Chapter 430 - 192: This Oath Is My Stance
"Welcoming Yun Wanyao into the palace was a decision I made alone and insisted on carrying out. In the future, whether it leads to the disapproval of ministers and citizens or the estrangement of brothers, I will fully bear the responsibility and never shift the blame onto Yun Wanyao."
"If I go back on this vow, let my body be broken and let the kingdom change hands. This vow is witnessed by the sun and moon, and the heavens and earth."
Upon hearing this, Yun Zheng and Yun Zhan looked at him in shock, unable to believe that a reigning monarch would swear such a severe oath about letting the kingdom change hands.
The Emperor before them ascended to the throne at a young age, diligently ruled, loved his citizens, was adept at recognizing talent and administering affairs, and truly counts as an exceptionally outstanding wise ruler.
Yet now, how has he become so foolish because of lust?
This appearance, where is there any semblance of a wise ruler left?
Yun Zheng felt extremely complicated, unable to say whether it was disappointment or something else.
"Duke Ning, this vow reflects my stance. Actually, if I want a woman, even if you disagree, you cannot stop me."
"I am the ruler of the country, nearly twenty years old, and have long reached the age to marry. In the entire Da Wu Country, I can have any woman I desire."
"But in my heart, Yun Wanyao is different from all other women, and Duke Ning is different from other ministers, which is why I sincerely want to seek Duke Ning’s consent on this matter..."
In his youth, Mo Yuanlin, along with Yun Zhan and Yun Wanchen, learned horsemanship and martial arts with Yun Zheng for several years.
Later, when the late Emperor passed away, various vassal kings rebelled, and the court was in turmoil. It was Yun Zheng who pacified the rebellions and purged the court, using iron-fisted methods to support the twelve-year-old Crown Prince onto the throne.
Such achievements would have been fitting even for a regent holding sole power.
But Yun Zheng didn’t do that; he handed all power to Mo Yuanlin, quietly watching as Grand Commandant Su and Prime Minister Han formed factions after the court stabilized, gradually growing stronger, leading to the current situation of mutual restraint among three factions.
Mo Yuanlin understood that Yun Zheng did this to reassure him, demonstrating his resolve that he had no interest in the throne.
With extraordinary capability, yet never coveting a position that is not his; such a virtuous minister—which emperor wouldn’t cherish him?
Mo Yuanlin naturally could not escape these conventions, and in his heart, Yun Zheng is both a mentor and father, the elder he respects most, even closer than his real Imperial Uncle Prince Jing.
Therefore, on the matter of marriage, he hopes to gain Yun Zheng’s approval.
"You watched me grow up. Do you not wish to see me marry and have children?"
"Uncle Yun, I do not desire a harem of three palaces; I only want Yun Wanyao alone. I hope Uncle Yun can fulfill this wish."
This time, Mo Yuanlin didn’t even address him as Duke Ning but directly called him Uncle Yun, playing the emotional card.
Yun Zheng frowned, finding things even more complicated.
Frankly speaking, Mo Yuanlin possesses extraordinary appearance and charisma, very striking.
Moreover, since childhood, he has been well-read in various literary classics, possessing knowledge and talent that others can hardly match.
As for his political ability and skills in handling matters, he far surpasses all his peers.
On top of that, he also has a natural talent for martial arts, following Yun Zhan and others to learn horsemanship and martial arts for several years. Although his true skill is unknown, given his talent, it surely wouldn’t be lacking.
Intelligent and capable in both literature and martial arts, with outstanding talent and appearance; if he were not the emperor, he would absolutely be the ideal son-in-law in Yun Zheng’s heart.
But the problem lies in the fact that he’s precisely the emperor...
After a moment, Yun Zheng sighed and said, "Perhaps the Emperor truly loves Yao’er and only wishes to marry her alone. But having been on the throne for many years, the Emperor should be well aware of one thing."
"That is, sitting in the position of the emperor, many things are beyond one’s control."
"To stabilize the empire, anyone can be sacrificed at any time; plans can’t keep up with changes. Even if the Emperor guarantees now to marry only Yao’er, what then?"
"In the future, no one can predict what might change. The Imperial Palace is not a good place for women. As a father, I do not want my daughter to be caught up in that."
"Of course, I sincerely hope to see the Emperor marry and have children, providing a heir for the kingdom."
"In my opinion, the Emperor is always confined within the Imperial Palace, with limited interaction with women. It might be better to hold several selection events for consorts."
"Perhaps once the Emperor interacts with more women, he will realize that other women are also not unsuitable."
Heh...
Mo Yuanlin chuckled lightly and said, "Since other women are also suitable, then why did Duke Ning abandon the prosperity of the capital back then to pursue Madam in the desolate and bitter borderlands?"
"I heard that Madam’s family committed crimes and were exiled, that Madam similarly bore the burden of guilt."