Chapter 605: Without a Cheat (1)
If the Emperor were younger, he might really have drawn the imperial sword by his side and executed Count Jingāan with a single, mad blow.
However, for the current fifty-year-old ruler, he had already experienced multitudes more compared to his younger days. Having sat on the golden throne for decades, he had been transformed into a true regent. Most trivial matters would hardly shake him now.
Thus, at the mention of the incident he regretted the most during his youth, he was able to keep his emotions under control and retain his rationality.
The Emperorās cold gaze pierced down from above. If looks could kill, then Count Jingāanās body would likely have become riddled with holes like a sieve.
Although the look in the Emperorās eyes was terrifying, Count Jingāan knew he couldnāt back down at this moment. He had already stayed resolute for so many years. There was no other choice but to keep that secret to his grave!
āVery well, He Yanwen! What a goodDefender General of the South! Youāre still loyal even till death!ā
Count Jingāan sighed inwardly, āYour Majesty, so many years have passed. Why continue troubling yourself over this matter? Ah-xun already passed away more than ten years ago. She only wished the best for you.ā
The impact of Count Jingāanās words made the Emperor tremble. His wavering body threatened to collapse, scaring Eunuch Wei into stepping forward and holding him up.
The Emperorās lips pulled into a bitter smile. Even though he had already guessed years ago that Ye Xun was no longer in this world, when he received confirmation of his guess, his first reaction was still disbelief.
He mumbled to himself, āSo sheās really goneā¦ā
āThen can you tell us where her grave is?ā The sharp ice in the Emperorās gaze had retreated into disappointment and defeat. However, when he asked his question, a spark of hope lit up in his eyes as he looked at the kneeling Count Jingāan.
A pang of heartache rose in the countās heart. He thought briefly of coming clean and revealing the location to the Emperor, but he quickly recovered his cool and shook his head in silent determination.
Now immersed in pain and suffering, the Emperor abruptly started coughing viciously. He swept everything off the imperial deskāĀ official reports, ink stone, papers, and brushes all crashed to the ground. Ink splattered all over the golden floors of the hall, making a huge mess that reflected the inner state of the Emperorās heart.
The Emperor was bent over from the effort of coughing, bracing himself on his knees. Tears started rolling from his eyes, perhaps due to the coughs, or perhaps due to his heartache.
Eunuch Wei was close to panicking. He quickly patted his masterās back to help soothe him, all the while glaring angrily at the kneeling Count Jingāan.
It took a long moment before the Emperor finally stopped coughing.
With the help of Eunuch Wei, he took his seat behind his desk once again. Following that, he leveled a cool and indifferent gaze at the kneeling count and spat out an emotionless command, āScram!ā
Count Jingāan slowly cast his eyes upwards to look at the man on the dragon throne before standing up and performing a precise salute to the Emperor, not an inch more, not an inch less. He then left Qinzheng Hall without a whisper to mark his passing.
After an indeterminate amount of time had passed, the Emperor suddenly asked, āWei Chenghai. Do you think that Iāve been too greedy?ā
He had thought that he would be able to forget easily. However, with the passing of time, his memories of Ah-xun had only become clearer and clearer. He wanted to know if she was doing well, what she looked like when she aged. He wanted to knowā¦ if she missed him. But now, there was nothing left.
Ah-xun was gone. She had left him forever.
Eunuch Wei had been serving the Emperor ever since he was a prince, so he knew clearly the events that the Emperor and Count Jingāan had been talking about.
Back then, they had each had their own difficulties. They had all done what they had to do.
It wasnāt the Emperorās fault alone, nor was Count Jingāan completely to blame.
However, with the Emperorās current mood, he couldnāt speak his mind now and could only try to comfort his master as best he could.
āYour Majesty, every living person has their own desires. Itās natural that Your Majesty misses Miss Ye Xun, but as the ruler of the country, as important as Miss Yexun was, she is no longer your only priority.ā
The Emperor understood that Eunuch Wei was right, but he was still heartbroken.
He was never going to see Ah-xun againā¦
How could he not despair!
āBut itās still difficult to bear the truthā¦ Iām losing controlā¦ā
Eunuch Wei had no words for that. He simply stayed by the Emperorās side in a show of silent support.
Who could have thought that the esteemed Emperor would also have painful moments like this?