“His Highness is magnanimous and does not hold me accountable. I am already immensely grateful. Even if I were to swear an oath now, I doubt Your Highness would believe my sincere heart. Henceforth, you may judge my sincerity by my actions. Conversely, Your Highness may take my life at any time!”
Having said all that, they had indeed pushed the man to the brink!
Zhao Jiaqi felt a pang of pity for Yu Xiaoshuang, but then again, his plight was insignificant compared to the fallen soldiers.
“Very well, this King shall await your actions!”
After several days of turmoil, Xue Country and Wei Country both retreated their troops and paid two hefty sums of compensation to Yun Country. This not only resolved Yun Country’s existential crisis but also its financial woes!
In the evening, Huangfu Xi did not return to the royal mansion with Yu Xiaoshuang. Instead, he shamelessly stayed to partake in a meal!
During the feast, Huangfu Xi repeatedly expressed his gratitude for the Prince saving Yun Country from dire straits. He drank more than usual, which emboldened him.
Fueled by alcohol, he poured out the words that had been brewing within him: “Your Highness, I have been a most unsuccessful emperor. I used to be jealous, hateful, and envious of you, always wanting to compete and prove that I, a royal heir, was superior to you, a mere nobody. Yet, in the end, I realized I was merely a clown!”
“Corrupt officials preyed on the virtuous, and I turned a blind eye, all for the sake of holding onto this dragon throne. I am constantly being schemed against within the palace. Even my own father constantly plots for me to appoint him Regent. Hah… does he deserve it?”
Fan Zehao and Zhao Jiaqi merely sighed upon hearing his words.
A father vying for power with his son was unprecedented in Yun Country since its founding.
Normally, it was sons who usurped their fathers, or brothers who killed each other for the position of Crown Prince. Such an operation by Prince Heng was indeed the first of its kind!
“Regent… I am not some naive child who understands nothing. He wishes to control the court and sideline me? It’s a wild fantasy!”
With that, he downed another cup of wine and slammed the goblet onto the table. Grabbing Fan Zehao’s hand, he wept, “Your Highness, being an emperor is truly not easy. Ministers scheme, my father, stepmother, and consorts scheme in the palace, and I myself am constantly scheming against this and that. Even in my dreams, I am fighting demons and monsters!”
Fan Zehao frowned and withdrew his hand from Huangfu Xi’s grasp, discreetly wiping it with a handkerchief.
It wasn’t that he found Huangfu Xi dirty, but rather that he felt a bit unsettled. The thought of two grown men holding hands made him uncomfortable.
Fan Zehao couldn't stand seeing a grown man blubbering. He retorted, “If the dragon throne were so easy to sit on, would Huangfu Xian have abdicated?”
How formidable was the late Emperor Huangfu Jintao? During his reign, he was adept at recognizing talent and utilizing people, arranging everything meticulously, and even preparing for future events.
Yet, it seemed none of his children wanted to be emperor, completely subverting their perceptions. That was one thing, but even the male members of the imperial clan were mediocre. Could it be that the Huangfu family’s fortune was dwindling?
Fan Zehao’s words were like an awakening from a dream. Huangfu Xi now understood, and there was no turning back.
He had to sit on the throne, whether he wanted to or not. There was no longer a place for him in Prince Heng’s manor.
He wiped the tears from his face and slumped onto the dining table, saying, “Your Highness, how could I possibly let Prince Heng become Regent? Therefore, I have already chosen a candidate for Regent. Before I came to the manor, I sent the imperial decree back to the palace. The announcement will be made to the world soon.”
Regent?
Zhao Jiaqi and Fan Zehao exchanged glances. A Regent was only appointed when the emperor was young and incapable of handling state affairs independently.
However, Yun Country’s war had been resolved, and within two years, its declining state would be revived, returning to its former prosperity. Why would they suddenly appoint a Regent for no apparent reason?
Still, Fan Zehao paid it no mind. The matter had nothing to do with him.
But Zhao Jiaqi, on the other hand, felt that the Regent Huangfu Xi mentioned might not be so simple. If her guess was correct, it should be…
“Your Highness, allow me to be selfish for a moment. Yun Country cannot do without you, so I have appointed you as Regent. Only with you here can those with wavering loyalty be deterred!”
Zhao Jiaqi slowly closed her eyes. It was as she had guessed. Her husband could not escape the court after all.
She remained relatively calm, but Fan Zehao, on the contrary, became enraged. Looking at his tear-streaked, smiling face, for a fleeting moment, he felt like killing him.
“Your Highness, I know you will refuse this matter, which is why I acted first and reported later. Even if you kill me today, I will not fear the throne falling into the hands of those with wicked intentions. Only you can deter those demons and ghosts, and only you can ensure Yun Country’s stable development. Having ascended the throne, I must consider the welfare of the common people of Yun Country!”
Upon hearing his words, Fan Zehao’s rising anger gradually subsided. Although the matter was handled haphazardly, the fact that he considered the common people made it somewhat excusable.
“Being Regent is acceptable, but I will not involve myself in internal affairs. If you encounter something you cannot resolve, I can offer suggestions. Otherwise, I will not participate in any other matters.”
Huangfu Xi rejoiced and, raising his wine cup, downed another mouthful. “With Your Highness present, I, as emperor, can govern with much more peace of mind!”
With that, he slumped onto the dining table and fell into a deep sleep.
Whether it was because his worries were resolved or because he was truly drunk, he was completely relaxed. Even when the servants carried him away, he did not stir.
In the evening, in the bedroom.
Zhao Jiaqi watched him as he returned from his bath. His inner garment was loosely draped over him, revealing his wheat-colored chest muscles. Even after seeing and touching him so many times, she blushed at the sight.
“Xue Country and Wei Country have retreated. Our objective has been achieved. Are you still holding your birthday banquet?”
Fan Zehao, unaware of his wife’s shyness, sat by the bedside as usual, drying his hair and pondering, “Since it is said to be a birthday celebration, a banquet is naturally in order. However, I dislike such occasions. Perhaps my wife could suggest how it might be made more enjoyable!”
Zhao Jiaqi found this difficult. He was the guest of honor; how could the banquet proceed without him?
She subtly shifted closer to the bed. The mature, masculine scent emanating from her husband always drew her in.
“How about inviting the officials and their families from the inner city, as well as our friends? We can all have a lively gathering, treating it as a party. Let them entertain themselves with singing and dancing, and perhaps add more performances for them to enjoy!”
This suggestion seemed quite good. It had been a long time since he had gathered with his brothers. This would be a perfect opportunity.
“My wife is indeed clever. Tomorrow, I will send out invitations to all our friends and relatives. As for the food and drink at the banquet, as well as the singing and dancing, my wife will have to put in extra effort!”
Zhao Jiaqi lay down, pulled the thin blanket over herself, and softly responded, then pretended to fall asleep.
Seeing his wife’s drowsy state, Fan Zehao didn't suspect anything, merely thinking she was tired. He extinguished the lamp, got into bed, and embraced her as he drifted off to sleep.