Chapter 161: Preening Black Dahlia — II
The sudden declaration from his usually quiet brother utterly blindsided both Liu Mingyun as well as The Emperor. The Crown Prince could go so far as to say that he had nearly lost control over his expression, if only for a fleeting moment.
Silence that followed the Fourth Prince’s unilateral declaration was both heavy and painful. Any lesser man would have flinched even. But, of course, neither the Emperor nor the Crown Prince did.
Instead, it was the Emperor who broke the silence before it became any more painful, clearing his throat with a faux cough. "Zhen cannot help but be curious, what prompted such a swift declaration?"
Liu Mingzhen looked between his father and his older brother, a subtle twitch of his brows betraying his chagrin towards the situation.
"It is simply my desire, Your Majesty. And I do not believe anyone but His Highness the Crown Prince is best suited for this task."
Why did the focus shift to him again?
The Crown Prince took a brief moment to compose himself before responding. "Still, will the Imperial Brother not even consider his participation?"
Liu Mingzhen slowly shook his head, suppressing a grimace he so wished to show. This was what his mother wanted of him, and he disdained nothing more than playing into the palm of her hands.
"No, Imperial Brother. I simply cannot so much as think of leading something like this, doing it in reality less so."
Liu Mingyun had no retort to that. They may have different mothers and even more so their upbringing, he knew Liu Mingzhen well enough to know where his interests lay more.
The Emperor, acting as the silent observer of this exchange, cleared his throat once more to remind both his sons of his presence. "The outcome of this discussion has already been decided, it appears."
Liu Mingyun smoothly returned his attention to his father. "It appears so, Your Majesty."
The Heavenly Dragon let out a soft breath, all the while huffing in amusement within, and looked his eldest in the eye with intrigue scratching his heart.
It did not escape his notice how skillfully the Crown Prince had managed to evade the most interesting question by him.
Still, the youngest’s refusal to play any part in this with little consideration peeved him, if only a little.
The Heavenly Dragon’s fingers stilled on the armrest, voice deeper and tad-icier. "Then, let Us return to Our previous question... Whyever does the mere notion of aiding the Heavenly Demon Cult seem to displease you, Crown Prince?"
Liu Mingyun froze as the attention of the Heavenly Dragon as well as the Fourth Prince rested on him.
How could he begin to explain the root of his unwillingness stemmed from envy?
The envy that was so completely baseless that even he knew it and yet, could not stop himself from feeling.
The envy that simmered into jealousy he felt towards the Heavenly Demon for simply having Li Xinyuan there in his vicinity and, heaven forbid, maybe even some measure of proximity.
Every letter he penned to the surgeon, steeped in the disguised yearning of his, and every letter he received in response, the affection and reassurance in every word of it made something deep in his stomach flutter.
In a way perhaps Li Xinyuan alone was capable of inspiring in him.
And still, even after it all, that envy persisted. Sometimes clouding his thoughts and nearly impairing his judgements.
It was the source of his frustration. It truly was, but was it also not the proof that he, too, was just a man?
...
"This Prince could not help but be curious." Liu Mingzhen smoothly took his place beside the Crown Prince, voice laced in a careful intrigue. "Why evade the question?"
Liu Mingyun did not humour him with a response immediately, instead continued walking through the hallway, maybe even increasing his pace.
The Fourth Prince persisted, willfully ignoring the evident unwillingness rolling of the heir apparent in waves.
"Imperial Brother," he crooned, voice hushed and secretive. Walls had ears and winds had tongue, voices low and intent hidden were the safest in the palace walls no matter whom to belong to. "This Prince does not think the Heavenly Demon Cult to be as evil as rumours make it seem."
He raised his head, walking forward in step with the silent crimson-eyed man.
"At least His Majesty would have made sure to annihilate them if it were truly such a danger."
"... The Imperial Family remains under the age old treaty, Imperial Brother."
"Why, yes, This Prince is aware of that. But the Son of Heaven’s will is above all. If His Majesty wills their destruction, it will happen regardless."
"Yes," Liu Mingyun took a deep breath, pinching the bridge of his nose once they were out of the palace, "This Prince knows it, Imperial Brother. What is it that you wish to convey?"
Liu Mingzhen gave him an imperceptibly wry smile, leaned closer and whispered into his ear.
"Is your gripe with the Cult because of The Spectre of Blood Moon’s presence there?"
Liu Mingyun heaved a sigh full of exasperation. He could trust Liu Mingzhen to hit the nail on the head nearly every time.
"Perha—" the Crown Prince froze, cutting himself off as he slowly turned to his younger brother. "How does Imperial Brother know of Doctor Li’s whereabouts?"
Liu Mingzhen observed his reaction, eyes narrowed in the slightest whilst wondering if he had said something incorrect.
"Why, yes, doesn’t everyone in JiangHu know that?"
Then, he froze. Heaven forbid...
He turned to look at the Crown Prince again, suddenly understanding the horrified reaction of the man.
This could not be good. This could not be any good. At all.
If he, the Fourth Prince deep in the heart of the Forbidden City knew the surgeon’s whereabouts—then so did everyone in JiangHu.
The Heavenly Demon Cult had enemies all over the abyss, waiting, watching, preying in silence—all for a single moment of weakness so that they may strike the Cult down.
And in helping the Cult, Li Xinyuan may have very well made a target of himself.
"... Knew it could not... Good!"
Liu Mingzhen heard the Crown Prince murmur to himself furiously before he stormed away.
Heart sinking in his chest, the Fourth Prince whispered faintly. "This Prince can only pray."