That's why he was so disappointed in Chu Wan, who was a girl, and ignored her for so many years...
So who is his biological father?
Based solely on what Wushuang saw at the Lu family teahouse, it is probably not accurate to take it as fact.
Chu Yao took a deep breath. Guessing was pointless; it was better to ask him himself.
In the side room of the main courtyard, the old princess slammed her hand on the table and stood up: "What do you mean by telling me to stop having designs on your princess? If anything happens to her, you'll make Peipei suffer the same pain? She's your sister, how can you be so heartless?"
"If we're talking about ruthlessness, who can compare to you, Mother? It's just that you've been unlucky; you tried to kill me back then, and now you're trying to kill Shuangshuang, but you've failed both times," Chu Yao sneered. [To read the latest chapters of this book, please visit Qiushu Novel Network www.Qiushu.cC]
"That's utter nonsense! Why would I kill Wushuang?" The old princess met her son's unpredictable expression. "You suspect that I was behind the hunting ground incident?"
Chu Yao didn't beat around the bush with her: "Isn't that right? Because Wushuang caught you having a secret rendezvous with your royal uncle, you were afraid that people would expose your premarital infidelity and pregnancy, so you wanted to kill him to cover it up."
The old princess stood up in shock: "You... how could you know..."
They actually admitted it.
She then covered her face and wept bitterly: "He forced me to do that. I thought about dying and also about aborting the child in my womb, but at that time my wedding with your father was approaching, and my family was keeping a close eye on me. I was afraid of making a big fuss, so I failed several times... Your father was too good to me, and I always felt guilty. I hoped to give him a son, but I couldn't have that wish..." She became more and more incoherent as she spoke, "But that day, I didn't make an appointment with him, nor did I instruct anyone to harm Wushuang."
Chu Yao didn't want to hear the old princess's grievances, and only said, "Since it wasn't you, then it must be your royal uncle. Whoever did it should take responsibility. Since this matter started because of you, you should go and have a good talk with him."
After Chu Yao left, the old princess sat in the darkness, silently struggling for a long time. Finally, she ordered someone to summon Qiao Mama and instructed her, "Go to the Emperor's former residence and tell him that I have something to discuss with him."
Mrs. Qiao responded with a normal expression.
Emperor Deqing was overjoyed upon receiving the news.
He had devised that method of transmitting messages for over twenty years, but she had never used it once. Now, she had probably come to a realization.
He arrived at the Lu family teahouse at the agreed time.
The old princess was sitting by the window in the private room, deep in thought.
Emperor Deqing was so excited that he stepped forward and put his hand on her shoulder.
The old princess suddenly stood up and dodged away.
“Your Majesty, please have some self-respect.” She said with a stern face, neither humble nor arrogant, “I invited you here today not for my own sake, but for the sake of the children.”
“You said last time that you know about Zixiu’s situation, so please treat him well.”
“You said you want to compensate my son and me, then please let Zixiu’s wife go. Zixiu has a very deep relationship with her. If something happens to that child, I’m afraid… I’m afraid Zixiu will also be ruined.”
Emperor Deqing's enthusiasm was dampened by this cold shower, and he was naturally displeased. He sat down at the table and asked in return, "I met with us to protect you."
The old princess suddenly burst into laughter, as if she had heard a joke, and she couldn't stop laughing.
"Protect me? If it weren't for you back then... I wouldn't have suffered so much, failed my husband, and lost my family. It's all your fault. You ruined me, yet you say it's for my own good. I don't care for that kind of 'good'!"
She paused for a moment, then softened her tone: "I know you are the emperor, and can do whatever you want, so you may not necessarily listen to what I have to say. However, I am still willing to give it a try. I owe Zixiu a good mother, and I should do my best to repay him with a good wife. Please consider this matter carefully."
After the old princess finished speaking, she knelt down and kowtowed three times to Emperor Deqing.
After getting up, he left without looking back.
Emperor Deqing watched her departing figure, his face dejected. After a long silence, he finally stammered, "Alin, I promise you."
Under the awning of a small teahouse on the outskirts of the city, Chu Ye and Chu Yun sat facing each other at a square table.
Although there was wine and food on the table, it was all coarse food, which was really hard for the prince, who had grown up in the palace and was precious and noble, to swallow.
Chu Ye placed his fingers on his knee and tapped them lightly twice, his mind racing: inviting him to a banquet in a place like this probably wasn't just about food and favors, but rather that there was something to say.
He decided to cut to the chase and asked directly, "Fifth Brother, what brings you here today?"
Chu Yun seemed somewhat surprised. After a moment of contemplation, he tilted his head back and drank a cup of sorghum liquor. As if he had made up his mind, he said, "There is something that Third Brother probably doesn't know yet."
He didn't keep us in suspense and spoke directly for a long time.
"...Three months ago, during a hunting trip, the Prince of Ying's residence was attacked without provocation. I found the matter strange at the time, but I never expected that the investigation would lead to such a result."
Chu Ye remained silent for a moment, then spoke again, his tone slightly unfriendly: "Don't say you have no evidence. Even if it were true, so what? Zixiu is our cousin. What's wrong with being even closer? What exactly is your purpose in telling me all this?"
Chu Yun laughed and said, "Third Brother, you're thinking too simply. Being cousins is no problem at all; in fact, it can even be an asset. But if they become blood brothers, that asset will turn into an obstacle..."
Chu Ye interrupted him with a cold laugh: "So, Fifth Brother is here today to sow discord."
“Third Brother, you’re wasting all my good intentions by saying that.” Chu Yun argued, “Now that both Eldest Brother and Second Brother are… in my opinion, the throne will definitely belong to you in the future. As your younger brother, I know I can’t compete with you, but I just want to help you a little more and do you a good job so that in the future you can remember this favor and let me live a carefree life as a prince.”
Chu Ye didn't quite believe him, and said only, "If that's the case, why don't you go find Zixiu? I've always thought he was very capable, and Father Emperor values him more. If what you say is true, and he is Father Emperor's biological son, then I think..."
“He’s just too capable,” Chu Yun said. “The pirates in the southeast, the traitorous officials, the deeply rooted Yu family of Duke Anguo—if he wanted to, there was nothing he couldn’t do. This kind of person is cold-blooded and ruthless; how can he be as reliable as you, Third Brother?”
I almost forgot, Chu Yun's princess came from the Yu family.
No wonder...
Chu Ye remained expressionless and asked him, "Since you want to join me, you have to make me feel that you are worth the price, otherwise what makes you worthy of my attention?"
Chu Yun's face lit up with joy: "Brother, I have a plan. The war with the Western Rong is urgent, and Father needs someone to personally lead the expedition in his stead. General Qiao is too old to be suitable for a distant expedition. Marquis of Runan is in his prime, but he commands the southeastern navy. If he were to go west, the east would be thrown into chaos. Robbing Peter to pay Paul is a terrible idea, and Father will certainly not allow it. If we two jointly recommend Prince Ying at court tomorrow, wouldn't that solve Father's urgent problem? The chances of success are extremely high."
Chu Ye scoffed: "Are you crazy? Didn't you say you wanted to bring him down? Why are you sending him into battle instead? If he makes a name for himself, won't that send him straight to the top?"
"Fifth Brother, don't rush, I haven't finished yet." Chu Yun said calmly, "Let's not even talk about how the outcome of a battle is uncertain, even life and death are uncertain. At worst, even if he wins, we can..." He lowered his voice and slowly continued.
The raindrops pattered against the eaves like the sound of war drums.