Chapter 524

Ji Feihua said coldly, "It couldn't be that he has some leverage over Hu Xiaotian, forcing him to do this, could it?"

Lin Wan felt a chill from the bottom of her heart; Ji Feihua was exceedingly crafty, nearly demonic, trying to hide anything from his eyes would surely not be easy. She sighed again and said, "Eunuch Hu is your favorite right now; you treat him like a brother, a feeling no one can match." As she spoke these words, a sour taste welled up in her heart.

Ji Feihua said, "Hu Xiaotian has one advantage: he knows how to stay within his bounds, clearly understanding what he should and shouldn't do."

Lin Wan could not fail to hear his veiled jab; she rolled her eyes and said, "It seems Commander is angry with me. In fact, from start to finish, I haven't done anything to disappoint you." Privately, she still referred to herself as "this palace" for the first time in front of Ji Feihua.

Ji Feihua's pupils suddenly contracted, a icy killing intent spreading outward; Lin Wan, being close by, could certainly feel this chilling gloom. She forced herself to stay calm, bit her lip, and said, "I've received news that Mr. Hong has already arrived in Kangdu."

Ji Feihua's expression remained still as an ancient well; this news seemed to have no effect on him.

Lin Wan asked, "Aren't you worried?"

"Worried about what?"

"Hong Beimo comes with ill intent; he wholeheartedly wants to help the old man restore the throne, and this visit must be thoroughly prepared."

A hint of mockery curled Ji Feihua's lips: "Prepare for what? Just a stray dog; does the Zajia really fear his bite?"

Lin Wan gazed at Ji Feihua's aloof, disdainful demeanor, and another indescribable feeling welled up in her heart; what she admired most was his current bearing, what she liked most was also his current bearing—this lofty arrogance that looks down on the world truly stirs the heart and entrances.

Ji Feihua said, "Tell me any news immediately."

Lin Wan said, "I heard that the Emperor went to visit the Retired Emperor again today?"

Ji Feihua said, "Attend to your own duties; it's best not to meddle in what isn't your responsibility."

Long Xuan'en ultimately still did not tell him the location of the secret treasury within the deadline set by Long Yelin; Long Yelin gazed at this elderly man before him, wondering if he truly intended to take all his wealth into the coffin.

Long Yelin did not believe the old man would fall ill so conveniently; it was likely just a means of evasion.

After Meng Zizai diagnosed Long Xuan'en, he was certain there was nothing serious about his condition—just a common cold.

Long Yelin dismissed the attendants, sat beside his father's bed, and quietly gazed at him.

Long Xuan'en lay there, eyes tightly shut, as if he lacked the strength to open them.

Long Yelin said, "You seem to have forgotten what I said that day."

"I haven't forgotten, but I never hid any treasure, so what could I give you?"

Long Yelin nodded and said, "You think I'm that easy to deceive. During this time, I had people pull out the files on the Chu Yuanhai corruption case from years ago and examined them thoroughly."

Long Xuan'en said calmly, "Any findings?"

"You've had everything related to that case destroyed." Long Yelin said angrily.

"So there's no evidence?" Long Xuan'en's tone was full of mockery.

Long Yelin said, "Don't you still not understand this truth: no one lives forever; the Long family has ruled Dakang from its founding to now. No one can eternally sit on the Dragon Throne—neither you nor I. If we want Dakang's realm to remain stable, we must pass it down generation to generation, rather than clutching everything in our own hands."

Long Xuan'en chuckled, then burst into a fit of coughing; when it subsided he said, "You've indeed run into trouble… big trouble… After all, we are father and son—why don't you tell me what's going on? Perhaps, out of father‑son affection, I might still be able to offer you some advice."

Long Yelin pursed his lips, glanced behind him, as if afraid someone might be eavesdropping.

Long Xuan'en sighed, "You needn't say it; I know what you want to say—are you feeling regret? After painstakingly climbing to the throne, once you actually sat upon it you realized you were merely a puppet emperor, and in the end you're still controlled by others…" Long Xuan'en coughed again.

Long Yelin clenched his fists; at this moment, what shone in his eyes was not deep‑seated hatred but an indescribable sorrow.

Long Xuan'en said, "You are my son; although you have been disobedient and unfilial, usurping my throne, I cannot bear to watch you walk straight into a dead end."

Long Yelin gave a hollow cold laugh, "These words truly move me."

Long Xuan'en said, "You got one thing right: no one lives forever, and likewise no dynasty can remain prosperous forever. Dakang's present state is certainly not my fault alone… cough cough… Dakang once enjoyed generations of glory, yet among the Long line, only two rulers—like Taizong and Mingzong—were truly wise and capable… Over hundreds of years of succession, most have been unable to match the stature of those two forefathers…"

Long Yelin remained silent, unable to deny his father's words.

Long Xuan'en gasped, "You are my son; I certainly know your talent, and I understand your nature even better. Never mind whether I have hidden treasure—even if I did, even if I gave it to you, ask yourself honestly: could you keep it safe? Someone who cannot even master his own fate—how could he protect the ancestral estate?" His emotions visibly flared; the rest of what he wanted to say was completely replaced by a bout of coughing.

Long Yelin was not angry; he said softly, "Dakang belongs not only to me but also to you, to the entire Long clan. As descendants of the Long family, how can we stand by and watch our nation's lands and altars be lost in our hands?"

"It is not Dakang's lands and altars that are being lost through my hands, but through yours, you unfilial son!" Long Xuan'en roared loudly, the sharpness flashing in his cloudy eyes, the former imperial aura that once looked down on all returning to him.

Long Yelin said, "I came today not to argue these points with you, but to ask you one thing: do you truly wish for the Long family's realm to fall into foreign hands?"

Long Xuan'en said, "Your belated realization may already be too late. Well, considering you are my son, and that you still remember you are of the Long line, I will teach you once more. One must know one's limits; since you lack the ability to turn the tide, just honestly be a puppet—though you may be at the mercy of others, at least you can scrape by in this world…" He coughed.

Long Xuan'en's words clearly infuriated Long Yelin; he glared at his father and said, "Do you think I'm as useless as you? As a descendant of the Long line, how can I endure disgrace and survive, letting our ancestors suffer shame?"

Long Xuan'en gave his son a cold smile, sighed slowly, and refused to speak further.

Long Yelin said, "I'll give you ten more days; the eighth day of the second month is your birthday. If you remain obstinate, that day will be your memorial day!"

Long Xuan'en said, "You still haven't figured it out: even if you possessed an inexhaustible treasure, without power in your hands, what would you use to contend with others?"

Long Yelin said, "Even if I sacrificed my own life, I would still uphold the glory of our ancestors."

Long Xuan'en chuckled.

"What are you laughing at?"

Long Xuan'en said, "I had lost all zest for life, but hearing your words suddenly gave me a wish to live on; I truly hope to see, in my lifetime, you restore Dakang's prestige and dominate the world—then, even if I die, I will smile in the underworld."

Long Yelin rose to his feet and stepped toward the door.

Long Xuan'en shouted behind him, "Long live the emperor! May the reign last eternally, unifying the realm!"

Long Yelin's figure paused outside the palace gates; he shut his eyes tightly, straining to control the anger in his heart—his father's words were nothing but mockery.

Outside the Numinous Heaven Palace, the little princess Qiqi waited quietly for her father; seeing Long Yelin emerge, she could tell from his gloomy face that the meeting had not gone well, and she said, "Father Emperor, Grandfather, what did he say?"

Long Yelin gave a cold snort.

Qiqi said, "Why don't I go in and persuade him? He didn't specifically ask to see me, did he?"

Long Yelin said, "He's already senile; it's fine not to see him."

Qiqi said, "Perhaps he'll listen to me; let me give it a try."

Long Yelin looked at his daughter; she had grown much taller recently, her appearance gradually shedding its former childishness, and from her he faintly saw the shadow of a person, his heart feeling as if stabbed sharply by a knife tip; Long Yelin drew a deep breath, quickly dispelled the memory in his mind, and said softly, 'Also good…'

Qiqi slowly entered the Numinous Heaven Palace, looking at the white-haired, gaunt old man on the bed, she could hardly believe that the person before her was the once exalted Dakang emperor, her grandfather; in her memory, her grandfather was always hard to approach. Actually this time he wanted to see not only himself but also several of her imperial brothers, yet no one was willing to come, except Qiqi herself.

Qiqi came not because she had any feelings for her grandfather, but because she had some matters that needed answers.

Long Xuan'en signaled Senior Eunuch Wang Qian to help him up from the bed, then waved his hand. Wang Qian understood his meaning, approached Qiqi, bowed in salute, and then quietly withdrew.

Long Xuan'en saw Qiqi still standing two zhang away, stretched out his hand to beckon her and said, 'Qiqi, come over… let me take a good look at you…'

Qiqi shook their head; their feet did not move, their face showed no fear, and their eyes, as clear as spring water, shone with a calm and steady light: "I'll stay here."

Long Xuan'en said with a bitter smile, "Are you worried I'll harm you?"

Qiqi nodded: "If it weren't for Eunuch Quan risking their life to protect me on the way to Xichuan, I would probably have died already."

Long Xuan'en said: "That matter has nothing to do with me; as the saying goes, a tiger does not eat its own cubs. I haven't become so muddle-headed as to want to kill my own son and granddaughter." (To be continued~^~)