Ministers Begging Me to Ascend the Throne Chapter 1164 - 164: Noble Princess Consort Rong’s Interrogation (Part 2)

"Do you really think I would be the one to kill the second son and the others?" The Emperor’s expression was serene. "If I had intended for them to die, I would have simply ordered their execution, rather than stripping them of their status and reducing them to commoners."

"You truly did not kill Yi’er and the others?" Noble Princess Consort Rong remained convinced that Empress Xie had instigated these events.

As Noble Princess Consort Rong’s questioning gaze fell upon him, the Emperor’s eyes did not shift. "No, I would not take their lives."

"Did Yi’er and the rest truly hang themselves?" Noble Princess Consort Rong found it impossible to accept that her two sons would commit suicide.

"Yes."

"Was it not you who commanded them to hang themselves?" Noble Princess Consort Rong, her health failing, spoke with considerable effort. "Your Majesty, look at me. Was it truly not you who ordered them to take their own lives?"

The Emperor met Noble Princess Consort Rong’s intense stare and stated placidly, "No, I did not order them to hang themselves." He then added, "My mind has not deteriorated to such a degree."

"Yet, you show no sorrow." Noble Princess Consort Rong pushed herself upright, her expression twisting into one of madness. "Yi’er and the others are dead, and you appear utterly unmoved. Yi’er was your most beloved son, yet you act as if nothing has transpired."

In response to Noble Princess Consort Rong’s accusation, the Emperor calmly inquired, "Do you wish for me to behave as you do?"

A shiver ran down Noble Princess Consort Rong’s spine at the Emperor’s composure, and she suddenly erupted into laughter, a sound laced with bitter self-mockery.

The Emperor, unsure of the extent of Noble Princess Consort Rong’s distress, said, "Take care of yourself. I shall visit you again."

"Cousin, did you ever love me?" Noble Princess Consort Rong’s question came abruptly.

By this point, the Emperor had already turned his back to her.

"Cousin, did you ever love me?" she repeated, her voice strained. "Cousin, please answer me."

The Emperor remained silent, preparing to depart when he heard Noble Princess Consort Rong speak again. "Cousin, the one you truly love is not me, but Xie Wan, isn't that so?" Tears streamed down her face as she asked, her voice rising hysterically, "You never loved me, did you? From the very beginning until the end, it was Xie Wan you loved, wasn't it?"

"Cousin, answer me. Are you still going to deceive me… cough cough cough cough cough…" Noble Princess Consort Rong was overcome by a violent coughing fit, spitting up blood.

The Emperor turned back, observing Noble Princess Consort Rong whose eyes were now scarlet with anger and indignation. He let out a soft sigh. "When have I ever deceived you?"

Noble Princess Consort Rong fixed her stubborn gaze upon the Emperor and posed her question once more. "Cousin, tell me, do you love me at all?"

"You first asked me that question when we were young." The Emperor replied, "This question you have asked for decades. Have I ever given you an answer?"

Noble Princess Consort Rong paused, stunned. She recalled their past and realized she had indeed asked countless times, yet the Emperor had never responded directly, always skillfully evading the question.

"Once, I told you that you were the one I cherished the most."

"Cherished… hahaha…" Noble Princess Consort Rong had once believed that cherishing equated to love. Now, she understood that cherishing was not love. "I was mistaken. I was so terribly wrong… I was a fool. I always believed you loved me; I thought I was the one you loved above all others… cough cough cough cough cough…"

Noticing Noble Princess Consort Rong coughing up more and more blood, the Emperor approached to support her, but she tightly grasped his arm. With a surge of strength, her nails dug deeply into his flesh.

"Cousin, from our youth until now, did you ever love me, even a little?"

Seeing the Emperor’s continued silence, Noble Princess Consort Rong understood the answer, and the light in her eyes instantly faded.

"Not even a tiny bit?" she cautiously inquired, her gaze filled with desperate pleading as she looked at the Emperor.

The Emperor gently wiped a trace of blood from the corner of Noble Princess Consort Rong’s mouth, his voice soft. "I only cherished you."

Noble Princess Consort Rong violently shook off the Emperor’s hand, glaring at him. "I am neither a cat nor a dog; I do not require your cherishing. I have loved you for decades. What I sought was your love. Now you tell me you do not love me, that you merely treasured me like a plaything. It is truly pathetic… hahaha… Then what does my love for you amount to… a joke, a colossal joke…" Noble Princess Consort Rong finally comprehended that she had become the punchline. Her decades of love meant absolutely nothing… hahaha…

Witnessing Noble Princess Consort Rong’s descent into madness, a flicker of pity crossed the Emperor’s eyes.