Chapter 53: Emerald Blood, Azure Sky, Scarlet Heart

  The sky, which had been clear for half a day, began to gather dark clouds after noon. The north wind suddenly grew strong, sweeping away the remaining leaves in front of the steps and blowing them into the room through the window frames, making people shiver instantly.

  You secretly glanced outside, holding a purple jade wolf hair brush in your hand, but didn't know what to write. Seeing the Heavenly Emperor concentrating on reading the memorial, motionless and not paying attention to anything outside, you couldn't help but add a few more worries.

  In front of the Zhiyuan Hall, a person was quietly kneeling under the eaves, wearing a white robe, with a straight back and a calm expression. The corners of his mouth were slightly pursed into a straight line, revealing a hint of indifference. As Qing saw this, her heart felt like a pot of boiling oil being added to the fire, causing her immense pain.

  It's already been half a day since the imperial edict was announced this morning, demoting the Crown Prince to the post of Governor of Jizhou. Ye Tian Ling has been kneeling there ever since. No one in Jizhou knows better than him that the place is surrounded by rugged mountains and treacherous waters, bordering the northern frontier. Not only is the land barren and poor, but it's also a crucial location for the Turkic people to invade the Central Plains. Ye Tian Ling's trip this time will surely be a one-way journey with no return.

  The dark clouds finally floated with goose feather-like large snow, fluttering and covering the sky, and in just a moment, the jade branches and leaves were filled. The glazed tile treasure cover, all restrained their majesty in this silver dress, and the world was exceptionally quiet. The heavy snow flew, and for a time, it seemed to have no intention of stopping, and the night sky frowned, if this snow continued like the previous few days without stopping, the people feared that there would be another collapse of houses and freezing on the roads, and what was supposed to be an auspicious sign would become a disaster.

  Suddenly, a series of footsteps came from behind him, and the snow on the ground made a faint sound. Someone was approaching through the snow and stood beside him. The long gown swept across, and he also knelt in the thick snow. Ye Tian Ling felt a little surprised, turned his head and saw Ye Tian Zhan's warm eyes: "Fourth brother."

  "Why is that?" The night sky replied faintly without any ups and downs.

  "He is also my elder brother."

  The night sky was slightly moving under Ye Tian's eyes, reflecting the icy snow light that was unparalleled in its clarity. Without another word, a layer of white snow quickly fell before the two men, and although the cold air was biting, it only managed to make Sun Shi and his men break out in a sweat.

  You dusted off today's memorial to the emperor, and on the left-hand side, there was a thick stack of impeachments against the Crown Prince. Even the case from that day at the Tian Wu Zui Fang had been dug up again, with all sorts of twists and turns fabricated to tie them together.

  Now, due to the tragic death of the Crown Prince's consort, the imperial court originally led by Wei Zongping as the first prince has turned against him. Not to mention others who had long been plotting. On the other hand, Feng Yan seems to be watching from the sidelines, not making any moves or having any plans. However, Ye Tianhao remains indifferent to all this and sets off immediately after receiving the imperial edict to head to Zhuo State, probably leaving Yige City early.

  On the fiery red brazier, the heat waves made the nine-dragon embroidered canopy in the house seem like it was separated by water, shimmering and swaying. Before leaving for Beijing that night, Qingyun devised a plan to have Xie bring a short letter with him, wondering if the words "The beauty has not left, the young one is about to arrive, if there is still love in his heart, he should cherish this life" could dispel Ye Tianhao's desire to die. If he still had feelings for Lian Fei, it would be fine; but if their relationship was severed and their bond broken, then not going to Zhuozhou would be useless anyway.

  You dusted yourself off and put the folding fan on the table in front of you, then glanced out the window again: "Your Majesty..."

  "Hmm?" The Heavenly Emperor raised his head.

  "It's snowing." Qing Dust said softly.

  "Oh." The Emperor casually picked up a memorial, glanced at it twice, and tossed it aside. He leaned back against the soft cushion, closing his eyes wearily: "Tell me, what's the situation?" He only asked about state affairs, ignoring the sudden change in weather.

  You dust saw the Emperor pointing to these impeachment papers of Ye Tian Hao, under the slanted flying eyebrows, the elegant and clear eyes hid worries, after a moment of thought, said four words: "Exaggerated."

  The Heavenly Emperor's eyebrows moved: "Continue speaking."

  "You may not dare to speak out of turn, but the case of Tian Wu Zui Fang half a year ago was something I personally experienced. Guo Qi Mu disregarded the law, kidnapping and selling civilians' daughters for personal gain, what does this have to do with the Crown Prince? Not to mention anything else, just based on the Crown Prince's temperament, would he stoop to colluding with such people? Now it's just a case of piling on a fallen wall."

  The Heavenly Emperor furrowed his brow: "Human hearts change, and now he's become someone even I no longer recognize."

  "The eldest prince has actually never changed, a person's true nature will never change. It's just that sometimes it may not be visible to everyone."

  The Heavenly Emperor raised his head, and the gaze that seemed to be filled with age yet was extremely stern pierced through Qingchen's eyes. Qingchen's eyes did not stir, calm as a deep lake, faintly as usual.

  The Emperor looked at her for a while and said, "I'd like to hear what you're thinking. That day you returned from Ping Li, you achieved great merit, but in the end, you asked me for an edict that allowed you to leave the palace freely without going through the usual rituals. This is even more surprising, I offered him the whole world and he didn't want it, tell me, what was he thinking?"

  Qing Chen lowered his head and hooked up the corner of his lips: "Qing Chen's life is special, although he was born in a noble family, but came from the rivers and lakes, and was fortunate enough to serve by the emperor's side. He didn't dare ask for more, unlike the eldest prince."

  "What's different?" Tian Di said.

  You dusted off the idea in your mind, turned around and moved a stack of things over: "You dusted off the recent orders to sort out the documents stored in the past year, saw many articles, memorials and handled political affairs made by the eldest prince."

  The Emperor looked at the high stack of scrolls, and suddenly the scene of his father-son discussion on ancient and modern times reappeared: "Take it away, I don't want to see it."

  "Yes." Xi Chen replied, continuing: "Your Majesty, looking at the world, how many people have the literary talent and poetic thought of the Crown Prince? His talents are vast and learned. Didn't Your Majesty take pride in this? However, governing the country and bringing peace to the world is not a suitable place for such talents."

  The Emperor was taken aback, a thoughtful expression on his face, and then said displeased: "Are you saying that I should hand over this empire to him, and it would be wrong?"

  Outside, the snow fell rustling, weighing heavily on her heart. She shook her head and said, "No, Your Majesty gave his most precious and best things to his son. The eldest prince's ambition is not here."

  "Speak." The Heavenly Emperor's voice was cold and detached.

  "You didn't rush or hesitate, according to the facts, you said: 'The eldest prince once said a sentence when he left Zhiyuan Hall that day. His heart is in the draft of Qing Shi, what he wants is for Wen Hua to be passed down for a hundred generations.'"

  The Heavenly Emperor stretched out his hand and pressed down on his forehead: "Wén Huá passed down for a hundred generations, the world doesn't even put it in their eyes...... Alright...... Alright......"

  Sun Shi came in at this time, with a lot of cold snow on his body: "Your Majesty, it's snowing heavily outside."

  The Heavenly Emperor gazed out at the hazy white snow outside the window for a while before simply saying, "I understand."

  Sun Shi hesitated for a moment, then said: "Zhan Wang... has already knelt together with Ling Wang for half a day."

  "Oh?" Tian Di stood up. Qing Chen's eyebrows twitched, and the several brothers looked alike, with a hint of stubbornness, vowing not to give up.

  The Heavenly Emperor's finger tapped on the dragon case a few times: "Those who are willing to kneel can let them kneel!"

  You dusted off a cup of hot tea for the Emperor: "Your Majesty, seeing that the snow is getting heavier, it's extremely cold outside. If the two princes really catch a chill, who would be worried sick but Your Majesty?"

  The Emperor was still fuming about the Crown Prince affair and merely said: "What are they trying to do? Can an imperial edict be withdrawn just because it's been recalled?"

  "Your Majesties, it's also because of the bond between flesh and blood that His Majesty has taken into consideration their sincerity. Please show mercy! The Fourth Prince has led troops to the northern border many times and is well aware of the dangers of the Zhou state. If things go as he says, won't this be a farewell for life? Just this journey, with its wind and snow, would be unbearable even for ordinary people!"

  The Heavenly Emperor said in a cold voice: "I will properly discipline this son of mine!"

  "You dust said: "Zhou is the fief of Bei Yan Hou, and the crown prince has been abolished. This time it will be a tiger falling into Pingyang. He is a man of high integrity, how can he bear their humiliation? Moreover, if there is any disturbance in the northern border, it is not safe for him to be there." She knew that the northern border was not yet peaceful, and Bei Yan Hou had been restless and eager to move, which was a worry for the emperor, so she took this opportunity to advise.

  As expected, Tian Di's expression changed, and Sun Shi hastily added: "Your Majesty, both princes are about to become snowmen. Even an iron body can't withstand this."

  "Even if the Crown Prince is not suitable, I implore Your Majesty to consider the feelings of Empress Xiaojing."

  When mentioning Empress Xiaozhen, Tian Emperor sighed and finally walked out of the palace, with Qingchen and Sun Shi hastily following behind.

  The heavy snow showed no signs of stopping, and it hit them head-on, covering their bodies. The eunuchs inside the palace quickly brought over umbrellas to shield them. The Heavenly Emperor saw his two sons kneeling in the snow, one calm and composed, the other gentle and courteous, and he couldn't help but think of his eldest son, how could he not feel heartache?

  From afar in the snowy ground, several people came over, and it was indeed the palace maids surrounding Empress Yin who had arrived. Upon receiving news from the palace staff, Empress Yin rushed over and saw her son kneeling in the snow, her heart was really tied up, and she didn't care about the deep snow and strong wind, taking a few steps forward: "Your Majesty, this is..."

  The Heavenly Emperor frowned: "You really won't get up?"

  Ye Tian Ling still looked calm and collected, but firmly said: "Your son begs Your Majesty to pardon the eldest imperial brother." Ye Tian Zhan also followed with: "Begging Your Majesty to show mercy."

  Empress Yin glanced at her son and softly said to the Heavenly Emperor, "Your Majesty, the princes are all thinking of brotherly affection and filial piety. Please sympathize with their hard work. With such heavy snow and freezing cold, what if they get sick?"

  The Heavenly Emperor gazed deeply at his two sons in front of him, pacing back and forth on the corridor for a few steps, letting out a long sigh before finally saying: "It's rare that you have a heart, how could I not cherish the bond between father and son?" The snow in front of him was spread out cleanly, calming one's mind as well. The Heavenly Emperor's gaze seemed to see through the crystal palace-like halls, as if looking at a very distant place: "Sun Shi, transmit my decree, ordering the Crown Prince to return to the capital."

  "Yes." Sun Shi hurriedly led his men in pursuit. Ye Tianling and Ye Tianzhan said in unison, "Your sons will thank the Emperor on behalf of our eldest brother for his great kindness."

  Empress Yin hastily ordered the palace maid: "Alright, help her up quickly." Ye Tianzhen brushed off the snow on his clothes: "Your son has caused you worry, Mother Empress."

  Ye Tianling stood up with the support of the eunuch's hand, his body swaying slightly.

  You stood by, aching in your heart, yet unable to step forward. Your eyes met for an instant, and in that moment, you conveyed thousands of words, which melted the ice and snow filling the sky.