"Ah Jiao, what do you think of my four sons?"
"This servant dares not have a opinion regarding the royal princes your majesty!"
Ah Jiao spoke hurriedly. The emperor had his usual smile on his face. However, after being a loyal subordinate under him for three decades now, Ah Jiao knew better than to take his smile for his kindness.
"Don't be afraid. I have been on the throne for way too long now. It's time to let the young generation shine. The throne needs to be passed on to. As for the candidate, it has to be someone the court and the peasants will approve off…"
Emperor Tang trailed off his words, as he started rearranging the chess board once again to restart the game. He played both sides by himself. It was a weird hobby of his. He had never been fond of being challenged.
Ah Jiao lowered his head. It didn't appear as if his majesty would let him step outside of this room today without voicing out his support for one of the princes. However, this was a double edged sword.
If he guessed correctly, the emperor might grow suspicious of him trying to read his mind. On the other hand, if he vocalised his support for any of the princes that his majesty didn't approve of, that won't be a great outcome either.
Emperor Tang continued arranging the board silently, as if unaware of Ah Jiao's predicament.
"This servant thinks that whoever your majesty thinks is the most worthy, would be accepted by both the court and the people." He spoke tactically.
The emperor stroked his long white beard. He wasn't planning on eliminating Ah Jiao so soon. Even though the report clearly proved his disloyalty, after having him by his side for several decades, he would be lying if he said it didn't hurt a bit.
"In that case, what do you think of Tang Yiran?"
Ah Jiao felt his heart sink to the bottom of his stomach. Did his majesty know already?
He lowered his gaze even further down to avoid looking into his majesty's eyes, and keeping his voice as flat as possible, he spoke, "This servant thinks that the majesty is wise. The first prince is the first born and according to the tradition should be the first in line to take the crown. However, since the empress's death, his bond with the Qiao clan has weakened. On one hand, this means, he would have to work harder to take down the other princes, but on another hand, this also means, he won't betray your majesty."
Emperor Tang couldn't help but give him a look of praise. If not for the report, with such neutral wording he would have surely never doubted him. Now that he was aware of the truth though, he could easily see through the layered meanings in his words.
He spoke as if he was neutral, laying out both the advantages and disadvantages of crowning the first prince. But if one listened carefully, what he really did was frame even his disadvantages as loyalty towards him.
He didn't bother questioning anymore. "You can leave now. Accept your reward from the guard before leaving." He said dismissing him.
"Ah Jiao understands."
Unfortunately the glee in his heart didn't last long as he stepped outside the emperor's chamber and faced the royal guard standing with the familiar sword in his hand.
The emperor knew. This was his last grace. And he has successfully wasted it.
As the bloody head plopped down on the cold palace floor, the nearby guards lowered their heads immediately, averting their gaze away. The newcomers were yet to be used to it.
—---------------------------------------------------------
Tang Yuanxiao handed the reports over to Tang Fanghua. "Fourth brother, all the whereabouts of the spy camps have been marked clearly."
"Good, good, Yuanxiao. You truly didn't disappoint fourth brother." Tang Fanghua spoke enthusiastically, slapping him on the back excitedly.
Tang Yuanxiao frowned. He could walk again? And how could he see once again? His eyesight has returned even without Xiao Kui's help?
He looked around, as Tang Fanghua went over the reports with a wide grin on his face. The familiar decorations, the old guard standing outside made him realize something. He was back in his past life.
So can he save her now? Is this redemption? Would he no longer have to accept missions after missions just to see her for a brief moment?
He rushed outside, not caring about the befuddled Tang Fanghua shouting his name.
Where was she now…wait what was the day again? He brought the spy report of his father to Tang Fanghua. This happened a month after she had entered the palace as his concubine.
She should be in the eastern palace now. As he lifted the white curtain, he finally saw her face. Sitting quietly in front of the zither. Her delicate white fingers had calluses on them. Beads of sweat could be seen on her forehead, as she once again read the sheet to try to replicate the song on the zither.
His eyes turned cold. Rushing in, he grabbed her hand, pinching her chin forcing her to look at him.
"Third prince? Let go!" Jiao Qingxiao spoke, her face burning with shame. But her angry glare with glassy eyes did nothing except burn the desire in his heart even more.
Tang Yuanxiao felt a rage consuming from inside, wrapping his heart like a poisonous vine. Not paying any attention to her resistance, his hands wrapped against her soft waistline, engulfing her in his embrace, before he leaned forward, pressing his cold lips on her warm ones.