Emperor Yonghe’s stern rebuke made Zhao Yanjin quickly cut off his words. He promptly lowered his head, though his eyes flashed with a bit of triumph.
One heir apparent.
One of His Majesty’s trusted ministers.
The two colluding together, secretly plotting something—didn’t this perfectly match the word “outrageous”?
At this moment.
If Zhao Yanjin had raised his head to look at the emperor’s expression, he would have known this “outrageous” was directed at him.
Even if he didn’t raise his head, if he could have concentrated on listening to the emperor’s rapid breathing, he could have understood somewhat.
Unfortunately, there are no “what ifs” in this world.
Emperor Yonghe looked down at this son and suddenly felt this face bore not half a resemblance to him in his youth.
When he established his residence in the Northern Lands, he already knew that to sit in that high position required three things: forbearance, ruthlessness, and steadiness.
How old was he then?
The former Crown Prince was Empress Xiaoren’s legitimate son with wave after wave of followers. Pulling him down was harder than reaching heaven.
Step by step, through open schemes and hidden plots, he gradually worked toward his goal, thus achieving today’s prosperous era.
Yes.
This prosperous era was seized by him, snatched by him, and exchanged for by his infamy. Anyone in this world could call him unvirtuous—except his sons.
They had such willful good lives now, lived at the pinnacle of fortune, all because of his protection.
Emperor Yonghe suddenly felt indescribably weary and said in a flat voice: “I am tired. You may go!”
Zhao Yanjin’s heart skipped a beat. He didn’t understand which of his words had suddenly displeased the emperor.
Just as he was about to speak more, Emperor Yonghe’s expression darkened.
“Your son takes his leave.”
Zhao Yanjin performed the ceremony with trepidation, looking back three times with each step. When one foot crossed the threshold, he couldn’t help but turn his head once more to look at the emperor’s back.
That back remained upright, carrying the emperor’s lofty superiority.
Zhao Yanjin felt an inexplicable shiver.
Emperor Yonghe listened to the footsteps receding, sighed, then closed his eyes. Only after a long while did he open them again.
“Someone, go invite the Imperial Grand Grandson here for me.”
“Yes, Your Majesty!”
…
When Zhao Yishi entered the hall, he didn’t rush forward immediately but first warmed himself by the charcoal brazier to dispel the cold from his body before approaching the emperor to perform his greeting.
Emperor Yonghe watched him for a while and asked: “Where are you coming from, covered in such cold air?”
“Just saw Father off to his carriage.”
Zhao Yishi waved away the hand warmer offered by the attendant. “This subject is not cold.”
Emperor Yonghe reached out his hand. Zhao Yishi quickly extended his hand for him to touch.
One touch—indeed, his palm was burning hot.
The attendant said with a smile: “Your Majesty, the Grand Grandson originally feared the cold air would affect You. Such great filial devotion.”
Emperor Yonghe glanced coldly at the attendant, who quickly bowed and withdrew.
“Just now I had your uncle help me return to the palace. Your father might overthink it.”
“Father won’t.”
Zhao Yishi smiled. “Father often says both thunder and dew are imperial grace. Just now when I helped Father to the carriage, he also said it’s raining again—Your Majesty dislikes nothing more than rainy days.”
Emperor Yonghe made a light “mm” sound.
In military campaigns, rainy days were most taboo. Over time, those around him all knew this preference of his.
“I’ve heard recently that you’ve been associating quite frequently with the children of the Xie and Pei families?”
“Replying to Your Majesty.”
Zhao Yishi: “Young Master Pei of the Pei residence and Third Master of the Xie residence are among the few people who can sit down with your son to drink and chat.”
Emperor Yonghe showed some curiosity. “People you regard highly must have exceptional qualities.”
“Your Majesty jests. One speaks complete nonsense, the other speaks nothing but flattery—they have no exceptional qualities. It’s just…”
Zhao Yishi smiled. “With your son’s status, others all want to gain something. Only these two want nothing—they only want your son to be happy.”
“That is indeed rare.”
Emperor Yonghe smiled kindly. “The Xie family and the Imperial Observatory’s Zhu family are connected by marriage, aren’t they?”
A trap waiting here!
How could the emperor not know the Xie and Zhu families were connected by marriage?
What he truly wanted to ask was whether you, Imperial Grand Grandson, had secretly befriended Zhu Yuanmo through the Xie family.
Zhao Yishi answered with utmost care:
“Third Master Xie’s eldest sister-in-law is from the Zhu family. Third Master Xie most fears his eldest brother yet most listens to his sister-in-law, and is quite affectionate with the Zhu family too.”
Having said this, he knelt on the ground, his face showing some pleading.
“Imperial Grandfather, could you not tell Father about my friendship with Young Master Pei and Third Master Xie? Father doesn’t like me associating with elite family wastrels. He hopes I’ll spend more time with scholars.”
“Scholars?”
Emperor Yonghe gave a cold laugh. “I think he’s just read too many books—his head is full of pedantry!”
Zhao Yishi lowered his head, not daring to speak further.
“Get up. Don’t kneel at every turn.”
Emperor Yonghe sighed. “You’re about to marry—act with propriety.”
Zhao Yishi climbed up from the ground. “Yes.”
“You may go.”
Zhao Yishi extended his hand, palm facing up.
“What are you doing?”
“Imperial Grandfather hasn’t given New Year’s money yet.”
Emperor Yonghe smiled. “Tomorrow I’ll have someone send it to your residence.”
“Your grandson awaits it!”
Zhao Yishi performed his ceremony and turned to walk out of the inner hall.
A gust of cold wind mixed with rain threads struck his face. He felt his entire body jolt—even his cold sweat froze.
That question-and-answer between grandfather and grandson just now seemed calm as clouds and light as wind. No one knew he’d barely navigated through surging waves and raging tides.
His friendship with Chengyu and Mingting also meant indirect friendship with the Zhu family.
Zhu Yuanmo was the emperor’s man. A few days ago, he submitted a memorial calling Prince Han an “ill-omened star”—was it he, the Imperial Grand Grandson, plotting behind the scenes?
Though Zhao Yishi had a clear conscience, he had no choice but to request the emperor conceal this from the Crown Prince—to extricate the Crown Prince from this entire matter.
Because the emperor’s wariness wasn’t of him, but of the Crown Prince.
Zhao Yishi stood frowning for a while. The longer he stood, the colder his heart became.
His every move was under others’ watchful eyes. Even though he was the noble Imperial Grand Grandson, he couldn’t escape this fate.
The only way to escape this fate was to stand at the world’s highest point!
…
In the inner hall, silence fell again.
The emperor walked to his desk with hands behind his back and pulled out one memorial from a stack.
This was Zhu Yuanmo’s second letter of resignation, claiming his health was very poor and he could no longer competently serve as Imperial Observatory Director.
In this world, no man didn’t covet power and position.
Zhu Yuanmo didn’t even want his official position anymore. This showed the Zhu family had indeed received retribution and was in decline.
Hmph!
The emperor exhaled coldly through his nose.
I am the Son of Heaven, heaven’s chosen son. The Heavenly Way is on my side. There’s absolutely no talk of retribution.
“Someone, go summon Qin Qi for me.”
When Qin Qi, the Directorate of Ceremonial’s attendant eunuch, heard the emperor call him, he dared not delay and ran all the way to the inner hall.
“Your Majesty?”
Emperor Yonghe tapped his fingers on the desk and said coldly: “Transmit my decree: Prince Han, due to waist injury, is unsuitable for distant campaigns. After the Grand Grandson’s wedding, immediately return to your fief. You may not enter the capital without summons.”
The expression on Qin Qi’s face froze in an instant.