Chapter 372 - On The Flipside (2/2)

Prince Yul frowned, ”As I just told you, you don't need to find them anymore. I can't leave him here... He still needs to explain himself before father.” He added, for extra pressure. Prince Houyi sent him a death glare and he quietly lowered himself back to his seat.

Prince Houyi was silent for a long time. When he finally spoke, it seemed he had reigned in most of his anger. ”You said grandfather went to Long country?” He solemnly asked.

”En. He rushed over as soon as he heard the news.”

”And Rui?”

”Still in Long country, I think...I haven't heard any news about him.” Prince Yul admitted, he usually did not care to know about Prince Rui's matters.

Prince Houyi's eyes slightly narrowed in thought for another long while. One could tell from his eyes that he was calculating his next move, ”And the Zou Lords, what is their reaction?”

Prince Yul sighed, ”As I said, Father is trying to milk the situation. Obviously, it did not go as he wanted since she got a Prince rather than an Emperor. They are saying that Nalan was defiled and stirring up calls of war - but you and I both know Nalan always does as she likes, she is not one to be bullied or forced into anything, especially not this.”

Prince Houyi silently nodded in agreement and Prince Yul continued, relieved that at least one other person was thinking straight, ”From what I hear, they are either discontent and angry. The ones who want war are still angry over our last surrender - they are blaming father for his weakness and now, grandfather for his impulsiveness. He should not have rushed to Long country like that.” Prince Yul said with a sigh.

”On the other hand, there are others who want nothing to do with the situation who are discontent about being forced to fight in a war for...nothing.” Prince Yul finished, making the executive decision to keep the insulting words that had been used to describe Nalan out of the narrative.

”Good enough. We'll leave tomorrow.” Prince Houyi calmly announced, rising to his feet to leave.

”Leaving to where?” Prince Yul asked for clarification, falling into step with his brother.

”Home. We can't waste this opportunity.” Prince Houyi dismissively answered. He stopped in front of his men on guard and ordered, ”Prepare to move out in the morning.” He was not yet certain where exactly he was heading first or how this would all unfold, but he needed to return to Zou to be able to do anything now.

After passing along his orders, Prince Houyi then moved in the direction of the makeshift prison to Bao Zhun and his father, only to be stopped by his brother grabbing his arm, ”What do you mean not wasting this opportunity?” Prince Yul asked with a frown.

”Grandfather's away, tension is high and everyone is distracted. It's the perfect time to act.” Prince Houyi calmly explained, ”There may not be another chance like this. I am tired of walking on eggshells, aren't you?”

Prince Yul's frown deepened as his brother's meaning sank in. Still, he neither responded nor released his hold.

Prince Houyi sighed and slightly smiled, ”Don't worry, I won't kill him. He will be more useful to us alive. Moreover, I think he will be much more willing to cooperate with his father here. You did well to bring him. You've had a long journey, you should go rest.” He added, with a reassuring pat, brushing off the hand holding him back and signaling to one of his men to escort his brother away.  slapping his brother's arm and brushing his hand off and walking on, leaving his brother rooted to the spot.

”Your highness, this way please.” The man courteously said to Prince Yul, who seemed to be rooted to the spot staring after his brother. Despite knowing of Prince Houyi's ultimate plans, Prince Yul never committed to the ”cause”, Prince Houyi never demanded that of him - all that was asked of him, just like now, was not to get in the way.

It had always been like that between them, this was the way Prince Houyi wanted it. It was his responsibility to protect his siblings so while he did all the dirty work, their hands stayed clean. This way if anything went wrong and the plan failed, they would at least be safe. As for Prince Yi and the Chun siblings, he would deal with them in due time.

Although he was angry about Nalan's condition, this condition has provided him with quite the opportunity. The Lords were dissatisfied with his grandfather, plus his grandfather was absent and his stupid father was greedily distracted instead of taking advantage of this absence. He would ordinarily be grateful to Prince Yi for providing such a unique opportunity, if not for the strong urge to disembowel him.

It did not take long before pained cries emanated from the makeshift torture chamber, shocking Prince Yul out of his stupor. He could hear Bao Zhun cursing, his father apologizing, and his brother ”negotiating”. Prince Yul hesitated for a few more moments, before he finally clenched his fists, turned, and walked away from the room... distancing himself from whatever horror was unfolding.