Purple Palace.
Dragon whale amber incense plumes rising, golden silk zebrawood made of beams and columns are in the light of the candles to show more solemn.
The atmosphere in the palace was solemn and weighty, as the ministers stood in attendance, quietly awaiting the Emperor's decision.
"Long live the Emperor, may he live forever."
With each reverent salute, Emperor Xuanwu, dressed in the dragon robe, entered the Purple Palace with slow steps, his imposing gaze sweeping over everyone present.
Ultimately settling on Xuän Jì, clad in plain robes, with an exceptionally handsome face, yet exuding an extraordinary demeanor.
Today, Xuän Jì is the focus of the Hall of Supreme Harmony, and all the ministers are secretly observing him, including Prince Duanguo Yè.
Although Emperor Xuanwu has not yet announced the news, there are those who are sensitive to news and already know that Xuän Jì is the secret son of Min Consort, brought back by the Emperor.
With today's situation, it is clear that his royal prince status is about to be restored.
"Ministers, please stand up."
Emperor Xuanwu walked up to the throne and sat down, his gaze deep and looking at the full court of officials and military personnel below, his voice thunderous and authoritative: "My dear ministers, I have an announcement to make today. It concerns the bloodline of my imperial family and the future of our Great Yu State."
Upon hearing this, the ministers knew what the Emperor intended to say, and their eyes inadvertently drifted towards Xuán Jì.
Duanguo Yè was also like that. He stood at the front of the ministers, and with a glance, he saw Xuán Jì's face, which was calm and composed. His mood was extremely complex.
For Xuán Jì, he was both his brother and a rival. It made him unsure how to face him.
Duanguo Yè's complicated emotions are known to no one.
Subsequently, Emperor Xuanwu announced in a deep voice:
"My sixth son, since childhood, has wandered among the common people. Fortunately, he was protected by Buddha and cultivated at the Wanfo Temple. His Dharma name is Xuān Jì. It has now been confirmed that his identity is indeed my biological child. I am greatly comforted and also feel guilty for not being able to reunite with this son for many years."
As Emperor Xuanwu reached this point, his tone betrayed his emotion and introspection.
"The Emperor is the destiny of the country, and the return of the sixth prince is a blessing for Great Yu State!"
An old minister prostrated first.
The other ministers followed suit, kneeling and shouting in unison, "May heaven bless Great Yu, and the prince returns to his position!"
Emperor Xuanwu raised his hand to signal everyone to rise, continuing, "As a prince, naturally he must return to his roots. I have decided to restore Xuān Jì's prince status from today, bestow the title of Wei Wang, and grant him treatment equal to that of a king. Starting from tomorrow, he will join the court and participate in governance to demonstrate his virtue."
"Hail to Your Majesty's wisdom!"
The ministers again kneeled, their minds filled with calculations as to how this sudden turn of events would affect the political landscape of the Hall of Supreme Harmony.
Duanguo Yè didn't really care about Xuán Jì's entry into the Hall of Supreme Harmony.
After recovering his memories from a past life, he had a very indifferent attitude towards power and status.
If Xuán Jì is willing to no longer involve himself with Yáo ér, Duanguo Yè is willing to hand over the throne willingly.
Isn't it more comfortable to travel the mountains and waters with a beautiful woman and child, indulging in food, drinks, and leisure activities, compared to being a crown prince?
Xuán Jì was originally a monk, and with his calm and indifferent nature, his desire for contention with the world, let alone politics, was nil.
He immediately stepped forward, kneeling and bowing, speaking in a calm voice, "Father, I have grown up in the Wanfo Temple and my understanding of Buddhist teachings has become deeply ingrained. I have no interest in or aptitude for governance."
Emperor Xuanwu's expression was complex, a mix of relief and regret. "My son, your disposition is highly commendable, and since you have no interest in court affairs, I will not compel you. If you do not wish to enter the court, then so be it."
He heaved a sigh and continued, "The return of the Prince of Wei is not only a joy for the imperial family but also for the nation. I have decided to select an auspicious day and hold a royal sacrifice at the Ancestral Temple. We will inform our ancestors and have the name of the Prince of Wei officially recorded in the imperial annals."
Xuán Jì had no intention of refusing. Since he accepted the identity of sixth prince, these were things that were expected.
However, his heart could not help but be complicated.
"Son obeys the order, and thanks to the father's great favor."
Xuán Jì bowed respectfully, although his voice was light, it was firm and powerful.
Emperor Xuanwu nodded slightly, his eyes radiating with relief, and continued to declare, "I have decided to rename the Wanfo Temple as the Huogu Temple, which will serve as the imperial temple and enjoy imperial offerings forever. At the same time, I will order the repair of the temple and the recasting of Buddha statues with gold bodies to express my gratitude."
As Emperor Xuanwu's words fell, a chorus of praise echoed through the court.
The ministers all praised the Emperor's benevolence, expressing admiration for his leniency and mercy towards the sixth prince.
In any case, various ass-kissing words were floating in the Purple Palace, making Emperor Xuanwu's mood exceptionally good.
Looking at Xuán Jì, Duanguo Yè was calculating in his heart how to pin the crown prince's position on the other's head.
Yáo ér's current status is that of a widowed woman with a child, and it is simply impossible for a crown prince to marry such a woman.
The noble women in the capital haven't died off. How can the Crown Princess be a widowed woman with a child?
Not only would the father not allow it, but neither would the court officials or the royal relatives.
The common people wouldn't know what to think.
But if he is not the crown prince, or even reduced to a discarded crown prince, then people would have no interest in who he marries. Not only could he marry a widow, but he could even marry a village maiden from the countryside.
In this case, their relationship with Yáo ér might actually become smoother.
While Duanguo Yè was pondering these matters, Emperor Xuanwu suddenly announced the decision to depose the queen.
"Queen Zhao, with a ruthless heart, plotted to frame the former queen, leading to her difficult labor and death. In addition to my deep grief, I also feel that the laws of the country cannot condone this. From today onwards, the queen title of Zhao is abolished, and she is to be confined to a cold palace and await judgment."
Emperor Xuanwu's voice may not be loud, but it was like a thunderclap that resounded in the Hall of Supreme Harmony, startling everyone and leaving them with a sense of fear in their hearts.
The ministers originally heard that the queen was being confined to the Fengyi Palace, and they thought something had happened. It turned out that it was discovered that Min Consort had killed the queen years ago.
When Min Consort died, the Emperor was so heartbroken that he would have liked to die along with her. The old ministers present at the time had witnessed it with their own eyes.
It is said that if the Emperor wants to abolish the queen, none of the old ministers dares to ask for mercy.
Only the Emperor's brother-in-law, Duke Zhaopu, came out to kneel and shout a wrong, "Your Majesty, the queen has always been virtuous. How could she have gone after the previous queen? This matter must be a misunderstanding. I beg Your Majesty to investigate clearly."
Emperor Xuanwu looked at Duke Zhaopu with cold eyes and said seriously, "The evidence is conclusive and there is no room for doubt. I have thoroughly investigated this matter, and the queen's guilt is undeniable."
Duke Zhaopu's forehead was drenched with cold sweat, but he still couldn't let go of his plea. "Your Majesty, the queen has been by your side for many years. She has worked hard and not made significant contributions. Please have mercy on her past loyalty and spare her from punishment."
Emperor Xuanwu narrowed his eyes slightly, his tone filled with coldness: "My decision is final. If anyone else dares to intercede for her, they will be dealt with as well."
The ministers fell silent, no one daring to speak again.
The Purple Palace Hall was enveloped in silence, and the atmosphere grew increasingly tense.
Xuán Jì raised his gaze slightly, cast a glance at Duke Zhaopu, and then let his eyelids fall back down, maintaining his composed expression.
Duanguo Yè stood at the front of the ministers, his expression complex.
He well understood the crime committed by his mother, and also grasped his father's sorrow. He glanced at Xuán Jì standing silently by the side, his heart filled with a myriad of emotions.
"Father, son has a request."
Duanguo Yè's voice broke the brief silence. He slowly advanced, kneeling down in the center of the Hall.
Emperor Xuanwu's gaze fell on him instantly, his eyes dark and deep, "If you want to plead for your mother, that is out of the question."
"Father, I dare not shield my mother's crime in the slightest. But as a son, I find it hard to continue sitting on the throne of crown prince. I humbly beg you, Father, to remove me from the position of crown prince, so that I can reflect quietly and atone for my mother's sins."
Duanguo Yè's words were heartfelt, his eyes filled with determination, and he had no attachment to the throne of crown prince.
The ministers were all shocked when they heard this. They had never seen a prince voluntarily resign from the position of crown prince. They could not understand the profound meaning behind the crown prince's move.
"Prince Crown Prince, please do not do this."
"Prince Crown Prince, please do not do this. The queen can be abolished, but as long as there is a crown prince, the Zhao family will not fall. However, if even the crown prince is removed... "
He couldn't imagine how the Zhao family lineage would stand in the imperial court without him.
Duanguo Yè paid no attention to him at all and didn't care about the fate of the Zhao family.
He was thinking about how to give up the position of crown prince and go to Lotus County to find a woman with no conscience.
To be with her openly, no longer having to sneak into bed in the middle of the night.
Emperor Xuanwu's brows were tightly furrowed. Yè was his most favored son, excelling in ability, talent, strategy, virtue, as well as governance and military affairs.
Even if Xuán Jì returned to the palace, he had never thought of removing Yè from the position of crown prince.
He was confident that if the country were handed over to him, even the great Yu would see it become even more prosperous and powerful.
"Yè, your mother's crime has nothing to do with you. I will not blame you for her, and you do not need to do this."
Duanguo Yè shook his head lightly, a bitter smile playing on his lips, "Father, my decision is final. Although I did not commit my mother's crime, as a son, how can I stand aside? Moreover, my heart has already been taken by someone. She is not from a noble family, nor is she chaste, and she even has two children. But I truly like her very much, and I know that Father will not allow it. So I ask for your blessing."
When he spoke these words, there was a commotion in the Hall of Supreme Harmony.
What's going on?
Is the Crown Prince in love with a woman? And is she a widowed woman with children?
Is he even willing to give up the throne for her?
Has his brain been clogged with feces and urine?
What kind of widowed woman has such allure?
Xuán Jì stood quietly there, and his usually calm and handsome face rarely showed any changes. Inside, he felt a turmoil of emotions and violent waves of thoughts.
He suddenly remembered that in Lotus County, while playing with Anan and Yoyo, the two children had accidentally called him "Uncle Ye" without intending to.
He had never known who this so-called "Uncle Ye" was and had been secretly investigating the man all this time.
He looked at Duanguo Yè, who was kneeling in the center of the hall, and thought that the name of the crown prince was Duanguo Yè.
Perhaps
Could it be that Anan and Yoyo's "Uncle Ye" is actually the Crown Prince?
