Accidentally Having a Baby with the Future Emperor - Chapter 103

Xi Rong left the Wei Royal Residence, hands clasped behind his back.

Jiang Cheng followed and said, “Your Highness once ordered me to investigate the Northern barbarian fugitive, but there’s been no trace. Just now, you mentioned it in front of the Prince of Wei on purpose. Were you trying to force him to slip up?”

‘That must be it,’ he thought. His lord would never visit the Prince of Wei without a reason.

Xi Rong only instructed, “Keep a close watch on the Wei Royal Residence.”

Jiang Cheng acknowledged the order and then hesitated before adding, “Your Highness, you hardly slept last night. Will you still be going to the Hibiscus Garden today?”

Xi Rong cast him a brief glance.

Jiang Cheng lowered his head at once, realizing he had spoken out of turn.

“Prepare the horse,” Xi Rong said calmly after a moment.

“Yes, Your Highness.” Jiang Cheng brought forward the black stallion Wuzhuo and then ordered the guards to return to the Eastern Palace ahead with the carriage.

Just then, a luxurious carriage drew to a halt before the Wei Royal Residence’s gates.

A servant opened the door and Cui Xie stepped down, dressed in a robe of silvery moonlight silk.

“The Crown Prince himself gracing this humble place. Such generosity of spirit truly commands admiration,” Cui Xie said with a faint smile.

Xi Rong stood on the steps, giving him a cool, indifferent look. “Since you know I am the Crown Prince,” he replied lightly, “then you should follow proper decorum and pay your respects. The Cui clan is a great house; surely you haven’t forgotten you manners?”

The smile vanished from Cui Xie’s face. As he looked at Xi Rong’s cold, cutting expression, other images flickered unbidden in his mind.

In the Golden Lantern Pavilion, bathed in warm light, this same man was seated beneath it, eyes gentle, pouring tea for another. And under the rockery of the imperial palace, this man kneeling, lifting a boot from the ground, brushing off the dust with patient care before slipping it onto another’s foot.

“Your humble servant pays respects to Your Highness,” Cui Xie said at last, his tone dark as he bowed low.

“Regarding the Winter Plum painting, you would do well to stop copying it,” Xi Rong said, mounting his horse. “Perhaps it’s time to study another.” Then he rode off without another glance.

Hidden within his sleeve, Cui Xie’s fist clenched until his knuckles cracked.

The servants of the Cui household kept their heads bowed low, not daring to meet their master’s eyes. The Winter Plum painting scandal had been the talk of the city these past few days. Yesterday, although the Prince of Wei’s men had returned the version Cui Xie had copied two years ago, his most celebrated and priceless work, he had torn it to shreds on the spot.

The reason was plain enough.

The true Winter Plum painting had resurfaced and the Eastern Palace had produced a young strategist capable of forging a copy indistinguishable from the original. Now, the opportunistic scholars and artists who once crowded before Cui’s gates no longer came seeking his paintings.

***

At the Apricot Blossom Pavilion, Xiao Rong and Mo Dong sat drinking tea.

Mo Dong glanced cautiously at the relaxed Young Prince beside him. “Young master, aren’t you supposed to be on duty today?”

“I’m not going,” Xiao Rong replied righteously.

Three days had passed. If his guess was correct, his master must have already heard the news by now. He didn’t believe the old man could stay calmly in Qizhou after such a commotion. Before the greater storm arrived, Xiao Rong fully intended to enjoy a few more days of leisure. When his master finally stormed into the capital, who knew if he’d still have a place left in the Chancellery?

“After we finish tea,” he said lazily, “go and request a few more days of leave for me.”

“Yes, young master,” Mo Dong replied.

They sat in the open hall among the common seats when a group of people lifted the curtain and entered. The man leading them said, “Time is short. I’ll have to enter the palace later, so I can only treat you generals to a simple meal here.”

“Your Highness is too courteous,” another calm, good-humored voice said.

At the sound of it, Mo Dong paused and turned to look. He saw the Prince of Jin entering, dressed in silver-white armor, followed by several generals of the Silver Dragon Cavalry in full uniform. With them were Xiao Yulin and Xiao Yuke, and the man who had spoken was Mo Qing.

The group looked travel-worn, as though they had just returned from outside the city. Judging from the Prince of Jin’s attire, it wasn’t hard to guess they had come straight from the Silver Dragon Cavalry’s encampment. The Prince of Jin seemed especially polite toward Xiao Yulin. Not only did he walk beside him, but he also made way for him several times as they moved.

Xiao Yuke, in high spirits, strode proudly at his brother’s side.

“Yesterday’s troop drill was most enlightening for me,” the Prince of Jin said with modest warmth. “I still have many things I’d like to seek the generals’ advice on.”

The shopkeeper hastened forward to greet them respectfully.

Accompanied by the Prince of Jin’s humble words, the group went upstairs to the quiet private rooms on the second floor.

Mo Dong withdrew his gaze and instinctively glanced across the table, only to find the Young Prince still quietly focused on his tea, as if he hadn’t heard a thing. When Xiao Rong finished his cup, he told Mo Dong to settle the bill, then put on his veil and left the teahouse with him.

They had taken only a few steps when a voice called sharply from behind, “Xiao Rong, stop right there!”

Xiao Rong turned and sure enough, it was Xiao Yuke striding toward him.

“So it is you,” Xiao Yuke said, staring hard at him, chin tilted up. He walked forward with long strides. “Weren’t you always so arrogant? What’s this now? Your fire’s gone out?”

“Do you need something?” Xiao Rong asked lazily, glancing at him with the same indifference one might give a stray dog.

Xiao Yuke’s eyes flicked up and down, taking him in; first a frown and then a mocking lift of the brows. “Can’t I talk to you without a reason? You used to be so particular, Xiao Rong. What happened? No jade pendant today? Even your guard looks shabby. Let me guess, you’ve had a rough few days outside, haven’t you? If you beg me nicely, maybe I’ll put in a word for you with Fourth Uncle.”

Normally, this was the point where they’d already be trading barbed words.

However, this time, Xiao Rong didn’t even spare him a glance. He simply turned and started walking away.

Xiao Yuke’s mouth twitched. Then he called after him, his voice loud and cutting: “Xiao Rong! I looked through the ledgers you sent to Third Branch last time. Those doors in your sitting room were quite the luxury, weren’t they? But now, I suppose I won’t have to pay you back. Once my brother moves in, he’ll be changing them anyway.” He smirked. “If you ask me, you’d better pack up your junk quickly. When my brother takes over that room, he won’t have time to clean up after you.”

“Is that so?” Xiao Rong gave a soft laugh and turned back. One hand was clasped behind him; the other stretched out from beneath his veil.

Xiao Yuke frowned. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

“The imperial decree,” Xiao Rong said.

“What decree?”

“The one formally issued by the court,” Xiao Rong replied coolly. “The decree officially naming Xiao Yulin as heir apparent of the Xiao clan. You do know, don’t you, that the sitting room you mentioned can only be occupied by the clan’s rightful heir? Oh, and the decree should come with the jade tally symbolizing that title.”

The rumor of Xiao Rong’s expulsion from the Xiao clan had only just spread, and the process of dethroning one heir and appointing another could not possibly move that fast. Naturally, Xiao Yuke had nothing to show.

He realized Xiao Rong was mocking him and his face went pale with anger. “Hmph! What’s the hurry? Once Fourth Uncle officially declares you stripped of your title, the decree will come down soon enough.”

“So, in other words,” Xiao Rong said with a contemptuous smile, “it hasn’t yet. As long as the court’s decree hasn’t been issued,” he continued, “Xiao Yulin is not the heir of the Xiao clan and he has no right to live in that room. If I remember correctly, according to court law, impersonating the heir apparent warrants flogging and exile at best and beheading at worst. Xiao Yuke, I’ve warned you many times before to watch your tongue. Otherwise, your branch of the family may lose their heads before they ever get to move into that new residence.”

“You—Xiao Rong!”

Xiao Yuke stamped his foot in anger. He had come chasing after Xiao Rong precisely to mock him. For years, Xiao Rong’s title as heir had kept him suppressed, unable to win even a verbal quarrel. He had thought that now, with Xiao Rong about to be expelled from the Xiao clan, he could finally have his turn. He never expected that even stripped of title and standing, Xiao Rong would still carry himself with such arrogance.

When his father, Xiao Jingcheng, returned home grinning ear to ear with the news, Xiao Yuke’s first reaction was shock. His second reaction was also shock.

Xiao Rong, that proud, peacock-like man who always looked down on everyone, was being struck from the clan registry. What greater humiliation could there be? How could he endure it? How could he live after that?

His third reaction, naturally, was glee.

He had always disliked Xiao Rong, but he had never truly wished him ruined or turned into a beggar. He had even thought of asking Fourth Uncle, Prince Xiao, to show some mercy; perhaps just strip Xiao Rong of his heir title, but let him remain in the Xiao Royal Residence.

That way, he could mock him freely from then on, watching how Xiao Rong could no longer rely on his title to press him down. Just imagining it was satisfying enough.

When he had first run out and seen Xiao Rong dressed more plainly than before, he had even felt a pang of pity.

However, now, seeing him still so haughty, Xiao Yuke wanted to slap himself.

Was he out of his mind, thinking of pleading for Xiao Rong? Even if Xiao Rong really did become a beggar, he wouldn’t speak a single word for him. And besides, how dare Xiao Rong still look at him with those eyes, like he was some mongrel dog.

“Second Young Master Xiao, why lower yourself to quarrel with a mere seventh-rank official? It only diminishes your dignity.”

A woman’s voice sounded from behind. It was Matriarch Wang, just stepping down from her carriage, with Wang Yanshou, Wang Hui, and Wang Yang following.

Mo Dong frowned slightly at her words. He recalled how this same old lady used to flatter and fawn over the heir whenever she saw him, smiling and praising, with all courtesy and warmth. Now, her tone was sharp and cutting, her face that of an entirely different person.

“What brings you here, Matriarch Wang?” Xiao Yuke asked.

“I’ve just returned from visiting His Majesty in the palace,” said the Matriarch with a smile. “I heard that His Highness the Prince of Jin and the two young gentlemen were dining here, so I thought I’d have A’Yang and A’Hui join them for company.” As she spoke, her gaze remained fixed on Xiao Rong. “His Highness has only recently taken command of the Silver Dragon Cavalry and is still unfamiliar with many military affairs. A’Yang and A’Hui are just starting their official careers as well. They’ll surely need the Second Young Master and Young Master Yulin’s guidance in the future.”

These days, the Matriarch’s spirits had been positively radiant.

Xiao Rong, that arrogant heir, had long been a thorn in her side; always slighting her in public and humiliating her again and again. She had endured it only because of his position.

When he testified for the Crown Prince at the Court of Judicial Review, she had been furious and went up to the Jade Dragon Terrace to demand justice from Prince Xiao. She hadn’t expected much; perhaps just a light punishment to vent her anger and, in passing, a chance to bring up the Prince of Jin’s participation in the martial art tournament.

Never in her dreams did she expect Prince Xiao to expel Xiao Rong from the clan altogether.

In great families, that was almost the harshest punishment possible, reserved only for the gravest offenses.

To the Matriarch, it was a delight.

First, because she had not expected Prince Xiao to give the Wang clan such face. Second, because once Xiao Rong was gone, the most likely new heir would be Xiao Yulin, who was mild and courteous, and, unlike Xiao Rong, easy to handle. His father, Xiao Jingcheng, was also obliging and eager to please.

The Matriarch felt all her long-held resentment dissolve like smoke.

Just yesterday, she had sent a lavish gift to the Xiao clan’s third branch and Xiao Jingcheng had accepted it gladly.

Now, hearing that the Xiao brothers were dining with the Prince of Jin, she had taken the opportunity to come by herself, partly to give face to the future heir of the Xiao clan. In truth, even before all this, the Matriarch had always thought poorly of Xiao Rong as heir.

The matter had begun years ago.

Back then, Matriarch Wang had tried to recommend a few beauties from the Wang clan to Prince Xiao as candidates for a second marriage. But before those portraits ever reached Prince Xiao’s eyes, the young heir, Xiao Rong, had thrown them all into the fire.

Matriarch Wang could still recall what Xiao En, Prince Xiao’s steward, said when he came to the Wang residence afterward.

“The prince appreciates the Matriarch’s kind intention. However, His Highness and the late princess shared deep affection. He has no wish to remarry. Matriarch, please do not act on your own again.”

That last line carried a warning.

From then on, Matriarch Wang never dared bring up the idea again.

However, she had never believed that a man of Prince Xiao’s rank and power truly had no need for women to manage his household. In her mind, Prince Xiao’s refusal must have been because of Xiao Rong and his insolent interference.

The commotion below soon drew attention from upstairs.

Mo Qing stepped out with the Prince of Jin and Xiao Yulin.

“Young Prince?” Mo Qing was startled to see Xiao Rong there.

Xiao Rong had been listening with a cold expression the whole time. He didn’t respond to Mo Qing but turned his gaze to Xiao Yulin instead. “Xiao Yulin,” he said, “if you are to become the heir of the Xiao clan, the first thing you must learn is to reward and punish clearly. Do not let outsiders look down on the Xiao clan, nor think that its sons speak without restraint or discipline. Otherwise, it won’t be just your branch’s honor you taint. It will be the honor of the entire Xiao clan.” Having said that, Xiao Rong turned and left.

Mo Dong immediately followed him.

“Brother, did you hear him—” Xiao Yuke, of course, knew exactly who Xiao Rong’s words had been aimed at and he grew all the more indignant.

“Enough,” Xiao Yulin said sharply. “When we return, you’ll kneel in punishment for three days and be confined for seven.”

Xiao Yuke stared at his brother in disbelief.

Matriarch Wang laughed softly, trying to smooth things over. “Second Young Master only has a straightforward temper, that’s all. Besides, today, it was others who provoked him first. There’s no need to be so harsh, Young Master Yulin.”

However, Xiao Yulin said solemnly, “My younger brother has grown spoiled and unruly. I’m ashamed for letting Matriarch see such behavior. Jade uncarved cannot become a gem. He will accept the punishment.”

Meanwhile, Mo Dong trailed after Xiao Rong down the street. “Don’t listen to their nonsense, young master,” he said quietly. “His Highness will never let Xiao Yulin move into the heir’s quarters.”

Xiao Rong paused.

After a brief silence, he smiled faintly. “Even if he does, it would only be proper.” He had already left the Xiao clan. Such petty matters no longer meant anything to him. Besides, to be fair, when it came to filial devotion or proper conduct, Xiao Yulin truly surpassed him.

At the very least, he could never do as Xiao Yulin did, keeping vigil by Prince Xiao’s bedside whenever the man fell ill or was injured, personally tending to his medicine. Nor could he, on Prince Xiao’s birthday, spend such effort preparing thoughtful gifts just to please him. He had always mocked Xiao Yulin for being hypocritical. Yet he could see that Xiao Yulin’s feelings toward Prince Xiao weren’t mere flattery. There was genuine admiration and respect there.

He could almost picture it: once Xiao Yulin moved into the heir’s quarters, the Xiao Royal Residence would surely become a warm, harmonious household, exactly the sort of scene everyone praised.

He himself had simply grown too used to being overbearing. He refused to admit his own shortcomings, nor would he acknowledge Xiao Yulin’s virtues.

If he were Prince Xiao, he too would favor such a courteous, thoughtful nephew.

And truth be told, after years of rivalry, he understood Xiao Yulin well enough. Compared with others, he would rather have his longtime ‘enemy’ become the Xiao clan’s new heir. He had already thought all this through on the night he decided to leave the Xiao Royal Residence.

What surprised him was how calmly and how generously he could now regard Xiao Yulin.

It was as if these thoughts had long been buried deep in his heart, hidden so well that even he hadn’t realized they were there.

In that moment, Xiao Rong didn’t know whether to laugh at himself or feel relieved.

Because he suddenly understood that it was true that Prince Xiao had used him as a pawn but he himself had never fulfilled the duty of a son either. Between father and son, there was no debt left to settle. He had no right to demand or expect more.

His struggle and his pride had all been for one thing: to prove that he was the irreplaceable heir of the Xiao clan, more than just a piece to be moved on someone else’s board.

In a sense, he should never have competed with Xiao Yulin at all.

Why should he win against him?

He hadn’t even bothered to pretend.

In many ways, he was stubborn to the point of obsession, too devoted to that single word: truth. If something wasn’t real, he would rather not have it.

However, such thoughts and these quiet, secret reflections were not things he would ever tell anyone. Not even Xi Rong.

Once, he had wanted Xi Rong to know that he wasn’t as good as he seemed. But now, his thoughts had changed. So what if he was heartless and unfeeling? If Xi Rong believed he was a good man, then he would make sure Xi Rong always believed it.

He was possessive enough to want a larger place in Xi Rong’s heart, so large that Xi Rong would never be able to forget him.

And with that thought, Xiao Rong’s mood lightened once more.