Commoner Queen: Falling in Love with His Royal Highness the Crown Prince - Chapter 4

Song Dynasty, Imperial Palace:

“Son, do you know why I summoned you here today?” The emperor looked down at Yi Han from his throne.

Yi Han frowned slightly. “Father, I am ignorant. Please enlighten me.” Looks like there’s no escaping this today.

The emperor was already annoyed. Still pretending? “Are you truly unaware, or are you just deliberately going against me?” He held back his anger, tapping his fingers repeatedly on the dragon throne.

Yi Han glanced at his father’s expression and then at the way he was tapping the throne. That was always a sign his father was about to lose his temper. Yi Han lowered his voice and said, “I wouldn’t dare!” and bowed deeply.

“Wouldn’t dare? I think you’re quite bold! I ordered you to choose a crown princess within three months, but what happened? A whole year has passed, and there’s still no sign of a crown princess! Are you trying to drive me to my grave?” The emperor slammed his hand on the throne in frustration.

“Please, calm your anger, Father!” Yi Han braced himself, knowing there was nothing else he could say.

“If you want me to calm down, then just tell me when you plan to choose a crown princess.” This boy won’t take action unless he’s forced to. If he keeps delaying, it will endanger the stability of the empire and shake the people’s confidence!

The emperor was getting old, and his son still had no crown princess or heirs. This was a serious matter affecting the future of the dynasty. He didn’t have much time left. He had to ensure the Yi family’s rule would continue for generations!

“Well…” Yi Han hesitated. It wasn’t that he refused to take a wife, but he didn’t want to rush into it. The woman he married had to be someone he truly cared for. Otherwise, the palace would just gain another resentful woman. What was the point of that? He had seen too many lonely, miserable women in the palace, and his own mother was one of them.

Although his mother had gained status because of him, she was never truly happy. The reason was simple—his father never loved her. She had the title of empress but no affection to go with it. That kind of life was unbearable, yet she endured it. Yi Han had seen her pain and felt it, too. He refused to let history repeat itself with someone else.

“Is choosing a wife really that difficult?” The emperor’s face darkened with anger. Sometimes, he even wondered—could his son possibly have… a preference for men? If that were the case, he would have to consider naming a different crown prince.

Sigh… Han’er was the most talented and capable among all his sons. He had the wisdom to govern a nation and the potential to be a great ruler. That was why the emperor had insisted on making him crown prince, despite opposition. He had high hopes for Han’er and didn’t want to be disappointed.

Yi Han lowered his head. “Father, choosing a crown princess is a serious matter. I—”

“Since you know it’s serious, then you should also realize that the court is already gossiping about you. If you continue to have no heirs, your position as crown prince will be at risk! Don’t you understand my concerns?”

Of course, he understood the consequences. “I do, Father, but selecting a crown princess requires finding the right person—”

The Emperor immediately cut him off. “That’s easy to solve! Tomorrow in court, I will announce a selection for your crown princess! All the ministers will be required to present their daughters for you to choose from. Let’s see if, with all the women in the kingdom, you still can’t find one that suits you!” No matter what, he would make sure Han’er fulfilled this duty. He couldn’t let him keep delaying!

“Father…”

“Enough! The decision is made. Go back and wait for the selection to begin!” Let’s see if you can still make excuses after this!

Yi Han’s face darkened. Was marriage supposed to be this forced?

“Dismissed!” The emperor declared, feeling triumphant. Let’s see you try to escape now!

Yi Han sighed in frustration. “Then… I’ll take my leave.”

With that, he quickly left the hall, feeling utterly annoyed.