When it rains, it pours.
Following the queen mother and her family’s claim that the Emperor Xiliang was incompetent and corrupt, they suddenly sent troops to surround the Imperial Palace, intending to seize the throne.
Fortunately, Qi Zongyu led his forces, and with the help of Yang Mengchen’s people, they narrowly averted disaster by capturing the queen mother and her relatives in one fell swoop, thus quelling the internal strife.
The Emperor Xiliang’s poison had been cured, but his body was clearly devastated, and he no longer had the energy to manage state affairs. The ministers petitioned for Qi Zongyu to be established as Crown Prince.
Even though Qi Zongyu quelled the catastrophe and earned his merits, the Emperor Xiliang still detested him; he wished to install another prince as Crown Prince, but was opposed unanimously by the ministers. In the end, he had no choice but to confer the title of Crown Prince to Qi Zongyu and authorize him to oversee the state affairs, all the while secretly instigating and supporting other princes to confront Qi Zongyu.
When hope turned to despair, and all that was left was helplessness, Qi Zongyu felt neither sadness nor resentment. His first official decree as regent was to apologize to Dongchu Country, expressing willingness to sign a hundred-year non-aggression pact with Dong Chu.
Throughout the years, the Emperor Xiliang had favored the queen mother and her children, as well as her family, while they were cruel and inhumane, committing unspeakable atrocities and inciting widespread resentment among the people. Now, for their own selfish desires, they had caused the deaths of so many soldiers and innocent civilians, leading to a severe weakening of Xiliang’s vitality. The people were filled with rage toward the incompetence of the Emperor Xiliang and the brutality of the queen mother, her children, and her family.
Now that Crown Prince Qi Zongyu was intelligent and virtuous, truly considering the wellbeing of the citizens, the people naturally respected and supported him.
The Emperor gladly signed the treaty with Qi Zongyu, dispatching envoys to safely escort the three generals and soldiers back to their country.
Tingfeng Courtyard of Crown Prince Mansion.
Lin Zheqi knelt before Grand Prince, sobbing, "Father, I, Yilin, have failed you as a son, please accept my deepest bow!" He kowtowed three times with great force.
Duan Muyao and her two children knelt behind him, following his lead in kowtowing.
Grand Prince froze, his eyes instinctively turning to Yang Mengchen. Seeing her smile and nod, he suddenly stood up, strode behind Lin Zheqi, and without much effort, tugged at his collar to reveal a birthmark the size of a soybean on his right shoulder. Tears uncontrollably streamed down his face.
"Yilin, you really are my Yilin! No wonder I always felt so close to you when I saw you—you are my son; of course, we’re close! Haha!"
Turning to face Grand Prince, Lin Zheqi, who was indeed Long Yilin, nodded excitedly, "I am indeed your son, but Father, what mark do I bear on my body? Why do I not know of it?"
"When you were born, there was a cinnabar mole on your right shoulder. Your mother consort said it was an auspicious mole and also said that my son is a blessed person." Grand Prince readjusted Long Yilin’s clothes and helped him to his feet, "Stand up. All the fault lies with me for not protecting you properly, for making you suffer so much. Good child, if your mother consort knows from heaven that you are alive and have a wife and children, she will be very happy."
Hai Tang and others helped Duan Muyao and her children to their feet.
"The villain’s treachery is endless and impossible to guard against, Father should not blame himself. Now that our family is reunited, we should be happy," said Long Yilin as he supported his father to take a seat.
"Yes, yes, yes, our family reunion should indeed be a joyful occasion," Grand Prince said, pulling his son to sit beside him and then opening his arms toward Qing Yang and Qing Yun with a loving expression, "My dear grandsons, come to your Imperial Grandfather."
Qing Yang and Qing Yun already liked this grandfather, but now knowing he was their biological Imperial Grandfather, they were overjoyed. They came forward and bowed respectfully, "Your grandsons greet Imperial Grandfather." Seeing Imperial Grandfather nodding with a smile, they then rushed into his arms, excitedly calling him Imperial Grandfather.
Grand Prince was ecstatic, hugging and kissing his grandsons again and again, then turned to look at Duan Muyao sitting beside him, and the more he looked, the more satisfied he became, "These years have been hard on Muyao; she has taken good care of Yilin, and raised the children well."
"Father, you are too kind. It is my duty as your daughter-in-law; I dare not speak of hardship," Duan Muyao stood up and saluted.
"Good child," Grand Prince said with a smile, nodding in approval, "We are a family, Muyao, no need for such formalities."
Duan Muyao took her seat as she was told. ƒreeωebnovel.ƈom
Long Yilin stood up and approached Yang Mengchen, cupping his hands in a deep bow, his voice sincere and grateful, "Thank you, ninth sister! Without you, I could never have recognized my father, and I might even... If not for you, Muyao and her children would have become nothing but bones by now. Without you, our family could not be reunited, and I have always owed you a thank you."
Duan Muyao followed with a bow.
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