Zhang San, please behave yourself!
Chapter 696 - 636: The Path of Awakening of the Crown Prince

Chapter 696: Chapter 636: The Path of Awakening of the Crown Prince

"What!?"

Upon hearing that Empress Gudu was gravely ill, the Crown Prince immediately wanted to visit her.

But on the way, the Crown Prince encountered Pan Hu, whom his father had brought back from the north, a creature capable of speech.

Pan Hu then told the Crown Prince all about the secret discussions that Kaihuang and Empress Gudu had in the sleeping chambers.

At that moment, the mind of the Crown Prince was a complete blank.

In the endless void, it seemed as if countless noises echoed around his ears.

Eventually, it all crystallized into that one sentence uttered by his father, "He is not like me."

Crown Prince Yang Ce knew that he was finished.

His mother actually wanted to replace him, the Crown Prince, with King Jin.

He had known that something was amiss with King Jin staying in the Capital all this time.

To think that King Jin would vie for the position of the Crown Prince through his mother, how despicable!

And his father was so biased too!

You have two sons, King Jin has but one woman just like you, but how else is he like you?

On the other hand, I, who have walked on thin ice all these years, am I not more like you during your time under the tyrant’s rule in Northern Zhou?

Crown Prince Yang Ce did not understand his father’s thinking.

Nor could he accept his father’s assessment of him.

Therefore, the Crown Prince dejectedly walked back to his Eastern Palace and did not visit his mother.

Because at that moment, he felt nothing but disappointment towards his mother.

And even a hint of despair.

Once back at the Eastern Palace, the Crown Prince began to drink in silence.

He did not understand why, being the eldest son and officially appointed as Crown Prince, now his own parents wanted to take everything away from him.

Why?

Why!

When the Crown Princess Consort heard that the Crown Prince had gone to visit Empress Gudu and had returned to drink in silence in his chambers, she went to see him.

"Crown Prince, I heard you..."

"Get out!"

The Crown Prince was already feeling suffocated, and upon hearing the voice of the Crown Princess Consort, he thought of how even his own wife had been chosen by his father and mother.

And his beloved Concubine Yun could not be the Crown Princess Consort!

With a bang, the Crown Prince smashed his wine cup at the feet of the Crown Princess Consort, terrifying her into stepping back, looking at the drunk and furious Crown Prince as she silently turned and left.

Noticing that the Crown Princess Consort had been scolded away, many guards at the door felt she did not deserve such treatment.

Through these years, the Crown Prince’s Eastern Palace had been as secure as a fortress, unpenetrated by King Jin or anyone else.

Little did the Crown Prince know that it was all because the Crown Princess Consort had been looking after the entire Eastern Palace for him.

Otherwise, with so many enemies the Crown Prince had made in the court, how could his Eastern Palace have been as impregnable as an iron barrel?

The Crown Prince was already in a bad mood, and seeing the Crown Princess Consort, whom he disliked, only soured his mood further.

Especially upon hearing the guards outside speaking well of the Crown Princess Consort.

The Crown Prince drew his sword from the wall, and, holding it, he walked out.

However, as the Crown Prince was walking forward, he overheard the guards at the entrance discussing how the Crown Princess Consort had suffered in his residence over the years but had never complained, not even to her family, always speaking well of the Crown Prince instead.

At this point, the Crown Prince suddenly remembered that the Crown Princess Consort was from the Li Clan of Longxi!

The influence of the Li Clan of Longxi, if he could win it over.

With that thought, the Crown Prince threw his sword on the ground and left his sleeping quarters, heading straight for the residence of the Crown Princess Consort.

The Crown Princess Consort, crying in her room, suddenly heard footsteps, wiped her tears, and said coldly, "Didn’t I tell you not to come in?"

However, turning her head, she saw the Crown Prince.

It is worth mentioning that for the past couple of years, the Crown Prince had not visited her residence.

Even though the Crown Prince did not like the Crown Princess Consort, he knew that at this moment, he needed more power and strength to maintain his position as the Crown Prince.

He did not want to lose everything and even hoped to gain more.

Thus, the Crown Prince walked over and embraced the Crown Princess Consort in his arms.

"I’m sorry, I’m truly sorry. I’ve been so caught up in political affairs these past few years, I’ve neglected your feelings. Recently, after seeing how my father was injured and my mother fell ill, yet they are still so loving, I realized that I’ve been neglecting you all these years. I’m sorry. Can you forgive me?"

At this moment, overwhelmed by emotions, the Crown Princess Consort burst into tears, letting out all her repressed feelings.

All these years, she had felt that the Crown Prince did not like her.

Indeed, she had been wrong; it was just that the Crown Prince was not good at expressing himself.

He actually loved her.

Thinking this, though tears streamed down her face, the Crown Princess Consort felt a sweet contentment in her heart.

"I’m sorry. In fact, these past years, King Jin has been eyeing my position eagerly. I deliberately distanced myself from you and grew closer to Concubine Yun as a ploy to expose him, fearing he might target you. But today, seeing how my father and mother are still so in love, I realized my mistake. I should have always been by your side, supporting you more closely," said the Crown Prince.

At this moment, even though the Crown Prince held the Crown Princess Consort, speaking tender words of love,

his eyes revealed a fierce determination.

He knew that he had to get the Crown Princess Consort to persuade her family, the Li Family of Longxi, to help him.

Though the Five Surnames and Seven Families had deep roots and had always been a serious concern for his father,

if he could win their support, it might help him secure his position as Crown Prince.

He had already made some contact and understanding with the Cui Family, and now it was time to take the next step.

Hearing of the Crown Prince’s plight, the Crown Princess Consort felt even more distressed.

"Your Highness, please be at ease. My family, the Li of Longxi, while limited in influence within the Capital, isn’t totally without connections. I have never tapped into my family’s power over these years. This time, I will support you," said the Crown Princess Consort Li, looking affectionately at her Crown Prince.

Looking at Li, the Crown Prince felt a rush of emotion, unsure if it was touch or joy from obtaining help, but he truly found the Crown Princess Consort more pleasing to the eye than usual.

With a deep, affectionate kiss from the Crown Prince, the enamored Crown Princess Consort felt she was the luckiest woman in the world at that moment.

At the same time, she also wanted to become the right-hand person who could help the Crown Prince eliminate King Jin.

That night, the Crown Prince did not leave the residence of the Crown Princess Consort.

No one knew why the Crown Prince suddenly changed.

But many maids and guards who witnessed this scene sincerely felt happy for the Crown Princess Consort.

After so many years, the Crown Princess Consort finally saw the fruit of her endurance.

Little did they know, hardship never politely knocks before entering; it always cloaks itself in sweet colors, convincing you that something wonderful is about to happen.

Then, just as your lips curl up in a smile, it shreds all your illusions.