Empress Lu's face was grim as she slowly said, "There must be a reason why your father did not bestow any honors upon you today. My son suffered such humiliation on this high platform today. If I find out who is behind this, I will not let them off the hook!"
Her mind raced, but she saw Zhao Yang looking completely indifferent, as if there was no hope at all, slumped dejectedly in the large armchair.
Empress Lu was furious and personally stepped forward to give Zhao Yang a hard shove: "Did you do something to displease your father?"
Zhao Yang lazily raised her eyes, glanced at Empress Lu, and smiled mockingly: "Couldn't it just be because Father Emperor simply doesn't like me?"
Empress Lu was taken aback, then flew into a rage: "You scoundrel! What nonsense are you spouting!"
Zhao Yang seemed oblivious to Empress Lu's sudden change in expression, and lazily said, "Mother, don't waste your time. Didn't you always tell me that Father Emperor favored my elder sister? What, now that Father Emperor has done just as you thought, you don't believe it anymore?"
With a "smack"!
The Changqiu Palace fell silent instantly.
A bright red handprint appeared on Prince Qing's face, but he seemed oblivious to the pain, continuing to smile lazily. He even secretly compared the quietness of Changqiu Palace now versus that of Mingde Hall earlier, finding a more peaceful atmosphere.
Empress Lu's eyes burned with anger, all of which was anger at their lack of self-control.
She looked at the handprint on her son's face, feeling a pang of heartache, but she hardened her heart and ignored the red mark.
She said fiercely, "Just because he won't give it to you, you don't want it anymore?"
Empress Lu's face was grim and resolute: "You are your father's only son, this empire should rightfully belong to you!"
"Who says he must give the world to his son?"
Zhao Yang seemed to have come to terms with it, and his tone was very calm.
He grew up with Ruining, and although he sometimes felt jealous that she was more favored than him, it was just a childish competitive thought.
Today, standing on the high platform, upon suddenly learning that he had only been granted the title of Prince Qing, his mind went blank, but then he suddenly understood.
All of Father Emperor's past favoritism was traceable. In Father Emperor's eyes, Zhao Yao, and himself, were both heirs to be chosen.
That's why he treated them both equally, raising them both to adulthood. In fact, he had even more feelings for Zhao Yaohua than for him.
He assumed that since it was an imperial family, his daughter also needed to be pampered as she grew up. Therefore, it was only natural for the emperor to show her more love and affection.
But now, it is clear that the emperor, who is high above all others, has chosen a successor he prefers.
Empress Lu was taken aback at first, but then laughed: "If not to my son, who else would I give it to? You wouldn't actually give it to Yao Yao, would you?"
Zhao Yang remained silent, and Empress Lu continued, "Emperors possess supreme power, but they cannot be too willful and reckless. It is already the limit for court officials to accept a princess entering the court to listen to the government, so how can they accept a woman becoming the emperor who rules the world? If the court officials oppose it, chaos will surely ensue. Your father is well aware of this."
Finally, she gave a self-deprecating laugh: "My son, your Zhao family is always full of romantics. The Emperor is infatuated with my short-lived sister who died young, and he even treats her daughter differently, wishing he could present the whole world to her. Look at what he has done!"
She snorted coldly: "You've brought Zhao Yao to the Hall of State Affairs since she was a child, and let her be taught by the Grand Tutor along with you. Now you've even come up with some new policy that allows women to marry freely and take the imperial examinations to enter officialdom."
What new policy? It's just to make everything Zhao Yao gets seem more legitimate.
Zhao Yang had no idea that his usually gentle mother, who had always treated Zhao Yao as her own daughter and cared for her so much, had accumulated so much resentment in her heart.
Empress Lu's face was filled with sorrow: "Even for your mother's sake, you must fight for this honor and sit on that throne."
Prince Qing remained silent, but a change gradually appeared in his eyes.
The mother and son talked for a long time in Changqiu Palace. When they reappeared in front of everyone, Empress Lu was still the dignified empress who ruled the country. Prince Qing also had a more joyful look on his face. He went to Yong'an Palace and sincerely thanked the emperor.
Emperor Zhenlong looked at his son, who had grown into an adult, and saw that he was neither arrogant nor impatient, and that he acted appropriately. He did not harbor any resentment for not being named crown prince today, but only showed the respect and obedience of a son. Emperor Zhenlong was very pleased.
He intended to temper the child, and since he was indeed somewhat hesitant, he only bestowed upon him the title of king, wanting to see his reaction.
According to Deng Bao's report, Zhao Yang knelt on the imperial steps and remained stunned for a long time before accepting the imperial decree.
Emperor Zhenlong sneered inwardly. That brat must have been harboring delusions, and his subordinates were trying to curry favor, which is why he was stunned at that moment.
Looking back now, although he was taken aback, he did not harbor any resentment, nor did he disappoint him.
The sage looked at his son before him, gave him a few more loving words of advice, and then told him to kneel and take his leave.
As Prince Qing walked out of Yong'an Palace, the gentle smile on his face vanished instantly. He strode out and led his entourage out of the palace.
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