novelraw Chapter 669 - 658: The Cuckolded Prince
Chapter 669 - 658: The Cuckolded Prince
The sound of horse hooves grew closer, and when it reached Ye Qiu and Ye Kai, the leader of the group stopped.
"What are you two doing here?" Ye Ke dismounted and said to the two.
Among the brothers, his appearance was the most ordinary, but Ye Kai felt that his presence was even more commanding than that of the Second Prince. When he was scrutinized by the Eldest Brother, he felt his legs trembling; truly, this was a man who had come from the battlefield!
"Eldest Brother." Ye Qiu, holding Little Ye Heng and leading Ye Kai, bowed and greeted, "We were bored and had nothing to do, so we came out for a stroll. Are you returning to the capital to report on your duties, Eldest Brother?"
"Yes." Ye Ke nodded coldly towards them and then asked concisely, "Do you want to come with me?"
"Sure!" Without minding Ye Kai’s fear, Ye Qiu happily climbed onto a horse, taking with him the roasted rabbit and chicken that had been cooked until crispy.
Ye Ke looked at him with a complex expression, surprised that in the years he hadn’t returned, his Seventh Brother’s taste had become so peculiar.
The horses in the military were much taller and stronger than the ones ridden by Ye Qiu and his group. Little Ye Heng became very excited as soon as he mounted and gazed at Ye Ke with sparkling eyes.
Ye Ke turned to look at him, seemingly interested, "How old is the child now?"
"Two and a half years old." Ye Qiu lovingly stroked Little Ye Heng’s head.
Ye Ke nodded, "In two more years, he can start learning martial arts. If there’s no martial master available then, come and find me at my residence."
Since he had made this offer, it showed that he still had a fondness for Little Ye Heng. Ye Qiu, having a reason to get closer to him, gladly accepted.
Ye Ke, being the Holy Emperor’s eldest and legitimate son, had earned considerable military merits at the border in the past few years. Therefore, the news of his return to report duties quickly spread throughout the entire capital.
The capital was brewing with silent tumult, everyone plotting something.
In the Eastern Palace, Crown Prince Ye Zheng’s eyes darkened, his mood far from calm. Among so many brothers, the one he dreaded the most had returned. How could he not be troubled?
Would Father Emperor keep Eldest Brother in the capital?
Ye Zheng could not be sure whether it was good or bad if Ye Ke stayed in the capital. If Eldest Brother continued to be stationed at the border, then the whole Northwest Region would become his domain. Even if he ascended to the throne in the future, Eldest Brother, using the military, could threaten his position. Yet, if Eldest Brother did not go to the border, those Ministers in the capital might align with Eldest Brother, making it extremely difficult for him when he ascended to the throne.
Now, his biggest reliance was on Father Emperor. As long as Father Emperor stood by him, Eldest Brother would not be able to shake his position. He hoped Father Emperor would not disappoint him.
"Your Highness pays his respects to Father Emperor!" In the Jinluan Palace, Ye Ke respectfully performed the rituals before the current Holy Emperor.
"Rise." Emperor Ye Guang looked lovingly at his eldest son, "You have worked hard these past years."
Ye Ke dared not take pride, replying meticulously, "It is my duty, Father."
"I have read your memorials, and you have done very well. Now, rest well in the capital. I will arrange someone to take over the military affairs, so you do not have to worry about them anymore," Emperor Ye Guang said affectionately.
However, upon hearing this, Ye Ke and his two Deputy Generals clenched their fists. Such nice words, but wasn’t this just a way to strip him of his military power?
Yet, Ye Ke was not only a son but also a subject, and he had no choice but to obey the Emperor’s commands, or else who knows what rumors might spread, or what charges might suddenly be leveled against him.
Was all the hard work and years of bloody battles he had endured only worth this single statement?
Ye Ke felt aggrieved in his heart, yet he knew that opposing the Father Emperor at this point, when his capabilities weren’t fully developed, would lead to a dead end.
"Thank you, Father Emperor, for your grace." Ye Ke once again respectfully knelt down to kowtow as a salute, forcing the two Deputy Generals to temporarily suppress their uneasy thoughts.
Emperor Ye Guang, seeing this, was truly satisfied and nodded: "Mm, rise. Go and see your Empress Mother later; she is very worried about you."
"Yes, this son will go now."
Within less than a day, the news of Ye Ke being stripped of military power spread rapidly. Those who originally planned to side with the Eldest Prince ceased their actions, seeing that the Emperor still favored the Crown Prince.
Lin Jingxian heard the news and showed a relieved smile; she knew that person wouldn’t be easily pulled down by anyone.
Tomorrow is the tenth Prince’s birthday; will she have a chance to see him? Lin Jingxian was excited and meticulously chose what dress and jewelry she would wear tomorrow, intending to show her best side to him.
Qinghu Court, after Ye Qiu finished a session of Body Forging Technique, asked Little Lu: "How is that maid called Mu Jin?"
"She has become much more disciplined."
"In a while, send her back to Princess Consort’s place, and let Nanny Zhang remind her who the master of this house really is, and who decides her life and death."
"Yes."
The next day, Ye Qiu and Lin Jingxian left the house together; Ye Heng was as usual held in Ye Qiu’s arms, while the twins, being too small, were not brought out.
Lin Jingxian looked at Ye Heng with complex emotions and smiled seemingly affectionately: "Prince has raised Heng’er really well."
It has been a long time since she last saw Ye Heng, but she remembered the child was once a frail and pitiful little thing. But now, he was not only plump and healthy, but his eyes also showed no trace of fear, bright and clear, almost a spitting image of Ye Qiu.
Although he is just a bastard, a sense of wariness had already risen in her heart.
Ye Qiu snorted lightly: "The children I raise, of course, are well-raised," he said with pride, then carried Ye Heng into the carriage. Lin Jingxian felt a blockage in her breath, as though she didn’t know when things between them had started to go less smoothly than before.
Isn’t he in love with her? Why does it seem like everything was opposing her?
Worried about the time, although discontent, Lin Jingxian still entered the carriage. Ye Qiu acted as if he didn’t see her, focusing solely on playing with Ye Heng. The child’s laughter echoed far, hardening Lin Jingxian’s expression even more.
But thinking that she would see her beloved soon, a shy smile appeared on her face. Ye Qiu saw this and sarcastically chuckled, but Lin Jingxian, immersed in her own thoughts, naturally did not notice.
"Fifth Brother, you’re here." Today, Ten himself was greeting guests at the entrance. Seeing Ye Qiu, he burst into a brilliant smile, then greeted Lin Jingxian with a bow, "Fifth Sister-in-law, how are you?"
"Little Brother Ten is too polite." She smiled warmly and generously, immediately causing a stir of admiration from the surrounding crowd as she got off the carriage.
She truly deserved the title of the capital’s number one beauty. Dressed in a delicate pink-blue palace dress, her head adorned with exquisite step shakes and a jade hairpin, the forehead also appropriately hung a ruby, indeed exuding an ethereal and dazzling presence.
Countless envious gazes drifted towards Ye Qiu, who, riding the wave of pride, gave a smug smile, then, disregarding Lin Jingxian’s stiffness, took her hand.
"Crown Prince has arrived!"