Chapter 13: Catching Fire

“Your Highness, the magistrate of Liangzhou and his entourage have entered the palace.”

Hearing this, Wen Renlin raised his hand to indicate understanding and withdrew his gaze from the slender figure of the youth in the corridor.

He really lacks experience. The leaders of the Shu region and governor of Liangzhou’s people are either foolish or malicious, unlike him, who appears kind but can escape trouble just by pretending to be sick.

The “kind” Prince Su raised his eyes to the distant surging clouds and ink, his smile distant and inscrutable.

Under the palace corridor, the watching officials showed great concern for the frail and pitiful Crown Prince for a while before gradually dispersing. Performing the whole act, Zhao Yan took the opportunity to sit and rest, suddenly feeling curious.

“I pretended to be sick to deal with Zhao Yuanyu, why didn’t you advise me otherwise?”

Zhao Yan looked at Liu Ying, who was serving in front of her, with bright laughter in her eyes. “With such cooperation, it’s really a bit uncomfortable.”

Liu Ying was silent for a moment, then whispered, “He insulted His Highness the Crown Prince.”

Zhao Yan was quite surprised. She thought Liu Ying only cared about orders and the bigger picture, but she didn’t expect there to be a compassionate side to her as well.

But Liu Ying misunderstood something and blamed herself, saying, “This servant misunderstood.”

Zhao Yan gently smoothed the habitual frown between Liu Ying’s brows, smiling lightly. “What’s wrong? You protect the master, and I cover up for the flaws. What could be better than that?”

The warmth between their brows dissipated with a touch, leaving Liu Ying stunned, a hint of broken light floating in her usually calm and rational eyes.

The world is bustling, all for profit. Those with direct conflicting interests are the most suspicious. The Yong Prince’s faction is arrogant, like a rat smelling food and acting recklessly. Even if they are not the masterminds behind Zhao Yan’s death, they are most likely involved.

The Yong Prince spends his days immersed in scenery, seemingly carefree, but his son is extremely worrisome. Zhao Yuanyu is foolish and malicious, easily provoked to anger. Such people are hateful and most likely to expose their weaknesses.

Outside the Shan Chi Garden, Zhao Yuanyu was full of resentment.

The tragic end of the struggle for the throne eighteen years ago resulted in the death of eight or nine out of ten princes. In this generation, the descendants of the Zhao family are even fewer.

In the past, his father petitioned the Emperor, recognizing him as a son, just in case. But his uncle despised him for being reckless and lascivious and politely refused on the pretext of his prime youth.

At first, it didn’t matter much. With no sons born to the Emperor for so many years, as long as Zhao Yan died, his father could be appointed as the Crown Prince, and he would be the next Crown Prince!

It was a sure thing, so why did that sickly boy suddenly appear in front of him and humiliate him so much!

The more he thought about it, the more unwilling he became. Zhao Yuanyu punched a lacquered pillar in frustration.

Seeing this, the accompanying person cautiously advised, “Calm down, Your Highness. Today is the winter festival banquet, and the envoy from the governor of Liangzhou is entering the palace for negotiations. The Emperor attaches great importance to it. At such a critical juncture, it’s best not to cause any trouble.”

A trace of gloom flashed in Zhao Yuanyu’s eyes, and he said to the person who spoke just now, “Your father is a junior official in the Ministry of Rites, isn’t he looking for someone to lead the Shu army to Liangzhou? Tell him to inform the magistrate of Liangzhou that this Prince will recommend someone for them.”

After saying this, he whispered a name.

The person’s expression changed slightly, and he said anxiously, “Your Highness, this may not be appropriate. The Crown Prince is too precious, how could the Emperor bear to let him go to such a dangerous place? Not to mention that Prince Su is now the Crown Prince’s tutor. It’s not a good idea for the Prince to move the person Prince Su favors…”

“What person does he favor? Do you think Prince Su really wants to assist the Crown Prince? He’s just sharpening his knives. I’m solving this big problem for him, and he hasn’t even thanked me yet!”

Seeing that his companion still wanted to persuade him, Zhao Yuanyu became furious, “You go if I tell you to go! Don’t forget who paved the way for your father’s future!”

The person had no choice but to nervously comply and left to make arrangements.

Inside the Yonglin Hall, cups and chopsticks clinked, and beautiful palace maids continuously carried in fruits, delicacies, and fine wines.

The eunuch loudly announced the arrival of the honored guests for the banquet, and the dukes, marquises, counts, and prince heirs followed one after another, dressed in splendid attire with radiant faces. At first, Zhao Yan could patiently match names with faces, but as time went on, she became dizzy and her eyes glazed over.

With so many relatives and dignitaries present, even Zhao Yan couldn’t match them all, so she decided to give up trying.

The eunuch’s voice started out sharp and clear but gradually became hoarse and weak. Zhao Yan quietly shifted her stiff body, feeling bored. Suddenly, she heard the eunuch’s hoarse voice announce, “Right Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, minister Shen, enters the hall—”

Ministry of Personnel, minister Shen?

The position and surname sounded familiar to Zhao Yan. After a moment of thought, she realized that this was the father of Shen Jingming, who had drowned.

Zhao Yan’s interest was instantly piqued. Following the sound, she saw a middle-aged civil official with a touch of frost at his temples. Perhaps still grieving the loss of his son, minister Shen looked haggard, his eyes cloudy, completely out of place among the cheerful guests.

Zhao Yan gestured to Liu Ying behind her, “Go and bring that Deputy Minister Shen over. I want to speak with him.”

Deputy Minister Shen soon approached.

He bowed respectfully with a slight stoop, and Zhao Yan quickly said, “No need for formalities, sir. I called you here to discuss the matter of your son, Shen Jingming.”

Upon hearing this name, Liu Ying, who stood behind Zhao Yan, tensed up.

Recalling the gentle touch between her brows just now, she didn’t intervene but took advantage of pouring wine to change her position slightly, preventing others from getting too close and disturbing them.

Upon hearing his son’s name, the sorrow on Minister Shen’s face faded, replaced by the stern demeanor of a strict father.

“Thank you for your concern, Your Highness.”

Minister Shen endured the pain and said firmly, “But my son’s unruly behavior and wandering ways led to his own demise! It’s not worth Your Highness’s inquiry!”

With that, he bowed again and retreated to his seat without saying another word.

Zhao Yan was stunned.

She never expected Minister Shen to react like this, treating his son’s death as a disgrace. Could it be that she was overthinking it, and Shen Jingming’s death had nothing to do with the Crown Prince’s death?

The Empress Wei accompanied the Emperor into the hall and saw Minister Shen leaving with pain in his heart.

She looked at her troublesome “son” and furrowed her brows slightly.

“Long live Your Majesty, long live the Empress.”

A clear and melodious male voice came from behind, interrupting her thoughts.

The Empress Wei turned around and saw a refined and elegant man in moon-white robes entering the hall with female companions. He bowed to her.

The man was quite handsome, with a smile on his face when meeting people, and bore a resemblance to the Empress Wei; while the women beside him had beautiful hair and faces, their natural beauty shining through, giving off an aura of elegance like moonlight.

Such a striking and well-matched couple, Zhao Yan would never forget them in her life—Marquis Ningyang Wei Yan and his wife, Lady Rong Fuyue.

When Zhao Yan was in the Huayang Palace, she had heard her grandmother, the Empress Dowager, talk about the Wei family’s past.

When their grandparents passed away, the Marquis Ningyang’s mansion was already in decline, leaving behind a debt-ridden mess. Marquis Wei Yan became the head of the family at the age of fourteen, and his sister, Lady Wei Ling, was only sixteen. The siblings were looked down upon wherever they went, enduring ridicule and neglect.

It was from this time onwards that the siblings made a pact to revitalize their family. Lady Wei Ling relied on the good reputation to enter the palace and climb from an obscure beauty to the position of Empress, ruling over the world.

Meanwhile, Marquis Wei Yan diligently studied outside the palace, made friends with wise men, and in ten years, transformed from a despised destitute youth into the esteemed Marquis Ningyang, commanding respect and support from all around.

In terms of family background and connections, the Wei family is now flourishing, deserving to be the leading noble family in the capital. However, judging by temperament alone, who could have imagined that such a legendary figure would be a gentle and devoted husband?

It’s said that the nephew resembles the uncle, and Zhao Yan’s good-natured disposition, much like Marquis Ningyang Wei Yan’s, truly stood out.

The Empress Wei, after all, held a high position and was not enthusiastic about her younger brother. She nodded slightly and went to sit on the prominent phoenix seat.

Wei Yan looked towards Zhao Yan and asked, “I brought Ayu to recuperate in the suburbs of the capital. I returned only yesterday and haven’t had the chance to see His Highness the Crown Prince. Is His Highness’s health much improved?”

When they were in the palace before, although his aunt was aloof and quiet, she would always bring her some snacks, and his uncle had laughed and played with her on his shoulders. Despite losing contact over the years, Zhao Yan still had a fondness for them.

She stood up and returned the greeting, saying, “Thank you, Uncle, for your concern. I am much better now.”

Wei Yan replied warmly, “That’s good.”

Before they could say more, a sharp and lengthy announcement came from outside the hall, “The magistrate of Liangzhou enters the hall—”

The lively atmosphere in the hall instantly froze.

Who didn’t know that the magistrate of Liangzhou was supposed to discuss amnesty matters with the court, but in reality, he was a pawn sent by the rebel leader to test the waters?

Wei Yan also became slightly serious, no longer exchanging pleasantries, and took his wife’s hand as they took their seats.

A short, thin man in a loose green sixth-rank civil official’s uniform entered the hall with a fawning smile on his face. He nodded and bowed to the various nobles and officials with different expressions on each side, behaving like a born lackey.

Sending such a sycophant from the court to supervise and assist the magistrate of Liangzhou, it’s no wonder Liangzhou would rebel.

Following closely behind was a burly military officer with a face full of muscles, wearing armor with numerous sword marks on it. His eyes gleamed with hostility, clearly not a good person. He was probably He Hu, one of the chief generals under the governor of Liangzhou.

A turbulent undercurrent flowed through the banquet.

This winter in the capital, although the rebels from Shu appeared to be threatening, in reality, they had exhausted their food supplies, and countless soldiers had suffered frostbite after the heavy snow. On the other hand, Xuan could have counterattacked, but due to consecutive deficits in the national treasury and unstable military morale, they were also avoiding conflict.

Both sides needed a breather, so how to negotiate was the question.

On the side of Shu, it was impossible for them to easily give up the opportunity that was within their grasp. If they couldn’t win by force, they would surely take a bite out of the Xuan Empire.

He Hu was not satisfied with the terms proposed by Xuan and snorted, “We brothers followed the governor all the way to eliminate bandits, shed blood, and risked our lives. The Emperor only granted the governor a title, which is too insincere, don’t you think?”

At these words, Zhao Yan sneered coldly.

What “eliminate bandits all the way”? The magistrate of Liangzhou used the pretext of suppressing rebels to attack and seize cities, leading two hundred thousand Shu troops to besiege the capital and exert pressure. His disloyalty was plain for all to see; he himself was the biggest bandit!

The Emperor remained composed and said, “What do you want?”

He Hu said gruffly, “What about the military pay for this campaign and compensation for the fallen brothers? Doesn’t the Emperor want to compensate us?”

In the silence, some officials remained silent, while others watched from the sidelines. More than anything, there was indignation at being treated as mere fodder. Starting a rebellion against Xuan and then turning around to demand money from them—such shamelessness existed in this world!

Seeing the Emperor’s silence, He Hu spoke roughly, “Since the Emperor is not sincere enough, then we will have to defend outside the city.”

“Plenty sincere, plenty sincere.”

The Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Rites wiped his sweat nervously, trying to smooth things over, and gave a signal to the magistrate of Liangzhou who was drinking alone beside him.

Understanding the signal, the magistrate put down his wine cup and stood up.

“To demonstrate the sincerity of our uan Empire’s offer of amnesty, I have a suggestion.”

The magistrate of Liangzhou stepped forward and bowed, casting a glance at the Crown Prince’s seat, “Your Highness, as the heir apparent, you are the second most esteemed person in Xuan, representing the majesty of His Majesty. If Your Highness could personally enter our camp to respond to the governor of Liangzhou, it would demonstrate the sincerity of Xuan in honoring and respecting talents. The governor will surely appreciate His Majesty’s sincerity and readily accept the offer.”

This statement shocked the entire hall.

Zhao Yan raised her weary eyes and slowly straightened her body. She didn’t come here to be a decoration, but unexpectedly found herself being used as a pawn. Across from her, Prince Zhao Yanyu tossed a dried fruit into his mouth, his eyes full of malicious glee.

It seems that this drama probably has something to do with the Prince of Yong as well.

Fine, she’ll remember this.

He Hu, in agreement with the suggestion, quickly changed his tune: isn’t it more useful to hold the only son of Xuan as a hostage than to gain a small profit in gold and silver?

He immediately slammed the table and said, “That’s settled, let the little Crown Prince accompany us!”

“Your Majesty, absolutely not!”

Empress Wei’s face turned pale, her voice trembling slightly.

Wen Renlin, standing with his hands behind his back by the side door of the hall, gently rubbed the black iron ring on his finger, listening carefully to the situation inside.

Zhang Cang couldn’t help but curse, “Your Highness, this scoundrel has some nerve! They even dare to plot against the person you value!”

Wen Renlin glanced over with eyes as cold as black ice.

“…I misspoke.”

Zhang Cang quickly backed down, but he couldn’t help muttering in his heart: Of course! His lord is indulging the little Crown Prince’s amusement, even surpassing the wild cat in the palace. Why would he be unhappy when it’s brought up…

Seeing the atmosphere in the hall becoming increasingly tense, Zhang Cang couldn’t help but mutter again, “Why don’t you intervene and suppress that scoundrel?”

“No hurry.”

Wen Renlin remained calm, as if the person suffering in the fire pit was not his student whom he faced day and night.

He wanted to see how the Crown Prince would faint this time.

Previous

Next