Chapter 113 - 95: Prince Qi’s Downfall, Dad is Awesome!!

Chapter 113: Chapter 95: Prince Qi’s Downfall, Dad is Awesome!!

The twenty-first day of the second month, thirteenth year of Jianhong. Light rain.

In the Imperial Study.

Emperor Jianhong stood by the window, his gaze fixed on the pattering raindrops outside. The endless barrage of water droplets fell like stars plummeting onto a jade plate, producing a continuous TINKLE TINKLE sound, much like a Maid striking a Chime Bell, lingering endlessly in the ear.

He stared ahead expressionlessly. Before long, a figure appeared in his line of sight.

On a small path far from the Imperial Study, a figure in white moved with effortless grace. His toes lightly tapped the ground, splashing up faint traces of water as he headed toward the Emperor’s location. The man in white moved with a dancer’s elegance, extremely graceful—except for that head of flamboyant yellow curls... which made Emperor Jianhong’s eyelids twitch.

"Report to Your Majesty. Imperial City Department Director Bai Ziqing requests an audience."

A respectful, high-pitched voice soon sounded from behind Emperor Jianhong. The young eunuch bowed deeply and didn’t dare to utter another word after delivering the message. For the past two days, the Emperor had remained completely expressionless, treating people just as he normally did. Yet, the eunuch could sense a storm brewing in the shadows. Now, it would only take a single crack of thunder to unleash a torrential downpour, flooding the lands and leaving a trail of corpses stretching for miles...

"Mm." Emperor Jianhong’s voice betrayed neither joy nor anger.

Bai Ziqing had walked all this way without a shred of expression on his face. However, the moment he stepped into the Imperial Study, a look of deep reverence surfaced. He shook the rainwater off his clothes in the hallway before being led inside by the young eunuch.

"This subject greets Your Majesty." Bai Ziqing’s voice lacked its usual laziness, replaced entirely by respect. He bowed exceedingly low, crossing his hands in a formal salute.

Emperor Jianhong didn’t speak. He merely gazed placidly out the window.

Bai Ziqing maintained his bowing posture without the slightest hint of impatience. Time ticked by. It wasn’t until the light rain outside seemed to intensify, the tinkling sounds growing more chaotic, that Emperor Jianhong’s deep, resonant voice slowly broke the silence.

"I heard you’ve been saddled with a troublesome case lately?"

Bai Ziqing didn’t understand the underlying meaning, but since Emperor Jianhong had spoken, he no longer needed to hold his bow. He slowly straightened up and shook his head. "Reporting to Your Majesty, it is merely a minor case. It can hardly be considered troublesome."

"Mm..." Emperor Jianhong’s voice drifted over slowly, making his thoughts difficult to decipher. "How is your parents’ health these days?"

Bai Ziqing was used to the Emperor feigning concern for his family every time he was granted an audience. With an ordinary expression, he replied, "My father is well, though my mother recently caught a cold. Fortunately, the Imperial Physician has seen her and prescribed some medicine. She should recover in a few days." His speaking pace was unhurried—steady, slow, and tinged with a quiet calm.

Emperor Jianhong simply listened patiently. Even after Bai Ziqing’s voice faded, he didn’t speak. The Imperial Study fell quiet once more, leaving only the pattering sound of the rain outside. Bai Ziqing held his breath, waiting in silence.

After a while, Emperor Jianhong still hadn’t turned around. He seemed lost in thought, staring out at the rain. "Seven years ago, you followed Ji Qing into battle at Jade Gate Pass, and you’ve served in the Imperial City Department for seven years since. Your fierce loyalty to me... I have seen it all." His voice held a touch of understanding compared to his earlier commanding tone.

Bai Ziqing’s heart skipped a beat, but he didn’t dare say much. He merely lowered his head and said, "Your Majesty’s nurturing is engraved in my heart."

"Mm." Emperor Jianhong’s response sounded like a chuckle, yet not quite. It was simply profound and inscrutable. "If you were given an opportunity to be promoted to Imperial City Department Commander, would you seize it?" Only then did the Emperor slowly turn around, completely expressionless.

Bai Ziqing took a deep breath. Zeng Anmin’s words seemed to echo in his ears: "If he tests you, only show loyalty. You absolutely must not display any personal ambition."

"To be able to serve Your Majesty is this subject’s fortune; how could I dare ask for anything more?" Without any hesitation, Bai Ziqing knelt directly onto the floor, his yellow curls drooping against the ground. "This subject’s abilities are shallow; I would certainly be unable to fulfill the role." His heavy, solemn voice echoed throughout the Imperial Study.

Emperor Jianhong didn’t say a word, merely observing him coolly. Those extremely sharp, composed eyes scraped over Bai Ziqing like a blade, time and time again. Remaining noncommittal, the Emperor commanded in a deep voice, "Stand up."

"Yes." Bai Ziqing’s face remained respectful. Taking a deep breath, he looked up and asked, "I wonder what instructions Your Majesty has for summoning me this time?"

"I still remember seven years ago, during the battle against the demons, you sustained five blade wounds, yet you continued to slaughter demons with unmatched bravery..." Emperor Jianhong didn’t answer his question, only sighing inexplicably.

"Slaying demons and vanquishing monsters is the inherent duty of a Martial Artist on our path." Seeing that Emperor Jianhong didn’t want to get to the main point, Bai Ziqing played along. With a solemn face and heavy tone, he said, "As an official of the court, I naturally have the resolve to lay down my life for the Great Saint Dynasty at any time."

Talk was cheap, and Emperor Jianhong had certainly heard plenty of it. Looking at Bai Ziqing without committing to a response, a half-smile played on his lips. He walked over to his chair and sat down with his back to the window. By the right armrest sat a Go board featuring an unfinished game. He stared at the board for a moment before letting out a soft chuckle. "I don’t need you to lay down your life for the Holy Dynasty. How about coming over and playing a game of Go with me?"

"Uh..." Bai Ziqing hesitated for a second. "Whenever I play Go with Your Majesty, I have never won... I fear I might spoil Your Majesty’s mood."

"Sit." Emperor Jianhong simply spat out a single word.

"Yes." Filled with trepidation, Bai Ziqing walked over and sat opposite Emperor Jianhong. Looking at the pieces on the board, he took a deep breath.

CLACK.

Holding a black piece, Emperor Jianhong made the first move, then looked placidly at Bai Ziqing. Bai Ziqing’s expression was serious as he reached out, picking up a white stone to make his play.