Chapter 168 (1/2)
Chapter 168 Green Vines: Disorder in the Court
The imperial palace was forever so stately and solemn. The soldiers who guard the palace walls always kept a straight face while the handmaidens could only lower their heads as they walk by hurriedly. The officials who entered the palace from time to time all had a nervous expression on their faces. Even the laughter in the imperial palace was suppressed. In the Imperial Garden, the white sasanqua camellias were struck with reverence and humility, the pink tea tree curled their bodies up in fear, the yellow oriental paperbush crowded around and embraced each other while the purple bougainvillaeas could not bear but turn its head away.
There, everything was stifling and heavy. Yet, the lofty palace beyond the vermilion red, towering walls was what countless people yearned for.
The palace attendant led Situ and the First Prince all the way to the Imperial Study. He lowered his head and dared not talk to Situ or the First Prince. The two of them detected this strange atmosphere and exchanged glances with each other before quickly turning away.
After Palace Attendant Yu loudly announced their presence, Situ and the First Prince strode into the Imperial Study.
In the Imperial Study, other than the Emperor who held the power of the kingdom in his hands, and Palace Attendant Yu who had served him for many years, the Eighth Prince, Liu Ren, was present as well. Compared to the Emperor's expressionless countenance, the Eighth Prince appeared to be concerned but the icy coldness in his eyes only served to make him look more vicious.
”Your son and subject pays his respects, Father. May Father have good fortune and health.”
”Your subject pays his respects to your Majesty. May your Majesty have good fortune and health.”
The First Prince and Situ bowed deeply.
The Emperor's calm line of vision swept across them before he slowly commanded, ”Rise.”
”Thank you, Father.”
”Thank you, Your Majesty.”
The First Prince and Situ had just stood up when the Eighth Prince said beamingly, ”It must have been really hard on Elder Brother and Duke of Anping to go to Dingtao Province to investigate the case. Father was extremely pleased when he saw the report.”
Situ remained expressionless.
Deep down, the First Prince had a better understanding of how treacherous and vicious this Eighth Brother of his was.
”What Eighth Brother has said is wrong. We are all merely trying to help relieve Father's worries. There is nothing hard to speak about.”
The Eighth Prince did not have time to refute when the Emperor had already spoken, ”Nonetheless, it was indeed very tough this time. Many officials in the court are praising you a lot. I should also reward you. Tell me, what do you want?”
The First Prince's heart was filled with suspicions right now. Could it be that Father is not planning to investigate further about their game of words? The calmer the Emperor was, the more uneasy he felt in his heart. This was the disparity between one who sat in the top seat of power and all those beneath him.
”Thank you for your praise, Father. But it was all thanks to the Duke of Anping and the officials in Dingtao Province that I managed to get to the bottom of this case. I dare not claim credit for myself.”
”No need to be modest, my Imperial Brother.” The smile on the Eighth Prince's face widened, but he was a ruthless character behind a gentle appearance just like a needle concealed underneath layers of silk.
”Father has read all the reports and is aware of all the news sent from Ding Tao Province. For example, there's the Demonic Sect, the Xiaoyao Sect as well as those Jianghu people.”
The Eighth Prince paused after saying a few words, hoping to see the alarmed expression on the face of the First Prince but he was disappointed. The First Prince was sincere and courteous. His voice was still as gentle as usual and there was no anger on his face at all.
”That's right. No one had expected that this was actually a crafty plot by the branch Demonic Sect which had diverged from Dingtao Province's governor and the Qing Cheng Sect. The Jianghu people are really getting more wanton. They actually even dared to kill the court's officials. It was thanks to the Xiaoyao Sect that dauntlessly helped back then that I was able to handle this matter properly.”
The Eighth Prince's expression instantly became dangerous. He also involuntarily emanated a vicious aura, obviously forgetting where he was at that moment.
”Cough cough.” Palace Attendant Yu lightly coughed, and the Eighth Prince quickly came back to his senses. The Eighth Prince looked at the Emperor with a terrified expression, but the Emperor's countenance remained calm and peaceful like water. This made him even more restless and apprehensive.
The Emperor's voice gave nothing away, but it contained an imposing aura that had never changed despite his years. However, his greying hair, the wrinkles at the corner of his eyebrows and his slightly strenuous actions all indicated that he was debilitated with age. The deadline of his reign on the throne is nearing.
”You have handled this matter well by setting the rules for the people of the Jianghu.”
The Emperor's words sparked anger in the Eighth Prince.
”But there are some lines you can't cross.” the Emperor's words caused the First Prince to be relieved. At the same time, he was also puzzled. The various indications have already clearly expressed that the Eighth Prince has become dominant. Why is Father still expressing discontent towards him? Could it be that the one who is to Father's liking is really Eleventh Younger Brother? If that's the case, there is one more person as my obstacle.
No matter how ghastly the Eighth Prince's expression was, he could not retort to the Emperor on the spot. He looked on helplessly as the Emperor casually asked the First Prince some questions while the First Prince's fitting replies made the Emperor very satisfied.
Situ stood silently by the side, playing the role of an invisible person but he knew that the Emperor would not let him off this easily.
As expected, after the Emperor finished asking the First Prince, he switched to ask Situ instead. ”Duke of Anping, it has also been hard on you this time. You probably don't need gold and silvers. Why not a promotion?”
As soon as he finished speaking, the First Prince and the Eighth Prince's expressions changed.
Situ was the General of the North and his position was equivalent to the ministers which is an official of the first rank. At the same time, he was also the Duke of Anping, the only duke not of royal blood that was conferred by Emperor Cheng of the Xuan kingdom. If he was to get a promotion, he could only become a commandery prince.
The position as a commandery prince was a special glory. Those who could enjoy this position were the kings of the small nations that had pledged allegiance, other imperial princes after the future new Emperor has ascended the throne as well those who had a.s.sisted the Emperor in seizing the t.i.tle of Emperor back then could enjoy
The First Prince felt that his heart was thumping expeditiously at this moment. His breathing was also very rapid and his palms were drenched in sweat. Yet, he must not express all these emotions. Once the Emperor before him see through a flaw, he would be only be harming Situ and himself.