The expression on Fifth Prince at that moment couldnât be described as mere shock any longer, itâs like a bomb had been thrown inside his mind and everything was blown with a bang, he was incapable to think, completely incapable to think at all.
Nan Xun, who was equally stunned, still did not forget to continue pouring tea for Gong Moran.
The Old Monarchâs three princes died three times in a row, was it really just because his ancestor did evil deed too much?
Nan Xun couldnât help looking at Gong Moran.
She didnât believe thereâs such a coincidence in this world, sheâs sure that his own hands were behind this whole matter.
Gong Moran didnât seem to notice the unusual look on the two people as he just leisurely continued, âConcubine Zhao, who gave birth to First Prince and Noble Concubine Xue who gave birth to Third Prince, both died from difficult birth, doesnât Fifth Prince think it strange?â
He took a sip of tea lightly, his attitude was so relaxed it was as if he wasnât talking about the secrets of royal family, ââŚJust because they saw the dead babies they gave birth to, they were killed cruelly by the Emperor. The Queen was lucky as she fainted after giving birth and didnât discover about this matter, thus escaping from a big calamity.
Fifth Princeâs hands that were put on the table curled up slightly, clenched into fists without him knowing.
He knew that his father wasnât a soft-hearted person, but he didnât know that his heart was so hard up until this point. In order to consolidate his throne, he didnât bat an eye to kill these women who had spent so many years with him, and even go as far as to exchanged his own dead babies, such a preposterous thing!
After Gong Moran revealed these shocking secrets, his expression remained as indifferent as before. After a moment of silence, he exonerated the Old Monarch, âFifth Prince, your father did this for the whole Nanyun Kingdom too. If the people knew about the successive deaths of the Emperorâs sons, it can easily cause the nation unrest.â
The Fifth Prince sank into a great confusion.
Was it really like this? Can fatherâs faults really be covered with such a reason? Doesnât the throne underneath him feel uncomfortable at all? How can he feel at ease and justified for all these years?
âDoes the Fifth Prince know how Nanyun Kingdom obtained its territory?â Gong Moran suddenly asked.
The Fifth Prince was taken aback with this question, he replied, âNaturally itâs a kingdom that the founding emperor of Nanyun Kingdom has worked so hard to laid everything down.â
Gong Moran looked at him, his thin lips became more and more rosy because of the moist tea. His lips gently curved, there seemed to be a trace of mockery in his eyes, âFifth Prince, the land under your feet was once the territory of Great Zhou Kingdom 300 years ago, and Nanyun Kingdomâs founding Emperor was the trusted subordinate of the last Emperor of Great Zhou Kingdom. He turned his back on his master and became a king on his own, although there was no lack of supporters, but his title was illegitimately conferred after all, and because of this, there came three other forces of power that declared themselves as kings too, eventually giving rise to the four kingdoms that are mutually holding back each other right now.â
When Fifth Prince heard State Teacher saying this, he felt that his tone was somewhat strange, but he couldnât point out whatâs strange and whatâs not.
âEveryone said that he was a hero that appeared in troubled times, but unfortunately the founding Emperor had a lot of blood on his hands while also lacking the spirit and decisiveness, thus he couldnât subdue the other three kingdoms.â
Fifth Prince twisted his eyebrows slightly, âThis Prince naturally knows about these things, but this Prince doesnât understand why State Teacher would talk about this?â
Gong Moran looked at him and said lightly, âThis Lord is just telling the Fifth Prince that everything has a cause and effect. Your ancestors didnât have the ability to dominate the world, but they committed more slaughter than ruling*, and thus retribution will come knocking at the door. Your father has three thousand beauties in the back palace, but in the end, he only succeeded in having Fourth Prince and you as his own biological sons, furthermore, you both have mothers from a humble background.â [T/N: *Iâm not quite sure with this sentence] ( PR/N: this could mean that they only busied themselves with their greed to the throne and power by slaughtering people than actually govern the Kingdom to prosperity as they should have as an Emperor.)
When the Fifth Prince heard this, his expression abruptly changed.
He hated the mention of his biological mother since he was a child, because his birth motherâs background was really humble. She was a rough-working maid who crawled onto the Emperorâs bed, while Fourth Prince birth mother wasnât much better as she was only a singer. [T/N: rough-working maid refers to a really low-ranked maid who works in the laundry department, or even worse, handling waste.]
But now, he felt very ridiculed. Although he and the fourth prince were both born from mothers who came with humble background, why would their father acts so cold to them both? It was obvious that they were their fatherâs true biological sons.
In the eyes of an Emperor, is a biological son couldnât compare to the one who came from side families? Even though their birth mothers were humble, but in any case, they were still his own sons!
Gong Moran had said almost everything he wanted to say, so he only left a sentence, âThatâs why, Fifth Prince can relax, although your father emperor doesnât love you, but the ones who can inherit the throne will only be you and the fourth prince. The Fourth Prince is mediocre and incompetent, naturally he canât be compared with you, thus the throne will be yours in the end.â
Fifth Prince bowed deeply to him, âMany thanks to State Teacher for telling this Prince about all this matter. If one day this Prince ascends the throne, this Prince will surely repay State Teacherâs great kindness and grace.â
Gong Moran glanced at him, âFifth Prince is polite, this Lord is only telling the truth. Itâs better for this matter to be known only for Fifth Prince, you must not tell a second person.â
Fifth Prince repeatedly complied.
Nan Xun followed Gong Moran back to the palace without saying anything along the way.
She didnât dare open her mouth until she entered their small nest, âMy Lord, Iâm a little puzzled by what you did today. Are you trying to provoke the relationship between Fifth Prince and the Emperor?â
Gong Moran knocked her head lightly, âWhat this Lord said is true, so how can you talk about this Lord instigating discord?â
âMy Lord, if what you said is true, arenât there only two true heirs of Nanyun Kingdom? The Fourth Prince is so mediocre that you can just ignore him, now thereâs only Fifth Prince left, if he met with an accident, then wouldnât Nanyun Kingdom⌠be over ah?â Nan Xun became all the more astonished the more she spoke.
Gong Moran hummed, âAccording to the Emperorâs temperament, he wonât pass the throne to anyone other than his own descendants even if heâs not happy with the Fifth Prince.â
Nan Xun vaguely guessed big bossâ intention and couldnât help but secretly called him âcunning foxâ in her heart.
Although he made an oath of blood that he wouldnât covet Nanyun Kingdom, but he never said that he wouldnât destroy it either ah.
Big bossâ current method was to destroy the kingdom piece by piece while also leaving no trace of his own involvement. At the present, direct descendants of the royal family of Nanyun Kingdom has become less and less.
Gong Moran reclined on the long bench and suddenly hooked his finger towards Nan Xun, âCome, Duoduo, come to this Lord.â
Nan Xun walked over, squatted down and leaned against his body.
Gong Moran stroke her beautiful hair, the expression on his face was a little indolent, âDuoduo, do you know how many years can the Nanyun Kingdomâs fate govern this dynasty?â
Nan Xun only gazed on him silently.
She knew that all he needed right now was a silent listener.
Gong Moran indeed didnât need her answer, he continued talking to himself, âSeven hundred years. Nanyun Kingdomâs reign can be maintained for 700 years without declining, but now, it will soon be destroyed, maybe in ten years or in twenty years, or maybe⌠in just two to three years.â