Chapter 109 The Events of That Year (Part Six)

When Su Li learned that Youzhou had been recovered, he simply didn't know how to describe his feelings to anyone.

Like a flood, joy surged into his heart. Youzhou, which had been taken away by the Southern Barbarians for so long, was so easily recovered by Yan Jue.

Only then did he believe his father's words, namely that Yan Jue was more powerful than General Yan.

At this moment, Yan Jue was a hero in Su Li's eyes. But at the same time, a seed of suspicion was being planted silently in his heart.

At the celebration banquet that day, Su Li looked at Yan Jue, who was surrounded by everyone. Although he was also very happy, his happiness was mixed with a bittersweet feeling.

Yan Jue has always been unruly, and this victory was nothing more than an easy task for him. His father once told him that in times of crisis, one should show weakness to lull the enemy into a false sense of security, and then deliver a fatal blow.

Yan Jue did as he was told, and he won. He drank wine and ate meat. His gaze swept over each of his brothers who had risked their lives with him, while also not forgetting Su Li sitting beside him.

"Ninth Prince." Despite having become sworn brothers with Su Li, Yan Jue still habitually did not change his form of address.

Su Li was engrossed in his own world when he was suddenly called by name. He was momentarily stunned, and when he saw that it was Yan Jue who called him, he looked up and asked, "Brother Yan, has something happened?"

Yan Jue did not answer, but instead turned his gaze to the soldiers drinking around him and shouted, "Brothers, today's recapture of Youzhou is also closely related to the Ninth Prince. You must remember that we are where we are today because of the Ninth Prince!"

The soldiers were deeply convinced of Yan Jue's abilities, and they all shouted in unison, "Yes! Yes! Yes! The Ninth Prince is mighty! The Ninth Prince and the General are both heroes."

Looking at the crowd calling his name, Su Li felt a warm current flow through his heart; it would be a lie to say he wasn't moved.

He raised his hand in a gesture of thanks to everyone present, saying, "Thank you all."

The celebration banquet passed quickly.

Because the Southern Barbarian general was killed by Yan Jue, although the Southern Barbarians still had 300,000 troops on the border, they had lost their morale and only felt endless fear towards Yan Jue.

The Nanman quickly left the Dongyue border with an army of 300,000, while Yan Jue, with only 100,000 soldiers, recaptured important towns such as Youzhou.

The day the troops returned in triumph, the sky was overcast.

Dark clouds almost pressed down on the sky, and the air was filled with a sultry heat. The sound of horses' hooves came from outside the capital. Yan Jue was dressed in armor, with a handsome face. He seemed to have transformed from a naive boy into a dashing young man after experiencing battle.

The Emperor looked at Yan Jue with a gratified smile, but Yan Jue saw a resolute look in that smile.

The imperial court in the capital was rife with intrigue and turmoil, and the ministers were at a loss as to what to do regarding the recapture of Youzhou and other matters.

The other princes were unaware that Yan Jue was on Su Li's side. They thought Yan Jue was just an ordinary general who had no power or influence but had managed to reclaim Youzhou because of his strong martial arts talent.

For a time, Yan Jue became the target of the other princes' attempts to win him over. However, Yan Jue personally revealed his identity to the Emperor in the palace:

"I am a rough man, a mere warrior, and I am deeply honored to have been appointed General of the Cavalry. The reason I was able to recapture Youzhou today is all thanks to the Ninth Prince."

Upon hearing this, everyone was surprised and all eyes turned to the newly reinstated Ninth Prince. The other princes looked at Su Li with dangerous eyes, like hungry wolves, while Su Li was the prey. It seemed that as long as he appeared in the white light, he would be torn apart.

The Emperor gave Su Li a chance to speak, "Ninth Prince, is General Yan telling the truth?"

Su Li naturally wouldn't let this opportunity slip by. "Reporting to Father Emperor, General Yan deserves most of the credit for this matter. Your son merely fulfilled his duty."

How could the Emperor not know that Su Li was merely being modest? He smiled and, in front of everyone, said, "Li'er, you don't need to be modest with me. I know you must have played a crucial role in this matter. A few years ago, it was I who demoted you to a commoner, and I, as your father, was wrong. Now, in front of everyone, I will restore your status as the Ninth Prince!"

Su Li, his face filled with excitement, knelt on one knee with a respectful expression, "Thank you, Father Emperor!"

Although his father had told him in private that his status had been restored, he still couldn't help but feel excited when he heard this in front of his brothers!

After all, isn't this a form of affirmation for him?

The Emperor said loudly, "Get up!"

At the same time, he looked at the other princes, his face darkening, "When the Southern Barbarian army invaded, only the Ninth Prince knew how to come up with a solution. Are all of you useless?! What use are you to me?!"

The other princes knelt down and begged for mercy, all looking at Su Li with sinister eyes, their eyes flashing with malice.

This old ninth brother was hiding his true abilities all along!

They were seething with hatred, and at the same time, they were plotting something in their hearts.

The Emperor praised and rewarded Su Li again, and then officially appointed Yan Jue as the General of the Cavalry. He then dismissed everyone else on the grounds of feeling unwell.

After everyone left, Eunuch Li hurriedly closed the doors of the Hall of Mental Cultivation, looking helpless. "Your Majesty, why did you do this?"

The emperor, who had been speaking so calmly just moments before, now collapsed weakly to the ground, gasping for breath and calling out, "Water..."

Eunuch Li hurriedly handed over the water, and after the emperor drank a cup of warm water, his condition improved considerably.

His face was pale, and he seemed to sense Li Gonggong's helplessness. He smiled and explained, "Li Gonggong, you have been following me for decades, haven't you?"

Eunuch Li helped the Emperor to his sickbed and replied, "Your Majesty, this old servant has been serving Your Majesty for thirty-two years, including this year."

The Emperor seemed surprised that Eunuch Li remembered so clearly. As if he had thought of something, his gaze softened and he said, “So, I have been the Emperor for twenty-two years, and I am only fifty years old this year, yet my body is already nearing its end.”

"Your Majesty, what are you saying!" Eunuch Li quickly stopped him.

The Emperor stopped him: "I know my own health condition. Eunuch Li, I will tell you everything today. You can find an opportunity to tell the Ninth Prince in the future."

Eunuch Li's expression turned serious. "Your Majesty, are you really sure? Are you absolutely certain it's the Ninth Prince?!"

The Emperor nodded affirmatively, "Eunuch Li, there is no better way, so let's go with Jiu'er."

Eunuch Li sighed helplessly, looking at the emperor he had served for decades, and uttered such disheartening words.

-

It seems that because of Su Li's return, the situation in the capital has become complicated once again. Everyone has seen the Emperor's attitude towards Su Li, and every prince is increasingly regretting why they did not get rid of Su Li sooner.

Su Li listened to Yan Jue and focused on doing his own thing, ignoring the other princes' deliberate attempts to make things difficult for him.

But one day, an urgent summons came from the palace, and even Eunuch Li came to the Ninth Prince's residence to summon the Ninth Prince to the palace.

Su Li was completely bewildered. He felt a little sad because Eunuch Li said that his father's health might be failing.

He immediately took a carriage to the palace. As soon as he arrived at the Hall of Mental Cultivation, he saw his father, who used to be serious and strict, lying on his sickbed, pale and looking like he was on his deathbed.

He was heartbroken, tears streaming down his face, and he ran straight to his father's sickbed.

"Father," Su Li said, his voice trembling.

Unexpectedly, the emperor raised his hand and gently pushed him away.

Su Li was somewhat puzzled. He was about to ask his father why he did this when he saw his father speak:

"Ninth Brother".

His voice was so hoarse it was unrecognizable.

At this moment, Su Li realized that his father, who had once stood like a mountain in front of him, might really be about to pass away.

He asked, "Father, what's wrong? Your Majesty is here. Is there something you want to tell me?"

"You guessed right, I do have something to say to you," the Emperor said. "This matter concerns the future of Dongyue, Ninth Prince. Actually, I didn't think highly of you at first, and I was even prepared to become the ruler of a fallen kingdom. But you actually let General Yan's son enter the world, and I... suddenly changed my mind."

Upon hearing this, Su Li dared not move, and even stopped breathing.

In the entire Hall of Mental Cultivation, only the Emperor's voice could be heard, along with the rustling of withered branches in the breeze outside the window.

"Father, please speak." Su Li knew that position was very likely to be his, the position he had wanted for countless days and nights. But for some reason, now that the moment had truly arrived, he felt an unprecedented calm in his heart.

The Emperor smiled. "Ninth Prince, you should have guessed what I'm going to say. But the proper procedures will still apply. I hope that if you were to ascend to the throne, you would be discerning in your appointments, eliminate the Southern Barbarians and Northern Barbarians, and unify the Eastern Yue."

"This was a task assigned to me by my father, but I failed to complete it. So now, this task has fallen into your hands."

"Yes, Father, rest assured, I will certainly not fail your trust!"

"However," the Emperor said with a smile of satisfaction as he looked at the resolute expression on Su Li's face, "your brothers are all eyeing you covetously. If no one protects you, you may not be able to hold onto this position."

Su Li frowned slightly. "Father, do you mean to say..."

The Emperor nodded. "Ninth Prince, you guessed right. The reason I sent you to find General Yan's son is because General Yan's son is exceptionally talented. If you can get his support, you should be able to defeat your elder brother and the others."

“But, Father…” A strong doubt was taking root in Su Li’s heart, about to sprout.

The emperor, who had known countless people, surely knew what Su Li was thinking. "Ninth Prince, are you asking me why I chose you?"

Having his thoughts guessed, Su Li nodded hesitantly.

The Emperor explained, "Do you know who is to blame for all my illnesses? Humph! It's all my good sons and your good brothers! I'm not even dead yet, and they're already fighting each other to the death in private. I will never give the throne to people like that!"

He added, "Although you, Ninth Prince, lack decisiveness but are kind-hearted, if Yan Jue were to assist you and make up for your shortcomings, I reckon you would be able to develop Dongyue into an even more prosperous place."

He looked at Su Li, a tear rolling down his cloudy eyes, then beckoned to Eunuch Li, who was guarding outside the hall, signaling him to come over, "Eunuch Li, come here!"

"Yes, sir!" Eunuch Li walked over.

"Ninth Prince, I'll stop here. Your father's time is running out. You'll have a hard time seeing your father again. You must remember what your father said."

"Also, you must treat that brat Yan Jue well. I know you two are already like brothers, and I don't mind Dongyue having another regent. But remember, never let a man's pride or self-esteem cause you to doubt a good general. Never, ever. Alright, you can go now!"

"Father!" Su Li called out again, but the emperor, lying on the bed, closed his eyes and remained silent.

Su Li knew that his father wanted him to leave. He hesitated for a moment, then glanced at Eunuch Li, who sighed and gestured to Su Li, "Ninth Prince, His Majesty has summoned you. Please leave now."

He then beckoned to the little eunuch beside him, "Little Shunzi, come here, go and see the Ninth Prince off!"

"Alright!" Xiao Shunzi obeyed and ran out with Su Li.

When Xiao Shunzi saw Su Li off, he followed behind Su Li like a lackey. Su Li saw him, frowned slightly, and for a moment did not notice the steps in front of him.

Xiao Shunzi reacted quickly, shouting, "Ninth Prince, be careful!"

Before Su Li even fell to the ground, Eunuch Shun used himself as a cushion.

Su Li wasn't unskilled in martial arts; he found the eunuch's appearance rather amusing.

“I didn’t fall, you don’t need to do that,” he said with a smile.

Xiao Shunzi blushed. "Ninth Prince, your master instructed me to escort you carefully. Please watch your step carefully!"

Su Li gave a soft "hmm," looked at the eunuch, and asked, "What's your name?"

Xiao Shunzi was taken aback, then cheerfully replied, "Your Highness, this servant doesn't have a name, but my master likes to call me Xiao Shunzi!"

"Xiao Shunzi?" Su Li knew immediately that this must be the young apprentice that Eunuch Li had taken in.

As a prince, it wouldn't be unreasonable for him to need a eunuch, would it? For some reason, Su Li found this little Shunzi quite pleasing to the eye. "When you come to work at the Ninth Prince's residence in the future, I will speak to your master properly!"

The surprise came so suddenly that Xiao Shunzi was stunned. He looked at Su Li in disbelief, "Ninth Prince, you...you...are you serious?"

Su Li raised an eyebrow, "Could there be a fake one?"

Upon receiving Su Li's affirmation, Xiao Shunzi was overjoyed. He jumped up and down with happiness, determined to share this good news with his master!

Seeing how excited the little eunuch was, Su Li smiled helplessly, a rare moment of tenderness rising in his heart.