His Rui

Inside the quiet study room, only Li Chen's voice could be heard. 

"General Yun had told me about this book. That night, when Father was drunk I asked him if there was really any such book. When he said yes, I insisted him to tell me where this book was. Father was very drunk and perhaps thought that I was the third Uncle, so he started to talk to me about that book and in between this conversation, I found out where the book was."

Li Qiang closed his eyes as he exhaled sharply.

So it was him, in the end, who revealed where the book was.

Li Chen's eyes were filled with new tears when he saw his father's actions. He looked at General Li and said

"Second Uncle, you need to believe me. My Father was really innocent in all this. He never expected me to do any such thing. He didn't even know …"

"You don't need to tell me that."

General Li said coldly interrupting Li Chen amidst his words.

"I know my Elder Brother very well."

Li Chen was relieved to hear this. He then continued what he was going to say.

"Second Uncle, I am ready to face the consequences of my actions. I just have one wish before you give me any punishment."

General Li didn't say anything and just looked at Li Chen silently.  Li Chen took it as a sign of allowing him to continue so he said

"I want to see Elder Sister once."

General Li sighed lightly.

Heavy silence lingered in the study room until General Li finally decided to speak.

"Your punishment, Li Chen, is to go to the borders just like I have decided for you. However, now you will not go there as the commander or as a member of Li Clan but as a soldier …just an ordinary soldier."

Li Chen nodded his head firmly. He knew as an ordinary soldier on the border what kind of life awaited him.

He, who had been spoiled by his mother while living in this Manor would have to sleep on the cold ground with other ordinary soldiers.

Although he was very strong, he never had to bear something that he couldn't do until now. However while living as an ordinary soldier, he would have to bear everything silently like others.   

However, he didn't feel afraid to think about it.

Perhaps it will help in lessening the guilt he had inside his heart. Li Chen thought and he suddenly looked forward to this punishment.

He kowtowed three times to General Li and then to his father who stood silently with a hard face.

"Second Uncle, Father. I will complete whatever punishment you will give me. I know that I have done wrong. I know that I have shattered all the expectations Second Uncle had from me. But I will try to gain Father and Second Uncle's trust again."

Li Qiang smiled mockingly at his son's words.

Trust …it was something he would never be able to do in his son's matters now.

He would never be able to trust his own son blindly.

General Li just sighed heavily when he saw his elder brother's mocking face and waved his hand to dismiss Li Chen.

Li Chen also didn't insist to say as he knew that by staying there, he would only anger his father more.

"You will be leaving tomorrow."

He heard his second uncle telling him when he was at the door of the study room.

Li Chen nodded his head understanding what his second uncle was trying to imply. He only had time until tomorrow to meet his Jiejie.

Li Chen closed his eyes in pain and then finally left the study room.

-------

"Elder Brother"

Li Heng walked to Qiang as soon as Li Chen left the study room. 

He made him sit on the chair again and then went to close the door of the study room firmly.

Coming back to his brother, he dragged one of the chairs to sit beside Li Qiang and then held his brother's hand silently comforting him.

"Elder Brother, no one else should get to know about this matter."

General Li said with a serious face.

Li Qiang swallowed as he remembered whatever Xi Ying had told him.

"Heng, what do you think? Could everything be this simple? First Prince and General Yun manipulating Li Chen…then the execution decree…"

Li Qiang just asked the question whose answer General Li had already started to search when Li Chen told everything.

He remembered how General Yun had blamed the first prince for everything in front of everyone but no one believed him.

He also remembered he had asked Xi Ying the reason behind the crown prince's sudden dethronement. At that time, he had not understood why Xi Ying was suddenly fearless to not support the first Prince in front of the Emperor. At this moment, he was still confused.

However, now he had understood why Xi Ying planned to dethrone the crown prince.

It was because he knew that the crown Prince was also involved with General Yun in the plotting against Li Clan.     

But why did Xi Ying not reveal the first prince's deeds if he did the same with General Yun?

General Li could only think of one reason.

Xi Ying knew that no matter how distant Li Rui and Li Chen were, to Li Rui, Li Chen would always stay her younger brother.

Perhaps he knew that if he revealed the first prince's deeds then hiding Li Chen's deeds would be very difficult.

And if it came out that it was Li Chen who stole the book from his study room then saving Li Chen from death would be impossible.

  Whatever Xi Ying did at that time was very well thought.

It was only now General Li understood this. He couldn't help but admire the intelligence of Xi Ying inside his heart. However, one question was still remained answered.

Without revealing the first prince's deeds in front of everyone, just how did he make the emperor announce the dethronement of the first prince from the crown prince title?

If only General Li knew how his son-in-law whom he was praising so earnestly inside his heart used him as a bait to pressure the Emperor, then he would have laughed.

However,…not in happiness but in rage.