Chapter Forty-Two

Wang Fu Mu, summon the crown prince, the emperor said.

Yes your majesty, Wang Fu Mu said.

Pei Lam who had not eaten for a few days, lost a lot of weight and walked weakly into the emperors chamber.

Other people dream of entering this chamber, the emperor said. But youre impressive, you need an invitation before youre willing to enter this chamber.

Imperial father, your health is important, Pei Lam said. Its not good for you to upset yourself out of bed.

Youre the only one who understands this much, the emperor praised.

Imperial father, you taught me everything, Pei Lam said.

The emperor threw a report at Pei Lam. Dont learn to act like ninth prince in front of me!

Pei Lam didnt avoid the report and it hit his forehead. I envy ninth brother.

The emperor gritted his teeth.

If I was ninth brother, Pei Lam said. Then imperial father wouldnt be angry. Ninth brother didnt visit your bedside but you didnt fault him for not being filial. It doesnt matter if ninth brother isnt sincere or distant, imperial father wouldnt care. Thats why I envy ninth brother.

I dont care because he is no one in my eyes, the emperor said.

Is that so? Pei Lam asked. Then imperial father, you should see me as no one too.

Bastard child! the emperor said.

Pei Lam kowtowed in front of his father. Imperial father, please take away my crown prince position.

Pei Lam hit his forehead on the floor.

The emperor felt his tenth son that he trained for many years had become a stranger.

Tenth son this is the third time you have asked me this! the emperor said.

Imperial father, I hope there wont be a fourth time, Pei Lam said.

The emperor knocked over the teapot and cup. Tenth son! Youre the crown prince I put a lot of energy to train for more than eighteen years! Yet youre asking me to take away your crown prince position. Are you willing to disappoint me?

Imperial father, Im sorry, Pei Lam said. But I dont want the throne and rule over the kingdom. Imperial father, seventh brother is the one who wants it. You should grant his wish. Hes devoted and decisive, it makes him more suitable to be emperor than me.

Seventh prince? the emperor asked. Devoted? Hes a fraud! Whos seventh prince? I know him better than you. Hes someone who has the most ulterior motives.

The emperor struggled to stand. Wang Fu Mu rushed to the emperors side but the emperor pushed him away.

Everyone leave! the emperor ordered.

Crown prince, take care of the emperor, Wang Fu Mu said to Pei Lam and left the chamber.

Pei Lam dismissed Wang Fu Mus advice.

Although seventh brother has ulterior motives, Pei Lam said. But he hasnt committed any serious offences. But Ive shamed imperial father beyond acceptable.

So you lied about Yan Shi Ting? the emperor asked.

Pei Lam didnt deny his fathers accusation.

I didnt think there would be a day tenth son knows how to calmly lie, the emperor said and laughed coldly. It doesnt matter, you shouldnt even dare to think about me taking away your position! I raised you from a child to an adult. I know what youre thinking like I know my own hand. I know your mother forced you to deceive me. Also, seventh prince isnt innocent in this deception either. I know clearly who purposely wanted to expose Yan Shi Ting. Seventh prince and Consort Mu knew about Yan Shi Tings fake pregnancy long ago and they waited until the wedding to expose Yan Shi Ting. Their black hearts arent innocent.

The emperor hit the table. He acted stern with Pei Lam and appeared to favor Pei Zhang. But it wasnt his true heart.

The emperor hated situations out of his control. He knew Pei Lam was soft but Pei Lam was also capable, which was why he chose to train Pei Lam. He thought after he died, Pei Lam would have enough power to sit on the throne. But Pei Lam disappointed him before he died.

The emperor didnt trust Pei Zhang. Pei Zhang was someone who thought too highly of their intelligence, always manipulating situations to benefit themselves and would do anything to gain favor like being stabbed unnecessarily to appear heroic in the eyes of the Dian Kingdoms citizens.

Pei Lam knew Pei Zhang would never satisfy their fathers expectations. Imperial father, if youre not satisfied with seventh brother, theres still ninth brother.

The emperors deadly aura was emitted in all four directions.

I will never allow ninth prince sit on the throne! the emperor said.

Why? Pei Lam asked.

Pei Lam was curious why his father treated Pei Jin coldly for more than twenty years. He knew Pei Jin was intelligent and treated others fairly. If he could see Pei Jins strengths then their father could also see Pei Jins strengths.

Tenth son, you only need to worry about being a good crown prince! the emperor said. Youre my heir, the kingdom will become yours.

Pei Lam felt helpless to escape his cage. Would he ever even take one step out of his cage? He remembered the dead palace maid and a familiar suffocating sensation wrapped around his body.

Pei Lam stood. I dont want it!

Pei Lam! the emperor said.

Imperial father! Pei Lam said.

Do you want me to be angry to death? the emperor asked.

Pei Lam cried, pulled out a dagger and stabbed his chest. Imperial father, dont force me!

The emperor grabbed Pei Lams hand. Pei Lam, what do you want to do?

Pei Lam used his strength to stab the dagger deeper. Imperial father, I want you to grant my request.

Summon an imperial physician! the emperor cried out.

Wang Fu Mu rushed into the emperors chamber and realised that day was beautiful. Then he wondered if flowers were blooming in Pei Jins manor.

Wang Fu Mu hid his thoughts and he acted concern in front of the emperor.

Your majesty what happened? Wang Fu Mu asked. Ah! Crown prince are you alright?

That day news about the emperor taking away tenth princes crown prince position faster than punishing the Yan Manor surprised many people.

The empress almost died to see her son return with blood on his chest. She collapsed on a chair after she read the emperors edict in her sons hand, her son was no longer the crown prince.

The empress thought her eyes misread the emperors edict. She had warned her son not to say any nonsense in front of the emperor. Why would the emperor grant their sons insane request?

Bastard child! the empress said. How many people do you want to kill?

Pei Lam found peace amongst the chaos around him. After more than eighteen years in a cage, the door was opened. He could see sunlight, hear the sounds of birds chirping, smell the scent of blossoms and feel warmth enter his cold body. He had never felt as relaxed and happy as he did that day. He smiled like a fool because finally he escaped the cage.

At Pei Jins manor, Yan Shi Ning couldnt believe the news about the crown prince.

Hes no longer the crown prince? Yan Shi Ning asked.

Pei Jin nodded his head.

Then who will be the new crown prince? Yan Shi Ning asked.

The emperor is keeping the crown prince position vacant, Pei Jin said.

Do you think it could be you? Yan Shi Ning asked.

Pei Jin shook his head. Its alright, everything happened according to the plan. But theres something else

What? Yan Shi Ning asked.

Shi Ning, imperial father asked Yan Jing to kill Princess Kang Hua, Pei Jin said.

Why would the emperor do that? Yan Shi Ning asked.

Its hard to see imperial fathers true motives, Pei Jin said. Shi Ning, do you want to go to the Yan Manor and give Princess Kang Hua a memorable parting gift? We can let her see clearly whose hands she died under.

Yes, Yan Shi Ning said. Of course we need to go. I want to see her die suffering.

***

End of Chapter Forty-Two