Feng Yexuan looked up, his face, smudged with ink, remained as cold as ice.
"The moment Father Emperor cast her into the Heavenly Prison, he should have known that this son would definitely go and bring her out. Why bother getting so angry?"
He believed in speaking directly. Even if he said he didn't care, his Father Emperor wouldn't believe him.
If he didn't care, why would he take the matter of Black Wind Cliff upon himself just to get the Duke back to his manor?
The Emperor naturally knew this.
Therefore, in reality, he had no real reason to be angry.
But, he was angry nonetheless!
When he had ordered Chu Qianli's capture, this brat had appeared calm, showing no signs of concern.
He had even felt a sliver of secret joy, wondering if this brat had finally grown tired of that woman.
But he never expected that the moment he turned around, he would spirit Chu Qianli away from the Heavenly Prison!
"It is already the early hours of the morning. If Father Emperor had not already guessed that this son would take action, why would he still be dressed so neatly at this hour?"
Feng Yexuan's words laid everything bare.
"So, what reason does Father Emperor have to be angry now?"
The Emperor, his thoughts exposed in such a placid tone, became even more incensed and embarrassed.
"So, you are determined to go against your Father Emperor for this woman?"
Feng Yexuan's expression remained serene, not even his breath disturbed. "This son is Father Emperor's son, how could he go against Father Emperor without reason?"
"Is that so?" The Emperor was still furious, but at Eunuch Qing's subtle gesture, he managed to somewhat calm his temper.
Feng Yexuan continued, "Tonight, Fifth Imperial Brother fell ill, and Li'er was merely saving him. Fifth Imperial Brother himself confirmed this, and the Empress Dowager was present and heard it with her own ears."
"If Father Emperor does not believe it, he can go and ask the Empress Dowager. Li'er is innocent."
The Emperor, however, continued to glare at him, his face still showing lingering displeasure.
"Whether she was saving or harming, it does not matter to me. What matters is your attitude!"
"You are the imperial son I value most. How can I allow you to lose your senses for a woman!"
"This son has not." Feng Yexuan's indifferent demeanor was truly disheartening.
The Emperor's anger was still difficult to quell.
"I know you like this girl, but she is merely the daughter of a singer. She will never be qualified to be the mother of a nation!"
Feng Yexuan did not respond to this.
His expression, however, grew increasingly frigid.
The Emperor felt the urge to lose his temper again!
It was this son of his, whose attitude towards him was becoming more and more presumptuous! He didn't seem to care about him at all.
He hadn't been like this before.
Even though he had always been habitually aloof and distant, he had at least shown him sufficient respect.
No matter how arrogant he was, he wouldn't disobey him!
But now, he was truly becoming more and more disobedient!
It was all because of Chu Qianli!
"I will not allow you to continue being so presumptuous!"
He struck the armrest of his imperial chair and angrily declared, "Starting tomorrow, I will issue an imperial decree to select a consort for you!"
"Father Emperor!" A crack finally appeared in Feng Yexuan's calm face.
This only made the Emperor even more furious!
As expected, only matters concerning Chu Qianli could stir his emotions!
Did this disobedient son truly value someone else more than the daughter of a singer?
"You don't need to say more. My mind is made up! I will widely issue an imperial decree, seeking out all virtuous young ladies from across the land to choose a consort for you!"
"This son will handle his own marriage. Father Emperor need not worry!"
Feng Yexuan's stance was equally firm. "The border is currently unstable, and the nation's affairs are tense. Long Teng is at odds with our Beiming, and neighboring countries watch from the sidelines, all with covetous eyes."
"The nation is not yet at peace. How can this son have the heart to attend to personal affections?"
"Heh!" The Emperor sneered, his face filled with disdain. "You speak righteously. If I hadn't personally witnessed you going mad for a woman, I might have believed you!"
Feng Yexuan ignored the remark, but he absolutely would not agree to the matter of selecting a consort.
"This son has no intention of getting married. I request Father Emperor to retract his decree!"
"Do you still want Chu Qianli to become your Xuan Wangfei? What qualifications does she have?"
"Father Emperor..."
"You don't need to say more! On this matter, not only will I not agree, but your Empress Dowager, and indeed all the citizens of the Beiming nation, will not agree!"
The Emperor flicked his sleeves and said sternly, "The selection of a consort is imperative!"
The Emperor's face was filled with anger, and Feng Yexuan's expression grew even more ashen.
He said expressionlessly, "If Father Emperor insists on this, this son can only request an imperial decree to return to the Northern Three Provinces and guard the frontier!"
"You!" With a bang, the Emperor struck the table in anger and abruptly stood up.
Pointing at Feng Yexuan, the Emperor's fingertips trembled.
He was so angry he almost spat blood!
"For a woman, you... you actually... you! You don't even want the throne anymore?"
To return to the Northern Three Provinces to guard the frontier! At a time when the Emperor was about to select the Crown Prince!
He! He could actually abandon all of this!
This son had gone mad, he had truly gone mad!
"Good! Very good! The son I raised, very good, very good..."
After uttering "very good" several times, the Emperor clutched his chest, unable to catch his breath.
Eunuch Qing grew anxious, "Your Majesty, how are you? Your Majesty, please calm your anger, your dragon body is of utmost importance!"
Feng Yexuan looked up and indeed saw the Emperor's face turn a liverish color, his breathing clearly labored.
He quickly stepped forward and placed a palm on the Emperor's back, channeling pure internal energy into him.
The Emperor slumped back into his chair, and only with Feng Yexuan's internal energy did he manage to recover the breath he had held back.
Eunuch Qing hurried to summon the imperial physicians.
Feng Yexuan looked at the Emperor, the chill in his eyes finally receding slightly.
"Father Emperor, this son has no intention of offending you. If possible, this son would also not wish to go to the distant frontier. However, at this moment, this son truly has no intention of marrying."
"What is so good about Chu Qianli? Are you willing to abandon the empire for her?"
The Emperor's breathing was still erratic, his voice hoarse. "You know very well that with her background, she can never be empress in this lifetime."
"Do you truly intend to give up the throne for her? I favor you, why must you be so willful?"
He wanted to hear words of regret from Feng Yexuan, to see a contrite expression on his face.
But unfortunately, his son's face remained only cold and stubborn.
The Emperor was truly about to go mad with anger!
"You... you... Qing De, Qing De!"
Eunuch Qing had just issued the order for the imperial physicians to be summoned.
Upon hearing the Emperor's call, he immediately rushed back. "Your Majesty, this old servant is here!"
"Immediately draft an imperial decree for me. I want to notify all the nations to select a consort for Xuan Wang!"
"Your Majesty!"
"Father Emperor!" Feng Yexuan's face darkened, and he too became angry. "This son absolutely disagrees!"
"Then you can wait to collect Chu Qianli's corpse!"
"Father Emperor!"
"My mind is made up!"
This time, the Emperor was truly, completely driven to irrationality by anger!
"If you do not obediently select a consort, I will dispatch the Royal Death Warriors to hunt down Chu Qianli, until one of them dies!"