Chapter 82: Ill-Fated Objects

Ji Yucang looked at him expressionlessly: “The Emperor should remain calm and composed, showing no signs of joy or anger. If you lose control so easily, how can you expect the officials to respect and fear you?”

Ji Jin stiffly sat down, a mocking smile playing on his lips: “My uncle is planning to seize power. Does it really matter if I can command the respect of the officials?”

“Indeed, it doesn’t matter.” Ji Yucang’s voice was indifferent, “But Ling Fengyang insists on seeing the Emperor. He also claims that he was sent to Nan Dynasty by the late Emperor. This puzzles me, and I would like the Emperor to clarify.”

Ji Jin picked up the book again: “I have nothing to clarify. Uncle can bring Ling Fengyang before me, and I will question him thoroughly.”

“If the Emperor does not cooperate, I will have him executed for treason, and you will not have the chance to see him before he dies.

“Uncle, you can’t do that.” Ji Jin’s face changed abruptly, looking at Ji Yucang with anger, “Ling Fengyang was sent to Nan Dynasty by my father, not for treason.”

“What was he doing in Nan Dynasty? Was he there as a spy, or to gain the trust of the Nan Dynasty’s Emperor and then take control of the Nan Dynasty’s military?” Ji Yucang’s eyes were cold and hard, “The Nan Dynasty’s Emperor is no fool. Without a substantial offer, would he easily trust an outsider and let him control the Nan Dynasty’s military? Why not tell me, Emperor, what benefits did Ling Fengyang promise the Nan Dynasty’s Emperor?”

“I don’t know. It was a secret between my father and Ling Fengyang. Before my father passed away, he only told me that Ling Fengyang was a chess piece he had placed in Nan Dynasty, to be used when the time was right.” Ji Jin lowered his gaze, his emotions indiscernible, “As for the rest, Uncle might as well let him come before me and reveal the truth of those years.”

Ji Yucang looked at him coldly, stood up, and said: “You won’t have the chance to see him.”

With that, he turned to leave.

“Uncle.” Ji Jin’s voice also turned cold, with a hint of threat, “Don’t forget that Ling Fengyang was the man most beloved by the Eldest Princess. If you dispose of him so easily, aren’t you afraid that Pingyao will hate you and become your enemy?”

Without turning back, Ji Yu Cang replied: “If Pingyao knew the truth, she would probably hate him more than I do, wishing to cut him into a thousand pieces with her own hands.”

As soon as he finished speaking, his tall and slender figure had already stepped out of the palace gate, leaving without hesitation.

Ji Jin’s face turned pale uncontrollably. He hurried to the doorway, watching his departing back, and shouted: “Uncle, don’t forget you are of the Yong Kingdom’s imperial bloodline! For Shen Ning, are you really going to become enemies with me? How will you explain yourself to our imperial ancestors a hundred years from now?”

Unfortunately, Ji Yucang had already gone too far. Whether he heard these words or not, he had no intention of responding.

How to face the ancestors had never been within his considerations. When the time came, those so-called ancestors would likely have reincarnated into who knows which realm, and whether they could even be seen was another matter entirely.

On the night of her wedding, what would it feel like to learn that a former lover had not only been imprisoned in the Ministry of Justice’s dungeon but also had both his legs broken?

Princess Pingyao claimed she felt nothing.

Cold and heartless—that was probably her.

After a round of intense lovemaking, she comfortably soaked in a hot bath and lazily lay on the freshly made bed, enjoying the gentle and considerate massage from her new husband.

Her long, fair legs rested across the prince consort’s knees. Princess Pingyao glanced at his profile, her voice hoarse after the lovemaking: “You look so frail, yet unexpectedly, you have quite the stamina.”

Qin Yumo’s handsome face flushed slightly as he focused on massaging her legs: “I am glad Your Highness is satisfied.”

“Quite satisfied.” Princess Pingyao closed her eyes, “The strength you use to serve me is just right. It seems I have a good eye for choosing a prince consort who pleases me.”

Qin Yumo remained silent.

He was now alone, completely severed from the Qin family—even if not officially, Princess Pingyao did not allow him to return home, giving him a legitimate excuse to cut ties with his family.

Anything happening to the Qin family was none of his concern.

Therefore, from now on, his only choice was to stay in the princess’s mansion. Whether it was to please the princess or to maintain the harmony of their marital relationship, in any case, he had no other path to take.

If one day Princess Pingyao grew tired of him…

“Your Highness.” Qin Yumo turned to look at Princess Pingyao, his voice gentle and respectful, “If you grow tired of me in the future, could you tell me directly? So I can plan for the rest of my life.”

“What plans do you have in mind?” Princess Pingyao raised an eyebrow, seemingly curious, “To take the imperial examinations, or to abandon literature for martial arts and flee to the border?”

Qin Yumo’s expression was subtle: “I doubt I have the ability to defend the country. But if that time really comes, I will inevitably have to think about how to secure a future for myself.”

“Rather than worrying about that question so soon, you might as well focus on how to please me.” Princess Pingyao smiled, “Although I enjoy being surrounded by many, I am not a fickle or heartless person. As long as you behave yourself in the princess’s mansion and do not do anything you should not, our marital relationship will last until we are old. If I give birth to a son or daughter in the future, you will be the father of the heir or the county’s princess, who could shake your status. “

Qin Yumo’s heart stirred.

To have a son or daughter?

He had never considered this question before.

Even now, he felt as if he were in a dream. He couldn’t see himself as the prince consort of Princess Pingyao, let alone her husband.

He always felt that he was no different from the other young men in the princess’s mansion.

Yet at this moment, the princess was talking about possibly having children with him, making him a normal father, and his son would be the heir or the county’s princess of the princess’s mansion…

“What about Ling Fengyang?”

“Ling Fengyang?” Princess Pingyao’s expression grew indifferent, “On such a joyous day, why mention that ill-fated person? I called off the engagement with your brother, sparing you both the awkwardness of sharing a wife. Could it be that you feel regret and wish to share a wife with Ling Fengyang?”

Qin Yumo’s expression stiffened: “That’s not what I meant.”

“Princess.” A respectful voice sounded from outside the door, “The Regent just sent someone with a message saying that Ling Fengyang has been imprisoned in the Ministry of Justice’s dungeon. The Regent went to the dungeon to interrogate him and ordered his legs to be broken.”

As soon as the words were spoken, the air in the bridal chamber solidified.

Qin Yumo’s movements suddenly stopped.

“Interrogation?” Princess Pingyao asked curiously, “Did the Regent get any useful information from Ling Fengyang?”

“I do not know. ” The nursemaid replied, “The messenger is in the front courtyard of the princess’s mansion. Would Your Highness like to ask him in person?”

“Forget it…” Princess Pingyao was too lazy to get up, “It’s my wedding night, and I don’t want my mood to be ruined by an ill-fated person. I won’t ask for now. Tell him to leave.”

She would find time tomorrow to speak with her uncle in person.

“Yes. ” The nursemaid turned and left.

Princess Pingyao lifted a fair, jade-like foot and kicked Qin Yumo’s chest, speaking with allure: “Prince consort with good stamina, care for another round?”

Qin Yumo’s breathing suddenly became rapid. He held her foot and kissed the back of it: “As my princess wishes.”