Chapter 5

As the voice fell, a dead silence descended upon the Imperial Court.

Through the gauze curtain, Li Zhaoyi couldn’t see everyone’s expressions clearly. But the atmosphere had already turned heavy.

The words were severe. Translated, they meant “Traitorous Subjects.”

A traitorous subject sitting high in the imperial court, being pointed at and cursed—in any dynasty or era, this was clearly a rare and precious spectacle.

Some people began to murmur. Li Zhaoyi heard the hushed whispers. The Old Eunuch beside him remained composed, even having the presence of mind to slowly fan Li Zhaoyi. Everyone was waiting for Li Zhaoyi himself to give a response.

Defying Imperial Dignity—what was the Imperial Dignity’s own view on this matter?

Li Zhaoyi, living up to expectations, silently repeated the four phrases “Defying Imperial Dignity, acting with reckless arrogance, monopolizing court power, and bringing calamity to the nation and its people” to himself. He found them quite fluent and rhythmic, so he added them to his daily vocabulary for future use.

Then, he began to zone out serenely, showing absolutely no intention of interfering.

It wasn’t until the murmuring in court gradually ceased and Yun Yin spoke that he lifted his eyes again and looked down.

–

It wasn’t that Li Zhaoyi was bold. It was that this was truly not the first time such an incident had occurred.

Ever since Li Zhaoyi ascended the throne and presided over court, people had been impeaching Yun Yin there every few days. When court affairs were light, it happened more frequently. When affairs were busy, or when there was… ahem, a need for Yun Yin’s services, it happened less often. The impeachers were mostly Censors who prized direct remonstration and considered remonstrating unto death an honor, and then, some old officials who worried about the Li clan’s realm.

Those who had truly opposed Yun Yin in the past remained silent, however.

The content of the impeachment? It was simply a repetition of things everyone knew but couldn’t change.

In short, it really didn’t carry much killing power.

Dealing with such matters was also quite simple.

“Lord Chen jests.” The man’s composed, slightly husky voice rose, unhurried and calm. “This Prince’s loyalty to His Sacred Majesty can be witnessed by the sun and moon. Where does this talk of defying the Imperial Dignity come from?”

—Just wait for Yun Yin to refute it himself.

This statement was exceedingly arrogant. Coupled with Yun Yin’s signature insufferable tone, the accuser’s voice quickly became agitated.

“Outrageous! How do you explain entering His Majesty’s bedchamber with a sword on your person numerous times?!”

“Assassins have been plentiful lately,” Yun Yin’s tone was casual, still steady as ever. “This Prince carries a sword to protect His Majesty. This Prince believes his own martial skill is passable. If Lord Chen is willing, he may spar with this Prince. If Lord Chen proves superior, this Prince would be more than willing to step aside and yield to a worthy man.”

“You!”

Even through the gauze curtain, Li Zhaoyi could see the man’s graying beard trembling with fury.

“Shameless whelp! Destroying the very foundation of our Yan Dynasty! The Yun Clan has been loyal for generations, how could it produce a scoundrel like you! Such a scoundrel!”

“Lord Chen! Lord Chen, please calm yourself! Take a rest and catch your breath! Rest first, Lord Chen!”

There was commotion below the steps.

Above the steps, Li Zhaoyi sighed inwardly, as expected.

Generally speaking, at this point in the conversation, there would be a dramatic scene of the accuser preparing to smash his head against a pillar in righteous fury, with the other officials persuading him otherwise.

Of course, with Yun Yin present, the impact would never actually happen. It was just that every time this happened, Yun Yin’s reputation would take another hit.

Li Zhaoyi suspected that Yun Yin’s reputation had already fallen as low as possible.

Reality proved his estimation correct.

Before long, Li Zhaoyi heard cries of alarm from outside.

After the Censor, who had been rescued and then fainted from angry shock, was carried away, the court session finally proceeded normally. And for the rest of the Morning Court, much to Li Zhaoyi’s relief, no further incidents occurred.

~

Even after court was dismissed, Li Zhaoyi was still thinking about the session.

Perhaps it was because he had forced himself to read some memorials the previous day, but he had actually understood a little bit of what the ministers were arguing about during the Morning Court today.

This realization made him feel somewhat elated. He didn’t snap out of it until the Old Eunuch called out to him and asked, “Your Majesty, shall we return to the palace?”

Usually, Li Zhaoyi would return directly. His life had always been monotonously linear. Unless Yun Yin came looking for trouble with him.

And Yun Yin actually didn’t come often. When he did, it was always to the Hall of Civil Governance for political discussions. Coming to his Bedchamber twice in one day like yesterday was truly an exception among exceptions.

Li Zhaoyi was about to agree, but then he paused, as if remembering something.

After a moment, he said, “Let’s go to Elder Sister’s place.”

As soon as he said it, he felt a little apprehensive. But the Old Eunuch asked nothing, merely saying, “Her Highness the Grand Princess Wanrong has been resting in her palace recently. I will send a Little Eunuch ahead to announce your arrival.”

Li Zhaoyi breathed a sigh of relief and said, “Alright.”

This wasn’t a sudden whim. It came from their conversation the day before. No matter what, Wanrong had come to plead with him. He always had to give her a clear reply.

On the way to Wanrong’s residence, Li Zhaoyi asked the Old Eunuch, “What is your name?”

This was the first time he had asked the name of a Eunuch or Palace Maid serving him. If possible, he hoped this one would stay longer.

The Old Eunuch seemed flattered. He replied respectfully, “This servant is called De Quan. I previously served under Director Lu Zhong of the Eastern Depot.”

Li Zhaoyi suddenly lifted his eyes.

“…Your Majesty?” The Old Eunuch, reading his expression, carefully asked, “Is something the matter?”

Li Zhaoyi came back to himself.

“It’s nothing.”

He said quickly.

He paused. “I just thought this flower is very beautiful.”

The Old Eunuch followed his gaze. A camellia blooming by a corner wall was in full splendor, its petals full and its color brilliantly vivid.

He suddenly understood.

Testing the Imperial sentiment, he asked, “Your Majesty, shall I have a Palace Servant pick it? This flower is blooming perfectly. Placed in a vase within the palace, it should be extremely beautiful.”

Li Zhaoyi shook his head.

He said, “No need. Let it bloom here.”

As they spoke, the small group had already arrived at Huanqing Palace, where Wanrong resided. Palace Maids were already waiting outside to welcome them in.

–

Wanrong clearly hadn’t expected Li Zhaoyi’s arrival. Her attire was flawless when she came out to receive him, but the table in the inner room still held half-used brush and ink, and books were left open.

Li Zhaoyi saw the books filling her room and the elegant, neatly written characters off to the side. Thinking of his own handwriting, he felt quite envious.

Noticing his gaze, Wanrong softly explained, “I was copying some Buddhist scriptures, trying to calm my mind.”

Li Zhaoyi withdrew his gaze and said very honestly, “Elder Sister’s handwriting is beautiful.”

Having not expected such direct praise, Wanrong paused briefly, then showed a rare smile for these days.

“Your Majesty flatters me.”

She ordered tea to be served, and Li Zhaoyi sat down.

They exchanged a few pleasantries before Li Zhaoyi stated the purpose of his visit.

Wanrong was silent for a moment. “Is this the Prince’s intention?”

She was very perceptive. Li Zhaoyi was speechless. But he certainly couldn’t put it that way, so he had no choice but to press on. “…Not entirely so.”

He carefully chose his words, saying somewhat clumsily, “This Sovereign also thinks Elder Sister might as well stay in the palace. It would make daily life more convenient.”

Wanrong smiled weakly, clearly unconvinced.

Even if she wasn’t, these were the words of the Emperor. After spacing out for a moment, she said, “Thank you for comforting me, Your Majesty.”

She also knew that with these words, the Imperial household had made its final decision. There was no room for maneuvering.

Normally, with Li Zhaoyi’s personality, the conversation would have ended here. After all, even though he and Wanrong were blood siblings, they truly weren’t close.

He was already preparing to get up. But as he lowered his eyes and saw the familiar arrangement of furniture, his mind wandered, and he suddenly recalled that dream from the night before.

Without knowing why, he unexpectedly found himself speaking despite himself. “Elder Sister… are you very familiar with Yun Yin?”

During their talk the day before, he had noticed the intimacy that almost slipped out from Wanrong. He had heard others say that the Yun Clan and the Imperial family were extremely close, especially the First Empress’s two children, who grew up together. Regardless of romance, it had been a very good relationship.

As expected, at these words, Wanrong’s previously drifting gaze focused. She looked up at Li Zhaoyi somewhat uneasily.

After a moment, she said with some hesitation, “…I do have some friendship with the Prince. But all that is in the past. The Prince has been stationed at the Border Pass for many years. I haven’t had much contact with him.”

“This Sovereign means no harm,” Li Zhaoyi explained.

He didn’t quite know how to say it. Wanrong’s nervousness made him nervous in turn. Stammering, he said, “I, This Sovereign means, Yun Yin… actually worries about you very much.”

During his conversation with Yun Yin that day, the nonchalance had been feigned. Getting him to refuse Wanrong was the true intention.

He had finally realized this fact afterwards.

As his words fell, Wanrong froze.

Since he’d already started, Li Zhaoyi decided to just say everything he wanted.

“He cares about you a lot. Given his personality, there probably aren’t many people he truly cares about. This Sovereign can tell that Elder Sister likely cares about him a lot too.” He said softly, “If Elder Sister were to leave, he would have one less person to talk to. This Sovereign thinks he would be quite lonely.”

Wanrong’s eyelashes trembled abruptly.

Clearly, Li Zhaoyi’s words had struck a chord.

Her lips moved in a fluster. “I…”

Having said everything he wanted to say, Li Zhaoyi finally breathed a sigh of relief. Considerately, he said, “Elder Sister can think it over some more.”

He stood up and, after thinking for a moment, added softly, “If you have time, Elder Sister can come to visit more often. If you happen to run into him next time, you two could talk. This Sovereign’s Bedchamber has no outsiders and requires no avoiding of suspicion.”

With that, he said his farewells to Wanrong and left Huanqing Palace.

~

As soon as he exited Huanqing Palace, Li Zhaoyi let out a heartfelt sigh of relief.

He still wasn’t used to speaking in such a manner. It felt awkward; in short, he wasn’t comfortable with it.

But they were indeed his sincere words. The rest depended on what Wanrong thought now.

Li Zhaoyi felt he had done his best.

He actually didn’t like talking much, especially after ascending the throne, because he always said the wrong things.

But Wanrong was a very gentle person, and so was Yun Yin. Even though their gentleness wasn’t directed at him, he still felt it was a pity that they were unaware of each other’s feelings.

This was probably the first time he had done anything outside the scope of being a “decoration.” Right now, Li Zhaoyi’s heart was still pounding hard, like he had just finished a small exam.

He forcefully suppressed the guilty feeling inside, comforting himself that Yun Yin didn’t know about this anyway. As long as he persuaded Wanrong, his goal would be achieved.

Thinking this, he felt much lighter.

Meanwhile, at the other side, a black shadow leaped several times, landing silently in a certain villa.

It began to relay the conversation within Huanqing Palace, word for word. The man in the pavilion was propping up his forehead, listening while casually flipping through the book in his hand.

The narration in his ear was straightforward and devoid of emotion. Initially, he even felt some impatience listening to it. But at some point, the hand flipping pages stopped.

“Master,” said Mu Ke. “That was the entire conversation between His Majesty and the Grand Princess.”

“…Master?”

“Understood.” Yun Yin turned a page in his book and said calmly, “Go back.”

After the shadow departed, he lowered his eyes. His gaze fell on the black words on white paper, yet he still didn’t move.

After an unknown length of time, he let out a soft scoff. He closed the book and stood up, heading towards the front courtyard.

An attendant servant came up to him. He tossed the book in his hand to the man, his tone flat. “Prepare the horse. I am going to the Suburban Racecourse.”