Can't a princess ascend the throne?

Chapter 182 Sending him on his way

"It's a pity that I was too old then, and Chaosheng was a bit too young. General Ying didn't think much of him and ended up choosing a scholar. I really don't know why General Ying would take a liking to that spineless Lin Wei. He's all looks and has a lot of tricks up his sleeve. General Ying only has one child, Jiuque, and Lin Wei treated him so badly. It's really despicable."

"..."

Consort De didn't know whether to praise His Majesty's magnanimity or call him shameless. How could he so openly say such a thing? Was it something to be proud of that General Ying didn't fancy you and your son? And his attitude was so frank, it was truly speechless.

It's true, proposing marriage to General Ying was quite common among their rebel army back then. Even if they weren't chosen, it indirectly proved their status and position; otherwise, how could they have the right to personally propose marriage?

After a brief recollection of the turbulent years of the past, Emperor Jingtai came to his senses and saw the mother and son who had caused him so much frustration.

"Nine Blessings, draft the decree."

"Yes."

"Consort De was restless at home and instigated the princes. She was ordered to enter Huangjue Temple to practice Buddhism, and was not allowed to leave except by death."

"Your Majesty! I'm innocent! Your Majesty..."

"The Crown Prince has colluded with the Northern Barbarians, peddling salt and iron, and harming the people, plotting a rebellion! His princely status is hereby revoked, and he is ordered to commit suicide!"

"Father..."

If the punishment for Consort De was already surprising enough, then upon hearing about the punishment for the First Prince, not only was the First Prince himself stunned, but even Jiu Fu, who was respectfully waiting for the imperial decree to be issued, was dumbfounded and looked up at Emperor Jingtai in disbelief.

His Majesty loves his child most, a fact known throughout the court and the country. How could he possibly be so heartless as to personally order the death of his own child? Could they have misheard?
The eldest prince even crawled over, trying to grab Emperor Jingtai's leg. He couldn't believe his father, who had always doted on him, would kill him. Besides, he had only accepted some money and given those people some favors. What was wrong with that? His other brothers had done the same thing, so why was it different for him?
"Your Majesty, I know I was wrong! I am willing to be imprisoned, I am willing to be punished, but I do not want to die! I beg you, Father, spare my life! Aren't I your son? Who in this world doesn't make mistakes? I only made a very ordinary mistake, why must you kill me? Please, spare my life..."

The eldest prince's pleas for mercy didn't last long before Emperor Jingtai kicked him down the steps.

Emperor Jingtai was filled with disappointment. Even now, he still believed that he had only done the most ordinary little thing. The world, the country, and the people were just the smallest things in his heart. But it was these ordinary people who made up the country. As long as he lived, he would not allow anyone to mistreat the people of the Great Jingtai.

Even his own son!
"I have already shown you immense kindness by leaving you a whole corpse. If you feel you have suffered a loss, you should think of the women and children whose remains you so cruelly insulted and who were never found! And the soldiers who braved the wind and snow to defend the frontier! While you were enjoying your luxurious life, they struggled to even have enough to eat and wear. Of course, this is not only your fault, but also mine. As the Emperor of the Great Jing Dynasty, I failed to protect them, and I even have a rebellious son like you!"

"I am truly speechless."

Emperor Jingtai looked at his eldest son, who was lying on the ground with a blank look in his eyes and tears streaming down his face. His eyes softened for a moment, but then hardened again.

As a father, he naturally loves his son, but he is also the father of all people!

"Go."

"Father!" "Your Majesty! Your Majesty—"

"Mother! Mother! Your son is scared! I'm terrified—"

Hearing her son's cries and pleas, Consort De felt as if her heart was being torn apart. She suddenly knelt down and slammed her head hard against the ground.

"Your Majesty, I know that it's all in vain for my son and me to say anything now that things have come to this. But please, for the sake of our many years of companionship, let me say a few words to our son. Please understand the feelings of a mother."

Emperor Jingtai stared at her for a while, then nodded.

The guards who were pulling them away immediately let go, and Consort De scrambled over and hugged the eldest prince tightly. In fact, the eldest prince had already grown up and was much taller than Consort De, but Consort De still held the upper body of the eldest prince with her not-so-broad chest and gently comforted him.

"Shh, Decheng, don't be afraid, your mother is here."

"Mother, I'm so scared! I don't want to die, please, Father, I really don't want to die. I know I was wrong, I won't do it again. I promise I'll be obedient from now on, okay? I'll never fight for that position again..."

"Don't be afraid, Mommy's here."

Consort De gently patted the eldest prince's back. Perhaps because his mother was by his side, the eldest prince was not so agitated at this moment, but he still couldn't help sobbing.

Sure enough, no matter how calm people may seem in ordinary times, they will still feel fear when faced with real life and death; this is only human nature. Even though Jiu Fu and the others knew what the mother and son had done and were filled with resentment, they still couldn't help but feel compassion when they saw Consort De protecting the eldest prince in her arms at all costs.

Indeed, no matter how high a person's position, the first person they think of when danger strikes is their mother, and a mother will always protect her child. However, this mother and child are now huddled together, and it seems unlikely they will be torn apart again.

Just then, Jiufu suddenly heard a hoarse gurgling sound coming from the eldest prince's throat, as if something was blocking it. He looked up abruptly and was horrified to see that the hairpin in Consort De's hand had pierced the eldest prince's temple with perfect accuracy! And Consort De was still gently patting his back, her eyes tenderly fixed on her son.

"Shh, shh, don't be afraid, it will be over soon."

The head is of utmost importance to a person! The eldest prince was stabbed in such a dangerous spot, and the gold hairpin was almost completely embedded in his head. The eldest prince only had time to look up at his mother and move his mouth, but he couldn't even utter a single word before his hand, which was gripping Consort De's clothes, suddenly dropped!
Everyone was stunned by what they saw. Even Emperor Jingtai couldn't help but take a half step forward, but he withdrew his foot and stared at the scene with a blank expression.

Consort De held her child tightly. She had few children in her life, only this one. From a young age, she cherished him dearly, treating him like a precious gem. Because she loved her child so much, she wanted him to have the best of everything in the world, including the supreme position he held.

Unexpectedly, after decades of planning, it all fell through at the last minute.

This child is most afraid of pain, yet he is also proud. Rather than let him leave in pain, it's better for me, his mother, to see him off.

(End of this chapter)