In the inner hall of the Qianyuan Palace, Emperor Yunjian ordered a few candles to be extinguished. The dim candlelight cast on the two of them, outlining their three - dimensional and delicate side profiles.
"All these years, you've never been willing to go to the mausoleum to kowtow to the late queen. During the Tomb - Sweeping Festival, burn a stick of incense for her." Emperor Yunjian lowered his eyes. His black feathery eyelashes concealed the pain in his eyes. "Moreover, you've already reached the age of adulthood and still haven't married. I'm sure the late queen won't feel at ease. After the draft during the Tomb - Sweeping Festival, you should also take a look at the daughters of the noble families and see if there's anyone you like."
Emperor Yun'ai just curled his lips slightly. There was not much smile in his cold eyes.
"Over these years, I haven't found out the reason for Mother's sudden death, so I didn't dare to go and see her. I will go during the Tomb - Sweeping Festival." Emperor Yun'ai paused his move of placing a chess piece, then raised his lips and said, "But as for getting married, I don't have this intention for the time being. Before I meet the person I love just like Your Majesty, please don't urge me to find a princess consort."
"Alright, I won't urge you. We'll talk about it after you've had your fill of fun." Emperor Yunjian nodded gently.
"However, Your Majesty, those ministers who spoke for the Empress Dowager at the banquet just now should be investigated carefully." Emperor Yun'ai's expression became a bit more solemn.
Emperor Yunjian sneered disdainfully. Then he took out a smooth white chess piece from the chess container beside him and placed it on the chessboard.
"Of course, they should be investigated thoroughly."
After saying that, he raised his eyes and looked at the person opposite him who was pondering the chess game. "The imperial examination will start next month. You should keep a close eye on the test papers for me and see if there are any talents who can govern the country."
Emperor Yun'ai was quite dissatisfied. "Your Majesty, we agreed back then that my title of prince is just a nominal one and I don't have to do any work. Why am I now in charge of inspections and keeping an eye on the test papers?"
When His Majesty ascended the throne, many ministers supported him. But he couldn't stand being restricted the most.
Moreover, he knew that his talents were inferior to His Majesty's. He believed that Dashun should be led forward by a better monarch.
As for himself, he just wanted to hold an idle title and travel to Dashun and more distant countries. He had just returned after a long time, and now he was going to be extremely busy again.
"You've lost." Emperor Yunjian looked at the chess game, curved his lips and laughed. He raised his handsome eyebrows and said in a slightly reproachful tone, "Help me with some things at least."
"This year, I'm going to clean up the tumors in the court and promote some loyal ministers. There must be someone to fill the positions left by the loyal ministers. Don't be lazy. You're better than me when it comes to books."
Emperor Yunjian ignored his resentful look. He turned his head and looked at the deepening night, then said, "It's already late at night. You can sleep in the side hall of my harem. I'll ask Li Dahai to take you there."
"We'll continue this chess game tomorrow, brother."
Emperor Yun'ai had no choice but to nod. "I'm willing to serve Your Majesty."
Emperor Yunjian laughed. He stood up and patted his shoulder. His tone was solemn. "The past is over. Immersing yourself in the past will only make you suffer. Look forward."
"I know, thank you, Your Majesty." Emperor Yun'ai lowered his eyes and smiled.
"I won't disturb Your Majesty anymore. I'll take my leave."
Emperor Yun'ai folded his hands in salute, then left the main hall.
Emperor Yunjian watched his back and couldn't help but sigh. No matter how much he tried to persuade, it was useless. He had to get out of it by himself.
After all, back then, just like himself, he had watched their mother die with blood oozing from her seven orifices, full of unwillingness.
He stood up and walked to the window. The holy moonlight shone brightly on the window.
Presumably, those court officials and their partisans who had spoken to protect the Empress Dowager tonight wouldn't be able to sleep.
"An Yi." He spoke into the air.
"Your subordinate is here."
An Yi knelt in front of him without anyone knowing when.
Emperor Yunjian took out the jade token with dragon patterns from the secret compartment beside the bed. "Take my Hidden Dragon jade token and mobilize all the secret guards in the secret guard camps in every state, county, and town in Dashun. Centering around Huizhou, investigate who in the towns and villages has lost their children or even good - citizen women. Investigate all of them for me. I'll go to Huizhou after the Tomb - Sweeping Festival. I want an accurate number."
An Yi respectfully took the token and said, "Your Majesty, please rest assured. Your subordinate will surely handle it well."
"Where has An Qi chased the Hidden Dragon jade token of Father Emperor to?"
"Your Majesty, An Qi has retrieved it and is on his way back from Jingzhou."
"Jingzhou?"
"Yes. Last time, An Wu was seriously injured, but he also injured the enemy. An Qi chased after them and retrieved the Hidden Dragon jade token. Those former secret guards of the late emperor have already recognized the Empress Dowager as their master."
"Since they've recognized the Empress Dowager, they don't need to live anymore." Emperor Yunjian narrowed his eyes dangerously.
"By the way, how is An Wu's injury?" Emperor Yunjian asked again.
"Your Majesty, please rest assured. An Wu's injury is almost healed. After another half - month of recuperation, he'll be fully recovered."
Emperor Yunjian rubbed the jade ring on his thumb. The green ring emitted a smooth and gentle light in the moonlight. "Okay. There are many excellent wound - healing medicines in my private treasury. Later, you go to Li Dahai and get some more for An Wu. You should also keep some on yourselves."
"Alright, you may leave."
Emperor Yunjian rubbed his temples tiredly.
"Thank you, Your Majesty. Your subordinate will take his leave." An Yi put the jade token into a brocade bag and then kept it close to his chest.
Emperor Yunjian sighed. He took off his clothes and went to the hot spring pool in the back hall.
The image of Shu'er's uneasy and vulnerable expression when he sent her back to the palace appeared in his mind.
He was very annoyed. He wondered if he didn't love her enough or his love wasn't obvious enough, which made her look so uneasy and scared.
Or maybe she had always kept a distance from him and was afraid that he would blame her for this matter.
The warm hot spring covered his chest, gently enveloping his beating, passionate heart.
That strong and powerful heart was filled with only Shu'er.
Emperor Yunjian lowered his eyes. Just thinking of her uneasy eyes made his heart ache terribly.
He sighed, stood up from the hot spring pool, and casually picked up a robe to put on.
Taking advantage of the moonlight, he took the key to the private treasury and rummaged through it in the Qianyuan Palace.
Finally, after rummaging through the entire private treasury, he found that he had already given all the most precious things in the world to Shu'er. Now, the storeroom in her Guanghan Palace was filled with rare treasures.
He returned to the Qianyuan Palace dejectedly and lay on the couch.
After a long time, he finally cleared the annoyance in his heart and fell into a deep sleep.
Although he was sleeping, he slept very restlessly.
The night passed just like this. The new buds of spring had germinated. In the early morning palace, the fragrance of the buds breaking through the soil filled the air.
Early in the morning, the eunuchs and maids who were cleaning started talking about what had happened last night.
The Empress Dowager had been sent to the prison, and Concubine Lin had been sent to the cold palace.
Just overnight, the situation had changed completely.
Many eunuchs and maids sighed. It was understandable for Concubine Lin. She was the emperor's concubine and her fate depended on the emperor's mood.
But the Empress Dowager was different. She was the mother of the country and the emperor's mother. Moreover, the emperor had been very filial to her before and almost obeyed her every word.
Suddenly being imprisoned in the prison, and now the whole palace and the outside world were in a state of panic.
The palace was shrouded in a depressing atmosphere. Even breathing felt a bit tight.