Chapter 740: Chapter 740: Progeny Mission The court is full of supporters of Princess Wen Yi, and it is still uncertain who the throne would fall to in the future. Once Princess Wen Yi returns to Nandian, it would be easy for the Imperial Consort to be released from the cold palace. Looking at the white-haired youth before them, they would then claim he was not Baili Shuo’s offspring, and the throne would naturally belong to Princess Wen Yi. For more chapters visıt 𝓷𝓸𝓿𝓮𝓵⁂𝓯𝓲𝓻𝓮⁂𝓷𝓮𝓽 Thinking so, the Imperial Consort’s faction still felt they had power within their grasp. Baili Shuo squinted and swept his gaze over the ministers standing in the hall, noting their varied expressions. He understood their sentiments and then added, “This second matter, I hereby declare Baili Zhengrong as the Crown Prince.” A minister bowed with hands clasped, “Emperor, appointing a Crown Prince is a matter of national importance. This matter—” Baili Shuo cut him off coldly, “You disagree with me appointing a Crown Prince, yet you agreed earlier to the Imperial Consort appointing the Imperial Princess. Haha… what a great jest of the age. An Imperial harem woman, where does she get the authority to appoint an Imperial Princess?” “Seize this man and throw him into the Heavenly Prison,” Baili Shuo ordered with a wave of his hand, “Choose a day for his execution.” The man, in a panic, knelt and kowtowed, “Please spare my life, Your Majesty, your humble servant knows his crime!” “If you know your crime, then accept your punishment,” Baili Shuo commanded fiercely, eyes blazing. “Is there anyone else who disagrees, to share his fate?” The ministers immediately knelt and shouted in unison— “We congratulate the Emperor on finding the Prince!” “We congratulate the Emperor on appointing the Crown Prince!” “We congratulate the Crown Prince for a thousand years of life!” Baili Shuo nodded slowly. Over these years, even though it was recognized by all that Baili Wenyi was the Imperial Princess, he had never settled it because he always believed Baili Zhengrong was still alive. Ye Yiheng had reached the border between Tiansheng and Nandian. He stood on the peak, surveying the territory of Nandian. Mo Chen nudged Song Guo with his elbow, “Hey, thicken your skin a bit and go ask His Highness if we are going to Nandian.” Their lord stood thus for a quarter of an hour. During that quarter of an hour, he didn’t speak of returning to Tiancheng or going to Nandian, merely standing so. Song Guo retorted, “Your skin is the thick one, not even a carriage wheel could leave a mark on it. With such thick skin, why don’t you go ask?” Mo Chen’s lips twitched, and he smacked his lips before asking Ruofeng, who stood nearby, “You go ask.” “I wouldn’t dare,” Ruofeng sidestepped, murmuring, “His Highness is in a temper, and I don’t dare to provoke it.” Sighing and shaking his head, Song Guo cautiously approached, hesitated for a long moment, and finally spoke up. Mo Chen’s attention peaked in anticipation of the question. Unexpectedly, Song Guo said, “Your Highness, are you hungry? Being hungry ages you quickly; you must never go hungry.” Ruofeng had just taken a water flask to drink when, hearing this, the water spurted out, drenching Mo Chen beside him. They had never heard such a saying. Mo Chen wiped his face, about to admonish Ruofeng. However, he heard Ye Yiheng reply faintly, “Let’s eat something first.” Mo Chen and Ruofeng were astounded; knowing their lord as they did, they never expected him to regard Song Guo’s nonsense with anything but disdain. And now, when had Song Guo’s words ever been so effective? The group sat down on the spot and shared their dry rations. Seeing that his lord appeared to be in a slightly calmer mood, Song Guo ventured cautiously, “Your Highness, are we still going to Nandian?” Ye Yiheng ate slowly and deliberately before responding after a long while, “Yes, I intend to personally sever her Achilles tendon to see how she could flee again.” His words made everyone choke. The other Hidden Guards dared not make a sound, and Mo Chen and Ruofeng slowed their eating. All eyes turned to Song Guo, hoping he would say something to dissuade the idea. Understanding the expectation, Song Guo spoke uneasily again, “What Your Highness said was spoken in anger, how could he truly harm the Crown Princess Consort? If the Crown Princess Consort were harmed, she would have to treat herself, which would be yet another burden.” Ye Yiheng’s voice was unrippled as he said, “You have reminded me, I still need to pick out the tendons in her hands as well.” This way, she would be completely incapacitated. Hearing this, Song Guo dared not reply, and he slapped himself hard. Ye Yiheng watched with indifference. Baili Shuo walked with Baili Zhengrong after the early court, and when they reached the side palace and saw Leng Yu Yan waiting there, they approached her together. “Little girl, I have already appointed Zhengrong as the Crown Prince, I haven’t broken my promise, have I?” Baili Shuo said happily. Leng Yu Yan nodded her head, “The Nandian Emperor’s word is as good as his bond; I am happy for Xiaoshan.” Baili Shuo really wanted to ask about her identity. Hearing Zhengrong calling her Commandery Princess and that they had come together from Tiansheng indicated that she was a Commandery Princess of Tiansheng. Tiansheng had many ladies who could be addressed as Commandery Princess. For the moment, he was unclear about the true identity of the young woman before him. However, during the early court, Zhengrong, that child, had actually admonished him, his Father Emperor, telling him not to inquire about her identity. That left him unable to ask. If he wasn’t supposed to ask about her identity, the reason must be that this girl was the daughter of a criminal of Tiansheng, and thus her identity was not to be mentioned. But he found this young girl to his liking. Regardless of whether she was the daughter of a criminal of Tiansheng, as long as his son liked her, he was satisfied. Such a daughter-in-law who looked as beautiful as a fairy, he had to help his son think of ideas, and by the way, give a push to assist him. With this thought, Baili Shuo said, “Zhengrong, now that you’re back, go see your mother.” Years ago, when he had sent his son away from Nandian, Princess Consort Yu had resented him and thus she had moved out of the palace. Now that his son had returned safely, it was time for reconciliation. Baili Zhengrong nodded in agreement, “Yes, Father Emperor.” Baili Shuo waved his hand and commanded, “Take the Crown Prince to Princess Consort Yu.” Someone immediately acknowledged the order. Baili Shuo then smiled at Leng Yu Yan, “Little girl, you go with him. Princess Consort Yu has also had a hard time these past years. Help me check on her health.” Leng Yu Yan nodded, “Of course, rest assured.” She assumed that Baili Zhengrong’s mother must be ill and needed her medical attention, which was why she agreed to go without giving it another thought. Before long, Leng Yu Yan left the side palace with Baili Zhengrong. Baili Shuo watched as the two walked away, murmuring to the old eunuch beside him, “Do you think they are well-suited?” The old eunuch bowed deeply, “Emperor, forgive this old servant’s bold question, but the Crown Prince is young. Is it too early for the Emperor to seek a bride for him?” “I only have one son left. If he marries early, he can have children sooner. The responsibility of continuing the Nandian Royal Family’s lineage rests entirely on him! I wish they could get married tomorrow!” The old eunuch laughed, “That would indeed be good!” Baili Shuo pretended to tap him on the nose and scolded, “You sly old fox!” Leng Yu Yan sat in the horse carriage, occasionally lifting the carriage curtain to look outside. Baili Zhengrong watched her with a smile and asked softly, “Sister, do you like Nandian?” Leng Yu Yan let the curtain fall, “Nandian is scenic and has a pleasant climate, suitable for living.” “You haven’t said whether you like it or not.” “Of course I like it.” Leng Yu Yan lowered her lashes. Deep in her heart however, she preferred the natural scenery of Tiansheng. Even though Beilan City was cold, she also liked the landscape there because her relatives lived in that place. As for the Tiansheng Capital, there was… There was also the Prince Zhenbei Mansion, where her second brother was, and the family had spent quite some time living in the Prince Mansion in the capital city. Of course, she liked it too… Absolutely not because of a certain person she didn’t want to remember!