Chapter 202: Disagreement

Chapter 202 Disagreement

Azure Phoenix Lord remained silent, taking another sip of tea. Qiu Huanian watched him quietly until Azure Phoenix Lord shook his head and chuckled.

"Am I risking my life to keep a gentleman company?"

"Your Highness is someone who wishes everyone well."

Azure Phoenix Lord neither agreed nor disagreed with Qiu Huanian's assessment. "At least tell me why you care so much about Sixteen, so I can understand."

Azure Phoenix Lord pointed to the sky. "He is not just my nephew anymore, but also the Emperor of Great Yu. I’m taking a huge risk. It’s only fair that you share a secret of equal weight."

"Does Your Highness know Sixteen’s background?"

Azure Phoenix Lord said, "He’s the orphaned descendant of the Mei family from Guzhu. During the coronation ceremony yesterday, when Minister Wen pleaded for the Mei family, my nephew almost went mad."

As one of the few in the world who truly understands Jia Hongyuan, Azure Phoenix Lord saw things in a way no one else could.

Qiu Huanian spoke calmly, "I, too, am from the Mei family of Guzhu."

Azure Phoenix Lord raised an eyebrow in surprise. He did not doubt Qiu Huanian's words but could not understand how the other was connected to the Mei family.

Anyone connected to the Mei family, if not dead, was branded a criminal, stripped of commoner status, and barred from holding titles.

"Sixteen’s older sister wasn’t in Fengshan County when the enemy attacked. She escaped, only to face even greater suffering, and passed away years ago," Qiu Huanian said succinctly. "I am her child."

"Sixteen is my closest kin. He’s done so much for me, and I must save him."

Azure Phoenix Lord did not expect the relationship to be like this. He looked at Qiu Huanian's calm but determined eyes until the shock and complexity in his heart gradually subsided.

"This is what they mean by ‘the capable bear more burdens,’” Azure Phoenix Lord chuckled. "Even if I refuse, you’ll find another way, and things will only get messier."

Sixteen isn’t alone. He has Wen Huiyang, as well as staunch allies like Qiu Huanian and Du Yunse. If these people falter, it could destabilize Great Yu itself.

"I’ve known Sixteen for many years. I don’t want him to keep suffering like this either. Whether he moves forward or backward, he has to take that first step," Azure Phoenix Lord said, as if talking about Sixteen, yet also about himself.

He stood up, signaling the end of the meeting. "Staying too long will draw suspicion. Go back and wait for my word. I’ll take you to see Sixteen, but only to see him. I won’t get involved beyond that."

Qiu Huanian felt a wave of relief and clasped his hands in gratitude. "Thank you, Your Highness. This is more than enough help."

Azure Phoenix Lord reverted to his usual detached demeanor and personally saw Qiu Huanian out. After leaving the reception hall, at a corner leading to the garden, Qiu Huanian accidentally caught sight of Jie Tanguang.

Jie Tanguang stood in the garden’s octagonal pavilion, clad in plain white, unadorned, as though in mourning. He looked even thinner than the last time Qiu Huanian had seen him, frail enough to be swept away by a breeze.

In the pavilion, Jie Tanguang hunched over the table, painting. His profile showed a face shadowed by despair, and Qiu Huanian thought, ‘devoid of any joy.’

Qiu Huanian was momentarily stunned. After regaining his composure, he looked at Azure Phoenix Lord.

Azure Phoenix Lord smiled self-deprecatingly. "He tried to take his own life, but I stopped him. Since then, he’s stayed silent, acting as if he’s mute."

"I help all of you, but who’s there to help me..."

Before Qiu Huanian could respond, Azure Phoenix Lord had already recomposed himself. He waved his hand and strode forward.

"Let’s go. I don’t need anyone’s help. I’ve never been afraid to take the initiative."

...

Three days later, Qiu Huanian finally received news from Azure Phoenix Lord.

Azure Phoenix Lord convinced Jia Hongyuan to allow him to talk to Sixteen, during which time he brought Qiu Huanian, disguised as a palace servant, into the palace.

Being the most favored figure in the new dynasty and with the emperor's decree, the imperial city guards didn't scrutinize them much and allowed his carriage to enter the palace.

Qiu Huanian dressed as a servant from Azure Phoenix Lord's residence, his face was disguised, and sat in the carriage with Azure Phoenix Lord. As the carriage rolled into the Forbidden City, his heart pounded uncontrollably.

What they were doing today was extremely risky, but he had to do it. Du Yunse didn't dissuade him; instead, he submitted a memorial today, went to the Hall of Heavenly Purity to meet the emperor alone, to help delay the biggest variable.

Fortunately, Azure Phoenix Lord was careful and meticulous, and they faced no obstacles along the way, successfully reaching the side hall of the Hall of Mental Cultivation.

So as not to disturb Sixteen, there weren’t many people near the side hall. Azure Phoenix Lord gestured with his hand, and those with the imperial order quietly retreated.

Azure Phoenix Lord glanced at Qiu Huanian and supported his arm, pushing open the towering door of the side hall. With a creak, the bright summer afternoon sunlight poured into the dim, empty room.

Qiu Huanian's gaze shifted and immediately fixed on Sixteen, who was sitting in the inner part of the hall.

He stayed quietly in the corner, hidden in the room's darkest part. The sound of the door opening broke his silence, and his eyelashes fluttered slightly, but he didn't look up or move.

Azure Phoenix Lord let out a silent sigh, entered the room, closed the door, and looked at Sixteen as he spoke, "I brought someone you’ve been wanting to see."

At first, Sixteen remained still, but then he noticed something from the breathing sounds in the room and suddenly lifted his head.

He looked at Qiu Huanian, who was disguised beside Azure Phoenix Lord, and a hoarse voice escaped from his throat, which had not been used for days.

"Huanian? How dare you come here!"

Azure Phoenix Lord patted Qiu Huanian's shoulder, gently pushed him, and turned to walk towards the other side of the hall.

Qiu Huanian finally saw the person he had been worrying about day and night. Sixteen's condition was worse than he had imagined. Facing Sixteen's worried and reproachful gaze, Qiu Huanian's eyes instantly reddened, completely uncontrollable.

He crouched beside Sixteen, touched Sixteen's pale face, and Sixteen instinctively avoided it. Seeing Qiu Huanian's red eyes, all reproach dissipated instantly, leaving no trace.

"I was poisoned with some common toxins while in Jiangnan, and I'm recovering now. It's nothing serious."

"Is that really all?"

Sixteen was speechless. Huanian was too clever; the emperor's abnormal actions could not be hidden from him.

"Uncle, since you've acknowledged me, don't think about pushing me away. Your matters are my matters. Tell me, what's really going on?"

Sixteen's lips trembled slightly, and his gaze dodged.

"My only wish is for you, Gu Gu, and Yang Yang to live a peaceful, prosperous, and worry-free life. Nothing else."

Qiu Huanian grabbed Sixteen's hand, forcing him to look at him.

"But I want you to be happy."

The word "happiness" and the warm touch of his hand tore through Sixteen. He trembled, panicked, and wanted to retreat, but he was already in the corner with nowhere to go.

Qiu Huanian quietly watched Sixteen, then suddenly and without warning reached out and pulled down Sixteen's collar.

He saw familiar marks, ones that he immediately knew what had caused them, marks that should not have been on Sixteen.

"Huanian!" Sixteen suddenly felt a sense of shame he hadn't felt in over a decade. The unfamiliar and abrupt sensation made it hard for him to breathe, leaving him at a loss.

"..."

Qiu Huanian reached out to help Sixteen straighten his collar, gently smoothing out every wrinkle.

"Are you willing?"

Sixteen shook his head in confusion, "I don't know."

Sixteen wasn't lying or being evasive; this was his honest response. He truly didn't know, as his mind lacked the judgment of willingness in such matters.

Qiu Huanian took a deep breath, "I disagree."

He spoke in a firm tone, clenching his teeth as he stressed to Sixteen, "I am your family, your sister's child. You are my uncle, and to me, you are Mei Wangshu. You need to listen to me!"

Sixteen looked up, confused. He didn't understand why Qiu Huanian was suddenly so agitated, but he didn't want his beloved family member to be upset. So, he reached out and patted the other's shoulder, trying to soothe him.

"If you disagree, I won't let him touch me... I'll try my best."

"..."

Qiu Huanian felt a wave of helplessness. He believed Sixteen's promise, as Sixteen had always been true to his word with him. But what he disagreed with was far more than just this.

Sixteen was a long-term patient, enduring relentless hardships day after day, and had lost the ability to heal on his own. Qiu Huanian didn't know how to reignite his desire for life and the future.

Qiu Huanian glanced at the Azure Phoenix Lord on the other side of the hall, then turned back and lowered his voice, leaning closer to Sixteen.

"Mr. Wen already knows who you are. We need to restore your identity so you can stand proudly in the sunlight. Uncle, you know who we are. I will never give up on you."