Chapter 263: Bitterness (1/2)

Qi Yun knew what the smart thing to do was, but he had his pride. He was upset that his father would jump to conclusions like that. That on top of their past settled uncomfortably in his heart. He wanted the emperor to understand him.

Jun Huang sighed and approached the emperor. “Please quell your anger, Your Majesty. This must be someone else's doing. The prince has a pure heart. He wouldn't have colluded with the officials to challenge Your Majesty. An investigation is needed before blame can be cast.”

The emperor scoffed, throwing her a cold glance. She knew it was inappropriate for her to speak up now, but she had to say something to diffuse the emperor. Otherwise there was no telling what he'd do in fury.

“Your Majesty must know better than others how much hards.h.i.+ps the prince's been through for you. Please don't be misled by the ploy.”

“Enough,” snapped the emperor. “I don't want to hear another word from either of you. You're dismissed.”

Qi Yun wanted to say something, but Jun Huang shook her head to stop him. They walked away.

The eunuch who'd been serving at the emperor's side for decades looked at his master and sighed. “Does Your Majesty really think that the fourth prince has planned this?”

The emperor glanced at him and picked up the report again. After a brief moment, he said, “No matter what, he must be thinking about it. First Qi Chen, now him? If I don't eliminate the seed of dissent now, he'll be the next to storm the palace.”

The eunuch fell silent.

Jun Huang and Qi Yun left the emperor's palace. He had a dark expression on his face, which wasn't difficult to interpret. Jun Huang waited until they reached Qi Yun's residence before stopping him. She tried to find the right words. “I know what you're thinking, and I know you're not short-sighted enough to do that at this critical juncture. You've read the report yourself. Perhaps the officials aren't trying to set you up on purpose, but simply think that you are the right candidate for the throne.”

“In that case, there's nothing to gain by arguing with the emperor,” she said bluntly. “You'll get to vent your frustration, but it won't help. The emperor's reaction is a warning. Those are issues we've ignored but must face now. Qi Chen storming the palace has made the emperor paranoid and easily triggered. There's nothing you can say to convince him when he's most suspicious.”

Qi Yun pursed his lips and scowled. Jun Huang looked at him quietly, her expression impa.s.sive but soft under the setting sun.

Qi Yun cleared his throat. “I'm not frustrated because of being hindered. It just upset me that he'd think of me like that. I've been so careful and attentive so that he'd willingly let me take the throne. It hurts to be subject to his accusation. I...”

“That's why you must endure,” Jun Huang said with an eyebrow raised. “You have your ambition. If you can't even take a little setback, how are you going to shoulder the weight of an entire nation?”

Qi Yun lowered his head, speechless. He exhaled deeply. “I understand. I won't do it again. What should we do?”

Jun Huang thought for a moment before sighing and shaking her head. “We have to understand the situation before a decision can be made. You should refrain from bringing up the issue for the next few days. We'll see if the emperor's going to come around.”

“It's my mistake. Sorry for troubling you.” Qi Yun blamed himself for stressing her out.

Jun Huang managed to smile at him. She was tired. She bid him farewell before returning to her room.

The next day, when Qi Yun visited the emperor, the man was talking to the ninth prince. The young prince was only seven years old. He didn't know much about anything. Qi Yun was jealous to see the little boy snuggled close to the emperor as they talked, painting the perfect picture of a caring father and a loving son.

The ninth prince was the first to notice Qi Yun. He grinned and jumped off the emperor's arms, rus.h.i.+ng to Qi Yun and pulling his sleeve. “The fourth brother is finally here,” he said with his head tilted up. “If you don't, Royal Father is going to ask about my study again. He'll scold me for not being to answer his questions.”

It was natural for a child to speak his mind. The emperor smiled widely and didn't hold it against him. Qi Yun, on the other hand, had to force himself to smile. He knelt down before the young prince and patted him on the head, his voice gentle as he asked, “Why have you come? Royal Father hasn't been feeling well. You shouldn't bother him.”