Chapter 24 He wants to take away his minister's wife, and suffers the condemnation of his conscience
"Xie Junlin, you took my wife by force, you disappointed my loyal ministers, you are unworthy of being the emperor, aren't you afraid of dying without a burial place?"
…
The dream ended here.
The woman's disgusted look and cold tone made Xie Junlin feel cold all over, and he suddenly woke up from his dream.
He sat up, hugging the quilt. The faint candlelight shone through the curtains, dimly illuminating his handsome face.
"I actually dreamed of that child again!"
"The phantom I saw yesterday was not my illusion. This was indeed the guidance of God and the manifestation of our ancestors..."
He stared at the curtains, his fingers clenched.
Even though he had woken up from the dream, he still felt the joy he had just felt when his son hugged his legs and called him father.
Extreme happiness.
No one could understand his joy and excitement at this moment.
What a surprise it would be for a person who has been waiting for a child for more than ten years but has found nothing and is now in despair, to suddenly find out that he is very likely to have a biological child with his own blood?
Moreover, that child is not an arrogant, domineering, annoying little devil. Instead, that child is well-behaved, cute, and clingy. He embodies all the good things in one person. He is the perfect child that he desires most!
Xie Junlin couldn't hide the joy in his eyes.
But in addition to his joy, he also felt uneasy.
Because the mother of his child in the dream was actually Ling Zhao’s newlywed wife!
He was the one who stole his subject's wife. He was shameless and despicable. He was the one who robbed someone else's wife to give birth to his child!
Xie Junlin had a complicated look in his eyes.
"No."
"How could I... do such a despicable thing?"
"The Xiao family is full of loyal and brave people. The old general has spent half his life in the military to protect the country, and several of his children have sacrificed their lives for the court. Now Xiao Lingzhao is also loyal to the emperor and the country. Before he fell ill, he had been guarding the territory for me. He is so loyal to me..."
"How can I forcibly seize the Xiao family's daughter-in-law? How can I take away Ling Zhao's wife?"
"He is not like me. He has countless concubines in his harem, but he has only loved this one girl since he was a child. How can I take away his only lover?"
Xie Junlin lowered his eyes and shook his head slowly.
He won't do that.
He is not a tyrant, he would not do something that would disappoint his loyal ministers and good generals.
After a long silence, Xie Junlin slowly spoke in a low and hoarse voice -
"But……"
"That girl can give birth to my child..."
He looked at the flickering candlelight and recalled how difficult those years had been.
How those ministers advised him to adopt someone else's child, and how many times did his mother sit by the window alone and cry for him...
At every palace banquet, he and his mother would sit in high seats and look at other people's children pitifully. When the banquet was over, he and his mother would be so sad...
He needs a child.
My mother also dreamed of having a grandson, and I don’t know how many gods and Buddhas she prayed to for this.
This kingdom must have an heir.
Xie Junlin murmured to himself.
"I have been childless for many years. Countless people have mocked and laughed at me in secret. Although I am the Son of Heaven, I can never hold my head up high..."
"If I have a child, I will be able to hold my head high and my kingdom will not fall into the hands of outsiders. Can I really refuse such a good thing?"
"Can I really control my heart and not take away this girl who can give birth to my child?"
Xie Junlin fell into great torment.
On the one hand, there is the loyal and valiant Xiao family, and his conscience does not allow him to do this.
On the one hand, there is his biological son who can inherit his kingdom and avenge his previous shame...
How should he choose?
Xie Junlin struggled and suffered throughout the entire night.
He never fell asleep again.
When Chen Hai came to call him to get up and go to court, he lifted the curtain and saw the dark circles under his eyes at a glance.
Chen Hai was startled.
"Your Majesty, what's wrong with you? Are you feeling unwell? Do you want me to call the imperial physician?"
Xie Junlin, who had been sitting there for several hours, had a splitting headache.
“No need.”
He opened his mouth slowly, only to find that his voice was extremely hoarse.
When Chen Hai heard his voice, he became more worried.
"Your Majesty, please stop being so stubborn. Let me call a royal doctor to see you. You look so haggard and your voice is hoarse. How can you look like you are alright?"
Xie Junlin knew what his situation was, but he couldn't tell anyone else such a secret thing.
He signaled to Chen Hai not to worry, and after having Chen Hai help him change clothes and wash up, he led everyone to the court.
Passing the garden, he stopped to take a look.
He whispered to Chen Hai, "I vaguely remember that this garden was very lively a few years ago, and there were always concubines waiting here for me to pass by."
Chen Hai smiled and said, "Yes, Your Majesty, the ladies are multi-talented. Some are playing the guzheng here, and some come here early in the morning to dance, trying their best to attract your attention..."
Xie Junlin's eyes flashed with self-mockery, "It's a pity, they probably didn't expect that after trying every possible way to win the emperor's favor and give birth to a prince, they ended up meeting an emperor who couldn't give birth. Other concubines get together to fight in the palace, but my concubines get together to see who can curse me the most harshly and happily, right?"
Chen Hai's face froze.
He said carefully, "Your Majesty, please don't say that. They are your concubines. In their hearts, your favor is far more important than your offspring. They miss you very much and look forward to you coming to their room every day..."
The self-mockery in Xie Junlin's eyes became more and more intense.
He is really harmful.
I can't give others children, nor can I love them.
Perhaps, he should let a group of concubines who were willing to leave the palace go.
What's the difference between staying with a man like him who can't have children and doesn't care about women and being a widow all your life?
Xie Junlin came to the main hall and sat on the dragon throne.
Looking at the crowd of ministers below, he subconsciously searched for Xiao Lingzhao in the crowd.
I looked around but couldn't find it.
Xie Junlin's eyes darkened.
Ling Zhao didn't come.
That’s right. Last night was Ling Zhao’s wedding night. Ling Zhao was so affectionate with that girl. I’m afraid he tossed and turned for half the night. How could he get out of bed now?
Xie Junlin sneered.
That's enough. Why should he think about these things? They are a married couple, and it is natural for them to be close to each other. What right does he have to be sad?
Just because he had a dream that someone else's wife gave birth to a child, does he have the right to be jealous of the other person's closeness with his wife?
He has no power.
He was a step too late. The girl was already Ling Zhao's wife, and he would never have the right to be jealous.
Xie Junlin was trying to adjust his abnormal emotions when suddenly a minister stepped forward and directly forced him to appoint a crown prince.
"Your Majesty, please forgive me for being so bold. I think you should start selecting a child from the royal family to adopt as your child."
"This child will only be close to you if you raise him yourself from a young age. If you raise the child yourself, you don't have to worry about him being taught badly by his original parents. As the saying goes, teaching by example, only a child who is brought up by you personally will be the one who is most like you."
“…”
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