Chapter 57: Why Are You Stealing Someone Else’s Scene?

Chapter 57: Why Are You Stealing My Lines?

As the first step of this mission, Xiao Yan entered the palace today.

Although the case of Liu Wenyuan had already been concluded, and most of those involved had been dealt with appropriately, Liu Wenyuan himself was still in prison awaiting judgment.

Chancellor Liu had served in the court for over twenty years, and his reputation for dedicating himself fully to the empire was deeply rooted in the emperor’s mind. He was not only a pillar minister who had assisted two generations of monarchs but also the foremost contributor who, against all opposition, supported the current emperor's ascension to the throne.

Mindful of this old bond, the emperor had delayed making a final decision.

However, the undercurrents in the court had not ceased during this time.

Memorials from court officials pleading for "strict punishment according to the law as a warning to others" flooded the court. Of course, many officials who had received Liu Wenyuan's favor or upheld a sense of justice also petitioned for mercy, seeking to spare his life.

Liu Wenyuan's life and death thus hung by a thread, decided by the emperor’s momentary thought, becoming the most perplexing question of that winter.

There was no doubt that this was the highest stone hanging over Liu Qingci’s heart, yet to drop.

Xiao Yan's entry into the palace today was precisely for this matter.

The court had finally issued the verdict for Liu Wenyuan. According to the plot, Xiao Yan went to the palace to obtain this news and then return to tell Liu Qingci.

Of course, how to tell him and in what manner was the focus of this task.

In short, the sole purpose of this story task was to torment the bottom protagonist.

Xiao Yan entered the palace under the pretext of visiting the emperor, his father.

After all, as a carefree prince, the only purpose of his palace visits was to strengthen the father-son bond.

The emperor, naturally, was deeply gratified by this.

Upon hearing that his most beloved son had entered the palace, he promptly summoned him to the imperial study, even setting aside several court officials who were discussing state affairs.

The original version of himself was relatively well-behaved in front of this doting father. Having little experience with older relatives, Xiao Yan simply made polite inquiries about the emperor’s health in what he thought was an appropriate manner.

The emperor seemed rather flattered, his face full of a comical expression that seemed to say, "The child has grown up."

Feeling somewhat awkward inwardly, Xiao Yan rubbed his nose and suddenly asked with keen interest:

"Father, I've heard that the imperial treasury houses an ancient qin named 'Nine Heavens and Pendant Rings.' Why not bestow it upon me today?"

The emperor paused slightly, teacup in hand, his eyes revealing understanding. He pointed at Xiao Yan and said with a laugh, "I was wondering why you were being so attentive today—so you've set your sights on my treasure!"

"That 'Nine Heavens and Pendant Rings' is indeed rare," the emperor stroked his short beard, deliberately musing, "When your third brother married the year before last, he wanted it to add some elegance for his consort, but I didn't give it..."

Legend has it that the Nine Heavens and Pendant Rings was crafted by the Lei family, a renowned qin-making lineage, and after three hundred years of transfer, it now resides in the national treasury.

Its seven strings were made from heavenly mountain ice silkworm silk twisted with fine strands of red gold, remaining undecayed for a hundred years, and producing a clear, resonant tone like metal and stone.

Some unofficial histories even record that on a full moon night, when played with the correct fingering technique, one could hear the tinkling of pendant rings like celestial music descending from the nine heavens.

"Doesn't that mean it's just right for me?" Xiao Yan said ingratiatingly.

"Tell me, why did you suddenly think of asking for a qin? I haven’t heard of you making any progress on your qin skills recently." The emperor rested his elbows on the imperial desk, looking at Xiao Yan with interest.

Xiao Yan replied, "I recently heard the legend of this qin and am very curious; I just want to see it."

"Oh, very well," the emperor waved his hand, wearing an expression like "I can’t do anything with you," and said to the head eunuch standing by, "Go and fetch that 'Nine Heavens and Pendant Rings' and let him take it back. Be careful not to damage it."

The head eunuch stood with head bowed, looking as if he were used to such scenes.

Given His Majesty's demeanor, if His Highness Prince Yu said a few more flattering words, not to mention a "Nine Heavens and Pendant Rings," even a rarer object might be granted.

"By the way, Father, were you discussing something important today?" Xiao Yan glanced casually at the piles of documents on the imperial desk.

The emperor's expression darkened slightly, the earlier lighthearted smile fading, revealing a heavy fatigue.

"Still the case of Liu Wenyuan," the emperor said in a lower voice, filled with complex emotions, "After all this arguing these days, it's time for a conclusion."

Xiao Yan put on a perfectly appropriate expression of curiosity and innocence, as if he were merely making a casual inquiry without any deep concern for state affairs.

However, the emperor had never concealed court matters from Xiao Yan; it was just that Xiao Yan had never been interested in them.

Since Xiao Yan was willing to listen this time, the emperor said a bit more.

"It was just decided today," the emperor sighed, pushing the memorial forward a little, "Liu Wenyuan... stripped of all official positions and titles, his property confiscated. In consideration of his past achievements and years of sovereign-minister bond, his death penalty is commuted."

He paused, his voice heavier, speaking each word deliberately, "He is sentenced... to exile in the bitterly cold military camps of the north, lifelong servitude, never to be pardoned or allowed to return."

After speaking, the emperor seemed to unload a weight from his heart, or as if he had personally cut off something that had bound them for years, his expression showing deep weariness and a barely perceptible hint of regret.

"Is that child still in your residence?"

Xiao Yan’s heart chilled slightly but he kept a composed demeanor, "Yes."

He answered briefly, not adding anything about Liu Qingci's recent situation.

"Keep a close watch on him." The emperor's voice revealed neither joy nor anger, but carried an emperor's deliberation and warning, "Although Liu Wenyuan deserved his punishment, his son... is ultimately innocent. Keeping him in your residence will avoid a lot of trouble."

"Your son understands." Xiao Yan responded with a steady tone.

"Good, that you understand." The emperor seemed somewhat weary and waved his hand, "Now that I've given you the qin, go back. It's cold; don't stay out long."

Xiao Yan left the palace, then finally acknowledged the system that had been clamoring in his mind.

"Host, did you ask for the qin to give to Liu Qingci? Yes or no?! Yes or no???"

Xiao Yan: "Yes."

Little K said indignantly, "You clearly know this qin... This qin was given to Liu Qingci by Xiao Jing after he ascended the throne! It was one of the rare sweet scenes in the later part of the story! Why are you stealing someone else’s role?!"

In the capital, it was said that Liu Qingci was exceptionally talented, accomplished in poetry, calligraphy, painting, and literature, but in reality his qin skills were even more exquisite, though rarely displayed in public.

Liu Qingci had heard of the legend of "Nine Heavens and Pendant Rings" since childhood and had developed a yearning for it.

It wasn't just a desire for a rare musical instrument; it was more like a quest for a certain supreme aesthetic realm.

And only Xiao Jing, who had once shared everything with Liu Qingci, knew about this.

Currently, Xiao Jing didn’t have the power, but after he successfully ascended the throne, he imprisoned Liu Qingci deep in the palace and showered him with all kinds of rare treasures just to please him.

The Nine Heavens and Pendant Rings was one of them.

Faced with Little K’s frantic questioning, Xiao Yan remained calm. He asked in a low voice,

"Haven't you noticed that Liu Qingci has been very unhappy lately?"

Little K was a bit annoyed: "That’s nothing! He’ll be even more unhappy when you tell him about Liu Wenyuan’s exile!"

"So..." Xiao Yan’s sigh mingled with the cold air, dissipating almost instantly, his voice hoarse, "Just let me steal this part."