"Su'er!"
Hearing Mu Hansu speak, the Emperor suddenly let out a loud reprimand, interrupting him: "Do you know, I originally thought you had the strength to contend with the Crown Prince! That's why, even though your birth mother committed so many wrongdoings, I still doted on you and personally tutored you. For a time, I even thought you were a more suitable candidate for the throne than the Crown Prince."
As expected...
Song Chaoyu felt no surprise at the Emperor's words.
However, he hadn't expected them to be spoken at this moment.
Song Chaoyu distinctly saw a shadow of gloom appear in the Crown Prince's eyes.
"Ha!"
Mu Hansu let out a cold laugh, seemingly unconcerned by the Emperor's words.
"But Father, you still didn't choose me, did you?"
Even when facing his own father, the most revered person in this world, Mu Hansu showed no respect.
Instead, his eyes were filled with disdain: "Father, oh Father, to you, only the Crown Prince and Prince Chang are important. It doesn't matter how well I do! I am merely a stepping stone for the Crown Prince, a weapon you use to temper the Crown Prince and Prince Chang! Father, I no longer wish to be a weapon, a stepping stone for others! I want this throne, to let Father know that I am your most outstanding son!"
"Enough, that's enough!"
The Emperor waved his hand in annoyance, not wanting to hear Mu Hansu speak further: "I know what kind of sons I have! Since things have come to this, tell me directly, what do you want?"
"Haha!"
Mu Hansu seemed to hear a joke, mumbling the Emperor's words: "What do I want? It's come to this, and Father still asks his son what he wants? A person wants the supreme position above all others, wants to become Emperor."
"That's impossible!"
The Emperor impatiently interrupted Mu Hansu: "My throne will never be yours! If you want this throne, then step over me today!"
"Father!" wap.kanshu伍.net
Clearly, Mu Hansu was becoming extremely agitated by the Emperor's demeanor.
He ran his hand through his hair and frowned at the Emperor: "Why are you so obstinate? Can't you just write a decree of abdication for your son? I promise, as long as you write this decree, I will honor you as the Retired Emperor. You can live out your days in peace in the palace, and I will not harm you in the slightest!"
Mu Hansu sighed, his tone laced with regret: "I will give you everything you desire, except this throne. You will still be the most honored person in this world. Father, is this decree not worth your peace and well-being?"
"It is not worth it!" kanδん
The Emperor flatly refused Mu Hansu: "I will never abdicate to you, you rebellious son, don't even think about it! If this empire falls into the hands of a rebellious son like you, who knows what suffering my people will endure! Mu Hansu, if you want the throne, step over me. Then everyone will know how dishonorably you obtained it! You are a usurper, a traitor who will bring chaos to the land!"
"Father, why pretend to be a benevolent ruler?"
Seeing the Emperor like this, Mu Hansu finally couldn't hold back, revealing his true colors.
He took a step forward, grabbed the Emperor's arm, and glared at him with bloodshot eyes: "All these years, have you truly cared for your officials, have you truly served your people, don't you know it yourself?! Stop using the people as an excuse. You were never a wise ruler! You're just saying these high-sounding words because you don't want to give me this empire!"
Although his words were harsh, Song Chaoyu felt... he wasn't entirely wrong.
The Emperor might have been better in his youth, but over the years, he had long lost the qualification to be called a "wise ruler."
He no longer cared about the current state of the people or his officials.
If Mu Hansu hadn't done something to displease the old man, it was uncertain whether the Emperor would have given the empire to Mu Hansu or the Crown Prince!
"Good, very good!"
The Emperor trembled all over from Mu Hansu's words: "You are truly my good son! If I had known you were like this, I would have dealt with you and your mother long ago, how could I have tolerated you until now?!"
The Emperor's face turned increasingly red with anger: "Rebellious son, you rebellious son!"
"So what if I'm a rebellious son?"
Mu Hansu had completely lost patience with the Emperor, coldly laughing as he shook off the Emperor's hand: "Father, oh Father, I still advise you not to struggle! Isn't it better to hand over the throne to your son obediently?"
"Don't even dream about it!"
Even knowing he had no strength to resist Mu Hansu, the Emperor showed no sign of backing down: "Mu Hansu, if you want this throne, then come and take it yourself!"
"Very well!"
Mu Hansu rubbed his forehead, then let go of the Emperor, and instead grabbed Mu Changxi, who was sitting nearby.
He held Mu Changxi tightly, bringing Mu Changxi's face close to the Emperor: "Then... let's start with Prince Chang. Must I destroy everything you care about before you know fear? Father, I want to ascend the throne honorably. I hope Father can give me this opportunity!"
As he spoke, he kicked Mu Changxi's leg fiercely: "Father, look! This is your most beloved son! If he weren't lame, would you still want to give him the throne? Father, shall I tell you something else? Why do you think he became lame?"
"I know."
However, the Emperor's words surprised everyone: "Back then, your birth mother colluded with people from the Southern Kingdom, intending to kill Chang'er and weaken the Noble Consort's influence. They also wanted to provoke conflict between the two countries, so that the young Crown Prince at the time could not control the military power. And your mother's brother was then a deputy general under the Lingnan General. Do you think your tricks could truly hide from me?"
Perhaps the Emperor appeared exceptionally wise at this moment.
But Song Chaoyu looked at Mu Changxi, and as expected, saw disappointment in his eyes.
Didn't the Emperor make Mu Changxi and the Noble Consort pay a price back then?
And all these years, he had kept these matters so well hidden, never once thinking of helping Mu Changxi.
He had failed as a father and failed as an Emperor.
If Song Chaoyu were Mu Changxi, he would also be extremely disappointed.