Chapter 462: Chapter 459: Stirred_1 Chapter 462: Chapter 459: Stirred_1 âFather, even though I am foolish, I am not stupid! They all bully me openly and secretly! Those years⊠when Tongji was around, he protected me with his life. I know you are already very tired from managing the affairs of the state and I did not want to worry you more with my matters! So, I have endured it! Now that Tongji is gone, no one is left to protect me! It took me a lot of effort to find Tingzhen, and I fear she will be taken away. I will have nothing left! Thatâs why I dared to come bother you! Please, Father, fulfill my request!â
King Liang knelt down and knocked his head on the shiny floor twice. Lady Qiu tugged at the Emperorâs sleeve, âYour Majesty, look at how sincere King Liang is! I am moved! Please grant King Liangâs request and fulfill the wishes of these lovers!â
The Emperor looked at his sonâs pitiful appearance, suddenly recalling his own childhoodâŠ
Back then, he too was weak and timid, afraid of everything, because he did not have a loving father. Although he was a prince, even the higher-ranking servants in the palace dared to step on him. His sister had to bow and scrape before the kitchen eunuchs just to get him a little better food on his birthday. They were princes and princesses!
The difficult scenes of his childhood flashed in his mind like a revolving lantern. The Emperor clenched his fist tightly, then slowly released itâŠ
His son only wanted a woman, yet he had to beg pitifully. He was a prince! The Emperorâs son! How could he live so miserably?
Over the years, the Emperor had lived comfortably, so it had been a long time since he had recalled his own humble beginnings. Now, seeing his son in such a pitiful and weak state, the Emperorâs heart was filled with both anger and pity.
âYou are a prince! My son! And you are begging for a woman like this?! Stand up!â The Emperor vented his anger on Gao Demao, âWhat are you standing there for? Help King Liang up!â
Gao Demao quickly stepped forward and helped King Liang up, âYour Highness, please get up. You are a royal prince. Who dares to take away the woman you fancy? Even Minister Chen wouldnât dare to fight the Emperorâs son for a woman, right?!â
Tears still hung on King Liangâs face as he looked at the Emperor, sobbing.
The Emperor snatched the handkerchief from Lady Qiuâs hand and threw it on the ground, âWipe your tears! How unseemly!â
King Liang picked up the handkerchief and wiped his tears. Feeling wronged again, he said, âFather⊠I donât cry outside! Only in front of you, I⊠IâŠâ
âYour Majesty, itâs nothing for King Liang to shed some tears in front of his own father!â Lady Qiu hurried to mediate, fearing the Emperorâs displeasure.
The Emperor calmed down significantly, feeling that King Liang was a reflection of his own youth, but even weaker and more fearful. Perhaps it was this very weakness that made King Liang more kind-hearted and simple-minded.
Most importantly, it confirmed King Liangâs genuine affection for his fatherâŠ
âEnough! Itâs just a womanâŠâ The Emperor, lying on the soft pillow, impatiently fiddled with the tassels, âSend someone to summon Dong Qingping! And leave the Pingan Amulet here!â
âFather⊠Father! Please donât tell Lord Dong about Tingzhen giving me the amulet. Her family is strict, and she only gave it to me to gain your trust! I donât want her to get punished by Lord Dong or have others speak ill of her!â King Liang quickly pleaded.
The Emperor was once again filled with anger. Lady Qiu quickly smiled, âYour Majesty, look at King Liang, he hasnât even married her yet but is already protecting her! Just like how you always protected me in front of the Empress whenever I made a mistake!â
The Emperor waved dismissively at King Liang, âTake the Pingan Amulet with you! Gao Demao, escort King Liang out! He gives me a headache!â
âThank you, Father! Thank you!â King Liang wiped his tears with his sleeve, laughed, and kowtowed to the Emperor before tightly clutching his Pingan Amulet and leaving.
The Emperor watched his elated son, frowning, âHow could I have such a foolish son!â
âBut King Liang sincerely wants to be a good son in front of Your Majesty! I can see that! Look at how King Liang went to Yanwo to bring back that immortal who refines elixirs for Your Majesty, even delaying his own duties. He took all the blame from the ministers! Most importantly⊠Your Majestyâs vigor after using the elixir is something I deeply remember.â
Hearing this, the Emperor smiled and gently patted Lady Qiuâs hand.
·
Bai Jinzhi rushed to the Crown Princeâs residence and conveyed Bai Qingyanâs message to the Crown Prince. The Crown Prince was stunned after hearing it.
He had never considered his weak and incompetent brother as a competitor.
âKing Liang wanting to take my position as Crown Prince is just delusional!â The Crown Prince sneered, not taking King Liang seriously.
Bai Jinzhi clenched his fist, âMy eldest sister only said to be wary. When she asked me to report to you, she had already gone to the Dong Mansion to take precautionary measures.â
Old Fang stroked his goatee, âYour Highness, Commandery Princess Gaoyiâs words are true. After all, King Liang is still the Emperorâs son. Itâs not impossible for him to fight for the throne. I believe that King Liangâs behavior, whether it is to please the Emperor or to marry a daughter from the Dong family, may seem unintentional when looked at separately. But together, it is worth Your Highnessâs vigilance and deep thought!â
The Crown Princeâs expression grew serious.
Old Fang frowned, thinking for a moment before adding, âLord Dong Qingyue, the Governor of Dengzhou, has no daughter. If King Liang marries the legitimate daughter of Lord Dong Qingping of Honglu Temple, Lord Dong Qingyue will not favor King Liang!â
âI also remembered something. I donât know if itâs correct,â Bai Jinzhi looked up at the Crown Prince, âI remember at the Emperorâs birthday banquet, the Lady Qiu that King Liang gave to the Emperor repeatedly spoke well of King Xian of Nandu. Could it be⊠that King Liang is secretly trying to win over King Xian?â
Upon hearing this, Old Fangâs pupils dilated. He stepped closer to the Crown Prince, âYour Highness! Sending beauties to the Emperor and secretly winning over the militarily powerful King Xian, while also impatiently trying to form a marital alliance with the Dong family, King Liangâs intentions are already evident!â
The Crown Prince looked at Old Fang, his whole body suddenly tensing up.
Although Bai Qingyan supported him, family ties mattered. Bai Qingyan was a Bai, not a Dong.
And if King Liang married a Dong, the Dong family would become the imperial in-laws if King Liang ascended the throne! The Dong family might be temptedâŠ