What Does He Really Want
Lingdang grew anxious, pointing at the eunuch and scolding, "I order you all, leave at once!"
The eunuch looked at Lingdang with a sinister smile and said, "Your Majesty the Empress, please don't make it difficult for us servants. The Emperor has decreed that, since Your Majesty is carrying the imperial heir and your health is delicate, you should rest in the rear hall. Please rest assured, Your Majesty, we will ensure the Princess Consort of Qin's safety."
Lingdang looked at the guards outside, who had surrounded the palace so tightly that not even a drop of water could get through.
Things had come to this point, and Lingdang wasn't stupid—she naturally understood what was happening. Her face was full of disbelief, her complexion pale. She supported herself on the table and slumped into a chair, muttering, "This can't be... He—how could he do this to Master! This can't be happening!"
Su Li saw Lingdang's reaction and immediately knew she must not have known about this beforehand, which was why she was so caught off guard and in disbelief.
Su Li sighed and gently placed a hand on Lingdang's shoulder. "Lingdang, you're pregnant. You should go to the rear hall."
Lingdang looked up, clutching Su Li's hand, her eyes misty. She shook her head. "No, I'm not going to the rear hall! If I leave, who knows what they'll do to you."
"They won't hurt me," Su Li sighed. "The Emperor knows how much the Prince cares about me. If anything happens to me, the Prince will go to extremes. So the Emperor definitely won't harm me."
Lingdang still shook her head. "I'm not leaving. I'll stay with you. I want to see what exactly he plans to do!"
===
Training Ground
On the competition platform, Emperor Jin Ming and Prince Xiao had been sparring for the time it takes two incense sticks to burn. Their figures intertwined and moved swiftly, and neither could gain the upper hand.
Xiao Zetian focused intently on his opponent, Emperor Jin Ming, as waves of shock surged in his heart.
He had never known that Li Yanhao's martial arts were this formidable, able to match him blow for blow.
After another incense stick's time, Emperor Jin Ming still looked unfazed and waved his hand. "Enough, enough. If we keep fighting like this, even three days and nights wouldn't decide a winner."
Emperor Jin Ming neatly withdrew his stance, while Xiao Zetian stood tall and elegant, looking at the Emperor with sharp eyes. "Your Majesty, what impressive skills. We've known each other for years, but this is the first time I've realized how skilled you truly are."
Emperor Jin Ming looked at Xiao Zetian and suddenly burst out laughing. "If you wanted to survive under the late Emperor, you had to hide your abilities and fight for your life. Otherwise, how would you have lived to see today?"
Xiao Zetian looked at Emperor Jin Ming with deep meaning. "I truly admire Your Majesty. After all these years, you've managed to keep everything perfectly hidden."
Emperor Jin Ming smiled with pressed lips. "There are still plenty of things Prince Xiao doesn't know about."
"Oh?" Xiao Zetian raised an eyebrow. "What else is Your Majesty hiding from me?"
Emperor Jin Ming wiped his hands, casually tossed aside the handkerchief, then stepped down from the competition platform. He walked to the dragon throne on the high platform and sat down. In an instant, the usual carefree and playful demeanor of the young emperor vanished, replaced by an aura of overwhelming authority.
Xiao Zetian looked at Emperor Jin Ming. It was clearly the same person, the same face, but in this young emperor, he could no longer see any trace of the familiar, playful nobleman from the past.
Xiao Zetian stepped down from the platform, shook his head, and looked at Emperor Jin Ming with a bitter smile. "Your Majesty, it seems I've never truly understood what kind of person you are."
Emperor Jin Ming looked at Xiao Zetian. "I'm afraid you'll find out very soon..."