Hua Hua You Long Fanfiction 2

Epilogue

 HHYL Fanfic2 - Epilogue

Winter in Tong'an had always been a season filled with unbearably frigid cold air. The first snow fluttered at the early onset of winter, seemingly falling to the earth in a never-ending stream, flake after flake, covering the land and the trees with a layer of soft whiteness. In this kind of season, families would choose to gather together and warm themselves inside their comfortable houses rather than to walk outside. Enjoying hot tea while laughing and lovingly spending quality time together.

If only all the courtiers had the same options as those commoners, they would have happily opted to stay home instead of being pressured by a different kind of suffocating cold air. Ever since they received word that their Emperor had awoken from his comatose state, initially, they were overjoyed but very soon their hearts were filled with unrest and carried a heavy burden. They could neither eat nor rest peacefully.

Today was the first day that Emperor Jing Zong graced them with his majestic presence after his period of being comatose. Surely, the air was supposed to be filled with joyous tidings and gleeful words, they were supposed to congratulate him and wish him the best of health and the longest of life.

Instead, the atmosphere in the Royal Hall was heavy and suffocating. It was as if the fresh air did not dare to enter this grand place. Each and every courtier who presented themselves at this morning's court looked at the floor while bent in a deep bow. Holding their breath in anticipation. Cold sweats formed on their foreheads despite the cold winter weather. Not knowing any other way to better present themselves in such circumstances.

Behind the veil, His Majesty was eyeing them with such a cold look --- colder than winter itself. They couldn't see his expression clearly for that veil was hindering them. It was not anger. Definitely not happiness. It was just heavy. An unpredictable silent threat --- more than anything else, it made their hearts thump in terror. However, from the uncomfortable and nauseating silence that the Emperor emitted, they could feel the obvious dismay he felt. Most of the courtiers felt a bad omen was about to befall upon them. They involuntarily shivered in their spot.

From Xiao Gui Zi, his loyal personal attendant, Jing heard everything that had happened during the period where he was comatose. How this bunch of scornful courtiers strove to eliminate Lu Cang. Relentlessly putting pressure on Zheng to "act" accordingly, insisting on how Lu Cang brought bad luck to the Emperor and the entire Datong Empire. Even going as far as to bring up Jing's personal affairs and accusing Lu Cang for the cause of his "unnatural" preference. Jing diligently suppressed his billowing rage, resulting in this kind of horrifying air.

If he hadn't considered how loyal they were to him, he would have already had them, along with their whole family, eradicated from this human realm in a blink of an eye.

As a matter of fact, Jing had predicted they would do something like this once they got the chance, but to think that they were actually bold enough to attempt it behind his back, Jing just couldn't kill them enough times, even if only in his mind. He would revise and ensure that his plan to safeguard Lu Cang in his absence was full proof, not even air would permeate through should there be a next time.

"So..."

Shuddering merely from the one word spoken by the Emperor, all of the courtiers were unable to hold in their gasps. All were now nervously awaiting their impending doom.

"Anyone care to explain what happened during 'my' absence?"

The Emperor's voice was calm although it was filled with pure dreadful menace that made the highest officials in Datong attending this morning's court tremble and quiver like a leaf in the autumn breeze, hanging earnestly to its dear branch so as not to fall off.