732

Translator: April, Editor: Aruthea

"As long as it would help me ascend the throne, even innocent people can serve as my chess pieces.."

"If you dare to hurt him, don't blame me for disregarding our sibling relationship."

Sibling relationship? Jing Yi laughed, "Jing Rong, don't be silly. From the day we were born, we were never meant to be brothers, but mortal enemies would sacrifice anything in working towards the same purpose. So don't talk about any father-son or sibling relationship in front of me. If I really took these into consideration, I would not have instigated the former Crown Prince to encircle the palace and he would not have died." He was so ruthless he wouldn’t even hesitate to stab himself! In his eyes, father-son or sibling relationships were worth as much as dogshit.

Jing Rong's eyes were cold. This person is truly hopeless. His fists clenched within his sleeves, "Fine, since you insist, I will accompany you to the very end."

To the very end! His voice echoed in the Golden Palace for a long time.

The two confronted each other, right beneath the dragon throne!

Jing Rong exited the Imperial Assembly Hall and left the palace. He just stepped out from the south gate when the Minister of Personnel, Peng Yuanhai, called out to him. He seemed to be deliberately waiting for him.

Peng Yuanhai has always been a serious person who tended not to smile much. He stepped forward and bowed with cupped hands, apologizing, "This humble official had once submitted a complaint regarding Your Highness. I beg your forgiveness."

Jing Rong said politely, "Lord Peng, there’s no need to take it so seriously. It’s true that this prince should not have interfered with the assignment of officials. You were not wrong to impeach this prince."

"After the incident, this humble official had sent someone to investigate and found that the officials that Your Highness removed were indeed negligent in their duties."

"It is good to ascertain whether it was appropriate."

"It was this humble official who did not see the truth and participated in the impeachment, causing trouble to Your Highness."

"Minister Peng, this prince should in fact thank you. If it weren’t for the impeachment, this prince wouldn't have had aid in returning to the capital."

Peng Yuanhai was very clear why that was so but on the surface, he pretended not to know, "Why is that?"

Jing Rong was reluctant to say more and merely smiled, "Lord Peng does not need to enquire too deeply about it."

"Yes, I will not disturb Your Highness’s journey back home further then."

Jing Rong nodded, got into the carriage, and left.

Peng Yuanhai looked at the carriage that was moving away, took a deep breath and murmured to himself, "Prince Xian didn’t go through all the trouble in vain; finally you have been brought back to the capital."

......

Prince Rong’s Estate

Ji Yunshu finally calmed down when she heard the news about the situation inside the Imperial Assembly Hall.

However, she had another concern, "Since my Eldest and Second Brothers faced a public setback in the imperial court, neither they nor Prince Yi will let the matter rest." How could a person as aggressive as Ji Li willingly be dismissed from his position, and settle down to farm at home?

Jing Rong got up with his hands clasped behind his back and gazed at the puddles on the ground from the doorway. "The Emperor issued a decree ordering Ji Huan to lead the troops to the borders. As a military official, he cannot refuse. As for Ji Li, with his temperament he will not be willing to be suppressed. Even if this fierce tiger rises again, it will take some time; before that happens, Jing Yi would have his two wings crippled and his ability greatly restricted. Naturally, he would not be able to cause any major trouble."

"Then what do you plan to do next?"

Jing Rong pondered, "Now that Jing Yi brought our conflict to the forefront in the imperial court by openly confronting me, the Court will be split into two factions. Since I have more enemies than friends, the best strategy is to be one step ahead of him and make the first move."

Huh? Ji Yunshu did not understand, "What do you mean?"

"What Jing Yi wants most is the throne. For the throne, he wouldn’t hesitate to sacrifice anything at all. Back then, he schemed and instigated the Crown Prince to seige the palace. Now, this prince can also do the same thing to him."

Urgh! Ji Yunshu suddenly understood, "You mean...... to force him to rebel?"

Jing Rong's eyes darkened. He nodded.

......

That night, Mo Ruo and Tang Si came over.

Just arriving at Prince Rong’s Estate, that girl jumped up and down, looked around, and even took Ji Yunshu for a stroll. She was like a tourist, even expressing her dislike, "Prince Rong’s House is big, but it is not as atmospheric as Lord Kang’s House. Plus it looks dead and dull, not as tasteful as my Ah Mo’s Yuhua Pavilion." Show-off!

Ji Yunshu smiled and said nothing.

In the hall, Mo Ruo had just sat down when he asked Jing Rong, "I heard that the Emperor has issued a decree granting you permission to stay in the capital."

Jing Rong sipped some tea, "You are well-informed."

"Not only am I well-informed, I even know that the Ji brothers have suffered a defeat; with one dismissed and the other sent to the borders to fight the barbarians. I also know that you fought a battle of words within the Imperial Assembly Hall, forcing Jing Yi to be speechless."

"It wasn’t that dramatic."

"You don't need to be modest."

"Does this prince look like a modest man?" His eyebrows were lightly knitted together.

Not really! Rumors! These are all rumors!

Mo Ruo smiled, "Regardless of what happened, you stole the show. Since the Emperor allowed you to stay in the capital this time, smart people will eventually find out the reason why." He took a long sigh, "The Imperial Court has been rather calm since the death of the Crown Prince. Now, I'm afraid that tumultuous times are ahead." He picked up the cup and took a sip of tea.

Jing Rong's face clouded, and his eyes looked out of the door. "I'm afraid that this turmoil is one that will never cease." Since ancient times, the competition between court factions has never stopped!

A loud ‘bang’ resounded. The dark sky was suddenly illuminated by a bunch of gorgeous fireworks.

"Come out quickly and see!" Tang Si shouted from outside.

Jing Rong and Mo Ruo looked at each other and got up to go out.

In the courtyard, there were many more fireworks that had appeared without their notice. Tang Si was bustling around lighting the firework fuses while Ji Yunshu was watching.

One by one, the fireworks shot up into the air and exploded into a burst of colourful, dazzling sparks.

What the heck? Jing Rong asked, "What's going on?"

At the sound of his voice, Ji Yunshu came over and explained, "Miss Tang said that today is the day where Houliao would celebrate their coming-of-age festival. They must set off fireworks every year on this day."

Ah! When all the fireworks had been set off, Tang Si threw the torch and ran over to tug at Mo Ruo. "What do you think, does it look good?"

Mo Ruo pulled his arm back and swallowed. He didn’t say anything.

Fireworks blanketed the sky in magnificent bursts of light, falling back down in thousands of shimmering sparks as they slowly faded...

Almost everyone in Prince Rong’s Estate had come out to take a look. The servants and maids were very excited.

Ji Yunshu tilted her head to look at the colorful fireworks. Brilliant rays of light also seemed to bloom in her eyes, turning her inky-black pupils all colours of the rainbow. However, the expression in her eyes was desolate.

At this moment, all that she could think of was Wei Yi; he filled both her mind and her ears. She could almost see Wei Yi jumping around those fireworks without a care in the world.

Jing Rong inclined his head to look at her. Without doubt, he had already guessed what she was worrying about. He silently grasped the hand that lay by her side as they looked at each other. There was no need to say anything else.

Meanwhile, in the palace...

Inside the dark hut, a figure was curled up on the ground as usual, hugging his knees and looking down. Even though the door was closed, he could still feel the cold wind all around him. It was so cold that one would shudder! He could not help but wrap his arms tighter around himself.

Wei Yi did not remember how many days he had been locked up here. Ever since the incident with the Kongming lantern, he had not left this dimly lit room even once. He was not a prisoner but his situation was worse than a prisoner’s!

After a long time, he looked up at the closed wooden door. His originally clear and innocent eyes had become filled with despair and helplessness as he gazed unseeingly through the tightly shut wooden doors at the pitch-black sky, as if he could also see the fireworks that were now blooming over Prince Rong’s Estate.

"Shu'er."

Translator: April, Editor: Aruthea

"As long as it would help me ascend the throne, even innocent people can serve as my chess pieces.."

"If you dare to hurt him, don't blame me for disregarding our sibling relationship."

Sibling relationship? Jing Yi laughed, "Jing Rong, don't be silly. From the day we were born, we were never meant to be brothers, but mortal enemies would sacrifice anything in working towards the same purpose. So don't talk about any father-son or sibling relationship in front of me. If I really took these into consideration, I would not have instigated the former Crown Prince to encircle the palace and he would not have died." He was so ruthless he wouldn’t even hesitate to stab himself! In his eyes, father-son or sibling relationships were worth as much as dogshit.

Jing Rong's eyes were cold. This person is truly hopeless. His fists clenched within his sleeves, "Fine, since you insist, I will accompany you to the very end."

To the very end! His voice echoed in the Golden Palace for a long time.

The two confronted each other, right beneath the dragon throne!

Jing Rong exited the Imperial Assembly Hall and left the palace. He just stepped out from the south gate when the Minister of Personnel, Peng Yuanhai, called out to him. He seemed to be deliberately waiting for him.

Peng Yuanhai has always been a serious person who tended not to smile much. He stepped forward and bowed with cupped hands, apologizing, "This humble official had once submitted a complaint regarding Your Highness. I beg your forgiveness."

Jing Rong said politely, "Lord Peng, there’s no need to take it so seriously. It’s true that this prince should not have interfered with the assignment of officials. You were not wrong to impeach this prince."

"After the incident, this humble official had sent someone to investigate and found that the officials that Your Highness removed were indeed negligent in their duties."

"It is good to ascertain whether it was appropriate."

"It was this humble official who did not see the truth and participated in the impeachment, causing trouble to Your Highness."

"Minister Peng, this prince should in fact thank you. If it weren’t for the impeachment, this prince wouldn't have had aid in returning to the capital."

Peng Yuanhai was very clear why that was so but on the surface, he pretended not to know, "Why is that?"

Jing Rong was reluctant to say more and merely smiled, "Lord Peng does not need to enquire too deeply about it."

"Yes, I will not disturb Your Highness’s journey back home further then."

Jing Rong nodded, got into the carriage, and left.

Peng Yuanhai looked at the carriage that was moving away, took a deep breath and murmured to himself, "Prince Xian didn’t go through all the trouble in vain; finally you have been brought back to the capital."

......

Prince Rong’s Estate

Ji Yunshu finally calmed down when she heard the news about the situation inside the Imperial Assembly Hall.

However, she had another concern, "Since my Eldest and Second Brothers faced a public setback in the imperial court, neither they nor Prince Yi will let the matter rest." How could a person as aggressive as Ji Li willingly be dismissed from his position, and settle down to farm at home?

Jing Rong got up with his hands clasped behind his back and gazed at the puddles on the ground from the doorway. "The Emperor issued a decree ordering Ji Huan to lead the troops to the borders. As a military official, he cannot refuse. As for Ji Li, with his temperament he will not be willing to be suppressed. Even if this fierce tiger rises again, it will take some time; before that happens, Jing Yi would have his two wings crippled and his ability greatly restricted. Naturally, he would not be able to cause any major trouble."

"Then what do you plan to do next?"

Jing Rong pondered, "Now that Jing Yi brought our conflict to the forefront in the imperial court by openly confronting me, the Court will be split into two factions. Since I have more enemies than friends, the best strategy is to be one step ahead of him and make the first move."

Huh? Ji Yunshu did not understand, "What do you mean?"

"What Jing Yi wants most is the throne. For the throne, he wouldn’t hesitate to sacrifice anything at all. Back then, he schemed and instigated the Crown Prince to seige the palace. Now, this prince can also do the same thing to him."

Urgh! Ji Yunshu suddenly understood, "You mean...... to force him to rebel?"

Jing Rong's eyes darkened. He nodded.

......

That night, Mo Ruo and Tang Si came over.

Just arriving at Prince Rong’s Estate, that girl jumped up and down, looked around, and even took Ji Yunshu for a stroll. She was like a tourist, even expressing her dislike, "Prince Rong’s House is big, but it is not as atmospheric as Lord Kang’s House. Plus it looks dead and dull, not as tasteful as my Ah Mo’s Yuhua Pavilion." Show-off!

Ji Yunshu smiled and said nothing.

In the hall, Mo Ruo had just sat down when he asked Jing Rong, "I heard that the Emperor has issued a decree granting you permission to stay in the capital."

Jing Rong sipped some tea, "You are well-informed."

"Not only am I well-informed, I even know that the Ji brothers have suffered a defeat; with one dismissed and the other sent to the borders to fight the barbarians. I also know that you fought a battle of words within the Imperial Assembly Hall, forcing Jing Yi to be speechless."

"It wasn’t that dramatic."

"You don't need to be modest."

"Does this prince look like a modest man?" His eyebrows were lightly knitted together.

Not really! Rumors! These are all rumors!

Mo Ruo smiled, "Regardless of what happened, you stole the show. Since the Emperor allowed you to stay in the capital this time, smart people will eventually find out the reason why." He took a long sigh, "The Imperial Court has been rather calm since the death of the Crown Prince. Now, I'm afraid that tumultuous times are ahead." He picked up the cup and took a sip of tea.

Jing Rong's face clouded, and his eyes looked out of the door. "I'm afraid that this turmoil is one that will never cease." Since ancient times, the competition between court factions has never stopped!

A loud ‘bang’ resounded. The dark sky was suddenly illuminated by a bunch of gorgeous fireworks.

"Come out quickly and see!" Tang Si shouted from outside.

Jing Rong and Mo Ruo looked at each other and got up to go out.

In the courtyard, there were many more fireworks that had appeared without their notice. Tang Si was bustling around lighting the firework fuses while Ji Yunshu was watching.

One by one, the fireworks shot up into the air and exploded into a burst of colourful, dazzling sparks.

What the heck? Jing Rong asked, "What's going on?"

At the sound of his voice, Ji Yunshu came over and explained, "Miss Tang said that today is the day where Houliao would celebrate their coming-of-age festival. They must set off fireworks every year on this day."

Ah! When all the fireworks had been set off, Tang Si threw the torch and ran over to tug at Mo Ruo. "What do you think, does it look good?"

Mo Ruo pulled his arm back and swallowed. He didn’t say anything.

Fireworks blanketed the sky in magnificent bursts of light, falling back down in thousands of shimmering sparks as they slowly faded...

Almost everyone in Prince Rong’s Estate had come out to take a look. The servants and maids were very excited.

Ji Yunshu tilted her head to look at the colorful fireworks. Brilliant rays of light also seemed to bloom in her eyes, turning her inky-black pupils all colours of the rainbow. However, the expression in her eyes was desolate.

At this moment, all that she could think of was Wei Yi; he filled both her mind and her ears. She could almost see Wei Yi jumping around those fireworks without a care in the world.

Jing Rong inclined his head to look at her. Without doubt, he had already guessed what she was worrying about. He silently grasped the hand that lay by her side as they looked at each other. There was no need to say anything else.

Meanwhile, in the palace...

Inside the dark hut, a figure was curled up on the ground as usual, hugging his knees and looking down. Even though the door was closed, he could still feel the cold wind all around him. It was so cold that one would shudder! He could not help but wrap his arms tighter around himself.

Wei Yi did not remember how many days he had been locked up here. Ever since the incident with the Kongming lantern, he had not left this dimly lit room even once. He was not a prisoner but his situation was worse than a prisoner’s!

After a long time, he looked up at the closed wooden door. His originally clear and innocent eyes had become filled with despair and helplessness as he gazed unseeingly through the tightly shut wooden doors at the pitch-black sky, as if he could also see the fireworks that were now blooming over Prince Rong’s Estate.

"Shu'er."