TSFLIP Chapter 827

A refined room, filled with drifting incense.

When Fengguang woke again, her head was still a little dizzy. But soon enough, she remembered why she had fainted. She jolted upright in bed and immediately checked her clothing. Seeing that everything was intact, she let out a strained breath of relief. She swept her gaze around the room—no one else was there. She got out of bed and, without hesitation, pushed the door open.

What greeted her was the imperial study, resplendent with gold dragons and jade pillars. She froze.

Emperor Zhou Li set down the brush he had been using to review memorials. Smiling pleasantly, he said, “Crown Princess, you’re awake.”

“Your Majesty…” Fengguang forced a smile, subtly scanning the room with the corner of her eye. No one else was present.

“No need to look. It’s just you and me here.”

“Your Majesty… what is the meaning of this?”

Zhou Li stood up. “With only one man and one woman in this room, what do you think I mean?”

“Does Your Majesty wish to discuss the Crown Prince’s injuries with me?”

“I must say, you’ve impressed me even more.” Zhou Li took a few steps toward her. “To remain so calm in a moment like this… With such beauty and such composure, no wonder Xing’er chose you as his wife.”

Fengguang stepped back. Her mind raced, though her face stayed serene. “If Your Majesty simply wishes to speak with me, I naturally have no objection. But if the Crown Prince isn’t informed, he’ll surely worry for me.”

“You underestimate Xing’er. In this palace, he’s not a fool.” Zhou Li’s gaze darkened. “Otherwise, why do you think he still hasn’t come looking for you?”

“Perhaps he was delayed by something—”

“Why deceive yourself? In this world, I am the emperor, and he is the subject. Xing’er is a clever child.”

Fengguang tightened her grip on her sleeve but forced herself to stay steady. “The Crown Prince is very clever. He’ll find me soon.”

“Surprising. You trust him this much? Unfortunately, he will disappoint you.”

“What does Your Majesty mean by that?”

Zhou Li chuckled. “Why do you think he agreed so readily to give up the title of Crown Prince at the banquet?”

“That’s because…”

“No. It wasn’t the others’ opinions, nor was it because of his injury. It’s because he knows very well what would happen if he defied me.” Zhou Li’s smile sharpened. “Since the day he was born, there has been a poison in his body. He can only live by relying on the antidote I provide. Do you understand now?”

“You poisoned him!” Fengguang gasped, stunned. She had never imagined such a thing. “He’s your son!”

“He’s not my only son.” In the imperial family, affection mattered little. The false smile faded from Zhou Li’s face. “The Empress is the Prime Minister’s daughter. Over the past decades, the Prime Minister’s Manor has amassed too much power. If the Empress bore a prince, who’s to say they wouldn’t try to mold him into a puppet emperor? I have to think long-term. If Xing’er did not carry half of my blood, he wouldn’t have been allowed to grow up safely at all.”

Zhou Li’s logic was clear—as clear as it was cruel. Zhou Xing was a perfect chess piece to restrain the Prime Minister’s faction. And hadn’t he handled the Prime Minister’s rebellion so effectively a year ago? As long as Zhou Xing “behaved,” keeping him alive served its purpose.