"Insolent!"
The emperor's veins bulged on his forehead, his finger pointing at Du Shan, wanting nothing more than to have him dragged out and executed.
If not for the fact that they were from Wang Dixiang, that Wang Dixiang had once helped the founding emperor establish Da Sheng, and that they were popular with the people, he truly wouldn't have endured it any longer.
"Young Master Du, how dare you!"
Du Ruo pulled someone down and knelt. "My junior brother misspoke. I ask Your Majesty for punishment. As Du Shan's senior brother, I failed to guide him well and am willing to bear the consequences."
The emperor, of course, would not truly do anything to them.
However, after this incident, his favor towards the people of Wang Dixiang instantly plummeted. He found a flimsy excuse and expelled the two from the palace.
Du Shan was still indignant. "I was merely speaking the truth. She lost her son and wants the commoners' sons to be buried with her son? How is this just?"
Du Ruo smiled bitterly. "Do you truly have too much time on your hands? What if the emperor had gotten angry and had you dragged out and beheaded just now?"
Du Shan: "..."
He immediately knew he was in the wrong and mumbled, "Then it just means the emperor isn't a good person either. I, I risked my life to advise him, and I died a worthy death."
Du Ruo: "..."
Having such a strong but simple-minded and impulsive junior brother, he felt utterly exhausted.
Actually, regarding the matter of building the Longevity Pavilion, he had originally intended to offer some advice. Perhaps through different means, he could have changed the emperor's and Consort Xian's minds.
But with Du Shan's outburst, it only further ignited the emperor's sense of superiority. His son was not to be compared with lowly commoners, and letting those people build the Longevity Pavilion was a gift to them...
Du Ruo sighed, deep in thought.
The overall situation was decided. No matter how much he said, it would be useless.
The Longevity Pavilion was to be built.
This act of defying fate was indeed not something ordinary people could accomplish. Look, he hadn't even made a move, and Du Shan had already made it happen.
Alas!
—
The emperor had agreed to Consort Xian's request.
Everything that happened in the palace reached Baili Chongyan and Zhu Jiao without any omissions.
Baili Chongyan found it laughable, while Zhu Jiao couldn't help but burst into laughter.
"Does that man have no brain? To do something so foolish. Isn't he afraid the emperor will kill him in anger? He's so stupid, hahaha..."
Baili Chongyan looked at her radiant smile and felt a flicker in his heart.
A nearby guard chuckled. "We originally thought that Young Master Du Ruo entering the palace could stop His Majesty, but unexpectedly, Young Master Du Shan's commotion directly led the emperor to agree. It's truly interesting."
The secret guard who delivered the message spoke with rare ease. "What's even more interesting is that Young Master Du Ruo already had Young Master Du Shan apologize to Consort Xian. But Young Master Du Shan said that Consort Xian's son had died and she was resentful, wanting the commoners' sons to be buried with him. He offended the emperor in one fell swoop. If not for the name of Wang Dixiang, they might have walked in upright today and been carried out horizontally."
The system couldn't help but complain: [That Du Shan is clearly strong in limbs but simple in mind, impulsive and hot-blooded. He thinks everything he says and does is for the best, but in reality, he only does foolish things.]
Baili Chongyan said meaningfully, "Father Emperor has always respected Wang Dixiang and would not act against them in the imperial palace."
After all, they were rumored to be astonishing talents from Wang Dixiang, capable of supporting a collapsing empire. The emperor might even be counting on their help. How could he possibly kill them?
"Young Master Du Ruo has some capabilities, but unfortunately, he's burdened by his junior brother. If his junior brother doesn't change his ways, he'll eventually lead them to their deaths."
...
Who was it that said that? They had already forgotten by the time Du Shan came knocking on their door, covered in blood, begging for help.
They could only lament that someone's words had become prophetic, and it had come true so quickly.
The captain of the guards looked at the person lying beside him, then at Baili Chongyan. "Your Highness, should we save him?"
Baili Chongyan's tone was calm, as if he wasn't surprised by this. "Find someone to take a look."
"Yes."
The prince's physician arrived and worked for several hours before finally saving Du Shan.
The doctors in the mansion had all treated Baili Chongyan before, and they were renowned physicians outside, naturally possessing true skill.
When Du Shan woke up, he cried and recounted their ordeal.
They were being pursued by Consort Xian's people.
Consort Xian was not a benevolent person to begin with. After being mocked by Du Shan that day and having the pain of her son's death pricked, how could she let him go?
"...Senior brother died saving me, to delay them for me. I was wrong. I underestimated human nature and overestimated my own abilities..."
Du Ruo was naturally not the frail scholar they saw. Otherwise, he wouldn't have been able to hold off those people to let him escape.
Yet, such a talented individual, renowned for his literary and martial prowess, was killed by his fault.
Du Shan cried uncontrollably.
Those who had initially wanted to mock him, upon seeing him like this, couldn't bring themselves to speak.
"His Highness permits you to recuperate here. Once you recover, you should leave."
"I won't leave!" Du Shan stated firmly. "Senior brother died saving me. He told me to seek help from Prince Yan's mansion, saying that Your Highness is the true Son of Heaven, an emperor who will be remembered through the ages, and that I should assist Your Highness."
"His Highness doesn't need your assistance."
"Then I'll stay too!"
He was so stubbornly refusing to leave that it was truly annoying.
The guard reported truthfully. Baili Chongyan pondered for a moment and replied, "Let him be. If any ill intentions are discovered, kill him."
"Yes."