Chapter 1463: 714 Second Watch

As dawn approached, a faint fish-belly white began to rise on the eastern horizon, and the dim morning light, piercing through the heavy clouds, began to cast beams upon every eave of Shengdu.

Han Ye had been sitting in the chair for half the night.

Qun Xuan had sealed his acupoint to prevent him from stopping his Second Uncle, Han Yong, from going to his death.

Even though the acupoint automatically unsealed itself half an hour earlier, he was well aware everything was too late.

He sat there in a daze, the morning light filtering through the window lattice, casting a glow on his resolute and handsome side face, with colorful halos swirling in the dust.

Ga ji–

The door was pushed open.

It was Qun Xuan who entered.

Qun Xuan gave him a fixed look, understood that the acupoint was unlocked, closed the door, and said heavily, “Your second uncle is gone.”

“Where is the body?” Han Ye asked.

Like someone whose soul had been drained, upon hearing this grievous news, he could no longer be shocked, nor could he shed any more tears.

The sadness that needed to be felt had already run its course in the past two hours.

Now, all he was filled with was hatred, a relentless and unending hatred!

Qun Xuan approached him and said, “The Han family will handle it. You don’t have to worry about it anymore.”

Han Ye’s eyes were empty as he scoffed, “My grandfather is truly ruthless to this extent, not even giving his own son a proper burial?”

Qun Xuan sighed, “The Emperor is very angry.”

Han Ye clenched his fist, “That’s his own son!” referring to the patriarch of the Han family.

Qun Xuan clarified, “An illegitimate son.”

Han Ye closed his eyes in sorrow and turned away his face.

Illegitimate son.

Yes, his second uncle was an illegitimate son, but he was an illegitimate son more excellent than the legitimate ones. If only the resources of the Han family had not always been biased away from his second uncle, his martial arts and achievements would have far surpassed his own!

His second uncle had never complained. When told to infiltrate the Xuanyuan family as a spy, he did so. When told to poison Xuanyuan Li’s young son, he poisoned Xuanyuan Li’s young son.

What had his second uncle ever done for himself?

Nothing, when returning in triumph, all the merit was his father’s.

His second uncle was merely an unsung hero, silently protecting the family from behind, safeguarding everyone’s back.

Han Ye gave a wry smile, “You’ve noticed, haven’t you? My second uncle was a martial arts prodigy.”

Qun Xuan nodded, “In one night, he mastered all of the Tang Sect’s swordsmanship, which took you half a month.”

Han Ye coldly laughed, “My grandfather and father will never realize what they’ve missed. Losing my second uncle is the Han family’s greatest loss!”

Qun Xuan did not offer an opinion on that matter.

Life is inherently unequal, there’s no comparability between individuals, even if Han Ye’s uncle truly was a prodigy with more talent than Han Ye himself. But his status at birth doomed him to be nothing more than a stepping stone.

Han Ye was the legitimate eldest grandson. His very existence represented the Han family’s faith and strength. As long as he was alive, the faith of the Han family would persevere.

Qun Xuan patted Han Ye on the shoulder, earnestly advising, “He did it not only for you but also for the entire Han family. You must not let this incident cause a rift between you and your grandfather. The Princess’ faction is not easy to deal with, and with a formidable enemy at the gate, you must pull yourself together.”

Han Ye asked, “On what grounds?”

Qun Xuan replied, “He bore a grudge against the Princess and happened to encounter the Imperial Grandson in Shengdu by chance, which led him to harbor evil intentions. He withstood forty-nine severe tortures, proving he wasn’t lying.”

Han Ye said, “Wasn’t it said that if one withstands the torture, there would be no further pursuit?”

That was the rule laid down by the Emperor himself. Torture was meant to extract confessions; no one could withstand half of it. If someone truly did, the Emperor would respect him as a true man and let him go free.

Qun Xuan fell silent.

Han Ye understood, “It was my grandfather, right?”

An illegitimate son who attempted to assassinate the Imperial Grandson could bring destruction upon the entire Han family. If he had died from the punishment along the way, at least that might mollify the Emperor slightly, since his temper had nowhere to vent. But his uncle had survived, and the Emperor’s fury would inevitably be directed at the Han family.

So, his grandfather killed his own illegitimate son to demonstrate the Han family’s loyalty to the Emperor!

Han Ye slammed his fist into a column beside him!

Qun Xuan advised, “The leader of the Han family also considered the bigger picture.”

Han Ye gripped his fist tightly, “I don’t believe the Emperor’s appearance was a coincidence. My plan wasn’t leaked.”

Qun Xuan analyzed, “Then it must have been leaked from the Crown Prince’s side. Someone knew you were going to assassinate Xiao Liulang and deliberately led the Emperor there. However, Xiao Liulang also had some luck; the Emperor showed up late. If it weren’t for an eagle delaying you for a couple of hours, you would have succeeded.”

Han Ye said coldly, “That eagle, I will catch it and kill it sooner or later!”