AZI: Burial of a Selfish Lunatic

Intermission – Heart's Eye as Narrow and Small as a Fingernail

A week after Bujian Yue received Lin Xiao Kui's jade slip, the Hong Xiao Emperor visits his residence.

Seated down together at the same table, the father and son duo—who may as well be strangers, faced one another.

Raising a subtle smile, the Hong Xiao Emperor asks—

"Xiao Yue, do you believe that this world is extremely unfair to you?"

"…"

Taking a slow sip of tea, Bujian Yue replies—

"Unfair… Hmm. Sometimes, I tend to think that it might be me who is being unfair towards this world."

"…Oh? Why is that?"

Not having expected this answer, the Hong Xiao Emperor raises an eye, to which, Bujian Yue replies—

"There's so much resources in this world, why bother to waste them on a blind man like myself? Wouldn't they be better spent on a capable commoner?"

"…"

Having been left in a cobweb-filled room without anyone to really converse with until recently, the Hong Xiao Emperor isn't surprised to hear such a negative line of thinking from Bujian Yue, and towards the latter's remarks, the former thought—

(At least he's self-aware. Looks like establishing a decent relationship of positive karma won't be too difficult.)

Slapping the table loudly, the Hong Xiao Emperor raises a cold snort, and replies—

"Even if you're only the prince—who is 46 lines away from the throne, you're nevertheless my flesh and blood. Being able to eat, and be clothed right now, it's your natural born privilege."

"Is it?"

Continuing to put on the act of a good father, the Hong Xiao Emperor says—

"There's a saying that having a large heart's eye is what makes a man a great character. Although you're blind, the fact that you're able to think about the well-beings of the commoners—it means that you've a heart's eye that is as large as the ocean. It's something to be proud of."

"…"

Taking another sip of tea, Bujian Yue thought—

(Actually, my heart's eye is as narrow and small as a fingernail.)

Being near the Hong Xiao Emperor, the whereabouts of the essences of the sun and moon, it couldn't be anything less than clear to Bujian Yue.

Eventually, Bujian Yue says—

"Natural born privilege… Then, if it's not too much to ask—would father be willing to have someone teach me a bit more about the Lingchen Star Realm? It wouldn't do to be completely ignorant in front of the in-laws after all."

Laughing softly, the Hong Xiao Emperor replies—

"That Lingchen Emperor, he would definitely be pleased with you. I'll make arrangements later."

"Many thanks, father."

Saying this on the outside, Bujian Yue inwardly thought—

(Nine steps…)

"Uh…?"

In response to Bujian Yue's utterance of this chant in his mind, the Hong Xiao Emperor shuts his eyes with an expression of pain, while raising a subtle groan, to which, the former puts on an expression of concern, and asks—

"Is something the matter, father?"

"…Lately, my eyes would occasionally hurt. I think someone may have inflicted a curse on me."

"Oh?"

Raising a frown, Bujian Yue remarks—

"Father is the emperor of the Hong Xiao Star Realm, who could possibly have the galls to inflict a curse on your body?"

In a begrudging tone, the Hong Xiao Emperor replies—

"God only knows, but if I find them, I definitely won't let them off easy…"

"…Is it possibly that someone who is coveting for you throne might be the culprit? An official, or maybe…"

Should the Hong Xiao Emperor croak, the people or person—who would stand to gain the most, it would have to be the princes who are closer to the throne.

Under normal circumstances, if a person were to bring a question like this up to him, the Hong Xiao Emperor would think that the former was making an attempt to borrow his hands to kill an enemy of their own off.

However, the one to raise this question was only an eight-year-old child.

Regardless of how much of a genius a child may be, odds aren't high for them to come up with such an insidious scheme.

At the same time, with Bujian Yue being blind, it's natural for others to believe that he has never touched a book; which is also to say, that he hasn't had a chance to be educated.

As the pain subsides gradually, the Hong Xiao Emperor remarks—

"…Regardless of who it is, since they dare to get in my way, I'll definitely let them experience something worse than death. Even if they were my own kin."

"…I see. Then I pray that father does find them soon."

Pressing his tea cup to his lips, Bujian Yue uses it to hide his venomous smile, while thinking—

(A man with over 90 offspring, and more than 70 wives, if his character isn't rotten, that would be a miracle.)

...…

As promised by the Hong Xiao Emperor, a private tutor was arranged for Bujian Yue, and through them, the latter had learned much about the Lingchen Star Realm.

Asking a few subtle questions here and there during the lessons, Bujian Yue was able to get an image of the Lingchen Star Realm's political landscape—allowing him to gain a few insights on the true reason for his marriage to Lin Xiao Kui.

...…

New year approaches, and on this day, a palace maid comes to Bujian Yue's residence with a jade slip.

"46th prince, the princess sent another jade slip over."

Receiving the jade slip, Bujian Yue asks—

"Is it commonly known that she sends me these jade slips?"

Adding this jade slip, this would make it the fifth one that's been sent over thus far.

Raising a smile, the palace maid replies—

"Indeed. At first, it was just treated as a formality sort of deal, but after the fourth one, everyone seems to have thought otherwise. Naturally, there are a few who are still skeptical of the matter, but they're mainly just envious of your highness's fortune."

"I see."

Smiling subtly, Bujian Yue presses the jade slip close to his chest, as if it is the most wonderful piece of treasure in this world.

(If I wanted to start a war with this marriage, how would I go about it? …Having the princess die—on the night of the wedding, that would be the most effective means to go about it. The more festive the situation, the more depressing it would be to have it all ruined.)