Chapter 1309: Boiling a Frog in Warm Water
Chapter 1309: Chapter 1309: Boiling a Frog in Warm Water
Xia Houzhe woke up drenched in sweat from the nightmare, sitting on the bed, feeling a piercing cold. He instinctively gathered his bedding closer, and looked at the dim candlelight in the chamber. Since it was late at night, the lamps were few, only two flickering slightly as the wind moved inside.
Within the chamber, it was quiet enough to hear breathing, and it seemed like phantoms were lurking around.
Suddenly, a faint yet high-pitched scream echoed from somewhere, sending chills down Xia Houzhe’s spine. He looked towards the sound, guessing it was from the direction of the Cold Palace.
The oppressive atmosphere was suffocating him, so he threw off the covers and got out of bed. His legs weakened, nearly collapsing to the floor, as he staggered to the table, grabbing the teapot to pour it directly into his mouth.
Only when the cold tea flowed down his throat did the feeling of restlessness subside a bit, yet the bedchamber still suffocated him.
Imagine this, ever since leaving the Heavenly Prison, he had been confined to this chamber, never leaving it, only seeing a handful of people, none of whom he knew well to carry news outside, nor did he get news from outside.
Though it wasn’t entirely true—the eunuchs who brought food, influenced perhaps, revealed snippets of news, like updates from the Prince Mansion or news of the Ning family’s arrival in the capital today.
But he was only able to listen, unable to leave the chamber or do anything.
He was under soft imprisonment by Emperor Chu.
As if that weren’t enough, his health grew weaker daily, despite his attempts to reduce medication and meals, his body continued to thin and weaken.
Emperor Chu was slowly torturing him like a frog boiled in warm water, aiming to drive him mad.
That damn Emperor is so vicious!
He recalled the nightmare, where Mr. Ning transformed into a ghost, berating him as foolish and reckless, attributing his predicament to his own obstinacy.
Mr. Ning’s disdainful ridicule reminded him of his childhood, when he was punished by having to hold a basin of water overnight for playing too much and neglecting his studies. Since then, he had not dared to disobey until he grew older and developed his own opinions.
Mr. Ning shouldn’t blame him.
After so many years of obedience, isn’t it normal to want independence? Clearly, he was the true master, and they should be aiding him, thus they ought to follow him.
The more he was restrained, the more rebellious he became, asserting his sovereignty. And the result?
Xia Houzhe looked at the vast chamber, feeling his heart sink.
Suddenly, he understood what Mr. Ning meant by imperial power.
This was it.
Emperor Chu could justly imprison him using the excuse of his poor health, restricting his movements and freedom.
Xia Houzhe regretted it; he shouldn’t have given Emperor Chu this chance. Perhaps he shouldn’t have indulged in a drunken night, and Old Dong...
No, that’s not right.
Xia Houzhe furrowed his brows.
How did he believe the escape plan through self-harm? Dong Da and the others indeed managed to manipulate public opinion, and he did escape, yet was still imprisoned.
So many days passed; Dong Da and the others should have found a way to send messages, yet none came.
Why?
A terrifying thought arose, his face changing drastically.
Dong Da and the others were loyal, even if Mr. Ning abandoned him, they wouldn’t stand by as he suffered, but what if they betrayed him?
The more Xia Houzhe thought about it, the more plausible it seemed; if not for betrayal, they wouldn’t pass no news.
He couldn’t sit and wait for death.