"I know that there is no family affection in the royal family. Everyone says that it is better to be with the emperor than with a tiger. But can I really rest easy? No one dares to plot against me?" Zhong Zhiheng said in a deep voice, and let out a long sigh. "Since I sat on this dragon throne, I have been plotted against. Some things, I can turn a blind eye to. After all, there is no one in this palace who is not scheming. I can understand that, but I can't plot against the queen." At this point, Zhong Zhiheng paused, he took a deep breath, and then slowly exhaled, then stretched out his hand to pinch Zhong Mingzheng's chin, forcing him to raise his head and look at him, and said coldly, "Whoever dares to plot against the queen will die, Ming'e, don't you think so?"
“Father! Father…” Zhong Ming’e tried his best to hold back his tears, but even so, he was still sobbing violently, his whole body twitching non-stop, and tears finally burst out. Then Zhong Ming’e could no longer hold back, hugged Zhong Zhiheng’s legs, and then cried bitterly, “Father, I don’t know, I really don’t know! Father, you…you must believe me!”
"I believe in you, from the beginning to the end," Zhong Zhiheng said slowly, taking a handkerchief with one hand and holding Zhong Ming'e's chin with the other hand, and then gently wiped away Zhong Ming'e's tears, while saying, "So your mother died, and the Cui family was expelled from the capital, but haven't you been fine all the time?"
Zhong Ming'e met Zhong Zhiheng's deep eyes, and suddenly he shuddered all over: "Father, Father..."
"Ming'e, I know you are different from other princes. You have a pure heart, so I have always treated you differently from other princes. Even though you have made a big mistake now, I still can't bear to blame you," Zhong Zhiheng said, letting go of Zhong Ming'e and throwing the handkerchief on the small table. "I even still prefer you to be the crown prince."
Zhong Ming'e's whole body froze, as if he had been petrified. It took him a long while to come back to his senses, and then he kowtowed like crazy: "I am not worthy! I am not worthy!"
"Yes, you are indeed unworthy. I feel disgusted when I think of you having the blood of the Cui family in your body," Zhong Zhiheng said coldly. He took a sip of tea and said lightly, "But I still think you are more suitable to be the crown prince than Mingzheng. After all, Mingzheng has an unstable temperament, is perverse and violent, and is really not the material to be an emperor. But you lack the ruthlessness that an emperor must have." Having said this, Zhong Zhiheng paused, then looked at Zhong Ming'e again, and then said softly word by word, "So Ming'e, as long as you kill Cui Youan with your own hands, I will make you the crown prince."
“Father, Father…” Zhong Ming’e suddenly sat down on the ground, his gray lips trembling violently, and he stammered, “Your Highness…I don’t…I dare not…”
"Ming'e, are you really afraid to kill, or are you unable to give up the blood relationship with the Cui family?" Zhong Zhiheng's voice was very calm, just like his eyes at this moment, "Or do you think that I have wronged the Cui family and actually hate me in your heart?"
"I dare not! Father, please understand! I dare not complain to you! Please understand!" Zhong Ming'e kowtowed repeatedly and said, "I am born weak and useless. I am not worthy of being the crown prince. I have failed your expectations. Please punish me!"
"Since you have no future, there is no need for you to stay in the capital any longer," Zhong Zhiheng said coldly, as he stood up and walked out the door. "Prince Hui's fiefdom is in Yongzhou. You will set off for your fiefdom in five days."
"Your Majesty, I thank you for your great grace!" Zhong Ming'e kowtowed deeply to Zhong Zhiheng's back, his tears wetting the vermilion carpet in front of him.
…
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
