Chapter 30
<Previous Chapter<Table of Contents>Next Chapter>
When Noble Consort Yi heard the news of Zhuang Yong’s death, her heart skipped a beat.
She knew what had happened to Little Xu and that he had reported everything to the Emperor. She had wanted to stop him, but Little Xu insisted that nothing should be hidden.
He said Zhuang Yong would not stop at one attempt to harm him.
If he didn’t inform the Emperor, Zhuang Yong would find other ways to continue his schemes, potentially implicating the entire General’s Mansion.
Murong Xu had no authority to investigate Zhuang Yong’s motives. Only the Emperor had that power.
So, he went to the Emperor, and subsequently, Zhuang Yong died.
Noble Consort Yi couldn’t help but associate Zhuang Yong’s death with the Emperor. She picked up her passing little one and murmured, “Little Seven, do you think your royal father did this?”
Ling Rui: “?”
Ling Rui, with his mouth full of red bean cake, looked up blankly and mumbled, “What?”
Noble Consort Yi snapped out of her thoughts at his voice and said, “It’s nothing, just me talking to myself.”
The Emperor couldn’t have killed Zhuang Yong just to vent Little Xu’s anger.
Zhuang Yong had committed crimes, but he still had the protection of the Zhuang family. No matter the sentence, it shouldn’t have been death.
If not to vent Little Xu’s anger, what other reason could the Emperor have had for Zhuang Yong’s death?
The more Noble Consort Yi thought about it, the more her head hurt.
Ling Rui saw her holding her head and quickly came over, reaching out his small hand to rub her temples, “No pain.”
“I’m not in pain.”
Seeing his worried little face, Noble Consort Yi released her hand and said, “Just thinking too much.”
“Stop thinking,” Ling Rui advised.
Noble Consort Yi looked at him and nodded, “Alright, I’ll stop thinking.”
They sat together, with Ling Rui comfortably perched on Noble Consort Yi’s lap, handing her his small toy to play with.
Noble Consort Yi, suppressing her lingering unease, lowered her head to play with the toy alongside him.
That same day.
After Ling Rui went to school, Noble Consort Yi sent a message to the General’s Mansion.
Ling Rui was too young to understand the crisis involving his little uncle.
He just sat in his chair, reciting the lessons assigned by his tutor with enthusiasm.
His older brother, seeing him study so diligently, secretly gave him some candy.
“Little Seven, want a bite?” Ling Fu didn’t have candy, but he had a big bag of snacks.
Taking advantage of the tutor’s absence, he was stuffing his mouth.
Ling Rui shook his head and reminded Ling Fu, “Sixth Brother, have you finished the assignments the tutor gave you?”
Ling Fu: “…”
Ling Fu’s chubby face fell, “I did, but not all of them.”
Hearing this, Ling Rui stopped reciting and anxiously said, “Then don’t eat, or you’ll get punished.”
The tutor would hit his palms!
Ling Fu sulkily replied, “I don’t really want to study.”
He found studying no fun and had no motivation for it.
Ling Rui couldn’t persuade him, so he focused on his own studies.
His goal was to be like his eldest brother, knowledgeable and capable!
Before long, the tutor returned.
Naturally, Ling Fu, who disliked studying, received “special attention” from the tutor.
After class, Ling Fu sniffled and showed his red palms to Ling Rui.
Seeing his reddened palms, Ling Rui leaned over to blow on them.
Ling Fu, feeling worse with the comforting gesture, said, “Little Seven, the tutor isn’t in a good mood today.”
Ling Rui: “Huh?”
He hadn’t noticed; the tutor seemed the same as usual to him.
“The tutor is a student of Teacher Zhuang. With a death in Teacher Zhuang’s family, the tutor’s mood is understandably affected.”
Their usually aloof fourth brother, Ling Hao, happened to overhear and casually explained.
Ling Fu was still sniffling, “I knew something was off today. The tutor hit me much harder than usual.”
Ling Hao, hearing this, snorted, “With your lazy attitude, I think the tutor went easy on you.”
“Fourth Brother, you talk! You’ve been punished by the tutor too!”
Fourth Brother was known for being unbalanced in his studies. His riding and archery skills were excellent, but his essays were terrible.
The tutor had already pointed out his imbalance.
“Even if I’m imbalanced, I’m still better than you,” Ling Hao tapped his head and reprimanded, “And speak to me with respect, I am your elder royal brother.”
Already upset, Ling Fu’s chubby face became even more indignant at Ling Hao’s words.
He declared he would no longer play with Fourth Brother. Not only that, but he also insisted Ling Rui shouldn’t play with him either.
“We’re a team. We won’t pay attention to Fourth Brother.”
Ling Rui: “…”
Ling Rui looked at Sixth Brother, then at Fourth Brother, caught in a dilemma.
Luckily, Fourth Brother didn’t give him a choice.
Accusing Ling Fu of trying to drive a wedge between brothers, Fourth Brother gave him another beating. Ling Fu, wailing, hid behind Ling Rui.
Ling Rui, being used as a shield, was dragged left and right.
“Sixth Brother, I, I’m going to fall!”
Tiny Ling Rui couldn’t escape his brother’s grip.
Just as he was about to fall, Ling Hao, who had been watching, finally moved and caught him.
“I think you should play less with this little fatty,” Ling Hao said coldly. He pulled little Ling Rui upright and let him stand on his own.
Ling Rui, feeling relieved, softly thanked, “Thank you, Fourth Brother.”
“No need to thank.”
Ling Hao remained indifferent and distant.
Apart from a brief tutoring session, he hadn’t paid much attention to Ling Rui.
After several days of classes, Ling Rui returned to Fenghua Palace to hear bad news.
Murong Xue was injured on the border. The enemy’s arrow was poisoned, aimed directly at Murong’s life.
The border of Qi Dynasty had always been unstable. If Murong Xue were gone, the consequences of what the surrounding covetous countries would do were self-evident.
Although Qi Dynasty paid an annual tribute to Great Qing, Great Qing also received tributes from other countries. Expecting Great Qing to send troops to help them was absolutely impossible.
Therefore, when the news of Murong Xue’s serious injury came, even Emperor Ling was disturbed.
The usually strong-willed Noble Consort Yi had red eyes upon hearing the news.
Elder Sister had been stationed at the border for ten years, dedicating her best years to it. She had yet to experience the peaceful days she had always longed for.
If anything were to truly happen to her, Noble Consort Yi felt she would be unable to accept it.
“Mother, don’t be afraid.”
When Ling Rui heard about his aunt’s injury, his eyes also turned red. He raised his small hand to wipe Noble Consort Yi’s face: “Don’t cry.”
Ling Rui had grown up hearing stories about Murong Xue every night. Although he had never met this aunt, he had heard countless stories about her.
In his heart, he greatly admired his aunt.
Now that his aunt was seriously injured, Ling Rui’s mood was naturally very down.
“Little Seven, I’ve been too selfish.”
Noble Consort Yi said, her heart aching as she looked at her tearful child. “Perhaps I… should have stayed to accompany my older sister.”
“Little Seven will accompany.”
Ling Rui had heard from Noble Consort Yi that once she became a consort, she couldn’t leave the palace or go to the border.
His little hand continued to wipe her tears as he choked, “Little Seven will accompany Eldest Aunt.”
Both were crying until Ji Yan came to comfort them.
That night, the Emperor visited Fenghua Palace.
He came over, put his arm around Noble Consort Yi’s shoulder, and gently comforted her for a while: “Your elder sister will be fine. I have already sent the best imperial physician, with Little Xu escorting him.”
“This time your elder sister wrote, saying she wanted Little Xu to train on the battlefield for two years. Yi Er, Little Xu is the only legitimate son of the Murong family. Letting him go to the battlefield… I’m not sure what you think about it.”
“On the battlefield, swords and spears are blind. Little Xu is still young, and I am truly worried about him going to the battlefield.”
Although Emperor Ling said this, thinking of Murong Xue’s letter made his heart sink.
Murong Xue mentioned the unrest at the border. If she were to die one day, at least someone from the Murong family could take her place and continue guarding the border.
Murong Xue’s years of military achievements almost made Emperor Ling forget—
Although she was called a goddess of war, she was still a mortal who could be injured and killed.
If the border guarded by Murong Xue fell, Qi Dynasty would find it hard to find someone to turn the tide.
He had supported other generals before, but none of them could match even a fraction of Murong Xue’s capability.
Now, with Murong Xue asking for Murong Xu to go to the battlefield, he might have hesitated and ultimately refused in the past.
But now, he had no choice but to let Murong Xu step up.
“Little Xu is a child of the Murong family and a citizen of Qi Dynasty. It is only fitting that he goes to the battlefield.”
Noble Consort Yi leaned on Emperor Ling’s shoulder, her voice hoarse: “Your Majesty, if there is a chance in the future, could you let me meet my second sister? I haven’t seen her in a long time.”
“Alright, I promise you.”
Emperor Ling gently patted her, comforting: “I will make sure you two meet.”
While Emperor Ling and Noble Consort Yi were talking inside, Ling Rui was sitting alone on the grass outside.
With his face in his hands, he seemed lost in thought.
It was not until the next day, after Emperor Ling left, that Ling Rui learned his little uncle had gone to the border.
Upon hearing this news, Ling Rui’s little face froze for a moment, and then he burst into tears with a loud “wah.”
Before Little Uncle had a chance to tell him, he left.
Looking up with tears streaming down his small face, he cried heartbreakingly, “Uncle lied.”
Uncle had promised to take him out of the palace, but he didn’t inform him before leaving on a long journey.
The heartbroken child sobbed and asked Noble Consort Yi, tears brimming in his eyes, “Uncle, how long gone?”
Noble Consort Yi: “…”
Noble Consort Yi paused for two seconds before truthfully replying, “I don’t know. If it’s fast, maybe one or two months. If it’s slow…”
Even she wasn’t sure about the slower option.
Upon hearing this, Ling Rui cried even more sadly.
He sat on Noble Consort Yi’s lap, asking her to send him over as well.
Noble Consort Yi naturally couldn’t do that. She could only gently comfort him, “Little Seven, be good. Little Uncle is not here, but your little auntie is still here. Next time, I’ll let your little auntie play with you.”
The aunties loved him dearly, but he still wanted his little uncle.
Amidst the child’s cries, Murong Xu walked farther and farther away.
When Murong Xu left, the Murong family quieted down. Emperor Ling found an excuse to act against the Yong Wang residence, which had a grudge against the Murong family.
Zhuang Xuan, who had just recovered from a serious illness, seemed unaware that his grandson’s death was related to Murong Xu. After his recovery, he did not target the Murong family.
Murong Xue’s severe injury brought a rare peace to the Murong residence, which had been in a precarious situation.
Ling Rui could neither visit his uncle nor his eldest aunt. He had to stay in the palace and behave obediently.
“Little Seven.”
Ling Hao, who was cold towards Ling Rui after class, approached Ling Rui when others were not around, “I have something to ask you.”
The child, with his little face resting on the table, lifted his head upon hearing the voice.
He hadn’t been sleeping well lately, so he was still drowsy. Under Ling Hao’s gaze, he rubbed his eyes and sleepily said, “Fourth Brother, what do you want to ask?”
“General Murong, how is she?” Ling Yi’s voice was very low, and his expression was somewhat tense when he asked.
Ling Rui, who was a bit sleepy, replied slowly, “I don’t know yet. Eldest Auntie hasn’t sent a letter.”
The border is too far from here. It would take several days for a letter to arrive at the fastest.
“Alright, if there’s news from her, let me know.”
“Okay.”
Although Ling Rui didn’t know why Fourth Brother had this request, he nodded obediently.
Half a month later, the latest news of Murong Xue arrived.
Her poison was being treated, but even if it was completely cleared, she would need to recuperate for a while.
Murong Xue requested Murong Xu to stay at the border and return in two years.
At this critical juncture, the Ling Emperor was most concerned about Murong Xue’s injury. Seeing Murong Xue’s earnest words, he hesitated slightly but agreed.
When Ling Rui learned of this news, he angrily smashed the little bowl in Fenghua Palace.
His small chest rose and fell with anger, and he felt dissatisfied with his father: “Dad is so annoying!”
Noble Consort Yi glanced at the bowl he had thrown to the ground and didn’t bother to pick it up. She just picked up the upset child.
“Alright, don’t be angry. Uncle will be back in two years.”
This time, Murong Xu was called away by his elder sister, which Noble Consort Yi thought was quite good.
She sometimes couldn’t understand all of her elder sister’s decisions, but she would unquestionably obey them.
While Noble Consort Yi could accept her younger brother going to the border for two years, Ling Rui couldn’t quite do the same.
He threw a small tantrum in the palace, and not even Noble Consort Yi could calm him down. After venting his anger for a while, the upset child even managed to make the soft-soled shoes on the ground sound noisy.
“I’m going to complain to Ah Wu.”
Helpless, the child who couldn’t do anything after seeing his uncle off wanted to complain to Ah Wu.
After leaving Fenghua Palace, he randomly rushed towards Ling Hao, who happened to be passing by.
Ling Hao saw him coming and had no intention of paying attention to him.
But the next second, Ling Rui rushed over and hugged his leg: “Fourth Brother, hug!”
Ling Hao: “…”
Ling Hao: “No.”
When Ling Hao said no, he meant no. He turned around and prepared to leave.
But Ling Rui hugged his leg and loudly said, “Give me a hug, and I’ll tell you about Eldest Auntie.”
Ling Hao: “…”
Well, was he the kind of person who could be threatened?!
A quarter of an hour later, Ling Hao looked at the child in his arms. He frowned and thought to himself with a deadpan expression –
He wasn’t being threatened.
He just thought that this child had gained some weight recently and wanted to pick him up to see exactly how much he had gained.
Before Ling Rui was lifted up, he first pasted his little face to get a preview of Fourth Brother’s recent scene.
He could still briefly foresee some things that would happen in a few days recently, but he could only occasionally foresee such things.
And his ability to foresee couldn’t be used too frequently. Generally, he would be a normal child quietly.
Only when he wanted to talk to Ah Wu very much would he foresee things and talk to Ah Wu.
He had a lot to say to Ah Wu. But Ah Wu just responded to him and didn’t talk as much as he did.
Time passed by minute by minute.
After Ling Rui finished his prediction, he looked at his fourth brother as if he were looking at an unlucky person.
Before he could remind his fourth brother to be careful, Ling Rui eagerly called Ah Wu.
“Ah Wu, uncle has left and won’t be back for a long time.”
“Hmm, do you miss him?”
“Yes, I miss him.”
Ling Rui felt that he already missed his little uncle a lot.
Ah Wu said, “When you get a little older, you’ll be able to see him.”
Ah Wu’s tone wasn’t as gentle as that of the Noble Consort, but he still managed to comfort Ling Rui.
Feeling much better, Ling Rui rubbed his eyes and looked at his fourth brother, who was still holding him.
“Fourth brother, do you like me?” Ling Rui suddenly asked.
He wanted to hear Fourth Brother’s answer before deciding whether to keep him away from this unfortunate matter.
Can’t wait until next week to see more? Want to show your support? Come to my Patreon where you can get up to 5 more chapters of Did The Young Prince’s Kingdom Get Destroyed Today? right away or get access to early chapters of all the available BL novels translated by Lazy Girl T! Go donate at Paypal or Ko-fi to show your appreciation! :)
<Previous Chapter<Table of Contents>Next Chapter>
Obrigada pela tradução!!