Chapter 40: Your Majesty…Are you afraid?
No words were exchanged as Bai Yu was led into the palace. It was already late at night. Lanterns adorned the imperial palace, casting neither bright nor dim light. The green-clad secret guard escorted him to a finely decorated palace. “Your Majesty, Bai Yu has arrived,” reported the guard.
The guard gently opened the door and reported, “Your Majesty, Bai Yu has arrived.”
“I’m aware. Withdraw,” said the Emperor, Lan Su.
The green-clad guard nodded slightly vanished from the spot, leaving Bai Yu alone. He gazed into the palace, a moderately sized room that appeared somewhat dim. At the end of the room, candlelight flickered, revealing a dignified figure seated there. Without turning, the Emperor’s back emanated an indescribable aura, as if there were distant roars and whispers compelling one to kneel and show reverence.
Having ruled for a long time, Lan Su, the current Emperor Qianyuan, sat atop, commanding the realm. Bai Yu was familiar with this imposing figure. As an officer, one couldn’t help but imagine a great leader.
“You’ve come?” Spoke Lan Su, his voice echoing in the room.
“Enter,” he commanded. The green-clad guard discreetly disappeared.
Left alone, Bai Yu stood in the illuminated part of the room, not kneeling but bowing respectfully, “I am Bai Yu, paying respects to Your Majesty.”
The Emperor, wearing a dragon robe, turned slowly, half of his face illuminated by dancing candlelight. His majestic presence was undeniable.
“Do you find it surprising that I summoned you?” Lan Su asked, observing Bai Yu.
At forty-five, Lan Su had held a high position for over two decades, encountering many. Despite Bai Yu’s lack of traditional respect, Lan Su sensed his extraordinary qualities.
“You don’t seem surprised that I called for you?” Lan Su inquired, studying Bai Yu.
The Emperor’s lack of reverence was unconventional, but Bai Yu had shown a proper meeting gesture. Lan Su wasn’t offended.
“You don’t seem surprised that I summoned you?” He asked, eyeing Bai Yu.
The wizard’s innate pride was met with Lan Su’s tolerance. “Your Majesty, not reviewing the documents is enough,” Bai Yu responded with a touch of cheekiness.
“If Your Majesty has read my exam paper, he will surely want to meet me. If not, then His Majesty is not qualified to be my king,” Bai Yu boldly declared, facing the Emperor’s scrutiny and oppressive aura.
Lan Su snorted lightly in response, acknowledging Bai Yu’s audacity. “Good boy, take a seat!” He commanded, pointing to a nearby seat.
Following the Emperor’s orders, Bai Yu sat down confidently. Lan Su questioned him, tapping his fingers on the table, “Are the answers in your test paper your thoughts, or did someone else teach you?”
Bai Yu shook his head and confidently asserted, “Bai Yu has no teacher. Every word and every sentence is his own.”
Despite finding Bai Yu’s arrogance a bit much, Lan Su chose to believe him. He sighed in relief, realising the value of having such a talented individual before him.
As Lan Su’s voice grew deeper, he asked, “Do you know what you wrote?” Bai Yu remained undeterred, responding with confidence. However, Lan Su accused him of spreading false ideas and disrupting societal norms.
Lan Su’s voice suddenly intensified in this tense moment, and the dragon’s eyes were fixed on Bai Yu. He was accused of bewitching the masses, so Lan Su unleashed the power he had cultivated for twenty years without restraint.
Ordinary people would be terrified of such an emperor, but Bai Yu remained unfazed. Seated in the dim room, he met Lan Su’s gaze with unyielding eyes and an eerie smile.
As Lan Su pressed harder, accusing Bai Yu of disturbing the people and society, Bai Yu’s wicked smile persisted. In the quiet palace, he whispered, “Your Majesty…are you afraid?”
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