Chapter 499 A Lover
The Empress Dowager's funeral was grand and solemn, lasting for over twenty days. During this time, the Emperor remained busy. The Lingnan Prince's Mansion was gone, and the governance of Lingnan needed to be re-planned. Appointing someone to serve as the Prefect of Lingnan, and how to proceed with subsequent affairs in Lingnan—these were all urgent matters.
These days, Jiang Yu worked almost every day in the Imperial Study, watching as the Emperor's health deteriorated day by day. By the time the Empress Dowager was buried and the Duke of Wei and others returned from pacifying Lingnan, the Emperor was completely bedridden and unable to get up. Prince Rui once again stayed by the Emperor's side every day, personally attending to him.
Although the Crown Prince's coup had only recently occurred, the Emperor's health dictated that an heir must be appointed. Many ministers approached Jiang Yu, urging her to discuss the matter with the Emperor, but Jiang Yu declined. Although she was a close advisor to the Emperor, she had only recently entered the court, and neither her seniority nor her status made it appropriate for her to bring up the issue.
Then the ministers urged Grand Tutor Yan to speak to the emperor. Grand Tutor Yan wanted to refuse, but it seemed that he was the only one in the court with the authority to do so. He took the memorial and went to the emperor's bedside with a stiff upper lip. Things went smoothly, and the emperor said he wanted to establish an heir.
Over this long period of time, all the ministers have come to understand that the Emperor's heart belongs to Prince An. Moreover, Prince An has the support of the Duke of Chu's lineage and the Marquis of Cheng'en, plus Prince Rui, making it impossible for the remaining princes to contend with him.
Jiang Yu was summoned to the palace again. When she arrived outside the emperor's bedchamber, she saw Prince Rui standing in the corridor, dressed in white, his thin robes barely hanging up. Jiang Yu's eyes welled up with tears. She went over to offer some words of comfort, but it seemed that nothing she said could console her.
She reached out and held his hand tightly, telling him that he still had her. Their fingers intertwined, silent, yet both understood each other's feelings.
A moment later, their hands separated. Jiang Yu glanced at the matron standing not far away beside the Empress and asked, "Is Her Majesty the Empress inside?"
Prince Rui nodded, "My brother has something to say to my sister-in-law."
In the dormitory
The Empress sat quietly before the bed, head bowed, silent. The Emperor's cloudy eyes were fixed on her. "I know you hate me. These past years, I've been unable to sleep at night, thinking of Yuan'er..."
"Stop talking." The Queen wiped away her tears with her handkerchief, looked up at him and said, "You are not worthy to mention him."
The emperor fell silent, but looked at the empress with longing, hoping she would say a word of forgiveness. But after a long wait, he heard only: "My brother told me that although we are husband and wife, we are also ruler and subject. Loyalty to the emperor is above any grudges between husband and wife."
The emperor lowered his eyes to hide his disappointment, then looked at the empress and said, "How about I return a son to you?"
The Empress stared at him in shock. The Emperor raised his hand to stroke her cheek, but then lowered it again. He gave a wry smile and said, "I'll register Jingwei under your name. From now on, he will be your son."
After speaking, he stared at the Empress, trying to see joy on her face, but the Empress only frowned slightly, then stood up and curtsied, saying, "Your Majesty, I thank you."
"Your Majesty is busy with official duties, so I shall take my leave now."
The Empress turned and left, her face a mixture of mockery and sorrow. Prince An would be the next emperor, and having him as her son would greatly benefit the Marquis of Cheng'en's household. Therefore, she hadn't refused. But she wanted her own son.
Stepping out of the palace, the sunlight blinked, and the Empress closed her eyes to hold back the tears. When she opened them again, her face was serene. Seeing Prince Rui, Jiang Yu, and Prince An bow to her, the Empress nodded slightly and left, supported by her nanny.
Golden sunlight shone on her, but her silhouette conveyed an indescribable sense of desolation. The faces of Jiang Yu and the other two were also filled with sorrow.
"Your Highness Prince Rui, His Majesty requests your presence." Prince Rui glanced at Jiang Yu and stepped into the bedchamber. Reaching the bedside, he softly asked, "Would Your Majesty like some tea?"
Seeing the emperor nod, he poured a cup of warm tea and fed it to the emperor, making the emperor laugh, "I'm not a three-year-old child."
“When I was young, Your Majesty also fed me tea in this way.” Prince Rui insisted on feeding the Emperor half a cup of tea, and the Emperor sighed and said, “Perhaps I was really wrong.”
Prince Rui looked puzzled. The Emperor waved his hand and patted the seat next to him. Prince Rui sat down and saw the Emperor looking at him with unusual seriousness. "If you sever your relationship with Jiang Yu, how about I pass the throne to you?"
Prince Rui was initially shocked, then knelt before the bed, his voice tinged with grievance, and said, "Your Majesty knows that I dislike politics, so why did you still say such things to me?"
But the emperor's expression remained unchanged. He leaned forward and said in an even more solemn voice, "You were personally trained by me. I am more at ease entrusting the country to you. As long as you break off your relationship with Jiang Yu, the throne will be yours."
"Your subject is unwilling," Prince Rui replied with unusual firmness.
Emperor: "What do you not want?"
Prince Rui: "Your Majesty, I do not wish to be emperor, nor do I wish to be separated from Jiang Yu. I hope Your Majesty will grant my request."
The emperor's cloudy eyes were unusually clear at this moment. He stared at the younger brother he had raised for a long time, and seeing that his expression remained unchanged, he sighed deeply, "I never thought that my Qin family would produce such a romantic fool as you. You would rather have a beauty than the throne."
Prince Rui earnestly corrected him, saying, "It is my brother's dislike of politics, not because of her."
"Hmph! Get up." The emperor leaned back on the soft pillows. "Alright, when have I ever gone against your wishes all these years? Just do as you please. It's just that Jiang Yu is more assertive than most men. If you suffer any grievances in the future, neither I nor the Empress Dowager will be around, and there will be no one to support you."
“Your Majesty.” Prince Rui sat on the edge of the bed, his face filled with unbearable sorrow.
The emperor patted his head. "You and Jingwei have been close since childhood, but there is a difference between ruler and subject. Don't act impulsively. In the heart of an emperor, expanding territory, maintaining balance in the court, and ensuring the well-being of the people... all these things must come before personal feelings. I only wish you a peaceful and prosperous life. Don't worry about anything else, understand?"
Prince Rui nodded heavily, his eyes reddening. The Emperor smiled and patted his shoulder, then said, "Jiang Yu is an official of the court. After you marry her, do not participate in court affairs. Just keep a firm grip on the Heavenly Works Bureau."
Prince Rui's voice choked with emotion: "Your subject understands."
The emperor nodded with satisfaction, "Go, call Jingwei in."
Prince Rui stood up, then turned back to look at him with concern. The Emperor waved his hand, "I'm fine, go."
Prince Rui stepped out and approached Prince An. "Your imperial brother invites you in."
Prince An nodded and strode into the bedchamber. Prince Rui stood beside Jiang Yu and whispered in her ear, "Your brother has agreed to my request."
Jiang Yu was taken aback, then a smile appeared on her lips. Prince Rui also pursed his lips, and his slender hand slowly reached out to take hers, and then their fingers intertwined.
Zhao Fuquan, who was standing not far away, saw the two holding hands tightly and immediately turned away.
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