Chapter 13: You are the Emperor
Chenglie always knew he had to reveal himself to his brother. He’d been staying in the capital city for six years and he knows all the gossips. He knew that people talked about the Emperor secretly that he is a fool and a pervert liking men and various other negative things. He knew his brother is smart and if he took control properly he would be one of the best rulers in their dynasty.
Chenglie knew the reason his brother is not willing to take control too. He knew he had always told him in the past that his third brother will become the Emperor and he will be the one supporting him fully from the sidelines. His brother would even say that they should take sisters as wives and raise their children together. Honestly Chenglie couldn’t fathom how a seven year old would make such plans for the future.
When Chengli was sent away from the palace, he knew his little brother would be heartbroken and he secretly met him before leaving and affirmed him that he will protect him and return to his side someday so he should be wise and hold on and never give up his life in that place filled with vicious beasts in human skins. His brother believed him and he promised that day that he will definitely serve under his third brother after he becomes the Emperor.
But Chenglie knew the intentions of his father behind his sending off from the palace for four years. There is a rule that was not known to many that specifically forbids any Prince who had spent more than three years away from the Palace loses his claim to the throne. By sending him away he is removing the competition for the crown prince as Chenglie had vast support of the officials as the next ruler. So even if he acknowledged himself as the third prince years later, he cannot claim the throne.
But his ninth brother was not stupid. He must have learned of that rule somehow. So when he was made to sit on the throne, he acted stupid and aloof to the court matters, so that one day if his third brother returns he can hand him over the throne as the officials have no other way to accept it as this ruler is deemed unfit on their eyes. And having heirs would reduce the chance of handing over the throne, so he never let women get close to him creating various rumours.
Honestly, Chenglie felt proud, happy and at the same time guilty for the love and loyalty his brother had for him. Even now if he had to chose between his brother or Xing he would chose Xing without a second thought but his brother would always chose him over anyone else.
That is one of the main reasons he had been putting off meeting him till now. But today he has no choice but to do what he owes his brother as Xing had urged him.
Chenglie went to the camp and greeted General Zhong Huojin.
" When did you get here? Why are you here?", the general asked.
" I’m meeting my brother"
Huojin froze. " What? Why now? You never agreed to it before. Are you joking? You know the implications of... "
Chenglie didn’t listen to his ramblings and looked inside the tent, " Where is he? "