âWhat did you say? Say it once again!â Wanyan Hongâs words deeply irritated Wanyan Lie. He had never imagined that his crown prince would say such a thing.
âEmperor father, could it be that this subject son didnât say it clearly enough? Even if this subject son committed incest, itâs inherited from you, emperor father, ah...â
âPa...â
Wanyan Hong didnât finish speaking when Wanyan Lie raised his hand and fiercely gave him a slap. Sensing the taste of blood in his mouth, Wanyan Hong laughed. He rubbed his mouth. The way Wanyan Hong looked at Wanyan Lie became even more provocative.
âIs this subject son not right? Who did those dirty activities while holding little auntâs undergarments? Who hid so many women who looked like little aunt in Long Autumn palace? Who was the one who planned the thing at Yandang mountain...This subject doesnât have to say all this. In your heart, you should be the clearest!â
âBastard!â
Wanyan Lie was furious, but he didnât expect that after Wanyan Hong heard âbastardâ, he would laugh even more happily, âEmperor father, youâre right! A man who drooled over his own little sister is indeed a bastard!â
Wanyan Hongâs words let Jing De, whoâs standing at a side, pinch a sweat for this crown prince. The thoughts emperor had about princess Ming Yue had always been his (WL) most taboo thing. Now, itâs not good. Crown prince had directly put everything out in the open. Wasnât this slapping Wanyan Lieâs face?!
The thing men in the world loved most was their face; let alone a countryâs ruler!
Who was princess Ming Yue? Speaking more beautifully, sheâs the cinnabar mole of the emperorâs chest. Since you knew everything, you shouldâve honestly kept it a secret. You shouldâve clenched your teeth, not say anything and continue to be a crown prince. Thatâs the most intelligent approach. Now, Wanyan Hong had put everything out in the open; wasnât this obviously to irritate the emperor?!
After hearing Wanyan Hongâs words, Wanyan Lieâs expression gradually turned calm. In the end, his expression turned into frost.
âJing De, draft the imperial decree. The crown prince doesnât have virtue, is stubborn and obstreperous and disappointed zhenâs1expectations. After repeatedly considering, zhen has decided to depose the crown prince, bestowing him the title of Bei Jing wang,2 imprisoning him at Southern Park and he could never come out during his entire life...â
Jing De was just a slave. Although in his heart, he felt that this punishment was somewhat heavy, but he knew the emperorâs temper. Not to say that the crown princeâs words and deeds were really out of place, but even if Wanyan Hong had popular sentiment and prestige, he had made the feelings Wanyan Lie had for Wanyan Ming Yue become a big matter; that was the same as bringing about his own destruction.
Being deposed was within Wanyan Hongâs expectations. When he heard that sentence âimprisoning at the Southern Parkâ, Wanyan Hong laughed out loud. Lifelong imprisonment? Limit his freedom? Itâs better to kill him!
âEmperor father, when memories (dreams) haunt you at midnight, would you feel guilt in your heart? Yandang mountain, Bei Zhouâs two hundred thousand young men, only because of your own desire, all lost their lives. Two hundred thousand families ruined and orphaned; two hundred thousand lonely souls. Emperor father, would you feel a twinge of guilt? Would you feel worried that those people would come demand your life? This is the ruler who theyâd vowed loyalty and devotion to, ah! This is their emperor!â
âYour Highness...,â Seeing that Wanyan Hong was clearly looking for death, Jing De couldnât help but open his mouth, but he was stopped by Wanyan Lie, âLet him continue. Zhen would like to listen clearly and hear what he has to say!â
âHahaha!â Seeing Wanyan Lie standing in front of him and still pretending to be upright, Wanyan Hong laughed out loud once again. Tears fell down from his laughter.
âEmperor father, you dote so much on Feng clanâs siblings. If they knew that you were the murderer of their parents, you say, would Feng Cangâs sword give you mercy because of the love you showed him for so many years? And Feng Qi Qi, she looks so much like little aunt; you really donât have any thoughts about her?â
âZhen is not as dirty as you think.â Wanyan Lie had never thought about getting Murong Qi Qi. No matter how distorted his heart was, he could still distinguish the difference between little sister and niece.
âThis subject son thought dirty?â
Wanyan Hong stopped laughing. His mouth pulled a sarcastic smile, âIndeed, this subject son is very dirty. However, this subject son was also made by you. Isnât it that this subject son inherited some things from you...â
âEnough!â
Wanyan Lie narrowed his eyes. His expression was as deep as never before. âZhen admits, zhen likes my own imperial little sister and because of this, did many wrong things. However, zhen had never regretted it! Besides, zhenâs mistake is not for you to indulge yourself and the excuse for you to repeatedly make mistakes! Hong er,3 you let zhen be so disappointed...â
Leaving this sentence, Wanyan Lie and Jing De left. Looking at the closed door, Wanyan Hong laughed. While laughing, tears fell down the corners of his eyes.
Emperor father, did you know?! Once, this subject son adored you so much! Bei Zhou became strong under your lead. You were like a hero and was this subject sonâs idol. This subject son wished to be like you so much. This subject son wished to put Bei Zhouâs banner through the whole mainland and let the mainland become Wanyan familyâs world...
Until, this subject son eavesdropped on you and got to know your deep secret. Your tall image in this subject son collapsed instantly.
Emperor father, it was not that this subject son didnât want to be a good crown prince. It was just, this subject son was unable, unable to accept such a father like you...
Naturally, Wanyan Lie didnât understand Wanyan Hongâs thoughts. Now, he was thinking how he could solve this thing in the fastest and cleanest way.
It was a good thing that Feng Cang and Murong Qi Qi werenât in the capital. He didnât want any rumors to spread to the ears of these two people. In front of them, at least in front of Murong Qi Qi, he needed to play a good role. What he owed Ming Yue, he would compensate to her daughter.
âEmperor, what to do with those two women?â Jing De followed behind Wanyan Lie. His reminder made Wanyan Lie remember about those two women.
âWere their identities investigated?â
The moment Wanyan Lie asked, Jing De knew he was talking about Murong Xin Lian and Murong Qing Lianâs identities. Immediately, he narrated systematically and in full detail, the result of the investigation to the emperor.
âMurong familyâs daughters?â
Hearing the word âMurongâ, Wanyan Lieâs eyes were lit with two fires. If it wasnât because Li Qiu Shuiâs conspiracy had been exposed, he may have never known that there was still a daughter of Wanyan Ming Yue alive in this world. He also wouldnât have let Murong Qi Qi suffer so much at Murong household!
The hatred Wanyan Lie had for Li Qiu Shui extended to Murong household.
Earlier, when Murong Qi Qi had come for a marriage alliance, he let people inquire everything about Murong household. Not favored third miss and often bullied by people. At that moment, Wanyan Lie didnât know Murong Qi Qiâs identity. Now that it had been determined that this third miss was Ming Yueâs daughter, how could he tolerate his niece being bullied by others?!
âWho is the person who pretended to be Bao Zhu?â
âItâs Murong Xin Lian. Sheâs the second miss.â
âPull out her tongue, cut off her limbs and throw her out to be the armyâs prostitute! If she doesnât do one hundred people a day, donât give her any food!â
Wanyan Lieâs words made Jing De shudder. He had seen that woman. Sheâs a weak beauty. The limbs of a beautiful girl being cut off and her becoming a mute, but that beautiful face was still left intact; when being thrown into the army to face those wolf and tiger like men, who had been hungry for a long time, he didnât know how much sins she would suffer. One hundred people a day? Itâs already very great if she could bear it for ten days!
âAs for the other one, zhen remembers that she was the so-called young genius girl. Since sheâs a genius, then break her meridians to let her unable to practice martial arts for her whole life. Also, let people beat her with a cowhide whip soaked in salt water a hundred times every day. Whip her till sheâs dead!â
Jing De knew that Wanyan Lie put Murong Qi Qiâs revenge onto these two people. It seemed that in the emperorâs heart, princess Ming Yue was still the most important!
âEmperor, then what to do about princess Bao Zhu?â
âBao Zhu...,â Wanyan Lie was silent for a while. According to the current situation, Wanyan Bao Zhu was certainly dead. Otherwise, Murong Xin Lian wouldnât have been able to fool everyone with just a human skin mask.
Moreover, Wanyan Hong certainly knew about this! He obviously knew that his little sister had died, but he didnât ask or take revenge. Even more, he had hooked up with the murderer of his little sister. Now, Wanyan Lie was very skeptical that Wanyan Bao Zhuâs death had nothing to do with Wanyan Hong.
âAnnounce the truth. Princess Bao Zhu was murdered by Murong Xin Lian!â
Just a few words ended the relation of a father and daughter. Looking at that desolate yellow back, Jing De shook his head. The most ruthless family is the imperial family. In this emperorâs heart, only the things he cared about were the most treasured. The others were just smoke to the eyes!
When inside the palace, empress Li Bing heard that her son had been deposed and was also imprisoned for life, she fainted on the spot. The palace maids of Jingde palace went forward, poured water over her and also pinched her. Only after a long while, did Li Bing slowly wake up.
âEmperor, bengong4 wants to go see the emperor!â Li Bing struggled to get up. She was supported by Chuntao. âEmpress, eunuch Jing De came to announce the decree just now. He said that the emperor empathized that your body wasnât feeling well and you needed to rest. He gave you permission to rest at Jingde palace. If the emperor doesnât summon you, you couldnât go out!â
âWhat? Does the emperor want to imprison bengong? He imprisoned the crown prince, now he wants to imprison bengong. Bengong doesnât accept it! What did the crown prince do wrong?! What did bengong do wrong?!â
No matter what, Li Bing didnât think that Wanyan Lie would treat her like this. They were the couple whoâd tied the knot. There was a saying, a day together as husband and wife means endless devotion for the rest of your life. When Wanyan Lie wasnât the emperor yet, she had been at his side. The two experienced many ups and downs before they got todayâs status.
Although there were many women in the harem, but no matter who was favored, no one had affected her position. Now, Wanyan Lie imprisoned her and deposed Wanyan Hongâs position of crown prince with no difficulty. Could it be that his next step was to depose the empress?
Li Bing didnât understand. She didnât know where she had gone wrong. She also didnât know what Wanyan Hong did wrong. Wasnât it just that Yu Shi Shi died and that Wanyan Hong played with a few women?! Outside, everyone was gossping that Wanyan Hong had slept with Wanyan Bao Zhu. Li Bing didnât believe this.
She had given birth to this son. Of course, she knew (him). No matter how much Wanyan Hong acted arbitrarily, regardless of the rules, it was impossible for him to have something with his imperial little sister. He still had this distinction of right and wrong.
âChuntao, go to Jingxuan palace and beg the empress dowager! Let this elder have mercy! The emperor wouldnât not listen to the empress dowagerâs words!â
Seeing that until now, the empress was still like this, Chuntao sighed, âEmpress, the emperor decreed that no one of Jingde palace, regardless of any excuses, could go out. Otherwise, she/he would be killed on the spot!â
âWhat?!â Li Bing was dumbfounded. âHeâs breaking bengongâs way to survive, ah!â
Li Bing suffered and encountered a bitter experience. Putting it at consort De Lin Ke Xinâs, it was good news. âBengong was pondering why bengong heard the Eurasian magpie chirp on the branches! Indeed, it was the Eurasian magpie who had come to bring the good news!â
âCongratulations, consort! Congratulation, consort!â Wet nurse Yu congratulated Lin Ke Xin. âThe crown prince fell. This throne is now second highnessâ!â
âWet nurse, donât say it so quickly. It wonât be good if people hear it! Emperor, ah, only deposed the crown prince. He hasnât established the new crown prince yet!â
Lin Ke Xin was saying that with her mouth, but her face smiled like a flower. How could wet nurse Yu not know consort Deâs inner thoughts. She immediately wantonly flattered Wanyan Yi, boasting that there were only a few like him in heaven and rarely seen one like him on earth, making Lin Ke Xin laugh out loud.
Aside from her Yi er, no one else is qualified to sit on that place. Sooner or later, this world would be Wanyan Yiâs! No matter who, if they block her sonâs road to become the emperor, she would certainly kill them!
At this point, inside Lin Ke Xinâs mind appeared the figures of Wanyan Kang and Murong Qi Qi. Thinking of that day in the palace, about Murong Qi Qi and Wanyan Kangâs interaction, Lin Ke Xin frowned.
If Murong Qi Qi could marry Wanyan Yi, then Wanyan Yiâs position of crown prince would be safe. Even if the emperor doesnât bestow him the title of crown prince, sooner or later, the throne would still be his. Although, Wanyan Yi had previously suspected Murong Qi Qi and Feng Cangâs relation, but theyâre biological siblings. No matter how, they wouldnât commit such a self-destroying reputation thing like incest.
The only thing Lin Ke Xin was worried about was Wanyan Kang, this time bomb. That day, she wanted to thread a needle for Murong Qi Qi and Wanyan Yi. She didnât expect that Murong Qi Qi would seem to âfancyâ Wanyan Kang more! Wanyan Kang was usually carefree. She didnât notice that his thoughts ran so deep...
Thread a needle: to act as a go-between
Now, Feng Cang and Murong Qi Qi werenât in the capital. Even if she wanted to match Murong Qi Qi with Wanan Yi, this thing couldnât be done easily. What was the best thing to do?! This was something that gave Lin Ke Xin many headaches.
The crown prince being disposed was a surprise to many, but after thinking about it, it seemed reasonable. Wanyan Hongâs usual assessment was not good. So, him being disposed didnât affect the mood of many. Everyone was now concerned about who would become the new crown prince.
The person who would sit on the throne in the end, would it be the second prince who had the reputation of being worthy and virtuous or Nan Lin wang Feng Cang who the emperor preferred? It was difficult to make a choice. The gambling dens opened a bet. In the end, the bets were evenly matched for both parties.
Half of the people supported Nan Lin wang Feng Cang. They felt that Feng Cang had been favored since young, which was seen by all. Besides, in the past, Wanyan Lie had the thought to pass the throne to Feng Cang several times. Now, Feng Cang was in command of Bei Zhouâs army. Even if Wanyan Yi became the emperor, they should also see if he can sit tightly on this position.
The people who supported Wanyan Yi felt that passing the throne to the son was human nature. No matter how much the nephew is liked, but he isnât their own blood. In the end, thereâs still a layer between them. Besides, among Wanyan Lieâs princes, Wanyan Yi performed the best. They believed that in the future, he would be a good emperor.
As for the control of the army, if Wanyan Yi truly became the emperor, there would definitely be a fierce battle between him and Feng Cang. Either, Feng Cang had to let go of the control of the army or seize the throne. Unless Wanyan Lie is able to solve this problem well while heâs still the emperor.
Those who supported Wanyan Yi still had a thought. That was, till now, Feng Cang still didnât have an heir. With his ability of cursing his wives; if he couldnât get married for life, then heirs were a big problem. In the future, how should the throne be passed down? Just this point, Wanyan Yi was a lot better. From the point of the continuation of the dynasty, it made a lot of people support Wanyan Yi.
Feng Cang and Murong Qi Qi were still living an isolated life in the small town. It was just, every day, there would be pigeons from Moyu and Fo Sheng Men coming from the capital. Although these two people werenât in the imperial city, but they clearly knew about the things that had occurred in Yan capital.
âWhich bastard pushed you to the front of the stage? Really a bastard!â
When she got to know that the gambling dens had opened a bet using Feng Cang, Murong Qi Qi got angry. This was obviously a man-made operation. They pushed Feng Cang so eagerly to the opposite of Wanyan Yi, could it be to let him become the target of a multitude of arrows? Feng Cang didnât have any thoughts about the throne. If he was willing, he would have long grabbed this throne!
âQing Qing, donât waste your mood on these senseless people.â Feng Cangâs reaction to this matter wasnât as intense as Murong Qi Qiâs. He was very satisfied with the present life. Having Murong Qi Qiâs company every day without any other things disturbing them. It was really quiet and leisurely.
This honeymoon time let Feng Cang think about a lot of things. Rather than go through challenging experiences and fighting and scheming against each other at court, he might as well live comfortably with Murong Qi Qi in the jianghu5 and become a pair of immortals.
âHow can I not worry?! We want the quietness, but others want to pull us into the quarrel. The crown prince just fell, but such a gamble has already come out. Perspicacious people could see that someone was pushing the waves and add to the billows from behind!â
Pushing the waves and add to the billows: adding momentum
Seeing Murong Qi Qiâs face turn red, Feng Cang chuckled. He raised her chin. His mouth âtskedâ twice lightly. âQing Qing is so beautiful even when being angry!â
âCang, Iâm talking about serious matters with you!â Murong Qi Qi nestled in Feng Cangâs arms. Her small hands played with his hair, âTalking about it, I also have shares in those gambling dens. Why donât we also make an operation in secret? What do you think?â
âHow should we do it?â
âOf course, itâs to raise second prince up! If I didnât guess wrong, the one who set this bet was Wanyan Yi. Heâs itching to get on with you. Since itâs like that, why donât we go along with his wish; let his dream of becoming the emperor get bigger and bigger. What do you think?â
âLittle monster!â Feng Cang immediately understood Murong Qi Qiâs meaning. Raise Wanyan Yi up to let him believe that the peopleâs heart is with him, this second prince. His inner desire would expand violently. Maybe he would then do something âto offend the whole societyâ.
It seemed that Jin Mo was right. If this woman was put in court, she would definitely be able to produce clouds with one turn of the hand and rain with another.
Produce clouds with one turn of the hand and rain with another: to shift oneâs ground
Sure enough, not two days later; originally Feng Cang and Wanyan Yi were evenly match, bu it has now changed into Feng Cang being left behind. The people who supported Wanyan Yi in the capital became more and more. Everyone was saying that the imperial blood shouldnât be mixed. The throne must be the second princeâs.
After Wanyan Yi got this news, he was smiling every day from ear to ear. It seemed that the eyes of the masses were sharp. Everyone knew that Feng Cang was just a wangye of a different surname. If he (FC) inherited the throne, then itâs illegitimately conferred.
1. Zhen: I, used by the emperor
2. Wang/wangye: prince of the first rank
3. Er: term of endearment
4. Bengong: this palace/ I, used by females of the imperial family
5. Jianghu: world of martial arts