He Qian clearly made his decision. Although Minister Yu was reluctant, he couldn’t disobey so he conceded and went on his way.
Once outside, Minister Yu looked gloomy as he hastened to Jade Dragon Temple.
Inside the hall, He Qian lowered his head in deep thought.
His words earlier were rather impulsive but He Qian knew that they couldn’t keep letting the dragon deity have his way. And He Qian had said nothing wrong.
Jade Dragon’s royal family had indeed received benefits from the dragon deity including protection, but the dragon deity received four female royalty in return so, in other words, this was an equivalent exchange.
So why should they be the ones to resolve the dragon deity’s troubles?
Or was this the extent of what this so-called invincible dragon deity could do?
As an emperor, He Qian had to focus on the big picture and give up what he could afford to give up. For example, his daughter. Despite He Yu being his dearest child, ever since she was bound by the bestial soul curse, He Qian knew that this was her fate.
Even so, he couldn’t do anything to change things and could only allow it to happen.
After all, this jade dragon soul curse was a contract his royal ancestors formed with the dragon deity. In each generation, one female royalty was to be sacrificed to the dragon deity and the latter would bestow the royal family with jade dragon pet beasts and ensure the nation’s safety.
However, He Qian wasn’t blind, nor a fool. Indeed, the dragon deity had given them a jade dragon pet beast but he suppressed the creature’s blood contract powers. In other words, if this pet beast were to go against the dragon deity someday, there might be backlash and the blood pact may lose control over the jade dragon.
As for keeping Jade Dragon Kingdom safe, those were just lies. Whenever the nation was in trouble, they had to resolve it independently while the dragon deity stayed in his temple and enjoyed the royal offerings. Other than bestowing them some jade dragon pet beasts, he basically did nothing else.
Deep down, He Qian was quite annoyed. However, the dragon deity was too powerful and he controlled the jade dragon pet beasts so even if He Qian wasn’t pleased, he couldn’t help it.
But now, He Qian’s keen senses told him they now had a chance to change things.
And that was Maple City’s Lin Jin.
When Lin Jin first arrived, He Qian was aware of his presence but paid him no mind.
After all, for so many years, Lu Bin had brought over countless ‘famous’ physicians but practically everyone couldn’t do anything about He Yu’s curse. A rare few manage to help He Yu regulate her body to relieve her pain but the changes were insignificant.
Yet, this Lin Jin had managed to produce immediate results on the first treatment and subdued the bestial soul curse. Even He Qian hadn’t expected it.
That night, the dragon deity had sent a clone over but was heavily injured. Despite this matter being discreet, He Qian knew about it and from then on, he began paying more attention to this Lin Jin of Maple City.
He hadn’t just sent Minister Yu to investigate Lin Jin. In fact, He Qian paid more attention to Lin Jin than he displayed on the surface. In addition, he knew more about Lin Jin than anyone else thought he did.
“Guards!” He Qian called and one of the palace inner guards hurried over.
These inner guards were all He Qian’s confidants.
“Your Majesty, what are your instructions?” The inner guard knelt.
He Qian was holding something in his hand. At a closer look, it was a golden ring.
“General Lu must have passed the night in the cell, hasn’t he?” He Qian asked.
The inner guard nodded. “Yes, Your Majesty. General Lu threw away all the food that was delivered to him and hasn’t slept at all.”
“He’s just worried. Forget it, since the Lu family has contributed a lot to the nation, I’ll go and see him.” Having said that, He Qian gripped the golden ring firmly and got up. “Order the palace inner guards and physicians to stay here. Without my command, no one is to step one foot into the sixth princess’s yard. Those who disobey, kill them on sight.”
The prison was right next to the palace. This was a place to keep royal members and ministers who had did something wrong. Although it wasn’t exactly pitch dark inside, the place was still heavily guarded. One would have to pass through three heavy metal doors just to get in. He Qian had come discreetly with only a few guards following him. He headed straight for Lu Bin’s cell upon entrance.
Lu Bin was currently sitting but feeling terribly anxious on the inside.
He didn’t know what was happening outside. Based on the condition he saw the sixth princess in yesterday, Lu Bin knew they were out of luck. Frankly speaking, when a person showed signs of death, Lu Bin knew they couldn’t survive until the night. Meaning to say the sixth princess had probably died last night.
This possibility disheartened him but there was still a ray of hope.
And it was the golden needle Lin Jin had given him yesterday.
In Lin Jin’s words, he said if anything happened, leave the golden needle somewhere closest to the princess. Lu Bin complied though he was curious. What could a tiny gold needle do? Could it possibly prevent the sixth princess from dying? Although that sounded incredulous, other than praying this needle would work, Lu Bin had no other options.
Just as he was waiting anxiously, unable to fall asleep, Emperor He Qian arrived.
As this was a secret visit, no announcements were made. Lu Bin only saw several inner guards walking in front before he noticed He Qian.
And the person he resented the most right now was Emperor He Qian.
Lu Bin gritted his teeth when he saw the man. One of the inner guards reproached quietly for Lu Bin to pay respects but Lu Bin ignored them.
“Alright, all of you, wait outside. Don’t come in without my permission.” He Qian waved and the inner guards retreated with a bow.
Now, He Qian was left alone with Lu Bin.
He Qian knew why Lu Bin had turned out this way. Back in the day, when Lu Bin was still Jade Dragon Kingdom’s commanding general, he chose to resign at the peak of his career. Although there were reasons, his temper had been the main cause.
So for his opening sentence, He Qian said, “Yu’er didn’t die.”
Sure enough, Lu Bin’s expression wavered and he couldn’t help asking, “Has Master awakened?”
Master!
Hearing this form of address, He Qian shook his head. “She hasn’t woke up yet but from the looks of it, she should be safe for now.”
Lu Bin became anxious again. “He Qian, if you still think of her as your daughter, let her live. I’m asking you, is this throne that important to you?”
With a hand behind his back, He Qian sighed. “Lu Bin, if I could choose, I’d rather exchange the throne for Yu’er. But not everything in this world can go as we wish it to. Especially as the leader of a nation, while all of this seems glamorous, it’s not a satisfying position. There are too many things beyond my control.”
Then, He Qian added, “Lu Bin, you addressing Yu’er as ‘Master’ means you haven’t forgotten what Consort Xin had entrusted you with. Consort Xin was your benefactor and since then, you’ve been calling her your master. At times, you seem more like Yu’er’s father while I don’t deserve that title.”
Lu Bin fell silent before shaking his head. “Back then, Lady Gu only had eyes for you and was willing to enter the palace walls just for you. She died giving birth after that and it wasn’t your fault but you didn’t protect the sixth princess in turn. Did you say this is against your will? Hahaha. Who doesn’t feel the same? Even I have tons of regrets but my biggest regret is giving Lady Gu to you.”
The hostility in the cell was dense.
After a while, He Qian said, “Let’s not talk about the past. I’m here for a chat with you. Let’s talk about that Appraiser Lin.”