Chapter 269: A Favorable Misunderstanding (1/2)

With a slight frown, Qi Yun rushed to get a robe for the emperor and put it around his shoulders before closing the window. The wavering candles fire settled.

“Royal Father, you may catch a cold. You should take better care of yourself. Please have the servants put on the heating if your feet get cold at night.”

Qi Yun babbled on. Worried that the emperor wouldn't listen, he reminded the eunuch to take care of his father as well. The eunuch nodded with a smile as he listened, while the emperor looked at his son gently, moved.

It took an hour for Qi Yun to give the eunuch the rundown. Exhaustion set in after that. He rubbed at his forehead tiredly. The emperor motioned at him to retire back to his place out of consideration and told a eunuch to prepare some soothing medicine.

Qi Yun had been emotionally drained lately. He looked tired even during the day. Although he'd made up his mind to let his father die, it was still difficult to live with the decision. The emperor interpreted his exhaustion differently.

On a sunny day, the emperor decided to go out for a walk. He'd stayed in the bedroom for too long. His muscles were deteriorating. The eunuch put a robe around his shoulders and helped him to the royal garden.

It was autumn, but the scenery in the garden was still beautiful. The myriad of flowers added vibrancy to the desolate season. The emperor strolled along the path with a group of eunuchs and maids. His robe glided over the gra.s.s and got wetted by dew.

The view opened up once they pa.s.sed the crabapple trees. The emperor saw Qi Yun sitting under a pavilion in deep thoughts.

“Your Majesty, it's the fourth prince,” murmured the old eunuch.

The emperor frowned. He could easily see how tired Qi Yun looked, but he a.s.sumed it was because Qi Yun had heard about his unstable condition.

After some musing, he turned to the eunuch and asked in a low voice, “Did he know that I've fallen ill yesterday?”

The eunuch nodded. “The royal doctor ran into the prince when he was living yesterday. The prince asked after Your Majesty's health. It's common knowledge that the prince is a caring son. The doctor therefore answered him honestly. Originally, the prince was going to visit Your Majesty, but he left after hearing what the doctor said. Later, he came back with a bowl of medicine he made. This old servant was going to let the prince deliver it to you, but he excused himself and said he had business to attend to.”

The emperor frowned, perturbed. “Why didn't you tell me?”

“It was the prince who told this old servant not to bring it up unless Your Majesty asked. What happened last time must have made him wary. He worried that people in the palace may spread rumors.”

The eunuch snuck a glance at the emperor and let out a relieved sigh when he saw that the emperor wasn't angry.

The emperor sighed after a thoughtful pause. Thinking back to how he'd scolded Qi Yun, he realized that he'd made a mistake. The one who submitted the report was a man of great integrity and a rare pure-hearted official. He'd always refused to take sides. He must have suggested for Qi Yun to be the crown prince out of his appreciation for the young man rather than other reasons.

Qi Chen's coup had made the emperor paranoid. That was why he overreacted. Fortunately Qi Yun was a mild tempered man. Even after being falsely accused, he still had his father's best interest in mind. He was the only son who'd ever made the emperor feel loved.

A gust of wind swept through the garden, bringing up the robe around his shoulders and burrowed through his sleeves. He shuddered and started coughing.

Qi Yun looked up with surprise in his eyes and rushed to him.

“Why is Royal Father outside?” Qi Yun smoothed a hand over the emperor's back with a frown. He glanced at the maids angrily and snapped, “Is this how you've been taking care of Royal Father?”

The maids had never seen the gentle Qi Yun be this intimidating. Their knees went weak and they dropped down to the ground, too afraid to make a sound. They didn't think they deserved the scolding. They couldn't possibly stop the emperor from leaving the palace, could they?

“Royal Father should take better care of yourself!” Qi Yun s.h.i.+fted his focus to the emperor and didn't spare a glance for the maids. “What if something happens?”

Everyone broke into sweat, dreading the emperor's reaction. The emperor, surprisingly, didn't seem at all angry. Once he stopped coughing, he patted Qi Yun on the back of his hand and said with a smile, “Now you've started to scold me as well.”

Qi Yun's face paled when he realized what he'd said. He dropped down to his knees and bowed down until his head hit the ground. “This son has crossed a line. Royal Father may punish me if you're angry. Please don't take it out on yourself.”