The Aloof Lord's Mysterious Wife-Chapter 455: "This Son Will Never Be Able to Lift His Head and Face the World in This Lifetime"

Chapter 455: "This Son Will Never Be Able to Lift His Head and Face the World in This Lifetime"

Emperor Muwu looked at his sobbing son, a flicker of reluctance crossing his face. However, he soon shook his head gently and said, "It’s too late."

These four simple words crushed the last glimmer of hope in Ye Chengyan’s heart. He stood there, stunned, feeling as if his heart was sinking into an abyss.

Empress Xie, filled with both sadness and anger, choked out, "Your Majesty, after so many years together, are you really going to disregard everything? Once the Royal Heir is deposed again, he will be ridiculed by the world. How will he survive?"

Emperor Muwu was extremely fatigued. He gazed steadily at Empress Xie and said, "Those here today are trusted ministers of mine. The Royal Heir has been overseeing the court for some time now. Why don’t you ask them if they are satisfied with him? If even half of them disagree with deposing the Royal Heir today, I will never bring it up again in the future!"

His agitation made him breathless and weak. Empress Xie’s eyes glistened with tears as she turned to look at Prime Minister Lu and the others.

Elder Cao was already on record with his opinion, having expressed his stance earlier. Elder Xu, upright and concerned only with the nation’s welfare, said, "I, like Elder Cao, believe the selection of the Crown Prince should be done with utmost caution."

The other elders nodded in agreement. Only Prime Minister Lu pursed his lips before speaking on Ye Chengyan’s behalf, "The Royal Heir is still young and of a fundamentally upright character. With proper guidance, he could still become a capable ruler. I urge Your Majesty to reconsider."

Ye Chengyan, whose mind had gone blank, felt a wave of warmth wash over him when he heard Prime Minister Lu’s words, as if a bowl of hot soup had warmed him from head to toe. However, Empress Xie’s face remained pale--what use was there in having just one supporter?

She turned to look at Ye Siheng and Nanli, her gaze full of pleading.

Ye Siheng, loyal to Emperor Muwu above all, said, "Royal Sister-in-law, are you truly unaware of the Royal Heir’s temperament? The Emperor himself faces many difficulties in his position. Given the Royal Heir’s character and abilities, are you not afraid he will meet a violent end?"

Empress Xie trembled all over, staring blankly at Emperor Muwu. She and Emperor Muwu had weathered many storms together, supporting each other through countless conspiracies and schemes. Even after Emperor Muwu had finally ascended to the throne, he continued to be plotted against, to the point where he had to use himself as bait, damaging his own health. Her husband... he was not yet fifty!

"Your Majesty, may I have a word?" Nanli suddenly spoke.

Empress Xie was taken aback, but did not refuse Nanli’s request. The two women stepped outside the hall, dismissing the palace attendants. Empress Xie, her mind in turmoil, could not even find the words to ask Nanli to intercede.

Nanli set up a talismanic barrier to prevent eavesdropping. She then spoke plainly, "The imperial throne is steeped in deadly intent. Whoever ascends it or becomes the Royal Heir will face inevitable death."

Empress Xie’s eyes widened in shock. Having been through so much, she deeply trusted Nanli.

"What do you mean?" Empress Xie’s heart clenched tightly. "Is someone plotting a rebellion? Or is Qi Nation up to something again?"

Nanli shook her head. "Some things are beyond my ability to foresee. Earlier, when the Prince of Changchun almost agreed, his face already showed signs of impending death. The Royal Heir’s face now bears the same omen."

Because these matters were intricately connected to her, Nanli could not predict them clearly.

Empress Xie staggered, gripping a pillar for support, her eyes filled with anxiety. She had witnessed much death, but knowing that her only son was destined to die threw her into complete panic.

"To save Yan’er’s life, he must not remain the Royal Heir?" Empress Xie grasped Nanli’s hand tightly.

"This is likely the only way to avert the disaster," Nanli replied.

Empress Xie closed her eyes, letting out a long sigh. "Indeed, Yan’er is of average ability. How could he possibly withstand the dangers from all sides?"

As a mother, she wished only for her son’s safety and well-being. Fame and power no longer held any importance. Nanli’s brief words had brought her to a painful realization.

When they reentered the hall, Empress Xie’s eyes were clear and resolute. She looked directly at Ye Siheng, rather than Emperor Muwu, and asked, "Ninth Brother, I ask you this: If Yan’er voluntarily renounces his title as Royal Heir, can you guarantee his safety for the rest of his life and ensure the prosperity of his descendants?"

Ye Chengyan suddenly looked up. "Mother!"

How could his mother have changed her mind so quickly? He then stared at Nanli, his heart roiling with conflicting emotions.

Ye Siheng, his expression indifferent, said, "Rest assured, Royal Sister-in-law. As long as he harbors no other ambitions or desires, I will ensure his safety and the prosperity of his descendants."

Empress Xie knew Ye Siheng was a man of his word, especially when he made such a promise in front of the court ministers. She looked down at her son. "Yan’er, you should request to be relieved of your title as Royal Heir."

"Mother, I can’t!" Ye Chengyan’s voice trembled. "I’ll be ridiculed, and I’ll never be able to lift my head and face the world in this lifetime!"

Empress Xie responded coldly, "If you wanted to be respected and admired, you should have followed the rules and worked hard from the beginning! The situation you find yourself in today is of your own making! Can’t you see the reality? If your father issues an edict, you won’t even be able to preserve the last shred of your dignity!"

Ye Chengyan trembled violently. Yet, no matter how desperately he pleaded with his eyes, no matter how many tears he shed, no one spoke up for him anymore.

He had reached a dead end.

Ye Chengyan prostrated himself on the ground, his throat tight. "This unworthy son lacks the virtue and ability to be the Crown Prince. I respectfully ask Father to strip me of my title and select a more capable candidate."

The hall fell silent for a moment.

Finally, Emperor Muwu spoke, "Granted."

Upon hearing this word, Ye Chengyan wept bitterly, overwhelmed by his suffering.

Afterward, Prime Minister Lu drafted the decree, stripping Ye Chengyan of his title as Royal Heir and bestowing upon him the title of Prince of Wu’an, along with a fiefdom. Whether Ye Chengyan would remain in the capital or move to his fiefdom would be decided later.

Emperor Muwu, now utterly exhausted, gave Ye Siheng a few final instructions before slipping back into unconsciousness. The decree to depose the Royal Heir would be officially announced at the next morning’s court session.

However, the decision was already final. Ye Chengyan would have to move out of the Heir’s Palace within three days, starting to pack his belongings immediately.

Ye Siheng had long since prepared a residence for him.

Ye Chengyan, his face ashen, had nothing left to fear. He said coldly, "Royal Uncle has certainly made thorough preparations. Your nephew thanks you."

Ye Siheng raised an eyebrow, countering venom with venom. "The Prince of Wu’an has been deposed three times. His future path will surely be difficult. As your royal uncle and elder, this is my duty."

Ye Chengyan’s expression stiffened. He gritted his teeth but had no retort.

Ye Siheng pressed on, "Do you have enough people to help with the move from the Heir’s Palace? Should I send the Black Armor Guard to assist?"

The thought of leaving the Heir’s Palace tore at Ye Chengyan’s heart. "My men are sufficient. There’s no need to trouble Royal Uncle."