CHAPTER 50: UNCERTAINTY

As they neared the grand doors of the Official Court, Ling Yu slowed her steps.

The doors loomed high, carved with dragons entwined among clouds, their eyes set with jade that seemed to glimmer with life. From within came the murmur of voices, ministers, scholars, generals, and nobles all gathered, waiting for the Emperor’s court to begin.

Ling Yu exhaled softly, her eyes sharpening.

It wasn’t the first time she had walked this path. In her last life, she had entered these doors countless times, sometimes as a pawn, sometimes as a scapegoat, and eventually, as an abandoned outcast. But this time...

She wasn’t here to be used or discarded. Rather, she returned with her own purpose.

Aide Huang kept glancing back at Ling Yu as various thoughts crossed his mind.

’The princess didn’t even ask for His Majesty’s well-being... sigh, only if it weren’t for that curse, His Majesty wouldn’t have abandoned her, and they wouldn’t have met like this under such circumstances, either...’

The old aide glanced at her, his expression unreadable for a moment before he said. "His Majesty the Emperor has been well. Though the burdens of governance weigh heavily, he remains in good health. He... has spoken of you often these past days, Princess."

"Is that so? What did he say? Whether I died or am still alive? Checking on me so that his money won’t be wasted?" Ling Yu’s gaze was cold as she continued, "Aide Huang, if you are about to say something like he wants me back as a princess, it’s too late. If he says that he wants me now, I can only guess that he must’ve found a place where he could use my status as a former princess and use me into something bothersome that he doesn’t want to deal with."

Huang Zhiming couldn’t reply to her words as he stopped talking. Ling Yu’s gaze flickered, unreadable, as the doors to the Official Court began to swing open.

The chorus of voices within stilled, as all eyes turned to her.

And with unhurried grace, Ling Yu stepped across the threshold, into the heart of power.

The courtroom was vast yet eerily empty, the golden pillars and crimson drapes towering above in solemn grandeur. Without the ministers filling the space with murmurs and sidelong glances, the silence felt heavier and more suffocating. The only ones present were the emperor himself, the royal family members seated at their respective places, and a few chosen attendants who dared not lift their eyes.

As Ling Yu entered, her steps deliberate and unhurried, she felt Jiang Meng’s hostile and heated gaze that pierced through her like a blade. Her eyes seemed to be filled with contempt that she did not attempt to mask. Ling Yu could almost hear the grinding of her teeth as she observed the faint quiver in Jiang Meng’s clenched little fists resting against the armrest of her seat.

Ling Yu, however, remained calm, her expression unreadable as she moved forward. The heavy air didn’t seem to crush her, nor did she become dispirited.

She halted at the center of the hall, her white leather boots echoing a crisp sound against the polished jade floor. Then, lowering her head in just the right measure of respect, not servility as she offered her greeting.

"Your Majesty." Her voice was steady, clear, and carried a subtle weight that made even the servants standing along the walls stiffen.

After a moment, she straightened, her gaze unwavering as it met the emperor’s calm, inscrutable eyes. "I am grateful for the honor of being summoned to the palace. May I ask, what matter compels Your Majesty to invite me here today?"

Her words hung in the air, cool and unyielding. Jiang Meng’s expression twisted further, her hostility rising like dark flames, but the emperor remained silent for a beat longer than usual. That silence itself was oppressive, deliberate, as if testing her composure.

"How dare you talk like that to His Majesty! Have you got no respect for father?!" Jiang Meng couldn’t contain her growing frustration anymore as she burst out in rage, not that it affected Ling Yu in the slightest.

"Meng Meng, you shouldn’t talk like that to your sister. Learn to be more patient, your sister just arrived today." The Empress’s words seemed to be gentle and graceful as always, in a way as if she were taking Ling Yu’s side.

Though Ling Yu knew that wasn’t the case, she didn’t bother to even pay any attention to the small drama made by the mother-daughter pair. Instead, her eyes remained fixed towards the Emperor.

Aide Hunag was worried as he wiped a shin of sweat from his forehead. Wasn’t the lady being a bit too bold by staring directly at His Majesty like that?

But that wasn’t all there was. Because the Emperor also seemed to be staring back at her, as if agreeing to a silent staring contest!

The Princess also seems to be getting cleverer by each day; it hasn’t been long since they last saw each other. But Aide Huang could definitely feel it; the aura around the Lady had now changed.

She now seemed more bold and confident than ever. Her dull and dim eyes that didn’t even reflect light were now shining, as if her eyes had turned into shining and polished genstones that reflect light itself.

Compared to her, the Princess...

Aide Huang jolted off his thoughts as he turned to look at the Emperor. For a while there, he almost had blasphemous thoughts!

While Aide Huang was reflecting on himself, the Emperor was staring at her without backing off.

Finally, the emperor leaned slightly forward, his robe’s golden embroidery glinting faintly in the candlelight. His voice was neither warm nor cold, simply steady, yet carrying the authority of a man who ruled the nation.

"There is a matter concerning you, Ling Yu. And this Emperor wishes to hear your answer directly."

At that, a faint stir moved among the attendants, though none dared speak.

’A matter concerning me? More like it has something to do with Jiang Meng, isn’t it?’

’I’m glad they didn’t change at all, I can now rest assured when I take my revenge.’

Ling Yu’s lips curved slightly; it was not quite a smile, more like a razor-thin line of acknowledgment, as she replied, "Yes, Your Majesty. Feel free to confide in the issue, I shall judge and take the matter into my own hands if need be." Her eyes, cool as tempered steel, flickered briefly toward Jiang Meng before returning to the emperor, as if silently daring anyone to challenge her presence here.

"If that is your answer, then alright." Emperor Jiang frowned slightly as he said, "I have a proposal for you. Will you promise me that you will abide by it?"

"I don’t know the content of the proposal yet. I can’t promise anything right away, Your Majesty." Her tone was nonchalant, and her eyes fixed on Jiang Xun.

"It’s fine. You’ll know it anyway." Emperor Jiang said as he gestured towards Aide Huang. Taking up the signal, Aide Huang went back to bring something right away.

"Ling Yu, Former Princess Rui."

Ling Yu had a bad premonition as she narrowed her eyes, especially hearing the title from Emperor Jiang’s mouth, who never acknowledged her as his bloodline.

"I shall grant you the title of Regent Princess, but in return, you have to take on a responsibility."

’Damn ol’ man, just spit it out already!’ Ling Yu imagined some distorted images in her head as she appeared calm outside. She was getting irritated with each passing second. Whatever comes from the Royals’ side would never be something good for her. Why bother wasting time?

If it weren’t for them, she would’ve done a hundred more push-ups in the gym by now!

The emperor raised his hand, and the guards brought someone forward. The guards held onto the chains that shackled the boy’s hands and feet. He seemed to be limping, his thin frame hidden beneath tattered clothes. It seems there were fresh wounds throughout his entire body, evidence of what happened to him before they forced him to walk all the way to the throne room.

The boy stumbled into the light of the throne hall. His skin was pale, bruised in places that weren’t even hidden, and when he looked up, his eyes were strangely unfocused, like those of a child’s, bewildered, lost, and broken.

Ling Yu’s heart constricted at once. She didn’t recognize him; those features were delicate, almost too fine for his condition to conceal.