Chapter 343 - Shattered Illusions~

Prince Yi was having a good day, not at all bothered by the fact that Imperial guards were "guarding" his residence. Although he did not expect that turn in his conversation with the Emperor in the main hall, he reasoned that it was inconsequential. After all, that conversation had nothing to do with the matter at hand, which was a foreign pregnant Princess.

As Prince Yi had expected, the Emperor placed him on house arrest but he was not bothered at all. After all, it was not like Prince Yi had anywhere else he actually wanted to be. Princess Nalan was stuck in the palace so it was not like he could go see her, not that he actually felt inclined to at this point. Moreover, she was already pregnant which even made this house arrest seem more pointless since there was nothing this was preventing. Prince Yi surmised this whole house arrest episode to simply be the Emperor showing off his power to soothe his bruised ego.

The Emperor had no other choice, they had to marry, otherwise he, the Emperor would appear unreasonable, cruel, or worse and his genius of a brother could obviously not stand to be perceived as anything but perfect and morally imperious.

Prince Yi lightly chuckled as he thought about how rattled the Emperor must be right now. He was honestly feeling sufficiently proud of himself at the moment and was giddy with anticipation for the future. He had been losing for so long, finally, he was feeling like himself again. So now, here he was relaxing in a pavilion in his back garden playing a chess game with himself while sipping on tea, not wine, tea.

It was such a nice day and he was in such a good mood. , in a much better mood than he had been in a long time. He was actually having a leisurely day, playing a chess game with himself while sipping tea, not wine.

{...*Well, someone's in a good mood (¬ _¬ )...}

Prince Yi's hand stopped mid-way to the board and he blinked in pleasant surprise.

{...You're back!...}

Prince Yi laughed at that as he put the chess piece in place. Even he had to admit that it had been a long time since he had greeted the voice with a warm reception.

{...Well, the day is beautiful and... a child is always a blessing to be appreciated...}

{...*Ah, I heard~ I like babies, they're fun!...}

Prince Yi chuckled again as he picked up his cup and sipped his tea.

{...*I hear weddings are also great fun too~ Congratulations! It's been a long time coming, you've finally evolved~ *sniff*...}

Prince Yi slightly knit his brows and then let out a sigh and picked up another chess piece as he offhandedly and less enthusiastically responded.

{... Yes... there is that too...}

{...*⚆ _ ⚆)... I see... I like her... She knows how to have fun ...}

Prince Yi scoffed and put the chess piece in its assigned place.

{...*Reckless can be fun! It's better than being boring (￣ヘ￣)...}

Prince Yi blinked, taken aback and amused again, chuckling.

{...It seems I am really easy to amuse today... You think I'm boring?...}

{...*Among other things... But as I've said before, it's not your fault. You just need better influences around you, fun people... like this Princess. She is good for you...}

Prince Yi had no thoughts or words on that comment and simply re-focused his mind on his chessboard.

{...*You know, you should appreciate what is yours and let bygones be bygones. You are quite grand yourself you know~...}

Prince Yi snorted.

{...Bygones are bygones. I am not looking towards the past, but the future...}

{...*Have you really?...*sigh* I know I'm not exactly one to talk but... letting bygones pass involves forgetting what is not meant for you...}

{...What is not meant for -?...}

Prince Yi frowned as the memory of a certain kiss dealt by a certain woman raced into his mind and caused his heart to skip. He clenched a fist, irritation instantly setting in. 

{...Why did you - ?...}

The thought stopped uncompleted as Prince Yi's frown turned to a deep scowl. 

{...*Did I what?...}

{...Mention her!...}

{...*...⚆ _ ⚆) I didn't mention anyone...}

Prince Yi knit his brows in confusion, playing back the conversation in his mind, he then sighed in irritation when he realized that his mind was the one running rampant with unwarranted information. She always did this to him, confused his mind.

Prince Yi sighed and put his elbow on the table and leaned forward massaging his head with a frown, suddenly feeling a headache. He was not stupid, he knew he was attracted to her before the kiss incident, but then he still had his wits about him. Then she just had to go and assault him, send shockwaves through him, and turn his mind upside down with that stupid kiss. He obviously knew that it was not her fault, if she were in her right mind she would never have touched him - which was also an upsetting thought. 

Since that night at the merchant festival, he had not touched his concubines, they all seemed greatly unappealing and a bother. And when he finally indulged in intimacy after such a long time with Princess Nalan, as he feared it was HER face he saw in his mind's eye. He sighed again in irritation, now of the mind to go kill the Chun siblings for causing the encounter in the first place.

He honestly did not understand this perverted attraction, he was naturally not so depraved to want his brother's wife...but then again, when he met her she was not his brother's wife and she also failed the selection. He should not have been so attentive to her during the selection, if he had not been so attentive she would never have become his brother's "wife". Prince Yi shook his head with a frown, he did not want to think about this. She was trouble and he knew better. 

{...Focus! It's all going according to plan, I'll marry Nalan and have Zou on my side, and eventually, I will rid myself of my brother and -...*gulped* her too...}

Prince Yi's frown deepened as he refilled his teacup with a slightly shaky hand. He could not even think of harming her without his body aching. 

{...*Hmmm... I don't understand this either. You should have moved on by now...}

Prince Yi blinked and froze for a second before resuming his actions, he had completely forgotten that he had been in the middle of a conversation. Prince Yi sighed and put down the teapot.

{...I...want to ask something...}

{...*Oh, ask! I like questions!...}

Prince Yi held his teacup and smiled wistfully, before taking a deep breath, feeling a bit nervous.

{...Have you... ever... been in... well....love before?...}

{...*Love?⚆ _ ⚆)... What do you mean love?! Are you in love with - But how?! I already cut the stupid string! Also, haven't I already told you she's not for you! She has even - What are you even in love with?! Fine, she talks to you, but her words have never exactly been encouraging! She has made her choice incredibly clear! Also, you're getting married and having a baby too! How can you b-}

Prince Yi banged his fist on the table in anger and raged, "Do you think I asked to be in love with her?! I was having a good day until you had to come and bring her -!" Prince Yi suddenly caught himself.

{...Love?...}

The air stilled as silence ruled the scene as Prince Yi tried to make sense of this sudden realization. Finally, his reeling mind was brought to a halt by the voice going...

{...* I was just helping (￣3￣)...}

Prince Yi let out a deep breath to calm his nerves and calmly said, "Well, I don't need you scolding me. I know sh-"

"Your highness, there's trouble..." A panicked voice suddenly called out, interrupting the rest of his word and Prince Yi turned to see Tian Ji racing towards the pavilion. Before he could ask what the problem was, Commander An and a host of Imperial guards came into view.

Prince Yi knit his brows in confusion, he had not expected the Emperor to summon him so soon. But regardless, it was best to get it over with, the earlier this impasse ended, the earlier he could begin the next phase of the plan. So Prince Yi rose to his feet and walked out of the pavilion with a small smile ready to go face his brother and his future marriage alliance.

Commander An did a quick bow and then proclaimed, "Prince Yi. On the order of the Emperor, you are under arrest on grounds of conspiracy to commit treason. Please come wit -"

"What?" Prince Yi asked, with a confused frown.

"Arrest him." Commander An ordered, ignoring the question. Two of the Imperial guards promptly stepped forward and went to grab Prince Yi's arms, ready to pull him along. Prince Yi snapped out of his shock and shrugged free and glared at Commander An, "What is the meaning of this? Treason?!"

"I am not at liberty to explain the facts... Please do not make this difficult, I simply have my orders." Commander An said with a curt bow of his head, then he slightly narrowed his eyes at the Imperial guards at Prince Yi's side. The two guards nodded and promptly moved to grab Prince Yi's arms again, but Prince Yi flapped his sleeves and put his hands behind his back and coldly declared, "I can walk on my own."

Commander An nodded and then stepped aside, while the Imperial guards in the back, separated into two halves, clearing a path in the middle for Prince Yi to pass. cleared a path. Prince Yi took a deep breath and walked forward, still frowning in confusion as his mind raced to make sense of this event.

{... Treason? How?.... He couldn't know, I haven't even done anything yet! - Do you know how?...}

He asked the voice but received no response. As usual, when one needed valuable input, it was always conveniently missing in action. He was left on his own again... On his own and confused. 

This was not part of the plan.