Chapter 133

Chapter 133

After settling his eldest son's family, Emperor Xingwu, supported by He Yuanjing, retired to his chambers to rest.

The ministers remained in stunned silence!

A perfectly capable Crown Prince, deposed just like that? Was there truly no room for reconsideration? Moreover, that was Princess Qingyang's estate! To temporarily convert it into Prince An's residence—where would Princess Qingyang stay upon her return to the capital? The princess had just distinguished herself with great merit in the northern campaign and was returning joyfully. Instead of receiving rewards, she would first discover her mansion was gone—would she be willing to accept that?

However, at this moment, only a few officials were concerned about Princess Qingyang losing her mansion. Most still hoped the emperor would revoke the decree dismissing the Crown Prince. Given that the decree resulted from the Crown Prince’s own foolish stubbornness and the emperor’s anger at his behavior, the officials collectively knelt before Qin Hong, pleading with His Highness to apologize to the emperor and quickly persuade him to withdraw the decree.

Qin Ren also joined in the persuasion, even more earnestly than the ministers. If his eldest brother was tired and no longer wanted to be Crown Prince, who would take the role? His second brother was too impetuous and truly less suitable than the eldest. What he feared most was that their father, considering their sister’s merits, might bestow the Crown Prince position upon him—then he would be even less capable! He neither possessed the ability to govern the empire nor the endurance to bear the hardships of state affairs.

Everyone knelt before Qin Hong.

Qin Hong laughed and said to the crowd, "The position of Crown Prince is like a deep-sea prison to someone as incompetent as I am. Today, thanks to my father’s grace, I have finally escaped this suffering and now feel unconstrained and overjoyed. If you insist on forcing me back, you might as well take my life!"

In the eyes of the ministers, the Crown Prince stood with his hands behind his back, his posture upright, his head held high toward the sky, laughing freely and unrestrainedly, like a wild goose ready to take flight at any moment.

History has seen many deposed crown princes, but which one did not meet a tragic end? Only the first Crown Prince of the Qin family in Great Qi could barely contain his joy after being deposed. Recalling how the Crown Prince looked before his dismissal—haggard with dull eyes—it truly resembled imprisonment!

Qin Hong smiled as he gazed at the clear, cloudless winter sky, then at the palace walls and halls near and far. His eyes paused in the direction of Chongyuan Palace before he finally addressed the kneeling crowd: "Next time we meet, please address me as Prince An. Anyone who mistakenly calls me Crown Prince, I will personally submit a memorial accusing them of defying the imperial decree and plotting rebellion."

The empire belongs to the emperor, and who becomes Crown Prince is the emperor’s decision. If a minister dares to recognize a Crown Prince arbitrarily, isn’t that rebellion?

After delivering this stern warning and making his stance clear, Qin Hong strode away.

Qin Ren hurried after him. Setting aside the matter of the Crown Prince for now, his eldest brother was about to move out of the palace. As his younger brother, how could he stand by and do nothing?

Among the ministers, Yan Xizheng sighed deeply, hunched over, and was the first to walk away, appearing both regretful and helpless. Right Chancellor Dai Lun shook his head and followed. Nie Ao and Yang Zhimin also intended to leave but were stopped by a group of civil officials. Some argued that this matter could not be left unresolved, while others pleaded with Yang Zhimin to persuade the emperor again.

Yang Zhimin smiled bitterly and pointed to the plain cotton robe he wore. He had been dismissed for abusing power to benefit Prince An and his sister—what right did he have to offer further counsel?

The officials all turned to look at Imperial Censor-in-Chief Nie Ao.

Nie Ao said angrily, "How hard the emperor worked to establish this dynasty! He exhausted himself to achieve today’s peace and prosperity. Qin Hong not only fails to think of repaying the state but regards the emperor’s expectations and heavy responsibilities as a prison. How can someone so cowardly inherit the great undertaking? I must push him to return—I would be ashamed as a subject and unworthy of the people!"

Objectively speaking, Qin Hong’s offense this time was not severe. At the very least, the emperor could not use it as grounds to depose the Crown Prince, and Nie Ao would firmly oppose it. But Nie Ao saw clearly that Qin Hong genuinely did not want to be Crown Prince and truly lacked the talent, courage, and resolve to inherit the throne. A Crown Prince who panicked at the slightest disturbance and suffered from headaches was better off relinquishing his position early to make way for someone more capable!

Nie Ao left in anger.

The officials were stunned for a moment. Then more than half left, while the remaining minority turned to look at the former Crown Prince’s father-in-law, the Duke of Cheng.

Lv Zan: "..."

When his son-in-law read his confession of faults, Lv Zan had admired his son-in-law’s courage and frankness in admitting his mistakes. But when his son-in-law knelt in the great hall and resigned as Crown Prince, Lv Zan felt as though he had been walking peacefully on a road when suddenly a thunderbolt struck him from a clear sky. And when the emperor actually granted his son-in-law’s wish, Lv Zan’s heart felt as if it had been plunged into ice water.

As a duke who rose from common origins to wealth and status through meritorious service in supporting the emperor, Lv Zan enjoyed his current life of luxury and high position. But he remembered clearly that all this was bestowed upon them by the emperor in recognition of the Lü family’s founding contributions. Once they accepted these rewards, the relationship between the Lü family and the emperor was solely that of monarch and subject, at most with an added bond of old friendship. But if they relied on past merits and personal connections to act arrogantly, the Lü family’s good days would soon be over.

Before his father passed away, he instructed him to be loyal to the emperor—whether to Emperor Xingwu or the future new emperor, whether that new emperor was his son-in-law or another prince appointed by the emperor. Lv Zan was both shocked that his father had foreseen this day and determined to follow his father’s teachings and his own conscience in remaining loyal to the emperor.

The problem was, he was the deposed Crown Prince’s father-in-law. Emperor Xingwu probably still trusted him, but would the next Crown Prince trust him?

Lv Zan was preoccupied with his own worries, and had no desire to deal with these officials who only added to his burdens!

Absurd! His son-in-law did not want to be Crown Prince himself. Trying to persuade the emperor would be futile; persuading his son-in-law would only signal to the entire court and the next Crown Prince that Lv Zan was reluctant to give up the prestige of being the future emperor’s father-in-law.

"Whether appointing or deposing a Crown Prince, I, Lv Zan, only know to remain loyal to the emperor and obey imperial decrees. Whether you stay or leave is up to you. I must take my leave."

Having said this, Lv Zan walked away quickly.

.

At Chongyuan Palace, upon returning, Qin Hong instructed his wife to quickly arrange for the palace servants to pack their belongings—focusing on essentials for that night. Books, treasures, and other items could be moved the next day if they couldn’t be finished in one day.

Lv Wenrong had long been prepared. She smiled at Qin Ren apologetically and went to make arrangements.

Qin Ren stared blankly at his sister-in-law’s departing figure.

Qin Hong explained, "I’ve had a hard time all these years, and your sister-in-law has also been constantly anxious because of me. So when I said I wanted to resign, she understood and supported me more than anyone else."

Confirming that his elder brother and sister-in-law’s joy and relief at escaping their suffering were genuine, Qin Ren lowered his head, at a loss for words. It was inappropriate to persuade his brother to change his mind, and congratulating him on achieving his wish was even more impossible.

Qin Hong patted his third brother’s shoulder and said earnestly, "Elder brother knows that you have more courage and insight than I do. You’re just used to being idle. You’re still young—it’s not too late to change now."

Qin Ren covered his head and squatted down. "Elder brother, don’t say these things to me. I don’t want to hear them. I’m getting a headache too!"

Their father hadn’t even said anything yet; it was just a speculation. But Qin Ren already felt the shadow of Mount Tai pressing down on him and could empathize with the hardships and exhaustion his elder brother had endured!

Qin Hong laughed and changed the subject. "Alright, there’s too much to pack, and I’m short on hands. Go help me box up the books in my study."

Qin Ren went off in a daze.

Qin Hong said to his chief eunuch, De Quan, "Go watch over Chongwen Pavilion. Make sure Zheng Geer focuses on his studies. Don’t allow anyone to bring outside news to him. I’ll pick him up before we leave the palace."

De Quan left with a grave expression.

After more than an hour of busy work, four carriages were already filled with trunks and boxes from Chongyuan Palace. Qin Hong sent away his third brother, who had clearly cried several times and whose face was tear-streaked, and had Lv Wenrong take these four carriages to the mansion originally belonging to his sister to settle in. He went alone to Chongwen Pavilion to pick up his son.

Although Zheng Geer was only six years old, he lived in the palace, and the palace servants taking care of him were all sharp. Just as the young princess at six or seven could be aware of major happenings in the palace, Zheng Geer, living with his father and mother, was even more aware of his family’s affairs. So he knew that his eldest aunt had been punished for accepting bribes, that his father had been implicated and scolded by the emperor, and that he had to write a confession of faults.

Zheng Geer was very angry. His father was the most honest person in the world. It was all his eldest aunt’s fault for being greedy. His father was too easily persuaded and had helped his eldest aunt.

But he was just a child. No one would listen to him. Zheng Geer could only secretly resolve that when he grew up and became Crown Prince, he would stand in front of his father and refuse his eldest aunt’s improper requests, no longer letting her cause his father headaches and suffering.

"Father!"

Seeing his father standing outside Chongwen Pavilion in a dark blue casual robe, smiling and looking relaxed, Zheng Geer ran out joyfully. "Father, why are you here?"

Qin Hong picked up his son and explained gently, "Father asked the Emperor for permission. This afternoon, I’ll take you to your eldest aunt’s mansion to play. Would you like that, Zheng Geer?"

Zheng Geer: "..."

His father must be worried about his eldest aunt, who was under house arrest, and wanted to take him along.

Zheng Geer didn’t want to go, but he wouldn’t refuse his father. If he went, maybe he could help his father when his eldest aunt lost her temper.

And so, Qin Hong smoothly took Zheng Geer’s hand, crossed Donghua Gate, and left the palace.

At that moment, there was only one carriage outside Donghua Gate. Zheng Geer hadn’t noticed anything unusual yet.

The carriage moved steadily and soon arrived at Princess Yongkang’s mansion, guarded by a team of imperial guards. Qin Hong got out of the carriage and carried his son down. The imperial guards hadn’t received any news from the palace, but Qin Hong’s presence alone granted him unimpeded access.

Yong Kang was still upset about the 60,000 taels of silver she had handed over. Because her brother was unwilling to cooperate, Yong Kang had only helped six officials—some remained in the capital, others were assigned elsewhere. Not all six were as understanding as Fang Ji, who offered tribute every year. In fact, two officials had been demoted and dismissed for making mistakes...

In any case, Yong Kang hadn’t even earned 60,000 taels from these six people. Now she had to pay over 20,000 taels out of pocket, and her stipend as a noble was halved. How could she not feel aggrieved?

No matter how aggrieved, Yong Kang forced herself to maintain composure to receive her brother and nephew.

Qin Hong dismissed all the servants, sat down in a chair, and calmly informed his eldest sister and son that he had resigned as Crown Prince.

Qin Hong had once feared his eldest sister and found it hard to refuse her, but he had long known that was wrong. Now that the dust had settled, he would listen if his sister cried, he would not fight back if she hit him, and if she blamed the emperor or others, he would explain everything clearly himself.

Yong Kang was driven mad by her good-for-nothing brother, but no matter how she hit or scolded him, he didn't dodge or avoid it. He sat upright, his eyes showing not a trace of hesitation, reluctance, or retreat. Yong Kang knew that even if she beat him to death, it would be useless.

In the end, Yong Kang slumped to the floor, disheveled and completely broken in spirit.

Zheng Geer witnessed his eldest aunt's madness and rage, as well as his father's unwavering resolve.

If even his eldest aunt's beating couldn't wake his father up, what could Zheng Geer do?

He only asked his father one question: "If Father doesn’t want to be the Crown Prince, did you ever consider me?"

Qin Hong called his son to his side, looked down into his eyes—which were filled with barely suppressed anger and resentment—and said, word for word: "The Crown Prince is not a position that anyone can claim simply by wanting it. Since ancient times, it has always been the current emperor who decides who will become Crown Prince."

"Before His Majesty appointed me, I never for a single day regarded the Crown Prince’s position as something that belonged to me. What I thought was this: if His Majesty wants me to be Crown Prince, I will strive to fulfill the role well. If His Majesty does not want me to be Crown Prince, it means my ability and virtue are not sufficient for the position. If I were to insist on becoming Crown Prince, it would mean I am trying to make decisions for His Majesty—it would mean I am neither loyal nor filial."

"For an emperor’s son to covet the Crown Prince’s position is neither loyal nor filial. For an emperor’s grandson to entertain such thoughts is even more treasonous and impious."

"You should not have such thoughts, nor should you entertain any delusions. If His Majesty intended to give that position to you, he would not have allowed me to take you out of the palace."

"Now that we have left the palace, from now on you are only the heir of Prince An. If you dare to covet that position again, it will be a sure path to death—one even I cannot save you from."

Zheng Geer, standing before his father, heard this. Yong Kang, sitting on the floor as some awareness returned to her, also heard it.

Neither the aunt nor the nephew spoke another word.