Chapter 286 - Chapter 286: Imperial Power

Chapter 286: Imperial Power

Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios

Chu You’s eyes narrowed into a line with a hint of ruthlessness. He felt that Yuan Zhe had recognized his mistake too quickly.

At the end of the day, today’s matter was ‘Only” an accident. Even if it reached the previous dynasty and the three divisions came to investigate, there was still room for negotiation. After all, this was an unintentional mistake. At most, they would abandon Li Han or push the blame to the person selling the pleasure boat.

There was no need for Yuan Zhe to make himself apologize and kneel in public.

However, just as Chu You opened his mouth, he saw Yuan Zhe signaling him not to say anything.

Chu You pursed his thin lips and forced himself to suppress his anger. His gaze met Chu Yi’s deep eyes.

They looked at each other.

Chu Yi immediately looked away and gave Yuan Zhe a gentle smile, but the smile didn’t reach his eyes. He said calmly, “Whether it was careless or not, it’s not up to you.’

This sentence wasn’t only for Yuan The to hear, but also for Empress Dowager Yuan, Kang Wang, and the other descendants of the aristocratic families. It was filled with provocation.

Was the Eldest Prince officially declaring war on the aristocratic families?!

The descendants of the aristocratic families were shocked. Their hearts sank like cotton wool soaked in water.

Chu Yi smiled faintly and raised his hand to gesture.

He Lie immediately understood and instructed, ‘Take him away.”

Whoever falls into the hands of the Embroidered Uniform Guards would naturally not go to the Heavenly Prison, but to the imperial prison of the Northern Town’s Magistrate. Once he entered the imperial prison, there was a high chance of death. The Ministry of Justice and the other two divisions weren’t able to help.

The two Embroidered Uniform Guards approached Yuan Zhe from the left and right. They looked down at Yuan The, who was kneeling on the ground. Every move they made released an invisible pressure.

Yuan Zhe didn’t cry or beg for mercy. He stood up from the deck and said coldly, “I can walk myself.’

Yuan Zhe flicked his sleeve and walked off the pleasure boat with his head held high, leaving behind a determined back. His back remained straight in the cold wind.

Seeing this scene, the young descendants of the aristocratic families calmed down and returned to their senses.

At the same time, the imperial eunuch, Li Han, was also escorted away by the Embroidered Uniform Guards.

Li Han’s white hair was a little messy, and he looked uneasy.

Although he was the Empress Dowager’s subordinate, now that even Yuan Zhe had been taken away, Li Han knew that no one would care about him anymore. She glanced at Qin He nervously.

When he met those cold eyes, his hand trembled, and his horsetail whisk fell to the ground.

In the past, Li Han had admired Qin He’s ruthless methods and thought that he was a useful, vicious dog. But now, when she thought of how this mad dog’s methods would be used on her, she couldn’t help but tremble.

The other Embroidered Uniform Guards on the pleasure boat withdrew like a receding tide. The heavy, oppressive air relaxed. The sun peeked out from behind the clouds again. Specks of golden sunlight danced between the lake and the treetops.

Gu Yunrong stood quietly by the guardrail and watched Yuan The’s retreating back from the shore.

The Yuan family was now at the head of the aristocratic families.

All the aristocratic families in the Great Jin Dynasty respected them. She didn’t expect that in less than two incense sticks’ time, the heir of the Yuan family would be taken down.

The situation suddenly changed.

Gu Yunrong’s eyes suddenly darkened.

This was also the first time she had encountered such a soul-stirring event. It made her deeply realize

This was imperial power!

It could give someone life, make people die, make people bend their backs and bend their knees… It was a power that could control everything.

Gu Yunrong’s fingers subconsciously began to roll up the handkerchief again and again..

In the past, she felt that heroes didn’t ask where they came from. She thought that what was important wasn’t her background, but herself.

However, it wasn’t until Gu Yanfei appeared that she knew she was wrong.

Even if she did nothing, her background would have become an unspeakable secret.

However, there was an old saying: Nobles and generals have the guts!

If she could reach the peak of imperial power, her background would be insignificant. Gu Yanfei would no longer be able to criticize herself from high above and would kneel in front of her humbly.

Similarly, if Gu Yanfei really became the Eldest Princess Consort and went up another level, she would have to beg her forever…

Gu Yunrong’s eyes darkened as she stared unblinkingly at Gu Yanfei, who was chatting and laughing with An Le. She was completely immersed in her thoughts.

Beside her, Yu Chaoyun bit her lower lip and was also looking at Gu Yanfei. There was a faint hint of ruthlessness on her lips.

‘Please return to the palace, Empress Dowager.” Chu Yi’s calm voice sounded again, as if they were chatting casually, or as if the confrontation had never happened.

Empress Dowager Yuan stared at him coldly. At this moment, when she looked at Chu Yi’s unfamiliar and familiar gentle face, she felt that she had never known him.

Chu Yi had left the country for eight years. Before he returned, she could barely remember his appearance. She only remembered that Chu Yi was a good-natured young man before he was 10 years old, and was similar to the soft-hearted emperor.

However, the past eight years of being a hostage in the State of Yue was probably enough to change a young man’s temperament, making him deep and sinister…

A tall and mighty figure suddenly stood between Empress Dowager Yuan and Chu Yi. It was He Lie.

He Lie extended his hand to Empress Dowager Yuan again.

Empress Dowager Yuan flicked her sleeve heavily and left without looking back. She only said, “Let’s go back to Shou’an Palace.’

She used this sentence to barely maintain her dignity as the Empress Dowager.

The group of eunuchs and palace maids from the Shou’an Palace hurriedly followed and left the pleasure boat uneasily under the •escort” of the Embroidered Uniform Guards.

The noisy footsteps faded.

After a while, everything returned to calm on the pleasure boat and outside, as if nothing had happened.

“Father, you fell into the lake today and were shocked. You still have to let the imperial physician take a look.” Chu Yi slowly walked to the Emperor’s side, his voice clearly gentler.

‘Okay.” The Emperor rarely said no to his son and agreed with a smile.

It was as if the farce just now hadn’t left a trace in the Emperor’s heart.

The Emperor brushed his sleeves and was about to get up when he thought of something. He asked Gu Yanfei kindly, “Dear, do you want to go with us?”

He stroked his beard gently and smiled lovingly, with the affection of an elder to a junior.

Gu Yanfei shook her head and smiled seriously. “I hate drinking medicine the most.”

She knew very well that the Emperor had lost his footing and fallen off the pleasure boat just now, but he wasn’t even touched by a drop of water and didn’t need an imperial physician at all.

The Emperor was a little disappointed. His eyes darted around, and he glanced sideways in Chu Yi’s direction. He lowered his voice again. “Dear, what do you think of my son?

His voice was so low that only he and Gu Yanfei could hear him.

An Le blinked and leaned over curiously. She stared at Gu Yanfei with a burning gaze, as if to say, “What are you talking about?”

Gu Yanfei:

For the first time, Gu Yanfei tasted silence. She couldn’t help but recall the scene on the bow deck.

Another cold wind blew, and a few scattered plum petals were blown over. One of the pink petals happened to land on Gu Yanfei’s eyelashes.

Gu Yanfei’s long eyelashes trembled slightly, and the petal floated down…

When she asked him if he had a sweetheart, it just slipped out in a flash of inspiration.

And he smiled at her. ‘Yes, I have a sweetheart.’

When he said this, she was the one those eyes were looking at.

The person reflected in those dark pupils was also her..