Chapter 28

This special cell was encased in copper and iron walls which appeared cold and cool. But because of the midsummer heat it was unbearably hot and sealed tight.

Cui Mulin with his hands and feet bound tightly was drenched in sweat from both the oppressive heat and the alternating cold sweats.

He felt increasingly anxious and with a nervous smile said, “Why has the Emperor brought me here for no reason? Is this just for your amusement?”

“Yes you are right I brought you here for my own amusement.” The emperor’s gaze was icy and his tone harsh.

Cui Mulin was taken aback and immediately began to smile and plead for mercy. “Your Majesty, please spare me and untie these ropes.”

The emperor sneered, “My dear cousin, don’t you understand why I’ve put you in here?”

“I understand, I understand. Your Majesty must be joking,” Cui Mulin said, still not grasping the severity of the situation.

He thought that as the emperor’s cousin and the empress dowager’s favorite among her nephews, he was safe from any real harm.

Unfortunately he was gravely mistaken.

Without warning, an extremely sharp dagger appeared in the emperor’s hand and was driven directly into Cui Mulin’s groin.

Blood gushed out immediately as Cui Mulin experienced intense pain. His face turned an ashen blue and white and his body twisted in agony.

It was unimaginable that the emperor would personally and brutally castrate him.

Cui Mulin was in so much pain that he couldn’t even scream, his body shook uncontrollably and his voice trembled as he asked, “Why… why is this happening?!”

The emperor looked at him with cold indifference, his voice devoid of empathy. “How dare you attempt to covet my woman?”

Cui Mulin was horrified. He had only fantasized about getting close to Consort Kang in the Rehe Palace a few times. How could the emperor have discovered this?

Or perhaps did the emperor know about the incident from years ago?

This shouldn’t be possible. Consort Kang and the maid he had bribed had remained undisturbed for years.

Why is this happening? Cui Mulin was consumed by confusion as blood continued to pour from his body.

“I know you have many children at home so this won’t impact you too much,” the emperor said with a cruel smirk.

Cui Mulin was in such excruciating pain that he lost all sense of time, large beads of sweat streaming down his forehead.

After ordering strict supervision of Cui Mulin, the emperor removed his blood-soaked outer robe.

Outside, the sun was setting, painting the sky with a chaotic, fiery red hue.

The emperor first returned to Zhaoming Palace to wash and change clothes, cleansing himself of the blood. Once clean, he walked with purpose to Luhua Palace where Kang Yuyi lived.

At that time, Kang Yuyi was having her evening meal. Occasionally she playfully teased the crown prince who sat on the other side eating rice porridge.

When all the palace servants were saluting, the emperor raised his hand towards Kang Yuyi signaling her not to be so formal.

Kang Yuyi suddenly realized that the emperor rarely required her to perform a formal salute. Each time she was about to stand he would preemptively signal her to refrain from doing so.

The emperor reached out and playfully poked the chubby little face of the eldest prince before sitting down to join the meal.

A young eunuch hurriedly brought an extra set of bowls, chopsticks, and cutlery and placed them in front of the emperor.

“Your Majesty, all these dishes have been used by me. Would you like me to serve fresh ones?” Kang Yuyi blinked her doe-like eyes and asked tentatively, worried he might find them unappetizing.

The emperor glanced at the eighteen dishes on the table and chuckled to himself. Indeed each dish showed signs of having been touched.

He maintained a calm expression and said, “No need it’s enough.”

The emperor did not mind Kang Yuyi’s saliva or any other personal aspects. He ate with relish so he certainly wouldn’t mind the food she had touched.

After enjoying his meal and washing his hands and mouth, the emperor picked up the crown prince who had a full swollen belly with one hand.

The little chubby dumpling thought his father was going to lift him high, his big round eyes filled with excitement.

Unfortunately, the emperor thinking that the child had just eaten and his belly was still full, didn’t fulfill his wish. Instead he held him in his arms and used his other hand to tousle the boy’s fluffy little head.

The little chubby dumpling was left bewildered. His face puffed up with anger as he glared at his tall and imposing father.

Such a cute and clever little boy made even the emperor reluctant to part with him.

Since Kang Yuyi finally managed to conceive last year, the emperor had been full of anticipation for the long-awaited first child.

Kang Yuyi’s every whim and excessive behavior during her pregnancy were indulged. Even when she cried and wanted to go on an incognito tour, the emperor personally accompanied her.

Although he needed an heir urgently for the sake of the state, he considered any child of his, whether a prince or princess to be a blessing.

If he were ultimately unable to have a biological child, adopting a suitable candidate from the clan would also be acceptable.

If it required him to have relations with other women to ensure progeny, he would rather remain childless.

If the emperor were to learn of the Empress Dowager’s attempts to coerce and persuade Kang Yuyi today, he would find it utterly ridiculous.

There was no need for anyone’s support, the position of crown prince was destined to be held by his only child.

The emperor had been highly disciplined since childhood, detesting frivolous matters between men and women and considered being controlled by lust to be shameful.

Had Kang Yuyi not been influenced by drugs, boldly and wantonly seeking pleasure, he might have lived a life of pure heart and few desires.

When the previous Emperor hesitated to appoint the most suitable second son, Qin Wangfu as the crown prince.

His concerns were related to this issue too..

Qin Wangfu himself did not wish to take concubines and remained devoted to his childhood sweetheart, Qin Wangfei having only one son.

The only son, his heir was indifferent to women even detesting them.

What if the eternal kingdom was entrusted to this father and son with no successors?

Fortunately, the Emperor saw his eldest grandson, Qin Shizi take a concubine before his death. Though he did not live to see him marry, he was able to pass the position to Qin Shizi with confidence before he died.

Kang Yuyi observed the father and son. One with a stern face, continuously poking at the little chubby dumpling and the other with an angry face, but too timid to protest.

This bizarre yet warm scene made Kang Yuyi find it deeply amusing.

After a while, Kang Yuyi gathered the courage to rescue the little chubby dumpling from the emperor.

“Your Majesty, I seem to have recalled some old matters today, concerning the crown prince…” Kang Yuyi said softly and hesitantly.

The emperor’s brows suddenly furrowed and he gazed intently into her eyes.

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