Can't a princess ascend the throne?

Chapter 428 Just Arrived
"You, you..."

"What am I? An unfilial son? A wicked child? A beast? I'm tired of hearing these words. I wonder if Patriarch Xie is tired of saying them too?"

Xie Mingchen had really gone all out. At least Jiu Que had never heard him talk so much before, and with such intense and passionate emotions—it was unlike him at all. Perhaps these words had been bottled up inside him for many years, and he had finally waited for this day to explode.

The two women hiding under the window exchanged a glance and then carefully concealed themselves. They had meant well, but they had not only been present when their friend had a falling out with her family, but had also overheard the entire incident. They feared their friend would be unhappy if she found out.

Although Xie Mingchen wasn't that kind of person, they still had to pretend to be friendly, right? Besides, they really wanted to know why Xie Mingchen hated the Xie family so much, and this dislike seemed to have a long history...

"Xie Mingli, you did take me out to fly kites, ride horses, and play football, but those are not things I like! These activities are just opportunities for you to stand out in front of others. I am just a bargaining chip for you to gain fame and fortune. And because I am a bargaining chip, I am young and cannot speak properly, so you feel more comfortable using me."

“‘This little brat hasn’t uttered a single word all day. Could he be an idiot? If he is, all the better; he won’t get in my way later. How can the Prince of Wang be so stupid? Does he really think I’m on good terms with him? It’s just because he has a reputation for integrity; I just want to cultivate a good reputation myself. Why is this little idiot so lucky? To be born into the womb of a Wang woman, and the legitimate son of a noble family born to the principal wife?’”

"Fortunately, my father will never understand my own heart, and fortunately, my mother is currently favored and can plan more resources for me."

“‘This little bastard’s eyes don’t look like those of a three-year-old at all. Could it be that the Wang family’s daughter took abortion pills and made him sick? He’s three years old and still can’t talk. It would be better if he were really stupid. Minhe, why don’t you just go to any pharmacy and ask if they have any medicine that can make someone stupid? Forget it, that’s not safe. Judging from his dull-witted appearance, he doesn’t seem like a smart kid. It’s better to let him grow up properly so he can be my pillar of support…’”

As Xie Mingchen spoke, Xie Mingli's face paled little by little. His expression grew increasingly terrified. These words sounded so familiar. He finally remembered when he had uttered these undisguised words. It was before Xie Mingchen was three years old; he had been muttering them to himself then. At that time, he was still young, only a few years older than Xie Mingchen. He wasn't as cunning or calculating, and there were times when he couldn't keep his plans to himself. Whenever this happened, he would whisper in Xie Mingchen's ear. After all, his third brother was not yet three years old and couldn't speak coherently. Besides, who would believe the words of a three-year-old?
Later, as his third brother grew older, he stopped casually revealing his little schemes to others. He thought these things were insignificant and would eventually be forgotten with time. But he never expected that the child, who was not even three years old at the time, could remember his words so clearly! He can even repeat them word for word now. Didn't he seem like a fool back then?
My God, why are there such terrifying people in this world?
The Xie family head stared in disbelief at his eldest son, whom he was most proud of, his voice filled with incredulity. He had initially wanted to deny it was true, but seeing his son's panicked expression, what else could he not know? His eldest son was actually this kind of person, capable of such a thing to his own brother…

"You, you actually..."

Before the Xie family head could express any opinion on Xie Mingli, Xie Mingchen pointed his gun at him.

“You have no right to say such things! Do you think you’re any better than him?! You’re clearly a despicable person, but you insist on pretending to be a gentleman. I feel disgusted every time I see your pretentious face, and yet you’re my biological father. Do you think I wanted to be your son? My birth was a disgrace to my mother.”

"Do you think I didn't continue taking the imperial examinations after passing the first level? It was because your concubines and children conspired to ruin my reputation before the exams even started. The most direct way they could think of was to kill my mother and force me into mourning. They even prepared a series of charges and had people ready to make me commit adultery during my mourning period, ruining my life forever." "I utterly despise this life of deceit and intrigue, and just want to live a peaceful life. I've already left the Xie family, but you still won't let me go, insisting on using me to improve the reputations of my father and brothers. Disgusting, utterly disgusting. Even if you knelt before me three times and kowtowed nine times right now, I would never help you with a single hair."

"Furthermore, Princess Chen is His Majesty's beloved daughter. What kind of man wouldn't she want in the future? Why do you all have to interfere? Since you want to become a noble family, and after gaining the reputation of a noble family, you still want the profits? Does that mean all the good things in this world should be yours to have?"

"If you understand, then leave quickly. My place is too small to accommodate two such important figures as you. There's no need for you to have any dealings with me again. Also, if you want to sever ties, then sever ties; if you want to expel me from the sect, then expel me! You don't need to inform me. Do whatever you want, just make sure you never set foot in my house again and defile my ground!"

The father and son practically tumbled and crawled away, still in shock. Xie Mingli tried to help the Xie family head up, but the head instinctively slapped his hand away and walked off in a daze.

Xie Mingli's gentle face twisted for a moment, but he quickly recovered and returned to his elegant demeanor, leaving with a refined air, putting on a show of being a respectable gentleman.

Watching the father and son leave in a disheveled state, Jiu Que shifted her feet; they were numb from eavesdropping for so long. The problem now was when should the two of them appear without seeming abrupt? Perhaps they should wait a little longer, until Xie Mingchen had recovered…

Aren't you coming out?

Jiu Que and Chunyu Shuang looked up in alarm and saw a peerless face peering out from above the window, its quiet eyes silently watching them.

"..."

Suddenly, Jiu Que Chunyu Shuang felt a chill on the back of her neck. How come she had never noticed Xie Mingchen's ghostly aura before?
The two stood up somewhat awkwardly from the corner, subtly moving their hands and feet in an attempt to ease the embarrassment.

"Well, actually we just arrived too, we just arrived."

Xie Mingchen paid close attention to the ankles of the two men who were secretly moving around. He remained noncommittal, but the two men sensed a lot of it, so they could only slink back into the house.