Chapter 545: Blinded by Power

Chapter 545: Imperial Power Clouds the Heart

Empress Dowager Yuan felt a tug at her heart hearing this.

Jiang Yanfan was right. Over the years, chasing the throne and being together had cost them both dearly.

The price had been brutal, and it had taken a real toll on their health.

Sure, they hadn't been there for Yuanchao these past seventeen years, but they'd never skimped on his material comforts.

Honestly, everything he wore and ate was dozens, even hundreds of times better than what kids his age got.

Empress Dowager Yuan figured she hadn't done wrong by him—at least he lived comfortably, with no worries about food or clothes.

Seeing the shift in her face, the National Preceptor pressed his advantage and kept pushing:

"Cousin, haven't you always wanted to rule the world? Soon our son will be Crown Prince and take the throne—both our dreams will finally come true."

"Chao'er is one step away from the throne—just the investiture and coronation left. Are you really going to throw away a throne that's right in your grasp, all because of some little female doctor's words, and hand it to someone else?"

"If one of the other four great families takes the throne, you and I will get sidelined, and the Yuan family will crumble. Then everything we've worked for will be for nothing."

"Cousin, can you really live with that?"

Empress Dowager Yuan's resolve began to waver under his coaxing.

Could she really give up the power and riches she'd fought so hard for?

The answer was certainly no.

A general wouldn't willingly go back to being a foot soldier.

She was the same.

Imperial power gave her not just a life of luxury and supreme authority, but also the thrill of having the world at her fingertips.

Only the throne could give her all that.

At that, Empress Dowager Yuan steeled herself. Gritting her teeth, she said, "Cousin, don't worry. This throne belongs to our Chao'er and no one else. I'll go have him change and get ready for the ceremony."

Hearing that, the National Preceptor smiled, pleased.

He leaned in close and whispered in her ear, "Cousin, I'm glad you see it that way. Chao'er's health isn't great, but he's already of marriageable age."

"As for heirs, don't worry. Once he's on the throne, we'll pick a few consorts for him and have him sire some children."

"That way, the throne stays in the Yuan family—nobody can snatch it away."

Empress Dowager Yuan nodded, silently agreeing with him.

Heirs had always been a big deal for the royal family. She really did need to think about getting Yuanchao to produce some.

As long as Yuanchao became emperor, his kids would be true royal blood and eligible to inherit the throne.

That way, she wouldn't have to worry about anyone else taking the throne.

Empress Dowager Yuan looked at him warmly and said, "Cousin, I'll do as you say."

The two hugged tightly, not realizing a figure in white was standing behind the wall, having heard every word.

Yuanchao clenched his fists, a wave of bitter disappointment washing over him that he couldn't hold back.

So that's all he was to his parents—a tool for grabbing power.

They'd raised him just to one day take the Chu family's throne.

Now Yuanchao finally got why, just earlier in front of Ji Yuntang, Empress Dowager Yuan had called him her nephew instead of her son.

Because she and the National Preceptor had a secret they couldn't let out.

They didn't dare tell anyone who they really were or let anyone find out about their relationship.

Because if it ever came out, the good names they'd worked so hard to build would come crashing down in front of everyone.

Yuanchao felt a bitterness he couldn't put into words. What he didn't notice was that Ji Yuntang was standing right next to him.

Ji Yuntang hadn't actually left Cining Palace. She'd found a hidden spot, ducked into her space, and then snuck back in.

She hadn't expected to catch Empress Dowager Yuan and the National Preceptor being so selfish.

The hurt on Yuanchao's face was obvious, but the two were too wrapped up in their own scheming to notice.

Taking her chance, Ji Yuntang slipped into Empress Dowager Yuan's chambers and started rifling through drawers and cabinets.

After some digging, she actually found a black key tucked in a small box inside the wardrobe.

She pulled out the photo she'd taken of the chains locking Emperor Chu and compared the keyhole with the key.

Sure enough, it was the right one.

Ji Yuntang quickly stashed the key. By the time she came out, the two had already finished their little moment and left.

The two strolled over to Yuanchao like nothing had happened.

Empress Dowager Yuan gazed at him softly and said, "Chao'er, the investiture ceremony starts in half an hour. I had the palace's best embroiderer make you a four-clawed python robe for the Crown Prince, in your favorite cream-white. I'll have someone take you to change, okay?"

Yuanchao stayed quiet, not even looking up.

Empress Dowager Yuan sighed helplessly and kept trying to talk him into it: "Chao'er, I know you don't want the throne, but I've already issued an imperial edict announcing that the Xishu royal family is making you the new Crown Prince. A bunch of ministers and envoys from the other three kingdoms have already shown up, just to see you."

"If you won't go along with this, how am I supposed to face the rulers of the other three kingdoms? How am I supposed to keep any authority over Xishu's ministers?"

"Even if you won't think about yourself, think about me. I'm the Empress Dowager of Xishu. If I say something and don't follow through, where does that leave my dignity?"

After a long pause, Yuanchao finally lifted his head and met her gaze calmly.

"Mother, do you really want me to be emperor? Even if I'm completely unfit and can't earn anyone's respect, you still want me at that ceremony?"

Empress Dowager Yuan missed the hurt in his voice. She was just thrilled he'd finally spoken up and was willing to talk.

She said softly, "Chao'er, don't worry. I just need you to show up and go through the motions. From now on, if you don't want to deal with state affairs, fine. If you don't want to read memorials, fine. I'll handle all of it for you."

"All you have to do is be happy and play the easygoing emperor—nothing else to worry about."

In other words, they wanted Yuanchao to be a puppet emperor—all title, no power.

How could he not see that?

He knew full well that they didn't care if he was happy or willing—they only cared whether he'd take the throne.

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