"No!" Su Hu screamed and ran towards Mingzhe holding him close in his arms. Tears burned his eyes as he glared at the Emperor fiercely. "Gong Yijun—I've known you since we were children—I beg you to allow me this one thing. I've asked for nothing else!"
The Emperor slammed his fist against the table. "Nothing else? Nothing else? Haven't I been generous enough with you? Su Hu, haven't I allowed you all the luxuries of life? Yet still I am not giving enough!"
Su Hu fell to his knees, holding Mingzhe close. "I-I misspoke. Punish me, but please leave Mingzhe alone."
Silence hijacked the room and nobody spoke a word for several moments. The Emperor's voice cut through the tense silence. "Where did you get that turtle from?"
Su Hu shuddered, tears sliding down his cheeks but he didn't dare saw a word. If he did, then the Emperor wouldn't rest to find Ren Ling and kill him.
