Sunlight streamed through the lattice windows into the hall, where a middle-aged man in a bright yellow imperial robe was reviewing memorials. White strands had already appeared in his hair. For some unknown reason, he suddenly hurled the memorial in his hand to the ground, panting heavily as he cursed in fury, “One after another, they’re all urging me to appoint a Crown Prince soon!”
The gray-haired eunuch shot a glance, and a delicate-featured junior eunuch quickly stepped forward, picked up the memorial, and carefully placed it at the edge of the desk.
The Emperor narrowed his eyes, eyes that had once been bright but were now clouded. He glanced at the junior eunuch, then looked at the head eunuch. “Xiao Dezi, tell me, how does it feel to have a successor?”
At these words, the head eunuch hurriedly knelt with a smile, and the junior eunuch quickly knelt as well, suppressing the myriad thoughts in his eyes and obediently lowering his head. Though the head eunuch was smiling, his tone was full of helplessness. “Your Majesty, this old servant is also advanced in years. But Your Majesty is still in the prime of life appointing a Crown Prince this early would indeed be improper.”
The Emperor chuckled softly. “You certainly know how to flatter me.”
“You’ve kept this Little Chi of yours by your side for a long time. He’s fairly clever, and his looks have grown ever more delicate.”
Shen Yichi hurriedly kowtowed in thanks for the praise. “I thank Your Majesty. How could this humble servant deserve such gracious words from Your Majesty’s golden mouth?”
The Emperor chuckled. “Look how frightened you’ve made him.”
He tapped his fingers lightly on the desk. “Still, before appointing the heir, there is another matter to attend to.”
Eunuch De announced in a loud voice, “By the Emperor’s oral decree! Summon Prince Xian to the Imperial Capital!”
Eunuch De and Shen Yichi withdrew from the great hall together. The moment they were out of the Emperor’s sight, Eunuch De rapped Shen Yichi on the head. “If you don’t want your head, your daddy still wants his!”
Shen Yichi covered his head and smiled sheepishly. “Wasn’t your son just afraid he wouldn’t be able to fulfill his filial duty to you, Daddy?”
Eunuch De chuckled softly. “Always so smooth-tongued.”
“But once Prince Xian arrives, the Imperial Capital is bound to be thrown into chaos.”
“Remember, we serve only the Emperor.”
Shen Yichi’s smile faded as he understood Eunuch De’s meaning: whoever was Emperor, that was whom they served. As for who would become Emperor, they must never get involved.
Shen Yichi gave a soft “mm.” “Then shall your son take his leave?”
Eunuch De waved a hand. “Don’t go parading yourself before His Majesty tonight.”
Shen Yichi obediently lowered his head. “Whatever Daddy says.”
Only after the door closed behind him did the expression on Shen Yichi’s face turn blank and expressionless. The mere thought of the Emperor’s face just now made him clench his fists involuntarily. He wiped his face several times with a handkerchief, yet no matter how he wiped, he couldn’t seem to erase the Emperor’s sticky, clinging gaze.
A dark shadow flashed past the window. Shen Yichi put down his handkerchief and blew out the candle. The next instant, the figure outside leapt in through the half-open window.
The newcomer wore a black robe that seemed ordinary, yet shimmered in the moonlight with a dark luster like raven feathers clearly the Black Silk specially produced by the Shuzhong Weaving Bureau. But his expression was roguish and carefree, giving him a rather casual air.
Shen Yichi swiftly knelt in salute, his voice cool and crisp, no longer affected. “My lord, what are your orders?”
The newcomer chuckled softly and hooked Shen Yichi’s chin with a finger. “Poor Little Yichi. I’ve heard everything. Father is truly growing more muddled by the day. But that face of yours is downright unfair sometimes, I just want to…”