strictlysupreme Chapter 4: The Emperor Forces Me into Marriage, and I Immediately Decide to Rebel
Chapter 4: The Emperor Forces Me into Marriage, and I Immediately Decide to Rebel
"Your Highness, do you still remember the old immortal of Azure Phoenix Peak?"
"How could I forget about that? You're quick-witted. That old man is highly skilled and respected; even the King wouldn't dare to offend him. Go and make preparations now, and send the young prince up the mountain to cultivate tomorrow."
The old man understood immediately upon hearing this. The old immortal of Qingluan Peak had always wanted to take Han Yi as his disciple, but he had previously refused on the grounds that Han Yi was the only son in his family. Now, however, he thought that going to Qingluan Peak to cultivate was not a bad idea.
"Han Yunfan, I don't want to go up the mountain to cultivate, and I don't want to marry that ugly woman. I just want to stay in the palace and enjoy life!"
Han Yi heard the gist of the story and immediately expressed his dissatisfaction.
“You cannot stay in the manor. The imperial edict has been issued. If you cannot find a proper reason, it will be considered disobeying the imperial decree, which is a crime punishable by the extermination of nine generations of your family,” Han Yunfan explained.
"At worst, you can rebel. With our troops and the Mu family's wealth, why should we be afraid of that old man Murong? Emperors take turns, and next year it'll be my turn. I don't mind if the heir becomes the crown prince!"
"Shut up, you unfilial son!" Han Yunfan hadn't expected his son to instigate him to rebel, so he immediately interrupted him.
"Han Yunfan, if you don't dare to rebel, hand over the position of Prince of Zhenbei to me, and I guarantee that you will rule the world within a year. You can just wait to become the retired emperor!"
Han Yi pointed at Han Yunfan and spoke arrogantly, only to be met with a roll of his eyes from his father.
"How could my Han family, which has been loyal to the country for generations, produce such a rebellious son as you?"
“We have a million-strong army at our command, countless advisors, and our master as our strategist. I don’t understand what you’re afraid of!” Han Yi firmly declared that he wanted to rebel.
"You think being a king is comfortable? You have to handle all the affairs, big and small, all over the country, and you don't even have time to sleep. Where is there a more comfortable life than a powerful and idle prince? Yi'er, listen to your father. Go to Qingluan Peak and suffer for a year or two. With that old immortal Xuan Kongzi there, the king can't do anything to you. I'll come to pick you up when things calm down." Seeing his firm attitude, Han Yunfan immediately changed his tune and put on a different argument.
Although Han Yi had never been an emperor, he had watched plenty of historical dramas on Earth. Those emperors who achieved something were indeed incredibly busy, which matched what the old man had said. Being a tyrant might be comfortable, but it wouldn't last long, and that wouldn't do. After careful consideration, he decided that it was better not to be an emperor at all.
"You'll take me down the mountain in a year or two? You're not kidding me?"
He looked at Han Yunfan, who assured him without batting an eye that everything he said was true, and went on to praise Qingluan Peak.
"Okay, I'll do as you say!"
That night, Han Yi, who was sleeping peacefully in bed, suddenly sat up.
He felt like he'd been tricked. No one knows a father better than his son; he knew the old man was cunning and deceitful, and the more eloquently he spoke, the less believable he was.
I've decided to slip away tonight. What's the point of spiritual practice? It's nothing compared to the joy of partying and revelry.
He quietly got up, tiptoed to get his clothes, and was afraid of waking the maidservant in the room.
The maid was already fast asleep. He slipped out of the room unnoticed and found Han San and Han Wu.
"You two hurry up and pack your things. Come with me to sneak out of the manor tonight. It's been two months since I've gone out to enjoy the scenery. It's a good opportunity to go out and have some fun."
Han Wu hesitated for a moment before speaking.
“Master, why don’t you sneak out of the manor yourself? If we follow you and are caught by the Prince, we’ll at least have our legs broken.”
Han Yi glared at him.
"I didn't realize you were such a traitor! How could such anti-Heavenly Gang talk come out of your dog mouth? How have I treated you all? Tell me yourself!"
The two were about to say that things were good, but they had also suffered a lot, when he interrupted them.
"Given the benefits I've bestowed upon you two, if this happened on Earth, all my cronies would have to call me godfather in public."
Han Wu looked at him with disdain. He and Han Sanliang had been punished many times because of this lovable master.
"Master, what you're saying is utterly heartless. Every time you make a mistake, it's us who suffer the consequences."
"Didn't I stand up for you? When have I ever not put on a show of filial piety with the old man?"
He did indeed stand up for the two of them every time, which made the prince, who was only slightly angry, so furious that he glared and smashed cups and goblets, and in the end, the two of them suffered the consequences of his anger.
"Does your vow of undying loyalty mean nothing today?" Han Yi asked.
"Of course it counts! Master, please wait a moment, I'll bring more gold and silver!"
It was Han San who answered.
"Han Wu, what are you afraid of? We'll leave quietly tonight, and they won't know. The outside world is so big; by the time the Prince finds us, his anger will have subsided."
……
Without hesitation, the three of them stealthily moved through the mansion, miraculously avoiding the mansion's guards along the way.
If they managed to evade the guards at the main gate and slip out through the side gate, they would have successfully escaped. Just as they were about to bypass the guards, a group of guards suddenly rushed out and surrounded them.
"Master, don't forget what you just said!" Han Yi frowned, nodded slightly, and patted the two men on the shoulders. "Don't worry, the young master will protect you."
The old prince slowly walked out from the crowd, looking at his son with interest. "Zhang Shen, escort the young master back to his room to rest."
Upon hearing this, Zhang Shen was about to take Han Yi back to his room, but was intimidated by a fierce glare from him. "Father, I just want to be a carefree prince in the palace." He looked unwilling, his brows furrowed.
The old prince shook his head. "Yi'er, listen to your father. Going to Qingluan Peak is your only choice. Otherwise, you can expect our Han family to be wiped out."
"What are you afraid of? At worst, you can pass the throne to me, and I'll just lead my army to raid the palace! I won't be emperor; whoever listens to me can be emperor."
"Why should our wealthy family suffer on that mountain? I don't care, I don't want to go up the mountain to cultivate." The old prince didn't argue with him about whether or not to go up the mountain, and directly ordered his men to arrest Han San and Han Wu. "These two instigated the young master to escape, men, drag them away and behead them!" His face was gloomy and his tone was stern.
Upon hearing this, Han San grabbed Han Yi's leg, his face filled with terror, and pleaded, "Godfather, save me!"
What a poignant cry for father in times of crisis! Han Yi finally understood and sighed helplessly. "My dear son, I'll save you, won't I?"