Chapter 68 (1/2)
Chapter 68: Fury
Noticing Nan Xun's gaze, Jun Huang turned to look at him and saw his intense gaze. She quickly averted her eyes. Nan Xun scratched his nose. Am I really that scary?
Jun Huang took a deep breath before continuing with her explanation. ”Every father in the world wants his children to accompany him often. The emperor is the ruler of a country. He sits on the throne looking upon the people who bow down to him. However, does anyone ever notice the loneliness eating away his heart? That's why he needs familial love. Go visit the emperor often when Your Highness has the time. He will be touched by your devotion to him.”
The more Qi Yun thought about it, the more he saw her point. This question had been dragging him down for so long, and she provided an answer so readily! She really was a rare a.s.set.
Years ago, the princess he knew had been loved by tens of thousands of people. Tragedies forced her to transform into a cunning woman.
Jun Huang could tell Qi Yun was preoccupied with his thoughts. She could also feel his gaze on him, causing a small smile to appear on her lips.
She knew what he was thinking. Endless tragedies had lead her to become who she was today. Her smile was merely a cover for her true feelings.
The atmosphere in the room was too tense for her liking. ”It's early still. Perhaps we can get some drinks?”
”No,” Nan Xun said without hesitation. He never forgot that there was poison running rampant in Jun Huang's body. The doctor had said she shouldn't drink. And alcohol was bad for one's health in general.
Qi Yun got to his feet and smoothed the wrinkles on his clothes. He cupped his hands at Jun Huang and Nan Xun. ”Unfortunately, there are matters I have to attend to. Please excuse me.”
On his way back to the palace, Qi Yun felt a bone deep tiredness inside him. He went to the Royal Cemetery and spent some time talking to his mother. It made him feel a little lighter.
Once he was near the room where the emperor worked on affairs of the state, the emperor's personal eunuch spotted him and rushed to give him a bow. Qi Yun gestured at him to be at ease and asked with a low voice, ”Has Royal Father not retired to bed yet?”
The eunuch nodded. ”Indeed His Majesty hasn't. This old servant tried to convince His Majesty to stop working, but to no avail. The fourth prince must know that despite how hale and hearty His Majesty appears to be, he has been coughing every night. This old servant is deeply concerned.”
Qi Yun lowered his head in bemus.e.m.e.nt. Just then, a servant came to bring medicine to the emperor. Qi Yun remembered what Jun Huang had said earlier. He took the medicine and gave the eunuch a heads up before entering the room.
The emperor was immersed in the reports on the desk. Hearing the footsteps, he thought it was the eunuch, so he didn't even look up from the reports. Only when he smelled the medicine and lifted his head did he see that it was Qi Yun.
”Why are you here, Yun'er?” The emperor's knitted eyebrows relaxed and he looked at Qi Yun with a genuine smile.
Qi Yun put the bowl of medicine on the table and knelt down with his hands cupped. ”This son has come to visit Royal Father without notifying you in advance. I hope Royal Father may forgive me.”
The emperor let out a sigh and helped Qi Yun up, patting his hand. ”You came all the way to visit me. Why would I blame you?”
”Affairs of the state may be important, Royal Father,” Qi Yun said worriedly, ”But you have to take care of yourself. You must not push yourself to the point that you become ill.”
”I know my limits.” He led Qi Yun to a chair nearby and sat down. The chess board showed an unfinished game. Qi Yun wondered who the emperor was playing against. The two appeared to be in an equal match.
Qi Yun and the emperor had a long conversation. In the end, the emperor lamented, ”Among all my sons, you are the one closest to me.”
”That's not true. Hasn't Royal Father always been fond of second brother? Besides, not long from now, second brother will be able to shoulder some of Royal Father's burden. You won't have to work so hard then.” Qi Yun's tone was nonchalant, but there was a hint of reluctance in his voice. The emperor was observant enough to notice it.
He didn't suspect Qi Yun, however. This boy is simply upset for what happened to his mother. The emperor sighed and took Qi Yun's hand. ”I know Chen'er has been working hard with the officials, but he can't spend as much time with me as you do. He's married after all.”
After Qi Yun took his leave, Jun Huang felt like it was time for her to return as well. Qi Chen might grow suspicious if she stayed out for too long. She got to her feet.
Nan Xun stood up as well. He cleared his throat and said with fake nonchalance, ”I'll walk you back. It's on the way.” Before Jun Huang could say anything, he had walked out of the tavern. Jun Huang shook her head and laughed before following him out.