Accidentally Having a Baby with the Future Emperor - Chapter 126

I would not be updating the novel here any longer. Please head to Mistmint Haven for continuous updates. See yall there~

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“The battle had barely ended and you already started a public brawl! What kind of disgraceful conduct is that! Is this how you think you should represent the Silver Dragon Cavalry and His Highness?!”

Mo Qing was furious. He ordered that Xiao Yuke and Xiao Wenyao be taken into custody, then sent deputy generals to question them separately, and soon roughly pieced together what had happened.

Ordinary scuffles between officers were usually nothing significant, certainly not something that needed to alarm Prince Xiao.

However, what happened today was of an entirely different nature.

Mo Qing first summoned the veteran general who had been defending the formation alongside Xiao Yuke to ask about the situation at the time. The old general thought for a moment and then carefully replied, “There was nothing wrong with Xiao Yuke’s command. It’s true that Xiao Wenyao made some mistakes in his positioning, but he corrected them quickly. And when he fought Zhang Ran, it was obvious he was giving his all. He even got his arm wounded.

“Besides, in this humble officer’s opinion, the blame cannot lie entirely with Xiao Wenyao. Before the match, Young Master Yulin suddenly changed positions on the Prince of Jin’s behalf, which altered the deployment of the flank where Xiao Wenyao was stationed. That he would make a mistake under such sudden change is understandable.”

Mo Qing lifted his gaze and the old general immediately lowered his gaze and muttered softly, “Naturally, this is only my personal view.”

Mo Qing let out a cold laugh. “We’ve all served by His Highness’s side for many years, so save the riddles. Don’t circle around me. Just tell me plainly; you take issue with the Prince of Jin changing positions, don’t you?”

The old general stayed silent for a while, then raised his head again, stiffened his neck, and gritted his teeth.

“Since the General wants me to speak, I’ll speak plainly. Leaving aside that changing generals or switching positions at the last moment is a major taboo on its own, the Prince of Jin participating in the martial arts tournament is already riddled with problems. As a pampered imperial prince, if he wished to show some performance, he could have simply joined the individual matches or the first day’s formation drills. In a two-army confrontation, the situation shifts in an instant; even one soldier used improperly can affect the battlefield. For the Prince of Jin to squeeze himself in, isn’t that treating military law as a child’s game?

“I do not understand what Prince Xiao was thinking, allowing the Wang clan and the Prince of Jin to act so recklessly.

“And in today’s match, if the Prince of Jin had properly held the rear flank, Zhang Ran could never have succeeded with his sneak attack and the flank wouldn’t have been so easily breached. No matter how lacking Xiao Wenyao may be, his military merits are real. Without the Prince of Jin dragging him down, he might well have succeeded in defending the flank today.

“Young Master Yulin was also a problem. Even if Prince Xiao agreed to let the Prince of Jin participate, he should never have allowed the Prince of Jin to guard the flank in the first place, just because he volunteered. And once the Prince of Jin lost his nerve, he should not have reassigned him to the rear.”

Mo Qing said coldly, “His Highness has his own considerations. Is that something you or I are qualified to second-guess?

“What is this? I truly didn’t know that within the Silver Dragon Cavalry, we’ve already descended to the level of mountain bandits, splitting into factions and planting your own banners. Are you implying that the young master of the Third Branch isn’t qualified to be heir and only Xiao Wenyao is?

“You people criticize Young Master Yulin and His Highness, but have you reflected on yourselves at all? Did you do your utmost while defending the formation today? Even if the Prince of Jin had not made any mistakes, could you truly have upheld the honor of the Silver Dragon Cavalry today?

“Telling me this is one thing, but would you dare speak the same words before His Highness himself?

“The honor of the Silver Dragon Cavalry was carved out by His Highness rising early and working late, and by our soldiers fighting with their blades and blood, not the sort of trash in the Imperial Guards who sit around eating imperial grain. The fact that His Highness promotes young generals is not an excuse for your laziness and inaction. As for who is qualified to be heir of the Xiao clan, that is for the Prince to decide, not for any of you to comment on.”

Mo Qing’s words showed no mercy.

The old general’s face flushed in shame. With nothing more to say and thoroughly humiliated, he withdrew.

The deputy general standing to the side watched Mo Qing’s expression and cautiously asked, “General, should we continue holding Xiao Wenyao and Xiao Yuke? Xiao Wenyao’s arm is indeed injured and he needs the army physician.”

Mo Qing asked, “What are their respective attitudes regarding today’s incident?”

The deputy replied, “Xiao Wenyao’s attitude is quite sincere. He admits that he shouldn’t have fought with Xiao Yuke over a moment of anger and is willing to accept any punishment, including responsibility for his mistake during the match. Xiao Yuke, however, is still agitated, insisting that Xiao Wenyao intentionally took the wrong position while guarding the formation. He requests that you investigate thoroughly and heavily punish Xiao Wenyao.”

Mo Qing shook his head with a sigh.

Affairs in the army look simple with every rule clear and strict, but in truth, the handling of them is tangled and full of constraints. One misstep in judgment could stir unrest among the troops.

“How has Xiao Wenyao behaved in the army lately?” Mo Qing asked again.

The deputy general thought a moment. “He has fulfilled all duties, including roll calls, drills, and patrols, without any fault. But, I’ve heard some rumors that lately, Xiao Wenyao has been getting close to several old generals, even delivering valuable gifts to their residences. He also privately complained that the Prince of Jin wasn’t familiar with military formations and performed mediocrely in drills, dragging down the Silver Dragon Cavalry. Yet when the Prince of Jin was present, Xiao Wenyao was extremely warm and attentive to him. On a few mountain patrols, Xiao Wenyao even volunteered to accompany him.

“But to be fair, the Prince of Jin is the heir to the throne personally chosen by Prince Xiao. Xiao Wenyao doing such things is not exactly inappropriate, so no one can fault him for it. The only oddity is that he flatters the Prince of Jin while simultaneously complaining behind his back about His Highness participating in the match.”

At this point, how could Mo Qing still fail to see?

Xiao Wenyao’s series of actions clearly showed his ambition for the heir position. He was exploiting the old generals’ resentment toward the Prince of Jin’s participation in the battle to stoke dissatisfaction and win support, while simultaneously ingratiating himself with the Prince of Jin to pave his own path.

In today’s incident, Xiao Yulin’s last-minute adjustment of the Prince of Jin’s position was indeed improper. If Mo Qing punished Xiao Wenyao heavily, it would stir the old generals’ dissatisfaction and if things were blown out of proportion, it would also place the Prince of Jin in an extremely awkward position.

Most of the Xiao clan’s young men pursued civil careers. Among the martial ones, in terms of military merit and performance, Xiao Wenyao was indeed outstanding. It was natural that he would covet the position of heir. If not him, certainly other collateral branches would as well. As for whether Xiao Wenyao’s error today was accidental or intentional, there was no solid proof either way.

What truly troubled Mo Qing was that Xiao Wenyao, barely in his twenties, already possessed such meticulous scheming and deep calculation. When Xiao Yulin truly became heir someday, would he be able to control someone with such ambition?

And in the Xiao clan, there was more than one Xiao Wenyao.

Naturally, clan matters were not his to decide. However, because it concerned the heir dispute, Mo Qing had to handle it all the more carefully.

Mo Qing sat for a moment, then made up his mind, and said, “Pass down my order. Xiao Yuke and Xiao Wenyao openly defied military law by engaging in a violent fight. Once we return to camp, each will be given fifty strokes as a warning to others.”

***

Xiao Yuke and Xiao Wenyao were temporarily released.

All commanding generals and soldiers who participated in the battle withdrew from the field to receive the Emperor’s praise and generous rewards.

As the winning side, Gongsun Yu and Zhang Ran naturally received the most. The Emperor directly granted each three hundred taels of gold. Other Northern Yan generals and participating soldiers were also rewarded. On the Silver Dragon Cavalry’s side, the young generals represented by Xiao Yuke, though they failed to hold the formation, also received rewards and high praise from the Emperor.

Xiao Rong found the scene dull. Making an excuse, he quietly slipped away and went to a small stream outside the martial arts arena to enjoy the wind.

“What are you looking at?”

A voice suddenly sounded behind him.

Xiao Rong turned back warily and saw Prince Yan strolling out slowly from behind a tent, hands clasped behind his back.

Prince Yan was still dressed in a black python-embroidered robe, with the qilin jade belt exclusive to the Prince of Northern Yan around his waist. Hanging from the belt was a very peculiar piece of black jade pendant.

Xiao Rong pretended to be admiring the scenery and ignored him.

Prince Yan walked over on his own, rubbing his nose. “That formation you came up with today wasn’t bad. You’ve got some skill. Shame the people guarding it were useless and completely wasted your effort. If I were you, I’d be cursing them bloody. Can you really swallow that anger? Another thing is, since the formation was yours, why were you so generous as to give it away?”

Xiao Rong wasn’t surprised Prince Yan had guessed the truth. He snorted. “What does that have to do with you? All you need to know is that your so-called Fish-Scale Formation is not the best in the world.”

“You’re quite magnanimous.” Prince Yan clasped his hands behind him, stepping onto a rock beside Xiao Rong. The hem of his python robe fluttered in the wind. “But your formation today wasn’t completely flawless. It still has some gaps that could be improved.”

Xiao Rong stayed silent.

His word was indeed true. With his current knowledge and foundation in formations, he simply could not yet push further to fill in those weaknesses.

After he escaped the Northern Yan camp, he would sometimes ponder how to break the Fish-Scale Formation, created specifically to aim at the weakness of the Long-Serpent Formation, but his thoughts were scattered and never formed a complete system.

Later, he spent three days and nights on Jade Dragon Terrace writing that battle plan, including the full structure of the Eagle Formation. He had simulated and refined it countless times and believed it was quite an achievement. Yet Yan Ju needed only one glance today to identify its flaws. As the rumors said, his skill in battlefield formations was indeed extraordinary.

Judging by his tone, he had already figured out the solution. Xiao Rong’s desire to learn surged. If this answer were in someone else’s hands, he would have coaxed or forced it out no matter what. But it had to be Yan Ju.

Would Yan Ju be so kind as to hand him the answer, giving the Silver Dragon Cavalry a chance to counter Northern Yan Iron Cavalry in the future?

This man was obviously dangling a bait, waiting for him to bite. He probably harbored an ulterior motive. Why would Xiao Rong fall for it?

Suppressing the agitation in his chest, Xiao Rong remained calm. “I’ll figure out the improvements myself.”

Prince Yan nodded with a smile. “Ambitious! Truly worthy of—” He skipped the rest of his sentence, then said cheerfully, “I love discussing formations with others. Shame my men are too incompetent; I’d only embarrass them. But you are born with talent and make me want to claim you as a close confidant. If you want to know the answer, come to my command tent anytime.

“Take this. No one will dare stop you.”

Xiao Rong glanced down. Something cold had already been placed in his hand.

He opened his palm. It was the black jade pendant with an unusual shape. The back bore an ancient totem he didn’t recognize, like an old script. The front was carved with a bold, sharp ‘Yan.’

Prince Yan was already walking away.

Xiao Rong’s first instinct was to toss the pitch-black thing into the river. After a moment’s thought, he tightened his grip and refrained.

Just then, thunder rumbled across the sky. The fine drizzle suddenly slanted sharply as the wind picked up.

Xiao Rong stood alone by the stream for a while. When the rain grew heavier, he prepared to turn back. Suddenly, he felt something cold and damp brushing his feet. Looking closely, he realized the water had surged up, soaking his boot.

He normally acted carelessly and didn’t mind. He lifted his foot, then a hand suddenly reached out from the side and lightly gripped his ankle.

Xiao Rong looked over and saw Xi Rong, appearing silently at some point.

Xi Rong was still wearing the black armor from the battle, his freshly cleaned long sword strapped at his waist. The usually upright and restrained man now still carried the lingering sharpness of battle.

Xiao Rong asked, “Why is Your Highness here?”

“I saw you leave your seat and followed,” Xi Rong answered plainly.

Xiao Rong tapped his chin with his folding fan, his eyes smiling. “So, Your Highness has been eavesdropping in the shadows for quite a while.”

“I saw Prince Yan approach, so I didn’t come closer.” Xi Rong knelt on one knee and checked the soaked boots. “The stream here is too cold. It’ll be uncomfortable if you stay like this. I’ll help you change into a dry pair.”

Now that he mentioned it, Xiao Rong did indeed feel unwell. And with his current condition, he really couldn’t risk catching a chill.

Xiao Rong wrinkled his nose. “I didn’t bring extra boots or socks.”

“No problem.” In the next moment, Xi Rong rose to his feet, slid an arm under Xiao Rong’s knees, and lifted him, placing him onto a clean, dry stone away from the water.

Then, like performing a magic trick, he took out a clean pair of boots and socks from inside his cloak. It was a pair of plain, white boots embroidered with faint orchid patterns, elegant and immaculate.

Xi Rong first removed Xiao Rong’s wet boots and socks, carefully replaced them with the clean ones, then helped him slip into the new boots.

They fit perfectly down to the last fraction.

This stream was screened by shrubs and large hanging drapes. Most officials were still at the banquet, so the place was safe and well hidden. Xiao Rong therefore let Xi Rong do as he pleased, completely at ease. He still propped his chin with his folding fan, watching Xi Rong’s movements with interest as he asked in surprise, “Your Highness, why do you have boots and socks in my size?”

Xi Rong stayed silent.

He could not tell Xiao Rong that when they left that little wooden hut in Songzhou, he had secretly taken one of his old pairs of boots and socks, keeping them close to his person and taking them out at night to reminisce.

After arriving in the capital, he had specifically ordered palace attendants to make a new pair following those exact measurements and placed them by his bedside.

Just seeing those boots and socks allowed him to remember every night in Songzhou, of how he picked up the boy’s footwear scattered all over the floor, neatly arranging them, and helping him put them on the next morning.

He did not dare reveal such obsessive and nearly deranged behavior to Xiao Rong, lest he frighten him.

Xiao Rong naturally knew nothing of Xi Rong’s thoughts. However, Xi Rong would never carry a brand-new pair into the formation battle. Clearly, he had returned to the tent to fetch them after noticing Xiao Rong’s boots had gotten wet.

That thoughtfulness alone left Xiao Rong sweetly pleased.

“Tsk, who would’ve thought our illustrious Crown Prince humbling himself to serve someone like that? This Xiao Rong really has impressive means.”

Not far away, Cui Cheng sneered, speaking to Cui Xie, who stood in the shadows of the trees with a dark face.

“Shameless.”

Cui Xie clenched his fists, spitting out the words through gritted teeth.

Once the boots and socks were changed, Xiao Rong and Xi Rong walked back together.

Zhang Fu hurried over, sweeping his horsetail whisk anxiously. “Oh dear, Young Prince, why did you hide yourself here? This old servant has been searching everywhere. His Majesty has prepared hot tea in the imperial tent to warm the Young Prince up. Please go at once. The Crown Prince should come quickly as well. His Majesty is in fine spirits today. The Prince of Wei and the Prince of Jin are both accompanying him.”

So Xiao Rong and Xi Rong went toward the imperial tent together.

Inside, many people were already seated, including the Prince of Wei, the Prince of Jin, Prince Xiao, Prince Yan, Grand Chancellor Qi, Cui Daohuan, and several senior officials, as well as Matriarch Wang and her attendants.

As soon as the two entered, everyone turned their heads.

Seeing Xi Rong follow closely behind Xiao Rong, Prince Yan visibly frowned, showing clear displeasure.

After they saluted, Xi Rong took the empty seat beside the Prince of Wei, while Xiao Rong sat at the far end on the right.

The Emperor smiled warmly. “Rongrong, We heard the Eagle Formation used by the Silver Dragon Cavalry today was your creation. We were just praising you to your father, how not only are you well-read, but you are gifted in military formations as well. It truly amazes Us. Why sit so far away? Hurry and sit beside your father.”

Xiao Rong lowered his gaze and answered respectfully, “This humble subject is of low rank. Sharing a seat with Prince Xiao would not follow proper decorum.” Xiao Rong felt speechless inside. Even at a time like this, the Emperor still tried to smooth things over.

The expressions in the tent shifted subtly.

Matriarch Wang curled her lips faintly, while Cui Daohuan stroked his beard with a smile but said nothing. Only Prince Xiao’s expression remained calm and unchanged.

A helpless look flickered in the Emperor’s eyes. He sighed and did not press the matter further. He turned instead to Prince Xiao and Prince Yan, who sat facing each other like two opposing fronts. His gaze was earnest. “You two are pillars of Our reign. As the saying goes, better to untie a knot than tighten it. For Our sake, why not bury past grievances and mend relations?”

Prince Xiao replied coolly, “Your Majesty overstates it. Prince Yan and I draw our boundaries clearly; we do not interfere with each other. Where would grudges come from?”

“Prince Xiao is quite right.” Prince Yan’s fingers tightened around his wine cup. A thin crack slowly spread across its surface. “A broken cup can never be restored, how much less the hearts of people.”

Deep helplessness and complicated emotion once again clouded the Emperor’s eyes.

At that moment, rapid hoofbeats sounded outside the tent. Soon after, Wang Fulai entered and knelt. “Your Majesty, General Mo Qing requests an audience with Prince Xiao. There is urgent military news from the outskirts of the capital!”

Prince Xiao set down his wine cup. After taking leave of the Emperor, he rose and left the tent.

Cui Daohuan glanced toward Prince Yan’s side, raised his cup, and offered him a thin smile.

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I would not be updating the novel here any longer. Please head to Mistmint Haven for continuous updates. See yall there~