Chapter 470 Heavenly Prison
His swiftly passing figure was reflected in his moist, peach-blossom eyes.
Their eyes met, and the first echo resounded.
It's only natural to fall in love.
He went out of the city to inspect enemy positions and patrolled at night. In his busy schedule, he would take a little time to cook with her, repair the courtyard, and plant vegetables one by one.
On the Qixi Festival, they sealed their love with a kiss.
That same day, he learned that she wasn't an orphan; she had simply come out to play without her family's knowledge.
She wanted to go home and tell her parents that he shouldn't come with her.
Just then, the bugle sounded, and he hurried to the city gate.
If he had known that it would be their final farewell, he would never have agreed to let her leave alone.
The war between Da Gan and Xi Liao began.
Upon ascending the throne, the emperor personally led an expedition to demonstrate the power of the nation.
The king could not take risks. The Western Liao army was strong and well-equipped. He tried every means to reduce the number of troops, made poison, and dug traps. Later, he thought of the Feathered Beast Spirit Clan who could control beasts.
"It was I who suggested going to find the Feathered Beast Spirit Clan... It was me, it was me!"
Prince Qing'an clenched his fists and pounded them on the jade table, tears of regret welling up in his eyes.
In an instant, he seemed to have aged several years.
In fact, he was only fifty years old, and being a military officer, he was physically strong and shouldn't have developed gray hair so early.
In Ji Ruyan's memory, however, he seemed to have already entered his twilight years, living a simple life, burning incense and worshipping Buddha, and not caring about worldly affairs.
"The Feathered Beast Spirit Clan hates the royal family and refuses to help them. They killed a deputy general who knew their whereabouts."
Shangguan Yu personally led a group to search for them, saying that they were trying to escape westward because they had a grand plan to join the Western Liao.
So he killed everyone and burned everything to the ground.
The old prince lowered his head and returned to calm.
It is the kind of tranquility that comes after the fire has burned out, leaving only ashes.
"Later, the Western Liao were defeated. The great battle cost 100,000 lives."
People's livelihoods were devastated, and cities were rebuilt.
I was keeping an eye on border defense while also searching for people.
"It can never be found again."
"It's as if she never existed; there's no trace of her anymore."
"later……"
“When I returned to the capital, I saw you at a banquet when you were three years old.”
I finally saw the shadow of an old friend again.
But the child's mother was the empress.
It couldn't be the Empress; those eyes were exactly the same. He would never mistake her, even if it meant his death.
"I got back too late."
“There is no trace of your mother living in the palace.”
“I asked your father, the Emperor, and he looked at me for a long time before saying that you were the Empress’s son and sent me back to Suzhou.”
"..."
"Yanzhi... For so many years, I have wanted to prove that it was your father who forcibly took your mother into the palace."
Your father reprimanded me and stripped me of my military power, so I might as well just give up my responsibilities and defend my own empire myself.
My estrangement from your father and brothers has led to the Shangguan clan becoming increasingly arrogant.
It wasn't until you got into trouble... that I finally realized what was going on.
I thought it was all too late, but thankfully you came back.
I only just learned that you are a descendant of the Feathered Beast Spirit Clan.
"So, I was the one who caused the tragedy back then."
"I am the culprit who killed your mother."
"If you hate Uncle Wang, once the capital is secure, let me guard Suzhou again and never return to the capital."
Ji Ruyan sat sideways, her expression unreadable, and remained silent for a long time.
The old prince, however, looked at him with a mixture of greed and malice, his eyes filled with paternal affection.
He didn't mention that on the Qixi Festival, he and Sili had already performed the traditional wedding ceremony in Suzhou and become husband and wife.
Ji Ruyan was born in April.
According to the dates, he should be...
I can't say it, it will only make Yanzhi dislike him even more...
His hand slowly approached the scroll, and with a flick, the scroll rolled up.
Ji Ruyan turned her head, and the old prince hurriedly withdrew his gaze, his fingers nervously tucking into his sleeves.
"Uncle, now that you know you were wrong before, causing the Great Gan to be controlled by outsiders and making it difficult for Father Emperor to move forward, are you going to avoid responsibility again?"
"No, Your Highness, if needed, I will personally lead the charge, dedicate myself to the cause, and safeguard the capital."
The old prince straightened his back, his gaze regaining its sharpness, piercing through all illusions.
It is a remedy for past mistakes.
Yes, it's about self-redemption.
For the rest of his life, he devoted himself solely to safeguarding the stability of the imperial throne and pacifying the world.
"Then, Uncle Wang, will you never stop me from making any decisions in the future, and will you fully support me?"
"yes!"
The old prince did not hesitate, because he knew that even though Ji Ruyan was no longer stoic and was very different from before, her heart was still with the people and the country.
The scroll was flicked again and disappeared.
It rolled silently into the old prince's sleeve.
Ji Ruyan seemed not to have seen it.
“Alright, Uncle Wang, bring Guichen into the palace tomorrow. I feel rather lonely all by myself in this vast palace.”
Returning to dust?
Who is returning to the dust?
A moment of confusion flashed across the old prince's eyes, before his gaze suddenly cleared.
His expression darkened.
"If Your Highness is lonely, select a few young men from the clan to accompany you in the palace. If that's not possible, there are court officials... Oh, right, Your Highness has just ascended the throne, and the position of Empress has not yet been decided. We must immediately hold a selection of consorts..."
As they spoke, a chill crept up around them. Looking at Ji Ruyan, their eyes were cold and sharp, clearly showing their anger.
The old prince felt uneasy about going against his promise to give his full support.
but……
“Your Highness, that child’s birth mother is wicked, and his bloodline is corrupt. I fear he may also carry this evil nature within him…”
"Uncle Wang, to give birth without teaching is the root of all trouble."
And have you ever wondered why his mother waited three years in the mansion before finally getting into your bed?
You don't know, and you don't care to know.
Then let me tell you, it's because the nanny in your household wants to force someone to become her foolish son's wife!
In truth, it was your ignorance of worldly affairs that allowed the wicked servant to harm others; it was your fault.
Do you think a young girl, given a choice, would want a middle-aged man like you who could be her father?
Also, it's impossible to get anything done if you're truly drunk and unconscious. Were you really unable to push him away?
The old prince practically covered his face as he fled.
In my old age, I've been stripped of all my dignity.
This kid has suffered hardships; not only has his personality changed, but his tongue has also become sharp.
When the old prince returned, he thoroughly cleaned up the entire mansion.
Then Gui Chen was sent to the palace.
He didn't even glance at the child who hadn't been expected to arrive.
On the eve of his ascension to the throne, he killed several more officials, and the court was temporarily as quiet as a chicken.
Finally, Ji Ruyan was imprisoned.
Here, the Grand Tutor he once respected is imprisoned.
The Grand Tutor was as calm and refined as ever, dignified and orderly, like a tranquil and undisturbed landscape.
Despite being imprisoned, covered in filth, and with a face as thin as a skeleton.
Those eyes still held a sense of affirmation and satisfaction, as if they were about to praise:
"Your Highness has done well."
----------------------------------------
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com