Chapter 603: The Peasant Girl’s Splendid Manor
Chapter 603: Companions (2)
Prince Heng obediently nodded and lay back down with the help of the young eunuchs, though a shadow of sadness could not be hidden from his eyes. Emperor Hui'an, unwilling to see more, waved his hand for the eunuchs to take Prince Heng away and care for him. The emperor feared that if he stayed longer, he might lose control and vent his anger on those responsible for the plot.
Prince Heng, being carried away by the eunuchs, caught a glimpse of the fleeting anger in Emperor Huian's eyes and allowed a silent smile to play on his face, making his bloody wounds appear even more grotesque. He understood the principle that the squeaky wheel gets the grease better than anyone, but with his father who favored that cripple, it was of no use.
After Prince Heng was taken away, the other princes were also carried to their quarters by the eunuchs, with the imperial physicians following to provide further diagnosis and treatment. Seeing this, the noble ministers quickly took their leave, eager to have their sons treated as soon as the physicians were done with the princes.
Emperor Huian sat on the throne, his expression changing as he pondered. After a while, he stood up, intending to head to the side hall to get to the bottom of things and give his injured sons an explanation. Just then, a eunuch entered briskly and knelt, announcing, "Your Majesty, General Xiao and a Miss Mo are waiting outside, requesting an audience."
The emperor recalled the report from the guards who returned earlier and sat back down, his tone serious. "Summon them!"
A woman who could control beasts, trespass the hunting grounds, and save his sons was worth his personal attention.
The eunuch quickly left and soon, Xiao Ruiyuan and Mo Yan entered. The five beasts were left outside the palace, guarded by soldiers to prevent any mishaps, and also as a form of protection.
Emperor Huian watched as the man and woman entered side by side—Xiao Ruiyuan, coldly handsome, and Mo Yan, exceptionally beautiful. For a moment, he was stunned, then seemed to understand something, his brow furrowing slightly.
Xiao Ruiyuan and Mo Yan knelt in unison in the center of the hall and simultaneously greeted the emperor, one voice deep and the other clear, "Greetings, Your Majesty. Long live the Emperor!"
Emperor Huian gazed coldly at the kneeling pair, not calling them to rise immediately. It wasn't until Mo Yan, unable to endure any longer, swayed slightly without stepping out of line, that he finally relaxed his expression and spoke with a kinder tone, "General Xiao, you may rise. And Miss Mo, you may rise as well."
"Thank you, Your Majesty!" Xiao Ruiyuan and Mo Yan, relieved, exchanged a quick glance before standing aside.
Sitting high above, Emperor Huian pretended not to notice their subtle exchange. He questioned Xiao Ruiyuan in detail about the events in the Beast Forest.
Xiao Ruiyuan did not hold back, recounting everything truthfully, including shooting Prince Qi's hairpin and breaking Prince Heng's wrist with his sword. He knew these events couldn't be concealed and chose to be forthright, leaving the judgment to the emperor.
As the nephew of the late Empress Chunyi and someone the emperor had watched grow up, Emperor Huian knew Xiao Ruiyuan's character well. That's why he placed him near his favorite son at a young age.
Hearing how Thirteenth Prince had purposely gone missing and how Xiao Ruiyuan had led the guards to the Beast Forest, first encountering Prince Qi and then being subtly threatened by Prince Heng, Emperor Huian, who had ascended the throne over the corpses of his brothers, understood the underlying schemes.
When he learned that Prince Heng had tried to harm Xiao Ruiyuan during the beast attack, Emperor Huian's disappointment in his sons, especially Prince Heng, grew. The sympathy he had felt earlier for Prince Heng dissipated.
Emperor Huian now knew all he needed about the events in the Beast Forest. He was fully aware of his sons' growing rivalry, even as he still lived. He couldn't help but think that if he were to pass away, his unfilial sons might turn the palace into a bloodbath over the throne.
Emperors, no matter how they ascended, generally did not wish to see their sons fighting each other.
Prince Heng, plotting to dethrone Crown Prince Chu Heng and orchestrate his downfall, had unwittingly aroused Emperor Huian's suspicion. If Prince Heng knew this, he would likely regret his schemes against Xiao Ruiyuan, realizing he had lost more than he gained.
Unfortunately, there is no cure for regret. When Emperor Huian decides to settle accounts, Prince Heng might be so frustrated that he'd spit blood!
Emperor Huian's mood soured, though his expression remained unchanged. He then asked Mo Yan, "The hunting grounds are heavily guarded. How did a young woman like you get in?"
Mo Yan felt a chill at the question, knowing that a careless answer could bring trouble to the man beside her. She carefully replied, "Your Majesty, the beasts outside are quite agile. They helped me climb up from a less steep cliff."
She told the truth, knowing that all the entrances at the foot of the mountain were heavily guarded, making it impossible for her or the beasts to sneak in unnoticed. Climbing the cliff was the only option.
"Companions?" Emperor Huian showed a rare smile at the unusual term. "Using that word for those fierce beasts is quite novel."
Mo Yan responded seriously, "To others, they may be ferocious beasts, but to me, they are very cute and have never harmed anyone. They are my most trusted companions."
Emperor Huian looked at the young woman with a hint of admiration in his eyes. While he still considered the beasts to be dangerous and unsuitable as companions, he appreciated her pure-heartedness. Perhaps this purity was why the typically fearsome beasts allowed her to command them.
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