Chapter 151 Open Declaration of War

Upon hearing his wife’s words, the Ninth Prince had a premonition that the woman would endure excruciating torment—an anguish so profound it would make life itself seem unbearable. Such suffering was truly unbearable.

However, since she was his only wife, he resolved to cherish her dearly. Shen Hezhi said, “Very well, my lady, you may do as you please, but be sure to take good care of yourself. If you grow weary, come back at once.”

Yan Heru nodded, swiftly pressed a kiss upon Shen Hezhi’s lips, and hurried away. Shen Hezhi was caught off guard by her sudden action, standing frozen in place, lost in thought for a long while.

When he finally came to his senses, he found himself smiling foolishly. Shen Yi approached and saw his lord grinning oddly, which left Shen Yi equally stunned.

After a moment’s hesitation, Shen Yi stepped forward and gently inquired, “Your Highness?”

Hearing Shen Yi’s voice, Shen Hezhi regained his composure and cleared his throat awkwardly. “Ah, what is it? Why have you come all of a sudden?”

“The Emperor wishes to see Your Highness,” Shen Yi replied.

Upon hearing this, Shen Hezhi’s expression immediately darkened, his demeanor turning solemn. “The Emperor? Why would he summon me at this hour? I told him I would present myself at court tomorrow. Why the sudden summons tonight?”

Shen Yi shook his head. “I do not know. It was the Emperor’s personal eunuch who came, and he seemed quite urgent.”

Shen Hezhi pondered briefly. “Take me there and let me see for myself.”

Shen Yi nodded and led Shen Hezhi toward the reception hall. There, Shen Hezhi saw the familiar figure of the Emperor’s personal eunuch seated in a chair.

Upon seeing Shen Hezhi, the eunuch immediately set down his teacup, stood, and bowed. “Ninth Prince, the Emperor wishes to see you.”

Shen Hezhi did not hurry to leave with the eunuch; instead, he took a seat in the master’s chair and sipped his tea leisurely. “No rush. Eunuch, could you tell me what matter the Emperor wishes to discuss?”

“Your Highness, we servants know nothing of such affairs. The Emperor is very anxious at this moment, so please proceed to the palace promptly,” the eunuch said with a courteous smile.

The eunuch’s words were well spoken—who could resist a smiling face? Given the eunuch’s attitude, Shen Hezhi had no choice but to stand and say, “Very well, please lead the way.”

The eunuch nodded and escorted Shen Hezhi away. Shen Hezhi did not bring Shen Yi along; he gave Shen Yi a discreet look, which Shen Yi immediately understood, and he stepped back.

As they traveled to the imperial palace, neither spoke a word, enduring the silence between them.

At last, they arrived at the imperial study. The eunuch bowed his head and said, “Your Highness, the Emperor awaits within. Please enter.”

Shen Hezhi nodded and pushed open the door. The room was shrouded in darkness, save for a dim candle flickering on the desk, casting a faint glow over the chamber.

He turned to close the door behind him, when suddenly an elderly voice sounded from behind: “I have waited so long for you. You have finally come.”

“Why does the Emperor summon me?” Shen Hezhi asked coldly, showing no warmth in response to the familiar greeting.

“Hezhi, must you speak to me so? We are father and son,” the Emperor said.

Shen Hezhi pressed his lips together and replied, “Father and son? Indeed, yet we are also sovereign and subject. In the Celestial Court, sovereign comes before son. I hope Your Majesty understands this. If Your Majesty has called me here without important reason, I shall take my leave.”

Having said this, the Ninth Prince made to leave. But the Emperor would not let him go so easily.

“You speak to your father thus? All these years, you refuse to enter the palace. Must I, as your father, lower myself and beg you?” the Emperor called after him.

The Emperor’s words caused the Ninth Prince to pause. Turning, he regarded the Emperor with an expressionless face. “I do not understand what you mean. I have never intended such disrespect. Perhaps Your Majesty misunderstands.”

The Emperor sighed deeply, his pain evident. “I know you have long blamed me. But I was helpless. You know well the circumstances of those days. I could not save your mother, your consort. Must you hold this grudge forever, unwilling to forgive me?”

The Emperor’s words were charged with pathos, his face heavy with guilt. Yet even so, the Ninth Prince harbored no intention of forgiveness.

He knew all too well that the sorrow the Emperor displayed was calculated.

It was precisely because of the Emperor’s demeanor then that his mother met her tragic fate. Was the Emperor now prepared to deceive him with the same ruse?

A cold chuckle echoed in Shen Hezhi’s heart. “If the Emperor has matters to discuss, speak plainly. Do not waste time with empty words. Do you think I will pity you?”

Hearing this, the Emperor was momentarily taken aback, then his expression hardened, shedding the guise of remorse as if it had never been.

“It seems you have long wanted to say these things—nurturing such resentment for many years. No matter what I say, you will not forgive me. So our father-son relationship is at an end, is that it?” the Emperor said.

Though the Emperor spoke as if reproach and consolation were mingled, his eyes betrayed no trace of reproach. To him, the Ninth Prince was a stranger. All the earlier display seemed but a ploy to move the prince; his true intent remained inscrutable.

“Our relationship has always been such, has it not? The Emperor does not wish to see me, and I do not wish to see him. Let us avoid one another, and find peace in that,” Shen Hezhi replied.

The Emperor smiled faintly. “That is your one-sided view. How could I not want to see you?

“Since you have come today, I will lay all matters before you. Then we need not trouble ourselves further.

“After all, you have avoided me for so many years. It is time to settle this once and for all.”

The Emperor’s words left the Ninth Prince perplexed, uncertain of his true meaning.

But Shen Hezhi understood: the Emperor sought to clear the air today—in other words, to declare open conflict.