Chapter 10: Deep Palace 6

“This...” When questioned by Qin Yihan, Zhuang Yonglin found himself momentarily unable to answer. He was no fool; at a time like this, if he were to make a recommendation, it would ultimately not end well.

Just now, Qin Yihan’s suggestive words had already stripped him of the qualification to recommend anyone. If he spoke too much now, he would surely provide ammunition for others to criticize him.

“Reporting to the Emperor, the Third Prince is exceptionally intelligent and possesses profound filial piety. He is well-versed in the Four Books and Five Classics, making him the supreme choice for the heir apparent.” An official stepped out from behind him, easing Zhuang Yonglin's embarrassment. At the same time, he voiced Zhuang Yonglin's thoughts for him.

The Third Prince's biological mother belonged to Zhuang Yayun's faction; her background was ordinary, with no noble standing. In his view, he would be very easy to control and manipulate.

Opposite them, a high-ranking official hurried forward, bowed, and said, “Reporting to the Emperor, your servant believes this is inappropriate. Our Red Flame dynasty won the empire through martial conquest; yet, to this day, the Third Prince cannot even draw a bow. One must ask, how can he be competent? Your servant believes in the order of seniority; the First Prince is proficient in both civil and martial arts and is surely capable of assuming the position of Crown Prince.”

“Reporting to the Emperor, although the First Prince is proficient in both civil and martial arts, he is not the most suitable candidate. The First Prince has always been impulsive and irritable; if he were to become Crown Prince, your servant fears... The Second Prince is calm, steady, and meticulous. In your servant's opinion, if he were made the heir, he would surely achieve great things given time.”

“The First Prince...”

“The Third Prince...”

The world was always like this. Wherever there are people, there is greed. Wherever there is power, there are greedy people fighting for it. Everyone was concocting grand, righteous excuses for their own interests.

“Heh...” The dispute came to an abrupt halt following Qin Yihan's cold laugh. Everyone knew that the previous discussion and debate had been so intense that the Emperor's countenance was now displeased.

“Your servants are guilty...”

Qin Yihan picked up the teacup from the imperial desk, took a slow sip, and smiled. “Finished arguing? Then, may I say a few words?”

“Your servants are terrified...”

*Clatter!*

“Your Majesty, please calm your anger!” As Qin Yihan slammed the teacup onto the imperial desk, everyone in the Golden Throne Hall knelt simultaneously. In all the years since he had ascended the throne, this was the first time he had seen them act with such unified purpose.

Suddenly, Qin Yihan stood up and struck the desk. “Guilty? Terrified? Calm my anger? You tell me—how should you be punished for your guilt? Since you are so terrified, why have you repeatedly come to provoke me? Do you think that by angering me, you can easily make me calm down? Wishful thinking!”

At this moment, the hostility radiating from Qin Yihan was enough to intimidate everyone. Seeing the veins throbbing on his forehead, the kneeling ministers did not even dare to breathe heavily.

“You want to choose a Crown Prince, do you? In that case, priority goes to the legitimate line and then to seniority. Although the Fifth Prince's biological mother died prematurely only three months after becoming the Empress, it cannot be denied that the Fifth Prince is of legitimate birth. To avoid a struggle for the succession, the Fifth Prince shall serve as the heir apparent. If my dear ministers find this inappropriate, then pass the Fifth Prince to the Empress; that way, it will be legitimate and proper. Court is adjourned!”

“Long live the Emperor, long live, long live, long live...”

After seeing off the imperial procession, the ministers exchanged glances and left the Golden Throne Hall one after another, filled with resentment.

After the court session, Qin Yihan walked along, feeling somewhat depressed, and unknowingly entered the Fengyi Hall.

“Your servant greets the Emperor. Long live the Emperor, long live, long live, long live.” No matter how many times he told her that in private she did not need to be formal, Yue Xiyan still insisted on performing the ritual.

Qin Yihan helped her up. “Dispense with the formalities and rise. Even if you perform the kowtow, I will not grant you 'long lives'.” Taking Yue Xiyan's hand, he walked to the couch and sat intimately beside her, pulling her into his arms. Although he knew she was still resistant, he wanted her to slowly adapt to and become accustomed to him.

Yue Xiyan looked up to meet Qin Yihan's eyes. “Was it Prime Minister Zhuang who led the charge to make things difficult for Your Majesty today?”

“Clever! They wanted me to appoint an heir. Xiyan, guess which of the princes I chose to sit in the position of Crown Prince?”

Yue Xiyan smiled softly. “Naturally, it is the Fifth Prince.” As an emperor, how could he be willing to be manipulated and schemed against by others?

He gave her cheek a light, fleeting kiss. “As expected, only Xiyan understands me.”

She turned her face away somewhat aimlessly. “Your servant ventures to guess that only the Fifth Prince is not involved with any faction. By choosing him, the struggle for succession in the imperial court can be temporarily eased. By letting him reside in the Eastern Palace of the Crown Prince and having the Yan family of the secret guards protect him, the Fifth Prince's life can be kept out of danger. Is what Xiyan said correct?”

Stroking the hair on her chest, he said tenderly, “Correct, but not entirely. What Xiyan said was not my primary consideration.”

“Oh?” She did not expect that there would be a day when she could calculate incorrectly.

“I want to have a little Crown Prince with Xiyan!” Yes, he desperately wanted this woman to bear him an heir; he wanted it very much. Only the Fifth Prince was suitable to help secure the position for their future child. He hoped that through this, he could hold onto her heart.

Qin Yihan gripped her hand, tightening it nervously. He was afraid—afraid that she would say words that would make him sad or angry; he did not want to hear her rejection. If he wanted to serve, he didn't know how many women would be willing to offer themselves. If he were rejected by the woman he cared for, he did not know what he might do to her in a fit of rage.

This day had finally come. As clever as she was, she would not give others the chance to hurt her. Even though she had long been mentally prepared, when faced with it directly, a surge of resentment and fear still rose from the depths of her heart.

*Brother... Xiyan is very sad...*

Sensing the slight tremor of the woman in his arms, Qin Yihan leaned in and whispered in her ear, “Do not be afraid. Leave everything to me.” He had waited for this day for a very, very long time; today, he was unwilling to wait any longer. By taking her, by having her bear him an heir, her heart would belong entirely to him.

He could not help but draw closer to her, their breaths gradually closing the distance. Those lips emitted a warm breath that caused a "boom" in his heart; the long-suppressed emotions erupted like a volcano. He slowly pressed her down and covered her with his body, tenderly kissing her cheeks, her fragrant lips, and her collarbone, until...

He could swear that he had never treated a woman beneath him with such caution. She was the first in this life. Perhaps, she would also be the last. He wanted to cherish her well...

She had no power to stop what was about to happen, nor did she long for it to happen. After all, she was different from the other women in his harem. Her heart had long been filled to the brim by a man named Yue Mulin.

She believed that this kind of thing would happen sooner or later. As long as she held fast to her own heart, there was no need to care about anything else. In this life, how could everything go as one wished? For her and her brother to be alive was already a great blessing.