Arc 2: extra
"Brother, you know the ministers won't agree to let that child succeed. They'd rather you choose a child from the royal bloodline to adopt," she said.
Xiao Lingchen replied smugly, "I have my ways."
His plan involved putting on a show for the world.
The "dethroned emperor" escaped from a murder plot. Years later, when Emperor Yongzhao and his empress both fell gravely ill and passed away without an heir, the "dethroned emperor" returned to claim the throne and initiated a new reign named Guangxing.
The Xiaos disappeared overnight, leaving their house abandoned. Everyone was on edge, but the Emperor Guangxing soon appeared, denying the rumors. He bestowed posthumous titles on Yongzhao and his empress, publicly acknowledging them as his parents, and treating them with utmost respect.
Seeing his sincerity, the ministers begrudgingly set aside their anger.
When Guangxing ascended the throne, a large ship was seen leaving the southern coast. It was laden with people, swaying gently with the sea.
If someone from the capital was present, they would have been shocked to discover that everyone from the Xiao's house, known to be vacant, was on board!
"Look! I caught a weird fish!" someone exclaimed.
"Haha! I never expected the southern sea to have so much good stuff. It's way more fun than the capital! I don't want to go back!" another voice laughed.
"We should thank our master for taking us out on this adventure!" chimed in yet another.
At the bow of the ship, a man of distinguished elegance stood tall. He was past his prime, but still impeccably handsome and seemed rather pleased with himself.
"Emperor Guangxing? A good choice for a reign title. After all, you were the one who saved that lad from a beggar's life. He treats you like a devoted son would. After hearing my plan, the little brat insisted that I could leave, but you should stay to enjoy the spoils. I had to give him a good thrashing for it."
The woman in his arms couldn't help herself but to laugh helplessly. "Gege, who could have understood your plan? Besides, doesn't the little fellow look different from the dethroned Emperor? Won't the ministers suspect?"
"He's always resembled the former Emperor. The younger officials didn't know that Emperor, once the senior ministers accepted him, why would they doubt? As for the old officials.... Humph. These old-fashioned people are trustworthy, and they know few truths. Moreover, He Lian is keeping an eye. There won't be a mess."
"Aren't you scared the old ministers were angry by your capricious behavior?"
"If they dared to pressure you, initiating selection for a son because the inner court is without one. I wouldn't hesitate to throw away the throne; leaving with only you by my side."
Little Thirteen was peeling fruits for Cui Yu nearby and rolled his eyes hearing this. He made a face and said with no measure of courtesy.
"Master, you've embarrassed yourself thoroughly in this life, won't you please stop lowering our expectations every time?"
Without turning, Xiao Lingchen flung an orange at him.
Little Thirteen dodged it playfully, and said, "Young lady, am I wrong?"
Just as he finished speaking, Cui Yu kicked him in annoyance, "You've become increasingly undisciplined. How can you talk to the master like this?"
"...Cui Yu, even you are kicking me now." Little Thirteen looked wronged. "The young lady always sides with the master, but you're always hitting me."
"That's because you deserve to be hit!"
Tong Su was chuckling at their banter. Xiao Lingchen put his arm around her waist, and she nestled into his arms, enjoying the sea breeze.
"Although the child is young, he's crafty. You don't need to worry about him staying in the capital alone. Those old ministers, they're not his match. The children and grandchildren have their fortunes, it's their world in the future."
"I'm not worried about him, I'm only worried about you — Gege, are you really willing to leave? That's a supreme position above tens of thousands; can you relinquish it?"
He smiled lightly, placed a tender kiss on her forehead, his gaze affectionate.
"There's nothing to give up. Being at the top is lonely. Is there a better place than accompanying you and seeing the vast sky and earth, the distant rivers and mountains?"
The sailing was smooth with the merged sea and sky. Looking into the distance, one could only see the white waves rolling, with the faint shadows of the jumping fishes.
The vast sea was enveloped in blue, where the sky met the sea, and vice versa. The view was undeniably, the most beautiful in the world.
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