Chapter 812: The Peasant Girl’s Splendid Manor
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Chapter 812: Father and Son's Rift and Anger (1)
"Father, you have your own considerations, and I have mine. As for taking Miss Mo as a concubine, I cannot comply!" Chu Heng said coldly, rejecting the idea without hesitation.
He never imagined that his father would make such an absurd request, asking him to take his cousin’s beloved woman as a concubine. Not to mention that he had no feelings for the woman his cousin liked, but even if he did, he would never commit such an act of stealing someone else's love.
To him, brotherly love was far more important than any woman!
Emperor Hui'an's expression darkened further, anger subtly rising in him. "I’ve had people calculate this matter. Although the girl’s fate is marked by solitude and misfortune, once she overcomes her life’s greatest calamity, she will be blessed with fortune and will bring prosperity to her husband and children. Now that she has passed through her calamity, she is indeed blessed. I know you do not believe me, but without her, could you still be sitting here defying me? If it were not for her, how would you have survived those multiple life-threatening incidents, such as when Hanzhang was in danger? If she hadn’t helped, you wouldn’t be alive today!"
Seeing Chu Heng silently pursing his lips without offering any rebuttal, Emperor Hui'an's expression softened a little. He continued, "That girl has a kind heart and is also clever. If you were to take her as your concubine, she would surely support you wholeheartedly and become your assistant. Your heir's court would have room for her, so what harm would there be in having one more? As for Hanzhang, I will find him a good marriage, so you need not worry about that."
Chu Heng clenched his fists tightly, his lowered gaze flashing with deep sarcasm, but he refrained from speaking.
Emperor Hui'an thought that his son was moved by his words, and a look of relief appeared on his face. "Heng’er, you are the most trusted crown prince of mine. The kingdom of Great Chu will eventually be entrusted to you. I am giving you the best, and you will not disappoint me, will you?"
"Heh!" Chu Heng chuckled softly, raising his head to look at Emperor Hui'an. His eyes were bloodshot, but there was not the slightest trace of a smile. "Only now do I realize that, in your eyes, women are merely tools to be used! You treat Imperial Concubine Lin this way, and what about Mother? Is that how you treat her as well?"
The last sentence was almost bitten out of him. Chu Heng had never come to terms with the death of Empress Chunyi. Even though the culprit had been executed, the wound of losing his mother at a young age could never be healed. Over the years, he had harbored resentment for Imperial Concubine Lin and her father, Lord Lin, but how could he not feel resentment toward his own father as well?
If it weren’t for the secret that Emperor Hui'an held through Lin Taishi, Imperial Concubine Lin would never have entered the palace and plotted the death of Empress Chunyi. This matter had always been a thorn in Chu Heng’s heart. Every time he thought of his biological mother, the pain would resurface.
What Emperor Hui'an had said earlier was like a spark, igniting the deep-seated resentment hidden within Chu Heng’s heart. In front of his father, he ruthlessly voiced his accusations.
Emperor Hui'an had not expected Chu Heng to suddenly bring up Empress Chunyi and question him in such a tone. He was momentarily stunned, unable to speak a word.
Chu Heng had already convinced himself that his father had used Imperial Concubine Lin for the throne and indirectly caused the death of Empress Chunyi. He no longer expected an admission from him. He coldly said, "I may not be a saint, but I also disdain using a woman for personal gain! You claim it's for my own good, but in reality, you are afraid of Hanzhang. You’re worried that I won’t be able to control him and that he will harbor other intentions. That's why you want me to take Miss Mo as a concubine, trying to bind him down!"
Looking at the aging man before him, Chu Heng couldn’t articulate his feelings. He could not deny the good his father had done for him, nor could he deny the true father-son bond between them. But some things had been etched into his heart, and he couldn’t bring himself to fully trust and love this man.
[End of Chapter]
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