Chapter 545: We Are Related by Blood, But We Desired Each Other’s Death

Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio     Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio

“Third Prince…” Xie Heng advised worriedly, “Why don’t you let Chuchu treat

In dismissal, Xie Yan waved his hand and said, “It’s useless. I know my body well. Every day I’m alive now is a day I seize from the hands of Death. I’m already satisfied to be alive to see Junjun crowned emperor. Zizhao, regardless

of what happens in the future, I hope you will always be by Junjun’s side like you’re doing now.”

He continued, “If Junjun changes and does not trust you one day, you should resign. You should not stay in the imperial court. Power corrupts people. At that time, Junjun should be able to control the court members completely, and he will not need your service anymore.”

Zhao Chuchu, who was beside them, felt uneasy when she heard Xie Yan speak as though he was delivering his will.

Xie Yan, indeed did not have long to live. He could, at most) live for another two years.

His love for Junjun was unquestionable. He had planned everything for the latter. However, because of this, Xie Yan would most likely exhaust himself and stir up radical changes in the imperial court over the next two years.

Only by doing so could he help Xie Jun eliminate all the potential threats in the court in the shortest amount of time.

Even the late Emperor, Xie Jun’s biological father, did not treat him this well.

Xie Jun was lucky to have two elder brothers who devoted their lives to protecting him.

“Third Prince, compared to me, Junjun needs you more. You are the person who knows the imperial court best. In terms of managing the court, I’m inferior to you.” Xie Heng was worried that as soon as he agreed to Xie Yan’s request, the latter would lose his will to live and pass away.

Xie Yan smiled and changed the topic, saying, “Alright. Let’s not speak so formally. Zizhao, it has been a long time since I last tasted your cooking. Can you cook for me tonight?”

“Alright,” Xie Heng agreed.

He glanced at Zhao Chuchu before standing up and leaving for the kitchen.

After he left, Xie Yan spoke to Zhao Chuchu. “Mrs. Xie, thank you for treating my illness. As the regent, I have lots to do now and cannot rest as you wish. Is there a medicine that allows me to stay in my current state?”

Zhao Chuc.hu frowned as soon as she heard his request. “Third Prince, your body is your most important asset. You don’t have to do everything on your own. If you consume strong medicine, it is no different from poisoning your body slowly. You need to have a proper work-life balance. It is best if you can recuperate quietly.”

Xie Yan shook his head in disagreement and said, “I don’t have much time left.

Mrs. Xie, I would have passed away long ago if I hadn’t met you. Every moment I’m alive now is the extra time I snatch from Death.”

Zhao Chuchu disagreed with Xie Yan, saying, “I know you’re doing this for the sake of Junjun. However, have you ever considered whether Junjun needs you to sacrifice yourself for him? Since you know you are living on extra time snatched from Death, you should appreciate it more instead of squandering it. The affairs of the imperial court are complicated. It’s not something you can solve in a short amount of time.”

As a doctor, she advised Xie Yan to put all his duties on hold and focus on recovering his body. Perhaps he could live longer that way.

If Xie Yan exhausted himself for the sake of Xie Jun and died at an early age, the latter would most likely not be able to forgive himself for the rest of his life.

“What should Junjun do if you pass away? You’re Junjun’s only blood relative on Earth now. Do you wish to see Junjun becoming an orphan at such a young age?”

“You and Zizhao are around.”

“It’s not the same.”

“It’s the same. Zizhao is also Junjun’s brother. Kinship is not that important. Look at the princes. We’re related by blood, but we desired each other’s death for the sake of the throne.”

Xie Yan laughed in a self-deprecating way after saying this. Then, with a serious expression, he looked at Zhao Chuchu and pleaded, “Mrs. Xie, I know you can fulfill my request. This is the last time I will ask for your help.” Zhao Chuchu frowned and rejected, “I’m sorry. I can’t agree to your request.”

Xie Yan was stunned momentarily before he sighed, ‘Even if you don’t help me, I’ll still continue my course.”

He made it clear that he would not change his mind.

Zhao Chuchu was at a loss for words.

Xie Yan left the room to avoid any misunderstanding about his relationship with Zhao Chuchu. He then went to the kitchen curiously to watch Xie Heng cook.

He had never had such an experience before. They were like brothers in an average family, living peacefully without scheming against each other.

Xie Yan left the Xie residence after dinner.

At night, Zhao Chuchu told Xie Heng the Third Prince’s request.

Zhao Chuchu said, “The Third Prince insists on working so hard. If I help him, he will most likely spend his remaining days under stress. What should I say to Junjun if I help him? Even though you raised Junjun, he is the Emperor now. I do not wish to see any conflict between the two of you.”

Xie Heng kept quiet momentarily before saying, “Actually, Junjun has long guessed the truth. He asked me to change the Third Prince’s mind. However, nobody can change his mind once he has decided to do something. Tomorrow, I will let Junjun know what happened. Let the two of them discuss on their own. You can prepare the medicine first. Most likely, Junjun will be convinced by the Third Prince.”

Zhao Chuchu felt helpless.

“We are not gods. We can’t have everything we want. We can only try our best. Don’t overthink this,” comforted Xie Heng as he hugged Zhao Chuchu. “Junjun also needs to grow up and learn to let go. We can’t make all his decisions for him for the rest of his life.”

Zhao Chuchu gradually calmed down as she listened to Xie Heng’s heartbeat.

That’s right. God’s plans superseded theirs. Accidents could happen at any minute. If humans could predict and plan everything in advance, there would not be so many regrets in the world.

She had always treated Xie Yan as her friend. Now, she would put this matter aside and let it take its course.

As predicted by Xie Heng, Xie Jun was convinced by Xie Yan.

When Zhao Chuchu met Xie Jun in the palace, he could not stop crying. He wanted his Third Brother to stay by his side as long as possible, but he knew no one could save Xie Yan since even Zhao Chuchu, the Doctor Miracle, couldn’t do anything to prolong his life.

After Zhao Chuchu comforted Xie Jun, she left the palace with many medicinal herbs. She began making pills for Xie Yan.

As expected, Xie Yan became more and more radical in his administration. He promoted many new talents while taking harsh actions against the greedy court members who formed cliques and had underground businesses.

He appeared in the imperial court looking refreshed every day. Some people even thought that he had fully recovered. They instigated him to snatch the throne from Xie Jun.

However, the people who did so all suffered terrible consequences. They were either fired or demoted to some remote areas.

During these two years, the atmosphere in the imperial court was always tense. Many court members complained that the regent had outshone the Emperor and that Xie Yan was an autocrat. However, no one dared to talk badly about him in official reports.

After all, Xie Jun had yet to start ruling the country on his own. Aside from the morning assembly with the court members, he spent all his time with Xie Heng learning how to manage the country.

Unbeknownst to the court members, Xie Yan consulted Xie Jun before making any major decision. He would ask Xie Jun to give his opinion about the issues. If Xie Jun’s ideas were good, Xie Yan would implement the ideas. If Xie Jun could not develop a satisfactory solution, he would discuss the matter with Xie Yan and Xie Heng. With this approach, Xie Yan managed to let Xie Jun be familiarized with court affairs in a short amount of time.

Even though Xie Jun did not rule the court directly now, he was not a dumb emperor who knew nothing.

Just when the court members thought Xie Jun would become Xie Yan’s puppet, Xie Yan fainted without any signs during the morning assembly one day. Since then, he remained bedridden.

Xie Yan turned from an energetic regent to a sick man on the brink of death in just a few days.

Xie Jun stayed by his side and sobbed non-stop. “Third Brother, get well. I still have many things to learn from you. The Wei Dynasty can’t survive without you.”

With much difficulty, Xie Yan extended his hand and wiped away Xie Jun’s tears. He said, “I’m exhausted. I want to rest now. Ninth Brother, you can’t slack off from now on. You are the Emperor. You must lead the Wei Dynasty well. I will watch over you in heaven. I hope you will make me proud.”

Xie Jun pleaded, “Third Brother, can’t you keep me company? I don’t want you to watch over me in heaven. I will handle the court affairs personally from now on while you slowly recover. In the future, after I get married and have kids, you will help me take care of my children.”

“Why am I the only one you think of when you need help?” teased Xie Yan. “Ninth Brother, I am glad I found you before I die. I have appointed your brother as the grand secretary. He will help you from now on. Promise me. Never raise your sword against Xie Heng.”

“I won’t. Third Brother, stay alive and watch me carry out my promise.”

“Silly child. I am beyond satisfied to have lived a few more years than I should have. You are coming of age now. I have chosen a few suitable marriage

candidates for you. Have a look at who you like and crown her the Empress Consort. Remember. Do not give too much power to the family of the Empress.

It will only cause trouble for you.”

“Hmm,” answered Xie Jun in tears.

Xie Yan looked at Xie Heng and said, “Zizhao, can I have a moment to talk with you

Xie Heng nodded. Xie Jun was dragged out of the room by Zhao Chuchu.

No one knew what Xie Yan discussed with Xie Heng.

When Xie Heng came out of the room, he asked Xie Jun to go in and see Xie Yan for one last time.

During the third year of Yongping, Xie Yan, the regent revered by the court members and loved by the people, passed away due to sickness. The entire country mourned his death..