The next day.
For some unknown reason, a rumor began circulating in the marketplace.
It was said that the Night King of Dongning Kingdom had arrived.
Yesterday, the Night King and the Night Queen had taken their three children to the temple fair.
However, the Night King had deliberately not gone to the General's Mansion.
Li De, who heard this rumor first thing in the morning and before he could attend the morning court, was enraged.
He slammed his hand hard on the table.
The teacups and their lids on the table flew up.
"What exactly does Prince Jin want?!"
He had killed the Emperor's hidden guards, showing no regard for angering the Emperor, and had even accompanied Yun Shu wearing a mask. Did he truly want to be the Night King again?
Even with his memories gone, he was still so troublesome!
For some reason, Li De suddenly felt as if he was picking up a stone to smash his own foot.
The messenger who came to deliver the news was so frightened he dared not speak.
After taking several deep breaths, Li De said in a deep voice, "You may go."
After the scout left, Li De, his face filled with gloom, sat down.
He lowered his voice and muttered to himself, "Has Zhan Tianye made up his mind to stand with Yun Shu and the others?"
If that was the case, what was the point of all their painstaking efforts to make Zhan Tianye lose his memory and give him the identity of Prince Jin? Other than his identity as the Emperor's son, what else was there?
This situation could not continue.
It was possible that Yun Shu would turn the tables and make Zhan Tianye do things detrimental to Xixia Kingdom.
Zhan Tianye must be made to choose!
With this thought, Li De stood up abruptly. He glanced at the still dim sky outside and immediately headed to the palace!
At the same time as Li De, the Emperor, who had the same idea, could not eat breakfast after hearing the news.
Yesterday, he had entertained the thought of having grandchildren rather than sons. This morning, upon hearing from the palace staff that Zhan Tianye had returned to the palace, he became even more furious.
The morning court had already been announced as canceled.
This showed how angry the Emperor was at the moment.
When Li De saw the Emperor, they looked at each other.
Instantly, they saw the same thoughts in each other's eyes.
Both felt the sensation of picking up a stone to smash their own foot.
"Your Majesty, some matters cannot wait. We need to make Prince Jin make a choice! We absolutely cannot let him act recklessly any longer," Li De said anxiously.
The Emperor did not immediately respond. He paced back and forth.
The sky outside had completely brightened.
However, the faces of the Emperor and Li De were even more somber than the night.
After a long wait.
Li De, thinking the Emperor was hesitant to make a decision, said in a deep voice, "Your Majesty, Prince Jin is naturally indifferent. After losing his memory, he respects no one. Even though Your Majesty is Prince Jin's biological father, Prince Jin does not have a father in his heart."
"In his heart, there is only Yun Shu. Under Yun Shu's instigation, he is even more uncontrollable."
The events of the past few days had made the Emperor very clear that Li De was not exaggerating.
His voice was hoarse, extremely low, "Are you suggesting that I eliminate him to prevent endless trouble? Do you know that he is the son I am most satisfied with so far? Who do you think can hold Xixia Kingdom together after I am gone?"
Li De frowned deeply. "I must admit that Prince Jin is the best candidate. However... although Prince Jin is the best candidate, he is uncontrollable! Unless, unless Yun Shu can be eliminated."
"When we were in Dongning Kingdom, I knew that as soon as Yun Shu appeared before Prince Jin, he would become uncontrollable. I never expected that after always wanting to eliminate Yun Shu, we still haven't succeeded," Li De clenched his fists, feeling immensely angry.
For a moment, he felt as if there was something else he had overlooked.
The Emperor and his minister fell into a sudden silence.
The Emperor said in a deep voice, "Prince Jin's three children are quite good."
Li De's eyes lit up, realizing the Emperor's intention. "Your Majesty intends to..."
"As long as there is a sliver of hope, I don't want to take risks. Blood ties are paramount; he is, after all, my son. But if in the end, he does not cherish what he has now, then I will fulfill his wish. We will choose one from those three children." The Emperor spoke his plan in a low voice.
Li De's eyes widened. "Choose one?"
"Coincidentally, all three children are staying at the General's Mansion. You choose. This time, we must not make a mistake. I have spoken a few words with the three children. All three are quite courageous, and one of them has the same temperament as Prince Jin, perhaps a second Prince Jin. If he can grow up before my eyes, he will surely be controllable." The Emperor spoke his plan in a deep voice.
However, this decision was extremely risky.
A general of such extraordinary talent as Zhan Tianye was unparalleled in the world.
Li De's mind conjured images of the three children. In their presence, his own three grandchildren seemed exceedingly mediocre. He frowned deeply. "Even if we keep one, I'm afraid Yun Shu won't agree."
Thinking of that woman Yun Shu, she was truly a headache.
The Emperor narrowed his eyes. "That is not for her to decide."
Li De suddenly thought of something. He frowned with worry. "Your Majesty, I have a feeling that we have overlooked something."
"Oh? What do you think we have overlooked?" The Emperor looked down at Li De.
Li De had always been a trusted general of his. The Emperor and his minister had faced many challenges together over the years, and almost nothing could stop them.
But today, the Emperor suddenly felt that Li De was being somewhat hesitant and overly cautious.
Could it be that he was getting old?
Did he have too many concerns weighing on his mind?
Thus, his hands and feet were bound?
Li De did not notice the Emperor's subtle change in expression. He frowned and shook his head. "I have not yet figured it out, but I have a intuition that we have definitely overlooked something."
"Now is not the time to think about these things. Go and see those three children. I trust your judgment," the Emperor said dismissively.
Once a decision was made, there should be no more hesitation.
However, he still felt reluctant to part with Zhan Tianye, his son.
Zhan Tianye was the only son he felt proud of and admired.
It was a pity.
How could he be so uncontrollable?
Thinking of this, after Li De left with a heavy heart, he gave an order to a palace attendant outside the imperial study. "Go and summon Prince Jin to see me."
A moment later.
Zhan Tianye arrived at the imperial study.
The moment Zhan Tianye entered, the Emperor looked up at him.
Handsome, with an imposing aura.
No less than that of the Emperor, who had long held a high position.
Even faintly, he could overshadow him.
The more this was the case, the more the Emperor was reluctant. Blood was thicker than water; this was his most proud son.
"You killed several of my hidden guards yesterday. Can you give me an explanation now?" the Emperor asked in a calm tone.
His words were like those of a helpless father.
As if Zhan Tianye before him was a disobedient and unfilial son.
Zhan Tianye looked at the Emperor with cold eyes, a dark light surging in the depths of his gaze.