Chapter 332 - Haunting Repercussions (1/2)

Eunuch Li got on his knees, still holding the Emperor's gaze as he cupped his hands and sternly said, ”You can do as you like on everything else but you cannot forsake your roots...”

”I have not.” The Emperor coldly responded, narrowing his eyes at Eunuch Li.

Eunuch Li narrowed his eyes back at the Emperor, ”Then why are you risking the health of your mother over a petty grudge?”

The Emperor let out an irritated breath, but rather than argue with Eunuch Li, he simply said, ”It's a bluff...”

”You can't know that for sure. I have always supported you, but this I do not support. You cannot gamble with your mother's life.” Eunuch Li said with a frown deepening.

”He gave himself away when he said that his Master sent him here for the Empress dowager. He is simply trying to take advantage of the situation to meet his own end... ” The Emperor calmly explained, ”They are enemies of the state and cannot be let off, who knows what other trouble they will cause if pardoned today?”

”I understand that...” Eunuch Li said and then pursed his lips, ”But what if you're wrong?... If he does not bow and never returns, where do we begin? He said his Master would understand...” Eunuch Li reminded and then somewhat glared at the Emperor as he added, ”If it was the Empress's health on the line, would you take the risk?”

The Emperor frowned, annoyed that people kept bringing Lei Xing in everything these days. It was not as if he lost his senses when she was involved, he was always thinking rationally. Although he would admit that he was always a bit emotionally charged when it involves her, still he never forsook reason.

”Your majesty, you have not come to see your mother recently so you do not understand the situation she is in. You have also been busy these last few days so I have not mentioned it... Your mother is not doing well. Since that time during your ceremony with your Empress, nightmares have returned, this time she claims that this time rather than being killed, she is killing the man in white who had always passively stood there watching her be attacked...”

”... All this should be fine, but then she continues to still strangle herself and now even claws at her neck. If you go see your mother now, her neck tightly bandaged to both cover the wounds and to protect her from more injury... She needs this.” Eunuch Li said looking up at the Emperor beseechingly.

”...Do not forsake her in her time of need, as we have not forsaken you. Think of the repercussions and please reconsider this, Your majesty.” Eunuch Li finished, kowtowing to the ground and hitting his head hard to show his deep resolve.

The Emperor knit his brows tightly, understanding the true meaning in Eunuch Li's words. Recently, there has been some unrest brewing amongst those from the Xia troops, some people were getting upset that it was taking the Emperor so long to liberate their people. They were finding it hard to understand that enacting such drastic change in an empire such as this had to be handled delicately to avoid a societal collapse.

Eunuch Li had been able to calm them down by reassuring them that the Emperor could not forsake his mother's people, the Empress dowager was still there and now free. Her freedom from confinement after fifteen long years was received as a sign of progress and hope for the Xia people. This was the main reason the Emperor was more tolerant of the Empress dowager as she represented the Xia people, not just herself.

So even though the Emperor announced that the reason for the Empress dowager's confinement was for her health, there were still rumors saying that he did it because Lei Xing did not like the Empress dowager.

So naturally, the sparks of unrest started to bubble up again with rising concern that the Emperor was getting distracted. And of course, Eunuch Li and both Commander An have been trying to stifle any unrest, even going as far as executing some who were especially fueling dissent. Of course, the Emperor was aware of all this but he had chosen not to bother Lei Xing with these concerns.

Therefore, if news got out that the Emperor did this because of the same Lei Xing that it was rumored instigated him into confining the Empress dowager, it will cause an even bigger stir, one that may not be easily covered up.

After a while of anxiously waiting for the result of his bid with ears perked, Monk Du finally saw Eunuch Li stepping out of the hall. Monk Du looked up at him with expectant eyes. Eunuch Li came up to him with his eyebrows still scrunched and simply said, ”You will have your answer tomorrow... Stay the night, no harm will come to you. You have the Emperor's word.”

Monk Du slightly knit his brows and stared into the hall, up at the Emperor who still solemnly sat on his throne. He inwardly sighed and then his gaze fell back on Eunuch Li as he bowed his head and calmly said, ”Thank you...”

Eunuch Li nodded, hesitated for a moment, and then said, ”I really hope you can help her...”

”I will do my utmost for her recovery...” Monk Du said with another bow.