Wen Chu’s face was completely devoid of color.
On the Eastern Continent, the Longshu Kingdom was a powerful and prosperous nation. Other countries with weaker military forces had to pay annual tribute or send imperial princes as hostages.
Wen Chu’s father had favored literature over martial arts, resulting in a weak military force and sparse imperial offspring. Every year, they had to send a massive amount of wealth as tribute to the Longshu Kingdom.
After absolute power fell into Xie Huaixiao’s hands, he vigorously recruited soldiers and strengthened the military forces. Such a massive military expenditure was naturally huge, so replacing the huge financial tribute to the Longshu Kingdom with sending a single hostage was the most natural thing in the world.
There were also requirements for a hostage: they could not be too old, and they had to be of imperial blood. Yu’er was the most suitable candidate.
Hostages sent to other countries lived a life under someone else’s roof, and quite a few died in foreign lands.
“I cannot let Yu’er go,” Wen Chu said. “I will go beg him to let Yu’er off.”
Gu Qingfang said, “It is useless. Even if Your Majesty goes, it will be of no avail.”
Once Xie Huaixiao made a decision, no one could change it.
After a few moments of silent reflection, Wen Chu said, “I will take Yu’er and flee the palace.”
He had harbored this intention for a long time—forsaking wealth and status to live the life of an ordinary commoner, but he simply had not found a suitable opportunity.
Now, the arrow was on the string, and it had to be fired.
“The palace is heavily guarded, and Your Majesty is surrounded by people sent by Xie Huaixiao to monitor you,” Gu Qingfang said. “Your Majesty has no wings to fly away!”
Wen Chu lowered his long eyelashes, a myriad of thoughts surging into his mind. He had thought things through too simply.
Gu Qingfang continued, “Even if Your Majesty manages to escape with Yu’er, you can run away from the monastery, but you cannot run away from the temple. With Xie Huaixiao around, Your Majesty and Yu’er will never be able to live a single day of peace. Could Your Majesty bear to watch Yu’er live a life of constant peril and hiding from place to place at such a young age?”
Wen Chu raised his eyelashes and looked at Gu Qingfang: “Are you implying that you want me to kill him!”
Gu Qingfang nodded: “A traitor and rebel deserves to be executed.”
A bitter look appeared in Wen Chu’s eyes: “You know better than I do that the imperial power of the Great Zhou currently rests in his hands. I hold no military power; how can I possibly execute him?”
Gu Qingfang said, “The Marquis of Anding has achieved a major victory in battle against the barbarian tribes and has already returned in triumph. He will arrive in the imperial capital tomorrow. At that time, Your Majesty can utilize his military force to execute Xie Huaixiao.”
The Marquis of Anding came from a family of military generals. His father had been loyal to the late Emperor, but ever since absolute power was seized by Xie Huaixiao, he had remained stationed at the borders on campaigns and rarely returned to the imperial capital.
Wen Chu was willing to do anything, as long as Yu’er could grow up safe and happy.
The next day, Wen Chu donned his imperial robes and, according to Xie Huaixiao’s wishes, went to attend the morning court.
Inside the solemn and majestic Hall of Supreme Harmony, officials stood neatly on both sides according to their official ranks.
Following the ceremonial eunuch’s announcement of “His Majesty has arrived,” Wen Chu sat upright upon the dragon throne, his gaze falling upon Xie Huaixiao, who stood at the head of the officials clad in a golden-threaded python robe.
Xie Huaixiao’s deep gaze also lingered on Wen Chu for a moment. Seemingly satisfied with Wen Chu’s submissive obedience, his perfectly shaped thin lips curved slightly upward.
At that moment, all the civil and military officials bowed and chanted loudly, “Paying respects to Your Majesty! Long live the Emperor, long live, long live, long, long live!”
Only Xie Huaixiao stood straight in place, completely not putting Wen Chu, this sovereign, in his eyes.
Wen Chu had long since grown accustomed to this and said to all the civil and military officials, “My lords, rise.”
With that, Wen Chu’s gaze moved quietly toward Gu Qingfang. After exchanging glances with him for a moment and understanding his intent, Wen Chu turned his eyes to search for the Marquis of Anding, Yuwen Jie, who was standing among the military officials.
Yuwen Jie seemed to sense Wen Chu’s attention and easily caught his gaze. He gave Wen Chu a light, flirtatious wink with his peach-blossom eyes seductive and dissolute.