Can't a princess ascend the throne?

Chapter 229 Retreat from the Dynasty

No, no, no, something's definitely not right! Father, how could Father send me to my death? He's Father's eldest son! He's always had the highest standing in court! If Father executes him, does he want that useless fourth son to take the throne? With that weak and incompetent nature, I can even bully him a few times, what use is he?!

"Father! Father, spare me! I will never dare to do it again! I just... I misunderstood for a moment, it wasn't intentional. I never thought Wan Niang would leave so suddenly, I really didn't mean it..."

In front of numerous court officials, the second prince broke down in tears. He even tried to climb onto the high platform to grab Emperor Jingtai's leg, just as he had done when he was a child.

Looking at his son like this, Emperor Jingtai closed his eyes in resignation. He had thought he too would feel reluctant to part with him, but seeing his son's pathetic state, Emperor Jingtai felt inexplicably exhausted. This wasn't the first time he had witnessed such a scene; he hoped it would be the last.

Furthermore, such disrespectful behavior in front of everyone would likely have deterred any remaining support for the second-in-command. Sure enough, the few ministers who had quietly raised their heads frowned and silently lowered them as well. Such a master was hardly worthy of their loyalty. Besides, for people like them, victory and defeat were common occurrences in war; why make such a spectacle of themselves? It was utterly disgusting.

At this moment, perhaps only one person present was truly overjoyed: the Fourth Prince, who had always been treated as an invisible man. The Fourth Prince was a pitiful figure, a fact known to all the officials of the Great Jing Dynasty. His mother was merely an unfavored courtesan who died giving birth to him. Lacking a powerful maternal family, he was neglected from a young age. At that time, he wasn't yet a prince and could barely survive. When his father suddenly became emperor, he, as a prince, didn't seem to enjoy the wealth and glory that outsiders imagined. It was only after Emperor Jingtai accidentally discovered that his youngest son was being tormented by palace servants, killing them one after another, that he was finally allowed to establish himself.

Perhaps because of this, the Fourth Prince had always been very timid. Even with his ministers, he would remain silent if possible. However, after his only elder brother, the Second Prince, was sentenced to death by his father, the Fourth Prince's ambition quietly grew. Perhaps, or rather, he might very well become emperor? If he truly became emperor, wouldn't no one ever bully him again? Wouldn't he become the richest and most powerful person in the world?

Overwhelmed with excitement, the Fourth Prince couldn't help but secretly curl the corners of his lips into a smile. The next moment, he realized what he had done, quickly smoothed his lips, and quietly glanced around. When he found that no one seemed to be paying attention to him, he secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

Having witnessed everything, Jiu Que couldn't help but sigh for Emperor Jingtai. Even if His Majesty executed the Second Prince, it wouldn't matter. The remaining Fourth Prince wasn't one to hold back his temper. Sure enough, after such a short time, he couldn't contain himself any longer. He thought he was hiding it well, but little did he know, the court officials around him were all seasoned foxes. Seeing how easily he could be manipulated, wouldn't they want to give him a good beating?
At this point, Emperor Jingtai had already read out the punishment for Consort Mo.

"Consort Mo, who bewitched the princes, secretly wrote a book of heretical doctrines, harbored evil intentions, and instigated the Second Prince to kill his wife... She is hereby granted the privilege of committing suicide."

The Second Prince suddenly let out a scream, startling Jiu Que, who quickly glanced at him. He found that the Second Prince, who had been heartbroken but not to the extreme, was now struggling and agonizing as if pierced by a thousand arrows.

"Your Majesty! Your Majesty! I beg you! My mother did nothing wrong! She just loved reading and writing, and she only wrote one book. She doesn't deserve to die! And the Crown Princess, I killed her, it has nothing to do with my mother! Your Majesty, please send her to Huangjue Temple for a period of quiet contemplation! She can stay there for life, as long as she lives! Just for the sake of my mother serving you for so many years..."

The second prince, on the other hand, showed a deep bond with his mother.

Qin Yuanwailang watched this scene with hatred, feeling no emotion, but rather even more hatred. That Consort Mo always wore a mask of gentleness and kindness, but every time she saw Wanniang, she would use various methods to bully her. And that damned "Admonitions for Women"—was that something for girls to read? Wasn't that an evil book that wanted to kill the minds and spirits of girls?
Ha, that's hilarious!

Did he really think that writing a book would make him famous for all time? He'll be infamous for eternity! Now he understands the deep bond between mother and son? In his moment of agonizing grief, why doesn't the Second Prince think about how much pain he and his wife suffered when they learned of Wan Niang's death? His wife is still bedridden, and if he can't bring back news of the Second Prince's punishment, Qin Yuanwailang is worried that she won't be able to hold on.

Emperor Jingtai was not one to be sentimental, or perhaps he was already used to such scenes. He simply sighed silently and forcefully ordered Jiufu to take the Second Prince away. Allowing the Second Prince to see Consort Mo one last time before his death was already his greatest act of mercy. After a long while, Jiufu quietly entered the Golden Hall and bowed discreetly to His Majesty.

Seeing this, it was as if someone who had persevered for a long time had suddenly lost most of his energy and spirit after seeing the person or thing he most wanted to see in his life, and suddenly aged ten years!

He shakily got up, bowed deeply to His Majesty, then solemnly removed his official hat, bowed three times and kowtowed nine times to Emperor Jingtai, and then staggered out.

His daughter was gone, and now his enemy was dead; it seemed there was nothing left for him to worry about in his remaining years. He should hurry back and tell his wife the good news…

Oh right, and Green Shadow too. He has to take that child back; the child has suffered terribly…

Emperor Jingtai remained silent throughout. He gripped the armrest of the dragon throne tightly, his hand trembling slightly. Jiufu, who had been carefully attending to him, noticed this and his pupils contracted slightly, showing some concern. However, he still pretended to be nonchalant and lowered his head.

"As for Li Chengyuan..."

Everyone quietly raised their ears.

"The incident had its cause. Yu Huaishan, driven by greed, took a life. Li Chengyuan's revenge for his daughter is understandable. Moreover, Yu Dalang was Li Chengyuan's own son, so killing him is a lesson... Therefore, Li Chengyuan shall be given eighty strokes of the cane and exiled to the frontier, never to return to the capital!"

"Yu Chuyang, as the victim, what crime have you committed? Your courage in voluntarily exposing the true colors of Yu Huaishan and Yu Dalang is commendable, therefore you are hereby exonerated!"

"The maid Lüying is commendable for her loyalty. She is hereby granted one hundred taels of gold, freed from slavery, and bestowed the title of Lady Jingzhong!"

"Your Majesty..."

"Retreat!"

Emperor Jingtai turned and stormed off. Eunuch Jiufu immediately announced the adjournment of the court. The ministers who had intended to speak fell silent. His Majesty had just lost another son; this was not the time to concern themselves with loyalty and righteousness. What was the point of angering His Majesty now? It was best not to implicate everyone!

(End of this chapter)