Chapter 166 - Tis a Pity (2/2)
{...But it seems a good friend cannot replace a lost brother...}
He could understand the Emperor's level of tolerance for Prince Yi. But he still thought that the Emperor was giving too much in return for the few moments of kindness. Prince Yi did live a hard life but none of it was the Emperor's fault and the Emperor's childhood was also very difficult with more responsibility and burdens placed on his young shoulders.
Eunuch Li furrowed his brow, his sympathy for Prince Yi had dwindled to a new low with this event.
{...It was one thing to make covert attempts, but to be so brazen to attack him in broad daylight and publicly too. It's too much...}
The thought of having Prince Yi finally taken care of crossed his mind again. Even the Empress dowager had berated him for this failure and had been furious when he refused to acknowledge her order to have him killed. The Emperor had given specific orders that Prince Yi is to be left alone and he refused to betray him. Despite Prince Yi's lack of reciprocation and appreciation for the Emperor's efforts, the Emperor had always looked out for him.
And even now as Emperor, when Prince Yi still dares to be so brazen but still, the Emperor let it go and refused to speak more on the topic...
{...Even though Prince Yi is no more than a wooden tiger at the moment but that doesn't mean we have to keep this tiger around. It's troubl-...}
”... - it done immediately.” The end of the Emperor's sentence drifted into Eunuch Li's engrossed mind, he blinked and saw that the Emperor was standing in front of him.
Eunuch Li had not even realized when he had gotten up. His face was bruised but his eyes were calm and he seemed unaffected. Eunuch Li blinked again and then went, ”I'm sorry, Your majesty. What did you want done immediately?”
The Emperor patiently repeated, ”Have contraception medication sent to Xing er.”
Eunuch Li froze then went wide-eyed, ”Did she reall-...Was she?” Was all he could manage.
”No.” The Emperor flatly responded, knitting his brows, unhappy with Eunuch Li's speculation. He had already sent word to him of the situation even before they arrived at the palace.
”Then why?” Eunuch Li asked completely confused.
”I want it done.” The Emperor simply responded and then changed the subject before Eunuch Li could pursue the subject, ”How was it this morning?”
On hearing that, Eunuch Li's mind refocused on why he had come to find the Emperor. but he proceeded to give the report of the morning's proceedings, ”After I announced this morning that Court was canceled. The defense minister and the Prime minister came to inquire about the situation. It seems there was already some speculation regarding the Empress dowager's raid of Prince Yi's manor and then now with your unexpected absence...”
”...They suspected the incidents were linked. I gave them vague responses vague and they left it at that and asked that you send for them once you are fit to...But General Lei has been waiting for you in the royal study for a while now...It seems the Empress dowager had sent someone to inquire of Noble consort Lei's whereabouts from her family...He's currently still waiting to see you.”
The Emperor frowned and closed his eyes as he sighed, ”Inform him that Xing er' is safe and explain my mother's misunderstanding...” He paused and then said, ”I don't want to see anyone today.” And with that, he started walking away, with Eunuch Li following behind in agreement with his decision. The Emperor's face was really not one to be shown to be people today.
As the Emperor approached his retinue that remained by the entrance, some of them cast shocked glances at him but they quickly lowered their gazes and controlled their expression as they quietly fell in step behind him. Eunuch Li sighed heavily again as he watched the Emperor's departing back.
{...Today has been a really long day...Has he changed his mind about General Lei's daugher? But they were doing so well...Did something really happen to her?... Don't tell me he has chosen not to have children now?!...}
Euncuh Li frowned and shook his head at that thought as he walked off on his own to see to the medication order.
{...He wouldn't...It must be he has chosen to move on to someone else...It's a pity...I hope his friendship with Lei Yong does not suffer from this. That would truly be a pity...}