Accidentally Having a Baby with the Future Emperor - Chapter 102 Part 2

“Slowly, Master, slowly.”

“Let us walk ahead to clear the way for you…”

Several students surrounded the old scholar protectively as if shielding a rare bird, their wary eyes scanning every corner while following the guards through the gates of the Eastern Palace.

Because the Crown Prince was rumored to be a ‘Demon Yaksha,’ the young scholars could feel chills down their spines merely walking along the palace path, the air thick with gloom.

Yet Qi Qiuyu’s steps were quick and resolute, his cane striking the ground with firm, echoing taps.

The Eastern Palace was vast and solemn. From the front gate to the main hall stretched a long path, and as he hurried on, Old Master Qi’s snow-white beard fluttered in the wind.

Suddenly, both he and his students halted in their tracks.

Before the great hall stood a figure in dark robes, handsome, severe, and cold as steel. A sword hung at his waist and the golden threads of his black court robe shimmered faintly in the sun.

“Old Master Qi, your visit honors this hall. Forgive me for not greeting you sooner.”

Startled, the students froze. Only two of the bolder ones instinctively stepped in front of their teacher, muscles trembling with fear.

“Mind your manners before His Highness the Crown Prince,” Qi Qiuyu said, brushing them aside. Leaning on his cane, he approached the steps and bent slightly in salute, but a hand reached out to stop him.

“There is no need for such formality, Old Master Qi.”

Qi Qiuyu looked up. Xi Rong had already descended the steps. Unlike the refined and mild Prince of Wei, this prince had a sharply handsome face and a presence edged with icy authority, perhaps owing to his half-foreign blood.

The old scholar inclined his head. “Forgive my intrusion, Your Highness.”

Xi Rong smiled with easy courtesy. “It is my honor that you grace the Eastern Palace, Old Master. Please, come inside. I’ve prepared the finest tea for your visit.”

His demeanor was nothing like the grim rumors but Qi Qiuyu was unmoved.

Having long lived in the capital, he knew well how crucial this moment was in the struggle for the throne. Courtesy was no proof of sincerity. The Prince of Wei played the same game, if not better. Old Master Qi had little patience for either side. He would not have come at all, had there been any choice.

However, today, he had no choice.

“Then I shall accept Your Highness’s hospitality,” he said.

***

Sunlight slanted into the hall, the air fragrant with tea.

Qi Qiuyu and his students sat on the left; Song Yang and the palace scholars sat on the right. Xi Rong presided at the head.

After half a cup of tea, Old Master Qi spoke plainly, “Your Highness should already know why I have come today.”

“Of course.” Xi Rong set down his cup and smiled faintly. “The esteemed master must have come for the Winter Plum, I presume?”

“Indeed.” Old Master Qi’s clouded eyes were fixed on the Crown Prince seated behind the desk, the man who was said to be cruel and violent beyond reason.

“The world claims this painting has been lost for many years,” Qi Qiuyu said slowly. “But I never believed it. I have searched for it tirelessly all this time. Yesterday, a young man from the Eastern Palace told me the painting was a gift to Your Highness from the descendants of Ouyang Mo. Is that true?” His tone was probing, his gaze sharp.

Xi Rong shook his head. “No.”

Qi Qiuyu raised a brow slightly. “Your Highness is refreshingly honest.” “Then may I ask,” Old Master Qi man continued, “how Your Highness came to possess the painting?”

Xi Rong’s expression remained tranquil. “Then I shall tell you plainly, Old Master Qi. It is all a misunderstanding. It’s true that the Winter Plum is in my hands now. But I only received it this morning. The true owner of this painting is not one of my palace scholars. Therefore, I have no right to dispose of it nor can I present it to you.”

At these words, not only did Qi Qiuyu and his students’ expressions change, but the Eastern Palace scholars like Song Yang, Chunyu Hui, and the rest also looked on in disbelief.

Qi Qiuyu’s expression shifted several times. “Your Highness, surely you jest? Or are you saying this only to avoid me requesting the painting?”

“Of course not.” The scroll still lay upon the Crown Prince’s desk. Xi Rong’s hand brushed lightly along its silk edge. “If I truly wished to keep it from you, there are countless ways to refuse. None would require a lie.”

At last, Qi Qiuyu asked, “Then, may Your Highness at least tell me who the current owner is?”

Xi Rong’s tone stayed even. “I’m afraid I cannot.”

***

Supported by his students, Old Master Qi left the Eastern Palace.

When he came, he had walked swiftly and straight. When he departed, each step faltered with hesitation.

“Master,” one of the students asked, “what should we do now? Was the Crown Prince speaking truth or falsehood?”

Qi Qiuyu sighed, a rare sound from him. “Truth and falsehood, all tangled together. It’s hard to see through. If it was true,” he murmured, “why would that boy hand the real painting to the Eastern Palace without reason? And why act yesterday in the name of the Crown Prince? Yet if it was false… his words left me speechless. Even if I wished to demand the painting, he gave me no ground to do so. Hmph. Clever, far too clever.”

The students exchanged uneasy guesses.

“Could it be the Crown Prince’s tactic to dangle the painting before you, forcing you to side with the Eastern Palace before he’ll hand it over?”

Qi Qiuyu looked up at the sky and shook his head. “It’s hard to say. Truly hard to say.”

“Then what should we do now? Since the painting is in the Eastern Palace and you mean to have it, there’s no avoiding the Crown Prince.”

“Enough. Say no more. Help me get back to rest.”

The students fell silent and hurried to escort the old master into the carriage.

***

“Qi Qiuyu actually went to the Eastern Palace?!”

The Prince of Wei’s face darkened as he questioned the man kneeling before him.

The confidant nodded. “It’s absolutely true, Your Highness. I saw it with my own eyes.”

The Prince of Wei swept his sleeve across the desk, knocking over the teacup with a sharp clatter.

The attendants and stewards all dropped to their knees in fear. Even the strategists standing nearby dared not breathe too loudly. Although the Prince of Wei was known publicly as a virtuous and gentle prince, those close to him knew his temper was far from the rumors.

“Your Highness, please calm your anger,” one adviser finally ventured when the Prince of Wei’s expression eased a little. “Qi Qiuyu only paid a visit to the Eastern Palace,” the man continued cautiously. “That alone means nothing. Besides, this subordinate has already heard from one of the students of White Deer Academy that His Highness the Crown Prince did not present the Winter Plum to Qi Qiuyu. The old master left disappointed. Qi Qiuyu is famously proud and stubborn. If he were to bow his head to the Eastern Palace over a single painting, he’d become the laughingstock of all scholars under Heaven.”

The Prince of Wei’s irritation was plain. “But what if he does bow his head? You know well how obsessed he is with that painting. If not to please him, I would never have displayed the Winter Plum at the Ten-Days Gathering. The Eastern Palace plays deep games. What if this is all a ruse to lure and trap?”

The adviser said, “There are countless precious paintings in the world besides the Winter Plum. Qi Qiuyu is no saint. I don’t believe a single scroll could sway him. I’ve heard the White Deer Academy has long fallen into disrepair and its halls are crumbling. Qi Qiuyu has been fretting over funds. Why not offer him assistance? Let him see Your Highness’s sincerity.”

The Prince of Wei’s gaze darkened. “Do you think I haven’t tried? He refused every offer, saying he cannot accept reward without merit.”

The adviser’s eyes gleamed. “Then make it so he has no choice but to accept.” He leaned closer and whispered a few words of counsel.

The Prince of Wei clenched his fists, hesitating. “Will that truly work?”

“It’s risky,” the adviser admitted, “but worth the attempt.”

Just then, the steward outside called, “Your Highness, the Crown Prince has come to visit.”

The Prince of Wei and his advisers all froze.

The strategist who had just spoken said quickly, “Your Highness, if the Crown Prince comes now, his intentions are surely not friendly.”

The Prince of Wei’s expression turned unreadable. “Then let’s see what he’s come for.”

By the time he entered the flower hall, Xi Rong was already seated, calmly sipping tea.

The Prince of Wei had changed into a casual robe. As he approached, he smiled. “I was dealing with some matters just now. Please forgive my delay, Your Highness Crown Prince.”

The Prince of Wei began to bow, but Xi Rong raised a hand to stop him. “We’re brothers, after all. There’s no need for formality in private.”

The Prince of Wei smiled and sat below him, gesturing for servants to refill the tea. “Your Highness is a busy man these days. What brings you to my humble residence?”

Xi Rong’s tone was mild. “I’m hardly busy; merely idle in the capital. Compared to you, I’ve little to do.”

“Your Highness is too modest.” The Prince of Wei’s eyes flickered. “I heard that this morning, Qi Qiuyu himself visited the Eastern Palace. I must congratulate Your Highness for summoning even the man Imperial Father could not move. With Qi Qiuyu at your side, my humble household of scholars pales in comparison.”

Xi Rong lifted his teacup and took a slow sip. “It’s true that Qi Qiuyu came,” he said evenly, “but not to pledge himself to the Eastern Palace. He came for the Winter Plum.”

The Prince of Wei gave a low laugh and shook his head. “Since the Winter Plum Painting is already in Your Highness’s hands, what does it matter why Qi Qiuyu went there? I’ve heard he treasures that painting above all else. If Your Highness were willing to gift it to him, wouldn’t that be enough to win him over?”

Xi Rong took a second sip of tea. “It’s true the painting is with me for now,” he said mildly, “but I have no intention of giving it to Qi Qiuyu.”

The Prince of Wei looked at him in surprise. “What does Your Highness mean by that?”

Xi Rong’s lips curved faintly. “I know Qi Qiuyu is someone you’ve long tried to win over. Imperial Father has always taught us brothers to live in harmony. How could I possibly take what my dear brother desires?”

It was hypocrisy at its finest but the Prince of Wei was used to it. From childhood to now, no matter what injustice Xi Rong suffered, before the Emperor, he always wore this same false, impeccable face.

Still, the Prince of Wei didn’t believe for a moment that Xi Rong would truly give up such a golden chance to recruit Qi Qiuyu for the sake of brotherly affection that was worth about as much as a puff of air.

“Surely Your Highness is jesting?” the Prince of Wei asked, his tone edged with scrutiny.

“I never jest,” Xi Rong replied. “Though…” His smile did not fade. “There is indeed one small matter I’d like to ask your assistance with.”

The Prince of Wei felt a flicker of suspicion, but his face remained pleasant. “Your Highness is too polite. Whatever it is, just give the word.”

Xi Rong looked up at him, voice still gentle. “Is that fugitive remnant of the Northern Barbarians still in your hands?”

The words struck like a bolt from nowhere. With a sharp clatter, the teacup slipped from the Prince of Wei’s hand and shattered on the floor. Tea and porcelain splashed across the tiles. The servants hurried forward to clean up, but the Prince of Wei barked at them to stand down.

“Clumsy of me,” he said smoothly, regaining his flawless smile. “Your Highness must be joking. How could I possibly have any Northern barbarian in my custody? That man was behind the attempt on the Imperial Father’s life. If I knew his whereabouts, I’d have delivered him to the Court of Judicial Review at once.”

“Is that so?” Xi Rong’s tone remained as calm as ever. “Then it seems my information was mistaken. I must have wronged you, Prince of Wei.”

When Xi Rong finally took his leave, the Prince of Wei’s expression darkened at once.