The mountain path turned, bright blossoms emerged beyond the dark willows, and a way out appeared where there had been none.
For an instant, Zhong Chengwang felt as though even the sky outside had brightened!
He trembled all over with excitement, but still remembered to keep his voice low. "Thank-" Your Majesty.
Before he could finish, Emperor Mingze cut him off coldly. "Shut up."
Zhong Chengwang: "..."
Zhong Chengwang lowered his head, wanting to cry but finding no tears.
Once the threat of death had lifted, all sorts of questions belatedly welled up in his mind.
Entering the palace to assassinate the emperor was an indisputable crime punishable by the extermination of one's entire clan, yet Emperor Mingze had not only refrained from blaming him, but had suddenly appointed him to an official post;
An exceptional appointment should have signified the emperor's approval, yet Emperor Mingze's attitude held unmistakable disdain...
Zhong Chengwang felt a massive headache coming on.
What on earth was going on?!
Suddenly, before he could untangle the questions in his head, the little one's voice came from the bed-
[Ohoho, Uncle Zhong doesn't have to get his head chopped off anymore!]
Zhong Chengwang froze.
Had the little one woken up?
He plucked up his courage and looked up, only to see that the little one on the bed still had her eyes tightly shut, without the slightest sign of waking.
Emperor Mingze, however, paused ever so slightly and glanced down at her.
Emperor Mingze's face was hidden in the darkness, leaving Zhong Chengwang unable to make out his expression. But no matter how he listened to that involuntary chuckle, he could not help feeling that it carried a hint of gritted teeth.
Perhaps the little one had only briefly woken up, then immediately fallen asleep again because