Chapter 123. (End of Chapter 123)
When the King of Zhao went to bid farewell to the emperor, he was standing under the corridor of Haiyan Palace, gazing absently at the gloomy sky.
"Greetings, Your Majesty."
The emperor was delighted to see him: "Sixth brother has arrived! I thought the sky looked like it was going to rain, why did you come at this time, sixth brother?"
The King of Zhao respectfully said, "Your subject is about to leave the capital to take up his fief, and has come to bid farewell to Your Majesty."
"Oh." The emperor's smile faded. "I forgot... you were leaving the capital and never coming back."
The emperor was very disappointed and reluctant to part. Prince Zhao was still a child, and his eyes also reddened when he saw this. Over the years, the brothers had lived together in the palace and had developed a deep friendship through frequent visits. Now, they were parting ways and feared they would never see each other again in this lifetime, which was heartbreaking.
"Your subject... Your subject will frequently submit memorials to pay respects," King Zhao sobbed.
The emperor's eyes reddened as well: "If anything happens, just send someone back to tell me. My uncle has always taken care of us, and my cousin has always been kind and benevolent. I will ask them to help you."
King Zhao raised his hand in a gesture of respect: "Thank you, Your Majesty."
A female official who had been standing beside the emperor stepped forward and reminded him, "Your Majesty, don't delay the Sixth Prince's journey."
The emperor wiped away the tears from the corners of his eyes before nodding and saying, "Sixth brother... go ahead."
The King of Zhao bowed again before turning to leave, and the emperor lowered his head only after the king's figure had completely disappeared from sight.
After a long pause, he sighed deeply: "Suwan, I also want to leave. Do you think... I'll have a chance to leave the capital?"
The lady-in-waiting, Su Wan, smiled faintly and said, "Your Majesty, if you wish to leave the capital, why not discuss it with the Prince another day?"
The emperor hesitated for a moment: "I don't know what my uncle is thinking. If I speak rashly, I might upset him."
Su Wan thought for a moment and then said, "You can also ask His Highness; he will be returning to the capital in a couple of days."
The emperor's face lit up with delight: "That's a good idea! My cousin is easier to talk to than my uncle!"
A light drizzle began to fall. Su Wan invited the emperor to return to the palace, but he tiptoed to look and asked, "Sixth Brother hasn't left the palace yet, has he?"
Su Wan said, "Your Majesty, rest assured, the Sixth Prince's departure from the palace was arranged well in advance. The journey is long, and all kinds of items are prepared, including rain gear."
The emperor reluctantly replied, "Oh."
Unable to summon the King of Zhao back, the emperor turned and returned to the palace in a huff.
Su Wan followed up and advised, "Your Majesty, the late Emperor issued an edict before his death that the Sixth Prince should leave the capital at the age of ten. I know you are heartbroken for your younger brother, but..."
“Suwan…” The emperor interrupted her, which was unusual for him. “I just envy my sixth brother.”
Su Wan opened her mouth. She understood what the emperor meant. Although she could never return to the capital or leave her fiefdom, the Prince of Zhao's territory was still much larger than the emperor's.
The entire court is controlled by Prince Duan. The Crown Prince began attending court to listen to government affairs after he turned twelve, and has now gradually taken over the power from Prince Duan. The emperor is just a figurehead, and he only has a small territory.
The emperor continued, "Suwan, I never wanted to be emperor. I know my cousin wants to be emperor. Once he becomes emperor, can I please no longer be confined to the palace...?"
This was the first time Su Wan had heard the emperor say such a thing. She was both surprised and amused. Throughout history, which emperor who was de facto hadn't lived in constant fear? This one was quite different.
Prince Duan and his son were not benevolent bodhisattvas.
However, Su Wan smiled and lowered her head. Princess Duan was kind-hearted and had been admired by all the women in the capital over the years. With her persuasion, Prince Duan and his son would not make things too difficult for the emperor.
"Suwan..." Seeing that she remained silent, the emperor asked with a mixture of doubt and anticipation, "Have you come up with another good idea?"
Su Wan came to her senses and said, "This servant thinks that if His Majesty believes that His Highness is capable of shouldering the heavy responsibility of the country, he should let His Highness know in advance and ask him to make a decision."
The emperor pondered for a moment: "Hmm...that makes sense. It wouldn't be appropriate to let my cousin speak first about something like this."
Su Wan chuckled. Over the years, the emperor had become increasingly naive and foolish. But it was no wonder. Although he had no real power, he was still treated like royalty. The Prince of Duan and his son didn't make things difficult for him. Wasn't he just getting more and more naive as he got older?
...
Chu Heng was playing chess with Daiyu when the old woman came to report that His Highness had returned. He quickly stood up and said, "Yang'er is finally back! I'll go see him. He's been gone for three months!"
Daiyu grabbed him: "Don't run away! This game of chess isn't over yet, you're not allowed to go anywhere!"
She wasn't very strong, but Chu Heng didn't dare to break free. He could only sit back down and sigh, "What have I done to offend you that you're bullying me like this?"
"You're bullying me, you don't appreciate my kindness. How much have I given you?" Daiyu said with a laugh.
“You’re bullying me by playing chess with me,” Chu Heng retorted.
The two chatted away, forgetting about continuing their chess game, until a handsome young man rushed in, hurriedly bowed, picked up the teacup in front of Chu Heng, and drank it all in one gulp.
"It's cold..." Chu Heng didn't even have time to stop him and could only watch helplessly as he drank it. "You went to meet the Emperor, and you didn't even get a sip of water."
When Chu Yang returned from his inspection tour of the capital, the first thing he naturally had to do was go to the palace. Although the emperor didn't interfere in affairs, he still had to give him face.
Daiyu instructed the maid to pour Chu Yang another cup of warm water, and said, "Slow down, you're a grown man, why are you still acting like a child?"
Chu Yang then put down his cup, sat down next to his father, and said, "Father, Mother, you don't know, I was startled by someone."
Chu Heng could tell from his expression that it wasn't a big deal, so he casually picked up a black chess piece and asked slowly, "Who scared you?"
“My imperial cousin,” Chu Yang said expressionlessly, “said he wanted to abdicate in my favor.”
Chu Heng and Daiyu looked at him at the same time. Chu Heng said, "You've got it backwards. Why did you scare him?"
Daiyu said, "Hasn't your mother told you many times that the Emperor is not a bad person, but he is timid. Your father has almost scared him to death. You should be more gentle."
Chu Heng looked at her, feeling wronged, and said, "I've been playing the bad cop for so many years out of necessity, why are you still complaining about me?"
Daiyu said helplessly, "If you keep acting unreasonably, let's talk to Yang'er about serious matters first."
Chu Heng said mournfully, "Indeed, her beauty has faded and her love has waned."
Chu Yang tugged at his father's sleeve: "Dad, your son is right here, alive and well."
Although Chu Yang had grown accustomed to his parents' unwavering love and affection over the decades, he still hoped they could consider the needs of their unmarried son.
Chu Heng glanced at him, then turned to Daiyu and said solemnly, "I think we can consider His Majesty's words."
Chu Yang said quietly, "I am a bit of an eyesore."
Daiyu: "..."
"Let's not talk about serious matters. You two should both leave," Daiyu said.
The father and son immediately sat up straight. Chu Heng asked first, "Yang'er, what did Su Wan say?"
Chu Yang said in a serious tone, "Su Wan said that His Majesty saw off Prince Zhao a couple of days ago and envied him for being able to leave the palace and the capital, so he also wants to be like him."
Before he finished speaking, Chu Heng and Daiyu exchanged a glance, thinking back to the year when they were so eager to leave the capital.
Daiyu smiled and made a gesture of holding a child: "Yang'er was only this small back then when we left the capital for Qingzhou. Now that I think about it, I miss him very much."
Chu Heng smiled and said, "When we went to Qingzhou back then, Yang'er was too young and couldn't see all the scenery along the way. Later, we were in too much of a hurry to return to the capital, so we missed it again. But next time we can take our time to see it."
"Hmm." Daiyu's expression showed anticipation and longing. "How about we leave the capital for Qingzhou first, and then go to Suzhou?"
Before Chu Heng could nod, Chu Yang interrupted them: "No, Father, Mother, what do you mean? What... what are you planning to do?"
It sounds like they've been planning this for a long time; his parents are even more eager to leave the capital than the emperor is!
Chu Heng smiled and said, "I plan to travel the world with your mother after you ascend the throne."
Chu Yang: "..."
Just as expected, he's going to become a child abandoned by his parents!
Seeing that he seemed to have suffered a great blow, Daiyu rubbed the back of his head and said, "It's not that your father and I are never coming back. We will come back to the capital to see you in two or three years."
Chu Heng added with a smile, "By then you'd better be married, so your mother and I won't have to worry anymore."
Chu Yang was at a loss for words, and his original intention to use this opportunity to act cute and charming vanished.
My parents have indeed sacrificed a lot for me over the years. Now that I, as their son, am able to protect them from the wind and rain, they can naturally do whatever they want.
Chu Yang is no longer a child who can't live without his parents.
“It can’t just be people coming back,” Chu Yang laughed. “I also need local specialties from various places, otherwise I won’t let you find wives for your sons.”
Chu Heng and Daiyu looked at each other and laughed, then scolded each other, "You brat!"
After chatting for a while, the family got down to business. Since the emperor had no other intentions and only wanted to abdicate, they decided to go along with it.
—Even though the emperor didn't express this intention, they were preparing to have him voluntarily abdicate within a year or two.
In recent years, the country has been stable. Since Chu Yang entered the court, the court officials have recognized the abilities of this Crown Prince. The emperor has been reluctant to establish an empress, and the officials have accepted him as the future successor.
All the emperor needs to do is hint at this idea, order someone to draft an edict, and then Chu Yang will decline three times before he can smoothly ascend the throne.
After the meeting was over, it was already evening. Chu Yang looked down and saw that his parents' game of chess was still undecided. He then placed a black piece on the board and quickly left.
Chu Heng was taken aback: "How did I lose?"
Daiyu smiled and said, "You were going to lose anyway."
Chu Heng muttered, "I thought we'd need a few more tricks up our sleeves."
“Then I’ll have to give in to you,” Daiyu said with a smile.
Chu Heng wasn't ashamed at all; on the contrary, he was proud: "Yes, you love me the most."
Daiyu poked the back of his hand: "You're not a boy anymore. If your son hears you saying such things, he'll laugh at you!"
“When he has someone who says such things, I’ll laugh at him too,” Chu Heng said with a smile.
Daiyu laughed out loud: "You're getting more and more frivolous."
Chu Heng came over and took Daiyu's hand, and as they had done for many years, they walked side by side.
Moving into the future.
To live this life.
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