Sheng Jin gazed silently at the Crown Prince kneeling below, kneeling ramrod straight—the child on whom he had once placed his hopes!
He reflected on whether he had done enough to raise the crown prince into a completely benevolent ruler.
This concept of benevolence can be both a good thing and a bad thing.
A benevolent ruler is a blessing to the people and officials.
However, they are often hampered by ministers because their methods are too weak, and some are even sidelined by their ministers.
However, these were not problems for him.
He thought that there would be time, and he could teach slowly and patiently.
The crown prince is still young and his personality has not yet fully developed; he is simply used to being protected.
He could teach all of these things, teaching them step by step, so that the crown prince could fully mature and pass on the heavy responsibility of the country to him.
Everything happened so naturally.
Who knew—
Later, he could never have predicted that there would be someone who could capture his entire attention the moment she appeared.
Countless times he regretted it, so much so that he couldn't sleep at night...
Sheng Jin recalled the scene where she tried her best to suppress her feelings, but she couldn't control them at all.
Ever since Changfeng saw through his thoughts, he has gradually drifted apart from the Crown Prince, and the father and son have become estranged.
Even now, he still harbors a secret joy, hoping that after the Crown Prince's accident, he can stay by Xi'er's side—
How despicable!
As Sheng Jin recalled the events, he despised himself. He remained silent for a long time, staring at the kneeling Crown Prince below.
He didn't speak, but someone couldn't sit still. This person was Prince Jing, Sheng Changling, who had always regarded the Crown Prince as an enemy.
Sheng Changling watched as so many people in the court vied to speak well of the Crown Prince, and he felt nothing but irony.
These guys used to fawn over him all the time, but in the end, they all turned against him and started pleading for the Crown Prince.
If they won't speak, then I'll speak myself; someone has to speak eventually.
"Your Majesty, I have a different opinion, and I must speak it out today. I beg Your Majesty to listen to my opinion."
His Highness the Crown Prince speaks with absolute authority, and yesterday he even personally sought an imperial edict. Yet today he wants the Emperor to change his mind so drastically. This is a violation of the rules and regulations of the court, and he is utterly unfit for important positions!
Sheng Changling didn't give the Crown Prince any face or decency at all; by speaking so frankly now, he was putting everything out in the open.
The most frightening thing is that his words were not fabricated at all; he was simply reiterating the facts.
Now that he has said these things, even if others wanted to defend the Crown Prince, they simply couldn't.
Therefore, King Jing Sheng Changling was simply offering his honest advice, and no one could refute what he said, let alone confront him.
Moreover, Sheng Changling wasn't finished after saying all that; he continued his criticism, his mouth sounding like it was coated with poison.
"Your Majesty, the Crown Prince has requested to be deposed because he knows he is afraid of death, and that he has let down the people, Your Majesty, and the nation!"
Sheng Jin snapped back to reality, and those words reached her ears—words that were extremely jarring!
Wait, what did he hear?
Changling, that kid... still has such a sharp tongue. He doesn't hide anything when he has something on his mind.
Everyone was pleading for the Crown Prince, but this guy wouldn't back down an inch; if he wasn't going to back down, he'd fight!
"Alright, quiet."
Sheng Jin didn't want to hear Sheng Changling continue complaining, since no matter how much he said, it couldn't represent the Crown Prince's attitude.
"Crown Prince, do you really prefer to be deposed rather than take on this task, even though the people are still living in dire straits and waiting for you to save them...?"
Upon hearing this, the crown prince gritted his teeth, and after a long while, he lowered his head deeply.
He knew all too well that his decision was extremely selfish. He had been taught to care for the people since childhood, but he had ended up being the one who betrayed them!
If I were to escape, I would be ashamed of my father's teachings, ashamed of the Grand Tutor's careful cultivation, ashamed of my mother's selfless protection, and even ashamed of Xi'er...
Because I deserted, a complete coward!
He had promised her that he would protect and cherish her.
But what could a deposed crown prince offer her—the contempt and disgust of others, or their humiliation?
No, he couldn't let his Xi'er suffer humiliation along with him!
The deposed crown prince is worse off than a commoner. Although I have done my best to protect Xi'er, can I compare to these powerful and influential people?
In that case... it seems things won't end well.
Sheng Changfeng had long anticipated the difficulties he might encounter, but he hadn't expected that he would still feel sorry for Xi'er.
Even if he survives, what can a powerless commoner use to protect her?
Bare-handed?
They must have lost their mind last night to come up with such a stupid idea, it's incredibly stupid!
And this is probably what the Emperor wanted to tell him: he had no way out...
As Sheng Changfeng thought this, he looked up at the dignified man and felt a sense of powerlessness and sorrow.
"Your Highness, haven't you come up with an answer yet?"
"Your Majesty, I was confused. I am willing to go to Jiangnan in person to save the people and punish corrupt officials. I beg Your Majesty to grant my request!"
As the prince spoke, he bowed deeply once again.
He bowed down, his eyes filled with deep longing and reluctance, but this was truly the only path he could take.
The civil and military officials, witnessing the sudden turn of events, also felt fortunate.
After all, the current crown prince is kind and is so favored by the emperor; they had just pleaded for him.
In that case... the Crown Prince will remember their contributions, right?
"Very good. I hereby appoint you as the Grand Inspector General, Jiang Wu, and Song Wen. You will personally escort the Crown Prince to the south of the Yangtze River, with 10,000 elite troops under your command."
Furthermore, I bestow upon you an imperial sword, which can be used to execute treacherous officials and bandits, but it must not be used to execute loyal ministers and virtuous generals. Do you understand?
!
The Emperor is being far too... biased towards the Crown Prince! Ten thousand elite soldiers, all of whom are experts who can take on ten men on the battlefield!
With this force, what corrupt official can't be brought down? Even if someone keeps a private army, they wouldn't have this many.
Does the Emperor really trust the Crown Prince that much?
but……
Jiang Wu and Song An, two veteran officials, were loyal ministers who followed the emperor in the past. Assigning them to the crown prince was probably a form of surveillance.
Regardless, the Emperor's decision was still too bold.
The ministers looked at each other, their eyes reflecting the shock in one another.
But they only dared to look, not to say anything.
Only one person frowned, his face showing clear disapproval; this person was Prince Jing, Sheng Changling!
Isn't the Emperor wary of the Crown Prince? Why would he be willing to arrange so many troops to protect him?
Yes, it's protection.
Unlike the other ministers, Sheng Changling believed that Sheng Jin was protecting the crown prince, not being wary of him.
because--
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