Accidentally Having a Baby with the Future Emperor - Chapter 110

Leaving the training field, Xiao Rong did not return home immediately.

Instead, he had Mo Dong stop the carriage in a busy marketplace and he strolled leisurely down the street until he came upon a small roadside tea stall. He asked for two bowls of cold tea.

Mo Dong sat opposite him. When he looked up, he noticed two men in brocade robes sitting a few tables away, surrounded by attendants. They sipped their tea while glancing their way, too casually to be natural. Mo Dong lowered his voice and said to Xiao Rong, who seemed lost in thought as he gazed into the distance, “Young master, those two seem to be watching us.”

Xiao Rong turned his head slightly for a glance. The two men immediately looked down, pretending to chat and laugh.

“Pay them no mind,” Xiao Rong said, withdrawing his gaze, not particularly concerned.

When they finished their tea, he pulled a few copper coins from his sleeve, placed them on the table, and left with Mo Dong.

The two men stopped talking and lifted their heads.

They were none other than Jing Qiu and Jing Si.

Watching Xiao Rong’s departing figure, Jing Si murmured, “That guard seemed to notice us just now.”

Jing Qiu was calm and practiced. “We’ve only just come from Northern Yan. There’s no way they could recognize us. Even if they did, it matters little.”

Jing Si nodded. “That boy is cunning. He tricked Xi’er badly today. Fortunately, that Xiao Yuke didn’t hit the prize target either, or the situation would’ve been much harder to smooth over.”

“Indeed.” Jing Qiu’s expression darkened with irritation. “If not for that boy’s interference, after months of training, Xi’er would have won the contest outright and earned Prince Yan’s full admiration.”

“So, what do you plan to do, Brother?” Jing Si asked.

Jing Qiu stroked his short beard. “He may be the son of Prince Xiao, but now that he’s separated from the Xiao clan, he’s like a tree without roots, no real threat. What concerns me more is whether Xi’er can keep his temper. For the next few days, you must have men keep a close watch on him. Don’t let him act rashly.

“As for the boy… keep an eye on him. Once the martial arts tournament ends, we’ll find a chance to teach him a lesson, just enough to let Xi’er vent his anger.”

Jing Si nodded approvingly. “You always think ahead, Brother. Fortunately, His Highness Prince Yan has always been fond of Xi’er. As long as he performs well in the upcoming rounds, he’ll surely win back the Prince’s favor.”

***

“Young master,” Mo Dong said hesitantly once they had left the tea stall, “those two back there, their accents sounded northern.”

Xiao Rong’s lips curved faintly. “You guessed right. They’re from the Jing clan.”

“The Jing clan?” Mo Dong frowned, recalling the arrogant youth who had blocked the heir’s carriage that night: the Thirteenth Protector under Prince Yan, Jing Xi.

Xiao Rong nodded. “I’ve seen them before. The plump one is Jing Xi’s father, Jing Qiu, the current head of the Jing clan.”

Two years ago, when Xiao Rong first arrived in Northern Yan, he had not immediately entered the northern army camp. The camp was heavily guarded and no disguise or forged identity could easily get him through.

He spent a month traveling across the northern lands, sampling their local foods and mapping out the tangled web of regional powers, among them, the newly risen Jing clan.

The Jing clan had prospered rapidly thanks to Jing Xi’s favor with Prince Yan, rising from a minor house to a northern powerhouse. Xiao Rong had even attended a full-moon banquet at their estate where he’d first met Jing Qiu. There, he had overheard that in order to curry favor with Prince Yan and strengthen Jing Xi’s position, Jing Qiu spent lavishly every year on rare medicinal herbs, sending them directly to the northern army camp.

Xiao Rong seized that opportunity. After observing for several days, he slipped into the Jing clan’s convoy escorting those herbs and entered the camp unnoticed. By chance, he helped an old army physician with some minor tasks and was kept on as a medical apprentice in the infirmary.

On his very first day in the infirmary, he encountered Jing Xi, who had just returned from a hunting expedition with Prince Yan.

Prince Yan, Yan Ju, held command over a hundred thousand cavalry in the north. His power had already begun to slip beyond imperial control. It was said that although he had little interest in wine or women, he had a singular passion for the hunt.

At that time, there were, of course, many generals and guards surrounding Prince Yan, but Jing Xi stood out the most, both in appearance and bearing, and was the one closest to the Prince himself.

Before entering the Northern Yan army camp, Xiao Rong had already heard that Prince Yan’s favorite was the Thirteenth Protector, Jing Xi, although it was only a rumor then.

The moment Xiao Rong saw him, he knew the rumors were true.

Blending in among the soldiers with a few other medical apprentices to watch the commotion, Xiao Rong had only one thought.

‘So this is Prince Yan’s judgment. How disappointing.’

With thirteen protectors to choose from of all shapes and kinds, even blindfolded, he would never have chosen Jing Xi.

Mo Dong did not know that Xiao Rong had once gone to Northern Yan two years ago. Hearing this, he was startled, his brows knitting tighter. “Young master, you humiliated Jing Xi in front of everyone today. Could those men be here to avenge him?”

Xiao Rong thought for a moment and then shook his head. “Jing Qiu is a worldly, smooth-tongued man, unlike Jing Xi. This is the capital, so they wouldn’t dare act recklessly here. But since I bested Prince Yan’s beloved Thirteenth Protector, it won’t just be the Jing father and son who wish to settle scores with me.”

Mo Dong understood at once who he meant. It was most likely Prince Yan himself, that ruthless, prideful man known for repaying every slight. His tone grew anxious. “Should I make any preparations, young master?”

Xiao Rong remained perfectly calm, shaking his head.

“No need. Even if you notice we’re being tailed, no matter by how many, act as if you don’t see them.”

***

Du Zifang glanced at the row of iron cages lined up across the Ministry of War’s courtyard, each containing a different kind of fierce northern beast, and felt his scalp go numb. Wiping the sweat from his forehead, he lifted the curtain and entered the main hall.

“This humble official greets His Highness Prince Yan.”

He bowed deeply to Prince Yan, who sat on the main seat in a dark robe embroidered with serpents, eyes half closed. Seeing no reaction, Du Zifang’s forehead grew damp again. He forced a smile.

“Your Highness, I did not know you were coming. Please forgive my failure to welcome you properly. Might I ask what brings Your Highness to the Ministry today?”

Du Zifang had been out attending affairs when his subordinates came running to report that Prince Yan had suddenly arrived at the Ministry of War, bringing with him a collection of northern beasts and having them displayed right in the courtyard. Terrified, the clerks had all hidden indoors and officials from other ministries refused to come near. Du Zifang had rushed back at once.

“Where is Xiao Jingming?”

After a long silence, Prince Yan finally spoke, his tone even and his mood unreadable.

Only this northern war god dared to call Prince Xiao by name so casually.

Du Zifang’s heart clenched again.

Indeed, for over ten years now, Prince Yan had opposed Prince Xiao at every turn, even inserting insults into military reports, cursing him between the lines, making life in the Ministry of War unbearable. And now, the Prince had been in the capital for less than a day before coming straight to confront them.

However, Du Zifang was quick-witted and tactful. He smiled and said, “Your Highness has come at an unfortunate time. Prince Xiao is not presently in the Ministry of War.”

The Prince opened his eyes. “Then go tell Xiao Jingming that I am waiting for him here.”

“Ah… well…” Du Zifang looked troubled. “Prince Xiao is extremely busy. Even if I send word, it may not reach him at once… But at the afternoon drills, Your Highness will surely see him there.”

A shadow flickered across the Prince’s gaze. He unfastened his riding whip and placed it on the desk with a thud. “I will not wait until afternoon. Tell Xiao Jingming that if he doesn’t come, I’ll simply stay here in the Ministry of War.”

Du Zifang hurried out, mounted his horse, and galloped straight to the palace gates. Showing his identification, he dismounted and went directly to the Central Secretariat.

“Prince Yan said that if Your Highness does not meet him, he will stay in the Ministry of War.” Standing respectfully in the duty room, Du Zifang addressed Prince Xiao, who stood by the window, hands clasped behind his back.

Prince Xiao tapped his fingers against the jade ring he wore, silent for a long moment, before saying mildly, “Ignore him. If he wishes to stay, give him a room.”

Du Zifang blinked and then quickly bowed. “Yes, Your Highness.”

Meanwhile, Cui Daohuan had also received word from his informants.

“I heard Prince Yan brought all the fierce beasts from his journey and placed them in the Ministry of War’s courtyard, causing such chaos that no one can sleep easily. Prince Xiao still hasn’t shown himself.”

Cui Daohuan stroked his beard and laughed heartily. “In this world, only Yan Ju would dare humiliate Xiao Jingming like that.”

“The Minister of State Affairs truly has divine foresight,” another said. “At today’s banquet, he deliberately brought up the matter of Xiao Rong forcing Gongsun Yu to kneel in public. Prince Yan is vindictive to the bone. How could he possibly let go of such a chance to strike at Prince Xiao?”

Cui Daohuan smiled in satisfaction. “The fiercer their conflict, the better. Ever since Xiao Jingming was granted his title and took charge of the Central Secretariat, the Cui clan has been gravely weakened, no longer the mighty family we were under the late emperor. These past years, I’ve had to bow and scrape before him. Now, his good days are about to end.”

***

That afternoon’s routine drills proceeded as usual.

As soon as Xiao Rong sat down, a soldier dressed in dark armor approached, carrying a tray.

“Our Prince sends this to the Young Prince,” the soldier said respectfully. “Please, taste it.”

Mo Dong eyed the tray warily. It wasn’t northern spirits, nor anything else from the North. Just two skewers of candied hawthorn, neatly wrapped in cowhide paper.

After delivering them, the soldier withdrew.

“Why would Prince Yan send such a thing to you, young master?” Mo Dong asked in confusion.

If he meant to poison him, the wine would have been a far easier choice.

Xiao Rong found it even stranger. His instinct told him this was likely a prank meant to unnerve him. The hand hidden in his sleeve clenched into a fist. “Throw it away later. Feed it to the dogs.”

That afternoon, Prince Xiao remained absent, occupied with important affairs at the Central Secretariat.

Minister Cui Daohuan still laughed and chatted merrily with Prince Yan.

Jing Xi, usually arrogant, was on his best behavior, taking wine jars from the soldiers and personally pouring drinks for each northern general.

Everyone knew he was humbling himself because he’d lost face at the archery contest earlier that morning. They all saw through it but chose not to speak.

Jing Xi poured wine for every general but deliberately ignored Gongsun Yu.

Gongsun Yu instantly understood. Jing Xi must have thought he was the one who leaked the incident outside the palace gates that night to the Cui clan, who then brought it up before Prince Yan.

“He’s holding a grudge against you. Why not explain yourself?” Zhang Ran whispered.

Gongsun Yu poured himself a cup and drank it in one go. “Explanations are useless. Better not bother.”

The two were brothers-in-arms who had fought side by side. Zhang Ran urged earnestly, “I’ve heard Jing Qiu and Jing Si have also slipped quietly into the capital. Jing Xi even volunteered to take part in tomorrow’s archery contest to redeem himself. The Jing brothers are clever and Jing Xi is eager to please. It’s only a matter of time before the Prince forgives him. You should leave yourself a way out.”

Gongsun Yu sighed. Back in Songzhou, he and Jing Xi, the former Thirteenth Protector, had already become bitter rivals. “My own fate and honor don’t matter,” he said quietly. “I only pity our Prince. That the vast foundation of Northern Yan must someday fall into the hands of someone so narrow-minded…”

By the time the drills ended, the sun was setting.

As Xiao Rong left the training grounds, Mo Dong whispered, “Young master, several people are tailing us. One of them looks familiar. It seems to be the same guard who followed Jing Xi that night.”

Xiao Rong’s lips curved slightly. “The weather’s fine today and it’s still early. I feel like taking a ride outside the city. Go prepare the carriage.”

“Which gate shall we take, young master?”

“The west gate.”

“Yes, young master.”

Once Xiao Rong was seated, Mo Dong took the reins and drove the carriage toward the western gate.

Outside the western gate ran an official road as well, but compared with the other three gates, it was far more desolate. At its end, the road split into two narrow paths. As dusk deepened, there were scarcely any travelers left in sight and the thickets on both sides grew denser and denser.

Mo Dong drove the carriage some distance along one of the roads when, suddenly, two mounted figures appeared ahead. In the next instant, more riders emerged from both flanks and the rear.

Within moments, they had the carriage surrounded.

“Xiao Rong!” Jing Xi appeared, astride a tall horse, eyes fixed coldly on the closed carriage door. “Today is the day you die!”

A soft laugh answered him.

Mo Dong leapt down, set the footstool in place, and Xiao Rong stepped out unhurriedly.

He stood atop the lacquered step, wide sleeves stirring in the wind. Lifting his gaze, he looked at Jing Xi and said, “I told you before, useless trash like you should’ve stayed quietly in Northern Yan instead of running wild in the capital.”

Jing Xi, who had suffered defeat after defeat at Xiao Rong’s hands, already hated him to the bone. He was about to lash back when his face suddenly changed.

From behind the earthen slopes on both sides of the muddy road, troops burst forth with weapons flashing as they charged.

Jing Xi had come secretly today, bringing only a small number of trusted followers. In an instant, the situation reversed and he and his men were completely surrounded.

Xiao Rong raised his hand slightly.

Mo Dong drew his sword and sprang forward. Taking advantage of the chaos in Jing Xi’s ranks, he cut a path through with swift, precise strokes, leapt onto Jing Xi’s horse, and seized him.

Half an hour later, Mo Dong emerged from a cave in the outskirts of the capital and reported to Xiao Rong, who stood outside. “Young master, the man has been knocked out and tied up inside. All of Jing Xi’s attendants have been dealt with.”

Xiao Rong nodded.

Mo Dong asked, “Young master, will you be handing him over to the Court of Judicial Review for judgment?”

Xiao Rong gave him a strange look. “And why would I hand him over to them?”

Mo Dong blinked, confused. “Then, why capture him at all, young master?”

Jing Xi’s status was far from ordinary. Any misstep in handling him could cause serious trouble.

Xiao Rong crossed his arms and smiled.

“He’s Yan Ju’s dearest treasure,” he said. “What do you think I plan to do with him?”