26 Death to Rulers (1/2)
Over the two weeks, the excitement about the hunt subsided and everyone slipped back into their routines. Weishan and Yenay sat in their private balcony, watching the sun set over Lady Gaze. The sky, filled with streaks of pink clouds spreading towards a giant, orange globe, looked beautiful. Yet, it couldn't distract the empress's distraught; Joaolong almost died. It evoked painful memories about her own baby and the loss of her family in a fire. Weishan hated her this way and selfishly wondered if she would care as much if it were him that nearly died.
”Do you regret marrying me?” Weishan asked.
”Do you regret marrying another woman to provide sons?” Yenay countered sadly. ”Your answer is my own.”
”We should spend too long in the past,” Weishan finally replied after a long silence. ”I cannot change anything.”
”If we do not then who will remember our son?”
”Enough!” Weishan shouted and stood, unwilling to delve into such tragedies. After a pitying glance, he left Yenay alone.
For the rest of the fading afternoon and night, Weishan ate and drank his worries away. He ordered maids to fetch him ink and parchment to personally write propaganda. Linlong was the priority, not his wife's sorrow. By merging Shanhe and Linlong into one kingdom, he could achieve his father's greatest ambition. History would describe Weishan as the most powerful emperor.
Someone knocked on the door.
”The emperor wishes to be alone,” a eunuch told the people outside. They refused to leave.
Weishan sighed. ”Who disturbs the emperor?”
”The Crowned Prince and a humble servant,” Jiang replied.
”Enter.” The door slid open and just as announced, Huli and Jiang entered and bowed. Weishan glanced up from his food and raised an eyebrow at his son. ”What brings you here? And with her.”
Jiang annoyed him. Years had passed and he still clearly remembered how profusely she declined his generous offer. No slaves ever had a chance to be a concubine except her. Yet, all she desired was to serve the empress. If she preferred being a slave than be by his side, Weishan bitterly ensured most of her duties were away from the empress. The work aged her poorly and the beauty from her youth had disintegrated. It pleased him.
”I have a question for you,” Huli stated in a hoarse voice. He placed a sword across his legs when he sat down.
”I made myself very clear at the last meeting,” Weishan stated, recalling the cries of bribed councilmen, blood from cut tongues and the returning fear of his subjects. He felt like a true ruler again. ”You will lead my men into battle.”
Huli gripped his robes, trying to maintain his anger. ”I have other concerns.”
”Then what is it?” Weishan asked, irritated. The prince's tense figure reminded Weishan of a child about to have a tantrum. He hated his son's spoilt behaviour. Qiaolian didn't raise him well.
”Am I filial son?”