Underneath The Moonlit Night

Chapter 51 - Gone Without A Trace

Throughout the exchange, Duke Feng Xian remained silent, a satisfied smirk playing on his lips. He watched with a sense of vindication as the obstacles to his plans were systematically removed by the very person he sought to undermine the most: his own brother, King ChengLi.

Meanwhile, Prince Ming Zhe couldn't bear to stand idly by. "Father, please spare Qing Yi," he implored, his voice tinged with desperation.

In response, the King's tone remained nonchalant. "You're welcome to accompany them, Ming Zhe, if you're so concerned for your precious apothecary," he retorted casually.

Ming Zhe gritted his teeth, feeling the weight of his helplessness as he clenched his fists in frustration.

General Wu Jin's brows furrowed in concern. "Your Majesty, isn't this punishment excessively harsh?" He questioned, his voice weighted with apprehension. "Prince Kai Ze acted with the noble intention of protecting the children of Serpent's Shade. Sending him alone to confront such a beast is akin to a death sentence for your own son."

King ChengLi met General Wu Jin's gaze with a steely resolve. "If I were to show leniency to my own kin, what kind of just and fair ruler would I be?" King ChengLi countered firmly. "Kai Ze must learn to face the repercussions of his actions."

The gravity of the situation weighed heavily on General Wu Jin, his shoulders slumping with resignation. "But the punishment seems disproportionate to his transgression," he lamented.

The King's expression softened into a contemplative gaze. A faint smirk played at the corners of his lips as he delivered his response. "He won't be entirely alone," he stated with a hint of satisfaction. "With the apothecaries by his side, he'll have the means to heal his wounds and persevere through the ordeal."

General Wu Jin's disappointment weighed heavily on him as he reflected on the changed demeanor of King ChengLi. Once, they had shared a strong bond forged through military campaigns and shared ambitions. General Wu Jin had believed fervently in the young prince ChengLi's potential to be a just and capable ruler, especially after his older brother, Crown Prince Feng Xian relinquished his claim to the throne.

In their youth, Prince ChengLi had shown promise, demonstrating exceptional skill on the battlefield and strategic brilliance. With General Wu Jin's unwavering support, he ascended to the throne and led victorious campaigns in the Southern lands. However, success seemed to transform ChengLi.

Over time, his ambition grew boundless, overshadowing his once noble intentions. He became consumed by the thirst for power and dominance, his heart growing colder and his demeanor more distant. The Prince General Wu Jin had once known and respected seemed to slip away, replaced by a ruler driven by ruthless ambition.

Despite the change, General Wu Jin remained loyal, standing faithfully by the King's side through the years. Yet, the widening gap between the man he had once admired and the ruler he now served left him with a sense of disillusionment and regret.

With a heavy sigh, General Wu Jin voiced his concern, his words weighted with the gravity of the situation. "Your Majesty, with your permission, I would like to extend my aid to the prince."

"Denied," The King's response was swift and unwavering. "I have other matters of greater urgency that require your expertise, General."

The General's frustration and disbelief were palpable as he pushed back against the King's decision. "More pressing matters than the life of your own son?" he questioned, unable to comprehend the King's priorities in such a critical moment.

The King's piercing gaze bore into General Wu Jin, his words laden with the weight of authority and paternal indifference. "General Wu Jin, you understand better than anyone the principles by which I guide my children. They must learn to face the consequences of their actions, regardless of the severity. However, if by some stroke of luck Kai Ze emerges victorious, I may reconsider his future as my successor."