The Emperor said, "Your words make sense. But what if we can't find them?"
Imperial Observatory: "That's simple. If the Third Prince cannot be found, we will punish him and announce it to the world."
The Emperor said, "This... I'm afraid it will be difficult to convince the public."
The Imperial Observatory said, "When the emperor commands a subject to die, the subject has no choice but to die. Although the Third Prince is a prince, he is first and foremost a subject of His Majesty. When His Majesty punishes a subject, no one else has the right to interfere."
"Moreover, His Majesty doesn't really intend to punish the Third Prince. If the Third Prince cannot be found, His Majesty can carry out the execution at the execution ground, symbolically whipping him or giving him a few strokes of the cane. The Holy Son is a benevolent person with the world in his heart. Regardless of whether he has a past relationship with the Third Prince, he will surely not ignore it. Once he shows up, wouldn't everything else fall into place? However... this would require sacrificing the Third Prince's dignity. Of course, if the Third Prince finds the person on schedule, that would be even better."
The emperor nodded thoughtfully after hearing this.
The Imperial Observatory said: "Furthermore, under the vast sky, all land belongs to the emperor; on the shores of the earth, all people are subjects of the emperor. No matter how powerful the Holy Son is, he is still Your Majesty's subject. How can a subject disobey the emperor?"
The Emperor then laughed heartily and said, "You are absolutely right, my dear minister. We will do as you say."
The Emperor: "Guards, convey my decree..."
The Third Prince's Residence
After the Grand Eunuch and Murong Yu and Murong Zhi knelt down, they opened the imperial edict and said: "By the grace of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: The Astronomical Bureau observed the celestial phenomena last night and found that the Holy Son has been born, which is a great blessing for our dynasty! I, in accordance with the will of Heaven, wish to establish the Holy Son as Empress, with a rank equal to that of the Empress. My third son, Murong Yu, is hereby ordered to do his utmost to find the Holy Son and bring him back to the palace to be granted his title. He has three months to complete the task. If he fails to do so within the time limit, he will be punished according to the law. This is the imperial decree."
The head eunuch said nervously, "Your Highness, please rise to receive the decree. I have no choice..."
Murong Yu lowered his head, so no one could see his expression, but it must have been unpleasant.
It was more than just ugly. As the imperial edict was read, Murong Yu grew angrier and angrier. If he hadn't retained a shred of reason, he didn't know what he would have done.
Murong Zhi reached out and pulled Murong Yu: "Ayu, get up and receive the imperial decree."
Murong Yu stood up in silence: "Your subject accepts the decree."
Murong Zhi handed a red envelope to the head eunuch: "Thank you for making this trip. I hope you will put in a good word for me with His Majesty."
The head eunuch said, "Your Highness is too kind. Thank you for the reward. I hope both Your Highnesses are well. I will not delay any longer and will return to report."
Murong Zhi: "Please take care, sir."
Murong Yu: "Please take care, sir."
Murong Zhi: "Let's go back to the study and talk in detail."
The two returned to the study in silence. After entering and closing the door, Murong Zhi spoke first: "Ayu, what do you think of this matter? What about Father's side…?"
Murong Yu: "No matter what Father Emperor thinks, I will not hand Mu Qing over to him, and..." He paused, somewhat embarrassed, "Father Emperor is already so old, yet, yet..."
Murong Zhi: "Ayu, do you have feelings for Mu Qing?"
Murong Yu: "Brother, what nonsense are you talking about?" Murong Yu retorted instinctively, inwardly startled. "Aqing and I... Aqing saved my life, she's my benefactor..."
Hearing Murong Yu's words did not lessen Murong Zhi's worries; on the contrary, they made him even more anxious.
Those involved are often confused, while bystanders see things clearly. Murong Yu clearly treats Mu Qing differently, but it's still uncertain how this difference will ultimately manifest.
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