Chapter 343: Make it clear

Yu Zheng looked sincere and serious, and the emperor stared at him speechless.

"Besides that?" The emperor asked after a moment.

Yu Zheng said frankly: "My brother is very wise. Although this trip is dangerous and difficult, as long as we return victorious, no one will dare to object."

On the contrary, even if Yu Cheng succeeds smoothly in the future, he will not be able to sit on the throne too safely.

So Yu Cheng has no choice.

After a pause, Yu Zheng analyzed rationally: "My brother's personal expedition can not only boost the morale of the army, but also make decisions in time if there is an emergency, and will not delay the military situation. For example, if reinforcements are urgently needed, my brother can directly order troops to be drawn from the nearby Ancheng and Fucheng."

If it were other generals, even if there was an imperial decree, it would be difficult for them to obey.

Furthermore, the matter was of great importance, and the emperor did not dare to give such an important decree to anyone except the prince.

Sometimes, the difference between a loyal minister and a rebellious general is only a thought away.

"You are right, I think so too." The emperor sighed.

"This time is different from the past. If the subsequent food and fodder are not supplied, the morale of the army will be easily dispersed."

Compared with sending troops to reinforce, food and fodder are more troublesome.

This battle is not easy to fight.

But there is no other way now, we can only take one step at a time.

It was cloudy and drizzling, and when Yu Cheng returned to the East Palace, the rain weakened.

He handed the umbrella to the palace servant, rubbed the rain on his boots on the mat under the corridor, and then stepped into the house.

"Your Highness is back." Xie Wanruo came up to greet him.

Yu Cheng responded, walked into the inner room, and changed his court clothes under the help of Xie Wanruo.

Looking at Xie Wanruo who was tying his belt for him, Yu Cheng said, "I will go to the border tomorrow."

What?

Xie Wanruo was shocked, raised her eyes and asked anxiously, "Did the emperor ask you to go?"

Yu Cheng pursed his lips and said, "I asked for permission myself."

Xie Wanruo was puzzled and said, "Why? Doesn't your Highness know how dangerous the battlefield is?"

"I know, but someone has to go."

Xie Wanruo couldn't understand, and was worried, so she wanted to persuade Yu Cheng to change his mind.

"There are so many generals in the court, and Your Highness has never been to the battlefield, and your injuries have just healed. How can you go?"

"The people of Mobei are brutal by nature, and swords are merciless on the battlefield. What if..."

Yu Cheng interrupted her and comforted her, "Wanruo, I will only go there to calm down and make decisions. I will not go to the battlefield unless it is absolutely necessary."

Xie Wanruo was still worried and continued to persuade her.

Yu Cheng said helplessly, "Do you know where I am in the court now?"

Xie Wanruo frowned and remained silent.

Although Yu Cheng had never told her, she could guess it.

His mother's family committed regicide and treason, and committed many unforgivable crimes. Yu Cheng must have been criticized and it would be difficult for him to say or do anything.

Seeing that she calmed down, Yu Cheng continued, "Wanruo, I have no choice."

Unless, he gives up the position of prince.

Xie Wanruo understood all of this, but she was really worried about Yu Cheng's safety, afraid that something might happen to him.

"If I ask His Highness to stay, will His Highness agree?" Xie Wanruo asked in a sad voice.

Yu Cheng said, "No jokes in front of you, I have made up my mind."

Xie Wanruo's eyes flickered, and she suddenly understood something.

She and Yu Cheng ate together and slept together, but Yu Cheng did not tell her in advance, but only told her after the matter was finalized.

"Is there any other reason why Your Highness asked for permission to lead the army in person?"

Others did not know, but Xie Wanruo knew very well that Yu Cheng had never been a person who coveted the position of the crown prince.

Especially this time, the outcome of the expedition was unpredictable.

If he won, it would be a great achievement that could consolidate the position of the crown prince. If he lost, he would be blamed and defeated.

The two looked at each other for a moment, and Yu Cheng suddenly asked her: "Wanruo, why did Concubine Yu save you? You have no friendship with her, why is it worth her risking her life to protect you?"

"Did my father-in-law and uncle do anything to overthrow the Cao family? And my mother and Muxue committed suicide..."

Yu Cheng didn't say anything, but he knew everything in his heart.

Xie Wanruo was shocked and clenched her hands and said: "Your Highness, are you blaming me?"

She knew it a long time ago and couldn't hide it from him.

Yu Cheng shook his head and sighed: "It's my fault that I didn't protect you well. My mother and the others... It's their own fault. My father-in-law and uncle also saw the situation clearly and acted loyally. I just can't forgive myself and want to do something to atone for my sins."

Regicide and treason, the queen and Cao Muxue can't have a way out. Xie Wanruo's coercion is to protect him.

Because he understood, Yu Cheng found it even harder to forgive himself.

He didn't want to blame anyone, but he blamed everyone.

Yu Cheng's face was filled with self-blame and grief. He was ashamed to face everyone, and felt that the deep palace and high walls suffocated him.

Whether it was to atone for his sins or to escape, he wanted to stay away from Shangjing, even if it was only temporarily.

After saying this, Xie Wanruo smiled sadly and said, "Your Highness must take care of yourself. Haolin, Haoyan and I will wait for you to come back."

She deliberately mentioned Yu Haoyan and his sister, just to touch Yu Cheng's heart as a father and make him worry.

Forget about Yu Haolin, because he has her as his mother.

As for Yu Haoyan and his sister, the only one they can rely on is Yu Cheng. Without Yu Cheng's protection, their future life will not be easy.

"Okay." Yu Cheng responded solemnly, his eyes full of pain.

In the past two months, he has not been able to relax for a single day, and often felt a dull pain in his heart.

He felt guilty towards Xie Wanruo, but he could not let go of the past and face her calmly.

After breakfast, Yu Cheng went to the study to handle government affairs and arrange matters for the expedition, while Xie Wanruo packed his luggage for him in the East Palace.

It is now late autumn and early winter, and it is not very cold in the capital, but snow and ice have begun to form at the border.

"Have the two fur coats been put away?" Xie Wanruo asked Yingrong who was packing.

Yingrong said, "They are all put in."

Xie Wanruo checked carefully and brought enough winter clothes for Yu Cheng.

The border is short of supplies, and Yu Cheng is recovering from a serious injury, so he needs to be extra careful.

After confirming that everything is correct, Xie Wanruo sat on the couch in a daze, staring at the boxes and cages.

"Mother." Yu Haolin ran in.

Xie Wanruo came back to her senses and took Yu Haolin's hand.

"Is father going on a long journey again?" Yu Haolin asked, looking at the boxes and cages.

He remembered that the last time he saw the boxes and cages, his father went to Duanzhou and was gone for more than two months.

Xie Wanruo said, "Yes, your father is going to the border to beat the bad guys, and he will be gone for a very long time."

When he heard about beating the bad guys, Yu Haolin's eyes lit up, and his little face said excitedly, "I want to see my father beat the bad guys, can we go with my father?"

Xie Wanruo shook her head and said softly, "No, beating the bad guys is very dangerous, my father can't take care of us, we can't cause trouble for him."

"Oh." Yu Haolin was a little disappointed.

Xie Wanruo touched his head and whispered, "Haolin, practice martial arts well, and when you grow up, you can go into battle with your father to kill the enemy and protect Dazhao."

Since experiencing the Queen's murder and Yu Cheng's serious injury, Xie Wanruo realized the importance of martial arts and asked someone to teach Yu Haolin martial arts.

But Yu Haolin is still too young, so he can only practice some basic skills to strengthen his physique and endurance, and hone his character.

"Okay, I'll work hard." Yu Haolin nodded seriously.

"Haolin is so good." Xie Wanruo smiled with relief, and finally said: "In addition to practicing martial arts, you can't fall behind in reading and practicing calligraphy."

Yu Haoyan is the son of a guilty concubine and a descendant of the Cao family, so he is destined to be a prince of leisure.

As for Yu Haolin, he has the support of his grandfather who is the prime minister and his uncle who has a promising career.

No matter how many children Yu Cheng will have in the future, Yu Haolin's position is unshakable.