Chapter 68 The Crown Princess
"presumptuous!"
Emperor Jinghe slammed his hand on the imperial desk, abruptly stood up, his chest heaving, "Are you accusing me? It was I who, for the sake of balance, indulged in factional strife, it was I who... harmed Hua'er?!"
She almost screamed the last few words, her eyes already red. It was a mother's most sensitive spot, and an emperor's shock and anger at having his foundation of rule directly attacked.
The palace servants standing inside the hall were already so terrified that they prostrated themselves on the ground, trembling with fear.
She stared at Ling Wei, trying to discern whether this daughter, because of her own preference, felt that the position of heir apparent was already decided, and thus developed arrogance and a sense of usurpation.
Ling Wei met her gaze: "No."
Emperor Jinghe, feeling a tightness in his chest, demanded sharply, "Then what exactly do you want to say?!"
Ling Wei also felt lost: "I just thought about it, and I felt so frustrated, but I didn't know who to talk to."
Emperor Jinghe was stunned for a moment, and his overwhelming anger suddenly dissipated.
She slumped back into her chair, and after a long while, asked in a low, hoarse voice, "So, in your opinion, what would you do if you were in her shoes?"
The question was asked lightly, but it carried immense weight in the hall.
It is no longer a simple discussion, but carries a hint of entrustment and examination.
This time, Ling Wei did not immediately say, "Your subject dares not."
She lowered her eyes and began to think seriously.
"Your subject is skilled in warfare," she suddenly said, somewhat abruptly. "I've heard that the island nations in the eastern seas have been quite restless lately, especially Japan. Many of their ronin and samurai have become pirates, frequently harassing the border people. Why don't you go and defeat them?"
Emperor Jinghe was taken aback by her abrupt change of thought, then became furious: "Nonsense! You don't know how to govern a country, so you think of going to war? Is this the way to solve problems?"
Ling Wei's eyes were serious: "My mother taught me that timely foreign conquests can not only enhance national prestige and expand territory, but also divert domestic attention and alleviate internal pressures."
"Moreover, although Japan is a barren island nation, it has silver mines and has accumulated some wealth through maritime trade. If we can take it over, the national treasury will be full, and the Empress will be more financially secure. She won't have to constantly maneuver within the confines drawn by those powerful families and corrupt officials. Perhaps then, many voices in the court will be less noisy."
"You—" Emperor Jinghe was so angry at her quoting classical texts that he got a headache. He grabbed a white jade paperweight from the table and threw it at her. "Don't even think about it anytime soon! Even if we really have to start a war, you'd better give me a grandson first!"
The implication in those words was already as clear as day.
Ling Wei understood, paused for a moment, and then said, "Isn't there also Xiao Liu?"
Emperor Jinghe's eyes instantly became complicated, filled with heartache and helplessness: "You really want your second and third sons to die?"
Ling Wei: "Xiao Liu's temperament is even softer than mine."
“But she can’t control them,” Emperor Jinghe said wearily. “With her temperament and methods, she can’t control those cunning old foxes in the court, let alone the second and third princes. At that time, for the sake of the stability of the country, will I have to clear the obstacles for her?”
The obstacle, however, is the lives of the other two daughters.
Or perhaps they are waiting for them to retaliate, unleashing another bloody storm.
Neither of these is something she wants to see.
She could be disappointed in and punish Ling Yao and Ling Xuan, but as a mother, she still hoped they could live, even if they were imprisoned and lived out their lives in mediocrity.
Ling Wei sensed the dilemma and sorrow behind those words, a woman who was both an emperor and a mother.
She lowered her eyelashes and gave a soft "hmm".
"Then I... can't think of a better solution for the time being."
Ling Wei started to act spoiled: "Let Mother go first."
Emperor Jinghe was almost laughing in anger. After all that talk, the responsibility was ultimately pushed back onto her.
She waved her hand weakly, as if shooing away something annoying: "Get out, get out! Go see your father, the New Year is almost here. After the New Year, you get your ass to the Imperial Study to listen to and participate in government affairs, and stop thinking about all that nonsense!"
"Your subject obeys." Ling Wei bowed and prepared to leave.
Just as she turned to step out of the palace gate, Emperor Jinghe's voice came from behind her again, tinged with desolation:
"Second and third children... let's keep them."
She knew about Ling Yao and Ling Xuan's joint attempt to destroy Ling Wei.
From the emperor's perspective, and from the perspective of the future crown princess and her sister, neither of them might be allowed to stay.
But after all, she was still a mother. Her eldest daughter, on whom she had placed high hopes, had already passed away. The remaining children, even if they were mediocre or made mistakes, were still her flesh and blood, nurtured from her womb and growing up before her eyes.
As she watched Ling Wei's retreating figure, a bitter feeling welled up inside her.
At this moment, even if it's just a verbal promise, even if it's a lie, it won't matter anymore once she closes her eyes.
Ling Wei stopped walking, but didn't turn around.
She remained silent for a few moments, neither agreeing nor disagreeing.
"If Mother is worried, then just keep an eye on things. Your son will walk ahead of you, that's all."
Emperor Jinghe was stunned. Then, a surge of bittersweet emotion welled up in her eyes, which she forcibly suppressed.
She muttered a curse under her breath, her voice muffled and choked with sobs: "Stubborn temper."
Ling Wei didn't linger and stepped out of the imperial study.
It started snowing again outside, I don't know when.
Snowflakes fluttered down, silently covering the vermilion palace walls and the long palace path.
Nearly a year has passed since the major investigation that shook the government and the public.
Ling Wei did not ride in a palanquin, nor did she have any palace servants follow her. She simply walked alone slowly along the empty palace road.
Snowflakes landed on her shoulders and hair, quickly melting into tiny water droplets. The world was vast and silent as the snow fell, with only the sound of her footsteps echoing alone among the nine palaces.
It's as if this road is destined to be walked alone.
After walking for an unknown amount of time, the palace where Su Shijun resided came into view.
Sharp-eyed palace servants had already spotted her at the palace gate and rushed in to report.
Almost simultaneously, Ling Xi hopped out like a cheerful bird: "Fifth Sister, you've finally arrived!"
But two figures were faster than her, passing her and rushing towards Ling Wei against the wind and snow.
The person on the left is dressed in a moon-white brocade robe, with a matching fox fur coat. His figure is elegant and upright, like a green bamboo in the snow.
His features remained as clear and refined as jade, but the frostiness of the past had faded. He draped a thick, warm, dark cloak with gold embroidery over Ling Wei's shoulders, his slender fingers deftly tying the straps, his movements natural and practiced.
The person on the right wore a magnificent brocade robe with vermilion and gold thread, which was dazzling against the plain white sky.
Yili's face looked even more vibrant than usual, and her bright, almond-shaped eyes gazed at her with captivating charm.
He was no longer sitting in a wheelchair, but standing steadily, even taller than the average man.
He placed a warm, purple-copper hand warmer into Ling Wei's slightly cool hands.
"Your Highness, be careful of the snow and cold." A clear voice rang out; it was Shen Zhilan.
“That’s right, hurry up and go in, Father has been nagging for ages.” Yi Shao chimed in, her tone as coquettish as ever, but without the previous deliberate effort, only affection remained.
Ling Wei looked at them; one was bathed in the cool moonlight, the other in the blazing flames, standing genuinely beside her, dispelling the wind, snow, and loneliness surrounding her.
She nodded, letting them accompany her on either side, as she walked into the bustling, warm palace.
As soon as they entered the palace, they heard Su Shijun's loud voice coming from the direction of the small kitchen in the side hall: "Wei'er is back? Perfect timing! Father personally cooked your favorite dishes today..."
Ling Wei paused slightly, looking at the table full of dishes that were clearly beyond her taste, and her lips twitched slightly: "...Okay."
Inside the hall, the charcoal fire burned brightly, and the aroma of food filled the air. Ling Xi joked around, Su Shijun laughed heartily and scolded him incessantly, Shen Zhilan quietly served the dishes, and Yi Shao responded with lively expressions.
All the sounds mingled together, creating a lively and bustling atmosphere that kept the wind, snow, and loneliness of the journey outside the palace gates.
After the New Year, an imperial edict was issued throughout the land.
The fifth princess, Ling Wei, was appointed Crown Princess and entered the Eastern Palace to manage state affairs and consolidate the foundation of the country.
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