IDWBE -Chapter 333 Not Human

The Empress was the Crown Prince’s biological mother. After the Crown Prince was defeated in battle and imprisoned by the Emperor, the Empress went to Qilin Palace to petition. The Emperor, in a rage, had her thrown into the Cold Palace. In grief and fury, she hanged herself.

This was the official version circulated in the palace.

But who would believe such a story?

The Twelfth Prince didn’t know whether others would believe it, but he knew the Crown Prince certainly wouldn’t.

Now that his Ninth Brother had placed the Crown Prince in Changqing Palace, letting him dwell among memories and emotions, what sparks might fly between him and the Emperor? This was something to look forward to!

“Others hope their sons will achieve greatness, but I do not. I have no high expectations for you. I only hope you don’t attempt greatness and fail miserably,”

Noble Consort Tang looked coldly at her son and sighed. “If you can live as a wealthy and carefree man, safe and sound all your life, that would be best. Do not harbor unreasonable ambitions—I do not wish to see white-haired parents bury their black-haired children.”

The Twelfth Prince said helplessly, “Mother, can’t you hope a little for your son? Everything is calm and peaceful now. Don’t say such inappropriate things—it makes me feel stifled.”

“On the surface it’s calm, but beneath it are turbulent waves. I speak for your own good,”

Tang Consort stood and slowly walked toward the Twelfth Prince. “If you have no ability, don’t leap too high. If you fall, no one can catch you.”

“I understand, Mother.”

The Twelfth Prince dared not look Tang Consort in the eye and lowered his head again.

His mother’s words were harsh, indeed too discouraging. Couldn’t she offer some encouragement?

“If you act recklessly, I will be implicated too, and you will meet the same fate as the Empress,”

Tang Consort walked past her son, reached the door, then turned back. She waved to the palace maids and eunuchs on either side. Once they withdrew, she continued: “You… being obedient and honest is the greatest filial piety you can show me.”

“Mother, that’s a bit terrifying,”

The Twelfth Prince said awkwardly. “You yourself said Ninth Brother is kind, without malice. I have always trusted your words—why are you saying something different today?”

Tang Consort said calmly, “You child… you still don’t understand. Since yesterday, when he attacked Ankang City and imprisoned your father in Qilin Palace, he is no longer your Ninth Brother.”

“Mother, you underestimate me. How could I not understand these principles?”

The Twelfth Prince smiled. “Since yesterday, I have already observed the proper protocols toward Ninth Brother as ruler and subject.”

Ever since he realized his Ninth Brother might ascend to the throne, he had become far more respectful, no longer the carefree boy of old.

Otherwise, when the reckoning came, showing disrespect would be disastrous. He was not foolish—he could tell right from wrong.

“No, it is I who overestimated you,” Tang Consort sat back on the couch, gently stirring her tea leaves. “Teach tirelessly, reward and punish judiciously—these are lessons I taught you from childhood. It seems you have completely forgotten them.”

Seeing no one else around, the Twelfth Prince, emboldened, asked, “Mother… do you mean that Ninth Brother is no longer human?”

“Rascal! How can you say such a thing?”

Tang Consort slammed the table in anger.

The tea cups clattered twice.

“I understand.”

The Twelfth Prince forced a smile. Though his mother was angry, she did not outright oppose his words—meaning he had spoken correctly.

Rough words, but not wrong in principle: his Ninth Brother was indeed no longer “human.”

Humans don’t always feel emotion—let alone someone who is no longer human.

Thinking this, he vaguely felt he had grasped something, yet it remained hazy and unclear.

Tang Consort raised her elegant brows. “Remember my words: if your Ninth Brother does not give you something, you must never take it yourself.”

“I think I’ve heard this before.”

The Twelfth Prince recalled. This wasn’t what his father had told his Ninth Brother? “You may take only what the Emperor grants you; what he does not grant, you must not take.”

Unexpectedly, his mother was repeating the same instruction.

Tang Consort waved her hand. “Go now, I am tired. No need to come here again unless necessary. Seeing your foolish face makes me inexplicably angry.”

“Mother…”

The Twelfth Prince called twice. Seeing Tang Consort unmoved, he slumped away, feeling dejected.

He even began to doubt if he was truly her son.

By the time he returned to Prince He, it was already noon.

The household had long finished lunch, and the kitchen had stopped cooking. In the past, he would have loudly demanded the servants to prepare a meal.

As the Twelfth Prince, all his demands had been justified.

But now, after leaving the palace, he realized that at Prince He, he was merely a guest—a prisoner with little freedom.

Since his Ninth Brother was no longer human, he could not act recklessly. Falling and dying would be a waste.

A little grievance was nothing. Better than losing one’s life.

Yet he was hungry. He imagined his Ninth Brother resting in the garden; there should be food there.

He thought he could quietly take a couple of cakes to stave off hunger while his Ninth Brother was in a good mood—surely he wouldn’t mind.

Even this small thought did not make him happy.

Instead, he felt so wronged he was about to cry.

He was the Twelfth Prince of the current dynasty!

Red-eyed and swollen, he walked into the garden. At the circular archway, he saw a figure standing before Lin Yi. Behind him were the blind man and Ye Qiu.

Curious, he stepped forward. Seeing the face beneath the Sanshan Crown, he was shocked—it was Liu Chaoyuan, a palace attendant.

He wanted to turn back, but Jiao Zhong had already spotted him. Bowing, he said, “Twelfth Prince.”

Knowing he could not escape, he braced himself, approached Lin Yi, and knelt. “Your servant pays respects, Brother.”

“Stand,” Lin Yi did not glance at him directly, speaking calmly. “You know Liu Gongfeng. Greet him properly, advise him well, and show him what it means to be wise and perceptive.”

The Twelfth Prince stood, reluctantly looking at Liu Chaoyuan.

His Ninth Brother couldn’t handle it—now he was supposed to? This was far too much trust!

As he hesitated, Liu Chaoyuan said, “To die for one’s child is filial, to die for one’s lord is loyal. Death matters little. Your Highness need say no more.”

Lin Yi rubbed his forehead in frustration. “You are Wen Zhaoyi’s disciple. I truly do not wish to trouble you. You may leave the palace. I grant you permission to retire to your hometown. How about that?”

“Your Highness,” Liu Chaoyuan continued, “I have served the Emperor since childhood, familiar with every blade of grass and tree in this palace. Outside, I am alone, with no relatives. Better that I die here in the palace, fulfilling my absolute loyalty to the Emperor. I am infinitely grateful!”

“Do you think I truly dare not kill you?”

Lin Yi’s anger flared.