The Emperor looks furious. "My people are in danger and-"
"My apologies for interrupting you," Wei Ying says quickly, "but what exactly are you going to do? Your health is still recovering, and a feather could knock you down! And how were you going to get to Chang'An? It's better if Lan Zhan and I go. Better yet, and perhaps it's too early for Hui Gai to take the First Prince out of action, but let's not be hasty."
Prince Wu goes to sit by the Emperor's side. "Baba, you should stay. Hanguang-Jun and the Yiling Laozu can take care of it. Won't you?" He looks at them earnestly.
"Yes, absolutely. We can find out what's happening and report back. In and out." Wei Ying smiles back at the child and gives him a wink. "Little Rabbit, can you do something for us?"
Li XiWang comes to stand in front of him. "Anything," she says softly.
In that moment, Wei Ying sees a flash of Lan Zhan in her posture and her words. There's such a determination on her face that he has to blink away the sudden unexpected moisture in his eyes.
"You will be the link between us," Lan Zhan says, easily understanding what Wei Ying had thought of.
"Yeah, we're taking Hui Gai with us, but if for any reason you need us, just shout for him. But in the meantime, I am going to trust that no more foolishness will be brewing in this room." Wei Ying looks pointedly at the Emperor then.
"Those are punishable actions," the Emperor replies, but he looks sheepish enough for Wei Ying to recognise the twinkle in his eye.
"Then I'm lucky our Gracious Emperor is so kind and benevolent enough to overlook my enthusiasm in this particular matter," Wei Ying bows to soften his words.
"As you say. But am I to understand correctly that your daughter can summon the demon?" There's a new wary awe on his face as the Emperor stares at Li XiWang.
"Hui Gai and Li XiWang have a strong bond, beginning years ago." Wei Ying replies.
"And Hui Gai isn't just some demon," Li XiWang explains, feeling offended on his behalf. "He's just as great as my fathers and part of our family."
She's suddenly hugged from behind by the demon in question. "Awww! Little Rabbit, you're the best!"
"Hui Gai!" Li XiWang turns around and wraps her skinny little arms around his neck.
He laughs, licking his red lips. "I take it we're going somewhere?"
"Yes, Hui Gai. But not to sort out the First Prince, at least not unless it's unavoidable. We're just checking out the place and bringing Tang Pei and Porta Daven back." Wei Ying answers him.
"They're not back yet?" Hui Gai puts Li XiWang down but keeps her little hand in his. "Where exactly did you send them?" He directs that question to the Emperor.
"I thought the Royal Court would be a great place to start if we want to know what's going on," the Emperor replies, for the first time looking uncertain. "But they could be anywhere."
"Also, I forgot to tell you," Wei Ying says, "but I had to go back and fetch your poetry book. Someone has completely destroyed your bedroom and the private office adjacent to it."
The Emperor nods to himself quietly. "My firstborn has quite the temper. So please be careful when dealing with him. I am responsible for his upbringing, and I regret that things have come to this."
"Your Highness, with respect, I would add that while it might be true, each person must by themselves take the responsibility of their own actions. You may have instilled all the good qualities, but it is the First Prince himself who has chosen to conduct himself in this way. That's on him." Wei Ying bows and ushers them out.
"So where do you want to go, PengYou?" Hui Gai asks them, closing the door behind him. "Inside the Palace?"
"Do you remember the secret balcony above the Royal Court? Where Prince Wu had been hiding when we first went to the Palace?" Wei Ying asks him after thinking about it for a few seconds. "I think that might be a good place because it will hide us while we watch, and that's assuming a court will be held today."
"Mn." Lan Zhan takes his hand while Hui Gai takes Wei Ying's free one.
And just like that, they're standing behind thick burgundy and gold heavy drapes, surrounded by darkness. At first, no one dares to breathe, not even moving the slightest bit. As their eyes adjust to the deep blackness around them, they hear shouts of distress from below.
Wei Ying edges towards the curtains, his nimble fingers searching for the gap between the two sides so they can see what's going on below. The moment the silk brocade parts, the muffled din from below, rises up in angry waves of hostility.
"WHERE IS THE EMPEROR NOW?"
"WE WANT TO SEE HIS HIGHNESS!"
"WE DON'T BELIEVE WHAT YOU'RE SAYING! HOW CAN HE BE ILL FOR MONTHS AND MONTHS?"
"SOME KIND OF EVIL IS AFOOT!"
The shouts clearly reach them up here, and Wei Ying risks peeking out to look down on what was once an orderly Royal Court.
It is certainly not the case now!
Lan Zhan wraps an arm around his waist and leans closer to look below, while Hui Gai does the same without holding onto him.
All previous decorum has been abandoned in favour of an angry mob wanting answers. All of their questions are aimed at a sulky looking First Prince standing just behind Ciao Huji and Xue Nanping, who are visibly struggling to bring the peace back.
"SILENCE! YOU DARE TO QUESTION THE ROYAL FAMILY!??" Xue Nanping bellows, matching the crowd's volume just to be heard.
"THE EMPEROR WILL BE INFORMED ABOUT YOUR INSUBORDINATION!" Ciao Huji raises his voice to tell them.
"THEN BRING HIM HERE SO WE CAN TELL HIM OURSELVES!" A lone voice shouts, and suddenly, it is deathly quiet in the hall.
YOU ARE READING
WangXian Forever Book 10
RomanceWei Ying and Lan Zhan must step up to the new challenge that awaits them when they find something that was given to them in secret. What is it, and why is it so dangerous? They embark on a new adventure to find out.
