Chapter 523: How Long Are You Planning To Hide It For? (3)
Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
Zhao Chuchu noticed the eunuch’s actions as well. She couldn’t help but wonder if the emperor had also found out about Junjun’s true identity.
Otherwise, why did he go to the Third Prince’s palace and make such a big scene?
He had brought even more people than when she saved Xie Yan’s life.
But the eunuch didn’t say anything else. He simply led the way silently.
Zhao Chuchu, Xie Heng, and Xie Jun were brought to the door of Xie Yan’s study room.
“Please wait here for a moment. I will go in to report your arrival,” the eunuch said politely, then stepped forward and knocked on the door. “Your majesty, the three of them have arrived.’
“Let Xie Heng come in,” said the emperor from inside the room.
Xie Jun suddenly grabbed Xie Hengs hand. “Bro.”
“Don’t go inside. Is the emperor going to kill you?”
Xie Heng rubbed Xie Jun’s head and said, “Wait here with Sis. I’ll go inside first.’
“Bro.” Xie Jun started to panic. He refused to let go.
Zhao Chuchu bent down and whispered into Xie Jun’s ears, “If your brother doesn’t go in right now, he’s going to anger the emperor. That will be bad for all of us. Be good. It’ll be fine.”
Xie Jun finally let go of Xie Hengs hand.
Not only was he worried about Xie Hengs safety, but he was also worried that once Xie Heng entered the room, he wouldn’t be able to live with him anymore. Instead, he would have to embrace his real identity.
Xie Jun didn’t like his real identity at all. Instead, he sincerely wished that he was just Xie Hengs brother.
Throughout his stay at the prince’s palace, he wasn’t willing to meet Xie Yan. This wasn’t because he disliked Xie Yan but because he didn’t want to accept his real identity.
But Xie Jun understood the situation. He had no right to decide whether he wanted this life or not.
Everyone around him will be implicated if he chooses to give up his real identity.
Xie Jun stared at Xie Hengs back until he entered the study room, and the closing door blocked off his view.
“Sis, am I going to…”
“Yeah? Going to what?’
“Nothing. ”
Xie Jun shook his head and didn’t say anything.
Zhao Chuchu could roughly guess what Xie Jun was thinking about. She sighed softly, then patted his shoulders.
Inside the study, the emperor sat behind the table and stared at Xie Heng.
Xie Heng kneeled on the ground and did not move at all.
After quite a while, the emperor started tapping his fingers on the table. Then, finally, he said, “Xie Heng, is there anything that you would like to tell me?” “Sorry for my foolishness. I don’t quite understand what you mean.” “How dare you speak to me like this? Do you have a death wish?”
“Your majesty, I don’t dare make cavalier guesses about your intentions. Please, enlighten me.”
Xie Heng kneeled on the ground. Although he looked nervous on the surface, he was actually more calm than the emperor himself.
“How long are you planning to hide this for?” Xie Heng remained silent.
The emperor was about to explode from anger.
Is Xie Heng an idiot? Does he not know how to continue the conversation and tell him everything about Xie Jun’s real identity?
Is it a good thing that he lost his son? Is Xie Heng trying to force him to say it out loud himself? He’s an emperor. He has pride!
He sent out his secret guards to investigate everything. Apparently, Xie Hengs parents had never left Yuanjiang County. On the other hand, the people who kidnapped his ninth son came from the north. No one knows how his ninth son ended up becoming Xie Heng’s little brother.
But Xie Heng had lived in Lengshui Village since he was born. Other than the county town where he went to study, he hadn’t been anywhere else and had not come into contact with any outsiders.
No one in Lengshui Village knew that Xie Heng and Xie Jun weren’t real brothers.
Xie Hengs ancestors had no connections to the royal family either.
“Xie Heng, do you refuse to admit it?” questioned the emperor coldly.
Xie Heng said, “I really don’t know what you mean, your majesty. I wouldn’t dare to hide anything from you.” “Who are Xie Jun’s parents?” asked the emperor. “Do you not know?”
“Your majesty, Xie Jun is my brother.”
“Your real brother?”
“Yes.
“How dare you? Do you know who Xie Jun is?”
Xie Heng raised his head in shock. “Your majesty, is this a misunderstanding? I have been living with my brother since I was young. My parents have never said that Xie Jun isn’t my real brother.”
“You’re still trying to act dumb?”
“Your majesty, you can send people to Lengshui village to investigate. I did not tell any lies.”
Indeed, his parents said nothing.
Xie Heng only knew about Xie Jun’s real identity because he experienced his previous life and reincarnated.
He wasn’t lying.
“Xie Heng, do you think I’m joking with you?”
“l wouldn’t dare. Please, your majesty, investigate this matter thoroughly.”
The emperor had been observing Xie Hengs expressions the whole time. He realized that Xie Hengs reactions were likely genuine.
If that were the case, he would definitely not know about Xie Jun’s real identity.
Even Xie Yan wasn’t entirely sure about this. All he said was that he felt strangely close to Xie Jun when he saw the boy; that’s all.
As for how Xie Heng met Zhao Chuchu, the emperor was quite aware of that story.
The emperor asked again, “Xie Heng, are you sure you don’t know anything?” Xie Heng continued to insist. ‘Yes, your majesty, I don’t know anything.”
“Never mind.” The emperor sighed and said, “That kid… he is my poor ninth son..”