“And since you are emperor, dealing with people and affairs inevitably comes with countless compromises and things beyond your control. If that makes you feel you owe him something, Imperial Brother, then there is truly no need. If he treats you sincerely, he will naturally consider your position and understand the difficulties you cannot avoid. If he does not, then there is even less reason for you to take him to heart or spend so much effort on him.” As though Feng Xuanzhen felt his words were still not heavy enough, he deliberately pressed harder against Feng Xuanyi’s sorest point. “Wagering the entire realm is not like the Imperial Brother I know.”
“I already said I know what I’m doing. I hope this is the last time I have to emphasize that to you.” The displeasure was gone, replaced by coldness and killing intent.
Feng Xuanzhen was shaken. Judging only from that imposing presence and those swift, ruthless methods, Imperial Brother was still Imperial Brother. Yet the moment anything involved Nalan Xuan, even the welfare of everyone beneath heaven seemed to become insignificant, something that could be slighted and pushed aside at will.
“Your Majesty.” At that moment, Mo Yan, who had just received news from the inner palace, forced himself to speak and break the deadlock. Having served Feng Xuanyi for so many years, he naturally knew how important the Eighth Prince was to him, and he knew even better that Nalan Xuan weighed more heavily still. Leaving the two of them locked like this would solve nothing, so Mo Yan could only grit his teeth and change the subject. “News has come from the harem. Her Majesty the Empress has drafted an edict to announce throughout the Six Palaces. Because the matter is of great importance, His Majesty’s wishes must first be consulted.”
The latter half was entirely something Mo Yan had invented on the spot while carrying his own head in his hands. The empress’s edict had already been proclaimed throughout the Six Palaces, and even the emperor had merely been informed afterward. Mo Yan was certain that, at this point, anything the empress decided would meet no opposition from Feng Xuanyi. Even the two consorts offered to the emperor, whose intentions had obviously not been innocent, had originally been destined for some perfunctory dismissal, only to receive fairly high ranks because of a single remark from the empress.
“Her Majesty the Empress says that Noble Concubine Xiao of Donghua Palace committed adultery with an imperial guard. This morning, Her Majesty and Noble Lord Han caught them in the act. Because the matter concerns the dignity of the imperial household, the guard was executed immediately. Noble Concubine Xiao was sent to the Cold Palace, stripped of her rank, and demoted to the lowest tier as a Selected Woman. Her Majesty has sent to ask how Your Majesty wishes the matter handled.” Without so much as blinking, Mo Yan presented an already settled decision as though it were still open for discussion.
Most men would fly into a rage if something like this happened to them, yet Feng Xuanyi seemed almost indifferent. He gave only a flat acknowledgment, though the crease between his brows never eased. “Handle it as he decided.”
Mo Yan visibly relaxed, grateful that the head he had been carrying in his hands could safely return to his neck. Yet he could not help worrying about the existence of someone capable of swaying a sovereign’s decisions to this degree. Since ancient times, beauties had brought calamity. Judging from Prince Yu’s attitude, if Nalan Xuan went too far, Feng Xuanzhen might eventually raise the banner of purging corrupt influences from the emperor’s side. Even with Feng Xuanyi protecting Nalan Xuan, another storm would be unavoidable, perhaps another tragedy of brothers turning their blades on one another.
“Imperial Brother, his hand has already reached into the outer court. Noble Concubine Xiao’s father is honest and restrained. He has committed no serious error at court and holds a high office. Treating his daughter this way will inevitably chill the hearts of your officials.” The fire Feng Xuanzhen had only just suppressed flared up again.
“There was cause. A woman of the inner palace failed to observe proper conduct and had an affair with an imperial guard. I neither killed her nor implicated her maternal family. That already counts as consideration for an old minister.” Feng Xuanyi spoke with perfect conviction.
So as long as he is the one who says it, you believe him without even investigating?
Feng Xuanzhen swallowed those words instead of speaking them aloud. He believed he already understood Imperial Brother’s feelings perfectly well.
“Imperial Brother…”
“Enough.” As though unwilling to hear anything more, Feng Xuanyi cut him off. He propped an elbow on the desk and pinched the space between his brows, which had nearly stiffened from tension. “I’m tired. You may withdraw.”
With a quiet sigh, Feng Xuanzhen obeyed. “This younger brother takes his leave.”
Feng Xuanyi abruptly let his body relax and seemed almost to collapse back against the dragon throne. He tilted his head up and closed his eyes, yet the tension between his brows still showed no sign of easing.
Without a sound, Mo Yan replaced Feng Xuanyi’s tea with a fresh hot cup, then retreated to his previous position and made himself into part of the furnishings.
After a long sigh, Feng Xuanyi asked wearily, “Mo Yan, do you think I indulge him too much?”
“Your Majesty is an enlightened sovereign. Whatever you do and however you decide naturally follow Your Majesty’s own judgment.” Mo Yan had long since perfected the art of answering without answering. Even if everyone thought the emperor was biased, everyone also understood that not just anyone could behave without restraint before him. Mo Yan, especially, was merely a servant who had happened to remain by his side for many years.
“Actually, I understand what Eighth Brother said. I always believed I could do it, and I always thought I was ruthless enough, decisive enough. I confined my own birth mother and killed my own brothers without the slightest hesitation.” Whether from pride or self-mockery, the corner of Feng Xuanyi’s mouth lifted and his tone sounded almost light.
“When one occupies a position, one fulfills its duties, handles its affairs, and wields its authority. Naturally, I prepared myself to endure every kind of helplessness that comes with it. It is lonely at the top. I have always understood that, and I always believed I could bear it. I even believed this position suited me best: everyone looking up at me, no one ever daring to belittle me at will again. That is why I was determined to obtain the throne. I no longer remember when I first began planning for it, but whoever stood in my way, I would never show mercy, never indulge them in the slightest. And once, that was exactly what I did…”
“Do not be controlled by others, and do not allow others to sway you. A ruler’s strategy is the balance of power and the thinning of personal feeling. One need remember only this: imperial authority stands above everything. And I never believed anyone could sway me…”
Feng Xuanyi murmured to himself while Mo Yan broke into a cold sweat, wondering whether he had simply lived too long and heard far too many things he should never have heard.
“As an emperor, perhaps I have failed in this. But unless you have lived through it, none of you understands the helplessness and despair of missing your chance, or the joy of recovering something you thought forever lost. Even if great joy ends in sorrow, what of it?”
He slowly opened his eyes and looked steadily at the troubled Mo Yan. Whether he truly saw who stood before him was impossible to tell, yet his voice was extraordinarily earnest. “I am gambling. I stake the realm itself, and I put up every bit of genuine feeling I possess in this life as my wager. I am betting that he will turn back to me.”
Feng Xuanyi spoke with absolute conviction, while Mo Yan was nearly frightened unconscious. The first rule for a servant attending a sovereign was to know, but never know too much. Words this close to tearing open one’s heart were especially dangerous. If the emperor regretted letting a servant hear them and ordered his execution on the spot, it would hardly be surprising. Yet if Mo Yan truly lost his life merely because he had heard this one confession, he would die feeling terribly wronged.
Mo Yan scarcely dared breathe for a long while. When Feng Xuanyi showed no sign of anger, he had only just begun to relax when the emperor suddenly rose. Mo Yan’s heart immediately leapt back into his throat. “Your Majesty, whatever you need, just order this servant to do it.”
Mo Yan hurried after him, only for Feng Xuanyi to raise a hand and stop him. “I want to walk alone. No one needs to follow.”