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The guards beside them exchanged glances, clearly hesitant to act.
“Why? Are you not going to heed my words?”
“Madam, this is the Young Prince of Nanjiang, the sole heir.” This was a subtle reminder of Nan Qiao’s distinguished status.
Moreover, the Young Prince had a very good relationship with the Imperial Prince Yu of Xuan Empire. If they were to harm the Young Prince on the Imperial Prince Yu’s territory, the consequences were unpredictable.
“You…” The woman was taken aback by her subordinate’s audacity.
Nan Qiao remained unruffled by the woman’s words, simply addressing her, “It seems, Yu Yan, that your subordinates have more self-awareness than you do.”
Yu Yan is the name of Nan Qiao’s mother and the legitimate daughter of the Yu family in Nanjiang, holding a high status within the family.
She devoted herself entirely to Nan Yue. Later, she hoped for a daughter with the intention that a daughter wouldn’t compete with Nan Yue for the throne. However, to her surprise, the child turned out to be a son.
Upon the child’s birth, she planned to discreetly dispose of him. Yet, the child gained recognition from the King immediately after birth, preventing her from carrying out her intentions.
This was because the King of Nanjiang had people looking after him.
As the child grew older and she realized his pain tolerance was more than twice that of a normal person, she began using Nan Qiao as a test subject for poisons, hoping he would die in agony when the poison took effect.
To her astonishment, young Nan Qiao not only survived but also became immune to poisons due to the substances she used on him.
Just as she was preparing to deal with Nan Qiao using a different method, the King of Nanjiang intervened and took Nan Qiao away.
After seizing the opportunity when the King of Nanjiang was away, she had Nan Qiao taken to Forget Sorrow City, believing that in this city filled with sin, a young child like Nan Qiao wouldn’t survive.
To her surprise once again, Nan Qiao not only survived but also significantly enhanced his abilities.
This unexpected outcome left her frustrated. She wanted to confront Nan Qiao, but he never returned. Whenever he did return, it was only to see the King of Nanjiang.
He refused to see anyone else, including his own mother.
“Nan Qiao, you never fail to disgust me,” she openly expressed her dislike for Nan Qiao.
“It takes one to know one,” Nan Qiao responded calmly, not showing any signs of anger.
These simple words left Yu Yan’s expression slightly unpleasant. She believed she could dislike Nan Qiao, but he should never treat her this way.
“Don’t forget, I am your mother.”
“Mother?” Nan Qiao chuckled softly.
“Are you worthy?”
After Yu Yan had him sent to Forget Sorrow City, he no longer considered her his mother.
As for his father, he was as good as nonexistent, and Nan Qiao didn’t need him either.
Taking a deep breath to suppress her anger, Yu Yan looked at Nan Qiao and said, “I have something to discuss with you.”
“Let’s hear it.” Nan Qiao was curious about what would prompt this woman to leave Nanjiang and come looking for him.
“Give up the Young Prince position to your brother. He is the most suitable to be the King of Nanjiang.” Yu Yan’s statement sounded matter-of-fact.
Upon hearing of Yu Yan’s arrival, Luo Yan hurried back inside and was immediately met with her statement.
Approaching Nan Qiao, Luo Yan said, “If you’re unhappy, I can provide you with some explosives to blow their entire household up.”
Nan Qiao chuckled at Luo Yan’s words, “Alright, let’s see how powerful your explosives are.”
“I’ll give you four or five. If used together, they can level this woman’s home in an instant,” Luo Yan confidently remarked.
Listening to their conversation, Yu Yan’s heart raced with fear, “Nan Qiao, how dare you.”
“I dare indeed. Luo Yan’s explosives are quite effective,” Nan Qiao stated calmly.
“You’re not returning to Nanjiang, so what’s the point of holding onto the Young Prince position? You should give it to your brother,” Yu Yan insisted.
Nan Qiao looked at Yu Yan calmly, with a slightly peculiar expression, “Well, that might disappoint you. Even if I don’t return, the heir to Nanjiang can only be me.”
“So, someone who can’t even earn recognition wants to be the King of Nanjiang? Does a waste like Nan Yue deserve it?”
“Shut up, Nan Qiao!” Yu Yan was infuriated.
Nan Qiao, unsurprised by the woman’s frustration, knew this was coming. He understood that she valued Nan Yue the most; any mention of Nan Yue would make her lose her composure, just like now.
“I gained the King’s recognition at birth, while Nan Yue, now twenty, still hasn’t earned it. Do you think he can stabilize the position of Young Prince? Would the elders agree? Trying to play these underhanded tricks without strength, it truly reflects your character,” Nan Qiao remarked sarcastically, leaving no room for Yu Yan’s pride.
“It seems that in recent years, more and more children have been gaining recognition, except for Nan Yue. Is he being rejected by the King?” Nan Qiao’s cutting words showcased his skill in striking at the heart.
Trembling, Yu Yan pointed at Nan Qiao, about to speak when she heard him say, “Even if I were willing to step down, it would be for someone carefully chosen by me. Does Nan Yue deserve it?”
He truly had no interest in the position of King of Nanjiang; following his brother, Yu, was far more fun to him.
But now, seeing Yu Yan in this state, he suddenly felt that the throne wasn’t worth much after all. It was quite amusing to witness Yu Yan’s anger and frenzy, wasn’t it?
“He is your brother.”
“Hah, you’ve been tormenting me for him since childhood, making me your poison test subject. Knowing well that my pain sensitivity is more than twice that of an average person, the poisons you administered caused unbearable agony. I spared his life, which should be enough for you. And now you want me to consider him? What is he worth?” Nan Qiao looked at Yu Yan with disdain.
Wang Jinhe had a strong dislike for Yu Yan, stating, “Nan Qiao is the Young Prince of Nanjiang, the future King of Nanjiang. When it comes down to it, shouldn’t this person show respect to Nan Qiao?”
“Indeed, that’s correct,” affirmed Su Yu.
The guards by Yu Yan’s side kept their eyes lowered, wondering why their mistress couldn’t see reason.
Despite knowing that the Young Prince felt no affection for them, she still attempted to use familial ties to control him.
However, the Young Prince never took it seriously.
It seemed that Yu Yan had yet to realize this issue.
“If you’re willing to give up the Young Prince position to your brother, I agree to let you return,” Yu Yan looked at Nan Qiao as if granting him a great favor.
Wang Jinhe couldn’t tolerate it any longer, exclaiming, “Did you leave your brain behind when you stepped out? Does Nan Qiao really cherish the idea of returning to your insincere and calculating household?”
“Is it that we haven’t been good enough to Nan Qiao, or that Nan Qiao hasn’t found peace here? Does he have to return just to live under your scrutiny?”
“Nan Qiao is not allowed to hand over his position to anyone. The throne of Nanjiang, even if he don’t want it directly, still belongs to him. What are they compared to him?”
Nan Qiao looked at Wang Jinhe, who was losing her temper, and nodded solemnly, “Sister-in-law, rest assured. In the past, I didn’t care about this position, but today, I’ve made up my mind. I won’t hand over the throne of Nanjiang to anyone else.”