Chapter 466: A Good Play
Emperor Chu was in a bad mood.
The attending eunuchs and guards stepped back thirty feet, keeping their heads lowered and not daring to speak.
Suddenly, snow began to fall from the sky again.
Song Zhiyuan stepped forward and said, "Emperor, it’s snowing. We should return to the palace. It’s almost time for the morning court."
Emperor Chu’s voice was as cold as the snow, "I momentarily forgot. The Xia clan is cunning, having hidden for decades with such caution. How could they so easily expose themselves for me to catch? Ha. It’s quite a performance."
Song Zhiyuan licked his dry lips and after a moment said, "They will eventually show themselves."
Emperor Chu looked over: "I am not inclined to play this game of hide and seek with him."
How can others sleep soundly beneath my bed?
Song Zhiyuan remained silent.
"After all this fuss, we only disposed of a few worthless pawns, allowing the truly useful ones to settle deeper. It will be even harder to catch him later," Emperor Chu added with a hint of irritation in his voice.
He reached out, catching a snowflake in his hand, and said, "But it’s fine. Even ice melts someday under control, let alone snowflakes."
After saying this, he strode away.
Song Zhiyuan followed, looking toward the direction outside the city, eyes filled with deep thoughts.
On a certain hillside outside the city, there were also two horses looking toward the city. One of them had a tall figure.
The other horse was ridden by an old man, who said, "Young master, there is no need to make this move."
The man said, "Sir, you do not understand. I just want to let that Chu dog know that I have appeared. I want him to be unable to eat or sleep, like a bone stuck in his throat."
The old man pursed his lips and said, "But the pawns we’ve planted are wasted. It will be harder to place them again."
The man smiled, "They are just useless pawns. If they are wasted, they are wasted. Those that can withstand the test are good pieces for battle."
The old man remained silent.
The man flicked away the falling snowflakes, then turned his hand, letting the snow melt in his palm before grabbing the horse’s reins and turning to ride away.
A voice as cold as the snow came with the wind.
"Shangjing, I will return soon."
...
The residence of the Ministry of War’s doctor, Chen Da.
The aged face of Mr. Chen was tense as he looked at the Imperial Physician, asking urgently, "Imperial Physician Zheng, how is my grandson?"
Imperial Physician Zheng withdrew his hand and said, "Your noble grandson has had a high fever for too long, and also has a wound on his forehead. I fear it may have damaged his brain. This is troubling..."
The emaciated Young Madam Chen fell to her knees with a thud, saying, "Imperial Physician Zheng, I beg you, save my son."
"Young Madam, please rise. I will do my best. It’s just that the young master has been like this for a while, and I’m afraid he might become dull."
Young Madam Chen’s face turned pale. She bit her tongue hard enough to draw blood, the metallic taste filling her mouth to keep herself from fainting.
Imperial Physician Zheng took out needles, pricking the young master who lay in the bed. The child rolled his eyelids and slowly opened his eyes.
"Indigo, it’s Mother. Do you recognize me?" Young Madam Chen rushed over.
Indigo grinned, then gave a foolish smile, calling out "Mother."
Everyone’s hearts sank. Young Madam Chen clamped her mouth shut to stifle a scream from her throat.
Mr. Chen staggered back a few steps, looking as if he had aged several years.
He walked out of the room and saw Madam Chen, her hair snow white, standing in the courtyard. His eyes filled with hatred as he approached her, his hands tightly clenched.
"Are you satisfied? Your only grandson, he’s now a fool."
Madam Chen closed her eyes.
Mr. Chen squatted down and cried out loud.
In the Chen Mansion, everyone was as silent as cicadas in winter. At dawn, when the servants went to the main courtyard to wake Madam Chen, they found her unresponsive in bed. When they checked her breath, they screamed out loud.