"Night, do you know what you are saying?"
"Xuan Wu looked at him intently, his voice full of disbelief."
"My son knows. But my son also knows that some feelings are more important than power and position; some people are more precious than the kingdom."
Dugu Ye's voice was resolute and heartfelt, as if he had already made all the preparations.
As Dugu Ye's words fell, the grand hall fell into a deathly silence, with only Xuan Wu's heavy breathing echoing in the air.
The officials looked at each other in disbelief, wondering what kind of love could make a revered prince willing to give up everything.
Xuan Ji finally could not hold back any longer and stepped forward, his eyes deep and profound like a pool, his cool voice carrying a subtle trace of bitterness, "Brother Emperor, do you know what your decision means? The matter of the Empress is for the father emperor to decide with his wisdom. As the crown prince, you bear the future of the Great Yu upon your shoulders. How can you ignore the state for your own personal feelings?"
Though he was unaware if the lady in question was Yao'er, he must step forward to prevent it, as long as there is a chance.
As Dugu Ye saw Xuan Ji speak out to stop him, he naturally understood the reason in his heart. A mocking smile flashed across his eyes, "Sixth brother, you have never experienced what I have felt and therefore cannot understand. In my eyes, love is more important than Mount Tai. If I cannot protect the one I love, this crown prince position is worthless."
Xuan Ji's eyes fixed on him with a heavy gaze, and he wanted to say, "I have experienced it, and the feelings I have gone through are not less than yours."
However, these words were not easy for him to say aloud.
Xuan Wu sat high on the dragon chair, always feeling that there seemed to be some kind of puzzle between these two brothers.
His eyes wandered between the two, finally landing on Dugu Ye.
He knew his son's temperament well; once he made up his mind, not even nine oxen could pull him back.
But the crown prince position cannot be taken lightly.
Moreover, this son was truly outstanding and excellent. At least after his examination, he was a very qualified candidate for an emperor.
Qualified to the point where he himself would marvel at it, even though deep down, he was unwilling to admit it.
Xuan Wu's gaze fell on Dugu Ye, and he said in a low voice, "Night, do you know that your action is not only irresponsible to yourself but also disloyal to the state of Yu?"
Dugu Ye knelt upright, his voice filled with determination, "I acknowledge my grievous sins, but I beg my father to fulfill my wish. I am willing to dedicate the rest of my life to atone for my mother's sins and to find a resting place for my heart."
Xuan Wu glared at him with anger, his face flushed with fury, even bursting out with an oath, "Shut up about your heavy sins. Stop using your mother as an excuse. I will never agree to this. You will immediately return to the Eastern Palace for self-reflection and may not step a single step outside without my command."
He was still angry, looking around the room coldly, and said in a low voice, "Today's matter shall not be spread abroad. Whoever violates this order will be severely punished, and the court session is adjourned."
After speaking, he rose from the dragon chair, turned around, and swept his sleeve as he left.
The ministers looked at each other in astonishment, exchanging glances.
Later, they all made their way to the central hall to see the kneeling crown prince without any prompting.
They only felt that the Crown Prince, who was always wise and formidable, had taken a strange turn today.
If not, why would he do such an absurd thing?
Look, the King was even angry enough to swear. Clearly, he is very angry in his heart.
Xuan Ji's eyes were filled with complex emotions. He looked deeply at the kneeling Dugu Ye in the center of the hall, then turned and quietly left.
The royal princes and marquises who had already taken part in governance all flashed a look of disappointment in their eyes.
Why doesn't the King just fulfill his wishes and let him become the crown prince? He has other sons who can inherit the throne, and his mother made such a big mistake.
If the Crown Prince position were to become vacant, they too would have a chance to compete for it.
The princes walked away with a look of disappointment.
The officials, though not understanding the Crown Prince's actions, left one by one.
Only Duke Zhao remained in place, his expression indicating that he wanted to say something but stopped himself.
He hesitated for a moment, but eventually couldn't resist and walked up to Dugu Ye.
Before Duke Zhao could finish speaking, Dugu Ye interrupted him with a cold warning, "Do not involve yourself in the affairs of the Crown Prince. If you dare to do anything behind my back, do not blame me for not showing family loyalty and cutting your Zhao family from its roots."
Dugu Ye paid no heed to Duke Zhao's disapproving expression, rising naturally and sweeping an imaginary dust off his body before striding off resolutely.
As the early morning sun begins to break through the dawn, the faint golden light of the bright yellow glazed tiles shines, but cannot penetrate the depths of the palace at Fengyi.
The sound of the bell after the morning court had not yet completely faded when a cold edict swept down like a frigid wind, arriving at this once exalted place.
"Zhao commoner, follow me."
The voice of the chief eunuch Fu'an was emotionless. The yellow silk in his hand shone slightly in the sunlight, which was the edict that determined the fate of the Empress.
The Empress Zhaoyi sat in front of the bronze mirror. The reflection showed her figure emaciated, yet she could not conceal her former grace and elegance.
She gently stroked the silver thread in her hair, a wry smile curling on her lips, as if she had already foreseen this day.
"Fu'an Eunuch, thank you."
Her voice was unusually calm, as if she was not about to step into the cold palace, but into the land of liberation.
The Eastern Palace was heavy with an atmosphere of solemnity.
Dugu Ye stood by the window with his hands behind his back, his back looking exceptionally lonely.
His gaze was fixed on a distant horizon, his expression complex.
He had thought that with the arrival of Xuan Ji and the mistake committed by his mother, the King would easily agree to him giving up the title of Crown Prince.
However, everything did not go as expected.
Not only was he unable to successfully resign from the position of Crown Prince, but he also received a scolding.
Thinking about the Empress who had already been transferred to the cold palace...
Dugu Ye pondered for a moment and told the cloud invisible beside him, "Cloud hidden, you go and do something. It must be secret."
"Your Highness, please command."
Cloud hidden knelt on the ground, his voice low and respectful.
"The Empress has been moved to the cold palace. Soon after, the father emperor will certainly order someone to secretly execute the Empress. The Crown Prince feels sorry for her. Go and find a death row convict in the prison, disguise yourself as the Empress's appearance, then secretly send her out of the palace. Other arrangements, I will make myself."
Dugu Ye instructed the kneeling Cloud Hidden by stepping aside.
"Yes, Your Highness."
Cloud hidden did not ask any more, respectfully taking the order and leaving.
The night is like ink, the moon is hidden and the stars are settled, the cold palace is filled with cold winds blowing through the hall, bringing a cold echo.
The palace walls are worn and faded, the years seem to have frozen here into eternal desolation.
After being deposed, the empress was confined here. The former dignity and prosperity are now reduced to the loneliness and despair of a single room.
Cloud hidden, clad in a night robe, walked into this forgotten land with a stern face and silent footsteps.
He brought a death row convict, whose face was covered with a meticulously crafted fake skin, strikingly similar to the Empress's appearance.
It was almost impossible to distinguish the real from the fake unless one looked closely.
The Empress was sitting by the dilapidated bed in the cold palace, holding a worn-out handkerchief tightly in her hand, her eyes staring blankly at the window as if she were reminiscing about the former prosperity and glory.
When she heard the footsteps, she turned back sharply, her eyes flickering with a touch of surprise and caution. But when she saw Cloud Hidden, that hint of caution quickly turned into a complex mix of emotions.
She got up and walked over, her gaze immediately falling on the face of the death row convict. Seeing that the appearance and figure were strikingly similar to her own, she probably guessed a few things in her heart.
"Cloud Hidden, this... is what the Crown Prince arranged?"
The Empress trembled and asked in a quivering voice.
Cloud Hidden knelt down on one knee and respectfully explained, "Your Majesty, this is the plan of Crown Prince Dugu Ye. He knows the hardships of the cold palace and also knows that His Majesty will not spare you. Therefore, he ordered his subordinate to find a death row convict in the prison, disguise him to look like you, so that he can endure the hardship in your place. And you, Your Majesty, will leave the palace with me to enjoy your later years in Jiangnan."
The Empress heard this and tears streamed out of her eyes, those were the long-forgotten and free tears. "Very good, my son Dugu Ye is indeed my son."
She muttered to herself, her expression extremely excited, with a mixture of relief and reluctance.
She looked at the death row convict who was about to die in her place, examining him closely and confirming repeatedly that there were no issues, before finally feeling at ease.
Cloud Hidden saw this and quickly stepped forward to give the Empress a cloak, covering off the cold night air.
"Your Majesty, time is pressing. We will depart immediately."
The Empress wiped away the tears from her eyes, knowing that she should not linger here any longer, and nodded slightly, "Alright, let's go."
Cloud Hidden's big hand landed on the Empress' waist, and he spoke respectfully, "Your Majesty, I have offended you."
After speaking, he moved a few times, bringing the Empress out of the cold palace. He carefully avoided the patrolling guards and soon left the palace.
The death row convict was left alone, quietly sitting on the bed, becoming the last substitute for the Empress in the depths of the palace.
Outside the capital city, a simple carriage quietly stopped under an old willow tree.
Next to the carriage, Dugu Ye wore luxurious silk clothes and stood upright with a tall and graceful figure. He was handsome with a touch of devilish charm.
Upon seeing the Empress and Cloud Hidden appear, he immediately went to greet them.
"Mother."
Dugu Ye walked forward and personally helped the Empress onto the carriage, his eyes full of reluctance.
"Night, Mother..."
The Empress's voice was choked, and she wanted to say something, but didn't know where to start.
She tightly held Dugu Ye's hand, as if she wanted to pass on all her love and expectations to him.
"The Crown Prince assures the Empress that arrangements have been made in Jiangnan, with dedicated personnel to care for her. The Empress only needs to live a peaceful life. However, from now on, the Empress's name and identity must be kept secret, and it is hoped that she can adapt to this lifestyle."
Dugu Ye spoke softly and caringly, every word filled with concern.
The Empress nodded with tears, knowing that this is the only way she can survive.
Going to Jiangnan to enjoy a peaceful retirement is also a way to escape the turmoil and calculations of the imperial court.
She also doesn't have to die in the cold palace, she knows well how ruthless that man can be.
She also knows that that man will never let herself go unpunished.
"Night, please take good care of yourself."
The Empress composed her thoughts in her eyes, gave a final instruction, and then, under the escort of Cloud Hidden, slowly drove away from the capital towards the unknown Jiangnan.
Dugu Ye stood there and watched the carriage disappear into the night until it was lost in the darkness, then turned back to the Eastern Palace.
