Ling Wang’s expression darkened. “What do you mean by that?”
“I recall Eldest Imperial Brother isn’t particularly skilled in martial arts, is he? Yet just now, I saw you subdue that crimson-clad assassin in one swift move, then pin him beneath your foot. The sheer force of it was astonishing—hardly the work of someone unversed in combat.”
“I was worried about Imperial Father. Protecting his safety filled me with boundless courage. What’s wrong with that?”
“But from my observation, that crimson-clad assassin possessed exceptional swordsmanship and extraordinary lightness skills. You...”
Before Yue Wang could finish speaking, both the crimson-clad assassin on the ground and Luo Kong bit their own tongues to commit suicide, blood spilling from their mouths as they convulsed and fell still.
Though Ling Wang felt a pang of regret at the deaths, his tense nerves relaxed. With the assassins now dead and no witnesses remaining, Yue Wang could do nothing further.
A heavy silence hung over the hall. Only after a long moment did the Emperor speak: “A splendid banquet, ruined by this farce. Guards! Drag these corpses to the common graveyard. Those with blackened hearts deserve no peaceful rest. Let them be devoured by wild wolves and dogs.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“Commander of the Imperial Guards, starting today, thoroughly investigate the guards and the palace grounds. This is my home—it must be peaceful and orderly, not filled with such chaos. As for Imperial Concubine Zhen, take her away. I wish to see her no more.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
Imperial Concubine Zhen’s face was ashen. She lowered her head, silent, allowing her guards to lead her away.
Mu Yunyao frowned inwardly, sensing that such an easy surrender was unlike Imperial Concubine Zhen’s usual demeanor.
As the civil and military officials gradually dispersed, the Emperor propped his forehead with one hand, glancing at Ling Wang and Yu Wang before waving them away. “You may withdraw as well. I have matters to discuss privately with Junyue.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.” Ling Wang reluctantly complied, though unwillingly, and withdrew with a sullen expression. Once outside the hall, he turned to Yu Wang, whose face remained impassive, a cold smile flickering at the corner of his lips. “Second Imperial Brother, how do you find the accommodations at Liyang Palace?”
Yu Wang’s lips curved into a satisfied smile, his expression one of triumph. “Liyang Palace is the Crown Prince’s residence. Its provisions and furnishings are second only to the Imperial Father’s own quarters. Naturally, it’s exceedingly comfortable. Eldest Imperial Brother, why didn’t you think this through before acting today? What kind of man is Imperial Father? He’s one of the rare enlightened rulers, no less than the founding emperor of our Da Li Dynasty. Is he someone who can be swayed so easily?”
Ling Wang’s expression darkened. With no one else present, he felt no need to feign calm: “Second Imperial Brother, don’t gloat. Before long, I’ll have you moving out of Liyang Palace.”
Yu Wang’s smile broadened. “Eldest Imperial Brother, when did you develop this habit of making empty threats? In the past, I might have been uncertain, but things are different now. You’ve offended the Imperial Aunt and touched the Emperor’s sore spot. You have no more chances left.”
With that, Yu Wang ignored the seething Ling Wang, his lips curled in a smirk as he sauntered toward Liyang Palace.
Ling Wang held back his rage, suppressing his fury as he left the Palace to consult Li Qingzhou on a countermeasure.
In the Hall of Supreme Harmony, the Emperor gazed at Yue Wang. The blaze of anger in his eyes gradually faded, giving way to guilt and unease. “Junyue, you needn’t dwell on today’s events...”
“Imperial Father,” Yue Wang lifted his head, his expression unusually resolute. “Imperial Father, I seek the truth. Why did Imperial Mother die? Am I truly your child?”
“You are! You are the child of this Emperor and the Empress. That is beyond doubt!” The Emperor rose from his throne and stepped down, placing both hands on Yue Wang’s shoulders. “Junyue, remember this: you are my child, my fourth son. Your mother was the finest mother in this world, and she remains the only wife in my heart! Do you understand?”
Their eyes locked. In the Emperor’s gaze, Yue Wang saw urgency and unease, yet also evasion and avoidance. After a moment’s silence, he nodded heavily. “Imperial Father, I understand.”
The Emperor exhaled in relief, his body swaying involuntarily as if the resolute words had drained him of all strength.
Xu Li hurried forward to support him. “Your Majesty, it is late. You should return to your chambers and rest.”
“Imperial Elder Sister, you too should retire early. The night is deep. If Junyue does not wish to leave the palace, have Xu Li arrange a chamber for him in the front court. Let him rest within the Palace walls tonight. Junyue must be troubled. Give him a chance to seek the Princess’s counsel. She will surely calm him.”
The Grand Princess Yi De understood the Emperor’s meaning and nodded slightly. “Very well, Your Majesty. Rest assured.”
After the Emperor withdrew, the Grand Princess Yi De turned to Yue Wang, her gaze carrying a cool, clear light. “Junyue, is there anything you wish to ask of me?”
Yue Wang opened his mouth, but ultimately restrained his impulse. He bowed to the Grand Princess. “Your Royal Highness, I have no questions. It is late. Please return to your chambers and rest.”
Grand Princess Yi De’s gaze softened as she nodded to Yue Wang: “Very well.
Yao’er, let us retire for the night.”
Regardless of the truth from years past, the Emperor had treated Yue Wang as his own son all this time. The years of nurturing were genuine. The bond of father and son was real. If Yue Wang were to deny all those years of affection because of so-called evidence or words of suspicion, her disappointment would be profound. Fortunately, this child had a heart.
Yue Wang stood in the grand hall. The Palace attendants quietly withdrew, leaving him alone. After a long silence, he strode to a seat, poured a cup of wine, and downed it in one gulp.
Suddenly, footsteps echoed at the doorway, cutting through the quiet and drawing his gaze involuntarily.
Mu Yunyao hurried in, her Palace gown hem fluttering. Spotting him still present, she smiled. “Fourth Master, I rushed back after escorting my maternal grandmother to Yuhua Palace. I hurried all the way, fearing you might have left.”
A wave of warmth washed over Yue Wang: “Yao’er, care to join me for a drink?”
Mu Yunyao’s smile was gentle and warm. “Your Royal Highness knows my drinking capacity—one cup, and I’m done. If I drink, I won’t be able to keep you company.” She deftly filled Yue Wang’s cup as she spoke.
Yue Wang raised his cup and drained it in one gulp. Watching Mu Yunyao’s smiling face, he turned and pulled her into his embrace. “Yao’er, what Imperial Concubine Zhen said is true, isn’t it?”
Mu Yunyao gently stroked the Yue King’s back. This man had always been stern and cold, yet now he was filled with such vulnerability that it tugged at her heartstrings. “Your Royal Highness should trust His Majesty’s words.”
“I should... trust. I know I should believe it, but I crave the truth more. The cause of my mother’s death, my true identity, why Father remains so secretive about the past... These mysteries weigh on me like a suffocating weight.”
Mu Yunyao offered no reply. Instead, she gently leaned into Yue Wang’s embrace, wrapping her arms around him to quietly provide comfort as he struggled with his doubts.
After a moment’s pause, Yue Wang murmured, “Yao’er, Imperial Father values protocol above all. Yet he raised no objection to our marriage.” This alone confirmed his origins—he truly bore no blood relation to the imperial family.
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