Sickly Jade - Chapter 16

“Thinking back to when you were the Ninth Prince, you were far more obedient than you are now.”

Ye Shaoyun glanced at Qi Kun out of the corner of his eye. “I advise you to be careful with your words, Your Highness; at this distance, he can hear what you are saying.”

Qi Kun was instantly terrified, his face drained of color. “He can hear me? Does he have ears like a bat?!”

Ye Shaoyun had no way to explain to someone who didn’t practice martial arts.

“If you don’t believe me, ask General Ye.”

Ye Xiao chuckled dryly. “Indeed.”

Qi Kun hurriedly looked toward Qi Chu. Sure enough, he saw the other was looking their way. He immediately covered his mouth and turned his face back. “Why didn’t you tell me sooner? Quick, look has he come over here?”

No one answered him. A moment later, a voice sounded from behind Qi Kun: “Seventh brother, what are you doing? The National Preceptor and General Ye are here, too.”

Qi Kun turned his face to see Qi Yongzhang standing before him. He patted his chest in relief. “It’s you, First Imperial Brother. You scared me to death.”

“Your Highness.” The other two offered their bows.

“No need for formalities.” Qi Yongzhang raised his hand, his eyes then settling on Ye Shaoyun, scanning across that head of silver hair. “How is the National Preceptor’s health these days? It must be truly exhausting to toil for the Crown Prince all these years.”

Ye Shaoyun’s lips curved into a faint, shallow arc. “It is my duty; there is no need for Your Highness to concern himself.”

He didn’t want Qi Yongzhang to concern himself with him at all. If it weren’t for this man, he wouldn’t have ended up in this state.

Qi Yongzhang smiled with effortless ease. “The Crown Prince is secure, so the nation’s heart is at peace. The National Preceptor’s contributions should be remembered.”

“Your Highness flatters me.” Ye Shaoyun echoed him with a mask of a smile. He would prefer it if Qi Yongzhang was not as two-faced as he appeared.

Qi Kun watched them from both sides. Noticing that Ye Shaoyun did not want to engage in small talk with the First Imperial Brother, he hurriedly chimed in, “It’s been years; First Brother, your bearing is more formidable than ever. Seventh brother feels ashamed in comparison.”

Qi Yongzhang looked at this “useless” younger brother with a lazy, smiling expression. “Seventh brother is still so glib. What a pity that you have no ambition. My advice to you is to find some serious work to do. I hear the Imperial Father recently enfeoffed you as the Prince of Ning’an. How does it feel to be a Prince?”

Qi Kun bowed. “It is merely a leisure-loving Prince. You know how I am, Imperial Brother no great talent, and no heart for these matters. Better to let me live my own happy life.”

Qi Yongzhang patted him on the shoulder, a mix of disdain and doting. “As expected, still no progress at all.”

Qi Kun laughed heartily, as if he didn’t know he was being insulted.

This was the virtue Qi Kun had always displayed to the world, and also his way of preserving his life. Among the remaining princes, he was the youngest aside from Qi Chu, and he never made an enemy of anyone, nor did he make anyone feel threatened. The Emperor saw him as a son of no great use, and his brothers saw him as a foolish younger brother.

No matter who ascended the throne in the future, he would be a Prince, the best embodiment of “fraternal love and respect” for the future Emperor.

Ye Shaoyun only hoped he could keep this up and never show his true colors.

Ye Shaoyun understood these princes better than their own father did. After all, he had supported the Crown Prince, and he had thoroughly investigated these men in the early stages.

The First Prince was not born of the Empress, but he was the first-born son. His personality was arrogant, and his mother was the current Noble Consort. Even if he made mistakes, his status remained noble. The Emperor was wary of him, so he had been left in the frontier regions; returning to the capital meant surrendering his military command.

He had been honest enough for several years, but years ago he had been the center of attention in the capital and had nearly been made Crown Prince. Fortunately, the Emperor was in his prime at the time and had no intention of naming a successor, so the matter was delayed which gave Qi Chu his opportunity.

The Second Prince, Qi Cheng, had also been like this before he became crippled. Although his mother was not a Noble Consort, he himself was ambitious and fought viciously with the other princes. The Emperor had not taken him to heart. This man was insidious, cunning, and meticulous. The trouble was that he had moved against Qi Chu early on, frequently applying pressure in the dark; he was the first person Qi Chu had dealt with himself.

The “maiming of siblings” referred specifically to him.

Ye Shaoyun swept his gaze through the crowd and soon found a figure in a wheelchair. The Second Prince, Qi Cheng, had paralyzed legs; the imperial physician had diagnosed that he would spend the rest of his life in a wheelchair.

He was also an important guest today. When Ye Shaoyun looked over, Qi Cheng was staring gloomily at Qi Chu with vengeful black eyes, wishing he could kill him with his gaze alone.

It was no wonder he felt this way. Even Ye Shaoyun couldn’t help but feel a chill at Qi Chu’s methods Qi Kun’s legs had been snapped by Qi Chu at the age of eighteen, his knees and lower leg bones shattered by an iron hammer. He had seen it with his own eyes.

On the surface, it was an accidental fall off a cliff. The Emperor believed it, but Qi Cheng knew better, because he had regained consciousness while he was being struck, only to faint from the pain again. There was no evidence to prove Qi Chu had done it.

Ye Shaoyun had tried to persuade Qi Chu not to act himself, but his hatred seemed too deep it wasn’t just a break, it was a shattering beyond medical repair, creating injuries as if crushed by rolling boulders.

At that time, he began to suspect if his own tutelage had been too much. Now, he understood some things were brought in the marrow. Could the “gems” produced by the royal family for generations really possess pure and virtuous blood?

Then there was the Third Prince. He had suffered the least in the royal family, obsessed with Daoist cultivation since the age of nineteen, unconcerned with court affairs. But he was very sharp, using celestial phenomena and disasters to stir up trouble frequently outside the court. He was not a harmless character either. As for what he was after, it would likely be revealed after today.

To describe today’s situation in one word: Each with their own ulterior motives.

Before the ceremony began, princes and courtiers gathered in groups, whispering conspiracies. Only the Crown Prince stood alone, hands behind his back, occasionally directing the servants.

Qi Yongzhang had no intention of leaving. He looked at Qi Chu not far away and asked Ye Shaoyun: “Why is the National Preceptor not with the Crown Prince today? Aren’t you usually inseparable?”

Qi Kun chimed in: “First Imperial Brother remembers clearly. But perhaps you don’t know: the National Preceptor has resigned from his post as the Crown Prince’s tutor. He is merely the National Preceptor now.”

A flicker of light passed through Qi Yongzhang’s eyes. He continued to watch Ye Shaoyun, his eyes filled with a trace of intrigue. “I know, I just didn’t expect the National Preceptor, who could once risk his life for the Crown Prince, to suddenly… could it be that your heart was broken?”

As these words were spoken, Qi Chu, not far away, quietly glanced toward Ye Shaoyun. He, too, wanted to know how this man would explain it to outsiders.

Ye Shaoyun was expressionless. “I am just tired. Your Highness need not overthink it.”

Qi Yongzhang chuckled, even more convinced. “Is it my overthinking? If you ask me, the National Preceptor has made the correct decision.”

Ye Shaoyun did not reply this time, yet to Qi Chu, this silence was an admission.

Qi Yongzhang was about to say more, but the Emperor signaled for him. That ended the conversation.

The ceremony began long after. As the vassal kings were about to enter the capital, everyone returned to their designated positions.

Ye Shaoyun and Qi Kun sat in a corner. Qi Kun would insist he try every delicious snack he found, making it seem like he was truly just here for an outing.

The vassal kings entered the arena one by one. Many had been away for years and carried the aura of foreign lands. This time, many gifted jade articles and beauties. Qi Kun’s eyes never once left the beauties; he even insisted on dragging Ye Shaoyun along to watch and discuss them with him.

When Ye Shaoyun grew annoyed, he glared at him. “Choose carefully, Your Highness, so you don’t bring an assassin home.”

Qi Kun was so frightened that he instantly lost interest.

Ye Shaoyun was silently waiting for the day’s main drama when he was suddenly named.

“National Preceptor, National Preceptor.”

After being called twice, Ye Shaoyun heard the Emperor’s roll call through the music. He hurriedly stood up. “Your Majesty, I am here.”

The Emperor seemed to be in a good mood. Pointing to the dancers below, he said to him: “I remember the National Preceptor has no family of his own yet. Is there anyone here who catches your eye?”

Ye Shaoyun kept his head low, not knowing what the Emperor was up to. Does he look like he is capable of starting a family?

The Emperor waved his large hand. “There are so many beauties here today, and some come from Jiangnan. Jiangnan women are known for their tenderness; the National Preceptor must like them, right? If there is anyone you fancy, I shall bestow her upon you to soothe the National Preceptor’s hardships.”

Ye Shaoyun instantly understood the Emperor’s intent. He doesn’t like them, but he has to like them.