Chapter 314: The Deposed Crown Prince (First Update)

Everyone turned their heads to look, only to find that the newcomer was actually Crown Prince Rong Jin.

Ever since he had been publicly humiliated by Mu Qinghe at the palace banquet, Rong Jin had remained in the Crown Prince's Manor without stepping foot outside.

He had originally intended to wait for some time until the storm subsided before emerging, which was why he had made no move even after hearing the news of the anomaly in the Nine Serenity Tower.

It was only later, upon hearing that even his Father Emperor and Mother Empress had arrived, that he had rushed here in a hurry.

But he never expected that the moment he arrived, he would hear Rong Xiu actually pleading with his Father Emperor to grant a marriage decree.

And the object of this marriage decree was himself and Chu Liuyue!

Rong Jin could no longer care about anything else; without a second thought, he spoke up to stop them.

Rong Jin quickened his pace, rushing to the front of Emperor Jiawen under the various gazes of the crowd. He swallowed hard and spoke with difficulty

"Father Emperor! You cannot agree to this marriage decree!"

Emperor Jiawen frowned

"Crown Prince, you are being too insolent!"

Who did he think he was, suddenly bursting out at a time like this and speaking in such a tone!?

Rong Jin was startled, only then realizing that his actions were indeed quite inappropriate.

But the situation was urgent, and he had no other way.

Seeing Rong Jin in this state, the Empress immediately thought of the foolish words he had said previously about wanting to remarry Chu Liuyue as the Crown Princess, and her heart skipped a beat!

Had Rong Jin gone mad to show up at a time like this!?

"Crown Prince, this has nothing to do with you. Withdraw for now," the Empress said, forcing herself to remain calm, her tone carrying a hint of warning.

However, Rong Jin could not hear a word at this moment.

He had finally realized that he had fallen in love with Chu Liuyue; how could he let her slip away like this?!

To force him to hand her over to someone else was absolutely impossible!

Thinking of this, he grit his teeth and actually knelt down directly!

"Father Emperor, this marriage decree is a matter of great importance. Please, think twice!"

Emperor Jiawen's frown deepened.

Granting a marriage decree was supposed to be a joyous occasion, so why did it sound like something terrible coming from Rong Jin's mouth?

"You disagree? Rong Jin, although you are the Crown Prince, when I decide to grant a marriage, it is not your place to interject!"

Because of the incident at the palace banquet, Emperor Jiawen still harbored dissatisfaction toward Rong Jin, and coupled with the series of events experienced today, the Emperor's patience had long since evaporated.

Therefore, he did not show Rong Jin even a shred of face.

Sensing that he was on the verge of a great rage, the Empress hurried forward, intending to help Rong Jin up.

"Did you not hear what your Father Emperor said? Get up at once! Prince Li and Miss Chu are deeply in love and make a perfect match. If you continue to say such nonsense, do not blame Mother Empress for punishing you!"

The Empress pinched Rong Jin's arm hard, giving him a threatening look from an angle where no one else could see.

Rong Jin's impression in Emperor Jiawen's eyes had already diminished significantly; if he continued to make a scene today, his position as Crown Prince would truly be in jeopardy!

Rong Jin felt the pain, but his heart was even more conflicted.

How could he not know what consequences his actions would bring, but...

He couldn't help but look at Chu Liuyue beside him.

The woman stood tall and graceful; even though her clothes were stained with messy blood, it did not diminish her elegance in the slightest.

In the past, this woman clearly belonged to him!

Although he had canceled the engagement due to a moment of confusion, he absolutely could not accept watching Chu Liuyue be granted in marriage to someone else!

Especially since that person was Rong Xiu!

He grabbed the Empress's hand and firmly pried it away.

The Empress's heart sank, and then she heard Rong Jin say, word by word

"Father Emperor, your son is serious. Because—your son also has feelings for Liuyue!"

Gasps of breath were heard from within the crowd.

"Did I hear that correctly? The Crown Prince actually said he has feelings for Chu Liuyue!?"

"...I really don't understand. He used to have an engagement with Chu Liuyue and was the one who proposed to break it. How much time has passed that he's already regretting it?"

"Hehe, isn't it normal to regret it? In what way is the current Chu Liuyue not top-tier and outstanding? If I were to miss out on such a fiancée, I would regret it too!"

"That may be true, but as the Crown Prince, it's not quite right to go back on his word like this... Besides, it was clearly Prince Li who requested the marriage first. Now the Crown Prince is cutting in... no matter how you look at it, it's a bit excessive..."

"I wonder what His Majesty thinks... The Crown Prince and Prince Li fighting over a woman in public is truly..."

Chu Xianmin, who had arrived along with Rong Jin, watched this scene coldly. Beneath her veil, the corners of her mouth couldn't help but curl into a mocking smile.

She thought she would be overcome with heartache, but when she saw Rong Jin say those words in public, she was surprised to find that she only wanted to laugh.

He had always been this kind of person, hadn't he?

In the past, when Chu Liuyue was a "useless trash" who was bullied and lived a miserable, lonely life, Rong Jin felt that this fiancée brought him nothing but shame and didn't want to spend a single moment with her.

Now that her appearance was ruined and her reputation was soiled, he once again looked down upon her with disdain.

He was always pursuing something better, as if all the benefits in the world should belong to him.

How laughable. She had accompanied and served him day and night, yet she hadn't earned even a shred of his affection; instead, she had to stand here and watch him go mad for another woman.

Chu Xianmin lowered her eyes, hiding the turbulence in her gaze.

Emperor Jiawen looked astonished

"What did you say!?"

Rong Jin took a deep breath and said

"In the past, your son was immature and failed to cherish Liuyue. Now that I have come to my senses, I only hope Father Emperor can restore the engagement between the two of us. Your son will surely treat her well! I beg Father Emperor to fulfill our wish!"

Emperor Jiawen almost thought Rong Jin's brain had malfunctioned.

He was the one who wanted to break the engagement, and now he was the one who wanted to restore it!

Did he think this was a joke!?

"Rong Jin! Do you even know what you are saying!?" Emperor Jiawen barked in a heavy voice.

Rong Jin's heart trembled, knowing that Emperor Jiawen was truly angry.

He knew very well that doing this was somewhat damaging to Emperor Jiawen's dignity.

But things had come to this, and he was already riding a tiger and unable to get off.

He had already knelt, and he had already spoken.

If he gave up now, wouldn't that be even more ridiculous?

Moreover, he truly was unwilling to give up Chu Liuyue!

He straightened his back, looked at Emperor Jiawen, and said

"Your son's mind is made up."

"So what if your mind is made up? How can you be so presumptuous in this matter!"

Rong Jin choked for a moment

"Your son is the Crown Prince, and Liuyue is the only choice for the Crown Princess."

Emperor Jiawen was truly furious, his chest heaving violently.

If it weren't for the fact that there were so many people watching, he would have already delivered a heavy kick!

He used to think Rong Jin was good in every way and the perfect choice for Crown Prince.

But he didn't know when it started, the boy began to become narrow-minded and petty, even resorting to despicable means to achieve his goals!

He had forgiven him repeatedly, always thinking Rong Jin would change, but looking at him now, he had clearly been gravely mistaken!

With Rong Jin's temperament, there would never be any change!

Rong Xiu's public request for the marriage was out of admiration and gratitude for Chu Liuyue.

But what about Rong Jin!?

By doing this, he was openly snatching a woman from his own brother!

And to make matters worse, this woman was the very one he had broken the engagement with!

He had thrown the dignity of the Imperial Family to the ground!

Emperor Jiawen pointed at Rong Jin's face and sneered

"It seems you are truly tired of being the Crown Prince! Today, I shall depose you!"

(End of Chapter)