Happy Spring Every Year

Chapter 230: My former self

Prince Rui went to the palace to meet the emperor.

Emperor Sheng was sitting in the imperial study. When he heard that Zhao Huailang wanted to see him, he couldn't help but raise his brows slightly.

Six days have passed since the morning court ordered Zhang Xianche to investigate the Ministry of Personnel, but... he has remained relatively patient.

Emperor Sheng felt slightly satisfied, and then pushed the memorial in front of him to the side of the table and nodded under the gaze of Eunuch Fushun.

Upon seeing this, Eunuch Fushun hurried out of the hall to report.

A moment later, a steady sound of footsteps was heard.

Emperor Sheng looked up casually and saw Zhao Huailang walking in with a tall and straight figure and powerful steps.

When he came closer, Zhao Huailang respectfully lifted his clothes, knelt on his knees, lowered his head and bowed respectfully:

"My son, I pay my respects to my father. Long live my father. Long live my father."

"Well, get up."

Emperor Sheng responded indifferently, his eyes fell on Zhao Huailang with a hint of inquiry, and a hint of expectation arose in his heart.

Now that the Cui family is on the verge of collapse and Concubine Shu is under house arrest, no one knows how the second son will react.

I haven't seen him do anything big these days, which shows that he is a relatively well-behaved person.

Emperor Sheng was just thinking this when Zhao Huailang slowly stood up.

His bloodshot eyes fell on the jade brick in front of him, and bitterness arose in his heart.

He had been full of admiration for his father since he was young. It was an instinct rooted in his blood, and it was also the respect for the supreme person above the throne.

However, as he grew older, and his father's eyes were always fixed on his eldest brother, the bitterness and resentment in his heart gradually spread like weeds.

After his eldest brother passed away, he thought his father had finally noticed him. Just when he could no longer hide his anticipation and anxiety, his father brought out his third brother.

At this time, his grandfather finally told him that his father had already promised to pass the throne of crown prince to him!

He goes back on his word and goes back on his words.

At that moment, the resentment in his heart reached its peak.

Over the past twenty years, every difficult and painful moment, every moment of resentment he had experienced was inflicted by his father himself.

And every time, it was his grandfather's kindness and his mother's gentleness that comforted and cared for him, protecting him with all their might, and helping him get to where he is today.

He had long given up expecting the emperor's attention and recognition, but now, in order to pave the way for Ye'er, his father extended his knife to his grandfather and mother!

Thinking of this, Zhao Huailang could hardly suppress the resentment in his heart.

Emperor Sheng saw that Zhao Huailang stood with his head bowed the whole time, and he knew that he must be suffering a lot these days.

However, the position of crown prince has experienced an incident. If another incident occurs, it will be detrimental to the stability of the country. Therefore, he must ensure that Lang'er is the best candidate for crown prince.

To be honest, Lang'er today is much luckier than he was in the past.

Back then, the emperor favored his younger brother and never thought of passing the throne to him. He fought for it by all means.

But now, he is willing to pass the throne to Lang'er.

Thinking of this, looking at Zhao Huailang in front of him, Emperor Sheng also felt a rare sense of trance.

At this moment, it seemed as if the years had turned back and the positions had been reversed. The one standing in the hall was the young him, and the one sitting behind the desk was his long-lost father.

During those young years, he always looked at his father intently, with pure admiration and respect in his eyes.

At that time, just a look of approval from his father would make him happy for several days.

But the fact is that no matter how hard he tried, his father's gaze was always like a dragonfly skimming the water. Every time it passed by him, it would fall on his younger brother.

Every smile and every word of the emperor's younger brother could easily be exchanged for the emperor's father's doting response, but he was forgotten in the corner for a long time.

During those unbearable and difficult days, only Teacher and the Queen treated him gently like the spring breeze and drizzle.

It was in this constant alternation of expectation and disappointment that he gradually developed resentment and resentment, and then he took the sharp blade and struck the target with one strike!

Recalling the old days, his heart was in turmoil, which suddenly drew Emperor Sheng's attention back.

Looking at Zhao Huailang in front of him at this time, he felt hesitant in his heart and came to some realization.

In the past, he did pay more attention to Ji'er. In recent years, in order to select a crown prince for the Dasheng Dynasty with outstanding strategy, means, and character, he has made many plans and tests.

If Cui Daoyuan and Concubine Shu told Lang'er what happened back then, then the him in Lang'er's heart now would probably be no different from the father he had in his heart back then... right?

This thought made Emperor Sheng frown, and his heart was suddenly in turmoil.

He never expected that one day, he would unknowingly become the person he once hated the most.

Now look at Zhao Huailang in the hall...

More like my old self.

Thinking of this, Emperor Sheng moved his lips, wanting to say a few soft words to comfort her.

However, he had never received a single soft word from his father in the past. At this critical juncture, he didn't know what words would be the appropriate expression from a father.

Emperor Sheng lowered his eyes slightly, and the bitterness that had been missing for so long that he thought he had forgotten and let go... gradually surged up.

The fact that he has been unwilling to show leniency to Prince Rong's Mansion over the years has proven the lingering resentment and resentment in his heart.

What did he want to hear his father say to him back then?

Anything is fine, even if it is just an ordinary inquiry, it is a great blessing to him.

Emperor Sheng felt a slight soreness in his throat and opened his mouth, almost wanting to reveal some of his plans. However, Zhao Huailang had already made up his mind and said in a deep voice:

"Father, I have something extremely urgent to report to you!"

The words on the tip of his tongue suddenly stopped, Emperor Sheng raised his eyes, and his mind gradually focused.

"tell me the story."

If Lang'er wanted to plead for Cui Daoyuan, he would not be able to reveal anything about his thoughts until the Cui family was completely destroyed.

However, Zhao Huailang said something shocking, "Father, the people in the court have been unsettled recently. I have heard all the rumors."

"If this is indeed the case, then for the sake of our country and our people, it is only natural that your father should deal with it impartially."

When Emperor Sheng heard this, he glanced at Zhao Huailang deeply and couldn't help but raise the corner of his mouth.

In order to test the third brother's ability, he had mentioned several times in front of everyone that the third brother looked like him.

But in fact, he knew clearly in his heart that among his three sons, the second one was the one most like him.

If Lang'er had the courage to abandon the Cui family for the position of crown prince today, then he would look up to Lang'er even more.

"Oh? Do you really think so?" Emperor Sheng asked lightly.

Zhao Huailang nodded immediately and said respectfully:

"Although we are related by blood, the law cannot be violated. I, your son, wish to help your father and resolve his difficulties, and I will absolutely not show any partiality or favoritism based on our relationship."

When Emperor Sheng heard this, he could no longer conceal his satisfaction. He was about to stand up to express his approval, but Zhao Huailang changed the subject again:

"This is the truth that my father taught me through words and deeds. I dare not forget it."

"So even though this matter involves Ye'er and Jiang Xun, the emperor's favorite, I have to talk about it and mention it."

When Emperor Sheng heard this, he suddenly stopped moving and raised his head in disbelief, his tone slightly raised:

"Who are you talking about?"