allonlinenovel Chapter 166 4 Imperial Uncle?
Chapter 166 4 Imperial Uncle?
Cen Yu turned to face Gu Nianzhi, with an ambiguous smile on his face, which seemed to hide some deep meaning that was hard to guess. "We men have serious business to discuss. You've been with me all night last night and you're tired. Why don't you go to the outer hall to rest? After all, we still have to go tonight..." He deliberately said such ambiguous words, his tone was frivolous and nonchalant, but there was a subtle cunning flash in his eyes, like a meteor flashing in the dark night, fleeting. Cen Yu's words were like a sharp blade, instantly cutting through the already tense atmosphere, filling the entire space with an uneasy atmosphere.
Sima Yao's face instantly turned ashen, terribly gloomy, as if covered by a thick haze. His eyes seemed to be able to spit out fire, and the blazing anger seemed to burn everything in front of him. He clenched his teeth tightly, and the muscles on his cheeks trembled slightly because of anger, as if he was trying his best to suppress the volcano that was about to erupt in his heart. Sima Yao seemed to have a beast roaring in his heart. He could not tolerate Cen Yu saying such frivolous and rude words to Gu Nianzhi, and his anger made his body tremble slightly.
Gu Nianzhi felt ashamed and annoyed when she heard these words. Her face instantly turned red, like a ripe apple, and the fiery blush spread from her cheeks to her neck, even the slender ear tips were dyed with bright colors. "You..." She was about to open her mouth to refute, but she realized that there was no way to explain the situation at the moment, and swallowed the words that were on her lips. Gu Nianzhi's eyes were full of astonishment and anger. Her eyes wandered between Sima Yao and Cen Yu, trying to find a trace of understanding and support, but she only saw Sima Yao's anger and Cen Yu's cunning.
Her hands tightly grasped the corners of her clothes, her nails almost embedded in the fabric, and her slightly trembling hands revealed her extreme anxiety and grievance. Her heart was full of helplessness and grievance, tears rolled in her eyes, and she tried her best to hold them back. Her eyes full of tears were like gems covered with a layer of mist, so charming. "Your Highness, Master Cen, Nianzhi will take your leave first." Her voice trembled slightly, with an indescribable bitterness, as if it was a leaf blown down by the autumn wind, revealing endless desolation. There was a trace of trembling in Gu Nianzhi's voice, which was the anger and helplessness after being humiliated. She tried her best to maintain the last bit of dignity and turned to leave this place that broke her heart.
Gu Nianzhi bowed silently and turned to leave the room. Each step seemed so heavy, as if she was dragging a thousand-pound boulder under her feet. Every time she lifted and lowered it, she needed great courage and strength. Her steps staggered, as if she would fall at any time, but she still walked forward stubbornly. At the moment she turned around, her tears finally couldn't help but slide down, dripping down her cheeks to the ground, splashing small tears, like traces of heartbreak. She prayed silently in her heart, hoping that Sima Yao could understand her difficulties and believed that all this was just a stopgap measure. However, she was well aware of Sima Yao's anger and misunderstanding at the moment, and her heart was filled with endless worries and fears. The slender figure seemed so thin and helpless in this complicated situation. Her back disappeared at the door, but it seemed to leave endless sadness and resentment in the air.
The room fell into a dead silence. Sima Yao still stared at Cen Yu with his eyes wide open, as if he wanted to cut him into pieces with his eyes. But Cen Yu seemed relaxed and contented, as if he didn't care about Sima Yao's anger at all.
Sima Yao and Cen Yu were the only two people left in the room. The originally slightly depressing atmosphere suddenly became heavy and depressing, making it almost hard to breathe. The air around them seemed to freeze, and it was so quiet that they could hear each other's breathing. The heavy atmosphere was like an invisible boulder, weighing heavily on the hearts of the two.
"Tell me your conditions." Sima Yao got straight to the point. His eyes were firm and direct, like a sharp arrow shot at Cen Yu. His eyes were full of determination and a hint of subtle nervousness. He unconsciously clenched his hands into fists, his joints turning white from the force, waiting for Cen Yu's answer.
"I will help you win without fighting, but you have to promise me to take the throne and conquer this country." Cen Yu's words were like a bombshell, which set off a storm in Sima Yao's heart and surprised him. Sima Yao's heart suddenly shrank, his eyes widened instantly, and his face was full of disbelief. His eyes were full of shock and confusion, as if he couldn't understand these sudden words for a while.
The only condition he offered to help him win was to become the emperor. A trace of shock flashed across Sima Yao's eyes. He was somewhat surprised, and his expression seemed a little exaggerated. His mouth opened slightly, as if he couldn't believe what he heard. "How...how is this possible?" He muttered to himself, his brows furrowed tightly, forming a deep "chuan" character. His heart was like the sea in a storm, with turbulent waves and chaotic thoughts.
"You want me to usurp the throne?" Sima Yao raised his voice a few notches, filled with disbelief and anger. His face instantly turned livid, and the veins on his forehead bulged slightly, as if telling of his inner turmoil. "I, Sima Yao, will never do such a treasonous thing!" His chest rose and fell violently, his breathing was rapid and heavy, and the anger in his heart was like a volcano about to erupt.
Sima Yao said solemnly: "The late emperor has handed over the throne to my second brother. I am just a minister and should not have any unrealistic thoughts. If your purpose is to use me to disrupt the government, I am sorry that I cannot obey your order." His eyes were full of determination, and his posture was upright, like a proud pine tree, sticking to his principles and bottom line. His eyes were firm and clear, without the slightest hesitation. However, deep in his heart, there was also a trace of unspeakable entanglement. Thinking of the late emperor's teachings and expectations for him, he knew how sinful it was to violate the late emperor's will. But facing the huge temptation in front of him, how could his heart remain calm?
Cen Yu looked at Sima Yao with a complicated look. His eyes moved back and forth on Sima Yao, as if he wanted to see through him. The nephew in front of him actually had a kind of clarity that he had in his past. He did not fight for power or profit. Even if he suffered injustice, he was always bound by the rules and willingly became a stepping stone for others. But he is no longer the same as he was back then. But seeing Sima Yao, who was the same as he was back then, his mood was inevitably a little up and down. He couldn't help but think of his former simplicity and persistence, those original intentions that were worn away by time and reality.
"Delusion?" Cen Yu laughed, with a hint of desolation and helplessness in his laughter. "What is delusion? The Second Prince becoming the emperor is not a delusion? You, the Third Prince, are a delusion? Who stipulated that?" His eyes were gleaming with excitement, and his emotions were somewhat out of control. His voice echoed in the room, with deep resentment and questioning. His face twitched slightly, and the resentment in his heart was hard to suppress.
"My father has decided that the second prince will take the throne. This is the law of nature. As his son, I should obey." Sima Yao said, his voice firm and powerful, leaving no room for doubt. But deep in his heart, he was also a little shaken. Was he really going to be subordinate to others for the rest of his life, watching his second brother govern the country while he could only assist silently? But if he disobeyed his father's orders, how could he be worthy of the late emperor in the afterlife? A trace of confusion flashed in his eyes, but was soon replaced by determination.
Sima Yao continued, "The succession to the throne concerns the foundation of the country and cannot be changed at will. Although I, Sima Yao, have ambitions, I also know the etiquette between the monarch and his subjects, and the moral principles." His tone became more and more resolute, as if he was making an unshakable oath to himself.
Cen Yu snorted coldly: "The etiquette between the monarch and his subjects? The moral code? These are nothing but shackles that bind people. If you really obey these, you will be trampled underfoot all your life and will never be able to make a breakthrough." His eyes were full of disdain and ridicule.
Sima Yao retorted: "If I do whatever it takes to secure the throne, how would I be different from that traitor? I, Sima Yao, am upright and honest, and would never do such a disloyal and unjust thing." His eyes were as sharp as torches, and he met Cen Yu's gaze without flinching.
Cen Yu was silent for a moment, then slowly said: "Do you think that your second brother will treat you well when he ascends the throne? Will he be a wise king?" There was deep doubt in his words.
Sima Yao was slightly startled, and a trace of doubt arose in his heart, but then he said: "I know what kind of person my second brother is. Even if he is suspicious of me, I will fulfill my duty as a subject and assist him in governing the country."
Cen Yu shook his head: "You are too naive. In this power struggle, there is no family affection, only interests. Once you lose your usefulness, all that awaits you is ruthless suppression and persecution."
Sima Yao took a deep breath and said, "Even so, I cannot go against my conscience and do such a treasonous thing." His voice echoed in the room, firm and resolute.
"Is your father the righteous one?" Cen Yu raised his voice a little, with a bit of sarcasm and provocation, the voice was sharp and harsh, as if to pierce the tranquility of the room. "His decision must be right?" Cen Yu's eyes flashed with a trace of unruly and questioning, looking straight at Sima Yao, as if trying to find something from his reaction.
Sima Yao's face became even uglier. He stared at Cen Yu with anger burning in his eyes. The anger was like a blazing flame, as if it wanted to burn everything in front of him. "Sir, please stop saying such treasonous words! How can you and I question the decision of the late emperor? I, Sima Yao, was born as a prince and will die as a royal ghost. I will never do such disloyal and unfilial things!" His voice echoed in the room, with determination and firmness. Every word was like a heavy hammer, shaking people's hearts.
Sima Yao's body trembled slightly, his hands clenched tightly, and his joints turned white due to the force. His breathing became rapid, and his chest rose and fell violently, as if he was experiencing a fierce storm in his heart. "The late emperor was wise throughout his life, and worked hard for the country. Every decision he made was for the people of the world and for the long-term stability of my Sima family! How dare you slander him so wantonly?" Sima Yao's voice was full of anger and majesty, and people dared not look directly into his eyes burning with anger.
Cen Yu was slightly startled, and looking at Sima Yao's determined eyes, he couldn't help but feel a little admiration in his heart. But he quickly regained his composure and said, "Your Highness, you are too naive. There is no such thing as absolute justice in this world. The struggle for power has always been cruel and ruthless. If you don't take the initiative to fight for it, you will be trampled underfoot sooner or later." Cen Yu's tone was steady, but every word was like a sharp blade, piercing Sima Yao's heart.
Sima Yao took a deep breath and tried to calm himself. His eyes were still firm, but his voice was slightly softer: "I don't agree with what you said. I believe that justice is clear and good will be rewarded and evil will be punished. If you do whatever it takes to gain power, what will happen even if you gain the whole world? I, Sima Yao, would rather stick to the right path, even if the road ahead is rough, and I will never go against my conscience." His eyes were clear and firm, as if he was declaring to Cen Yu his unshakable belief.
"Hmph!" Cen Yu sneered, "Your Highness, you are too soft-hearted. In this vortex of power, kindness and integrity will only make you someone else's prey. Do you think that you can survive in this treacherous court struggle with your integrity and beliefs alone? Don't be naive! Those who covet power will not let you go just because of your kindness." A hint of disdain appeared on Cen Yu's face, and his eyes became sharper.
Sima Yao remained silent, but he was struggling fiercely in his heart. He knew that what Cen Yu said was not entirely unreasonable, but his conscience and moral bottom line prevented him from taking that step. His thoughts were like a tangled mess. On the one hand, he was eager for power and worried about his own situation, and on the other hand, he was committed to justice and morality. This inner struggle made him feel extremely painful, and his brows were tightly furrowed, forming a deep ravine.
"What do you want to say, sir?" Sima Yao asked again, his voice already a little tired. There was a hint of helplessness and confusion in his voice, as if he was lost in this complicated power struggle.
Cen Yu put away the folding fan in his hand, the movement was elegant but somewhat casual, and then slowly sat on the stool nearby. His eyes were as deep as the sea, as if they hid endless vicissitudes and secrets. "Nephew. I am your fourteenth uncle Sima Heng."
Sima Yao was stunned, his face instantly filled with astonishment and disbelief, his expression as if he was struck by an invisible thunderbolt.
His eyes were wide open, and his pupils were full of shock.
"Fourteenth Uncle?" His voice trembled slightly, full of doubt and uncertainty. The voice was particularly clear in the silent room, with a trembling ending.
How is it possible? The Fourteenth Uncle had died in the earlier palace struggle, so how could he be standing in front of him alive? But what good could this person in front of him do by pretending to be the Fourteenth Uncle?