Chu Qingluan looked at him quietly, with calmness in her eyes.

"If I had exposed you earlier, do you think you would still be standing here?"

"Father, out of old friendship, turned a blind eye to you and gave you countless chances. It was you who insisted on going down this dead end."

"Opportunity?" Chu Hong sneered and asked, "What you call opportunity is to watch me perform like a clown, and then give me a fatal blow when I am most proud?"

"Chu Qingluan, you have such a cruel heart!"

"No! You have no heart!"

Chu Qingluan looked at his almost out-of-control expression, slowly closed her eyes, and when she opened them again, there was a hint of fatigue in her eyes.

"Chu Hong, I have never intended to play tricks on you. From the beginning to the end, what you have fought for and snatched away is not something I can give you. And the methods you use will only make those who truly love you feel increasingly disappointed."

"The one who loves me..." Chu Hong murmured these words.

"Besides my mother, is there anyone else in this world who loves me?"

Chu Qingluan looked at his distraught appearance and finally looked away: "Empress Hui is still in there, you'll have to take care of yourself. After the mourning period is over, it's time for you to set off for Youzhou."

She said, "Chu Hong, everyone has obsessions deep in their hearts. I hope you can let go of the past and start a new life. Don't let Concubine Hui's sacrifice go to waste."

After she finished speaking, she turned and left Qionghua Palace.

Behind him, Chu Hong's thin figure was shrouded in moonlight, standing quietly there, looking lonely and sad.

After a long time, a tear finally fell from the corner of his eye.

He stared at the direction where Chu Qingluan left and murmured, "A new life?"

Will he have it?

Oh!

——

The next morning, at the Qin Palace.

In the Golden Palace, the morning court session was nearing its end, but none of the court officials had any intention of leaving. They still stood in line with bated breath, their eyes occasionally glancing at Qin Xuan who was at the front of the team, as if they were waiting for something.

Over the past month, the Second Prince Qin Xuan seemed to have suddenly come to his senses and proposed several policies that benefited the country and the people, which drew praise from the court.

First, the grain transport was reformed and changed to a "segmented contracting system", whereby the counties and prefectures along the river cooperated with merchants to jointly undertake the transportation. This not only saved the court expenses, but also greatly increased the efficiency of grain transportation.

At the same time, the previous year, a severe drought in the northern border had caused grain prices to soar. He also proposed that the court establish a "Changping Granary" to store grain in good years and release it at a fair price in bad years, and severely punish merchants who hoarded grain. When this policy was announced, the common people praised it, and all officials also praised it.

Many constructive suggestions were also put forward in terms of armaments and the military.

For a time, Qin Xuan was in the limelight and even made a high-profile military order to the Qin Emperor, saying that if he solved these major problems, the Qin Emperor would enthrone him as the crown prince.

At that time, the whole court was in an uproar, thinking he was just dreaming.

But who would have thought that he actually did it!

Today is the day for the Qin Emperor to fulfill his promise and enthrone Qin Xuan as the crown prince on the spot.

At this time, the ceremonial officer had already unfolded the imperial edict in his hand and read aloud:

"By the Will of Heaven, the Emperor proclaims: My second son, Qin Xuan, possesses both talent and virtue, and closely resembles me. I hereby enthronize him as—"

"Wait a minute!"

At the critical moment, a cold voice broke through the air.

All the civil and military officials in the court turned around and saw Qin Yuan wearing a dark black cloak and walking into the hall in a dusty state. There was still some mud and sand on the corners of his clothes.

All the officials were stunned!

The emperor's eldest grandson actually came back at this time?

All the ministers swallowed their saliva in their hearts.

It’s over, the two dragons are fighting for the throne, now it’s going to be a good show.

"Grandfather, I have something to report!"

The Emperor of Qin looked at him hurrying over and felt relieved immediately.

By enthroning the second son as the crown prince, he fell into the other party's trap and had to fulfill his promise.

Now, Qin Yuan seems to be well prepared, which is great.

However, facing Qin Yuan at this moment, he still felt inexplicably guilty.

"Hahaha... You're back? Did your trip to Da Chu go smoothly?"

Qin Yuan nodded, pulled out a marriage certificate from his sleeve, and handed it to the eunuch beside him: "His Majesty of Great Chu has agreed to the marriage between me and Princess Zhaoyang of Great Chu. Here is the marriage certificate, please review it, Grandfather."

Upon hearing this, Emperor Chu's eyes suddenly lit up.

"really?"

Hahaha, I heard that the princess of Da Chu is not only beautiful and intelligent, but also talented and virtuous. She has been trained as the successor of the royal family of Da Chu since childhood. If she can marry into Da Qin, with Da Chu behind her, she will definitely become Qin Yuan's right-hand man.

Soon, the eunuch presented the marriage certificate. The Emperor Qin looked at the seal of the Great Chu stamped on the marriage certificate and was immediately overjoyed.

"Hahaha! Good! Good!"

He stroked his beard and laughed a few times, "You are indeed my good grandson. This time, during his mission to the Great Chu, he not only brought back a marriage proposal, but also brought a virtuous wife to the Great Qin. Princess Zhaoyang has always been known for her virtue. If she could marry into the Great Qin, it would be a match made in heaven!"

After the words were spoken, the court officials also echoed and praised him.

At this moment, Qin Xuan suddenly chuckled and slowly stepped out of the group. "My nephew is truly capable. On this diplomatic mission, he not only won a beautiful woman, but also gave away three border cities. I wonder how generous the dowry of Princess Zhaoyang of the Great Chu is?"

The hall suddenly became so quiet that you could hear a pin drop.

Qin Yuan's expression did not change, the corner of his mouth slightly raised, and he slowly took out a black iron token from his arms and held it in his palm.

"Uncle, you're joking. The princess's dowry is here."

The front of the token was engraved with the word "Zhaoyang." The back bore the phoenix emblem of the Great Chu. Qin Yuan held it in his hand, emitting a cold glow under the sunlight.

"This is..." Several old ministers standing nearby exclaimed.

"Princess Zhaoyang's personal seal."

Qin Yuan raised the corner of his mouth slightly, and glanced at Qin Xuan, with a bit of boasting: "With this seal, you can mobilize 100,000 border troops on the border of Da Chu."

As soon as these words fell, there was an uproar in the Golden Palace, as if boiling water had been dropped into a hot oil pan.

"One hundred thousand border troops? The Emperor of Great Chu actually gave such a generous gift?"

"Doesn't this equate to nearly half of the troops on the border of Great Chu?"

"Hahaha, it seems that our Royal Highness the Grandson is truly beloved by Princess Zhaoyang..."

The entire court was immediately choked by this wave of dog food, and several young officials could not help but show envy.

Qin Xuan stood aside and suddenly felt a sour taste in his mouth.

It's like swallowing a green plum raw.

"Ahem...well, father, let's talk about business first. Since the nephew has returned and is exhausted from the journey, he should go down and rest first. Hasn't the imperial edict just been read yet? Otherwise, let Eunuch Cao continue." Qin Xuan suggested.

Eunuch Cao was a little at a loss and turned to look at the Emperor Qin's expression.

Emperor Qin was also a little undecided and looked at Qin Yuan.

Qin Yuan stepped forward, bowed, and said, "Grandfather, I haven't finished what I was about to say."

He glanced at Qin Xuan and continued, "My grandson wants to impeach my second uncle for abusing his power for personal gain!"

Sure enough, as soon as the words fell, the whole audience fell into deathly silence again.