Chapter 382 The Emperor's Husband
Lu Xueyin said coldly: "It's not for you, it's for my brother."
After Lu Xueyin finished speaking, she turned and left.
The prince looked at his back for a long time without coming back to his senses.
The prince overlooked one thing. Lu Xueyin came to threaten him and forced him to give up fighting for the throne with her, but in the end, the last words he said to her were "thank you".
After Lu Xueyin tricked the prince, she finally breathed a sigh of relief. She still hoped to be able to take power smoothly.
The prince really cooperated and locked himself in the room. It was said that he didn't even eat much. Lu Chenyang was even more worried, but Wang kept him under strict supervision and didn't give him a chance to see Lu Chenyang.
So when Yan Xing came to Wang to show his courtesy, he asked Yan Xing to go and see the prince.
"He's a stubborn person, but it's actually just because he had a very difficult childhood. He lost his mother at a young age, and his father was partial to him, so he never had a stable life. He's obsessed with controlling his own life, and sees that position as his salvation. Over the years, it's become an obsession." Lu Chenyang said in a gentle voice, "He actually cares about family affection. If the prince persuades him, he will probably listen."
Yan Xing looked at Lu Chenyang with a complicated expression, and suddenly understood why the prince was so deeply in love with Lu Chenyang.
To be honest, Yan Xing felt very sympathetic towards the prince. His status made the path between him and Lu Chenyang even more difficult. This was a relationship with no future, yet the two of them were still drawn to each other.
Looking at them, Yan Xing seemed to see his former self. When he fell in love with Lu Chenyang, he was also prepared to make the whole world his enemy.
He is willing to help them.
Yan Xing went to visit the prince and unexpectedly found that the prince was in good condition and was reading a book in the room, and it was a storybook.
Yan Xing looked at him with slight surprise.
The prince said calmly, "When I was a child, my father saw me reading a young eunuch's storybook. He gave me a severe lesson and spanked me thirty times. My hands were swollen and I had a fever for three days before it subsided. Later, I learned that the young eunuch was bribed by the imperial concubine and was using the storybook to trick me into reading."
He never looked at these things again after that.
Yan Xing was stunned for a moment, he didn't know about this.
Since the death of the late Queen, the Crown Prince had not had an easy time in the palace. However, he had been very sensible since he was young and did not want to cause trouble for the Duke of Zhenguo's Mansion.
The prince said, "Looking at this now, it is indeed interesting. Anyway, these government affairs can be handled well without me."
Yan Xing opened his mouth and said, "I'm sorry, I don't know these things."
The prince shook his head. "What does it have to do with you? You and your uncle have already given and sacrificed so much for me. So sometimes I feel unwilling to give up and must get this position."
It became an obsession.
Yan Xing pursed her lips and looked at him with a complicated expression.
The prince looked at him and said, "If I give up, will we both feel more relaxed? After all, Lu Xueyin does seem to be more suitable than me."
Yan Xing was overjoyed when he heard this. He had never expected that His Royal Highness the Crown Prince would be so considerate.
Yan Xing was filled with surprise: "...You, you figured it out?"
The prince gave a bitter laugh. "I haven't figured it out yet. I've just accepted it. I've withdrawn from the competition with Lu Xueyin. I can't compete with her. So, why not recognize the current situation and act accordingly?" He glanced at Yan Xing and said, "Now, let's talk about what we can gain from me giving up this matter."
The Crown Prince calmly stated, "First, how will I cope in the future? I will be crowned king. Secondly, I will hand over this army to you. Furthermore, Lu Xueyin must promise that within three... twenty years, she will not reduce the army and will adequately replenish it." He paused, then continued, "I'm not being selfish. It's just that my father has invested over a decade in building this army, and it's formidable. It would be a shame to abandon it for a power struggle."
Yan Xing carefully considered his conditions. Conferring a title of kingship wasn't excessive. Given his status as the Crown Prince, if he voluntarily gave in, it made sense to offer him the throne. Given Lu Xueyin's personality, he wouldn't refuse.
As for the question of military power, he suspected Lu Xueyin would agree. These 100,000 troops were indeed numerous and formidable. It would be a shame to leave them in such disuse. Handing this army over to him would reassure both sides. As long as Lu Xueyin didn't harm the Crown Prince, this army would be loyal.
Both of the requests made by the prince were reasonable and also guaranteed his own interests.
The prince continued, "My third request is that if Lu Xueyin wishes to ascend the throne as empress, then she must... make you her imperial consort."
Yan Xing was deeply moved: "...Her Highness still thinks of me? That's not necessary. I don't want to force her."
The prince gave him a blank look. "If you don't want to force her, do you have to beg her to marry you? It's been a few years now? Have you ever held her hand? Weidong is already married, and they're about to have a child."
Yan Xing: “…”
Yan Xing was furious and felt that he had been greatly insulted.
When the Crown Prince mentioned this, he couldn't help but lecture him, "You're a good person in every way, and you're usually decisive. But when it comes to relationships, you're too soft and slow. You want to take things slow with her, but she's just standing still. Lu Xueyin is the type who takes three steps forward, and you're still thinking about waiting for her to see your good qualities and then come to you? What a foolish thing!"
Yan Xing thought about it and felt that although it was not a pleasant thing to say, it was indeed the truth.
So he humbly asked for advice: "But this is a matter between the two of us. If it involves state affairs, wouldn't it be bad? Wouldn't she think I'm forcing her? If so, wouldn't the relationship between us be impure?"
The prince was incredulous. "You're already an old man, yet you're still so innocent? Pure? The relationship between you two can't possibly be pure! You're going to such great lengths to help her convince me. Don't you have any selfish motives?"
Yan Xing fell silent, then silently poured a cup of tea for the prince.
The prince said, "You don't have to worry about this matter. Since I brought it up, she can't blame you. She won't refuse it, either for public or private reasons. I can only help you to this extent. What happens next depends on you."
Yan Xing nodded heavily: "Thank you, cousin."
The prince looked at him with a deep gaze. "I accept your gratitude. If I make you angry in the future, I hope you will remember my kindness today and don't blame me."
Yan Xing's eyes flashed. His experience told him that people who said such things had probably done something wrong to him.
However, Yan Xing did not ask, because he would know anyway.
Yan Xing said slowly, "You and I are blood brothers. It's only natural for us to be understanding and tolerant of ordinary things. Unless it involves bottom-line principles, but cousin, I don't think you would do such a thing, right?"
The prince: “…”
Ah, it’s really hard to fool people nowadays.
Yan Xing's trip was very fruitful and solved the biggest crisis facing the company.
Yan Xing left the prince's room. As he was leaving, he asked the guards outside, "Who else has come to see His Highness in the past few days?"
The guard replied, "Only the Lord has been here."
This is not a secret, there is nothing that cannot be said.
Yan Xing pondered for a moment. The Crown Prince's willingness to abdicate today seemed to be related to Lu Xueyin's visit a few days ago. So, the question was, what had they said to cause the Crown Prince to change his mind so quickly?
Yan Xing would not be so self-righteous as to think that the prince compromised because of his persuasion.
But no matter what the reason was, the fact that the Crown Prince and Lu Xueyin had reached a consensus was a foregone conclusion.
Yan Xing immediately went to Lu Xueyin to take credit.
When they arrived at Lu Xueyin's study, Yan Xing walked in after the guard reported.
When Yan Xing opened the door, he saw Lu Xueyin handling official business. The sunlight shone in through the crack in the door. She looked up and saw that it was him, and she smiled.
This smile made Yan Xing's heart move slightly, and he said, "I have good news to tell you."
Lu Xueyin already knew this, but she was still willing to cooperate with him: "What good news?"
Yan Xing walked to her desk, rested his arms on it, and leaned towards her: "This is very good news. If I tell you, how are you going to thank me?"
Lu Xueyin curled her lips and said, "I'll treat you to a meal? Dou has recommended several delicious restaurants in the city. Why don't I treat you to a meal?"
Yan Xing said, "There's no need to go out specially to eat. No matter what we eat, it's fine as long as you accompany me."
No money? That would be great. Lu Xueyin liked Yan Xing's thriftiness and the fact that he didn't need her to spend any money.
Lu Xueyin smiled and said, "What's so difficult about this?"
Yan Xing looked at her and asked, "Can I eat it forever?"
Lu Xueyin was stunned.
Yan Xing's deep gaze fell on her face, without blinking, focused and gentle, revealing a bit of charm.
Lu Xueyin stared at him in a daze. He was a good-looking man with a handsome and unrestrained face. Under his serious gaze, she could hear her own clear heartbeat.
As if somewhat bewitched, Lu Xueyin nodded slightly.
Yan Xing immediately raised the corners of his lips, his eyes sparkled brightly, and he couldn't help but hold her hand.
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