Chapter 230 My former self
Prince Rui went to the palace to meet the emperor.
Emperor Sheng was sitting in the imperial study. When he heard Zhao Huailang asking for a meeting, he couldn't help but raise his eyebrows.
Six days have passed since the morning court ordered Zhang Xian to thoroughly investigate the Ministry of Personnel, but... he has remained relatively patient.
Emperor Sheng felt slightly satisfied, and then pushed the memorial in front of him to the side of the table and nodded under the gaze of Eunuch Fushun.
Upon seeing this, Eunuch Fushun hurried out of the hall to report.
After a moment, a steady sound of footsteps was heard.
Emperor Sheng looked up casually and saw Zhao Huailang walking in with a tall figure and powerful steps.
When he came closer, Zhao Huailang respectfully lifted up his clothes, knelt on his knees, lowered his head, and saluted respectfully:
"Your Highness, I pay my respects to you, Father. Long live your Highness."
"Well, get up."
Emperor Sheng responded indifferently, his eyes fell on Zhao Huailang with an inquiring look, and a hint of expectation arose in his heart.
Now that the Cui family is on the verge of collapse and Concubine Shu is under house arrest, no one knows how the second son will react.
I haven't seen him do anything big these days, which shows that he is a relatively well-behaved person.
Emperor Sheng was just thinking this when Zhao Huailang slowly stood up.
His bloodshot eyes fell on the jade brick in front of him, and bitterness arose in his heart.
He had been full of admiration for his father since he was young. It was an instinct rooted in his blood, and it was also a respect for the supreme person above the throne.
However, as he grew older, and as his father's eyes were always fixed on his eldest brother, the bitterness and resentment in his heart gradually spread like weeds.
After his eldest brother passed away, he thought his father had finally noticed him. Just when he could hardly hide his anticipation and nervousness, his father brought out his third brother.
At this time, his grandfather finally told him that his father had long promised to pass the throne to him!
He goes back on his word and goes back on his words.
At that moment, the resentment in his heart reached its peak.
Over the past twenty years, every difficult and painful moment, every moment of resentment he had experienced, was inflicted by his father himself.
And every time, it was his grandfather’s kindness and his mother’s gentleness that comforted and cared for him, protecting him with all their might, and helping him get to where he is today.
He had long given up expecting the attention and recognition of his father, but now, in order to pave the way for Ye'er, his father extended the blade to his grandfather and mother!
Thinking of this, Zhao Huailang could hardly suppress the resentment in his heart.
Emperor Sheng saw that Zhao Huailang stood with his head bowed the whole time, and he knew that he must be in great torment during these days.
However, the position of crown prince has experienced an incident. If another incident occurs, it will be detrimental to the stability of the country. Therefore, he must make sure that Lang'er is the best candidate for crown prince.
To be honest, Lang'er today is much luckier than he was in the past.
Back then, the Emperor favored his younger brother and never thought of passing the throne to him. He had fought for it by all means.
But now, he is willing to pass the throne to Lang'er.
Thinking of this, looking at Zhao Huailang in front of him, Emperor Sheng also felt a rare sense of trance.
At this moment, it seemed as if the years had reversed and the positions had been reversed. The one standing in the hall was the young him, and the one sitting behind the desk was his long-lost father.
During those young years, he always looked at his father intently, with pure admiration and respect in his eyes.
At that time, as long as he could get a look of approval from his father, he would be happy for several days.
But the fact is that no matter how hard he tried, his father's gaze was always like a dragonfly skimming the water. Every time it passed over him, it would fall on his younger brother.
Every smile and every word of the emperor's younger brother could easily earn a doting response from his father, but he was forgotten in the corner for a long time.
In those unbearable and difficult days, only the teacher and the queen treated him gently like the spring breeze and drizzle.
It was in this constant alternation of expectation and disappointment that he gradually developed resentment and hatred, and then he took the sharp blade and struck the target with one strike!
Recalling the old days, his emotions were in turmoil, which suddenly drew Emperor Sheng's attention back.
Looking at Zhao Huailang in front of him at this time, he felt hesitant in his heart and had some delayed realizations.
In the past, he did pay more attention to Ji'er. In order to select a crown prince with outstanding strategy, means, and character for the Dasheng Dynasty in the past few years, he had also made many arrangements and tests.
If Cui Daoyuan and Concubine Shu told Lang'er what happened back then, then the him in Lang'er's heart now must be no different from the father in his heart back then... right?
This thought made Emperor Sheng frown, and his heart was suddenly in turmoil.
He never expected that one day, he would unknowingly become the person he once hated the most.
Now look at Zhao Huailang in the hall...
More like my former self.
Thinking of this, Emperor Sheng moved his lips, wanting to utter a few soft words to comfort her.
However, he had never received a single soft word from his father in the past. At this critical juncture, he didn't even know what words would be the appropriate expression from a father.
Emperor Sheng lowered his eyes slightly, and the bitterness that he thought he had forgotten and let go of for so long... gradually surged up.
The fact that he has been unwilling to show leniency to Prince Rong's Mansion over the years has proven the lingering resentment and resentment in his heart.
What did he want to hear his father say to him back then?
Anything is fine, even if it is just an ordinary inquiry, it is a great blessing to him.
Emperor Sheng felt a little sour in his throat and opened his mouth, almost wanting to reveal some of his plans, but Zhao Huailang had already made up his mind and said in a deep voice:
"Father, I have something urgent to report to you!"
The words that were about to come out of his mouth suddenly stopped, Emperor Sheng raised his eyes, and his mind gradually focused.
"Tell me about it."
If Lang'er wanted to plead for Cui Daoyuan, he would not be able to reveal any of his thoughts until the Cui family was completely destroyed.
However, Zhao Huailang said something shocking, "Father, the people in the court have been unsettled recently. I have heard all those rumors."
"If it is true, for the sake of the country, it is only natural that your father should deal with it impartially."
When Emperor Sheng heard this, he glanced at Zhao Huailang deeply and couldn't help but raise the corner of his mouth.
In order to test the ability of the third brother, he had mentioned several times in front of everyone that the third brother was like him.
But in fact, he knew clearly in his heart that among his three sons, the second one was the one most like him.
If Lang'er had the courage to abandon the Cui family for the position of crown prince today, then he would look up to Lang'er even more.
"Oh? Do you really think so?" Emperor Sheng asked calmly.
Zhao Huailang nodded immediately and said respectfully:
"Although we are related by blood, the law cannot be violated. I want to help you, the emperor, and I will not show partiality or favoritism because of our relationship."
When Emperor Sheng heard this, he could no longer conceal his satisfaction. He was about to stand up to express his approval, but Zhao Huailang changed the subject again:
"This is the truth that my father taught me, and I dare not forget it."
"So even though this matter involves Ye'er and Jiang Xun, the person most favored by the emperor, I have to say it and mention it."
When Emperor Sheng heard this, he paused in his attempt to stand up. He raised his head in disbelief and raised his voice slightly:
"Who are you talking about?"
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