Chapter 122: Vehement Hatred

Chapter 122: Vehement Hatred

The imprisonment of a Duke of State was not only an unimaginable act for most, but also a perilous one. Everyone knew the influence and connections such a figure held; his death could spark turmoil.

Yet, if he did not die, the one who imprisoned him would be trapped in a tormenting limbo between life and death.

Thus, the atmosphere in the entire Dragon Coiling Palace was solemn, with Beitang Miao staring at the cage, his brows knitted tightly together.

Chang Nian, however, remained composed. She brewed tea and offered it to Beitang Miao, whispering softly, "Brother, take a rest. I'll keep watch tonight."

Beitang Miao turned his head slightly, gazing deeply at her. "I don't need rest."

"Are you made of iron or bronze?" Chang Nian chuckled softly, pointing at Huang Ningzhong beside her. "Sir is here too, Brother needn't worry too much. Just go and take a nap in the side chamber, and come back to relieve me early tomorrow morning."

Unable to persuade her otherwise, Beitang Miao sighed and rose, giving a few instructions to the guards at the entrance.

Chang Nian's gaze followed him until he vanished beyond the hall door before she turned back.

"Your Highness is truly formidable," Ye Jiangbai said lazily from his cage, his eyes tinged with sarcasm. "Others can't win General Beitang's favor with all the gold and silver in the world, but Your Highness merely has to call him 'Brother,' and the esteemed Commander of the Imperial Guards will be at your service day and night."

The words were biting, but Chang Nian turned her head as if she hadn't heard, and went to examine the emperor in the inner chamber.

The emperor's face was purplish, and he was unable to speak. His eyes were half-open, lacking any luster, yet his lips continued to quiver, as if he were trying to convey something.

Feeling pained, Chang Nian held his hand and whispered, "Your Majesty, don't worry. Your son is working on finding a cure for you."

As she spoke, she couldn't help but blame him, "How could you be so careless, Father? Anything that goes into your mouth should have been examined by the imperial physicians, shouldn't it?"

The grand eunuch beside them pondered for a moment before quietly defending the emperor, "Lord Ye has been with His Majesty since childhood and has saved His Majesty's life multiple times. As a sign of gratitude and trust, His Majesty has never guarded against him. Lord Ye has been retired from court affairs for many years, devoting himself to the study of alchemy. No one ever imagined that he would suddenly harbor the intention to assassinate the emperor."

Why would someone who had saved the emperor's life suddenly attempt to kill him?

Chang Nian's expression darkened, and she turned to look at Ye Jiangbai outside.

He sat nonchalantly in his cage, his gestures still graceful and composed, as if he were not imprisoned but merely enjoying himself inside.

She stood up, strode over, and reached out to grab the wooden bars, her eyes filled with resentment as she stared at him.

Ye Jiangbai met her gaze, scoffing, "His Majesty lost the people's support and fell victim to treachery. Does Princess wish to blame me for that too?"

"Without the Duke's instructions, why would your father use poison to assassinate the Emperor?" Chang Nian closed her eyes. "Is it because you're dissatisfied with the comfort of retirement, or do you think there are too many members of your extended family?"

Ye Jiangbai opened his mouth to argue but then swallowed his words. His fox-like eyes turned cold as he lowered them. "That's something you should ask Lord Ye himself."

Striking the fence with a fist, Chang Nian said angrily, "When I catch him, I'll make sure the Duke tastes the bitterness in my heart right now."

The man who had repeatedly declared his love for her and his desire to be with her forever had plotted against her father behind her back. He knew how much she loved her father! He knew it all along! Yet, he didn't consider her feelings at all and still went through with it.

Love and affection were truly lighter than a feather compared to the country and its people.

She would never trust him again!

"Your Highness's bitterness..." Ye Jiangbai chuckled softly, reaching out to touch the small cut on her chest made by the dagger's tip. Raising her gaze to the sturdy cage, she curled her lips and asked, "How bitter is it? Bitterer than being betrayed by the one you love?"

Shaking her head afterward, she said, "There's no one I love anymore. Our pretense ends here."

"Yes," Chang Nian withdrew her hand and patted lightly. "Just an act, nothing more. Neither the Duke nor I took our roles seriously. From this moment on, we stand on opposite sides, enemies to the death!"

"Well, Your Highness had better keep an eye on me," Ye Jiangbai glanced around. "If I escape, I won't spare your life either."

"Rest assured, Duke of State," Chang Nian gritted her teeth. "You'll stay here safely. If my father lives, you live; if he dies..."

Her words were left unfinished, but the fierce glint in her eyes conveyed her meaning loud and clear.

Ye Jiangbai laughed.

What on earth was he doing? He himself found his actions absurd. Falling for a woman pretending to be a man was one thing, but to become so obsessed that he ended up in this predicament...

What was so appealing about this person before him? Deceitful and far from the innocent being he had initially perceived. Heartless and ungrateful, no matter how well he treated her, she would still turn a knife on him, using his life as leverage... This sort of person should have died under his hand countless times. Why did he still hold onto her in his heart?

First-time lovers always cared excessively about their own gains and losses, calculating their profits and losses, then arguing relentlessly. Sharp edges wore both parties down into torment, leading to a bitter parting. Thus, the sooner true love was found, the less likely they were to grow old together.

Anyway, these two had no intention of growing old together now. Not only that, they were contemplating taking each other's heads off.

Chang Nian kicked the cage fiercely and then instructed the grand eunuch through gritted teeth, "Tomorrow, post the imperial edict, stating that the Duke of State's life hangs by a thread and we seek a master to provide medicine."

"As you wish!"

Ye Jiangbai leaned against the bars, mocking her with his gaze. Chang Nian refused to back down, returning his stare with a murderous aura. The two glared at each other for a full half an incense stick's time before turning away to rub their eyes, only to resume their staring contest.

As the dawn's light softly illuminated the exterior, Chang Nian had fallen asleep on her chair, exhausted.

With her eyes closed, she seemed to revert to her original form, small and innocent, with rosy lips and flushed cheeks, eliciting a sense of tenderness in anyone who gazed upon her.

Ye Jiangbai observed her coldly, thinking that whoever wanted to be soft-hearted could do so; he, for one, would no longer tolerate her.

The palace door creaked open, and someone entered, their footsteps barely audible.

Ye Jiangbai turned his head to see Beitang Miao fixating on Zhao Changnian, not even casting a glance in his direction. He walked straight to the chair, gently placing his hand under her head as a pillow, then bowed slightly and slowly lifted her into his arms.

Zhao Changnian remained unconscious but stirred slightly, obediently lying in his embrace.

A grand eunuch nearby seemed to have something to say, but upon seeing Beitang Miao frown and shake his head, he quickly held his tongue and retreated to the side.

Thus, Beitang Miao carried Zhao Changnian out, his footsteps silent as he left the room.

Ye Jiangbai narrowed his eyes.

moments later, Beitang Miao returned, seemingly taking over the task of watching over Ye Jiangbai from Zhao Changnian.

Ye Jiangbai yearned to close his eyes and rest, but he couldn't resist sarcastically remarking, "I never would have thought that General Beitang had a fondness for men."

Beitang Miao held a cup of tea, speaking nonchalantly, "What does this have to do with the Duke?"

The brazen tone of Beitang Miao's words made Ye Jiangbai's face darken, and his gaze toward the general grew increasingly unfriendly.

Beitang Miao rose from his seat and stood before the cage, appraising Ye Jiangbai up and down. He softly asked, "At this point, does the Duke still entertain improper thoughts about His Highness?"

A hint of a smile tugged at Ye Jiangbai's lips as he lifted his chin. "Who in their right mind would have such thoughts about her? Do they wish to live too long?"

"Excellent," Beitang Miao nodded, seemingly relieved, then returned to his chair.

This attitude stirred an inexplicable anger within Ye Jiangbai. He pursed his lips, forcing himself to suppress his irritation. He repeatedly told himself it wasn't worth it – he no longer needed to worry about Chang Nian, for she was unrelated to him.

Chang Nian woke from her nap, though it hadn't been a particularly peaceful one. It was only midday when she roused. Glancing outside, she summoned Hong Ti and asked, "Has there been any news on the Imperial Proclamation?"

Hong Ti shook her head. "Many of the elderly officials who requested an audience with His Majesty have visited the Princess, but none have brought medicine."

Perhaps the Ye family had yet to hear the news? Chang Nian considered this and decided to wait a little longer.

However, after two days, the Emperor was on his last breath, and news of the Duke's critical illness had spread throughout the capital. Still, no one sent medicine.

Chang Nian grew anxious, grasping the fence as she glared at Ye Jiangbai. "Are you really not afraid that I'll accuse you of regicide and have you beheaded?"

"Would you be able to?" Ye Jiangbai asked with a benevolent smile.

Chang Nian gritted her teeth.

She couldn't do it. Just imprisoning him in the Dragon Coiling Palace had already aroused the discontent of many court officials. With only her words, they wouldn't believe that the Duke intended to assassinate the Emperor.

But with Father's life hanging by a thread, what should she do?

"Your Highness, Ye Liang from the Patrol Guard is requesting an audience with the Duke."

"Stop him."

"Yes, Your Highness."

"Your Highness, Minister Yao has brought many senior officials who claim they won't leave without seeing His Majesty today. They're all quite elderly; standing outside like that, they might..."

"Provide them with a shelter so they can stand," she instructed.

"Your Highness, the Empress has accused you of imprisoning His Majesty and plotting to seize the throne..."

"Your Highness, word has come from Chungmu Palace that Prince Wu is missing."

Your Highness... Your Highness... Your Highness...

Chang Nian was so busy that she didn't even have time to catch her breath, suppressing rebellions everywhere and personally attempting to persuade the elderly ministers. When she finally had a moment to rest, she sighed deeply and summoned the imperial physician to examine the Emperor's pulse.

The imperial physician withdrew his hand and shook his head at her with great difficulty.

Chang Nian felt the sky crash down upon her in a thunderous roar.

Ye Jiangbai observed her miserable state with a cold eye, curling his lips into a mocking smile. "Your Highness might as well release me now. After all, you'll have no choice but to set me free by tomorrow at the latest."

"You're dreaming!" Chang Nian gritted her teeth, leaning on the table's edge for support as she hissed, "Even in death, I'll drag you down with me."

Despite being deeply poisoned, the Emperor surprisingly sat up in the late afternoon.

"Chang Nian," he addressed her.

Chang Nian's face lit up with immense joy. She hurriedly rushed into the inner chamber, but stumbled and fell heavily by the bedside, her knee thudding loudly. Ignoring the pain, she grabbed the emperor's hand and cried, "Father Emperor!"

"I shall issue my final edict. Let all attend and listen carefully," the emperor stroked her head. "The crown prince is unworthy to ascend the throne. After I pass, you shall inherit the imperial seat. The three provinces and six ministries must comply with my decree and not dare to rebel."

Chang Nian was stunned. The grand eunuch beside her, quicker to react, promptly instructed for the court historians to be summoned into the palace.

However, just as the emperor had finished speaking, his body, which had just sat up, suddenly slumped back down.