Chapter 337 Beautiful Spider Spirit VS Cold and Ascetic Monk 41
The queen closed her eyes, tears welling up in her eyes, but she stubbornly refused to let them fall. "I know I cannot defend myself, but I beg Your Majesty to consider the prince's innocence and not implicate him."

Emperor Xuanwu felt extremely complicated when he heard this.

He knew that in the harem, there were intrigues and deceptions, and no one could be completely innocent? But Min'er's death was an eternal pain in his heart, and he had to give an explanation.

"I know how to handle matters concerning the Crown Prince. But you must pay the price for what you have done."

After Emperor Xuanwu finished speaking, he turned around and left.

As soon as he stepped out of Fengyi Palace, the chief eunuch Fu'an hurried forward, his face unable to hide his joy, "Your Majesty, Yueying has secretly brought the Sixth Prince back to the palace, and he is currently waiting in the side hall of the Imperial Study."

"Really?"

Upon hearing this, the gloomy and cold expression on Emperor Xuanwu's face instantly disappeared, replaced by excitement and surprise.

Without waiting for Fu'an to answer, he turned around and hurried to the imperial study.

Fuan was slightly startled, then quickly followed after he realized what was happening.

In the imperial study, the flickering candlelight illuminated Xuan Ji's handsome, yet cold and calm face.

He was dressed in plain clothes, and his brows showed the indifference of a senior monk, but also revealed a complex emotion that did not belong to this pure land.

Emperor Xuanwu stepped into the side hall and his eyes instantly locked on Xuan Ji.

The last time I saw him, I thought he looked somewhat similar to me.

But I didn't think much about it at that time, and I didn't expect that it was my long-lost son.

It's still his and Min'er's child.

"My dear, you have suffered a lot outside these years."

Emperor Xuanwu walked over excitedly, his voice trembling slightly, his expression guilty and happy, unable to control himself, as if he was afraid that all this was just a dream and would shatter at the slightest touch.

Xuan Ji raised his head and his eyes met with Emperor Xuanwu's, his expression complicated and difficult to discern.

He slowly stood up, put his hands together, and bowed, "I greet the emperor."

The words "poor monk" were like cold water poured over his head, making Emperor Xuanwu feel nervous.

But he quickly adjusted his mood and said kindly: "My son, I know you are a monk, but you are also my flesh and blood, the child of me and Min'er. Can you call me father?"

Hearing this, Xuan Ji's eyes flashed with hesitation. After a moment of silence, he finally spoke: "Your Highness, I greet you, Father."

Although the voice was soft, it was clearly heard throughout the side hall.

Emperor Xuanwu's eyes were slightly red and his hands were shaking with excitement. He suddenly held Xuan Ji's hand, as if he wanted to transform the longing and debt of the past twenty years into the warmth of the moment and pass it on to him.

"Okay, okay, okay, my prince is finally back. If Min'er knew, she would definitely be very happy."

He pulled Xuan Ji to sit down and asked him in detail about his life in Wanfo Temple.

"My son, are you doing well in the Wanfo Temple? How does the master treat you?"

Her expression was full of concern and she was extremely curious about his past life.

Xuan Ji smiled slightly, his eyes were gentle, "Replying to Father, I am doing well in Wanfo Temple. Master has been very caring and attentive to me. I have benefited a lot from it and I am very grateful."

After hearing this, Emperor Xuanwu felt a little relieved, but a feeling of sadness welled up in his heart.

"I will never forget the kindness of the Wanfo Temple in raising you. I will issue an order to change the Wanfo Temple into the Huguo Temple as a royal temple, and order people to reshape the golden body of the Buddha and repair the temple to show my gratitude."

"Thank you, Father."

Xuan Ji stood up and bowed gratefully, but he felt mixed emotions.

The call of "Father" means that he will step into the vortex of power again. He doesn't know if he can cope with it?
"Wanfo Temple has been kind to you in nurturing and cultivating you, and this is what you should do."

Emperor Xuanwu motioned for him to sit down, and then slowly continued: "You are my son. I will give you everything a prince should have. I will order someone to arrange a palace for you so that you can have a good rest. Tomorrow, I will issue an order in the court to restore your status as the Sixth Prince, and hold a royal sacrifice to inform our ancestors that my son has finally returned home."

Xuan Ji felt mixed emotions. He lowered his head and clasped his hands together, "Your son obeys your command."

The father and son chatted until late at night.

Xuan Ji left the imperial study and was led to Jingyang Palace by the eunuch.

It was a palace located deep in the imperial palace, which was both magnificent and quiet.

The palace gate slowly opened, and the moonlight was as bright as a silk thread, sprinkling on the bluestone ground, illuminating the palace maids and eunuchs who were kneeling respectfully on both sides.

Their voices were in unison: "Greetings, His Royal Highness the Sixth Prince."

Xuan Ji stepped into this unfamiliar territory, and every step seemed unusually heavy.

He was wearing a simple monk's robe, which was out of place with the luxury of the palace, but his deep eyes showed a calmness and indifference beyond his age. He raised his hand gently, motioning everyone to stand up: "Everyone, stand up."

The cool and gentle voice carried an authority that could not be ignored.

As if it was born with me.

Walking into the inner hall, a faint scent of sandalwood and flowers interweaves to make people feel peaceful.

Xuan Ji looked around. The exquisitely carved window lattices and screens inlaid with gems all revealed the royal dignity and luxury.

However, in his eyes, these were like passing clouds, and his heart had already drifted to Lianhua County.

I wonder how Yaoer and the two children are doing. What are they doing now?

"Your Highness, this is the bedroom prepared for you. If you need anything, just tell me."

The eunuch who led the way introduced them respectfully, his words full of caution.

Although the Sixth Prince did not grow up in the palace, he is the legitimate son of Empress Yuan, and Empress Yuan is the woman the Emperor loves most in his life.

Even after more than 20 years, the emperor still missed him, so they naturally dared not neglect him.

Xuan Ji nodded slightly and stepped into the palace.

Late at night, at the Shenwu Gate of the Imperial Palace.

The sound of horse hooves was rapid and powerful, breaking the silence of the night.

Dugu Ye came riding a horse, covered in dust, his eyes full of anxiety and irritation.

Suddenly, he pulled the reins hard, the horse's front hooves flew into the air, and then landed steadily.

He dismounted, casually threw the reins to Yunyin who was following closely behind him, and strode into the palace.

He did not return to the East Palace, nor did he bother to wash and dress himself, but went straight to Fengyi Palace.

Inside Fengyi Palace, the flickering candlelight illuminated the Queen's silhouette.

She sat alone in front of the bronze mirror, her back looking lonely and desolate.

Dugu Ye pushed the door open and saw this scene, his heart couldn't help but tighten.

"Mother, what's going on? Why did father put you under house arrest?"

There was a hint of questioning and confusion in Dugu Ye's voice.

The queen turned around slowly, her face haggard and tears in her eyes: "Ye'er, you're back. This is a long story..."

"Then the Queen Mother will speak slowly."

He lifted his robe and sat down on the stool, looking at the queen and listening quietly.

The queen sighed and slowly explained the whole story: "I planned the death of Concubine Min. I don't care how she was favored. I'm used to it anyway. I also know that your father doesn't like me. What I'm afraid of is that after she gives birth to a prince, it will threaten your position."

She looked at Dugu Ye, "I'm sure you've heard about how favored Concubine Min was back then. If she hadn't died, you wouldn't necessarily be the crown prince today. Mother knows that this is not a good thing to do, but she doesn't regret it."

"Mother, you..." Dugu Ye was shocked but also complicated when he heard this.

The queen mother may be cruel to others, but to him, she is a deep motherly love.

Dugu Ye was silent for a moment, then slowly said, "Mother, this matter has now been known by Father, and I'm afraid it will be difficult to resolve. The Queen will definitely be deposed, and Father may even give you white silk, poisoned wine, or a dagger to make you commit suicide."

Seeing the Queen's pale face and shaky body, he felt reluctant, but continued: "As the Crown Prince, I am afraid I cannot change Father's decision. But I can promise Mother that I will not let her die."

These were all expected. Everyone in the imperial harem knew how much my father loved Concubine Min.

Similarly, if someone dares to kill Yao'er, let alone giving her poisoned wine and white silk, pulling out her tendons, peeling off her skin, and cutting her body into pieces would be the least of his punishments.

He had no way to change his father's decision, but before the execution, he secretly moved his mother out of the palace.

It is still possible to find a death row inmate with a similar appearance, disguise him as the queen mother, and die in her place.

"Ye'er, you..."

The queen looked at him in shock.

She didn't know what her son would do, but she believed in his ability and felt relieved knowing that he would not die.

As for the position of queen, there was nothing to be nostalgic about, and this palace was even less worthy of her nostalgia.

She would be satisfied as long as she could watch her son ascend the throne smoothly and live a happy and honorable life.