Ch 42 (1) - Shocking! The scene of the brothers' tragic conflict for love!

Ye Ming stiffened, his eyes full of disbelief. How could he possibly not recognize Li ZeYuan's voice?  But how could Li ZeYuan be here! The so-called old friend was him?!

In a split second, his mind was filled with unpleasant possibilities. Ye Ming's thoughts were tossed into a whirl of chaos.

Li ZeYuan sighed faintly by his ear, “Wen Qing, it's been a while.”

After a while, Ye Ming grabbed hold of Li ZeYuan's hand, shaking his head to signal that he will not raise a cry, quietly asking to be released.

Li ZeYuan smiled. Although doing so was tantamount to taking a huge risk, he acceded and loosened his hold.

Ye Ming took a large gulp of air, his eyes full of unease. He said softly, “Your Highness…… why are you here…..”

Li ZeYuan gazed at him gently, his eyes full of affection. “I heard that you were being forced to stay by Li ZeChen's side,  and that he hara.s.ses and abuses you everyday, so I risked sneaking out to see you.”

He reached out and caressed Ye Ming's cheek gently, his voice sad, “It never crossed my mind that this power-hungry beast would dare to treat you this way, I only regret that I could not protect you.”

This affectionate touch filled Ye Ming with unease. He took a step back, his head turning away, “I thank Your Highness for your concern, but Your Highness should not speak disrespectfully of His Majesty.”

Li ZeYuan watched as Ye Ming evaded his touch. When he thought of how Ye Ming would serve Li ZeChen every night, his expression turned ugly. He had carefully refrained from making overt moves towards Ye Ming in the past, but ended up unwittingly benefiting others. His heart birthed envy and rage. Everything today, including this person, ought to have been his! But LiZeChen has stolen everything away from him!

The son of a lowly palace maid, who was not even fit to carry the Crown Prince's shoes, what qualifications does Li ZeChen have to sit on the throne!

Li ZeYuan's chest heaved shallowly for a moment, then he hid away the hatred and bitter resentment in his eyes. His tone turned gentle as he said to Ye Ming, “The winner is king, the loser an outlaw. It is true that it is not my place condemn him, but can you not see for yourself, that these are the acts of a debauched ruler? I merely grieve for your sake.”

{T/N: 成王敗寇 (成則爲王，敗則爲寇) – lit. called a king if successful, called a bandit if defeated (idiom). The phrase describes the Chinese concept of the ruler's self-evident legitimacy: whoever succeeds in taking or keeping power is deemed the legitimate ruler.}

Ye Ming was stunned for a moment, then he looked touched. The rims of his eyes were red. “Your Highness…..”

Seeing him, Li ZeYuan was moved to pity. His tone was sincere as he said, “Wen Qing, you have always known how I feel about you, isn't that right? If I were the Emperor, I would never treat you the way he does, and I would never force you against your will.”

Although Ye Ming was grateful for his protectiveness, his expression underwent a change, “Such words are treasonous, Your Highness please cease.”

A cold light gleamed in Li ZeYuan's eyes. He said grimly, “Why can't I say them? The treasonous one is him, I was the Crown Prince, all he has today ought to have been mine!”

Ye Ming's lips trembled, “But…..”

Li ZeYuan looked at his frightened expression, and eased his tone slightly. “Fine, let's not talk about this today. But don't you want to break free of your current situation?”

Ye Ming's eyes revealed his struggle. Of course he did not wish to continue on this way, but this does not mean that wanted to betray Li ZeChen, and join Li ZeYuan in committing acts of treason.

Li ZeYuan suddenly grabbed hold of Ye Ming's hand and stuffed a small paper sachet into his palm. He said gravely, “Find an opportunity to make Li ZeChen eat this. When he falls asleep, I'll send some people over to bring you away! Don't worry, it's just some sleeping drugs, it won't harm him.”

Ye Ming's pupils constricted. He tried to pull away, like he was handed a lump of hot coal instead that he desperately wanted to fling away!

Li ZeYuan did not release him, and cajoled him softly, “Think it over, this is your one and only chance to save yourself. I wouldn't do anything to harm you, I only wish to see you obtain your freedom. We should be standing together on the same side now, shouldn't we?”

Ye Ming looked shaken upon hearing the word ‘freedom', and appeared to struggle with his decision. “But…..”

Li ZeYuan suddenly hugged him, and whispered in his ear, “It's not just yourself, think of your loved ones, think of the ones who love you. I heard from Zuo Yu….. his sister misses you dearly, don't you want things to to be how they were before? Are you truly willing to be so humiliated by a man?”

Ye Ming went stiff upon hearing his words, but he no longer tried to resist.

“Rest a.s.sured, I wouldn't do anything that would bring harm to you. Whatever Li ZeChen wants, he can have it. I just can't bear to see you so mistreated by him.” Li ZeYuan released his hold, and gazed at Ye Ming who stood stiffly, gripping the paper sachet tightly in his fist. A look of satisfaction flashed in Li Ze Yuan's eyes. He said reluctantly, “Wen Qing, you should hurry back. As long as you do what I've told you, I will definitely save you.”

Ye Ming looked at Li ZeYuan with a troubled expression, then hurried back along the way he originally came from.

Li ZeYuan watched as Ye Ming's figure gradually retreated. A sudden strange look of malice surfaced in his eyes. He recalled how it felt to hold Ye Ming in that instance…… After I succeed, this world will be mine, and you will be mine too! 

Li ZeChen had better not touch you again! He must die! 

Ye Ming's expression was anxious as he hurried back to the courtyard. He gently pushed open the door, intending to quietly slip back onto the bed, but instead saw Li ZeChen sitting upright on the bed, watching him silently. Who knew how long he had been awake for. His dark eyes were gleaming with a cold light.

Ye Ming's body froze for a moment.

He has always been honest and forthright, and never one for lies. His secret meeting with LiZeYuan hung heavy on his conscience. His body began trembling faintly as he turned deathly pale.

When did Li ZeChen wake up? Does he know everything?

If he believes Ye Ming to be a traitor, it is a terrible crime that extends up to nine generations!

{T/N: Some Emperors in Ancient China practiced the Nine familial exterminations, whereby if the criminal is found guilty of a particularly heinous crime, he and his family members of up to nine generations, will be executed together.}

Just when Ye Ming's forehead was beaded with cold sweat, and he was about to fall to his knees, Li ZeChen got up quietly and walked towards him. He gently wiped the sweat from Ye Ming's forehead with his sleeves, and asked calmly, “Why are you rus.h.i.+ng around for, look, you're perspiring all over.”

Ye Ming did not dare make a move. He trembled, “Your Majesty……”

The corner of Li ZeChen's mouth was slightly raised as usual. His tone was normal as he asked, “Where did you go just now? Zhèn turned around at night and found you missing. Zhèn couldn't fall asleep after that, and got up to wait for you.”

For his entire life, Ye Ming has always conducted himself with a clear conscience, be it in word or deed. He has never even told a lie in his life. But right now, he could not tell the truth. For a long while, he avoided Li ZeChen's gaze, and against this conscience, he spoke his first and only lie, “Chén….. went to use the privy.”

Li ZeChen's movements halted for a brief, imperceptible moment. Then he immediately ceased his questioning. It was as if he wholeheartedly believed in Ye Ming's words, without even the slightest hint of a doubt. He tugged on Ye Ming's hand and led him to the bedside as he said with a smile, “I see.”

Ye Ming's hands were damp and clammy. He kept his head lowered, and remained silent.

Li ZeChen caressed his back gently, and sighed, “Did zhèn give you a scare? Zhèn will accompany you, but we need to rise early tomorrow, so it's better if you try to get some more sleep.”

Ye Ming nodded stiffly.

Li ZeChen smiled. He pulled Ye Ming into his arms and pressed his head against his own chest. Then he rested his chin on top of Ye Ming's head. This way, Ye Ming could not see the expression on his face.

Li ZeChen did not sleep. He did not even close his eyes.

Every now and then, his hand gently stroked Ye Ming's long hair. For the first time, even though he was holding this person in his arms, his pain did not decrease in the least. The coldness in his heart seemed to spread through his veins, its icy touch extending to all four of his limbs, burrowing into his bones.

He has given Ye Ming many chances, but still all he receives are lies.

Not only did Ye Ming meet up with Li ZeYuan, and concealed it from him. Even though he had not heard anything with his own ears, it was not hard to guess what Li ZeYuan would have said to Ye Ming. After all, Li ZeYuan hated him, and would love nothing more than to see him dead.

Did you know, you gave yourself away too many times? 

Li ZeChen gently kissed the top of Ye Ming's head, the action revealing his profound yearning. But his eyes were full of sorrow and desperation.

In all my life, never have I tasted the bitterness of loss this fiercely. 

Now I understand how much you hate me, you want to kill me. 

You really want to kill me…… 

When Ye Ming opened his eyes the next day, Li ZeChen was already up.

He had intended to pretend to be unable to sleep, but tiredness overtook him in the end. Li ZeChen's embrace was too warm and comfortable, and in the end he had fallen asleep.

En, the morning is bright and sunny. Who would be able to foresee the bloodbath and horror that will occur tonight?

[888: You shouldn't be doing this, you're getting out of hand. Are you really planning to help Li ZeYuan? I don't think this will help you with eliminating the blackening value.]

[Ye Ming: Obviously I have no intention of helping Li ZeYuan. He's not even one tenth as adorable and pitiful as our Emperor. He's nothing more than a spoiled brat.]

[888: Then what were you doing yesterday? What Li ZeYuan gave you was not a sleeping drug, it was definitely poison! He wants to use your hand to kill Li ZeChen!]

[Ye Ming: I won't use it.]

[888: …….]

[Ye Ming: Once, I gave Li ZeChen hope. Then I took it away and left him with despair. Now that he is too anguished and no longer seeks for hope…..  what would happen if I gave him a bit of hope again?]

{T/N: Ye Ming you a.s.shole.}

[Ye Ming: To lose something, only to regain it after you have completely given up, how beautiful is this feeling….. only those who have experienced it would understand. I will not betray him. ^_^ ]

[Ye Ming: And with my current white lotus personality, I'm not the type to retaliate against society just to take revenge ah, hahaha.]

{T/N: White lotus = a pure, saintly person}

[888: …….]

He feels like someone is going to be played to death.

Ye Ming got up from the bed and took a moment to make himself presentable. Then he pushed open the doors and went out. He saw Li ZeChen standing with his hands clasped behind his back in the courtyard, his head raised, eyes gazing at the sky.

Ye Ming walked over and said softly, “Your Majesty.”

After a while, Li ZeChen turned his head to look at him gently. “You're awake.”

Ye Ming lowered his gaze, and answered with a quiet ‘yes'.

Li ZeChen took his hand and said, “Take a walk with zhèn today. They say the scenery here is is quite beautiful.”

After saying this, the two of them had an early breakfast. Eschewing the sedan, they walked along the lane that led steadily uphill on foot. The mountains were quiet, only their own footsteps could be heard.

The tranquility brought a certain sense of peace to the heart.

After observing how there was nothing untoward about Li ZeChen's behavior, Ye Ming's worries slowly eased away.

But he remained somewhat absent-minded along the way. Li ZeYuan said he would not do anything reckless, and only wishes to rescue him, could this really be true? Ye Ming found it somewhat difficult to believe. Why would Li ZeYuan treat him this well? And also, how did he manage to show up undetected here? How could he possibly not resent Li ZeChen?

All this served to send Ye Ming's thoughts into a chaotic swirl of confusion. He strongly suspected Li ZeYuan of harboring ill intentions, but how could he accuse someone without solid evidence? Li ZeChen may not believe him. After all, he lied to him first…..

{T/N: The last sentence is a little vague, I couldn't determine if it means that Li ZeChen would not believe Ye Ming since LZC has tricked YM before and is afraid that YM is lying to him in return. }

Li ZeChen looked back and saw Ye Ming lost in his own thoughts. A trace of cynicism flashed in his eyes, but his expression remained calm. “What does Wen Qing think of this place?”

Ye Ming gave a start, and collected his scattered thoughts. He said softly, “It's very good.”

Li ZeChen seemed a little regretful, he said somberly, “Yes…. it's a beautiful place. Zhèn suddenly understands why Father likes it here. Who does not love beautiful things. But even if this place is twice as beautiful, compared to the ten thousand miles of rivers and mountains, its worth is but a drop in the ocean.”

{T/N: 萬里江山 (wàn lǐ jiāng shān) – idiom to mean, a vast territory. In short, the whole of China.}

Li ZeChen laughed softly, then suddenly pulled Ye Ming against his chest, gripping his chin. “But zhèn not only wants this ten thousand miles of rivers and mountains, zhèn also wants you. Do you think zhèn's wish is but a pipe dream?”

Ye Ming did not expect Li ZeChen to suddenly turn the subject to himself. His expression turned somewhat awkward, at a loss for words.

Li ZeChen's eyes took on a dangerous gleam. He laughed softly, “Do you think zhèn will not succeed?”

Ye Ming's expression grew even more uncertain. It's one thing to say that Li ZeChen would not be able to obtain him. But if he were to say that Li ZeChen would not obtain the country, wouldn't this hint at a rebellion? In the end, he could only say, “Chén did not mean it that way.”

Li ZeChen laughed out loud, he had a meaningful look on his face, “Wen Qing finally knows how to use falsehoods to keep zhèn happy. Zhèn is very pleased.”

{T/N: He means that WQ avoided slapping LZC's face with the truth, opting for a white lie instead to keep LZC happy. For someone as upright as WQ to make a detour from the truth for LZC's sake, LZC is happy. Of course he's being sarcastic.}

Ye Ming shook his head, “Chén spoke the truth. This country belongs to Your Majesty to begin with.”

Li ZeChen could not stop laughing, his eyes sad.

If these words were the truth of your heart, you would not have gone to meet Li ZeYuan behind my back, even more so when you remain silent after I have given you so many chances to come clean.

But that's alright. After I have killed Li ZeYuan, there will be no one left to help you. 

You refuse to be Empress, so much so that you would join hands with Li ZeYuan to kill me, even willing to abandon everything to be a traitor. In that case…… you can stay by side for the rest of your life as a nonperson.

{T/N : 沒名沒姓 – lit. no name, no surname. A person without a background, that no one knows about.}

Li ZeChen remained silent the rest of way, idly strolling through the front courtyard.

Ahhhh why are the chapters all so long~~~ OTL I'll try to get the second half out sooner.

Thanks for reading.

-Syeki

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