A Foodie Transmigrated into the Palace Chapter 1198: Bygone Events

The sea offered a remarkably beautiful panorama.

Leaning against the ship's railing, the pair conversed at ease while taking in the breathtaking scenery.

"I do wonder how the children are faring back in the palace?"

"As for Chenchen, I'm not overly concerned about his stability!"

"Henger and Yeye are also grown men now. Being princes, unless something of grave importance occurs, there's little need for excessive worry. However, Yue Er... she causes me unease!"

"With both of us absent from the palace, that girl now possesses complete freedom. Who knows what kind of mischief she might instigate!"

Zhao Junyao offered a nod in agreement.

"Indeed!"

"Yue Er is, admittedly, a bit of a rascal."

"Yet, as the sole legitimate princess of the Great Chu Dynasty, a touch of daring spirit does no harm!"

"With me present, and Chenchen as her elder brother, no one would dare to mistreat her!"

A look of resigned helplessness crossed Xia Ruqing's features.

’There he goes again, the doting father revealed!’

’He probably believes that even if his daughter were to dismantle the entire palace roof, she'd do it with unparalleled style!’

What further words could she possibly offer?

Xia Ruqing managed a faint smile.

"Then I can finally feel at ease!"

Her hand instinctively drifted to her chest.

Tucked away were several vials of medicine, procured through clandestine channels unknown even to Zi Su.

One vial held a potent concoction designed to render a man permanently infertile.

Her desire to live was immense, and the thought of being violated was unbearable; this medicine seemed a fitting safeguard.

Another vial contained the infamous Bewitching Powder. A single ingested pill promised a three-day, three-night slumber, potentially creating a window for escape.

The final vial contained a swift and deadly poison.

Ingesting its contents would usher in a peaceful, dignified death during sleep.

The drive to survive is an intrinsic human nature, a primal instinct.

It was only in the direst of circumstances, facing utter desperation, that she would ever contemplate the final option.

However, when confronted with the true prospect of death, hesitation would not be a factor.

Though perhaps timid, she possessed her own inviolable boundaries.

A gentle sea breeze playfully stirred her hair.

Lifting a hand to tame the stray strands, Xia Ruqing turned to Zhao Junyao, her gaze softening into a smile.

"Your Majesty, would you perhaps recount the events of the past?"

Even in death, shouldn't one depart with understanding?

Otherwise, everything feels so utterly meaningless.

Why would Prince Yan and his son lie in wait for so many years, dedicating their entire lives to rebellion?

If there were no underlying reasons, who would ever believe such a tale?

Zhao Junyao shifted his focus from the distant horizon and turned his gaze back to her.

"You wish to know?"

Xia Ruqing nodded, her expression earnest.

"Naturally!"

Zhao Junyao turned his head once more towards the endless sea, pausing briefly before speaking in a measured tone.

"The origin of these matters traces back to the year Prince Yan sustained his leg injury!"

Xia Ruqing immediately straightened her posture, her eyes alight with anticipation, prepared to absorb every word.

Zhao Junyao narrowed his eyes slightly and continued his narrative.

"My father and Prince Yan were both sons born to the Grand Empress Dowager. My father ranked sixth among the princes, while Prince Yan was the ninth! Prince Yan was merely two years younger than my father!"

"They shared a similar age and were full siblings, born of the same mother, both legitimate princes under the esteemed Emperor Grandfather!"

"According to the Chu Dynasty's precedent of prioritizing the legitimate heir over the eldest, my father was destined for the position of Crown Prince, positioned to inherit the throne!"

"However, as they matured, the Emperor Grandfather observed that Prince Yan possessed abilities that surpassed my father's, both in scholarly pursuits and martial prowess!"

"Furthermore, his physical build was more imposing than my father's!"

"In every conceivable aspect, Prince Yan demonstrated greater capability and appeared more suited to be the Crown Prince!"

"Consequently... the Emperor Grandfather began to harbor doubts!"

"While there exists a principle of favoring the legitimate heir over the eldest, there is no strict rule dictating whether it should be the legitimate eldest or youngest son."

"After all, both were legitimate sons, of incredibly close ages, and the position within the Eastern Palace ought to belong to the most competent."

"Thus, from that point onward, the Emperor Grandfather dedicated more attention to grooming Prince Yan!"

At this juncture, Zhao Junyao paused, allowing a moment of silence before resuming.

"Prince Yan was exceptionally astute. How could he possibly fail to perceive the Emperor Grandfather's intentions?"

"From that moment, whether engaged in study, intellectual pursuits, or participating in military campaigns, Prince Yan relentlessly strove to outperform my father."

"And indeed, he often succeeded!"

"However, while Prince Yan exerted considerable effort, so did my father. Ultimately, Prince Yan did not establish an overwhelming superiority."

"The decision to designate him as Crown Prince was merely an inclination in the Emperor Grandfather's mind!"

"Such a marginal advantage was insufficient to sway the court ministers toward establishing him as the Crown Prince!"

"Merely because he was born two years later, should he be denied the opportunity to become Crown Prince? He harbored deep resentment!"

"Therefore, Prince Yan intensified his efforts even further!"

"Studying day and night, reading until the moon is high, and waking with the very first light to train with the sword!"

"Through the biting cold of winter and the sweltering heat of summer, not a single day in the entire year did he falter in his resolve!"

"His ambition was to vastly outshine my father, to prove to the entire world his superior capabilities!"

"He was consumed by the desire to become the Crown Prince!"

"Regrettably..."

A hint of disdain flickered within Zhao Junyao’s gaze.

"When the realization dawned that no matter his efforts, his ultimate goal remained out of reach, a wicked scheme took root in his heart!"

"During that autumn’s royal hunt, he secretly arranged for someone to tamper with my father’s steed!"

"A minor incident would lead to his humiliation, a fall before the eyes of all; a graver mishap could result in grievous injury, permanent disability, or even his demise!"

"Regardless of the outcome, he stood to gain immensely!"

Xia Ruqing listened, utterly aghast at the revelation.

"How could such a thing happen!"

"They were brothers, of the same blood, born of the same mother!"

Zhao Junyao let out a cynical scoff.

"What significance does their shared blood hold? For the position of Crown Prince, Prince Yan would stop at nothing!"

Xia Ruqing pressed on, curiosity piqued.

"And what transpired next?"

After a significant pause, Zhao Junyao’s voice dropped, speaking with deliberate slowness.

"And then... this was the consequence!"

"My father emerged unscathed, but Prince Yan himself took a tumble from his horse, shattering both legs and leaving him permanently crippled!"

Xia Ruqing, profoundly shocked, struggled to process the information, remaining speechless for an extended period.

"What in the world... led to this?"

Zhao Junyao remained in contemplation for a considerable duration before suddenly revealing the answer.

"It was my father!"

"My father had discovered his treacherous plot and illicitly swapped the horses!"

"Consequently... it was Prince Yan who ultimately sustained the devastating leg injuries!"

"By the time Prince Yan grasped the truth of the matter, my father had already ascended to the title of Crown Prince, and all was irrevocably decided!"

"With his legs already broken, any thought of open rebellion was futile, thus..."

Xia Ruqing finished, piecing it together.

"He chose to endure all these years?"

"And outwardly, he feigned ignorance and never pursued the matter, all while secretly harboring plans for rebellion?!"

Zhao Junyao offered a solemn nod.

Xia Ruqing sat in a daze, her thoughts in utter turmoil.

‘It’s no wonder they say the depths of a royal family’s heart are devoid of all sentiment!’

‘If even those bound by blood can harbor such calculated malice, what hope is there for those unrelated?’

Xia Ruqing found herself utterly lost for words, overwhelmed and uncertain of how to respond.

Zhao Junyao placed a hand on her shoulder, a gesture of comfort.

"Enough, these are but the lingering shadows of a past generation!"

"Who was in the right and who was wrong is beyond our present capacity to judge!"

"I only know this much: treason is a crime that spells ruin for nine successive generations. Even if it involves my own Imperial Uncle or my cousin, such an offense is utterly unforgivable!"

Xia Ruqing inclined her head in agreement.

"You speak wisely, Your Majesty!"

"The paramount concerns are the kingdom’s stability and the welfare of its people!"

Although the former Emperor had also exhibited considerable ruthlessness.

Still, the greater transgression in this entire affair lay with Prince Yan.

Why cling so desperately to that which was never meant to be his?