Tan Hua - Chapter 31

Plop—

The pen in Song Liqing’s hand fell onto the table, almost staining the memorial with ink. He hurriedly grabbed clean rice paper to blot it.

His heart was leaping with joy, all because of Jun Qiyu’s words.

Song Liqing had always been waiting for Jun Qiyu to say this, but now that he did, Song Liqing didn’t dare to respond.

“Are you… sure?”

He feared that Jun Qiyu was just saying it on a whim.

Seeing Song Liqing’s serious demeanor, Jun Qiyu felt like he had made a promise.

“Don’t overthink it. It’s not that I’ve fallen for you,” Jun Qiyu quickly clarified. “I just figured, what’s the difference? Anyone could be the Crown Princess. If it weren’t you, Father would arrange someone else. I’d rather have you than some random nobody.”

“Oh, I see.”

Was he disappointed?

Song Liqing asked himself and realized he was. But he had faced so much disappointment that it became normal.

Being considered a convenience was still some form of acceptance from Jun Qiyu.

“Qiyu,” Song Liqing asked, “If… I’m just saying if I can’t continue as your Crown Princess, who would you choose? Who wouldn’t be a compromise? Who would you devote yourself to? Hunu’er?”

Jun Qiyu was taken aback by the question.

He had only thought about driving Song Liqing away, never about who he truly wanted.

If he had to choose someone he genuinely desired… Jun Qiyu couldn’t think of anyone.

Song Liqing gently asked, “Or have you ever loved someone deeply?”

Jun Qiyu became annoyed and snapped, “My personal matters are none of your business!”

Song Liqing stopped talking.

“Sorry… um, I made a lily drink. Autumn is coming. Would you like a bowl?”

“Just do your part. Finish these memorials today, and I’ll transcribe them later.”

Jun Qiyu stood up, not wanting to stay any longer.

Song Liqing knew Jun Qiyu was going to Pleasure Pavillion.

That was his place for relaxation and entertainment.

Song Liqing’s lips moved, but this time he didn’t say anything to stop him.

Even if he did, Jun Qiyu probably wouldn’t listen.

Song Liqing buried himself in writing.

There was a crisp sound as a drop of blood fell on a memorial.

The bright red quickly soaked through the paper, and no matter how much he tried, he couldn’t clean it off. Eventually, he gave up.

He stuffed some paper in his nose to stop the bleeding.

A withered sycamore leaf was blown into the room by the wind. Song Liqing shivered from the cold and wrapped himself tighter. He looked at the tree outside and counted the days.

“Autumn is already here,” Song Liqing said regretfully.

…

Jun Qiyu felt lethargic in court, unable to stop yawning. He noticed the unusual atmosphere; usually, the Emperor would reprimand him for his lax behavior, but today he said nothing.

Sure enough, after court, the Emperor summoned him to the Tai He Hall.

“Qiyu, where have you been and what have you been doing lately?”

Jun Qiyu replied, “After court, I return to Qilin Palace and review memorials every day.”

“Have I given you too many memorials? You seem fatigued. Have you been staying up late to review them?”

Jun Qiyu felt there was more to the Emperor’s words.

“Not too many, I… I’m not tired.”

“Oh, go to the Imperial Physician’s Office later and get some medicine to reduce dryness and fire. Take care of yourself and don’t stain the memorials with nosebleeds next time,” the Emperor said softly.

Jun Qiyu was even more puzzled by the Emperor’s thoughts.

“What blood… uh, it’s my duty to share your burdens, Father.”

“You wretched fool!” the Emperor roared furiously, “Did you really think I was praising you? You have deceived me, resorted to trickery, and had someone else draft those reviews! I believed you were finally putting your heart into your duties! Instead, you spend your nights seeking pleasure with your favorite slave, indulging in debauchery! The sharpness you honed at the border grows duller by the day! Look at yourself now! Do you still have the bearing of the Crown Prince of Jing Kingdom?! There are even rumors outside that you no longer command the respect of the people, and their trust in you is crumbling!”

Jun Qiyu was furious but had no choice but to kneel and admit his mistake.

“Your Majes-…”

“Don’t bother trying to deceive me with more words,” the Emperor interrupted, raising his hand. “I have been too lenient with you, allowing a foreign slave to enter the palace! Keeping such a person by your side will only lead you astray. I’ve made up my mind, Hu Nu’er… shall be put to death!”

“Father!”

Jun Qiyu stood up abruptly, glaring at the Emperor.

“You can scold me for anything, but what does this have to do with Hu Nu’er? How can you just issue a decree to take his life?”

The Emperor replied coldly, “He is not of our kind, he must have ulterior motives.”

Unable to resist, Jun Qiyu hardened his heart.

“Hu Nu’er is a foreign slave… but wasn’t Father just one of your concubines back then? If you could do it, why can’t I?”

The Emperor’s fury peaked, veins bulging on his forehead. He slammed the table so hard that the imperial seal shook.

“Shut up! How can he be compared to a mere slave?!”

Jun Qiyu, driven to desperation, retorted, “Why not? If you put Hu Nu’er to death, then I’ll force Song Liqing to his death! I don’t want anyone!”

The quarrel between father and son in the Tai He Hall was unknown to outsiders, except for the eunuch attending to the Emperor, who broke out in a cold sweat from what he heard.

Jun Qiyu stormed back to Qilin Palace.

“Qiyu…”

Song Liqing started to greet him but was abruptly pushed away. Jun Qiyu, in his anger, didn’t hold back, causing Song Liqing’s hand to swell and turn red.

Soon, palace guards dragged Hu Nu’er into the main courtyard.

An old eunuch declared, “By the Emperor’s decree, Hu Nu’er is to be flogged fifty times. The Crown Prince and Crown Prince Consort must witness the punishment.”

Song Liqing was bewildered.

“Why?” He looked at Jun Qiyu. “Why would the Emperor…”

“Isn’t it all your doing?” Jun Qiyu said with a blank expression.

The eunuch bowed to Song Liqing and said, “Please be seated, Crown PrPrin Consort. The Emperor has commanded that Hu Nu’er must kneel before you to receive his punishment, to teach him respect and discipline.”

Servants brought a chair, but Song Liqing felt uncomfortable.

The eunuch shouted at Hunu’er, “Kneel and accept your punishment!”

Hu Nu’er wailed, refusing to submit, struggling on the ground despite the efforts of two eunuchs to hold him down.

“Master… Sir, what did Hu Nu’er do wrong to deserve this punishment? Was my service not satisfactory? Sir, I beg you for mercy, I have no one else to rely on, please save me…”

The eunuch signaled, and two guards restrained Hu Nu’er, forcing him to straighten up.

A young eunuch, ordered to administer the punishment, dared not show leniency.

“Smack—”

With a crisp sound, Hu Nu’er’s head snapped to the side, ornaments in his hair clattering to the ground.

Song Liqing clenched his fists, palms sweaty.

Because Jun Qiyu spoke ominously at the same time.

“Watch closely. The humiliation Hu Nu’er suffers today, I will repay tenfold on your behalf!”

TL- I hate you Jun Qiyu🖕