Chapter 80: The Yin Dynasty’s Crown Prince

Chapter 80: The Yan Dynasty's Crown Prince

As the day brightened, the ships of Great Yan gradually returned to the harbor. The battle had been a resounding victory, sinking almost all the enemy vessels and capturing nearly a thousand prisoners, including the highest-ranking foreign official, Porand. The losses on their side were less than two hundred, marking a complete triumph.

Zhu Yunjing accompanied Zhu Yunxuan at the dock, waiting anxiously. He Huailing stepped off the ship with a grave expression and reported to Zhu Yunxuan, "Your subject has already dispatched people to search that area of the sea for almost two hours. We haven't found General Xiao... All the corpses we could retrieve have been accounted for, but not his."

No sign of life or death, it was highly possible that Liang Zhen's body had drifted away with the waves given the strong sea currents at the time. This thought lingered on He Huailing's tongue, but he swallowed it back. He knew that Zhu Yunxuan would likely have considered this possibility already.

Zhu Yunxuan's mind went blank for a moment. His unfocused gaze stared at the still turbulent sea before him. After a long while, he calmly blinked and commanded in a hoarse voice, "Keep searching."

It was night by the time he finished dealing with the aftermath in the general's headquarters. Zhu Yunxuan went to the backyard where Rong'er was playing with Ming'er. Seeing their father they hadn't seen all day, the children rushed over, joyfully shouting, "Father, I caught a butterfly just now. Come see!"

The butterfly was trapped in a glass jar, its colors vibrant as it fluttered up and down, trying to escape. The child took the jar from a servant and held it out to Zhu Yunxuan like a precious treasure, asking, "Isn't it beautiful?"

Zhu Yunxuan crouched down, not looking at the butterfly in the jar but instead staring intently at his child's smiling, innocent face, hoping to catch a glimpse of that person's shadow in his features. The composure he had maintained throughout the day finally crumbled, and he hugged the child tightly.

Rong'er's glass jar fell to the ground. The butterfly, finally free, circled around them before quickly flying away. The child watched, dazed, and whispered, "The butterfly flew away. I'll catch another one for you, Father. Don't be sad..."

Unaware of the situation, he sensed his father's melancholy and tried to comfort him in his childish way. Zhu Yunxuan's voice trembled slightly as he said, "Good boy."

Behind them, Zhu Yunjing stood silently, finding himself unable to utter any comforting words. After a brief pause, he stepped forward and gently patted Zhu Yunxuan's shoulder, reminding him, "Go have dinner first. The children must be hungry."

At the dining table, Zhu Yunxuan remained preoccupied, holding Rong'er on his lap and feeding him spoon by spoon, while barely touching his own food. Zhu Yunjing signaled Gao An, who was standing behind Zhu Yunxuan, with a glance. Gao An stepped forward, serving dishes to Zhu Yunxuan and softly urging him, "Your Majesty, your health is of utmost importance. Please eat something."

Zhu Yunxuan slightly furrowed his brow but soon relaxed it. Without a word, he lowered his head and continued feeding Rong'er.

Rong'er held his tiny spoon, scooping up some egg custard, and offered it to his father's mouth. "Daddy, eat too."

Zhu Yunxuan was slightly taken aback, a faint smile tugging at the corners of his lips. He stroked his child's head and said, "Good boy."

After dinner, Zhu Yunxuan asked Zhu Yunjing to take Rong'er away. "I still have matters to attend to, and I'll have to rise early tomorrow. Don't let him stay with me."

Zhu Yunjing frowned in disapproval. "You didn't sleep all night yesterday. Do you plan on pushing yourself again?"

"I'm fine..."

Zhu Yunjing placed Rong'er back into his arms and patted the child's back. "Go to sleep with your daddy."

Rong'er obediently wrapped his arms around Zhu Yunxuan's neck, his bright eyes staring intently at him. Zhu Yunxuan's heart softened, and he hugged his son tightly.

Zhu Yunjing sighed softly, "I know you're upset right now, but no matter how much pain you're in, you have to take care of yourself. Think about Rong'er too."

Zhu Yunxuan didn't say anything more, instead, he carried Rong'er back to their residence.

That night, as Rong'er lay in Zhu Yunxuan's embrace, he didn't playfully bother his father as usual. Instead, he asked softly, "Papa, why aren't you happy?"

Zhu Yunxuan kissed his forehead, his eyes reddening slightly, "Papa isn't unhappy."

"Papa is lying to me," the child declared confidently, "Papa is definitely unhappy."

After some thought, he asked Zhu Yunxuan, "What about Father? Why hasn't he returned yet?"

Zhu Yunxuan was momentarily stunned before he murmured in a strained voice, "Your father will come back. He definitely will."

Three days passed, and Liang Zhen still had no news. The Javanese sent a peace proposal requesting the release of their captives, but the court of Great Yan rejected it, stating that they would only accept surrender, not negotiation. As for the pirates they had captured, all had been interrogated, but no specific location of their hiding island was revealed. However, after this battle, the pirates were almost completely wiped out. Only one ship managed to escape the chaos at the last moment. Now, their island was left with only the elderly, weak, and women. Without ships, they would likely starve on the island soon, posing no further threat to Great Yan's borders.

"According to the pirates, their ordinary soldiers indeed didn't know how to enter or leave the island. Only a few higher-ranking ones vaguely mentioned that it involved timing and wind direction. They could only enter or exit the island with the tides during specific times, which aligns with our previous assumptions. However, they couldn't provide more detailed information. Only a very few truly understood this method. Unfortunately, either they're dead or they've escaped," He Huailing reported the results of the interrogation in a solemn voice. Zhu Yunxuan listened absentmindedly. When He Huailing finished and paused for a while, seeing no reaction from Zhu Yunxuan, a cabinet official softly coughed as a reminder, "Your Majesty..."

Zhu Yunxuan regained his composure and nodded, instructing He Huailing, "Continue with the interrogation... The search at sea must also proceed without pause."

He Huailing reluctantly acquiesced, "This subject receives the imperial edict."

The cabinet minister hesitated before asking, "Your Majesty, the naval battle has concluded, and only minor wrap-up tasks remain. They can be assigned to the Fujian-Guangdong naval forces. It has almost been four months since Your Imperial Majesty left the capital. Should we begin the journey back?"

Zhu Yunxuan's gaze darkened. After a moment of silence, he issued a solemn command: " Summon all the court officials accompanying us. There is something I must discuss with you all immediately."

On this trip to the south, he was accompanied by a substantial number of cabinet members and officials from various departments. Upon the emperor's summons, they all assembled promptly. Zhu Yunxuan's gaze swept over them calmly as he said, "It has been six years since I ascended the throne. Previously, you all urged me to confer an empress, fearing that my dynasty would lack an heir. Now that I have an heir, upon our return to the capital, I will hold a ceremony to worship heaven, earth, and the Imperial Ancestral Temple, officially bestowing the title of crown prince."

As the words faded, the hall fell silent for a moment, only to erupt into a buzz of whispers as the officials exchanged glances, all wearing expressions of uncertainty and astonishment.

Someone ventured to ask Zhu Yunxuan, "May we know where the young prince is at the moment?"

Zhu Yunxuan instructed Gao An with a calm voice, "Summon the crown prince."

"Gather the crown prince!" Gao An echoed in a clear voice.

Rong'er was led by his nanny to the entrance. Under the watchful eyes of countless pairs, the little child stepped over the threshold that nearly reached his waist, tottering towards Zhu Yunxuan.

With small, deliberate steps and a slow pace, he wandered about curiously, glancing around in all directions. Meeting the gazes of the court officials, he appeared slightly timid yet obediently returned their smiles with a gentle grin of his own. Step by step, he made his way to Zhu Yunxuan and called out, "Father!"

Zhu Yunxuan scooped the child onto his lap. The youngster looked up at him and asked, "Father, why are there so many uncles here?"

Zhu Yunxuan gently caressed his face, saying, "Be good."

The assembly of courtiers gazed at the two faces, one larger and one smaller, yet strikingly similar, in astonishment and bewilderment. They were even more confused now. This child was clearly the Duke Ding's youngest son, who had been by His Majesty's side these past days. How could he suddenly be the Emperor's own son? !

While they were all startled by the child's appearance at first, it was an open secret that Duke Ding's wife had been resurrected after her previous life as the deposed crown prince. It would make sense for their son to resemble His Majesty, but...

He Huailing, anticipating unwarranted speculation, had already excused himself earlier under the pretense of attending to official duties. Now, no one could question him even if they wanted to.

Yet it was the Minister of Rites, in charge of ceremonies, who reluctantly stepped forward to inquire of Zhu Yunxuan, "Your Majesty, may I ask which noble lady is the prince's birth mother?"

Zhu Yunxuan held Rong'er's hand gently and replied in a calm voice, "He is my son, the son of Emperor Wu and General Xiao."

Ho!

Who doesn't know the renowned Xiao Commander who emerged like a shooting star? He made great achievements in the naval battle against the pirates but went missing after falling into the sea, with no news of him since. Moreover, he is the son of General Xiao Junbo, who was dispatched by the former emperor to eliminate pirates at sea. Believed to have perished long ago, this group had hidden in the South Seas for nearly three decades, bearing humiliation and carrying out their duty to secretly convey information to the imperial court. Their tale has now become a widely-celebrated legend in every corner of the land. After the naval battle, all were rewarded for their deeds, and the main force was incorporated into the Fujian-Guangdong Navy. It's just regrettable that the young commander might not have survived the ordeal.

Now the Emperor was saying that they had another layer to their relationship and even shared a four-year-old prince?

The Minister of Rites's forehead was slick with sweat. "But Young General Xiao has been in the Southern Border all these years…."

"The reason he used an alias in the capital is because of certain circumstances. He only arrived in the Southern Border three years ago. The child is indeed mine and his."

A daring court counselor dared to ask, "If so, why didn't Your Majesty mention this before? And why is the child being raised in Duke Ding's residence, even becoming the son of Duke Ding?"

Perhaps the counselor's tone was too agitated, Rong'er cuddled closer to Zhu Yunxuan, slightly frightened. He whispered to Zhu Yunxuan, "This uncle is so fierce. Rong'er doesn't like him."

The assembly of ministers: "…."

The counselor: "……"

Zhu Yunxuan gave the man a cold glance and said calmly, "The Crown Prince was premature and weak. After the month-long celebration, he was sent to the Southern Border for treatment. It was a high monk from the royal temple who predicted that he should be raised at Duke Ding's residence. Duke Ding's two children are blessed, and by becoming their foster brother, the Crown Prince can absorb some of that good fortune. In order to change the Crown Prince's destiny, I could only claim him back after he turned three and his illness was cured."

The counselor sullenly closed his mouth. With the divination and destiny-changing rhetoric brought up, what else could he say? The Emperor was determined to acknowledge his son. The more others questioned it, the more unhappy he would become.

The Minister of Rites cautiously continued asking Zhu Yunxuan, "Since General Xiao is the one who gave birth to His Highness, then this status…"

Zhu Yunxuan lowered his gaze and said in a solemn voice, "When he returns, we will hold the coronation ceremony for the Empress."

The ministers: "...."

Fine then. A posthumously appointed Empress was still an Empress, even if they dared to think this only in their hearts, not aloud in front of Zhu Yunxuan.

The stubborn Minister of Rites was about to ask more questions when Zhu Yunxuan suddenly frowned. "I am the one who gave birth to the Crown Prince."

All the officials were stunned into silence. Zhu Yunxuan's face showed no embarrassment as he spoke calmly, "The Crown Prince was born from my own body, conceived by me."

Not... When did Your Majesty become pregnant and give birth to a lively Crown Prince? Why did we not know anything about it?

This time, even the cabinet ministers started to advise him, "Your Majesty, even if the Crown Prince truly is your biological child, it would be best to announce that he was sired by General Xiao."

"Yes, Your Majesty. You are the Son of Heaven, with a body worth a thousand gold. How could you possibly become pregnant by another man? If word of this got out, wouldn't it...?"

"No need," Zhu Yunxuan interrupted them. "My mind is made up. It will be as I have said. You all know now, so withdraw."

"Your Majesty!"

Zhu Yunxuan's voice turned cold. "I've made my decision. Do not make me repeat myself a third time."

In the darkness, Liang Zhen slowly opened his eyes, the sound of a hatch creaking overhead faintly reaching his ears. He had lain among the straw at the bottom of this cabin for quite some time. The wound on his arm, soaked in seawater three days ago, still throbbed with pain. A figure descended, holding a lantern – it was not the same person who had been bringing him food previously.

Liang Zhen sat up, his eyes narrowing slightly as he regarded the other person with caution.

The approaching figure, with an emotionless face, tersely reminded him in a cold tone, "You've arrived. Let's go."