After Breaking Free From The System's Control - Chapter 11

Jin Tang had been caught securely by Xiao Li after falling from the swing.

The sudden accident had caught them both off guard. Although Jin Tang quickly explained what had happened and cleared up the misunderstanding, an indescribably subtle awkwardness still lingered in the air.

To break the atmosphere—and because there was serious business to discuss—Jin Tang gave a light cough and turned his gaze toward Xiao Li.

“Royal Uncle has entered the palace at this hour, so I assume there is an important matter. This is not a suitable place to speak. Come inside with me, and we can discuss it properly.”

Then he turned toward Wang Zhong, who still looked shaken.

“Wang Zhong, prepare a pot of Mengding Shihua tea. I intend to speak with Royal Uncle at length.”

“Yes.”

Wang Zhong quickly bowed and hurried off to make the arrangements.

Jin Tang gestured for Xiao Li to follow, then turned first and walked toward the inner room of the bedchamber, which was reserved for resting and handling state affairs.

His steps were already much steadier than they had been the day before.

Even so, Xiao Li keenly noticed that his figure remained alarmingly slender, as though a slightly stronger gust of wind might knock him over.

The memory of catching him moments earlier—the narrowness of his waist and the nearly weightless feel of his body—made Xiao Li’s brows draw together.

The two entered the elegantly furnished inner chamber one after the other.

Unlike the spacious outer hall, this room was quiet and secluded. Bamboo shadows swayed beyond the windows, while thin trails of incense drifted through the air.

It was indeed a suitable place for conversation.

Not long after they sat down, Wang Zhong returned with several palace attendants and efficiently served freshly brewed Mengding Shihua tea along with several delicate pastries.

The tea carried a crisp fragrance, and the pastries were small and enticing.

But neither Jin Tang nor Xiao Li was interested in food at that moment.

The attendants withdrew, leaving only sovereign and subject in the room.

Jin Tang lifted the white porcelain teacup and took a shallow sip.

The warm tea slid down his throat, bringing a trace of warmth and calming the lingering agitation caused by the accident.

He set down the cup, raised his eyes toward Xiao Li seated below him, and asked evenly,

“Royal Uncle, have you come to report something important?”

Just as Xiao Li was about to speak—

【Warning! A key plot character, “Xiao Li,” has been detected appearing abnormally in the capital! What did you do behind my back?!】

The cold, piercing electronic voice exploded deep inside Jin Tang’s mind like a steel needle.

His fingers tightened sharply around the cup.

His knuckles turned faintly white.

But only for an instant.

Then they relaxed again.

Nothing changed on his face.

Not even his gaze flickered.

It was as though that shrill warning, sharp enough to make the soul tremble, had never sounded at all.

He continued looking calmly at Xiao Li, waiting for his answer, treating the uproar inside his head as meaningless background noise.

【Answer me, Jin Tang! Why did you bring him back to the capital?! When did you issue the decree?! How dare you make moves behind my back?!】

Seeing no reaction from Jin Tang, the System grew even more enraged.

Its cold electronic voice twisted under the force of its fury, producing a harsh static hiss.

【Do you have any idea how much of the plot you have disrupted?! You useless idiot! Moron! Freak who is neither man nor woman!】

Vicious curses and shrill accusations crashed wildly against Jin Tang’s consciousness.

But Jin Tang merely lowered his eyes slightly, concealing the flash of cold mockery and satisfaction in their depths.

Yes.

That was it.

Rage helplessly.

The angrier it became, the more it proved he had done the right thing.

Jin Tang completely ignored the defeated dog howling inside his mind and focused all his attention on reality—

On the man before him who could bring hope to both him and Great Zhao.

Xiao Li noticed none of the storm raging inside Jin Tang’s head.

Seeing that Jin Tang’s complexion was relatively good and his expression calm, he considered his words briefly before reporting in a low voice,

“Your Majesty, after leaving the palace yesterday, this subject immediately contacted several Grand Secretaries in accordance with your decree and discussed the situation with them in advance.”

Xiao Li observed Jin Tang’s expression.

Seeing no displeasure, he continued,

“After deliberation, the Grand Secretaries agreed that Your Majesty’s health is the foundation of the realm. Since you require rest and recuperation, memorials from the provinces should no longer be delivered to your bedchamber every day, lest they exhaust your mind and worsen your condition.”

At this, Jin Tang’s heart stirred faintly.

The hand holding his cup paused.

The System was still screaming wildly inside his head.

【They are trying to strip you of power! You idiot! You are finished!】

But Jin Tang’s heart slowly settled.

He had expected Xiao Li to take control of government affairs in his capacity as Regent.

He had not expected him to move so quickly—or handle the matter so comprehensively.

Xiao Li’s voice remained steady and sincere.

“However, affairs of state cannot be neglected. The Grand Secretaries and I have agreed that all memorials will continue to be sent to the Imperial Study as usual, where we will review and handle them together.”

“Although Your Majesty will be recuperating, the authority of the Son of Heaven must not be allowed to fall into other hands. Whenever Your Majesty feels well enough, you may visit the Imperial Study at any time, review any memorial, and inquire into any matter of government.”

“After we have reviewed them, we will also regularly organize and summarize all important affairs of state and submit them for Your Majesty’s knowledge.”

He raised his eyes and looked openly and loyally at Jin Tang, his tone solemn as an oath.

“Your Majesty granted this subject the authority of Regent out of trust and entrusted the realm to me.”

“This subject hereby promises Your Majesty that I will fulfill my duties faithfully, handle all matters impartially, and harbor no disloyal intentions.”

“Everything I do will be to ease Your Majesty’s burdens and serve Great Zhao.”

“Please recuperate without worry. This subject will never betray the trust Your Majesty has placed in me.”

His words were clear and methodical, his position unmistakable.

He had efficiently taken over the complicated affairs of government, preventing the court from stagnating while the emperor was gravely ill.

At the same time, he preserved the emperor’s ultimate authority and right to remain informed to the greatest possible extent.

Xiao Li had not seized the opportunity to gather power into his own hands.

There was not the slightest trace of overstepping.

Instead, he maintained the distinction between sovereign and subject with perfect correctness and embodied the word loyalty to its fullest extent.

Jin Tang looked at the sincerity on Xiao Li’s stern face and listened to his steady, forceful words.

A multitude of emotions rose within him.

【Bah! Hypocrite! Empty, grand-sounding words! He wants to steal your authority! Jin Tang, wake up! Once his power is secure, you will be the first person he kills!】

The System continued desperately sowing discord, trying to awaken Jin Tang’s suspicion and fear.

But Jin Tang’s heart remained perfectly clear.

He even found the System’s shouting laughable.

He looked at Xiao Li with genuine approval and appreciation in his eyes, then nodded lightly.

“Royal Uncle has considered everything thoroughly. Your arrangements are excellent.”

“With Royal Uncle and the Grand Secretaries working together, I can truly rest without worry.”

“From now on, I will trouble Royal Uncle to devote more attention to the affairs of court. Act boldly and do what must be done.”

“I trust you.”

“This subject will devote every ounce of strength to repaying Your Majesty’s trust!”

Xiao Li bowed again, his voice grave and resolute.

【Aaaah! You still trust him?! You are even telling him to act freely! Jin Tang, you are digging your own grave!】

The System was practically driven mad.

Its cold electronic voice warped and distorted under the violent force of its emotions.

【I command you! Immediately! Right now! Revoke your decision! Strip Xiao Li of the position of Regent and send him back to the northern frontier! This is an order!】

Jin Tang sneered inwardly.

An order?

He separated a thread of his attention and directed it toward the cold mass of light flashing violently with rage inside his mind.

In an utterly calm tone filled with deliberate provocation, he replied,

【No.】

【Go ahead. Kill me right now, if you can.】

The System seemed to freeze, as though someone had pressed a pause button.

Its frantic shouting and flashing stopped for an instant.

Then came an even more hysterical eruption of fury.

【You!!!】

Jin Tang could almost “see” the streams of data representing the System flare with dangerous red light from overloading.

Countless chaotic, vicious curses and threats poured out like malicious code.

Yet they could no longer stir even the slightest ripple in his heart.

He knew that for now, helpless rage was all the System could manage.

It could not directly control his body.

It could not immediately erase his soul—

At least, not yet.

Even so, the System remained a sword hanging over his head.

Though it could not directly manipulate him for the moment, its unpredictable punishments and whatever obstacles it might secretly create could not be underestimated.

With that thought, Jin Tang gathered his attention and focused once more on Xiao Li.

His tone became exceptionally serious, carrying even a trace of gravity.

“Royal Uncle, there is one more matter I must entrust to you.”

Seeing the change in his expression, Xiao Li immediately turned solemn as well.

“Please speak, Your Majesty.”

Jin Tang carefully considered his words before slowly saying,

“My illness is peculiar. It comes and goes. When I am well, I am no different from an ordinary person.”

“But when it strikes, not only does my body become uncontrollable, there are times when even my mind may become clouded and confused.”

“Perhaps… I may do things against my own will—things that are unreasonable or even absurd.”

He stared directly into Xiao Li’s eyes.

“If such a day truly comes, and while I am not in my right mind I issue any decree that defies reason, harms the realm, or endangers the common people…”

“Royal Uncle, I command you—”

“You do not have to obey.”

Xiao Li’s pupils contracted sharply.

Shock and confusion appeared openly on his face.

“Your Majesty?”

He did not have to obey an imperial decree?

Such a thing was unheard of.

Since ancient times, the sovereign’s command had carried the weight of a mountain.

How could a subject be permitted to question it?

Much less simply refuse obedience?

In Xiao Li’s eyes, the young emperor before him might be physically weak, but his mind was clear and his will steadfast.

He was certainly not a foolish ruler prone to reckless behavior.

Why, then, would he say something so absolute, almost like the final instructions of a dying sovereign entrusting his heir?

What exactly did he mean by “against my own will” and “a clouded mind”?

Countless questions flooded Xiao Li’s thoughts at once, leaving his emotions churning and impossible to calm.

He opened his mouth, intending to ask.

But when his gaze met Jin Tang’s eyes, every word became lodged in his throat.

Jin Tang offered no explanation.

He could not explain.

He merely repeated himself, his tone even firmer.

“Remember my words, Xiao Li.”

“If my speech or conduct becomes abnormal or unreasonable, then everything must place Great Zhao and the stability of the realm first.”

“The welfare of the people beneath heaven must come before all else.”

“That is the greatest loyalty you can show to me—and to the Late Emperor.”

Xiao Li looked at Jin Tang’s abnormally serious gaze, which almost carried a plea.

His heart felt as though an invisible hand had closed tightly around it, creating an aching pressure he could not describe.

Though he did not understand the deeper meaning, he could read the immense burden in Jin Tang’s eyes.

In the end, Xiao Li forcibly suppressed every question and concern.

He was Jin Tang’s subject.

He was also the sworn brother entrusted by the Late Emperor with his child, and the Regent personally appointed by His Majesty.

He did not understand why Jin Tang would say such things.

But he could sense the weight behind them—

A weight that transcended personal life and death and concerned the fate of the nation and its people.

Xiao Li drew a deep breath and suppressed the countless thoughts in his heart.

Then he swept aside his robes and knelt on one knee.

With unprecedented solemnity, he answered in a low voice,

“This subject obeys.”

“Your Majesty may rest assured. I… will remember.”

No matter what fog or danger lay ahead, once he had given his promise, he would uphold it.

At the same time, deep within Jin Tang’s mind, the System’s shrieking reached an unprecedented peak.

The cold electronic voice nearly tore his consciousness apart.

【Jin Tang! How dare you! You are rebelling against me! You are seeking your own destruction! I will not let you go! Never!!!】

Inside the inner chamber, the fragrance of tea continued to drift quietly through the air.