Under normal circumstances, Yu Han should've been scolded, held down by guards, and then executed for his actions. But the Emperor sat still without saying a word, calmly staring at the tip of the blade.
On the other side of the jade screen, Yu Han clenched the hilt confusedly, wondering why the Emperor had nothing to say about his treacherous actions.
Instead, the Emperor started chuckling, "If more of that blade passed through my screen, Longwei would go insane."
The Emperor's nonchalant tone, even with a sword pointing his way, was far too enigmatic and strange. Yu Han felt more and more ridiculed with each passing second, his anger getting the best of him. He furiously pushed the blade further into the screen.
At that moment, Longwei jumped inside through the side window and threw his sword at Yu Han, causing him to let go of the hilt and back off. Longwei's sword struck the blade in the jade screen, making it tear away at the screen in the straight line before hitting the bottom panel of the screen.
Through the torn lines, the Emperor's yellow robes became visible, catching Yu Han in a moment of daze before Longwei kicked the back of his knees to make him kneel, holding him in place. Yu Han didn't fight back, still dazed at the sight of the enigmatic Emperor. If only the blade could've torn the screen from above, the Emperor's face would be visible.
"Be gentle," the Emperor complained.
Longwei's grip on Yu Han's nape instantly weakened, "My apologies."
"It's uncomfortable! Put your hands away!"
Longwei loudly gulped and pulled his hands from Yu Han entirely. The commotion made the elderly servant rush inside with Lei Chen.
"Your Majesty, what is going on?" the elderly servant asked, awed at the sight of a torn jade screen and the kneeling kid.
"Another day of a random kid throwing tantrums. Nothing new," the Emperor uttered casually as if the whole situation didn't bother him at all.
Longwei knelt beside Yu Han and clasped his hands toward the jade screen, "Your Majesty, your commands?"
Yu Han glanced at Longwei's stoic face. He was calm at face, but his forehead was sweating. All his injuries had been patched up, but it still looked painful to kneel when he had injuries all over his legs. Yu Han dared not cause trouble any further and stayed knelt for Longwei's sake.
"Stay," the Emperor uttered, "Is the doctor here?"
Lei Chen walked further and bowed, "Yes, Your Majesty. I'm here."
The Emperor sighed, "You safely brought Yu Han back to me. I'll reward you. Name your price."
Yu Han's eyes widened in surprise. Lei Chen paused for a moment, unable to digest the sudden honor. As a traveling doctor, Lei Chen had never attended court nor seen the Emperor. He wasn't even a government official.
The only reason he even had the chance to see the Emperor was because he rescued Yu Han, and he was the brother of the current Minister of Health. He could ask for anything and get it—but his mind fogged.
Should he mention the villagers? Should he ask for fortune? Should he act cool and mention he wants nothing?
"Don't keep His Majesty waiting, Dr. Lei," the elderly servant whispered to his ear.
Lei Chen took a deep breath, "Replying to His Majesty, on my way to the Capital, I saw a village with inadequate health care facilities. The village is located at the previous unnamed war ground. I request healthcare on behalf of that village."
Yu Han was amazed that Lei Chen took the opportunity to speak about the village. This way, the burden was lifted off Yu Han's shoulders as well.
"Why ask me when you could take it to the Public Health Assessment Meeting?" the Emperor asked bluntly.
Lei Chen gulped, "Because the villagers mentioned you wanted them dead. I can't say that in the meeting now, can I?"
The elderly servant gasped out loud. Lei Chen spoke without thinking just now.
The Emperor took it lightly and laughed out loud, "Had you said that to me in other circumstances, we both know what would happen to you."
Lei Chen gulped. The only thing keeping him safe seemed to be Yu Han's very existence.
"Granted," the Emperor added, "You can all leave. Longwei, you stay behind."
With that, the elderly servant quickly rushed up to Yu Han to help him stand. He humbly offered his forearm as support for Yu Han to stand up.
"Let's wait outside, Young Master," the elderly servant uttered as Yu Han took his arm to stand up.
Unable to process his emotions, he nodded and followed the elderly servant out of the Imperial Study. Lei Chen deeply bowed to the Emperor before leaving. Now that they were left alone, the Emperor felt comfortable walking out of his disguise. He walked past the jade screen to face Longwei, who had been kneeling this entire time with his head down.
"Stand and look at me," the Emperor insisted, making Longwei obey without thinking. He looked at the Emperor, and his eyes slightly widened.
The Emperor chuckled at his response, "Are you looking at me for the first time?"
Longwei shook his head in awe. He had spent his entire childhood guarding the Emperor with his life. He knew more than anyone what the Emperor looked like. But it still shocked him.
The Emperor, who was shorter than Longwei, had to look up at his bodyguard. His long white hair flowed all the way down to his legs, signifying his age and wisdom. His golden majestic robes spread across the ground, dark dragon patterns running all over them.
His face was as pale as Longwei remembered with fine wrinkles all over it. His piercing grey eyes felt calm for Longwei. Others would tremble in fear, but Longwei was calm and collected. The amount of trust between him and the Emperor stood the test of time.
A faint birthmark ran parallel to the Emperor's left jawline, a little bit of it covered by his refined goatee—the cause of Longwei's surprise. It made sense to hide behind the jade screen before others.
"Your commands?" Longwei asked humbly.
"Shouldn't looking at me be enough for you?" the Emperor asked.
"A verbal decree makes it easier for both of us," Longwei suggested.
"Take him to the mountains in the north," the Emperor interlocked his hands behind his back and circled Longwei, "Form a magical formation and keep things from going in and out. Live there with him, forever."
Longwei couldn't help but sigh, "Is His Majesty bored of my company?"
The Emperor stopped in his tracks and glared at Longwei in confusion. Longwei immediately shook his head.
"I understand," he clarified, "Allow me to set out today."
The Emperor nodded and gestured to him to leave. He turned around, walked past his torn jade screen, and sat down again. He didn't look at Longwei the same way Longwei looked at him. It was a little disappointing, but there was nothing Longwei could do about it. He swallowed his complaints and left the Imperial Study.