Chapter 251: Moon Festival (1/2)

“Royal Father's health is getting worse,” Qi Yun stated without preamble. “You should get ready for his pa.s.sing.”

Nan Xun was surprised that the emperor's condition was going downhill rather than making a recovery, while Jun Huang had seen this coming. She was plagued with poison herself. She knew how potent Eastern Wu's poison was. Although the emperor had been saved from a quick death, his malady had not been cured, but only suppressed. The effort of staying alive was taking a toll on him.

Jun Huang thought for a moment. She worried that Prince Duan and Qi Chen, who were their biggest threats at the time being, might make a move soon.

The emperor knew that his days were numbered, and yet he refused to make Qi Yun the crown prince. There must be something they were missing here.

“Although I'm not sure what the emperor is going to do, he clearly puts a lot of hope in you,” she calmly said. “Don't do anything reckless. We have to be patient. We'll have the emperor willingly make you the crown prince, instead of forcing his hand like Qi Chen did.”

This was a critical time. She had to make sure that he wouldn't get impatient.

Qi Yun nodded after a long pause. “Don't worry. I won't be reckless.”

His promise made her feel a little better, but she was still anxious. After he'd left, Nan Xun went up to her and took her hand. “What are you thinking?”

She glanced at him and shook her head. “Nothing. I just have some speculations.” She went back to the desk and sat down, reading the accounting book carefully.

Neither of them foresaw what happened next.

Moon Festival came. An extravagant banquet was held in the palace. Nan Xun woke up early to get prepared. Jun Huang lay on the stone table with her eyes on him. She seemed distracted, her eyes caught by his robe.

Nan Xun shook his head in resignation and downed the cup of tea placed on the table. It'd gone cold. “It's just a meeting attire. Nothing special. They all look the same.”

“I'm just curious what a military official's meeting attire look like, but it's the same as a scholar official's,” Jun Huang said. “Don't you feel off-kiltered wearing the long robe after wearing armors for so long?”

She was smiling with her whole face. Even the angle of her eyebrows seemed joyful. She hadn't looked so carefree for a long time.

Nan Xun stared at her dumbly. It took a moment for him to come to his senses. He coughed and looked up at the bright moon. “There was a time when I wasn't used to wearing armors, but I adapted. Now, I've stayed in the imperial city for some time. I can't just go around without clothes, can I? The long robe doesn't impose a strong presence, but it's elegant.”

“I should have worn a general's attire, but the emperor worried that I'd scare other people. He told me to dress like a scholarly man for once. I can't see myself though. Do I look less intimidating now?”

Jun Huang considered him carefully, rubbing her chin and supporting her head with the other hand. Nan Xun usually wore s.h.i.+rts with narrow sleeves, which did nothing to dampen his imposing aura. Now, dressed in a long robe with broad sleeves, he did look more like a graceful gentleman. His features were still sharp and steely, but they were softer than before.

“It's good,” Jun Huang said with a smile. “You're going to get a lot of attention from women today.”

Nan Xun paused and chuckled. “That's their business. What do they have to do with me? Don't worry. I'll come back for you in no time.”

Jun Huang's eyelashes fluttered before she looked up at him with a serious expression. She nodded.

A eunuch from the palace came to hurry Nan Xun again. He couldn't delay his departure anymore. He said a few words to her before leaving with the eunuch.

Jun Huang sat in the garden on her own under the cool moonlight. It was said that the moon festival was when one's yearning for her parents grew intense. She now saw the truth to the saying. The housekeeper had a servant serve her some moon cakes. She took a bite but didn't really taste it. She sighed and put it down.

The palace was bustling with activities when Nan Xun arrived. The emperor didn't blame him for being late, but only waved at him to take a seat. Then the emperor slumped on the throne, his face pale.

Qi Yun had been staying by the emperor's side. He ordered the servants to bring a robe and some hot tea for his father, painting the perfect picture of a caring son. A few of the partic.i.p.ants scoffed in derision, drinking wine without a word.

After three rounds of drinks, some of them were losing their ability to think carefully. One of the courtiers brought up Eastern Wu. The emperor didn't stop them from talking about the usually taboo topic. He hadn't had anything to drink because of his health. He let the officials talk in a pleasant mood.

“I hear that the emperor of Eastern Wu has torn the peace treaty with us,” an official suddenly exclaimed.

The mood in the room clouded. Everyone turned to the emperor in silence. The emperor's face hardened. He slammed the table and got to his feet, pointing at the official who spoke as he demanded, “Where did you hear that from?”