Chapter 1217: Chapter 1217: All Things Await Renewal
Zhao Junqi finally regained some clarity.
He finally realized that he had been completely wrong all these years.
The succession to the throne was supposed to prioritize legitimate heirs, with seniority respected.
Father was the legitimate younger son, but ultimately had no advantage.
As long as etiquette, benevolence, and ancestral traditions remained, he could never smoothly inherit the throne; all efforts were merely forced.
Looking back to those years.
Father’s incident with falling from the horse was indeed his own scheme against the late Emperor.
With hatred shed away, reason emerged like reef from the seabed, claiming high ground.
Zhao Junqi first laughed heartily, then covered his face in bitter tears.
"Ridiculous!"
"Truly ridiculous!"
"Hahaha...how absurd!"
When will scores of revenge cease? How long before greed stops?
The throne only holds one, yet there are two brothers.
No matter who becomes Emperor, they must kill the other, how absurd!
Zhao Junqi finally realized he never truly cared for the throne.
Since childhood, he never considered being Emperor.
He’s seen too much of fame and fortune.
He’s accustomed to this cannibalistic, false royal family, swallowing broken teeth laden with blood.
He has no wish to remain trapped in this filthy swamp.
He’s longed to escape this place.
To find a serene mountain and water, build a pavilion retreat.
Plant a forest of bamboo, plant a few magnolias, raise some exquisite birds, channel a trickling stream.
Invite friends occasionally, to write poetry in the breeze, appreciate lotuses by the pavilion, admire the moon on Mid-Autumn, or seek plum blossoms in the snow.
At times alone, practice calligraphy and poetry, read and paint, wander by candlelight, or enjoy the company of a cherished one!
Indeed:
"Spring has a hundred flowers, autumn has the moon, summer has cool breeze, winter has snow."
"If no idle matters hang in the heart, that is a good time in the world."
He is of the royal family.
The Imperial Brother always treats fellow kin with benevolence, would never trouble him.
He would become the most leisurely and esteemed prince in Great Chu Dynasty’s history.
Richer than those more idle, more powerful than those wealthier, more content than those in power.
How can anyone in this world possess more than he?
Isn’t this good?
He couldn’t understand why the father insisted on taking that position.
He further couldn’t fathom.
Why father, hating all his life, would demand his son sacrifices his own life.
How cruel this was, did father not realize?
"Imperial Brother!"
Zhao Junqi suddenly spoke.
"I offer you this cup!"
Without waiting for Zhao Junyao to lift his cup, he drank it all himself.
Zhao Junyao was somewhat puzzled.
Yet knowing all the goodness had become irretrievable, his heart filled with melancholy, he couldn’t be bothered to say more.
Unwillingly, he drank a cup of wine, found an excuse, and left.
Zhao Junyao didn’t want to beat around the bush, nor hear any repentance words.
Rebels must die, Zhao Junqi no longer had a chance.
Having been Emperor for many years, his heart had hardened.
He could never give Zhao Junqi a second chance.
Allow himself to have another possible downfall.
He is Emperor, being responsible for himself means being responsible for the people.
A soft-hearted person simply does not deserve to be Emperor.
...
Once Zhao Junyao departed the cell, he went nowhere else but returned to Zhaochen Palace.
Feeling downcast, he didn’t want to frighten Qingqing.
Thus he read some books alone in Zhaochen Palace and slept heedlessly.
However, in the middle of the night.
Li Shengan suddenly knocked on the door.
"Emperor!"
"Emperor, wake up!"
Zhao Junyao was rather impatient.
"What happened!"
Li Shengan pushed the door and came in to report.
"Emperor, Crown Prince Yan has committed suicide!"
Zhao Junyao’s pupils sharply contracted.
"What?!"
Li Shengan repeated, leaving Zhao Junyao completely stunned.
"Suicide?"
"What does this... mean?"
Li Shengan quickly took out a secret note and presented it.
"Emperor, this was found by the servants in the cell!"
Zhao Junyao hurriedly accepted and opened it.
On the thin letter, only one sentence was written.
’Imperial Brother, I’ve departed, if fate allows, let’s be brothers in another life!’
In the next life, he would surely live well, living the way he wants.
Zhao Junyao held the letter and gazed at it for a long time, feeling deeply moved.
After a while he rose to the table.
Took a brush heavily and wrote a word on the paper: Good!
Bold strokes, dragon flying phoenix dancing.
Every word carried complex emotions and weighty promises.
After writing, Zhao Junyao personally dried the ink, lit the thin paper on the candle, watching it turn to ashes.
Zhao Junyao had a smile on his lips.
He should be able to receive a reply!
...
Zhao Junqi perished in the cell.
The execution scheduled for the next day was naturally cancelled.
Being convicted of treason necessitated removal from the imperial lineage, thus where Zhao Junqi’s corpse should be buried became an issue.
Typically, it would be thrown on the mass burial mound, fed to wild dogs.
Yet he was still of the royal family, even feeding it to wild dogs required an imperial order.
Therefore, the Steward of the Ministry of Internal Affairs ran to the Imperial Study Room for instructions.
"Emperor, regarding this corpse..."
Zhao Junyao thoughtlessly ordered.
"Bury it in a good feng shui spot! No need for a tombstone!"
"Yes!"
The Chief Steward respectfully went away.
Li Shengan felt sentiments in his heart.
’Not erecting a tombstone isn’t neglect but a form of protection.’
’Emperor ultimately is benevolent, unwilling to make matters absolute!’
...
Following Zhao Junqi’s burial.
This hidden yet monumental treason was completely suppressed.
Jiangnan implicated extensively.
Regardless of whether officials or wealthy merchants, all were implicated, houses searched, and property seized.
The original three great families of Jiangnan ceased to exist.
Even larger scale businesses vanished, confiscated by the imperial court, bankrupt.
No need to mention officials.
House searches and confiscations were lenient, hearing many officials and their nine clans beheaded.
Tsk tsk!
For a time, the populace felt panicked.
Thankfully, as New Year approached, the court swiftly concluded matters and ceased movements.
Then sent people down to placate citizens.
Distributing grains, regulating prices, and announcing the Emperor’s exemption of Jiangnan’s taxes and levies for three years!
The people happily cast aside thoughts of corrupt officials.
Prepare joyfully for the New Year.
With the new year bringing new prospects, revitalization in the atmosphere.
...
After Jiangnan’s restoration and resuming vibrancy,
The palace also became lively.
After all, it was time for New Year, and the Emperor returned safe.
The Consorts became excited again one by one.
Even if the Emperor didn’t favor them, the Emperor never said he wouldn’t attend to the Harem.
Some concubines could still occasionally see the Emperor.
Even more, concubines like Consort Cheng with children could occasionally dine with the Emperor, making the rest of the harem envious.
Thinking when would their good fortune come.
The harem was joyous.
The atmosphere at Duanning Palace seemed always stiff.
Because Zi Su was gone, Xia Ruqing lacked a companion.
The steward of the Ministry of Internal Affairs brought several groups of palace maids for the Empress to select.
Xia Ruqing chose again and again, yet never found anyone forthright and to her liking.
After several attempts, she no longer wanted to choose.
