The study fell into silence, Su Rong's words echoing in his ears. Yan Huisheng savored Su Rong's words, falling into a silence of his own.
He remembered a faint memory from his childhood, briefly meeting Xie Yuan. The emperor had fallen gravely ill at that time and Xie Yuan had submitted a statement to resign from his post. The emperor had personally summoned Xie Yuan to ask him if his decision was final. Xie Yuan had affirmed his decision, after which the emperor said nothing. He only waved Xie Yuan away without attempting to retain him. After Xie Yuan had left, the emperor had coughed up blood. He had been terrified and had tearfully called for the imperial doctor only to be stopped by the emperor. The latter had wiped away the traces of blood and tear stains from his face, reassuring him that he was fine.
If he was coughing blood, how could he be fine?
However, he had already been old enough to understand, so he dared not cry any longer to avoid worrying the emperor.
