Chapter 597: Ruthless
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Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations
Qin Zhenzhen playfully teased Su Bin, “Don’t you like children?”
Su Bin responded, “I do!”
How could he not adore his own flesh and blood, the product of his wife’s love? Their child bore a resemblance to him but exhibited a lively and playful personality, much like Qin Zhenzhen. Whether hungry or content, the child’s every action touched his heart.
Yet, when he considered the toll of his wife’s hard work, he couldn’t help but feel that one child was sufficient.
Qin Zhenzhen persisted in her playful banter. “You claimed to be afraid of me working hard and professed your love for children. Is this just an excuse to have other women bear your offspring?”
Su Bin wore a serious expression. “Wife, don’t make such jokes in the future. They might upset me!”
“I’ve made it clear before—we’re a couple for life. You’re the only one in my heart.”
Observing Su Bin’s seriousness, Qin Zhenzhen suppressed her laughter.
“Alright, alright! I understand. I won’t say such things again.” “However, I truly believe one child is too few. At least two.”
Su Bin’s expression softened at her words.
“We’ll decide that later.”
“Even if we have a second child, we won’t hold a one-month-old celebration.’
Perplexed, Qin Zhenzhen questioned, “Aren’t you disappointed that we can’t have a banquet this time?”
Su Bin explained, “While regret is one thing, fairness is more crucial.”
“The first child didn’t have a one-month-old celebration. Despite the unique circ.u.mstances, it’s only fair for the second child not to have one either.” “Isn’t it better for them to perceive their parents as individuals who prioritize simplicity over extravagance?”
Qin Zhenzhen chuckled. “That makes sense. It seems your reading of those books wasn’t in vain after all!”
Before the crown prince officially ascended the throne, he had the responsibility of guarding the late emperor for 49 days. However, a nation could not be left without a ruler even for a day. Hence, despite not yet a.s.suming the throne, the Crown Prince was already regarded as the emperor. During his mourning period, he had to attend to governmental matters.
However, this was largely a facade. Many memorials had already been handled by the Public House, only brought to him for appearance’s sake.
The Third Prince returned to the capital for mourning, desiring to pay respects to the previous emperor. The two brothers each occupied a side of the Imperial Mausoleum. The Crown Prince had twelve guards and a retinue of twenty people serving him, while the Third Prince’s side appeared spa.r.s.er. He was only permitted to bring two guards and forbidden from carrying any weapons.
In such a perilous setting, the Crown Prince could easily harm the Third Prince with a mere gesture.
Despite the danger, the Third Prince remained composed.
The Imperial Mausoleum held great solemnity, serving as the resting place for generations of emperors. The Third Prince believed that, even if the Crown Prince were unhinged, he wouldn’t dare to attack in such a sacred location.
Disturbing the ancestors in the imperial mausoleum would jeopardize the Crown Prince’s reign.
Despite the apparent sacredness of the Imperial Mausoleum, the Third Prince remained vigilant and refused to let his guard down.
His concerns proved justified when the Crown Prince, displaying continued erratic and ruthless behavior, orchestrated an attempt on the Third Prince’s life shortly after the seventh day of mourning for the late emperor.
Under the guise of false accusations, the Crown Prince deceitfully claimed that the Third Prince sought to a.s.sa.s.sinate him. He even went so far as to mobilize the Imperial Mausoleum’s guards, turning them against the Third Prince.
Although the Third Prince’s guards had already been eliminated, he relied on his formidable martial skills to evade capture within the confines of the Imperial Mausoleum.
News of this incident spread quickly, causing unrest among civil and military officials who could no longer remain pa.s.sive. They promptly submitted reports on the matter, highlighting the dangerous power struggle unfolding in the royal court..