Chapter 254 - Insight (2/2)

Prince Yi dropped his wine cup and scrutinized the two of them. It truly sounded like a good offer and he could use them.

Prince Rui had failed him, but Prince Houyi could deliver. What's more, he would have a prime hostage against them. This would be a much better situation for him if it worked. But then something still felt strange and so he asked, ”Why would Houyi want to help me get a throne he won't have?”

Chun Hua frowned in irritation, ”As I just said, he loves his sister and will naturally want her to have the best. At most, he may want a city or two and a some little other things as a show of gratitude for his aid. But those will be nothing to one who has an Empire, especially one of this magnitude. Houyi will not attack you, none of the princes will.”

Prince Yi quietly contemplated for a while and then asked, ”Wouldn't it be easier to simply deal with my brother?... Or is it that you consider me a pushover, someone you can more easily manipulate?” Prince Yi asked narrowing his eyes menacingly at the pair, as his anger surged at the thought of being underestimated...at the thought of being looked down upon by his brother.

Chun Hai grabbed Chun Hua's arm, sensing the dangerous aura and was ready to flee at a moment's notice.

But then Chun Hua went and said something that he did not expect her to say, ”We are the inheritors of Dong country and therefore, have a long enmity with the Xia empire, specifically against the Xia royal family's bloodline. Seeing them alive and on a throne, ruling what was once ours is an eyesore that cannot be overlooked. That is why it is you and can never be your brother...”

Prince Yi blinked in surprise and observed the pair with knit eyebrows as he digested her declaration. But before he could react, they suddenly loud footsteps coming from outside, and the three in the room froze, suddenly on high alert.

Next thing, Tian Ji called from outside, ”Your highness, the Imperial guards are here on the order of the Emperor...”

The three in the room looked at each other and then Prince Yi swiftly got up and whispered, ”Hide.”

Instead of moving to hide, Chun Hua urgently said some last words, ”Once you make Nalan yours Houyi and the Zou lords will naturally feel inclined to want to see you succeed...Do this if you want to be victorious.” She said as her brother pulled her towards one of the inner rooms.

”Prince Yi, we are sorry to disturb your sleep but we are under the Emperor's orders to search every residence...With no exemption.” Commander An's voice carried over.

They had searched all over the city to no avail. And now they were truly going into every home waking the city up to search. Commander An had specifically come here to oversee this search, to be respectful of Prince Yi's status as well as to handle any problems that may come up.

Prince Yi frowned and took a deep breath and then walked towards the door, thinking of how he could send them away or at least, distract them a little until the pair inside could escape. But just as he was about to open the doors, Commander An noticed a little flash of blue light coming from inside so he promptly threw open the doors and raced inside with his men following, brushing past Prince Yi.

”What is the meaning of this?!” Prince Yi barked in anger.

”Search!” Commander An ordered and the men proceeded to ransack the room, as Commander An turned to Prince Yi and bowed, ”Your highness, I apologize but we are under the strict orders of the Emperor -”

”Is it the Emperor's order for you to barge into my own bedroom so brazenly?” Prince Yi interjected, ”You and your men get out this instant!”

”We cannot do that.” Commander An firmly responded as he looked at Prince Yi suspiciously and added, ”You can bring whatever complaints you have against me before the Emperor, but for now, I must carry out my duty.”

Prince Yi knit his brows and remained silent, not knowing what else to say or do as his heart pounded rapidly. If he continued to protest even with that, he would look even more suspicious.

{...I should have just captured them and presented them to the guards myself...How foolish!...}

But then to his complete surprise, the men came back and reported that they found nothing suspicious.

”Hmph! Of course, there is nothing.” Prince Yi haughtily said, playing the insulted role.

Commander An knit his brows and then looked at the bed which was obscured by the canopy curtains. They could see the shape of someone there, but none of the guards had dared to open it, ”Your highness, who -”

Before Commander An could finish his words, Prince Yi irritatedly stormed over to the bed and drew back the curtain to reveal the half-n.a.k.e.d woman passed out on his bed.

The men all quickly averted their gazes and Commander An promptly cupped his hands and bowed, ”I apologize for disturbing your night, Your highness...Withdraw.” He ordered and he and the men all gave a final bow and swiftly rushed out of the room.

Once the doors were closed, Prince Yi let out a sigh of relief. He dis a quick survey of the room and decided that the pair must have somehow made their escape, luckily. He went back to sit at his desk and picked up his cup of wine again with a slight smile.

{...Nalan...This is quite the interesting offer...}

Now that he thought about it, he had wondered why the Emperor had let her do as she wished. Especially since she was such a useful pawn. But then again, he believed the Emperor must have thought himself too great and important to waste his energy on pursuing a woman.

{...He is just a fool is what he is...A conceited fool...}