Chapter 2087 - 69: Such Is My Fate
Chapter 2087: Chapter 69: Such Is My Fate
The nine-year-old Little Bun heard his mother’s words, and his little face, initially full of distress, instantly turned serious, exuding an imposing regal demeanor.
"Mother Consort, who has been gossiping to my Emperor brother?" Little Bun’s gaze carried a hint of sharpness.
Wufu watched him and couldn’t help but sigh lightly.
In the Imperial family, there are no foolish or naive individuals, and her son was no exception. Compared to other members of the Imperial Family’s Offspring, his status was the most revered, making him more noticeable, and thus, his education included no naivety from an early age.
With just two words, ’abdicate’, he had thought of many things. Could it be that someone finally couldn’t hold back and started sowing seeds of suspicion in his Emperor brother’s mind, or perhaps suspicion towards Prince Jin’s Mansion?
"For now, it’s not known, but your Emperor brother, as he has no offspring yet, was the one who brought it up," Wufu spoke without hesitation.
Her son was smart enough, and if she were to hide it, it would not help his own judgment and analysis, so she might as well speak openly.
Indeed, upon hearing this, Little Bun frowned slightly: "Isn’t Uncle Xiao Bai away gathering medicinal herbs? Surely, if he brings back the herbs, they can cure it, right?"
"The medicine has been administered for many years, and even though he has been married for three years, there are still no offspring. Even if he gathers the herbs, it may not... that’s why he said so," Wufu stated. She actually knew that Jhin Mingdong, though kind, lacked the decisiveness to rule. Being kind-hearted alone is not enough to be a ruler.
Little Bun was silent.
"Thus, do not complain about not having enough time. From today onwards, your time will only become more limited," Wufu patted his head. "If indeed, by then, your Emperor brother still has no offspring, then this responsibility will ultimately fall on you."
The Imperial family needs to expand the imperial lineage, branch out and flourish, and cannot allow a childless person to reign as emperor.
She could even foresee that before Little Bun turned fifteen, abdication might occur because the continued absence of royal offspring would unsettle the imperial court and the people’s hearts.
Eight years since the founding of Great Yan, everything had already fallen into place and was getting better and better. To further stabilize the nation, there had to be hope seen.
But the Emperor, even after being married for three years, still had no offspring. If not for his health known to a few key ministers suppressing rebellion amongst their subordinates, the ministers would have been outraged long ago. After all, he only had one empress, and everyone began to wonder if the empress was unable to bear children.
"As an emperor, one must not act on whims, son, you must be mentally prepared," Wufu said softly.
Little Bun sighed, "It is my fate."
Wufu laughed a soft laugh: "At such a young age, don’t pretend to be all mature; hurry up and take a bath and change clothes, you’re reeking!"
Little Bun immediately dropped his mature demeanor, snuggled close to her for a bit, and then walked out of the main tent. Once he stepped out, his smile faded. He looked at the blue sky and sighed.
Xiao Qi was standing beside the tent, holding a sword. Upon hearing the sigh, he looked at his little master and then back down at his toes.
He had heard the entire conversation between the Princess Consort and the little master. There was nothing much to say about it, as it was something fated long ago.
"Uncle Xiao Qi, I’m afraid our good days may never return!" Little Bun said, walking along and sighing heavily again.
Since returning to Beiyan that year, Xiao Qi, having aged, was assigned to Little Bun’s side as a guard. Over the years, he’s always been with him, a companion like a brother, friend, and servant.
"Since it’s come to this, find peace in it," Xiao Qi finally held back a sentence after a long while.
Little Bun tilted his head to glance at him, pursed his lips, thinking, why don’t you say, my father is still above me, why must it fall on me!