Sacrifice -2

Shiyou very calmly refills their tea cup and afterwards pats on his fathers back of hand very gently "father...this son has always felt fortunate for being your son...son knows how much of emotion and time you have invested on this son...son knows being on top isn't all glorious and wonderful like many assume..

Son is of same mind as you...both Leiran and mother have become muddle headed...for Leiran this son had even warned muhou of her temper and quick mouth yet she kept on indulging her and now look where she has reached...

As for mother son for sure knows rather than taking time to calm she at this moment is planning many ways to kill lord of the valley and Pei Jin...even if we kill Pei Jin we never should try our hands on lord of the valley for she is our golden key to unlock our path to supremacy...but mother would definetly disagree...

hence father do not worry for this sons emotions...true as my birth mother the pain is great but as you said there are times when one needs to be hard hearted and ready to sacrifice...you can do as you desire...son will handle the Shi clan for you.."

Emperor nods feeling very pleased with his son, he felt it was fortunate for him that his son was close to him from his childhood thus not needing to be aware of being stabbed from behind. He looks at his hand which was cupped by his sons hand and couldn't help but feel warm inside his cold heart.

But thinking of his daughter and wife he sighs heavily "hahhh...father had never felt tired like today...nor so angry and humiliated...not to forget the pain when thinking of Leiran's beheading tomorrow...no matter she was the daughter that father also dearly loved and pampered....

As for your mother...Zhen is thinking to let her leave peacefully so that she can accompany and guide Ran'er in netherworld...better that to have her live with bitter heart and crazy mind...

Don't worry father won't entitle another empress..no matter how much the court pressures father...father will handle them well..

With the event unfolding in such a way...we have to change our plans...or even without any evidences...Nanling for sure would suspect us as the master mind...with lord of the valley dragged into the conflict it wouldn't be wise for us to continue with the plan...also do check whether the Leiran's appearance was natural or planned...

The timing was too perfect..father can't help but feel suspicious of this matter...better to make sure...if natural then it was her fate but if planned then we must find the mastermind and deal with them...also from tomorrow make sure to attach yourself to the lord of valley...try to feel her out and see how much deep she is onto that Pei...

Try to show that you are not below him... but don't be forceful...make it look as normal as it could be...for those bugs have some of our people latched on them to keep them busy...Shi'er we have to be very careful with each of our step..."

"Father...this son had already looked into the matter...and it was her own doing and not a scheme... as for the matter of pill...indeed we have to move it to later....he might not breathe here his last but it still won't be far from us...

As for lord of the valley...son has some plans to have her separated from that leech...and as you said it will be easier to have them occupied...father do not worry for this son will handle the matters well...son will immediately have you updated if anything unexpected arises...for the time being take care of your health.."

Emperor feels at ease after learning Leiran's matter was not planned. After discussing a bit he lets Shiyou leave and himself prepares to sleep. His personal eunuch after Shiyou's warning enters to help the emperor for a bath before bed.

Inside the hot tub while the emperor soaks his eunuch scrubs his back with a soft towel "your majesty...crown prince is so filial...earlier he warned me to keep an eye on your health or he would have my head off.." reports the eunuch.

Emperor feeling happy replies "indeed among all of the Zhen's children from their childhood only Shi'er used to cling with Zhen..he never missed a day to visit Zhen always asking for Zhen's health and mood...

when he grew up only he would be present when Zhen was angry while others would hide far away..he would listen to Zhen's venting and was always able to calm Zhen...sacrificing Leiran for huajin Zhen's doesn't regret for Zhen has to keep huajin safe for Shi'er...only he has the ability to make Zhen wishes come true.."

The dreamy emperor and fawning eunuch enters to the bed chamber, after helping the emperor in the bed the eunuch also lays on the side room each on their own dreamland.