Chapter 339 Beautiful Spider Spirit VS Cold and Ascetic Monk 43
"Ye'er, do you know what you are saying?"

Emperor Xuanwu fixed his eyes on him, his voice full of disbelief.

"I know. But I also know that some feelings are more important than power and some people are more worthy of cherishing than the country."

Dugu Ye's voice was firm and affectionate, as if he had made all preparations.

As Dugu Ye finished speaking, the hall fell into deathly silence, with only the heavy breathing of Emperor Xuanwu echoing in the air.

The ministers looked at each other in disbelief. What kind of love could make a noble prince willing to give up everything?
Xuan Ji finally couldn't help but stand up, his eyes were as deep as a pool, and his cold voice carried a hint of bitterness that was barely noticeable, "Brother, do you know what your decision means? Regarding the Queen Mother, my father will make his own decision. As the Crown Prince, you are carrying the future of Dayu on your shoulders. How can you ignore the country because of your personal feelings?"

Although he didn't know whether the woman His Royal Highness the Crown Prince was talking about was Yao'er, as long as there was a possibility, he had to stand up and stop it.

Dugu Ye saw Xuan Ji trying to stop him, and he naturally understood the reason. A hint of sarcasm flashed across his eyes, "Sixth brother, you have never experienced what I feel, so you naturally cannot understand. In my eyes, love is more important than Mount Tai. If you can't even protect the one you love, you don't even need to be the crown prince."

Xuan Ji stared at him solemnly, wanting to say, I have been through this, and my feelings are no less than yours.

However, he couldn't say these words out loud.

Emperor Xuanwu sat high on the dragon throne, and he always felt that there seemed to be some mystery between the two brothers.

His eyes drifted between the two of them, finally landing on Dugu Ye.

He knew his son's temper very well. Once he made a decision, nothing could change it.

But how can the position of crown prince be treated as a joke?

Besides, this son is truly outstanding. At least after his observation, he is an extremely qualified candidate for the emperor.

He was so qualified that even he felt inferior to him, although deep down he was unwilling to admit it.

Emperor Xuanwu's eyes fell on Dugu Ye and he said in a deep voice, "Ye'er, do you know that your actions are not only irresponsible to yourself, but also disloyal to Dayu?"

Dugu Ye knelt straight, his tone full of determination: "I know that I have committed serious sins, but I beg you to forgive me. I am willing to spend the rest of my life to atone for my mother's sins and find a home for my heart."

Emperor Xuanwu glared at him, extremely angry, and even couldn't help cursing, "Your sins are so deep, don't use your mother as an excuse. I will never agree to this. You must return to the East Palace immediately to reflect on yourself, and you are not allowed to take a single step out without my order."

His anger had not yet subsided. He looked around and said coldly, "What happened today must not be spread outside. Anyone who violates this will be severely punished and dismissed."

After he finished speaking, he stood up from the dragon throne, turned around and left.

The ministers looked at each other in bewilderment.

Afterwards, they all looked at the prince kneeling in the center of the hall.

They just felt that the Crown Prince, who had always been wise and brave, seemed to have taken the wrong medicine today.

If not, how could he do such an outrageous thing?

Look, the emperor was so angry that he burst into swearing, which shows how angry he is.

Xuan Ji had a complicated look in his eyes. He looked deeply at Dugu Ye who was kneeling in the middle of the hall, then turned around and left quietly.

The princes and nobles in the palace who had already participated in politics all had flashes of disappointment in their eyes.

My father is really something. It’s not like he doesn’t have a son to inherit the throne. Dugu Ye doesn’t even want to be the crown prince, and the queen has made such a big mistake. Why doesn’t he just fulfill his wish?

If the position of crown prince becomes vacant, they will also have a chance to compete for it.

The princes left with disappointment on their faces.

Although the court officials did not understand the prince's actions, they left one after another.

Only the Duke of Zhao remained where he was, looking as if he wanted to say something but hesitated.

He hesitated for a moment, but couldn't help but stepped forward: "Your Highness, that woman..."

Before Duke Zhao could finish, Dugu Ye interrupted him and gave him a cold warning, "You don't need to say anything about me. If you dare to do anything behind my back, don't blame me for not caring about family ties and uprooting your lineage of Duke Zhao."

Dugu Ye didn't care how ugly Duke Zhao's expression was. He stood up naturally, reached out to brush off the non-existent dust on his body, and walked away with big strides.

At dawn, a faint golden light shone on the bright yellow glazed tiles, but it could not illuminate the deep and secluded palace of Fengyi Palace.

Before the sound of the bell after the court session had completely faded away, a cold decree swept in like a chill wind, reaching this once noble place.

"Mr. Zhao, please come with us."

The chief eunuch Fu'an's voice was emotionless, and the yellow silk in his hand reflected slightly in the sunlight. It was the imperial edict that decided the fate of the queen.

Queen Zhao sat in front of a bronze mirror. Her reflection looked haggard, but her former beauty could not be concealed.

She gently stroked the silver strands in her hair, a wry smile appearing on the corner of her mouth, as if she had already expected this day.

"Eunuch Fu'an, thank you for your help."

Her voice was unusually calm, as if she was about to step into not the cold palace, but the other side of liberation.

In the East Palace, the atmosphere was solemn.

Dugu Ye stood in front of the window with his hands behind his back, and his back looked particularly lonely.

He looked into the distance with a complicated expression.

He thought that since his father had Xuan Ji and because of the mistakes made by his mother, his father would agree to let him resign from the position of crown prince.

However, things did not go as planned. Not only did he fail to resign from the position of Crown Prince smoothly, but he was also reprimanded.

Thinking that my mother has been moved to the cold palace...

Dugu Ye pondered for a moment, then said to Yunyin beside him: "Yunyin, go and do something, and be sure to keep it secret."

"Your Highness, please give me your instructions."

Yunyin knelt on the ground, his voice low and respectful.

"My mother has been moved to the cold palace. Soon, my father will definitely order someone to secretly execute her. I can't bear it. Go to the prison and find a condemned prisoner. Disguise yourself as my mother and then quietly send her out of the palace. I will arrange the rest."

Dugu Ye turned sideways and gave instructions to Yunyin who was kneeling on the ground.

"Yes, Your Highness the Crown Prince."

Yunyin did not ask any more questions and respectfully took the order and left.

The night was as dark as ink, the moon was hidden and the stars were sinking. In the cold palace, the cold wind blew through the hall, bringing with it waves of chilly echoes.

The palace walls are mottled, and the years seem to have solidified into eternal desolation here.

After the queen was deposed, she was imprisoned here. The former dignity and prosperity have now been replaced by loneliness and despair in this room.

Yunyin, wearing a nightgown and with a stern face, stepped silently into this forgotten world.

He brought with him a condemned prisoner whose face was covered with an elaborate fake skin that bore a striking resemblance to the Queen.

If you don't look closely, it's almost impossible to tell the authenticity.

The queen was sitting beside the dilapidated bed in the cold palace, clutching an old handkerchief tightly in her hand, looking out the window with empty eyes, as if she was recalling the prosperity and glory of the past.

Hearing the footsteps, she turned back suddenly, with a hint of surprise and vigilance in her eyes, but when she saw that it was Yunyin, the vigilance quickly turned into complex emotions.

She stood up and walked over, her eyes instantly fell on the face of the death row prisoner. Seeing that his appearance and figure were extremely similar to hers, she guessed something in her heart.

"Yunyin, this... was this arranged by Ye'er?"

The Queen asked in a trembling voice.

Yun Yin knelt on one knee and explained respectfully, "Empress, this is the plan of His Royal Highness the Crown Prince. He knows the suffering of being in the cold palace and knows that the Emperor will definitely not let you go, so he ordered his subordinates to find a death row prisoner in the prison, disguise him as your appearance, and suffer for you. And you, your Majesty, will leave the palace with me and go to Jiangnan to enjoy your old age."

When the queen heard this, tears welled up in her eyes. They were long-lost tears of freedom. "Okay, okay, Ye'er... is worthy of being my son."

She murmured to herself, looking extremely excited, feeling both relieved and reluctant.

She looked at the death row prisoner who was about to die in her place, examined him carefully, and confirmed again and again that there was no problem before she felt relieved.

Upon seeing this, Yunyin quickly stepped forward and put a cloak on the queen to block out the chill of the night.

"My lady, time is running out. We must set off immediately."

The queen wiped away the tears from her eyes, knowing that it was not appropriate to stay here for long, and nodded slightly, "Okay, let's go."

Yunyin put his big hand on the Queen's waist and said respectfully, "Your Majesty, I am sorry for the offense."

After he finished speaking, he took the queen out of the cold palace in a few steps, carefully avoiding the patrolling guards, and left the palace in a flash.

Only the death row prisoner was left sitting quietly beside the bed, becoming the queen's last substitute in this deep palace.

On the outskirts of the capital, a simple carriage was parked quietly under an old locust tree.

Next to the carriage, Dugu Ye was dressed in gorgeous clothes, with an upright posture, and a hint of evil charm in his handsomeness.

When he saw the Queen and Yunyin appear, he immediately went to greet them.

"Mother."

Dugu Ye walked forward and personally helped the queen into the carriage, his eyes full of reluctance.

"Ye'er, mother..."

The queen's voice was choked with sobs. She wanted to say something but didn't know where to start.

She held Dugu Ye's hand tightly, as if she wanted to convey all her love and expectations to him.

"Don't worry, mother. I have made arrangements for Jiangnan. There are people to take care of you. You just need to rest assured and enjoy your old age. However, from now on, your name and identity must be hidden. I hope you can get used to this kind of life."

Dugu Ye spoke softly, and every word was full of care.

The queen nodded with tears in her eyes, she knew this was the only way she could stay alive.

It would be good to retire in Jiangnan, and spend the rest of your life away from the disputes and calculations of the palace.

She doesn't have to die in the cold palace. She knows very well how cruel that man is.

I also know that man will never let me go.

"Ye'er, you should take care of yourself too."

The queen concealed the thoughts in her eyes, gave one final instruction, and then, under the escort of Yunyin, slowly drove away from the capital and headed towards the unknown Jiangnan.

Dugu Ye stood there, watching the carriage go away, until it disappeared into the night, then he turned around and returned to the East Palace.