EBE Chapter 416 The Emperor's Son (The End)
Chapter 416 The Emperor's Son (The End)
Several princes gathered at the Fifth Prince's residence, all with furrowed brows.
The Eastern Palace is temporarily vacant, because the crown princes were deposed before they even had a chance to stay there.
It's better to stay in the Prince's mansion; otherwise, you might die before you even get comfortable.
"My eldest brother is the daughter of a concubine in a marquis's household, my second brother is a commoner's daughter, and my third brother is the daughter of a disgraced official..."
The sixth prince counted on his fingers, "Now, fourth brother is again because of..."
"enough!"
The fifth prince interrupted him irritably, "Haven't you all realized? Father is deliberately picking a fight! He's trying to get rid of me all."
The seventh prince timidly raised his hand: "Then what should we do now?"
After a long silence, the youngest prince, the tenth prince, suddenly had a bright idea: "How about... we all become monks?"
"..."
At the same time, in the imperial study.
Qingmo was leisurely sipping her tea, listening to the guards report on the princes' reactions.
"Your Majesty, if things continue like this..." the old Grand Tutor said worriedly, "I'm afraid it will shake the foundation of the nation."
Qingmo chuckled softly and set down her teacup: "My dear minister, you are overthinking it. I am simply teaching them—"
"If you can't even control your own desires, how can you govern this vast land?"
After all, this dragon throne is not an easy chair to sit on.
Upon hearing this, the old tutor trembled as he wiped the sweat from his brow: "But Your Majesty... four of the ten princes are already gone. If this continues..."
Qingmo casually twirled her jade thumb ring: "Only two died, right? It's alright."
Just then, hurried footsteps came from outside the hall.
"Your Majesty, the Crown Prince has arrived!"
The Fifth Prince, dressed in plain robes, stepped into the hall. With his bald head, he knelt at the lower level, holding Buddhist prayer beads in his hand: "Your subject wishes to enter the Buddhist order and begs Your Majesty's permission."
A hint of amusement flashed in Qingmo's eyes: "Fifth Brother, what are you doing?"
"Your subject has figured it out."
The Fifth Prince looked up, his eyes clear. “The world is full of troubles, but I am better off with a Buddhist lamp and a Buddha statue. I wish to spend the rest of my life with the Buddha and pray for my father’s well-being.”
"it is good!"
Qingmo suddenly slammed her hand on the table and stood up, "I will grant your wish!"
Inside the palace.
Upon receiving the news, the Sixth Prince kicked over the incense burner: "Damn it! Fifth Brother beat me to it!"
He gritted his teeth and said to the guards, "Quickly find out which temple in the capital is the most popular! I want to donate a golden statue for it! I also want to become a monk!"
Inside the Imperial Study, Qingmo looked at the Fifth Prince's bald head, a slight smile playing on her lips, but a deep meaning flashed in her eyes.
She slowly sipped her tea and said, "Fifth brother, you're quite clever."
The Fifth Prince lowered his head and spoke respectfully: "Your subject is foolish, but I just feel... rather than being deposed by Father, it would be better to take my own life first."
Qingmo chuckled softly, tapping her fingertips lightly on the table: "Oh?! What about that Jiangnan courtesan in your house?"
The fifth prince froze, cold sweat beading on his forehead: "This... Father, please understand, that was just..."
"Just what?"
Qingmo's smile turned cold. "A monk isn't like you."
The fifth prince prostrated himself on the ground, not daring to utter a word.
Seeing this, the old tutor quickly tried to smooth things over: "Your Majesty, since the Fifth Prince has already decided to become a monk, perhaps..."
"Not as good as what?"
Qingmo glanced at him sideways, "Why don't we let him go back to the temple and continue supporting courtesans?"
The old tutor choked and dared not speak further.
Qingmo stood up, looked down at the Fifth Prince, and said calmly, "Since you have already taken vows, I will grant your wish."
"—Guards, take the Fifth Prince to Huguo Temple to become a monk. He must copy one hundred scrolls of scriptures every day and is not allowed to step out of the temple gate."
The fifth prince's face turned deathly pale: "Father...Father Emperor..."
He was just thinking of setting up a small Buddhist shrine at home; he didn't want to be stuck in a temple every day.
This is worse than imprisoning him in the royal palace.
Qingmo waved her hand, and the guards immediately stepped forward, grabbed the Fifth Prince, and dragged him out.
Once the hall had quieted down, the old Grand Tutor cautiously asked, "Your Majesty, what about the position of Crown Prince..."
Qingmo sat down again and said leisurely, "No rush, I'm still young, don't rush me!"
Grand Tutor...
You're young? Then what am I!
The sixth prince, who had not received the imperial edict to establish a crown prince, also breathed a sigh of relief.
Fortunately, his father didn't think much of him.
While the other princes were filled with worry, the usually taciturn Ninth Prince suddenly entered the palace to request an audience.
With a calm expression, he presented a strategy for governing the country, earnestly expressing his willingness to serve the nation and share the burdens of his father.
Qingmo looked at him with great interest, pondering to herself.
This ninth prince is quite interesting; all the other princes avoid him like the plague, but he's the one who's run headlong into them.
The ambition in his eyes was impossible to hide, nor did he intend to. His stepping forward now was probably a gamble.
The Ninth Prince's birth mother was a lowly palace maid who was later promoted to the rank of Noble Lady, but she had no powerful backing.
Barring any unforeseen circumstances, he is destined to miss out on this position.
He was ambitious and politically astute, but he kept a low profile, so no one paid him any attention.
But his father's change gave him a glimmer of hope.
Without destruction, there can be no construction.
He was willing to take a gamble for his ambitions and ideals.
Qingmo carefully read through the governance strategy and had to admit that the Ninth Prince's ideas were very insightful, and if implemented, they would definitely benefit the country.
"Ninth Prince, you are indeed different from the other princes."
Qingmo put down Fang Lue and focused her gaze on the Ninth Prince.
"Aren't you afraid that I will deliberately make things difficult for you, just like I did for the other princes?"
The Ninth Prince replied neither humbly nor arrogantly, "Your subject only wishes to contribute your share. If Your Majesty feels that your subject is lacking, please feel free to teach me, and I will humbly accept your guidance."
"Your subject did not feel that Father Emperor was making things difficult for my brothers."
"This is just a test, a test of who is the most suitable candidate for heir apparent."
Qingmo was overjoyed. "Not bad, not bad, this child is teachable!"
Then it'll be the ninth one.
This year's succession battle was completely devoid of palace intrigue.
There was only brotherly affection and respect.
“Ninth Brother is so righteous! Brothers, we must do our best to assist him in the future.”
"Yes, yes, that's right."
The princes dared not cause any trouble, especially the Ninth Prince.
We must not let him make a mistake, we absolutely cannot let him fall from his position as crown prince, we must stand by him.
In the days that followed, the Ninth Prince did not disappoint everyone's expectations.
Diligent in governance and loving the people, and conscientious in fulfilling one's duties.
He was neither excessively extravagant nor overly rigid and averse to women; everything was just right, making him a qualified emperor.
After handing over the throne, Qingmo took Jue Er out to travel and enjoy the scenery, as staying in the palace all day was indeed quite boring.
She's an old man, so she has to take advantage of her old bones and go out and have some fun.
She did live up to the original owner's expectations.
Although we killed two of his sons, we also chose the most suitable emperor for him.
People across the land live in peace and contentment.
This is a great merit.
"Ding, congratulations on completing the mission. We will take you away from this world immediately."
"Ding, area score settled: 1000, balance..."
Cultivation level: early stage of Earth Immortal.
"Xiao Wu, let's begin the next task."