I am the crown prince? - Chapter 4

In the royal garden and under a cherry blossom tree, sat the empress faced by Concubine Chun Hua who sipped her tea in a calm manner. Contrary to how Chun Hua appeared, her heart was in chaos.

“Zheng Lu is a spoiled child,” the empress said out of the blue, breaking the silence.

“He’s an innocent child,” the concubine replied.

“A fool and a threat,” the empress said, ignoring her.

“He is a child!” Chun Hua shouted, losing her composure.

“Don’t raise your voice!” the empress gave her a sharp look.

The concubine tried to calm herself down. She can’t do anything; the one in front of her is the one in power.

“The empire can’t accept fools I am afraid,” the Empress continued her speech.

“Are you implying something, your highness,” Chun Hua asked calmly.

“I hated her with passion. I can’t even look at her son. Can’t you see how much I am suffering! You were my maid before, my only friend! I helped you to become a concubine. But you stabbed me in the back, raising her child!” the empress blurted out sharply, looking at her old friend.

“You did it?” the concubine asked, ignoring the empress’ rage.

“Well, what are you going to do about it?” she replied, looking away.

Chun Hua couldn’t believe her ears.

“You can tell the emperor, it’s better that way,” the empress stated.

“He’s my child!” Chun Hua said, tearing up.

“Zheng Lu is alive! You can consider this incident as a warning,” the empress threatened.

“A mother won’t let anything happen to her child. She will fight whoever harms her kid and bite them back,” the concubine said.

“Is that a threat?” the empress asked.

“No! I am only stating facts, your highness,” she replied, bowing in respect and left to her chamber to think.

Back in the young prince’s chamber, Zheng Lu slept like a pig. The emperor himself sat near him and played with his long silky black hair absent-minded.

When Zheng Lu felt someone playing with his hair, he opened his eyes slowly to find a man in his thirties staring blankly at the walls. He was about to shout for the guards. But then he remembered who he was and kept quiet.

“Daddy?” The young prince asked, wanting to confirm this man’s identity.

“Zheng Lu! You are awake!” the emperor cried in surprise.

“Are you alright? Are you in pain?” he asked in worry.

“I am fine,” Zheng Lu replied, staring at the emperor.

“That’s a relief, this emperor got worried,” the emperor sincerely said.

“This Emperor wants to tell you something,” He continued, not knowing how to deliver the news. He asked him instead, “Do you want to get stronger?”

“Stronger? Oh, like daddy!” Zheng Lu exclaimed.

“Stronger than daddy,” he replied with a fond smile.

“Yes I do! I want to protect the people I love,” Zheng Lu shouted like a soldier.

“Hyper kid,” the emperor murmured quietly, poking the fourth prince’s forehead.

“Don’t hate this Emperor,” he murmured quietly, making Zheng Lu tilt his head like an adorable kitten.

“You are making things hard for me,” he told his son.

“Sorry?” Zheng Lu asked.

“…” the emperor blurted.