Chapter 30 (1/2)

Chapter 30: Setting Up the Pieces

Qi Chen pursed his lips and took a deep breath, barely managing to suppress his anger. ”Big brother has been grounded for so long,” he said. ”Today is the day you are freed from your confinement. I, naturally have to pay you a visit.”

”It is said that second brother has been busy lately. I didn't expect you to still be keeping an eye on my manor. If someone with ulterior motives were to hear about this, rumors may start.” Qi Yin stared at Qi Chen, his tone purposefully calm, but every word out of his mouth was a jab at Qi Chen. ”It is best for second brother to stop fooling around. Read some more books, even. Still better than dreaming of impossible things. Does my brother agree with me?”

Qi Chen balled his hands up tightly into fists, his fingernails digging into his palms. He clenched his teeth and took a moment to calm himself before saying, ”Big brother has spoken correctly. I will keep your words in mind.”

Qi Chen didn't want to stand around embarra.s.sing himself any further. He was about to take his leave when someone from the palace b.u.mped into them.

”Well, well, both princes are indeed here,” the eunuch said with a high-pitched voice, fawning over Qi Chen. ”This old servant has been looking for the second prince for quite some time.”

Qi Chen frowned. ”May I ask why you were looking for me?”

”The crown prince has been ungrounded. His Majesty asked me to invite the two princes to the palace for tea.”

Qi Chen nodded and turned to look at Qi Yin. ”Big brother, let us hurry and enter the palace together.”

The eunuch was an observant one. He knew that even though Qi Chen was the favored prince now, as long as the emperor did not make someone else the crown prince, Qi Yin maintained his t.i.tle. If one day Qi Yin inherited the throne, he would be the one in charge.

The eunuch put on a smile and approached Qi Yin. ”Your Highness, is there anything you need to prepare for?”

Qi Yin cursed the eunuch under his breath for being a petty brown-nose. He huffed and left with a wave of his sleeve. The eunuch pursed his lips and followed.

Qi Chen scoffed silently. Qi Yin had been grounded once already, and still he was so prideful. He still considered himself superior to everyone.

Qi Chen could already picture the moment Qi Yin fell from grace in his mind. Oh, how desperate would he be! An indescribable rush of ecstasy suddenly hit him. He could barely stop himself from dragging Qi Yin down right this moment and have him at his mercy.

When they arrived at the palace, the emperor and Qi Yun were watching a play in the theater garden. The eunuch took the princes straight to them.

Qi Chen went straight for the seat right next to the emperor – during the time when Qi Yin was grounded, he was considered to be of the second highest rank here. That was why he got used to taking the second most important spot. Seeing this, Qi Yin sneered, ”What does second brother take me for?”

Qi Chen suddenly realized that things had changed as Qi Yin had left the crown prince manor today. He hurriedly stood up and was for a moment too embarra.s.sed to do anything. Qi Yun picked up the teacup and took a sip, watching them with cool eyes.