Chapter 438 Unexpected Changes
“Father, I have never really liked being the Crown Prince as Mother suggested. The so-called monarch and the people are one; the monarch is born for the people. My only wish is the same as yours: that the people of Yu Kingdom can live in peace and prosperity. Whether I am the Crown Prince or not makes no difference to me.”
—Back then in the Imperial Study, Xie Yun-yang spoke these words with a powerful and resounding voice in front of everyone.
How did Xie Yuxiao respond?
Oh, he said he'd talk about everything after he returned from Jin.
Xie Yuxiao wanted him to think things through. Xie Yuxiao was not unaware of Xie Yunyang's temperament, but this matter was extraordinary, concerning the crown prince and the future of the Yu Kingdom, so he had to be extremely cautious.
As a father, Xie Yuxiao respected his son's choice, but as a monarch, he had to spend more to make up for the consequences of Xie Yun's choice.
However, Xie Yuxiao felt that if this trip to Jin could allow Xie Yun to experience some things and understand his own heart more clearly, then the trip would not have been in vain.
He had already made up his mind that if Xie Yun-yang still wouldn't change his mind after Xie Yun-yang returned, then he would agree to Xie Yun-yang's request.
"This trip lasted for more than a year. Now that you've seen the sights outside, do you still feel the same way you did back then?"
Xie Yun met Xie Yuxiao's sharp eyes, took half a step forward, leaned slightly forward, and spoke with a firm tone.
"Father, I am certain that I do not wish to live as cold-blooded and ruthless as Mother expects me to. It is not that I am unwilling to serve the country, but in some aspects, I am simply inadequate and not as capable as my second brother. Father, I believe this position is more suitable for my second brother!"
Xie Yun-yang knelt down, her forehead touching the ground.
Xie Yuxiao stared at him for a long time without saying a word.
Xie Yunchuan's expression remained calm, revealing no emotion.
The atmosphere suddenly shifted from warm to serious, and the group of people slowed their breathing.
Sheng Sheng looked around, observing everyone's reactions.
How strange. Does this mean they're about to decide to change the crown prince so soon?
Hmm.
Sheng Sheng blinked and muttered softly, "Could it be that what Fourth Brother said about something happening is related to the change of Crown Prince? But this was something that Crown Prince Brother did voluntarily, so how could it cause any trouble?"
As Sheng Sheng was pondering this, an inkstone was suddenly smashed to the ground, shattering right next to Xie Yun.
Things changed too quickly; the replacement of the crown prince was something everyone thought was a foregone conclusion.
Because Xie Yun-yang was unwilling to be a vessel for Empress Zheng's hopes, and disliked wearing a mask and acting with people, and was not as capable as Xie Yun-chuan in using stronger methods to silence others.
Xie Yunchuan, on the other hand, is superior to him in overall strength and is also highly valued by Xie Yuxiao.
They were brothers, and there was no need for the Yu Kingdom to stage a drama of vying for the throne.
Most importantly, Xie Yuxiao was a good ruler and a rare good father.
Since Xie Yun-yang and Empress Zheng have become estranged, all events have indicated that the position of Crown Prince will sooner or later belong to Xie Yun-chuan.
This is something that almost everyone accepts.
But……
Sheng Sheng watched as Xie Yuxiao suddenly became very angry and smashed the inkstone beside him. The inkstone fell straight to the ground from the imperial desk with a loud crash, breaking into several pieces and splashing ink all over the floor.
Sheng Sheng was startled. She was standing close by, and the sound of the inkstone shattering echoed in the hall, splashing ink all over the hem of her skirt.
Needless to say, Xie Yun was covered in ink stains on half of his body.
Xie Yunyang's face was buried in his arms as he bent over, and there was no one who could see him, but Xie Yunyang's face showed no surprise at all.
It was as if they already knew what was going to happen.
However, for others, it was a sudden and unexpected turn of events.
The worst thing is when the air suddenly goes quiet.
Xie Yunchuan frowned, his face grim, and without saying a word, picked up Shengsheng and carried her away from that place.
The words were then passed from Xie Yunchuan to Xie Yunqi, who was already stunned, and Xie Yunwen, who was also dumbfounded, before he said, "Father, please calm down."
Xie Yunwen, realizing what was happening, quickly said, "Father, please calm down and don't get angry."
Xie Yunqi, holding Shengsheng, nodded in agreement. Although still confused, he began to say, "Yes, Father, my sister and the Crown Prince have just returned. Why don't you talk things out? Why are you suddenly angry? Smashing things is so disheartening!"
Sheng Sheng added softly, "Did the Crown Prince say something wrong? Why don't we let him think about it again and give him a chance to say it again?"
Xie Yuxiao, panting heavily, glared fiercely at Xie Yunyang, then glanced at the others. His anger subsided slightly, but he still said in a deep voice, "Think about it? He's been thinking about it all the way here! Today, I must get an explanation for this!"
The palace servants in the imperial study were so frightened that they lay prostrate on the ground, not daring to raise their heads or even breathe loudly.
The most unusual person was Eunuch Hou. In Sheng Sheng's opinion, Eunuch Hou had been able to stay by Xie Yuxiao's side all this time, but now he neither stepped forward to mediate the fight nor asked the palace servants to clean up the mess. He just stood in the corner with his hands hanging down, staring intently at the broken inkstone on the ground.
If Sheng Sheng wasn't mistaken, the way Eunuch Hou stared at the inkstone seemed to be—heartache?
Sheng Sheng seemed a little confused.
What is it that Eunuch Hou is heartbroken about?
At this moment, Eunuch Hou was completely unaware that his reaction had been seen by Sheng Sheng. He just kept staring at the inkstone that had been broken into two pieces, his heart bleeding.
Oh dear, that inkstone was an old artifact bestowed upon His Majesty by the late Emperor! It was made of black jade, so grinding ink would not hinder the brush. His Majesty treasured it like the apple of his eye, and would not even let anyone else touch it. Yet today it was smashed!
"Your Highness, I'll ask you one more time. You said you're not suitable for the position of Crown Prince and are willing to step down to assist someone more suitable?"
Xie Yunyang's tone remained unchanged: "Yes, that is indeed my intention!"
"presumptuous!"
Xie Yuxiao slammed his hand on the imperial desk. "You keep talking about brotherly love and respect, but I've heard that the Minister of War and you have been in cahoots for a long time. Besides repeatedly supporting you in court, he even secretly sent you copies of the border defense maps! You did deserve credit for the victory over the barbarians at Zhennan Pass, but could it be that Minister Nong went to great lengths to get that credit for you?"
Xie Yunyang trembled, his face turning deathly pale. He kowtowed violently, "Father, please investigate! Your son has absolutely no such intention! I only just learned that the envoy sent to Zhennan Pass was chosen by the Minister of War. However, the war and peace talks between the two countries are inextricably linked to the Ministry of War. The Minister of War was merely performing his duties, and the defense map is a state secret. How could your son dare to give it to me privately?"
"Forming cliques for personal gain? How dare I, your son, harbor such disloyal intentions? If I truly had such thoughts, why would I have repeatedly offered to hand over the Crown Prince position to my more suitable second brother? This is clearly utter nonsense; someone must be maliciously framing me!"
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