The Double-Chapter 759 - 226 Misery

Jih Heng simply walked away, leaving Yin Zhan standing alone where he was. The typically hearty smile on his face had vanished completely, replaced with nothing but gloom.

He could hear the numerous intents to kill within Jih Heng’s words, along with an impatient joy. He suddenly felt tense, anxious that there wasn’t enough time, and abruptly turned to leave at a quick pace.

Jih Heng entered the palace, passed through corridors, walked by great halls, and Eunuch Su led him into the Emperor’s Imperial Study Room before stepping out and standing by the door.

Jih Heng walked in; the young Emperor Hongxiao was sitting at the desk, which was covered with thick stacks of documents.

"Your Majesty," he got straight to the point, "the time has come."

Emperor Hongxiao looked up from the documents, his gaze settling on Jih Heng.

At first, others didn’t think that Jih Heng’s loyalty to Emperor Hongxiao was an excellent choice. When Prince Cheng was still around, Emperor Hongxiao’s power was waning, and he could be replaced by Prince Cheng at any moment. Only after Prince Cheng’s downfall did everyone realize that the Emperor they’d looked down upon was a truly dormant lion. Jih Heng, from the very beginning, had keenly chosen the strongest person.

But such a monarch and minister relationship was ultimately unreliable, seeming to have an undertone of mutual utilization. Moreover, if Emperor Hongxiao could have doubts about the Right Chancellor, how could he not be wary of Jih Heng?

But Emperor Hongxiao knew it was not so. Between him and Jih Heng, there existed a strange relationship, perhaps a shared misery or a common grudge. For Emperor Hongxiao, Jih Heng wasn’t just a pawn, a reliable minister, but in some ways, he could also be considered a trustworthy friend during his lonely reign.

Perhaps it was because Jih Heng had laid out his plans from the beginning, or maybe it was because Jih Heng had always maintained a minister’s proper place. He seemed to act without reservation, but in fact, he gauged the distance so precisely that Emperor Hongxiao had no reason to suspect him.

"Have you truly decided?" Emperor Hongxiao asked, "I don’t wish for you to take this risk."

"Your Majesty, I have been planning this for many years. If I do not do it, perhaps others may not succeed. By then, it could all be for naught," Jih Heng said, his expression unchanged, "I am resolved, please grant me this, Your Majesty."

Emperor Hongxiao let out a long sigh.

Indeed, he had known for a long time that this day would come. Getting to this point had not been easy. The complete downfall of Prince Cheng, the return of Yin Zhan, it was all within their grasp; they had been cautiously planning, and only when it was upon them did they realize how many years had passed, time flying like an arrow.

"Jih Heng, you must come back safely," Emperor Hongxiao said.

"I will," Jih Heng smiled faintly, "For Your Majesty, and for the Jih family, I will... personally kill him."

Eunuch Su stood at the door, seemingly unaffected by anything, his expression unchanging, yet he sighed internally. It’s said that one suffers in the shadows despite the glory in the limelight. Others only see the current triumphs of His Majesty and Duke Su, unaware of how difficult these years have been for them.

They simply never speak of it.

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Yin Zhan returned to the Yin Household.

He had come back from the palace early, but the household thought he was out since he locked himself in his study upon his return. Only when night fell and Yin Zhan emerged from the study did the servants startle, with Yin Zhiqing saying, "Father, I thought you were out."

Yin Zhiqing had also lost some weight these days because of Jih Heng’s betrothal to Jiang Li. However, she was naturally passionate and straightforward and had been trying to move forward, at least not completely immersed in her sorrow.

Yin Zhan glanced at her, and Yin Zhiqing recoiled, startled by Yin Zhan’s ice-cold look, as if he were regarding a stranger. Although she knew Yin Zhan had always favored her brother, he had never looked at her with such a gaze, and she involuntarily took a step back.

At that moment, Yin Zhili came over from another direction, just in time to see them, and said, "Father, Zhiqing."

"Brother," Yin Zhiqing was somewhat scared, hiding behind Yin Zhili. Yin Zhili looked at Yin Zhan curiously. Although Yin Zhan was usually stern with Yin Zhili, he was often smiling, but today he had not a hint of a smile, almost terrifying. Yin Zhili was also taken aback, hearing Yin Zhiqing whispering from behind, "What did you do wrong to make father angry?"

Yin Zhili was completely confused; he hadn’t done anything. Then, Yin Zhan said to Yin Zhili, "Zhili, come with me."

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