Chapter 615: I Will Give You a New Identity_1

Following his memories, Chu Lan said, “The first time we met was on the wasteland outside Xingshan County City, right? You were experimenting there with improving salt-alkaline land to grow rice. Was that the time? I don’t remember clearly. I don’t even really remember what you looked like then, because you were so timid and weak.”

Wei Ruo showed no expression.

Chu Lan continued, “I later learned that it was your act. It seemed you were avoiding me, even despising me, without any reason, right from the start.”

“So what? How does this matter?” Asked Wei Ruo.

“Indeed, to you it may hold no significance. But for me, it’s not something I can easily forget. What I don’t understand is, you saved me with the identity of Xu Heyou. You treated me well at first, but when you found out my identity, you began to distance me, avoid me as if I was a ferocious beast. It seemed that it wasn’t me you despised, but my identity,” Chu Lan said.

“So what if that’s the case? Everyone has their own likes and dislikes. I just don’t like the seventh prince and don’t want any close relationship with you. I have never harmed you, even done good for you.”

At this point, Wei Ruo no longer hid his identity as Xu Heyou.

“What you said is correct, it was my obsession,” Chu Lan admitted.

“You wouldn’t have gone to such lengths to bring me here just to discuss these old issues,” Wei Ruo said.

“I have prepared a house for you outside the capital city,” Chu Lan said.

Wei Ruo laughed, “You wouldn’t be planning to confine me, as one would a concubine?”

Wei Ruo’s laugh was radiant, but also harsh to the eye.

“If you wish, after the storm settles, I can take you into the palace and give you a new identity and a fresh start,” Chu Lan said.

“Chu Lan, Chu Lan, you really are sick. Murdering your own father to seize the throne, and now trying to take your own brother’s wife,” Wei Ruo mocked.

“As a son and a brother, I am indeed cruel and unrighteous. But what of it? Haven’t there been emperors like this in the past who were still seen as wise rulers? The common people and the historians only remember the merits and not such trifles,” Chu Lan said.

“I won’t deny your claim. Perhaps you do have the capability to become the second Emperor Taizong. But I don’t want to be the next Daji or any woman of the Yang Family. What I want is to live my own life, to be with the one I love. If I cannot, then it’s all or nothing!” Wei Ruo resolutely declared.

“Perhaps there was a chance if you had stayed in Jiliao in defiance of the imperial edict. But, you chose to come back, to observe mourning. Once you stepped into the capital city, there was no turning back. What good is it to heal your ailing prince? It’s already too late, he no longer has a chance to turn the tide.”

“Then I will die with him, but I will never let myself be imprisoned by you,” Wei Ruo declared, her gaze resolute and unshaken by fear.

“What if I threaten you with the lives of him and your son? If you listen to me, I can let them live. If not, I will let them die horribly in front of you,” Chu Lan said.

“No, I’d rather have our whole family die together than live in such agony. You think I would choose to live in misery for them, becoming something at your mercy? You’re wrong. I won’t, and I believe my husband wouldn’t want me to choose that,” Wei Ruo said firmly.

Then Wei Ruo told Chu Lan, “Before returning to the capital, I prepared poison for the three of us, just in case, to avoid giving you the satisfaction of seeing us half-dead. You know how good my medical skills are, so naturally, my poison is incurable. I want to die, you can’t stop me.”

Wei Ruo looked up at him with composed serenity, her gaze towards Chu Lan even held a hint of disdain.

Someone who does not even fear their own death or that of their loved ones has nothing to be afraid of.

“Wei Qingruo, you really are cruel; cruel to yourself, even crueler to me.”

Chu Lan spat bitterly. He strode forward and reached out to grab Wei Ruo’s chin. Just then, a voice came from outside the door:

“Your Majesty, General Lu has led the ministers to the palace. They are kneeling in front of Qianqing Hall, saying they have important matters to discuss with Your Majesty.”

It was unusual for General Lu to be involved in palace affairs, so what did he intend?

Chu Lan’s brow furrowed, then he looked back at Wei Ruo. Wei Ruo’s eyes were as defiant as ever.

He took back his hand and said, “I hope you will think things over carefully before we meet again.”

After saying this, Chu Lan left, leaving Wei Ruo alone in the side hall.

Shortly afterward, there was some movement outside the door, followed by the sound of someone falling. The door was opened again.

“Madam, are you alright?”

Xiumei and Lin Fang asked in unison.

They had indeed been captured by Chu Lan’s skilled guards when Wei Ruo went into the side hall.

But after Chu Lan left, they were rescued by the secret guards inside the palace.

These secret guards were not Wei Jinyi’s men. No one could arrange secret guards under the emperor’s nose within the palace; these guards were indeed under the Daxing Emperor.

“I’m fine,” Wei Ruo said. “Let’s go. Quickly. I still need to confirm something. I hope I’m not too late.”

###

The Qianqing Hall.

The Daxing Emperor’s mortuary tablet was placed here, and the entire hall and its surroundings were plain. Incense and candles burned at the front of the hall.

In front of the hall, a group of court officials led by General Lu had been waiting for a long time. The Head of Internal Affairs, Wei Yichen, and the Minister of Finance, Fan Shuyi, were among them.

King Qin and King Jing were also in the line.

King Jing had already run out of choices. Instead of waiting for Chu Lan to make a move against him, it was better to see if there was any possibility for a turn of events.

When Chu Lan arrived, everyone paid their respects. However, none of them called him ‘Emperor’.

Ever since Chu Lan assumed the throne following the mourning period, the court officials had changed their address to ‘Emperor’. Nevertheless, at this moment, they all changed their form of address.

“What is the meaning of this, General Lu?” Chu Lan asked.

Just as Chu Lan finished asking, Wei Jinyi stepped forward from the crowd and stood at the front of the ministers.

He stood straight, his steps steady, no longer bearing the previous appearance of frailty.

It turned out that the rumors were true. The King Rui had truly been healed by Queen Rui.

Her great medical skills were renowned. He should have surmised this when he guessed that she was Xu Heyou.

Chu Lan laughed: “What is this, younger brother? You’ve just returned and already you’re banding together with the ministers for this performance? It seems you have complaints against your own elder brother?”

General Lu was the first to speak, “Prince Jing, due to the sudden death of Emperor Daxing, in the absence of an imperial edict, we nominated you as the new monarch because a country cannot be without a ruler for even one day. But now there has been a change, and there is a surviving edict from Emperor Daxing.”

Hearing this, Chu Lan’s gaze darkened. He then looked at Wei Jinyi and asked in a calm voice, “You have an edict from Emperor Daxing in your hand?”

Wei Jinyi slowly raised his hand, and in his hand was an imperial edict.

Chu Lan scoffed: “So you mean to say that my younger brother has brought back the imperial edict from our father, the Emperor? To my understanding, King Rui has been away from the capital for three years and has not returned once during that time. How could he have an imperial edict?”