IDWBE -Chapter 265 Brotherly Respect and Affection

Thinking too much about it, Lin Yi suddenly felt a wave of melancholy. The old days were truly worth reminiscing about.

Ever since going to Sanhe, he had never enjoyed life like that again.

From time to time, he was even threatened by Jizhao Convent.

Life had been utterly miserable.

Today the donkey performed splendidly. Each step was steady and strong, its hooves striking the bluestone pavement with crisp clop-clop sounds that echoed clearly through the streets and alleys.

When they passed South Street, a carriage stood in the middle of the road. Beside it stood an old man in gray clothes. Before Lin Yi even approached, the old man knelt and said, “This humble one greets Your Highness. Long live Your Highness!”

“Guo Zhao?”

Lin Yi recognized him—the gardener left behind at the Prince He Residence in Ankang City.

“You old fellow, what are you doing here? With that body of yours, you could live another twenty years.”

“Thank you for Your Highness’s praise,”

Guo Zhao said tearfully. “This servant just heard that Your Highness had entered the city, so I hurriedly brought out the carriage from the residence. Please, Your Highness, ride in it.”

“You’re thoughtful.”

Lin Yi did not refuse the kindness. Entering the city alone, with fate uncertain, such loyalty moved him a little.

With Hong Ying’s support, he dismounted the donkey and boarded the carriage.

Hong Ying gestured for Guo Zhao to return home—there was no need for him to linger here.

Guo Zhao hesitated, then stepped down from the carriage and watched it disappear into the distance.

Seeing Lin Yi board the carriage, He Jin flicked his whip and galloped forward through the street.

Hong Ying drove the carriage at an unhurried pace toward the imperial palace.

When they arrived at the palace gates, Lin Yi was already drowsy. He yawned and said, “Too short a ride. Didn’t even manage to nap. I really want a good sleep.”

Stretching and twisting his waist, he glanced at the towering palace gates. On both sides stood rows of Imperial Guards with spears and blades, extending all the way to the Golden Throne Hall—a formidable sight.

Lin Yi sighed.

“A father playing intimidation tactics on his own son—truly rare in this world.”

Hong Ying said, “This servant will protect Your Highness with my life.”

Lin Yi laughed. “No need. If things can’t be done, you run first. If I’m captured, it’s nothing. No matter what, I’m his son. Even if he truly wants to kill me, he’ll have to go through the motions.

You’re different. They won’t hesitate to kill you. If you die, you’re truly dead—no one left to send word outside. Let’s stick to the original plan. If the old man and I truly fall out, just attack the city. If I’m unhappy, then damn it, no one gets peace.”

Unless absolutely necessary, he really didn’t want to clash with his father to the bitter end.

Labels like “unfilial” and “rebellious” were not easy to bear.

The Commander of the Imperial Guard, Yuwen She, clad in heavy armor, stepped forward and cupped his fists.

“I am armored and unable to bow properly. I ask Your Highness’s forgiveness.”

“General Yuwen, long time no see,”

Lin Yi waved lazily. “How is your younger sister lately?”

He had not harbored thoughts about Yuwen She’s sister—Yu Boxu’s fourth daughter—for just a day or two.

Seeing Yuwen She now, he couldn’t help but ask.

Has she grown even more beautiful?

Has she married during my years away?

“Your Highness still enjoys joking,” Yuwen She’s face turned ashen. He truly could not understand how Prince He could still smile in such circumstances. Suppressing his anger, he said coldly, “Please proceed. Do not keep His Majesty waiting.”

“Let’s go.”

Lin Yi strolled forward, glancing around casually.

“The palace hasn’t changed much. I remember raising many goldfish and turtles in the imperial garden pond. When I left the capital, I didn’t take them with me. I wonder how they are now. When I have time, I must go see.”

“Your Highness’s spirits remain high. I admire it,” Yuwen She said, already imagining the scene of Prince He facing Emperor Delong.

Would he still speak so freely before the Emperor?

Lin Yi asked again, “Who’s present at court today? Such a grand display.”

“All civil and military officials,” Yuwen She replied expressionlessly.

“Prince Yong must be here. Who else?”

“You will know upon arrival.”

He unconsciously quickened his pace.

At the entrance to the Golden Throne Hall, Lin Yi was about to step in when Yuwen She stopped him.

“Please wait.”

From within the hall, a voice called out: “Prince He is summoned for audience!”

Only then did Yuwen She gesture. “Your Highness, please.”

“Sigh. At a time like this, still clinging to formalities. Truly exhausting.”

Lin Yi adjusted his robes and walked in slowly.

Hong Ying remained outside the doors, hands lowered, eyes fixed unblinking on the court within.

Inside the vast hall, civil and military officials knelt on both sides. Upon the throne sat an elderly man in a bright yellow dragon robe. His face was gaunt, but his gaze sharp and domineering, as if overlooking all under heaven.

The kneeling ministers could not help but glance at Lin Yi, who walked in slowly, looking around.

In the silent hall, only his footsteps echoed. The oppressive atmosphere felt strange.

When he reached the front, he first saw the golden dragon embroidered on the robe—then met his father’s blade-like gaze.

He had to admit—he was a little frightened.

In both lifetimes, he had been timid, not even daring to step on an ant.

But now there was no turning back. Seven provinces—millions of lives—rested in his hands.

After a fleeting moment of hesitation, he met his father’s eyes directly, then bowed slightly without kneeling.

“Your son greets Father Emperor. May Father Emperor’s dragon body be in good health—truly cause for celebration.”

The ministers were stunned.

He did not kneel!

He dared not kneel!

What was he trying to do?

Seeing his father silent, Lin Yi looked up and saw the kneeling princes to one side.

“Third Brother, I’ve missed you dearly.”

“Fourth Brother, I heard you ran back to Jinzhou. Why are you here too?”

He was genuinely curious.

Prince Jin said angrily, “Before Father Emperor, do not be presumptuous!”

He truly wanted to strangle Prince He. This thought was not new.

“I understand, I understand. I won’t tell anyone that you and Third Brother raised troops and marched south in rebellion.”

Though Lin Yi lowered his voice deliberately, everyone in court heard him clearly.

Prince Jin nearly leapt up. “Nonsense! What decorum is this?!”

Everyone might know—but saying it aloud was another matter entirely.

Wouldn’t it be better for everyone to pretend ignorance?

Lin Yi ignored him and turned to Prince Yong’an, who kept his head lowered, trying to avoid eye contact.

“Twelfth Brother, finally I see you! It’s been so long—I’ve truly missed you. I heard you’ve been in the palace attending Father Emperor with filial devotion. Truly a model for us brothers. And Crown Prince Brother too—an example to us all. Hmm? Why don’t I see the Crown Prince?”

Twelfth Brother trembled, glanced nervously at the Emperor, and remained silent.

The officials barely dared to breathe.

They had heard Prince He was unlearned—but no one said he was a fool!

Couldn’t he say something flattering?

He had to touch the sore spots!

Lin Yi, finding no response, felt bored. Then he noticed Prince of Chu, Lin Zhan, kneeling in a corner.

“Oh, Brother is here too? I heard after Chu Prefecture fell, I’ve had sleepless nights—”

“Enough!”

Before he could finish, a thunderous shout interrupted him.

The officials felt their ears ring and vision blur.

But Lin Yi raised his head and smiled.

“Father Emperor, do not be angry. Seeing my brothers made me overly excited. Our brotherly affection is so deep—surely we would never have something like: ‘Beans are boiled to make soup, the stalks burned beneath the pot. The beans weep in the cauldron—born of the same root, why torment each other so urgently?’”

Born of the same root—why press each other so harshly?

Hearing such exquisite poetry, the first thought among the officials was that Prince He could not possibly have composed it himself.

They immediately thought of the literary masters Xie Zan and Chen Desheng in Sanhe.

“Good. Very good. Truly worthy sons of mine,”

Emperor Delong finally spoke.

“If you treat me thus, how should I treat you?”

Lin Yi smiled. “A kind father and filial sons—such is natural order. Why should Father Emperor be troubled?”

If a father acts like a father, sons will act like sons.

If you don’t act like a father, what’s the use blaming the sons?

Sometimes truth is unpleasant—but it must be spoken.

“I have judged many men in my life, yet never thought I would misjudge my own son,”

Emperor Delong, supported by He Jin, rose shakily and paced the steps.

“Unexpected. Truly unexpected.”

Twice he said it.

Lin Yi smiled. “Your son has always been fortunate since childhood. I suppose that will continue.”

The ministers lowered their heads further.

What was he implying?

Mandate of Heaven?

Even Prince Yong and Prince Jin looked incredulous. Where did Lin Yi get the courage to confront their father so directly?

Emperor Delong shook his head, sighed, and waved weakly.

“Court dismissed.”

“Court dismissed!” He Jin cried out.

The officials slowly backed away, then turned and left the hall—each glancing toward Lin Yi before departing.

Lin Yi was stunned.

That’s it?

He still had much to say!

The ministers left. The Emperor left.

In the vast hall, only the princes remained.