"You want me to seduce the Crown Prince? Why are you crying now that I've entered the pala

Chapter 54 The Chosen Crown Prince

Looking at the handsome, refined, and dignified young man before the imperial desk, Emperor Wen's gaze was exceptionally deep and complex.

Since its founding, the Great Qi Kingdom has produced a monarch with exceptional talent every two generations, who leads the country to glory, only to go completely mad at its peak.

Throughout history, the more exceptionally talented our ancestors were in their youth, the more violent and cruel they became when they went mad.

There were some outrageous incidents that nearly brought down the entire Qi Dynasty.

He was the least willing to believe that the young man before him would become a tyrant of the modern era. He was so gentle and benevolent, deeply trusted, and possessed all the qualities one would expect of a crown prince.

He was also his most beloved child, born to him and Empress Yuan.

He was the one he personally chose as the next heir to the throne, but unfortunately...

It can be said that the more outstanding the crown prince was, the more distressed Emperor Wen became when he saw him "ill."

He wasn't even this upset when the crown prince led a rebellion.

"You must be tired. Go and see your mother."

Finally, Emperor Wen waved his hand and sent the man away.

I'm afraid if he stays any longer, he'll be unable to help but sigh at this face that resembles the founding ancestor of the nation.

"My son, please retire."

His Highness the Crown Prince bowed, his movements graceful and swift.

The young man's departing figure was tall and elegant, his posture graceful and refined. The moment he stepped out of the main hall, even the sunlight seemed to pale in comparison.

A sigh seemed to come from behind him, but Chu Junyan's expression remained unchanged as he walked outside.

On the way to Fengyi Palace, palace servants stopped to pay their respects as they passed by.

His Highness the Crown Prince is also very popular in the harem; everyone loves this kind and gentle heir.

Of course, there are exceptions, like now—

"It's been so long since I've seen Your Highness. I thought you weren't coming back."

The Fifth Prince's way of speaking was not much different from that of the Seventh Prince, Chu Jiang. Therefore, when they first met, he was indeed severely beaten by the irritable and gloomy Seventh Prince.

From then on, the Fifth Prince felt disgusted every time he saw that face, which was almost identical to that of the mad seventh prince.

I hate him so much that every time we meet, I can't help but come up and provoke him.

The Seventh Prince's beatings hurt, but the Crown Prince's don't.

"Your Highness's return is perfectly timed. My concubine has just given birth to our fifth child, and we are holding a banquet to celebrate. We would be honored if Your Highness would grace us with your presence."

Even though Chu Junyan was the Crown Prince whom everyone hoped for, his mother, Empress Xiao, almost got deposed.

For a long time, there were rumors that after Empress Xiao was deposed, Consort Chen, the mother of the Fifth Prince, would take her place.

If that's the case, then the Fifth Prince isn't without a chance to compete with Chu Junyan.

However, this excellent opportunity was lost because Chu Junyan, who was only thirteen years old, said something to his father, the emperor, and Empress Xiao was saved.

Even though she was confined to Fengyi Palace for the next eight years and could not step out, as long as she was alive, she would always be the Empress of Daqi.

How could the Fifth Prince not hate Chu Junyan?

This immense wealth was almost his.

This person was extremely hypocritical, almost perfect inside and out. From his status and abilities to his reputation, he completely overshadowed the princes, making them afraid to even utter a word of anger.

The only thing people can talk about is that Chu Junyan is indifferent to women! He's over twenty years old and doesn't even have a concubine!
Hahaha, having no concubines means having no imperial heirs, which is his biggest weakness!

This was also the source of the fifth prince's greatest pride, as he had already fathered several sons.

"Your Highness, your little nephew hasn't met you yet. You wouldn't refuse to give him the honor, would you?"

Chu Junyan didn't have much patience to appreciate the Fifth Prince's foolishness, so he stayed to talk to him, only to be blocked.

Would someone deliberately block your way just to show off that they've had another baby?

Yes, the Fifth Prince is one.

Chu Junyan's plan was that after he ascended the throne, his first decree would be to reduce the expenses of the imperial clan.

At that time, I wonder if this good younger brother will kneel down and hug his leg and cry, or cry, or cry?

But that's all for later. Right now, he'd waited for ages and this idiot hadn't said anything meaningful, so he completely lost patience.

"Since my fifth brother has invited me, I will naturally go. I have heard that General Weiyuan is seriously ill, which has also worried me greatly. I can go and see him when the time comes."

When the Fifth Prince heard the name "General Weiyuan" spoken by Chu Junyan, he suddenly stopped laughing, which had been so arrogant just moments before.

He looked warily at the gentle and noble Crown Prince before him, but his heart was already churning with turmoil:

Why mention General Weiyuan?

Did this hypocrite find out something?
"Really? I didn't know either. Your Majesty is certainly very busy. I won't bother you any longer."

No matter how hard a guilty person tries to hide it, they will still feel guilty. The Fifth Prince dared not be arrogant anymore and just wanted to return to his residence as soon as possible so that those fools could conduct a thorough self-examination to see if there had been any oversight.

The Fifth Prince's first reaction was to get away from Chu Junyan, but when he straightened up and saw the young man standing still, his mind went blank and he finally came to his senses.

They knelt down and bowed like the palace servants beside them, saying, "Respectfully seeing off His Highness the Crown Prince."

The arrogant Fifth Prince, who had just been so arrogant, could only submit to the Crown Prince when the latter put on airs.

This is imperial power, which cannot be violated.

As the bright yellow robe with dragon patterns at the four corners swept past him, the Fifth Prince clenched his fist tightly on the ground:
Chu Junyan, one day I will make you kneel before me!
"There's no need to keep him here. Tomorrow morning at court, spread the news that General Weiyuan is embezzling military pay, buying and selling military farmland, and smuggling weapons."

The moment the young man turned the corner of the corridor, the fate of the Fifth Prince was sealed with a single word from his lips.

The full moon celebration for the youngest son?
He probably won't have the good fortune to do it.

"Yes."

The young eunuch beside him bowed slightly and stopped to watch the Crown Prince's figure depart.

Then he turned around and went to relay the order.
-
"Brother! Ling'er greets Crown Prince!"

A clear, smiling female voice rang out from the garden, and Chu Junyan paused, stopping in his tracks.

"Brother, you're finally back! You have no idea how much Father missed you while you were gone..."

If Qin Su were here, she would find that the person blocking the Crown Prince's way is none other than "her" future rival in love: Ninth Princess Chu Ling'er.

"Oh right, this is my study companion, Sister Liu."

The Ninth Princess did not come alone, but brought her best friend, Liu Bingyan, the daughter of the Minister of Revenue.

The girl was enthusiastic and cheerful, and even though she thought she had hidden it well, Chu Junyan could still see through her intentions at a glance.

He wasn't exactly angry, just a little amused.

When did his little sister, who hadn't even grown up yet, learn to test him?

His phoenix eyes swept over the gentle and beautiful woman beside him, and he recalled the girl he had glimpsed in a fleeting moment yesterday.

I didn't see their faces clearly at the time, so I can't say who looks better, but judging from their overall demeanor...

The one who's more delicate and pitiful, like a little white flower swaying in the wind, the kind that's easy to bully. So, is that the type that idiot likes?
After giving his enthusiastic younger sister a few perfunctory words, leaving the impression that "the Crown Prince is easy to talk to," His Highness the Crown Prince turned and left without looking back.

Even from a distance, you could still hear the Ninth Princess chattering away with her best friend behind you:

"See? I didn't lie to you. The Crown Prince is very easy to talk to, unlike others..."

Under the Ninth Princess's tireless praise, the already thoughtful Miss Liu became even more determined in her heart.

Even if the palace is a den of dragons and tigers, what is there to fear if one can be with that god-like Crown Prince?
Thus, the Crown Prince won another heart with just a casual appearance.
-
When Chu Junyan returned to the Eastern Palace, he learned that the Duke of Wei had been waiting for him for a long time.

As the emperor's childhood companion and the crown prince's maternal uncle, Duke Xiao Yuan of Wei had the right to freely enter and leave the palace.

As soon as Chu Junyan stepped into the East Palace Hall, he saw a tall and imposing middle-aged man standing in the center of the hall.

He turned around upon hearing the voice, revealing a handsome and dignified face that remained strikingly similar to that of the Crown Prince, despite being middle-aged.

"Wei minister pays homage to His Highness the Crown Prince."

Duke Wei glanced at the unharmed Crown Prince, then bowed in greeting.

With a gentle smile, Chu Junyan stepped forward and took his hand, saying, "Uncle, please don't stand on ceremony."

As they were talking, well-trained palace servants came forward to serve tea.

"Uncle, is there something you need to do at the palace?"

Because of Empress Xiao's affair, the Chu family has always been cautious and timid, fearing that Emperor Wen would suspect them. Unless it is an urgent matter, they rarely contact the Crown Prince in person.

"Your Highness has been providing disaster relief for many days, and your family is very worried. They specifically asked me to come to the palace to see you."

The Crown Prince lived in the Eastern Palace and had a grand procession when he went out, so Chu Junyan hadn't visited the Duke of Wei's residence for a long time.

Upon hearing this, he showed a remorseful expression: "It was my oversight; I should have gone to visit my maternal grandparents."

The two were not only uncle and nephew but also ruler and subject. After chatting about their family's recent situation, Xiao Yuan inquired about Chu Junyan's disaster relief efforts.

"Speaking of disaster relief, there are indeed some problems..."

The young man smiled, his face was stunningly beautiful. If it weren't for the noble and dignified royal aura that made people afraid to look directly at the Crown Prince's face, no one would fail to be amazed by his beauty.

Looking at the face that bore a striking resemblance to his sister, Xiao Yuan finally interrupted, "Your Highness, have you visited the Empress since you returned?"

Chu Junyan paused slightly, his long eyelashes drooping, and his stunningly beautiful, jade-white face seemed to be tinged with melancholy as he spoke these words:
"I went, but the Empress Dowager still refused to see anyone."

Outsiders only know that the Empress was confined to Fengyi Palace, but they don't know that the confinement was lifted three years ago when the Seventh Prince returned victorious.

It's just that the proud Empress herself refuses to come out.

Not only that, but she also refused to see the crown prince, whom she had once doted on.

The Chu family couldn't bear to see him either.

"Her Majesty is still too stubborn."

Duke Wei knew that his words were inappropriate, but thinking of his elder sister with whom he had a very close relationship, he couldn't help but sigh.

The Crown Prince, standing to the side, simply lowered his eyes to look at the steaming tea-colored liquid in front of him, without saying a word.

After sighing, the Duke of Wei composed himself and said, "I know that Your Highness and the Empress have a good relationship. Her stubbornness makes you the one who suffers the most. But Your Highness bears heavy responsibilities for the country and cannot indulge in this and harm your health. You should know that as long as you are well, the Empress will be at ease even if she does not come out."

It can be said that a large part of the reason why the Empress stayed at home was for the sake of the Crown Prince.

Because she would not allow herself to become a stain on the Crown Prince's reputation.

Chu Junyan nodded: "I know, Uncle, you don't need to worry."

This is where His Highness the Crown Prince's social skills lie. No matter how respectful the Duke of Wei is, in private he only calls him "Uncle" and never puts on airs as the heir apparent.

Therefore, the Duke of Wei's mansion has always been the strongest supporter behind the Crown Prince.

After discussing family and state affairs, as they were about to leave, Xiao Yuan, as the uncle, couldn't resist the common practice of urging them to get married:

"When I entered the palace, I heard that the Fifth Prince's residence was going to hold another full moon celebration. Your Highness is not young anymore, and it is time to consider settling down and starting a family."

He paused, his brow furrowing: "Even if I don't marry a principal wife, I should still have several concubines."

It's the fifth prince again, but the impeachment was indeed too lenient.

Chu Junyan's smile remained unchanged: "Father has his own arrangements for the Crown Princess."

Xiao Yuan: "I didn't mention the Crown Princess, I meant concubines. Any woman will do, you..."

His expression became somewhat complicated. He looked around to make sure no one was watching before lowering his voice: "If you have something you're having trouble telling me, you can tell your uncle quietly. Don't hide your illness from the world."

"Uncle is overthinking it."

His Highness the Crown Prince twitched his fingers on the armrest of the chair, but his expression remained calm and composed.

Xiao Yuan carefully examined his nephew's expression, but couldn't discern anything from it, so he had no choice but to give up.

"Alright, the draft is coming up soon, just don't make excuses like before."

Xiao Yuan stood up, his gaze serious: "The succession of the crown prince is a matter of national importance; Your Highness should consider this carefully."

He stopped there, saying he'd discuss everything after the draft.

If no one is chosen by then, he is prepared to disregard the rules and simply push someone in.

His Highness the Crown Prince is always calm and composed. After politely seeing the person off, he did not lose his temper.

Instead, a message suddenly appeared from the secret guards:

"Tell me, what's going on between him and that woman?"

Suddenly summoned, Liu Ying stared at the gleaming floor tiles beneath his knees, listening to his master's question, and inexplicably broke out in a cold sweat despite the sweltering heat.

Even he himself couldn't explain why he was so nervous, as he hadn't been like this when he was monitoring the Seventh Prince in the past.

"Your Majesty, the reason why the Seventh Prince and Miss Qin know each other is because..."

Liu Ying then recounted in detail how Chu Jiang and Qin Su met.

No one knew more about Qin Su's situation than the secret guards who were on guard at all times, and no one even knew more about Qin Su's situation in the Prime Minister's residence.

However, as he spoke, his head remained completely still, and no one knew what the crown prince was thinking.

"...Because His Highness can only eat the food made by Miss Qin, she has been delivering meals to His Highness these days."

As for why this is the case?

This is something the imperial physician should be researching; what does it have to do with a mere bodyguard like him?
What happened yesterday?

The prince, who was not expected to speak, suddenly spoke up, asking a question that the guards should not know.

But ironically, Liu Ying, that gossip, actually knew all that...

"Yesterday, Miss Qin blocked her master's carriage. She was pushed out by someone who wanted to ruin her embroidery hands. The officials were bribed and tortured those people severely. They learned that the mastermind behind it was Miss Qin's elder sister, Qin Qionghua."

Because she didn't take Qin Su seriously, Qin Qionghua never thought of hiding her evil deeds.

The result was that every investigation was successful, and everything was exposed completely.

"What a pitiful little thing," Fortunately, His Highness the Crown Prince didn't seem to be taking anyone's side. Just as Liu Ying was about to feel relieved, he slowly spoke:
What is my attitude towards her?

Liu Ying's heart suddenly skipped a beat:
(End of this chapter)