Chapter 016 Kill Wu Xun!

Xiao Yue glanced sideways at him, curling his lips into a faint smile, but offering no comment.

Lei Ming pressed himself against the base of the wall, continuing to listen in.

Empress Jiang understood her son well. Seeing his stubbornness, she sighed and spoke solemnly: “This time, I’ve helped you hide it from your father. But no matter how unwilling you are, there must never be a next time. This marriage was chosen by your father, naturally for your greatest benefit. The weight of the empire is just so! As the heir to the throne, you must know what to prioritize—stop making trouble.”

Xiao Yun was still reluctant and argued, “They say one should marry a virtuous wife. Mother, you yourself said I am the crown prince. That Wu Tan is so shrewd and wild, she—”

“My son!” Empress Jiang interrupted him firmly, unable to remain patient. “You are marrying a wife, the future empress, not a minister of state. If she is a bit coarse, a bit spoiled, what harm is there? If she were truly a clever, scheming woman, that would be greatly disadvantageous to you. You understand these truths…”

Noticing her tone becoming intense, she steadied herself, clasped Xiao Yun’s hand, and spoke earnestly: “My son, your father’s health is deteriorating. In this matter, you have no choice. You must understand that military power is your only true asset for the future. The Marquis Dingyuan holds great power, but the Wu family has always been loyal and honorable. If you marry his daughter and treat them well, all will be well. But if his daughter is deep-minded and restless, you could be controlled from both court and harem, which would be disastrous for you.”

The logic was clear, but—

“Mother…” Xiao Yun pressed his lips together, then spoke, word by word, as if making a decision: “I just feel powerless!”

Empress Jiang opened her mouth, but ultimately had nothing to say.

The northern frontier was turbulent, the southern unstable, and the northern military command was held solely by Xiao Yue, a royal son. The emperor’s health was declining rapidly—according to the imperial physicians, he had only a year or two left. A crown prince of merely twelve, once ascending the throne, if he couldn’t bind the Wu family firmly to his side, how could he secure his rule?

Empress Jiang had experienced the savage infighting among the Xiao clan firsthand. It wasn’t malice that made her wary, but bitter experience—she could not trust Xiao Yue, nor afford not to guard against him.

Gathering her scattered thoughts, Empress Jiang softened her tone and continued to comfort him: “Listen to your mother. I’ve had people inquire from every direction. That Wu girl is somewhat spoiled, but she knows propriety and isn’t malicious. If she were truly reckless, she would have made a scene in the palace yesterday. Even if you really don’t like her, you will have a vast harem in the future—what harm is there in having one more?”

“I understand!” Yet, I am unwilling!

Unwilling to be controlled, unwilling to become a mere puppet!

Xiao Yun lowered his head, his expression unreadable. After a long pause, he seemed to make a decision, his fingers slowly tightening beneath his sleeves until pain seared his palm.

Across the corridor, separated by a window, Xiao Yue too was silent for a long time.

Lei Ming sensed his mood had soured suddenly and retreated obediently behind him, standing with eyes lowered.

After a while, when Empress Jiang began asking Xiao Yun about his studies, Xiao Yue finally resumed walking and entered.

He and the emperor were twenty years apart; from a young age he had received Empress Jiang’s care, so the bond between uncle and sister-in-law was close.

Empress Jiang greeted him warmly.

She had Xiao Yun salute him, then inquired about his injuries. They had exchanged only a few words when the emperor arrived.

It was a purely familial gathering; the emperor never mentioned matters of state, only chatted about family, focusing on the crown prince’s progress in civil and military arts and urging Xiao Yue to marry.

After lunch, the emperor was weary, and Xiao Yue took his leave.

The emperor did not insist he stay. Empress Jiang rose with a smile to see him off: “Although the imperial physician says your injuries are stable and not life-threatening, you should avoid exertion. I’ve ordered a sedan chair for you.”

“Thank you, Sister-in-law,” Xiao Yue nodded.

The emperor leaned against the kang table in the warm pavilion, rubbing his temples. Suddenly, he called out, “Zi Yu!”

Zi Yu was Xiao Yue’s courtesy name, known to few, and almost no one dared address him thus. The emperor had not called him by this name for many years.

Xiao Yue turned, his face and heart calm: “Is there anything further, Brother?”

The emperor shifted slightly. The afternoon sunlight poured through the paper windows, obscuring his expression. Then he spoke: “You’ve been long away from the capital. These years, Mother has missed you dearly. When your injuries are stable, go visit her soon.”

After Emperor Xiao Zhi ascended eight years ago, Dowager Zhou moved out of the palace to a suburban retreat to devote herself to Buddhist practice. She never returned, not once in eight years.

Xiao Yue knew all this.

He replied respectfully, bowing: “Yes, your servant brother will obey.”

With that, he turned and left.

Empress Jiang watched him depart before returning inside. Seeing the emperor fatigued, she sent Xiao Yun away as well.

When only the emperor and empress remained in the hall, Empress Jiang sat beside him and asked seriously: “Your Majesty, what are you trying to test? All these years, not a single letter has passed between him and Mother. Mother has said that as long as you brothers do not fight, she will not interfere.”

The emperor rested his eyes, saying nothing for a moment.

Empress Jiang sat beside him, holding a teacup, accompanying him in silence.

A long while later, the emperor curled his lips in self-mockery: “Yesterday, I nearly ordered the imperial physician to act…”

His voice was hoarse and feeble, like a dreamer’s murmur.

Empress Jiang was suddenly alarmed, her hand faltering as she gathered tea leaves, the lid scraping sharply against the edge of the cup.

Outside the main gate of Zhengyang Palace, Xiao Yue waited for the sedan chair and had not yet left. The young crown prince Xiao Yun came out, and the two met head-on.

“Uncle!” Xiao Yun greeted him, ready to leave.

Xiao Yue stood unmoving, but as Xiao Yun descended the steps he suddenly spoke: “Is it true that Your Highness dislikes the Marquis Dingyuan’s daughter?”

Xiao Yun paused, turning back defensively.

Xiao Yue kept his hands tucked in his sleeves, smiling frankly: “Yesterday afternoon I entered the palace and happened to see Your Highness at the gate, and today I saw the emperor discussing this matter with the Marquis Dingyuan in the imperial study.”

Xiao Yun disliked him; now, seeing Xiao Yue’s amused expression and tone, he felt even more uncomfortable, furrowing his brow.

Just then, several servants approached with the sedan chair. Xiao Yue went to meet them, and as he passed Xiao Yun, he finished: “The most decisive solution—kill Wu Xun!”

He dared to openly incite him to murder Wu Xun?

Xiao Yun was stunned, rooted to the spot like lightning-struck, while Xiao Yue, unconcerned, boarded the sedan chair and left the palace.

—End of Chapter—

Well, barely a dozen chapters in and already plotting the murder of his future father-in-law! My male lead truly lives up to his reputation: extraordinary, unconventional, and unique!

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