Su Chengyu’s eyes widened in disbelief, having never imagined that his Fourth Imperial Brother, who had drowned in the lotus pond at the age of eight, was actually pushed in by Su Chengjin.
"I was also very fond of your Fifth Imperial Brother back then, but after that incident, although I did not punish your Fifth Imperial Brother, I could no longer feel fond of him. However, he is also my son, and I didn’t want him to carry the stigma of having harmed his siblings, so I executed all the Palace Attendants who had witnessed the scene at the lotus pond."
After a pause, the Emperor of Xiyun continued, "You might as well ask your Fifth Imperial Brother, he was already seven years old at the time and could remember things, so he must still clearly remember what happened."
"Father Emperor..." Su Chengyu was so emotionally conflicted he did not know what to say.
The Emperor of Xiyun closed his eyes again, then said, "Even if I no longer like him, he is still my son; moreover, a member of the Royal Family cannot just be poisoned by anyone who wishes to do so. Just as you wish, thoroughly investigate. Eunuch Fu."
At the Emperor’s call, Eunuch Fu immediately responded, "Slave is here."
"Convey my decree, have the Minister of Justice thoroughly investigate this matter. It must be clarified. If they cannot find out, let the Minister of Justice present his head to me."
"Yes, Emperor." Eunuch Fu hurried to the Ministry of Justice to proclaim the decree.
Despite his complex emotions, Su Chengyu still expressed his thanks, "Thank you, Father Emperor, for seeking justice for Fifth Imperial Brother."
Seeing Su Chengyu , the Emperor of Xiyun sighed again, "Chengyu, you still do not understand my intention."
"Father Emperor...?" Su Chengyu was slow to react.
The Emperor of Xiyun, with great sorrow, said, "I have already lost one son to his hand, and I fear for you as well..."
At this point, the Emperor of Xiyun’s eyes reddened. "Your mother has already left me. I can lose anyone now, but I simply cannot afford to lose you too. Do you understand, Chengyu?"
Su Chengyu was immediately moved beyond words and began to choke up, "Your son is unfilial..."
"Now that you have grown up," continued the Emperor of Xiyun. "I do not expect you to obey me in everything, I just want you to be able to protect yourself." He paused, "You must be more ruthless than anyone where it is necessary."
Su Chengyu was silent for a long while before he spoke coldly, "If Fifth Imperial Brother truly harbors ill intent against me, I will show no mercy."
The Emperor of Xiyun said, "I expect you to act on your words."
Su Chengyu remained silent.
"You may leave now, I still have many documents to review."
"Yes, I shall take my leave." As Su Chengyu was about to leave, he suddenly remembered something and quickly said to the Emperor of Xiyun, "Father Emperor, Gong Juechen can detoxify Fifth Imperial Brother’s body."
Because the large imperial desk concealed the view, Su Chengyu did not see the Emperor of Xiyun’s hand, which had been resting on the Dragon Chair, immediately grasp the armrest tightly, his veins bulging on both hands.
But the Emperor of Xiyun’s face remained calm.
The Emperor of Xiyun smiled and said, "That’s good news. Your Fifth Imperial Brother has been bedridden because of this poison. If he can be cured, he’ll be able to live a normal life."
"Yes," Su Chengyu smiled as well.
After Su Chengyu left, the Emperor of Xiyun closed his eyes.
After quite a while, he opened them again. Instead of reviewing documents, he just got up, walked to the window, and looked up at the sky, expressionless, silent about his thoughts.
When Eunuch Fu returned, he saw the Emperor of Xiyun standing by the window. He promptly brought over a cloak and draped it around the Emperor’s shoulders.
The Emperor of Xiyun didn’t even glance at Eunuch Fu, continuing to watch the clouds rolling by in the sky, but he spoke in a low voice, devoid of emotion, "Gong Juechen can cure Chengjin’s poison."