Even after Emperor Huiwu left the prison and returned to the palace, he still couldn't figure out who his son was.
He did not enter the inner palace, but rested alone in the Qiankun Palace.
With tall candles lit, Emperor Huiwu leaned against his bed, recalling past events.
But no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't figure out who the child was.
"Zhou Ruhai, do you think what Prince Anping said is true? If it is true, then who exactly is that child?"
Emperor Huiwu was truly at a loss.
He never imagined that the brothers would turn against each other, but it was all because of Rong'er.
then……
"At the beginning, I really wanted to protect Rong'er, so I didn't dare to give her too much affection, but I didn't expect that it would harm her."
Do you regret it?
How could I not regret it?
He did genuinely like Rong'er back then, but at that time he had just ascended the throne and his power was not secure. He was overwhelmed with the affairs of the previous dynasty.
Therefore, not wanting any more trouble to occur in the harem, this was the arrangement.
"Your Majesty is overthinking it. You did your best back then. In the end, it was fate that played a cruel trick on us. Who could have imagined that Consort Rong would pass away so young?"
Zhou Ruhai first flattered Emperor Huiwu, and then tried to think of a reply: "Actually, Your Majesty, you don't need to worry too much. Perhaps Prince Anping only said that to disturb your peace of mind."
Over the years, Prince Anping has had quite a few concubines. How could he do something like this just because of Consort Rong from back then?
In fact, this is the thought of the vast majority of people.
Rebellion because of a woman?
impossible.
"I know you're right, but what if what he said is true? If that child is really alive, he'd be... eleven years old now, wouldn't he?"
"Yes, according to age, she should be eleven years old."
“But there are no princes in the harem who are eleven years old… However, the difference of only one or two years should not be obvious, so it could be nine or ten years old, or it could be twelve or thirteen years old… Zhou Ruhai, please compile a list for me of all the princes who are this age.”
Emperor Huiwu actually believed what Prince Anping said, which is why he was so anxious.
He knew that the Prince of Anping's goal was to have that child inherit the throne.
but!
If that child is truly outstanding and capable enough to shoulder great responsibilities, what's wrong with letting him inherit the throne?
As for what will happen to him after he passes away, he doesn't care at all.
Even if you care, what can you do?
What can anyone do about what will happen a hundred years from now?
"yes."
Zhou Ruhai quickly submitted the list.
Actually, there are quite a few princes' children in this age group, more than twenty.
However, many of the princes were Emperor Huiwu's uncles, elder brothers, or even the previous generation.
Even if Emperor Huiwu later felt that his princes were not up to the task, he would at most choose from his uncles and aunts among the imperial relatives. He would probably not consider those who were more distant relatives.
After this selection process, only sixteen remain.
"These two only know how to indulge in debauchery all day long, it can't be these two... These two are incredibly stupid and ignorant, it's impossible..."
Looking at the list, which had been pushed to the very end, only three people remained.
One was the youngest son of Emperor Huiwu's other younger brother, a prince. Although he was eccentric and flamboyant, he was very clever and quick-witted. Emperor Huiwu was very fond of him.
Naturally, Emperor Huiwu's favorite junior was Huo Chenyi.
This is something no one can compare to.
One was the grandson of Prince Duan, Emperor Huiwu's uncle. He was young but accomplished in both literature and martial arts, and everyone in the capital praised him.
He and Huo Chenyi were known as the two most outstanding talents in the capital.
They were all talented young men, skilled in both literature and martial arts, and exceptionally handsome.
The last one...
"Oh my, Your Majesty, why are you still keeping this person around?"
Zhou Ruhai was startled.
The last name on the list is one of Prince Anping's illegitimate sons, who is exactly eleven years old this year.
But no one has ever heard of any merits this illegitimate son has, and even people's memories of him are vague.
In other words, Zhou Ruhai, as the chief eunuch, had to be thoroughly familiar with everything in order to remember it, otherwise Emperor Huiwu would not even remember that such a person existed.
"He was not well-known, but if he was truly my son, Prince Anping hid him by his side, carefully instilled in him a hatred for me, and finally, when he rebelled, I ordered him to be killed..."
After he dies, someone will tell me that the child is my son! Tell me, isn't that the true revenge?
Zhou Ruhai was shocked: "Oh my, this, this... how could you be so malicious?"
Emperor Huiwu stared at the three names on the list and muttered to himself, "Who are they?"
These are the three most likely possibilities.
"Investigate the background of the mother of Prince Anping's illegitimate son, and bring the illegitimate son to me."
Emperor Huiwu decided to investigate this illegitimate son first.
Zhou Ruhai immediately took care of it.
However, he returned quickly: "Your Majesty, this illegitimate son was not among those escorted back... As for who this illegitimate son's birth mother was... there is no record. This old servant also asked Anping Prince's servants, and none of them had any impression of this illegitimate son's birth mother. They said that she was born to Anping Prince's concubine, but no one knows for sure who she was."
This makes it even more suspicious.
However, Emperor Huiwu did not make a judgment immediately: "Immediately send people to investigate carefully."
What we've found so far is just the tip of the iceberg.
"Yes, Your Majesty. Nan Xingyao has been insisting on seeing Your Majesty."
This chapter is not finished, please click the next page to continue reading!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
