The Green Tea is Always Targeting The Wrong Person (GREENTEA)
The royal city was destined for a restless night.
The spacious hall was brightly lit with the crimson carpet as if soaked in blood, glaringly red.
The two Crimson Birds on the candlesticks spread their wings to hold up the flames, their warm yellow light exuding an eerie chill.
In the corner, a gray-white statue opened its hollow eyes while staring vacantly ahead, the sharp sword in its hand reflecting a piercing cold light.
Yue Chu stood to the side with his gaze sweeping over the three kneeling in the center of the hall, then slightly lowering his eyes to minimize his presence.
The only thing that surprised him in this scene was that he had also been summoned. Apart from the lofty Lafa, all ten Blood Clan Elders were present, and he was the one who shouldn't have been here.
After all, this was a matter concerning the dignity of the Blood Clan.
Lafa sat upright on the throne with the smooth armrests beneath his hands devoid of any warmth.
He thought he would be furious, but now, looking at Xino kneeling on the ground without a hint of submission, his heart was surprisingly calm, so calm it was almost unbelievable.
Perhaps in the midst of these constant conflicts, he had already prepared himself mentally and anticipated the worst possible outcome.
Lafa's handsome features seemed to be covered in thick frost and exuded a chilling aura that made people dare not look directly at him.
His pupils were filled with indifference, unwilling to spare even a trace of extra emotion for Xino. The once intense affection had dissipated through repeated disappointments and turning into the current watery detachment.
Lafa: "Xino, do you know your crime?"
Xino sneered as the veins at his temples bulging with his anger.
What crime? What crime did he have!
Xino: "I am not guilty, but if my father insists on convicting me, then I will accept it!"
Lafa remained expressionless, not provoked by Xino's words. After setting aside the endless indulgence, he clearly pointed out Xino's issues.
Lafa: "First, as the Blood Clan Prince, consorting with humans is a grave crime of betrayal. Second, for the sake of a human, you skipped classes, neglected your training, and abandoned your trials, failing in your duty to the crown. Third, you mercilessly killed a fellow clansman who had served you since childhood."
"Do you still think you are worthy of the heir's position?"
Xino clenched his teeth and made a grinding sound and his eyes flashing with uncontrollable rage. Like an enraged lion.
Xino: "Worthy or not, what does it matter?! In your heart, I am just a toy, needing no thoughts, preferences, or will. Just a little bit of molding into the shape you like and stuffed into the shell of a prince!"
Lafa frowned: "This is your duty."
Xino mocked: "But I never wanted such a duty."
Facing Lafa's accusations, the resentment in his heart was like a flood breaking through a dam, uncontrollable, roaring and overwhelming all reason.
Xino raised his head high with a desperate resolve: "Whoever wants to be this prince can have it, I don't care!"
As soon as these words were spoken, the hall fell into a deathly silence.
The Elders trembled and lowered their heads, wishing they were not here to avoid bearing the brunt of His Majesty's wrath.
Feilin's eyes were hollow, and she collapsed weakly to the ground.
Indeed, it had come to this.
Yue Chu quietly lowered his head but silently applauded Xino in his heart.
This scene was even more dramatic than he had anticipated.
Lafa was calm with his gaze steady as he looked at Xino, and his words were equally composed.
Lafa: "In that case, Xino's title as Prince shall be revoked, and he shall be reduced to a commoner."
Xino was momentarily stunned as his pupils contracted sharply because he never expected his father to utter such words. However, he quickly clenched his fists to suppress the turmoil within, and forced out a cold smile.
So what if it was revoked? He never cared about it anyway!
But the Elders could no longer remain seated.
The King's simple statement carried implications that could stir up a storm within the Blood Clan and affect countless interests.
The Elders exchanged covert glances and pushed forward the influential Rotz.
Rotz knelt on the ground to prostrate himself in the most submissive manner.
Xino, relying on the King's favor, had always been disrespectful, but those who had served the King for years knew all too well how cruel this monarch could be.
A thousand years ago, during the July Rebellion, three First Generation Blood Clan members sought to overthrow the King's rule and establish a new order.
The result was their heads being displayed in the central square for an entire year, eventually drying into skin and bones before being crushed into dust.
That time, the royal city ran red with blood, and all Blood Clan members involved in the rebellion were slaughtered.
Too many years had passed, and the newly born Blood Clan members, having never experienced such cruelty, dared to act insolently before the king.
Rotz trembled as he spoke: "Your Majesty, Prince Xino, as a Pureblood, has always been groomed as the heir. If his title is directly revoked, it might... it might lead to chaos."
He licked his dry lips as he was unable to continue.
What chaos? It was merely about too many interests being at stake, likely causing the nobles to lose a layer of skin. But in the King's eyes, this was probably nothing. However, as Elders, they had to consider their own interests.
But regardless of whether those people would die, Rotz now felt as if a blade was pressed against his throat that was ready to sever his head at any moment.
Yet the Elders were not without their reputation. Their long years had given them insight into the King's intentions.
Such a private matter, yet the King had personally summoned Yue Chu. The implication was clear.
Luoci steeled himself and continued: "Now that there are two Purebloods, perhaps it would be better to first appoint Yue Chu as prince, and then gradually transition."
Lafa paused as his gaze froze for a moment.
This was indeed the most stable solution and advantageous from every angle but...
A sense of resistance welled up within him.
He didn't want to form such a father-son relationship with Yue Chu.
He had a premonition that this relationship would hinder his secretly growing, unknown intentions. Beyond the so-called heir, he seemed to have other purposes that even he couldn't yet fully grasp.
Lafa slowly tightened his fingers as his gaze involuntarily shifted to Yue Chu.
At this moment, Yue Chu had already raised his head and looked directly at the Lafa without hesitation. His eyes were still filled with gentleness, neither fear nor glee, just a straightforward and intense gaze, brimming with trust.
He was telling Lafa that no matter what decision he made, he would gladly accept it.
Such trust shattered Lafa's last bit of hesitation.
The noble King felt a sweet helplessness in his heart and ultimately agreed to the Elders proposal.
Then his gaze shifted back to Xino, and Lafa's eyes returned to their usual coldness. "Xino, you will receive ten lashes as your deserved punishment and I will withdraw the Blood Shadow. From today onwards, you are free to do as you please, and no one will interfere."
Xino didn't care about these consequences; he was more concerned about Anna. "Where is Anna? I want to see her!"
Lafa had no intention of making things difficult for a mere human, even if this mere human had bewitched his heir. He believed it was Xino's own foolishness that had led to this mistake.
Lafa: "She is in your room. From now on, she will be your Blood Slave."
Only then did Xino breathe a sigh of relief but his gaze complex as he looked at his father.
He had thought...
Lafa ordered Xino to be dragged away for punishment.
Looking at the two young Blood Clan members still kneeling on the ground, a hint of impatience flickered in his eyes.
These were the attendants he had personally chosen for Xino, yet they had not only failed to offer any counsel but had also remained completely in the dark.
For such individuals, Lafa had none of the leniency he showed towards Xino. The wrath of a ruler was never merciful. He cruelly stripped Feilin and Dila of their noble status, reducing them to commoners and banishing them from the royal city.
Feilin hunched over while kneeling on the ground, too weak to even defend herself. Dila's eyes were filled with despair, but he could only helplessly wipe away his tears and accept the punishment.
They were attendants and their fates were tied to Prince Xino's. Now that the Prince had committed a grave mistake, how could they possibly escape punishment?
Yue Chu sighed and seemingly helpless, unable to bear seeing his former companions fall into such a miserable state. He stepped forward slowly and spoke up to plead for them.
Yue Chu: "Your Majesty, Feilin and Dila are indeed foolish. As the right and left hands of Prince Xino, they turned a blind eye and failed to persuade him, completely neglecting their duties. However, they are still young and inexperienced, and Prince Xino has always been strong-willed. Perhaps there is some justification for their actions. Could you give them another chance?"
As he spoke, a smile spread across Yue Chu's face, like stars scattering across the sky, sparkling brilliantly. He looked at Lafa with his long eyelashes fluttering gently and his clear, lively eyes filled with a sense of intimacy. His tone was leisurely, sweet as honey, as if he were coaxing him.
Yue Chu: "Moreover, thanks to Your Majesty's favor, this is a joyous occasion in my life, and it should be celebrated with happiness and festivity. I share some camaraderie with Feilin and Dila, and seeing them in such a pitiful state saddens me."
"If Your Majesty insists on punishing them, perhaps you could strip them of their attendant titles and let them compete again with others. This lesson will surely be etched in their minds, and they will never dare to repeat such mistakes."
Yue Chu's eyes shone with a pitiful plea, like a kitten's paw gently scratching at Lafa's heart, making it hard for him to refuse.
Lafa was well aware that Yue Chu had gone through such lengths just to plead for the two.
His gaze softened.
Yue Chu, who had not spent much time with them, could still show such loyalty, while Xino had callously abandoned them. The contrast was undoubtedly disheartening.
Lafa agreed: "You are my heir, and naturally, you have the authority to decide their fate."
Feilin and Dila instantly felt as if they had ascended from hell to heaven as they kneel in tearful gratitude for His Majesty's mercy. However, they were well aware that without Yue Chu's intercession, His Majesty would never have relented so easily. They would have become the laughingstock of their families and wandering the outer city like rootless ghosts, forever unable to reclaim their honor.
After the King and the Elders had left, Yue Chu walked over and helped Feilin and Dila to their feet. He gently wiped the dust from their faces and sighed softly.
Yue Chu: "It's alright now. I believe with your abilities, becoming Xino's attendants again won't be a problem. But from now on, you must not be so negligent. If anything happens, report it immediately. That way, even if something goes wrong, the responsibility won't fall on you."
Feilin's gaze was complex as she looked at the concern in Yue Chu's eyes. Unconsciously, she tightened her grip on his sleeve.
Becoming Xino's attendants again?
She would be insane to do that! Her family would never be able to push someone else onto Yue Chu, because that position could only be hers!
But Dila kept his head down.
If Yue Chu could see his face, he would notice that the rugged man's face was as red as a ripe apple that it almost looked like being steam.
He didn't have as many thoughts as Feilin, and was only thinking: If only I could follow Yue Chu...