In the past, he had once been summoned by King of Dayue, Duan Ruo, to enter the palace for questioning. At that time, the Dayue Palace was also filled with this type of incense, so he remembered it.

The palace was lit up everywhere, very bright, not at all like a place about to retire for the night.

Under the curtain leading to the east, a five-colored bead curtain hung, shadows faintly visible behind it. At this moment, a slow and steady voice came directly toward Yang Yi’s gaze: "You’ve come?"

Yang Yi turned his body fully, watching the figure slowly emerge from behind the bead curtain, gradually tightening his lips.

The Emperor lifted the curtain and walked out with his hands behind his back.

"You really know how to pick your timing. A moment longer and I would have retired for the night. The Imperial Hospital forbids me from staying up late; even if you wanted to come in, you couldn’t."

Yang Yi glanced over lightly, eventually raising his hands to salute: "I apologize for disturbing you."

The Emperor walked slowly over to the brocade couch under the window to sit down. Only when he was completely settled did he raise his head: "What do you want from me? What can’t wait until tomorrow?"

Since he was so direct, Yang Yi had no intention of evading. He said, "The rumors about the third prince’s background, it was you who spread them, wasn’t it? The public opinion in the capital city, it was also driven by you, right?"

The Emperor said, "What makes you think so?"

"Just because I’ve come this far today. Isn’t this exactly what you intended?"

The Emperor raised his eyebrows, eyeing him a few times, then said, "I didn’t force you into the palace; you chose to come of your own accord."

"Fine. Since I’m here, you should know why I’ve come?"

"How would I know?" the Emperor lifted the tea on the kang table and glanced at him saying, "I’m not a worm inside your brain."

Yang Yi paused, furrowing his brow: "I don’t want to beat around the bush with you. I came to the palace this time to talk to you about the Yi Family.

"Just because of the storm you stirred up, Yi Yun, who is employed at the Ministry of Imperial Stables, has already brought two disciples from your old home, intending to take advantage of the situation and cause trouble.

"Whether or not you’re aware, things have reached this point. As the ruler of this nation, should you not step in to stop it, rather than letting it run rampant?

"If this continues, the situation will certainly worsen, and by that time, who knows how many complications will arise!"

The Emperor looked at him, sipping the tea at a leisurely pace.

Yang Yi waited a moment seeing him not speak, thus said: "If you think I have no right to say these things, you can punish me to silence me."

The Emperor said, "I don’t exactly think that. But, since you’re so worried, why aren’t you stepping in to stop it?"

Yang Yi remained silent.

The Emperor set down the cup. Continuing, he said, "Since you won’t say it, let me say it for you. Because you know you don’t have the authority to stop it."

Yang Yi glanced at him, pursing his lips even tighter.

The Emperor raised his eyebrows and continued: "Presently you hide yourself well, appearing like a person with no desires or ambitions.

"But you’ve been ambitious since you were young. As a father, I have always been proud of you, consciously guiding you, making you aware of national duties and righteousness.

"These years, on one hand, you resent me, yet on the other hand, you’ve never abandoned the larger cause. You resent my heartlessness, and yet, in an invisible way, you’ve acknowledged the guidance I once gave you.

"Because after experiencing so much, you must know that to realize your ambitions, you also need a platform. Alone, dreaming to aid the people is nothing but a foolish fantasy.

"As a commoner, what you can change is far too limited. Your actions, even less effective than the headman in a village.

"So truthfully, you desire power too, don’t you?"

Yang Yi clenched his jaw, his eyes watering unconsciously.

The Emperor propped his elbow on the kang table, looking at him, and continued: "You’ve always been conflicted. You hate me yet very much desire the power of a Prince as a tool.

"Because once you have power, the things you can do are countless and significant.

"In small matters, you can ensure those around you live well, let He Zhao reunite with his wife and children, enjoy family happiness. Afford Chen Song, who has lost his looks, a chance to establish a family and a career, to lead a normal life with a happy family and a secure future.

"In bigger terms, you can turn around and deal with those who’ve treated you unjustly, ensure that wrongdoers face severe penalties, while comforting those who’ve once helped you.

"You’ve roamed the world for over twenty years, having seen enough of the people’s hardships. Even if the second prince were still alive, relying on just this, you already surpass him by a large margin.