Echoes of My Heart Throughout the Court

Chapter 194: Emperors Regal Disdain (1 / 2)

The imperial decree was delivered to the Jin Prince’s residence.

Seated in his wheelchair, the Jin Prince pressed his temple with one hand, his knuckles pale from tension.

On his lap lay the imperial edict he had just received. The decree was brief and straightforward: he was ordered to escort Prince Fu, who was currently en route to the capital under custody.

And then…

Suddenly, a pair of hands gently massaged his temples, applying soft pressure. From behind him came the Jin Princess Consort’s gentle voice: “My lord, is there some difficult task you must undertake?”

The Jin Prince’s voice was hoarse as he replied, “It’s nothing. His Majesty has instructed me to escort Prince Fu.”

He turned, pulling the Princess Consort to sit beside him.

“You are seven months along now. Be careful in everything you do. Once I leave, you must never go anywhere without someone accompanying you…”

He continued to caution her: “I know you often go out to practice medicine, but now that you’re seven months pregnant, put it aside for now. Wait until after the child is born and you’ve completed your confinement period to resume.”

Finally, he added, “I will make sure to return before you give birth.”

The Princess Consort listened quietly, a faint smile appearing in her eyes.

The Jin Prince gently caressed her belly, his gaze filled with unease. Yet, he hesitated, unable to voice his deeper concerns.

—His imperial elder brother’s decree did not merely order him to escort Prince Fu. It also explicitly commanded that no anesthetic be used and that Prince Fu’s legs be broken brutally.

This made the Jin Prince suspect that the Emperor might be sending a warning, perhaps having discovered something, using Prince Fu as an example to intimidate others.

The reason the Emperor hadn’t directly sent someone to arrest him was likely because he had been keeping a low profile lately.

The Jin Prince couldn’t fathom his elder brother’s intentions, leaving his thoughts in turmoil.

He was no longer alone—he had a Princess Consort and the child she carried. For a long time, he had refrained from getting involved in political matters, intending to curry favor with the man on the throne, to dispel any suspicions. All he wished for was to successfully retire from court and live a peaceful life with his Princess Consort, envying neither immortals nor power.

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On the other side.

In the distant Fu Prince’s residence, a group of Jinyiwei stormed in. As they twisted Fu Prince’s arm to take him away, he became furious.

“You dogs! What do you think you’re doing?”

The commander of the Jinyiwei, smiling faintly, presented an imperial edict.

“We ask the Prince not to make things difficult for us. Otherwise, if we use force, it won’t look good on your part either.”

Fu Prince instantly panicked.

He knew exactly what the Jinyiwei’s authority entailed. Backed by imperial privilege, they could arrest anyone without needing approval from the Ministry of Justice or the Dali Temple. Furthermore, if the target resisted, they were authorized to kill on the spot.

But the Jinyiwei weren’t fools. They could flaunt their power in front of officials, but acting so arrogantly toward the Emperor’s son was practically suicidal.

Unless they were certain he had no chance of turning the tables.

After a brief hesitation, Fu Prince wisely surrendered without a fight. However, he made sure to appear innocent.

“Could you at least tell me what crime I’ve committed?”

It couldn’t possibly be because they knew he harbored ambitions to vie for the throne, could it? But he hadn’t done anything yet!

—In Fu Prince’s view, merely recruiting one Imperial Attendant didn’t count as “doing anything” significant.

The Jinyiwei commander gave a faint, insincere smile, as though he found the question amusing. His tone was subtle.

“Because you meddled with someone you shouldn’t have.”

Up until the moment he met the Jin Prince, Fu Prince wracked his brains but couldn’t figure out who this “someone” might be—aside from the Crown Prince.

Soon enough, he decided to put the matter aside temporarily.

“Uncle!” After being confined in a prison cart for six or seven days, Fu Prince’s face lit up with a pitiful look when he saw the Jin Prince.

“Do you know what’s going on? I have no idea who I’ve offended, yet Father sent people to escort me to the capital! It’s not just me; even the concubines and courtesans from my residence were taken away!”

The Jin Prince’s gaze lingered briefly on Fu Prince’s legs. Without responding to his complaints, he turned to the Jinyiwei.

“His Majesty’s decree is to break Fu Prince’s legs.”

Fu Prince’s face turned ashen, while the Jinyiwei commander cautiously asked, “Should we use anesthetics… or not?”

The Jin Prince: “No need. Break them directly.”

Fu Prince: “What—”

Before he could finish speaking, there was a loud “clang“ as a heavy hammer smashed into his kneecap.

“AAAAAAHHHHHHHH!”

Fu Prince’s screams drowned out all other sounds.

The Jin Prince gritted his teeth. “Start by smashing his toenails!”

Since his imperial elder brother had assigned him this task, it was clear that he was expected to handle the dirty work and severely punish Fu Prince.

Fine! He would do it!

Elder Brother, as long as you spare my wife and child, what harm is there in me playing the cruel official this once?