After Breaking Free From The System's Control - Chapter 5

The morning light seemed to have been sifted through a fine screen, carrying the soft, sweet fragrance of newly blooming crabapple blossoms as it slowly flowed into the bedchamber.

Jin Tang awoke with a clearer mind than the day before.

The crushing agony that had made him feel as though his body had been shattered and pieced back together had already faded. All that remained was a weakness and lassitude sunk deep into his bones, as though he were only just recovering from a grave illness—or merely an empty shell left behind after every last trace of vitality had been drained away.

He tried moving his fingers.

Though they were still weak, at least it was no longer as difficult as yesterday, when even lifting his wrist had seemed nearly impossible.

“Your Majesty, your complexion looks much better today!”

Wang Zhong’s voice carried unmistakable delight. He approached with warm water and carefully helped Jin Tang sit up.

His movements were still slow, and every step felt as though he were treading upon clouds. Even so, Jin Tang ultimately managed to sit steadily by himself. When his feet touched the golden floor tiles, he experienced a brief moment of dizziness, but he did not collapse.

Wang Zhong stood beside him for support, the wrinkles on his face smoothing with relief as he repeated, “Good, good,” over and over.

The joy radiating from him truly made him resemble a magpie spirit come to announce auspicious news.

After washing and dressing, Jin Tang chose a set of soft, lightweight everyday robes.

The fabric was moon-white, making his face appear even paler. It diminished some of his imperial authority and instead emphasized the slender fragility of a young man.

Breakfast was as light as ever.

Yet Jin Tang managed to eat nearly half a bowl more of shredded chicken porridge than he had the day before. He even picked up a piece of poria cake and slowly finished it.

Watching from the side, Wang Zhong’s eyes reddened again.

“Good, good. As long as Your Majesty can eat, your vitality can always be restored little by little.”

After breakfast, Jin Tang felt reasonably alert, so he signaled for Wang Zhong to help him outside for a walk.

The crabapple trees in the courtyard were in full bloom.

Clusters of pale pink and white blossoms crowded the branches. Whenever the breeze passed through, several petals would flutter down, carpeting the ground in a thin layer.

The sunlight was warm and gentle, dispelling some of the chill clinging to him.

Supported by Wang Zhong on one side, with his other hand resting lightly upon the strong forearm of a guard, Jin Tang walked extremely slowly.

Step by step, he left faint footprints along the path strewn with fallen blossoms.

The refreshing fragrance of flowers filled every breath, while the sound of birdsong mingled with the breeze.

The rare peace allowed his tightly wound mind to relax slightly.

Jin Tang narrowed his eyes and felt the sunlight warm his eyelids, as though this alone could temporarily cast aside all those cold and painful memories.

Just then, footsteps approached from the distance.

Jin Tang raised his eyes.

Where the morning light mingled with the shadows of flowers, Xiao Li was striding toward him.

Today, Xiao Li wore formal princely robes embroidered with the Nine Symbols. His hair was bound beneath a ceremonial crown, and the dust of his journey had been washed away.

He looked even taller and more imposing, his features cold and stern.

Only a faint trace of weariness remained deep within his eyes.

When he saw Jin Tang walking with Wang Zhong’s support, his steps paused.

The deep crease between his brows relaxed slightly, and the hard lines of his face seemed to soften for the briefest instant.

He quickly approached and bowed according to proper etiquette.

“This subject pays respects to Your Majesty.”

“Royal Uncle, there is no need for such formality.”

Jin Tang stopped walking and took a shallow breath.

Even this short distance had left him slightly winded.

He gestured toward the cushioned couch already prepared beneath the crabapple tree.

“Let us sit and talk.”

Wang Zhong immediately helped Jin Tang over and seated him, then deftly presented a cup of ginseng tea that had been kept warm.

Jin Tang accepted it and held it between his hands.

The warm porcelain drove some of the chill from his fingertips.

He took small sips. The ginseng tea carried a faint bitterness, but its warmth slid down his throat and nourished his parched insides, bringing the slightest hint of color to his overly pale face.

At his instruction, Xiao Li sat in the chair beside and slightly below the couch.

His gaze remained fixed upon Jin Tang, missing none of the subtle changes in his expression.

Seeing that Jin Tang was still weak but more lucid than he had been in yesterday’s dazed state, Xiao Li felt somewhat reassured.

Wang Zhong silently stepped several paces away and stood with his hands lowered.

When his gaze happened to meet Xiao Li’s, he gave the slightest nod.

A faint glint passed through Xiao Li’s eyes.

He understood.

The matter of the two palace servants who had spoken disrespectfully of their sovereign the previous night had been dealt with completely, without disturbing the Emperor.

Jin Tang noticed none of this.

He set down the teacup, his fingers having recovered a little strength from its warmth.

Then he looked toward Xiao Li.

Sunlight filtered through the gaps between the crabapple branches, casting dappled patches across his thin profile.

“Royal Uncle,” Jin Tang began, as though he had rehearsed the words countless times in his heart, “I feel reasonably well today. I believe the matter of appointing you Regent should be announced to the court as soon as possible.”

Xiao Li did not move, but the hand resting on his knee tightened sharply.

Yesterday, he had been overwhelmed mainly by shock and gravity.

Hearing the matter raised again today made its reality settle more firmly upon him.

Jin Tang did not look at him.

His unfocused gaze rested upon the swaying shadows of the blossoms ahead as he spoke in a calm, matter-of-fact tone, as though discussing something unrelated to himself yet unavoidable.

“You have seen the condition of my body. At times I am well, no different from any ordinary person. But when it worsens…”

He smiled faintly and omitted any description of the stupor, unbearable agony, or brushes with death.

Only a soft sigh remained.

“I become little more than an empty shell. Even opening my eyes takes effort. The affairs of state are endless. I have the will, but no longer the strength.”

Jin Tang turned his gaze back to Xiao Li’s stern and attentive face.

“But Great Zhao cannot be left without someone to watch over it. This vast realm is the foundation left behind by the Late Emperor. It cannot be allowed to fall into chaos because of me alone. Therefore, all these troublesome matters will have to burden Royal Uncle from now on.”

At this point, Jin Tang seemed to want to ease the overly heavy atmosphere.

He forced the corners of his lips into a slight curve, carrying a trace of youthful mischief, and softened his voice.

“Only, once this happens, the affairs of government will be so complicated and endless that Royal Uncle will have even less time for anything else. I fear even finding yourself a princess consort will be delayed. I cannot help feeling somewhat guilty about that.”

The sudden, almost intimate joke made Xiao Li freeze for a moment.

Looking at the strained smile upon Jin Tang’s pale face, he felt as though countless fine needles had pierced his heart.

The pain was not sharp, but it spread into a dull, suffocating ache.

Marriage and children?

He had never thought about either.

Had the Late Emperor not rescued him from the chaos of battle all those years ago, placed his trust in him, granted him command of an army, and defied all opposition to bestow upon him the title of Prince Equal in Rank, Xiao Li would long since have become a pile of bones in the wilderness of the northern frontier.

How could he have possessed anything he had today?

The Late Emperor’s kindness had given him a second life.

Protecting Great Zhao and serving the realm had always been the sole purpose Xiao Li had chosen for the remainder of his life.

Now, that responsibility had taken a specific form in the sole bloodline of the Late Emperor sitting before him.

Seeing that Jin Tang could still joke with him—even knowing that the ease was only superficial—allowed the tightly drawn string in Xiao Li’s heart to loosen slightly.

The fact that he could joke meant his mind was clear.

His spirit had not yet been completely crushed by illness.

So long as he remained conscious, there was hope.

Xiao Li would exhaust every effort, search the realm for every renowned physician and rare medicine, and find a way to cure Jin Tang.

“Your Majesty overstates the matter,” Xiao Li said, suppressing the emotions churning in his chest. “Sharing the nation’s burdens is this subject’s duty. I have never had any interest in establishing a household. However, the position of Regent is of immense importance. Your Majesty…”

“It is precisely because it is so important that I must entrust it to someone reliable,” Jin Tang interrupted.

“I trust Royal Uncle’s ability, and I also trust Royal Uncle’s loyalty. My decision is final.”

Without giving Xiao Li another chance to refuse, Jin Tang turned toward Wang Zhong, who was standing respectfully nearby.

His voice was weak, yet it carried the decisiveness of an emperor.

“Wang Zhong.”

“This old servant is here.”

Wang Zhong immediately stepped forward and bowed.

“Convey my decree. This afternoon, summon every official of the fifth rank or above currently in the capital to attend court in Taiji Hall.”

Jin Tang delivered each instruction clearly.

“I will personally announce the appointment of Prince Xuan as Regent and place the entire administration of the court under his authority.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Wang Zhong accepted the order without hesitation.

Jin Tang turned his gaze back to Xiao Li.

Besides the weight of entrustment, a faint, cold light flashed in the depths of his eyes.

“This will also be a useful opportunity for me to see for myself which people in court have become restless while I have been ill—or developed thoughts they should never have entertained.”

The System had not yet returned.

This was a rare window of time in which Jin Tang could personally control the situation.

He needed to sit there himself and use the turmoil caused by the appointment of a Regent to identify every hidden threat within the court.

Those that could be uprooted—

He would show them no mercy.

Xiao Li immediately understood Jin Tang’s deeper intention.

Looking at the young emperor before him, seemingly fragile yet possessing a remarkably resilient mind, Xiao Li felt respect and tenderness intertwine within him.

“This subject understands,” Xiao Li answered solemnly, raising no objection.

His only concern remained Jin Tang’s health.

“However, court assemblies can be lengthy. Your Majesty has only just begun to recover. I fear your health may not withstand it. If…”

“It will be fine.”

Jin Tang waved a hand, clearly having already considered the matter.

“I am merely announcing this decision. It will not take many hours. I will not wear the heavy court robes or the oppressive imperial crown. I will remain in these simple clothes and sit behind a hanging screen. I need only show myself and say a few words. It will not exhaust me.”

Jin Tang tilted his head slightly and gazed beyond the courtyard.

His eyes seemed to pass through layer after layer of palace walls and settle upon Taiji Hall, the center of imperial authority.

His voice was so soft it sounded almost like he was speaking to himself.

“Besides, there are certain scenes and certain people I must personally see and hear before I can feel at ease.”

When the System first bound itself to him, it had told him that from that moment onward, he was Jin Tang—the Emperor of Great Zhao.

Then he would be Jin Tang.

He would be the Emperor of Great Zhao.

After all, he had never agreed with the System that he could only be an emperor who obeyed its every command.