Chapter 2191: Chapter 2191: Turns Out, It’s Nothing

Two sons–both seemed to have been ruined under her care. If she were to raise a grandson, would the outcome be the same?

Although she had her own thoughts on the matter, she couldn’t let her son shirk responsibility entirely. The people who needed to be apprehended must be dealt with, especially since the Central Imperial Country was in tumultuous times.

“Mother, you’re being modest.”

The Ninth Prince’s lips twitched slightly, sensing that his mother was merely making excuses.

Actually, his mother’s teachings were more than decent. At least, he–raised at her knee–was not led astray. As for the Emperor, he had been raised by the former Emperor himself, growing up surrounded by ambition from an early age.

Ultimately, it wasn’t the same.

“It’s not modesty. What I said is simply the truth,” the Empress Dowager shook her head.

“Jin’er, you may not want to take the throne, but you must accept the position of Regent King. The fifty-thousand-strong army under your command is the only force capable of keeping the forces within the capital in check.”

The power structure in the Central Imperial Country isn’t insignificant. Even if eliminated in a short time, there would inevitably be remnants left behind.

An immature child as Emperor would be fraught with danger. Without someone to protect them, forget governing the country; even growing up safely would be a challenge.

Upon hearing this, the Ninth Prince felt a deep headache coming on.

Earlier, when he saw the Emperor taken away by the High Priest Demon Heart and others, he thought that once the new Emperor ascended, he could finally enjoy a carefree life.

Who could have expected that, in such a short while, reality would catch him off guard?

So it still falls upon him? There’s no one else to rely on?

He opened his mouth, wanting to say he could relinquish the command of the fifty-thousand strong military to someone else–anyone willing to take it could have it. But deep down, he knew that the army was the last line of defense for the people of the Central Imperial Country.

In his hands, he could ensure he wouldn’t misuse it for personal gain. But if it fell into someone else’s hands, what then?

The cautionary tale of Emperor Zhong weighed heavily on him. If these fifty-thousand troops were lost, the Central Imperial Country would become prey–ready to be molded or crushed at the whim of other nations.

“What a headache,”

He clicked his tongue lightly, rubbed his temple with one hand, and muttered under his breath.

Of course, it was an extreme headache. He still wished to travel the world and see whether he could venture into Wulong Mountain. But now? Nothing was possible. Nowhere could he go!

“Fine. I’ll take on the role of Regent King. As for everything else, Mother, you and the Minister of State, along with the Chancellor, will have to decide.”

“Good, good,”

The Empress Dowager repeatedly voiced her approval upon hearing his consent.

Soon after, she ordered all of the Emperor Zhong’s princes to be brought forth.

Emperor Zhong had a vast harem of concubines and numerous sons. Although the eldest was only seven years old, when the princes were assembled, the Empress Dowager realized to her astonishment that there were over twenty of them.

“I thought there were only nineteen princes. Why are there twenty-three?” The Empress Dowager herself was dumbfounded.

Both the Minister of State and the Chancellor were equally stunned. Emperor Zhong had publicly declared he had nineteen sons–a widely known fact across the entire Central Imperial Country.

How did four more suddenly appear out of nowhere?

“Your Grace, the additional four princes were born of palace maids whom His Majesty forced himself upon while intoxicated. Because those maids were of ordinary appearance, His Majesty never saw them again and was unaware they had given birth to princes.”

A young eunuch serving beside Emperor Zhong stepped forward to offer an explanation, resolving the confusion of the Empress Dowager and others.