Trembling Buttercup — VII

The world seemed to have come to a standstill, every eye, every ear seemed to anticipate Li Xinyuan's answer, gazes lingered, hushed whispers turned louder as each second passed and the silence stretched thin.

Li Xinyuan bowed his head, his demeanour the definition of respectful as he closed his eyes for a brief moment and drew in a deep breath.

He could feel the Emperor's gaze, Liu Mingyun's gaze, Li Jinhua's eyes and even Hu Lijing's eyes on himself as he raised his head and then dropped on his knees with a resounding bang.

"Your Imperial Majesty the Emperor is benevolent, this lowly one is eternally grateful for an opportunity to serve the Emperor." He bit his lips, head pressed on the cold floor as he continued. "However, Your Majesty, this lowly servant will have to refuse."

As soon as his words fell, the silence that descended upon the court was deafening many times louder than even a bustling market full of vendors.

The tension in the hall was immensely thick, thick enough that could be cut in two with a blade. It lingered, it worsened and when the tension reached its breaking point, a pandemonium broke.

Protesting voices filled the room, loud, angry riot spread throughout, drowning out any voice of reason that might have spoken, any rational words killed in the cradle.

Li Xinyuan raised his head, apologetic eyes cast down as the Crown Prince's calm gaze met his face, the Emperor's followed suit.

Amidst the chaos unbecoming of a royal court, the Emperor's voice rose above, a single command booming throughout as he raised a hand, palm facing forward as he spoke.

"Silence." He glanced at his son, seeing Liu Mingyun's unruffled expression, he looked away. "Could subject Li perhaps give Zhen his reason?"

The Emperor wanted to know why Li Xinyuan would refuse an opportunity of this calibre. Of course, he had heard of the boy from the Crown Prince but he found it hard to believe that someone so void of greed could exist.

Liu Huangjun had seen many people in his long life, many of whom had been greedy, biting off more than they could chew, taking more than they could afford to save.

It had been their downfall.

Even with his beloved Liang XingHui, Liu Huangjun knew he was not devoid of greed for his beloved was greedy for love, in every way he carved love. He desired above anything else Liu Huangjun's love, he wanted Liu Mingyun's love for him as his parent, he wanted his sister's love for him.

He wanted all the love he could get. Yes, Liang XingHui was greedy, but he was greedy in a way Liu Huangjun loved him for.

So how could someone else like his beloved exist? Who didn't desire a position? Who didn't desire power? Wealth?

Liu Huangjun stared at the youth's face, collected and stoic as he stared at the floor. He had found another person like his beloved.

His gaze flickered towards his son. For a split second, he saw something akin to joy and pride flash in the silver-haired youth's eyes.

Liu Huangjun knew what he wanted to do.

The Emperor looked back at Li Xinyuan, giving him a chance to explain himself.

Li Xinyuan immediately kowtowed again, keeping his voice even, he spoke, words loud and clear as he chose them carefully.

"Your Majesty, the reward the Heavenly Dragon wished to bestow upon this lowly one is a reward this lowly servant wouldn't even dare to dream of. This one believes that most would do anything for an opportunity like this. However, Your Majesty—" he looked up, a slight furrow set between his elegant brows as his golden eyes gleamed. "—This lowly servant has a different dream."

"And what is that, Doctor Li?" The Emperor asked, curious as Liu Mingyun shifted ever so slightly.

Li Xinyuan held his assessing gaze and pursed his lips. "This lowly one, Your Majesty, this lowly one desires to help as many people in need as he can and for as long as he can." He bowed his head, awaiting the Emperor's judgement.

Silence fell over the court, following his words like a dull funeral march, others could almost hear the bells of doom chiming as they waited for the Emperor's response with bated breath.

Seconds passed, trickling away as minutes followed suit, Li Xinyuan's back bent as he sat kowtowing with his eyes cast down and Liu Mingyun's gaze on him, almost worried.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the Emperor let out a hum, considering and quiet as he tapped his fingers on the arm of his golden throne, crisp sound of his fingers drumming on the metal resonated in the deathly silence of the court, no one dared to so much as breathe whilst the clang of metal colliding with keratin rang out.

Li Xinyuan's scalp numbed at the sound, a breathless fear swirling in his heart as he breathed in as lightly as he could.

After a long time of the tension lying thick in the place, the Emperor's voice rang out, majestic and irrefutable.

"A truly honourable intent, Doctor Li." He hummed, almost appreciatively as he glanced at his son, seeing the Crown Prince let out an imperceptible sigh of relief, he knew he had made the right choice.

"Zhen will not deny you that right. Zhen shall rescind his offer. However—" he paused, letting his words spread throughout the court as he idly glanced around, watchful eyes taking in each and every reaction in the room. "—Zhen still wishes to further reward Doctor Li for his immense contribution in the war towards the nation's victory. But since Doctor Li has refused this reward, Zhen cannot think of one other suitable reward at this moment."

Li Xinyuan kowtowed, back tense as he bit his lower lip and ominous premonition welled in his heart as he breathed out.

Why did he feel like this is going exactly where he had come fearing this ceremony would? Regardless, Li Xinyuan had no say in it.

The only thing he could do for himself was to stay calm and act as the situation required him to. At that thought, Li Xinyuan drew in a deep breath and exhaled quietly, arms on the side of his head taut as his legs ached from kneeling for too long.

Calm down, he told himself as if he would calm down at just the thought. It was a futile attempt, but it was worth a try.

Li Xinyuan closed his eyes, golden eyes hiding behind his fluttering lids as he pursed his lips, beads of cold sweat trickling down his back as his spine curved.

The Emperor seemed to think for a long time, his gaze lingered upon Li Xinyuan before landing on the seemingly calm face of his own son.

"Hm." He let out a hum of approval, agreeing to the thought known only to the man himself. "Zhen has decided on Doctor Li's reward in place of the one he refused."

"This lowly servant expresses his gratitude to The Son of Heaven's tolerance and generosity." Li Xinyuan answered after a beat, anticipation bubbling in his fast beating heart.

"Zhen holds the Divine Phoenix, the late General of Northwest and Doctor Li in high regards. For everything that you and your clan have done for this DàHuǒ, Zhen can think of only one suitable reward." He paused, calm eyes flickering towards Liu Mingyun.

The ominous premonition in the surgeon's heart intensified as he clenched his fists. Pursing his lips together, he looked at Liu Mingyun to meet his eyes.

As the Crown Prince held his gaze, seemingly oblivious to what was about to happen, Li Xinyuan took a deep bracing breath, waiting for the Emperor to say those words he had been anticipating for years.

"Doctor Li aged sixteen last year," the Emperor drawled, fingers drumming on the throne as he turned to look at his eldest son. "And the Crown Prince aged eighteen the same year. Thus, two years from now—" Li Xinyuan's heart skipped a few beats as he bit his lower lip, seeing Liu Mingyun's eyes filling with confusion "—on this very day, the Crown Prince and Specter of the Blood Moon shall be wedded to one another. This is Zhen's order and henceforth an imperial edict."

Absolute silence filled the void left by the Emperor's words as he turned to look back at the surgeon. "Does Doctor Li accept this reward or is he opposed to this as well?" He asked, though it was a question the undercurrents of warning could not be any clearer.

The Emperor awaited his answer.