't be foolish ever again!"
Emperor Jingxuan had heard such words more than once. At this moment, he remained unmoved, his eyes as cold as frost, quietly glaring down at this son.
"I have given you many chances, but you refuse to mend your ways. You are unworthy of being an elder brother, unworthy of being the Crown Prince."
His gaze darkened, his expression sinking like water: "I have said it before, you are not my only son. The position of Crown Prince does not have to be yours."
The Crown Prince's body trembled in disbelief.
When Emperor Jingxuan looked straight ahead and announced "abolishing the Crown Prince's position," not a single minister in the hall voiced any opposition.
They knew clearly that the Crown Prince's momentum was gone and the Emperor had made up his mind; the Crown Prince was bound to be deposed.
Moreover, just the Crown Prince's behavior of repeatedly targeting his siblings for his own selfish desires, even resorting to ruthless methods, showed his narrow-mindedness. He could not tolerate his brothers and was extremely easily incited by others.
If such a person truly ascended to that throne one day, it would be hard to guarantee he wouldn't settle scores afterward, exterminating his siblings and these ministers.
The Crown Prince was mediocre and had a violent temperament. On the contrary, the newly acknowledged little Highness, after multiple interactions, was clearly seen by them to be naturally intelligent, generous, and polite in dealing with others and affairs. This child possessed the demeanor of a true king!
Seeing this, the deposed Crown Prince's heart turned to dead ashes, and he became furious, roaring out his innermost thoughts:
"Imperial Father, you are just biased! You just want to make room for that mother and son!"
"You don't care about me as a son at all! Uncle cares about me more than you do!"
Saying that, he turned around and glared, pointing his spearhead at the ministers who were watching coldly: "And you lot! A bunch of sycophants! All you know is to rush to curry favor with the Empress and her son!"
Anyway, matters had reached this point; he was already deposed. The worst outcome was nothing more than being an idle prince in the future.
He tried to curse these ministers awake, wanting to see shame and anger on their faces.
However, he was disappointed. The ministers who previously had a bit of reluctance now, without exception, wore cold looks and expressions.
What he didn't expect even more was Emperor Jingxuan's tense expression and dark eyes. "Since that is the case, then go be a son of the Li family. I do not have you as a son."
"Pass down the order, the deposed Crown Prince will change his surname to Li, be expelled from the Qi family genealogy, demoted to a commoner, and confined in Yongzhang Palace, never to step out for the rest of his life."
His look of disappointment was swept away, replaced by coldness and determination. As his words fell, he had people drag the deposed Crown Prince down.
The grand hall suddenly fell silent. Emperor Jingxuan's eyes were as dark as ink, and the low air pressure around him was terrifying, making it hard to breathe.
Being accused by one's own son, no one's face would look good.
The leading minister stroked his beard and earnestly advised: "Your Majesty, please quell your anger. Your imperial health is of the utmost importance."
The ministers repeatedly winked at Jiang Fusheng, as if saying, "The Emperor is angry, why don't you, you white fatty, hurry up and coax him?"
Jiang Fusheng looked down at the tips of his shoes, thinking: Oh, there seems to be dust, I need to find time to wipe it.
Coincidentally, at this moment, Xiao Dezi hurried in, "Your Majesty!"
Jiang Fusheng's eyelids twitched, "What happened to make you panic so?"
Xiao Dezi: "The Empress has fainted!"
Visibly, Emperor Jingxuan's expression changed drastically, and his figure swayed.
Xiao Dezi gasped for half a breath and quickly continued: "This servant hasn't finished speaking. The imperial physician diagnosed that the Empress is expecting!"
Hearing this, Emperor Jingxuan was stunned, then overjoyed, and in the blink of an eye, he left everyone behind and disappeared, leaving the ministers looking at each other in astonishment.
Did they hear correctly? The Empress is pregnant?
His Majesty is still going strong, and the royal family is finally going to add a new child?
Great joy!
Jiang Fusheng hurriedly followed, not forgetting to raise his hand and give his disciple a knock on the head before leaving, "You fool! Can't you say it all in one breath?"
Xiao Dezi chuckled. Wasn't he just too happy?
"Master, I was using the storytelling technique of suppressing first and then lifting."
The master and disciple, one loved reading storybooks about love and hate, and the other loved listening to storytelling; their interests were similar.
Jiang Fusheng rolled his eyes: "Suppress your head! Next time, don't let your pig head fall to the ground before you get to lift."
.......
Yun Wan slowly woke up. As soon as she opened her eyes, she met several pairs of eyes staring at her burningly.
Emperor Jingxuan helped her up, his eyes flashing with burning heat, "Wife, be careful, is there any discomfort?"
Sui held the warm tea and carefully brought it to her lips, asking softly: "Mother, are you feeling uncomfortable anywhere? Does your head hurt? Does your stomach hurt?"
Feeling a trace of strangeness at their solicitous inquiries, Yun Wan shook her head: "......No, just a little hungry."
"Quick, quick! Mother is hungry! Hurry and bring the food up!" Sui turned his head and ordered anxiously.
Yun Wan looked hesitant: "What's wrong with all of you? Each of you looks as if I have a terminal illness."
Her words were met with Yue Ya's retort: "Pah, pah, Your Highness must not speak nonsense!"
Emperor Jingxuan took her hand and placed it on her lower abdomen, his eyes bright as he asked: "Can my wife feel a tiny life here?"
His face revealed uncontrollable joy.
Sui couldn't stand his father's mystification, reached out his little hand, touched Yun Wan's stomach, and said bluntly: "The imperial physician said Mother has a little baby in her tummy."
She was pregnant?
Yun Wan reflexively looked down at her flat lower abdomen, and amidst her astonishment, it dawned on her. No wonder her period hadn't come, and she was tired and sleepy all day; she thought it was because of the bitter summer.
Emperor Jingxuan: "The imperial physician said my wife is exactly two months pregnant, counting back......."
His eyes suddenly became soft and ambiguous: "It was that night of the empress conferring ceremony."
Worthy of being the little princess he had been longing for, just sensible.
Sui rested his chin on his hands, his eyes full of joy and expectation: "I can finally be an older brother."
He stared at Yun Wan's stomach and patiently exhorted: "Little baby, you have to be good, you can't make Mother uncomfortable, okay?"
"The little baby is still small, he can't understand."
"Then I will talk to him every day until he understands."
Hearing this, Yun Wan smiled gently.
Emperor Jingxuan snorted softly: "If that's the case, your sister's ears will get calluses."
"How does Imperial Father know it's a sister?"
"I say it's a sister, so it's a sister."
Sui frowned, feeling that his Imperial Father was being a bit unreasonable.
The father and son bickering was something others were already accustomed to.
Fuling took the lead in congratulating the two, and Emperor Jingxuan waved his big hand, granting generous rewards.
.......
Two days later, the news of Yun Wan's pregnancy overshadowed the news of the Crown Prince being deposed, and everyone came to congratulate and send gifts.
Everyone knew in their hearts that no one in the palace could shake the Empress's position now.
During idle chatter, Noble Consort Kang mentioned the matter of Lady Li's suicide.
When the news of the former Crown Prince being deposed and changing his surname to Li reached Yaohua Palace, Lady Li couldn't bear the blow and fainted.
After waking up and understanding all the causes and consequences, she committed suicide.
She knew clearly that there was no hope in this life.
Rather than being confined for a lifetime, living a life worse than death, it was better to die and end it all.
Everyone felt that Lady Li and her son had ruined a perfectly good hand of cards, foolishly choosing to make enemies of Yun Wan and her son.
Yun Wan said nothing, knowing that it would be inappropriate for her to comment.
Fortunately, the crowd also knew she was currently pregnant, and that talk of life and death was unfit for her ears lest it disturb the unborn child.
After the others left, Concubine Hui stayed behind. She curiously looked at Yun Wan's waist, which showed no signs of pregnancy yet, and asked the question on her mind, Do you think the child in your belly is a boy or a girl?
Yun Wan gently stroked her lower abdomen, her eyes tender as water. It does not matter whether it is a boy or a girl, as long as the child is born healthy and whole.
Thinking of something, her smile deepened, His Majesty, on the other hand, is entirely convinced it is a little princess.
After all, he had yearned for one for a long time, and naturally hoped his wish would come true. Every day, he would greet her still-flat belly, calling out to the little princess time and time again.
It made Sui too embarrassed to continue chatting with his younger brother or sister, afraid of disturbing Yun Wan and the baby.
Concubine Hui clicked her tongue. Emperor Jingxuan's nervousness over Yun Wan was obvious to all; she had never seen him so expectant of a child's birth.
What are your plans for the future? Yun Wan asked, shifting the topic to Concubine Hui herself.
Concubine Hui looked puzzled, What do you mean?
Having been close friends for a long time, Yun Wan did not beat around the bush and asked directly, I see that Chenghui is very close to you. Have you ever thought about taking him under your name, keeping a child by your side to rely on?
After his illness, the Third Prince's vitality had been severely damaged. His constitution had weakened significantly, and he had lost a lot of weight, no longer as chubby as before. He now needed a few months of quiet recuperation.
Having witnessed Consort Lu's cruelty toward the Third Prince with her own eyes, Concubine Hui sympathized with him and visited him every day.
Knowing that Concubine Hui had saved him twice, the Third Prince was clearly very attached to her. When Concubine Hui was present, he would secretly look at her, the dependence in his eyes impossible to hide.
Perhaps in his eyes, Concubine Hui was as strong as a mother.
You saved him twice in a row; that is destiny. You have shown him great grace, and it would not be an exaggeration to call you his second parent. If you are willing, I will go and speak to His Majesty on your behalf.
Yun Wan thought even further ahead. With Lady Lu stripped of her titles and banished to the cold palace, many people were currently eyeing the Third Prince, all wanting a prince to secure their own futures.
Chenghui was only nine years old; he would inevitably need a nominal mother consort in the future.
Yun Wan felt that rather than letting someone else benefit, it would be better to give the opportunity to her own sister.
She deeply understood Concubine Hui's character. Someone willing to risk her life to save the Third Prince would naturally not mistreat him.
Hearing this, Concubine Hui was stunned and subconsciously murmured, But I have never raised a child. What if I do not do a good job?
Raising a child was not like raising a cat or a dog, where just feeding them was enough. One wrong move in raising a child could ruin them.
Yun Wan smiled and said, Chenghui has already passed the most difficult age to raise. He understands what he needs to understand and does not need to be kept by your side all day like an infant. If you treat him with sincerity and care for him, he will feel it.
In a few years, when Chenghui grows older and is granted a title and a manor, you will be able to live outside the palace with him, rather than being confined here.
She was genuinely considering Concubine Hui's future; having an extra choice and layer of security was never a bad thing.
Concubine Hui was moved. Although she claimed she did not mind staying in the palace for the rest of her life, occasionally, when she woke up alone from a dream, she would still think of her days outside the palace.
She hesitated for a moment and said, Then how about I find a chance tomorrow to ask Chenghui what he wants?
Raising a child still required the willingness of both parties, lest she be willing but he be not, causing a rift between mother and son in the future.
If the Third Prince was unwilling, she would let it go.
Yun Wan was about to agree when she caught sight of the doorway from the corner of her eye and immediately said, No need to wait for tomorrow. Let us ask him today.
Chenghui, she waved at the Third Prince.
Hearing her call, the Third Prince at the door quickened his pace. But his body was still weak, and taking a large stride almost made him fall. It was Sui and Pei Qian on either side who supported him in time.
Sui and Pei Qian exchanged a glance, reached out, and grabbed the Third Prince's arms from each side, lifting him as they walked inside.
Fortunately, the Third Prince had lost weight, otherwise they might not have been able to lift him.
Suddenly finding his feet dangling in the air, the Third Prince was only startled for a moment before calming down, as he was already used to it.
Ever since he fell seriously ill, these two seemed to treat him like a fragile, broken patient.
Even though his armpits were very ticklish, the Third Prince maintained a tranquil heart.
Yun Wan helplessly told the two to put him down. She raised her hand to straighten the Third Prince's clothes and asked gently, Chenghui, if you were placed under Concubine Hui's name, to be cared for by her, and you called her mother consort, would you be willing?
Call Consort Hui mother consort?
The Third Prince's gaze drifted. He looked in Concubine Hui's direction, met her expectant eyes, and quickly withdrew his gaze, nodding heavily.
...I am willing!
He actually understood that he would definitely have another mother, and that person would be one of the consorts in the palace. He really envied Sui for having a good mother.
He liked Yun Wan, his nominal imperial mother, very much, but he knew it was impossible for him to be placed under her name, nor did he want that.
This was because the Third Prince did not want others to mistakenly think he was fighting with Sui for a mother. Moreover, his imperial mother was pregnant with a little baby and certainly would not have the energy to look after him; he did not want to cause trouble for anyone.
He did not have a deep impression of the other consorts and felt indifferent toward them, but if it was Consort Hui, he was very willing.
The Third Prince had a profound memory of falling into the water that day. The suffocating feeling of drowning still shrouded his heart like a shadow, and the reassuring memory of being lifted out of the water right before he passed out remained fresh in his mind.
Furthermore, he had heard the palace servants describe how, if Consort Hui had not arrived in time, he would never have seen the sun the next day.
Unexpectedly, he agreed so readily, leaving both of them stunned.
Concubine Hui curved her lips into a smile and gave the Third Prince a hug. Alright, from now on, I will be your mother consort. If there is anything I do poorly, please bear with me.
The Third Prince pursed his lips, nodded, and gave a shy smile.
Seeing this, Pei Qian cheered. He did not know exactly what was going on, but he was sure it was a good thing.
Sui stood beside Yun Wan, looking calm and steady.
That afternoon, Yun Wan brought the matter up with Emperor Jingxuan. He had no objections, and the next day he issued an imperial decree promoting Concubine Hui to Consort Hui and granting her custody of the Third Prince.
Noble Consort Kang and the others sighed, though they were not surprised.
Entering the eighth lunar month, autumn arrived, the intense heat faded, and the weather in the capital gradually cooled.
After confirming that Yun Wan and the child in her belly were fine, Emperor Jingxuan brought everyone back to the imperial palace.
After resting for a few days, Yun Wan went to the inner palace to see someone.