Chapter 981: Chapter 981: Legitimate Son_1 Chapter 981: Chapter 981: Legitimate Son_1 Even Jiang Mubai, who had feelings for the Emperor, could not help but tear up, “I am fortunate to have fulfilled my duty, but why hasn’t Your Majesty taken better care of yourself?”

The Emperor laughed, “Everyone has their time. There’s no need to be so concerned, General. Thankfully, I managed to hang on until you returned.”

“Your Majesty will surely have a long and healthy life.”

“Enough with such talk.” The Emperor shook his head, then turned to Li You and said softly, “Prince of Zhao, you have indeed suffered this time. You seem to have lost weight.”

“It is my honor to serve you, Your Majesty.”

“All of you go home and rest. Take a bath and spend time with your family. Especially you, Prince of Zhao, you left the Princess Consort of Zhao at the palace right after your wedding and were gone for half a year. Go see her.”

Jiang Mubai and the Prince of Zhao received their rewards and each returned to their homes.

While a joyful banquet was held in Jiang’s house, the Prince of Zhao’s residence was much quieter.

Jiang Yan, after marrying him and parting, felt very unfamiliar with him. She was naturally looking forward to his returning to her room to rest for the night.

However, the Prince of Zhao claimed fatigue and injuries from the war and avoided her room.

This went on for three straight days.

Jiang Yan, attempting to overcome her shyness, took the initiative to go to his room, but was coldly turned away.

Jiang Yan was heartbroken.

She truly didn’t understand why the Prince of Zhao married her but refused to touch her.

“Do you dislike me because I am not beautiful enough?” She asked with tears brimming in her eyes.

“No.” The Prince of Zhao replied coldly, “I am busy with official affairs, as you know.”

“If you dislike me, I can let you take a few beautiful concubines.” Jiang Yan was well aware that she was not as beautiful as her Seventh Sister, but she was also pretty.

As expected, the Prince of Zhao still refused.

This went on for several days, and Jiang Yan couldn’t bear it any longer. When she visited her family home, she poured out her grievances to Aunt Bai.

Aunt Bai wracked her brain and finally bought an expensive potion for her, instructing her to use it to bait the Prince of Zhao.

Jiang Yan brought the potion back with full anticipation.

On the third day of the third month, the Emperor issued a decree, publicly revealing that the Prince of Zhao was one of the twin sons borne by the Empress years ago, and that one of them was sent away because of superstitious fears of divine retribution.

Court and commoners were shocked.

Jiang Ning was shocked.

What shocked everyone was not the Emperor’s revelation that the Prince of Zhao was his son, but how the Emperor had used this method to elevate the Prince of Zhao to the status of a legitimate son of the Empress.

This significantly boosted the Prince of Zhao’s status.

Whether the Prince of Zhao really was one of the twins didn’t matter; everyone accepted the Emperor’s word as truth.

Discerning individuals could see that this was the Emperor’s way of acknowledging the Prince of Zhao as his own son.

Jiang Ning finally understood why the Emperor had allowed the Empress to remain unpunished. He was waiting for this day – the day the Empress would be the mother of his beloved illegitimate son.

The Emperor’s scheming ran deep.

As he lay on his deathbed, with the imperial throne passed to the Crown Prince, the Emperor suddenly revealed the true identity of the Prince of Zhao.

What did this mean?

He was giving the Prince of Zhao a chance.

The Prince of Zhao used to be just the son of the Prince of Kang County. Now, he has become the legitimate son of the Emperor.

Meaning, he now held a legitimate right to the succession.