This would all depend on whether Jun Wu still valued his past affection toward Xie Lian and whether the Emperor had the heart to protect him. Many still couldn’t comprehend what sort of feelings Jun Wu held toward Xie Lian. During his first ascension, the Crown Prince of Xianle was of course treated with the utmost favor.
jun wu’s sick, borderline obsession with xie lian is such a complicated thing within this story. unbeknownst to the reader right now, he seems like a genuine mentor to xie lian with paternal level of care for him, but knowing in hindsight jun wu’s true intentions and what he’s done to xie lian, directly and indirectly, shifts these “kind” moments into nearly psychotic displays. jun wu needs to keep up appearances but being overly kind and supportive is just another way to toy with xie lian, feigning favor to make the reveal more earth shattering
