The guards waiting outside rushed over, scrambling to right the wheelchair and carefully helping Prince Zhao back into it.
Li Ji remained silent the entire ti, seemingly unaffected by the sudden incident.
However, Hua Manman, who was closest to him, clearly saw him clutching the armrests of the wheelchair.
He was gripping them so tightly his knuckles had turned white.
Hua Manman’s heart suddenly ached for him.
He was supposed to be the Great General who commanded battlefields and struck terror into the hearts of his enemies. He was a great hero to countless people.
Yet just a mont ago, he had fallen humiliatingly to the ground in front of everyone.
And he didn’t even have the strength to get up on his own.
He had to rely on others just to live with a shred of dignity.
Li Yan stood to the side, apologizing profusely.
"I’m sorry, my hand slipped. It’s all my fault."
By then, the Emperor had walked over.
He glanced first at Prince Zhao. Seeing that his clothes were just disheveled and he had no visible injuries, the Emperor breathed a small sigh of relief.
Then, the Emperor turned to Li Yan, his expression instantly darkening as he snapped harshly.
"You useless thing! You can’t even handle a simple task like this! What use do I have for you?
Get back to your quarters and reflect on what you’ve done! First thing tomorrow morning, you will return to Shangjing. I don’t want to see your face again!"
The color instantly drained from Li Yan’s face.
He never imagined that a simple slip of his hand would result in such a harsh punishnt.
His Imperial Father had brought him on this trip to the sumr retreat, intending to observe his performance. Li Yan had hoped to seize the opportunity to make a good impression. He never thought he’d be sent back on the very first day.
If word of this got out, everyone, both in and out of the palace, would know he had angered his Imperial Father.
His chances of succeeding in the competition for Crown Prince would be significantly diminished.
Li Yan didn’t want to leave.
He pleaded with his Imperial Father to show rcy and spare him this once.
The Emperor was unmoved and ordered the guards to drag him away.
Before he was taken away, Li Yan shot Prince Zhao a look filled with resentnt.
’I was just trying to help! And what did I get for it? Nothing! Instead, Father punished in front of everyone. I’ve lost all face. And what’s worse, that Prince Zhao didn’t say a single word to defend .’
’What an ungrateful bastard! He deserves to be a cripple for the rest of his life!’
The Emperor ordered n to escort Prince Zhao back to his quarters and dispatched an Imperial Physician to check him for any injuries from the fall.
After the examination, the Imperial Physician found only a few minor scrapes on Prince Zhao’s elbow and palm.
It was nothing serious; a little ointnt would be enough.
After seeing the Imperial Physician out, Hua Manman returned to the room.
Li Ji sat in his wheelchair, head bowed, staring at his own legs. He didn’t speak for a long ti.
Just as Hua Manman was about to say sothing to comfort him, he suddenly spoke.
"Leave. I want to be alone."
"Then I’ll take my leave," Hua Manman said. "Just call if you need anything. I’ll co right away."
Seeing that Prince Zhao had nothing more to say, she quietly let herself out.
As she turned to close the door, she caught sight of Li Ji’s profoundly dark eyes.
There was not a glimr of light in them—only complete darkness.
A sudden, uneasy feeling crept into her heart.
’Prince Zhao already has a pessimistic disposition. After being humiliated so publicly today, he might do sothing reckless.’
Hua Manman decided to be cautious.
As she closed the door, she deliberately left it ajar, just a crack.
Peeking through the crack, she saw Prince Zhao reach out with his right hand, open a nearby drawer, and take out a pair of gleaming scissors.
User Comments
0 comments from readers