Chapter 519: Chapter 519
He still remembered when the Emperor merely half-opened his eyes to give him a sidelong glance, "A reason?"
"Freedom," just two words, without much embellishment, yet the Emperor replied with three words of his own, "Impossible."
"Father Emperor, why?"
The Nanling Emperor sneered, "It’s because of a woman, right? Heng’er, you were raised under my watch; how could I be unaware of what’s in your heart? Who is she? That maid from your Prince Manor?"
With a single statement, it was as if the secrets of the heavens were laid bare. The Nanling Emperor gazed deeply at him, "Have you grown to love a beauty more than the empire?"
The intent of the Emperor couldn’t be clearer; if Rong Heng chose to give up the entire empire for Tangyuan here, it was possible that he would indeed be removed from the line of succession.
So, when he looked meaningfully at Rong Heng, the latter paused only for an instant, about to refuse, when the Nanling Emperor stopped him.
"Rong Heng," the Emperor said sternly, using both his first and last name, "I will say it once more. You are a Prince, born with a responsibility. It’s said that one who does not wish to be a General is no good soldier. What about it? You don’t wish to be the Emperor? You don’t desire to sit upon this seat of supreme honor? Do you understand how many women will be yours once you assume that position? Will you still be swayed by a mere maid then? I hope you think well before answering. After all, you are the only heir I truly favor; do not let the years of your cultivation become mere empty talk!"
If the implication of loving a beauty over the empire wasn’t obvious enough, the profound meaning behind these words was spine-chilling.
In other words, the Emperor was telling Rong Heng that he was the future heir, the one favored by the Emperor himself, and if he did not cherish this, there would be no remedy for regret in the future. Get full chapters from novel✦fire.net
Rong Heng was escorted out of the Imperial Study, and as he looked up at the Forbidden City bathed in the descending twilight, his heart was torn.
On one hand, he did not wish to forsake the position so easily within his grasp; on the other, he felt that Tangyuan was indeed the only woman who had entered his heart over these years, someone he didn’t want to just let go of. Yet, Tangyuan’s obstinacy was a shackle between them, wasn’t it?
Who knew if the Emperor meant to pressure Rong Heng or to retain him by announcing Rong Heng’s promotion to Crown Prince at court the following day, and moreover, the coronation ceremony was to be completed before the end of the year.
If yesterday’s conversation was merely an illusion, today’s imperial decree solidified it into stark reality.
With the decree issued, how could Rong Heng have any room left for hesitation?
As for Tangyuan, she never imagined she would hold such an important place in his heart. She gave Rong Heng only her blessings and approval, devoid of personal emotions.
Elder Yin arrived at an opportune moment, leaving little time for Rong Heng to talk privately with Tangyuan, since she devoted almost all her time to Elder Yin, her thirst for knowledge far outweighing romantic inclinations.
Thus, on the day of Rong Heng’s coronation ceremony, Tangyuan chose to leave with Elder Yin. She had long understood his true feelings, but she didn’t wish to become another Yuan Yuan, resulting in a fateful meeting but an inexorable parting.
Before leaving, she gifted him with the seeds of high-yield crops like corn and sweet potatoes, as well as the precious fruit, watermelon. All planting instructions were fully taught to his subordinates, without a shred of concealment, leaving behind one last significant contribution.
When Rong Heng returned to Prince Manor and gazed upon the deserted garden, his heart was not only filled with unbearable grief but also with unsaid frustration.