nucmednet Chapter 301 The Crown Prince and Empress are offline
Chapter 301 The Crown Prince and Empress are offline
"Mother, your son doesn't care about the position of Crown Prince, he only wants to save you!"
The empress shook her head, her eyes filled with despair and relief.
"Yunheng, my journey has come to an end."
"You must live well from now on, leave the capital, go to a place where no one knows you, and start over."
"No! Your son cannot abandon his mother!"
"Silly child," the Empress sighed softly, "Throughout my life, I have been blinded by power and committed too many sins. This is my retribution for what I have come to be."
She took out a jade pendant from her bosom and handed it to the crown prince: "This is the jade pendant you wore when you were a child. Wear it and it will protect you for the rest of your life."
The prince took the jade pendant as if he had grasped the last straw.
The Empress reached out and gently stroked the Crown Prince's forehead.
"After today's parting, we may never see each other again in this life. Remember, no matter whose child you are, in my heart you will always be my son."
There were footsteps outside the door.
The eunuchs filed in, the head eunuch carrying a tray with a cup of wine on it.
"By order of the Emperor, the deposed Empress is to be given poisoned wine. Your Majesty, please!"
The Crown Prince suddenly stood up and blocked the Empress's path. But she grabbed his hand: "Yunheng, don't cause trouble. Let's go, let's leave the palace."
She took one last look at her son, her eyes filled with reluctance and longing.
"Yunheng, remember your mother's words, and live well."
After saying that, she tilted her head back and drank the liquid in the glass in one gulp.
The moment the wine entered her throat, the empress felt a sharp pain, as if a thousand sharp blades were piercing through her internal organs at the same time.
She forced herself not to collapse, her gaze fixed on the Crown Prince's face.
"Yunheng, run..." The Empress's voice had become weak, "Don't look..."
The Crown Prince's legs felt as heavy as lead. He wanted to go forward to help the Empress, but was stopped by two eunuchs.
"Mother!" he cried out in despair, watching as the Empress arched her back in agony, her face turning from white to blue, and then to purplish-black.
The Empress's eyes gradually lost focus, yet they remained fixed on the Crown Prince.
Her lips trembled, as if she wanted to say something, but no sound came out.
Finally, her body went limp and she fell silent.
The deposed crown prince was struck dumb, frozen in place as if his soul had left his body.
"The time has come, Your Highness, please leave," the eunuch said coldly.
The crown prince turned around blankly and staggered out of the cold palace.
The sky was overcast with dark clouds, as if a downpour could begin at any moment.
Meanwhile, Jing'anju.
Chu Ruohan stood by the window, looking at the dark clouds on the horizon, and felt a strange sense of irritation.
"Young Madam, Prince Su has arrived," Yu Ling announced as she entered.
Chu Ruohan frowned even more deeply. Why was he here again?
He then turned to Yuling and said, "Please wait in the hall, Your Highness. I will change my clothes and then go there."
Inside the front hall, Prince Su, dressed in a long black robe, stood with his hands behind his back, his gaze fixed on a pot of blooming orchids in the hall, when he heard footsteps.
He turned around, a gentle smile on his face.
"Your Highness Prince Su, may I ask what brings you here today?" Chu Ruohan dismissed the servants, bowed slightly, and asked.
Prince Su gestured for her to sit down, looking at her gently: "So much has happened these past few days. I have come here specifically to visit you, my lady, and see if you are well."
Chu Ruohan picked up the teacup and gently placed it to her lips, trying to hide her unease.
"Thank you for your concern, Your Highness. I am perfectly fine."
"The Empress has committed suicide by poison, and the Crown Prince has been deposed..."
Before he could finish speaking, Chu Ruohan interrupted him.
"I am aware of this matter."
Chu Ruohan's smile froze. She slightly raised her head, her tone turning colder:
"It is getting late, Your Highness. Please understand my situation. There is a difference between men and women. It is probably inappropriate for Your Highness to come alone."
A strange light flashed in Prince Su's eyes. He hadn't expected Chu Ruohan to issue such a direct order to leave, and he was momentarily stunned.
"Madam, you flatter me. I am only worried that the recent turmoil in the court may have some impact on you."
Chu Ruohan's expression remained unchanged, a faint smile playing on her lips, but it didn't reach her eyes.
"Thank you for your concern, Your Highness. I am but a lowly woman, merely keeping to myself at home. What do matters of the court have to do with me?"
Prince Su picked up his teacup, took a small sip, and his gaze fell on Chu Ruohan's slightly protruding belly.
He said meaningfully, "Do you want to know anything about Gu Junze?"
Chu Ruohan's fingers paused slightly, and she lowered her eyes to hide the turmoil in them.
"What do you mean by that, Your Highness?"
Prince Su gently placed the teacup on the table. "The war in the northern frontier has lasted for several months. The State of Zheng refuses to release Lin Jingchuan or hand over the city, and the two armies are locked in a stalemate."
Chu Ruohan's heart sank. Although she had expected it, hearing the news still made her clench her fingers tightly.
That man's ambition is too great...
Prince Su noticed her reaction and the corners of his mouth turned up slightly.
"Gu Junze is burdened with heavy responsibilities and the war situation is complex, so I'm afraid he won't be able to return to the capital for a while. My wife is alone in the capital. If she needs anything, I am willing to do my best to help her."
Chu Ruohan raised her eyes and looked directly at Prince Su: "Thank you for your kindness, Your Highness, but I have my own plans."
"But I am still Gu Junze's wife, and I hope that Your Highness can consider my reputation."
Her tone was neither humble nor arrogant, but her attitude was very clear.
Prince Su stood up, his expression gentle but unable to conceal the sharpness in his eyes.
"In that case, I shall take my leave. However..."
He walked to the door, turned back to look at Chu Ruohan: "Madam, don't forget, no matter how the court changes, it is closely related to you and me."
Chu Ruohan watched Prince Su leave, then raised her hand to rub her temples. This Prince Su was just too unpredictable.
Inside the Prince Su's residence, the Prince Su had just returned home when his trusted confidant rushed over to report.
"Your Highness, the Third Prince has returned to the capital!"
Prince Su's expression changed drastically, and a cold glint flashed in his eyes.
"Really?"
"Absolutely true! I saw it with my own eyes; the Third Prince has already entered the palace to pay homage to the Emperor."
Prince Su looked solemn and paced back and forth with his hands behind his back.
"I clearly ordered my men to set up ambushes at every intersection leading into the capital, so why couldn't I stop him?"
The confidant bowed his head and replied, "It is said that the Third Prince disguised himself as a merchant caravan and entered the city through a side road. Our men only guarded the main road and did not expect him to take a secluded path."
"Useless!" Prince Su slammed his hand on the table, causing the teacup to jump up, fall to the ground, and shatter into several pieces.
His trusted confidants knelt on the ground, not daring to raise their heads.
After a moment, Prince Su calmed down, a cold glint flashing in his eyes.
"His Majesty's favor towards Consort Xian is well known. Now that the Crown Prince has been deposed, the Third Prince will be an even more difficult enemy to deal with than the Crown Prince."
“Your Highness, the Third Prince is devoted to Buddhism and has not returned to the capital for many years. He may not necessarily be vying for the position of Crown Prince.”
Prince Su stood by the window, gazing at the dark, cloud-covered sky in the distance, his eyes filled with gloom.
"No matter what he's thinking, we must be on guard..."