After saying it, Xie Yunshu felt his words lacked punch. After all, he had only met this fellow a handful of times but why was it that every single time! Their meetings ended in nothing but trouble!
Sure enough, the man showed no reaction.
Shen Yichi’s face was completely expressionless. He didn’t even glance at Xie Yunshu, simply announcing in his sharp voice: “His Highness Prince Xian has arrived!”
The call echoed into the hall, and Shen Yichi bowed. “Prince, please.”
Xie Yunshu ground his teeth and muttered, “Fine, just fine!” Then, lifting his robes, he strode into the hall. Shen Yichi stared at Xie Yunshu’s back for a good while before silently withdrawing his gaze.
The voices inside the hall were hard to make out, but although the Emperor loved playing dirty tricks behind the scenes, his surface performance was impeccable. No doubt, now that Xie Yunshu had come to the Imperial Capital, the Emperor would first shower him with warm concern and pleasantries.
Before long, Eunuch De emerged from the hall, half-closed the palace doors, and gave Shen Yichi a slight nod. “Chi’er, take the tea in shortly. Father has other matters to attend to.”
It seemed the conversation was turning private. Still, Shen Yichi had heard the rumors that the Emperor and Old Prince Xian had never gotten along, and that Princess Consort Xian had once wavered between the two brothers before finally marrying Prince Xian.
And the Emperor’s throne had, in a sense, been snatched from Prince Xian.
But who knew if it was true. Given how muddle-headed the Emperor seemed, Prince Xian really should never have survived to this day.
As for Old Prince Xian, ever since passing the title to Xie Yunshu, he had been off traveling the mountains and rivers with the Princess Consort.
Shen Yichi pushed aside his swirling thoughts. Stunned by Eunuch De’s words, his face filled with hesitation. “But Father, you are the one who serves at His Majesty’s side. For me to…”
Eunuch De’s mildly displeased expression slowly eased. “Chi’er, whatever His Majesty says, the two of us just listen and obey.”
Shen Yichi lowered his head submissively. “We obey…”
Eunuch De shot him a glare, and only then did Shen Yichi slowly finish the sentence: “…His Majesty.”
Eunuch De hurried off, no one knew to find whom. Shen Yichi pressed his lips together, hoping no more complications would arise.
But thinking of what Xie Yunshu had just said, Shen Yichi found it somewhat amusing. If he didn’t know Xie Yunan at all, he would surely wonder whether this Prince Xian had something wrong with his head, why bring up a complete stranger out of nowhere?
But he knew. He knew how good Xie Yunan had once been to Xie Yunshu, and he knew just how heavy those words had been.
Still, perhaps this was for the best. As long as the deception held, by the time his vengeance was complete, Xie Yunshu presumably wouldn’t be too heartbroken.
The only fear was that the Emperor kept probing.
But Xie Yunan should have died long ago.
Before Shen Yichi could figure out what the Emperor was really after, the eunuch sent specially to deliver the tea had already arrived before him. Shen Yichi composed his expression, took the tea, and walked into the hall with an ingratiating smile.
An inexplicable tension hung in the air who knew what the two had been discussing. Shen Yichi didn’t dare study the Emperor’s expression, only looking toward Xie Yunshu, who appeared thoroughly enraged.
Shen Yichi averted his gaze and served tea to both of them. As he presented the Emperor’s cup, the Emperor’s eyes swept over his face and then to Xie Yunshu, and no one could tell what he was looking for.