Chapter 596: Heartache
Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations
The palace hosted the Lantern Festival banquet, attended by all the emperor’s concubines, princes, princesses, the Empress Dowager, and the imperial concubine left behind by the late emperor. It was an exclusive event for the royal family, with no foreign ministers in attendance.
During the banquet, a newly favored concubine graced the occasion with a dance.
That same night, the emperor spent time with her, and tragically, he perished during their encounter.
The imperial physicians diagnosed the cause of death as an “immediate stroke.” The concubine who had been with him took the blame and was summarily executed.
Su Bin and Qin Zhenzhen shared an understanding that the emperor’s demise wasn’t a result of a sudden stroke, but rather a conspiracy orchestrated by the Public House.
The intricacies of the plot were unknown to those from the Dragon Phoenix Hall, but the outcome was paramount— the emperor was dead, and the crown prince was next in line.
While the Crown Prince remained under the influence of the Public House, each emperor had personal preferences and principles. The deceased emperor, for instance, favored gentle and immaculate beauties, desiring freshness. Despite having a harem of 3,000 beauties, few could frequently share his bed unless some manipulative means, like the Jiang family’s earlier use of a beauty and medicine, were employed.
The Public House exploited his preferences, inundating him with beauties every six months, ensnaring the emperor in their web of influence.
Once His Highness the Crown Prince assumed the throne, the Public House intended to employ a similar strategy, fulfilling his desires in exchange for compliance.
What if that contemptible Crown Prince still harbored resentment? The unknown consequences loomed, leaving them uneasy about what might transpire.
Adding to the uncertainty, the situation for the Third Prince was precarious. With the emperor’s passing, the Third Prince would inevitably return to the capital for mourning. Su Bin pondered whether the Third Prince could navigate the perils posed by both the Public House and the vengeful Crown Prince.
The potential loss of the Third Prince’s life would spell disaster for the country and its people.
If the Public House sought to seize the throne, internal strife would likely ensue.
Qin Zhenzhen reassured Su Bin, gently patting the back of his hand. “Don’t worry. The Third Prince is not foolish, nor is he weak. It won’t be easy to eliminate him.”
In the book’s plot, the Third Prince was the male lead, possessing his own protective aura that safeguarded him from an untimely demise. However, challenges were sure to arise.
Su Bin stared at Qin Zhenzhen, noting her calm demeanor. His wife seemed remarkably composed.
A few days later, the news of the emperor’s death spread, leading to a prohibition on festive activities for three months. Su Bin’s plan to hold a one-month-old banquet for his son was thwarted.
Feeling a sense of disappointment, he expressed his frustration. “I had intended to compensate for our simple wedding with a grand celebration for our son, but now, it’s disrupted by a state funeral.”
Su Bin harbored resentment toward the Public House and the Crown Prince, and now, the state of affairs fueled his displeasure further.
Qin Zhenzhen comforted him, emphasizing, “I’m not someone who cares about extravagance. As long as our family is harmonious and healthy, that’s true happiness.”
Su Bin still felt regret, to which Qin Zhenzhen suggested, “How about a grander celebration for our next child?”
In earnest, Su Bin replied, “I witnessed the difficulty you endured during childbirth. Having one child is sufficient for us.”
Touched by his sincerity, Qin Zhenzhen added, “But one child may feel a bit lonely. ‘ITO would De even Detter.”
She was against the idea of creating a fertility machine, but the notion of having a second child was still acceptable to her.
The perspectives of ancient and modern individuals often differed.
In ancient times, Su Bin could genuinely express that one child was sufficient, showcasing the depth of his love for her.
Gently embracing Qin Zhenzhen, Su Bin remarked, “But you’ve endured so much.. My heart aches, truly aches…”