Accidentally Having a Baby with the Future Emperor - Chapter 127

Outside the tent, thunder rumbled and the rain grew even heavier.

The Emperor, having just heard that an urgent military situation had arisen on the outskirts of the capital, immediately withdrew his smile and asked Zhang Fu, “Do you know what the situation is?”

Zhang Fu’s face had gone a little pale. Bowing, he replied, “It seems to be the bandit traitors under Zhang Qingfang, those rebels we previously wiped out. They appear to have returned.”

“Zhang Qingfang?”

The Emperor was stunned for a moment, then his brows knit sharply. “Wasn’t Zhang Qingfang already beheaded and displayed to the public? How could there still be accomplices?”

Ordinary bandits were called ‘bandit rabble,’ but Zhang Qingfang was called a ‘traitorous rebel’ because he had originally served under Xue Jian, the Military Commissioner of Longyou. In the late emperor’s reign, Xue Jian had been favored by Crown Prince Min Huai and was promoted to Deputy General of the Imperial Guards. But later, during the struggle for the throne, Xue Jian secretly defected to another prince. Using a letter supposedly written in Crown Prince Min Huai’s own hand, inviting him to undertake a great endeavor together, he framed the Crown Prince for plotting treason and regicide. The Crown Prince was ultimately deposed and Xue Jian rose all the way to become a regional military commissioner.

After the current Emperor ascended the throne, Xue Jian feigned submission for three years, then used Longyou as a base to rebel under the banner of avenging Crown Prince Min Huai, stirring up an uprising. Prince Xiao personally led the Silver Dragon Cavalry to Longyou to suppress the rebellion and after two years, the rebel forces were completely crushed. Xue Jian was captured and beheaded.

Zhang Qingfang had been Xue Jian’s most valued general. He was even connected to the Xue family by marriage and addressed Xue Jian as his father-in-law. After Xue Jian’s defeat, Zhang Qingfang led a remnant group of rebels to the outskirts of the capital, becoming mountain bandits and gathering many outlaws, claiming he would avenge Xue Jian. The terrain around the capital was complex and Zhang Qingfang’s military talent was no weaker than Xue Jian’s.

At first, the court didn’t know his true identity and assumed he was just an ordinary bandit. Many soldiers and officers were lost during the attempted suppression. After investigating, Prince Xiao personally oversaw the campaign, ordering Mo Qing to lead the elite Silver Dragon Cavalry to set ambushes around the mountains Zhang Qingfang frequented. They first uncovered several secret grain-transport routes he had built and cut off his supplies. Working together with other Silver Dragon Cavalry generals from within and without, they swept through seven or eight bandit strongholds in one stroke and captured Zhang Qingfang, who had tried to escape disguised as an ordinary hunter, alive, sending him to the Ministry of Justice for trial.

A rebel of Zhang Qingfang’s magnitude was sentenced to immediate decapitation after the Ministry of Justice’s review.

The case was then rechecked by the Court of Judicial Review, then sent to the Secretariat, and finally brought before the Emperor. The Emperor himself had marked the execution edict. After Zhang Qingfang was beheaded, his head was hung at the city gate for seven days and nights, as his crimes were undeniable.

Thus, the Emperor asked the question.

Zhang Fu had no idea how to answer.

At this moment, Cui Daohuan spoke leisurely. Rising to bow, he said, “Regarding this matter, this old minister has heard some rumors.”

Other than Prince Yan, everyone in the tent turned their eyes to the ever-calculating Minister Cui, including Xi Rong and Xiao Rong.

The Emperor was clearly puzzled. “What do you mean, Minister Cui?”

Cui Daohuan said, “This old minister heard that Zhang Qingfang had an elder brother born of the same mother, named Zhang Qingyu. Unlike the rebel Zhang Qingfang, Zhang Qingyu was uneducated, useless in both civil and martial pursuits, an idle rake who cared only for pleasure. But he had one unusual trait: the brothers were not only of the same mother but they were twins. The two had identical faces, with only one difference. Zhang Qingyu had a bean-sized black mole behind his ear. After hearing this rumor, this old minister went to the Ministry of Justice and personally examined the records. The Ministry’s files note that the rebel who was beheaded had a black mole behind his ear, precisely in the same spot and the size of a bean.

“In other words, the one beheaded and displayed back then may very well not have been the real Zhang Qingfang, but his elder twin brother, Zhang Qingyu.”

The Emperor’s brows furrowed even more tightly. “So you are saying the real Zhang Qingfang may still be in hiding?”

Cui Daohuan nodded. “Exactly.”

Silence filled the tent. Only the sound of rain could be heard.

Xi Rong suddenly asked, “If this is true, since Zhang Qingyu was a useless idler, likely timid and afraid of death, why would he willingly take Zhang Qingfang’s place?”

Cui Daohuan sat back down calmly and lifted his sleeve.

“Your Highness raises a good question but it is not one this old minister can answer. You should ask Zhang Qingyu, who is already a victim beneath the executioner’s blade. Perhaps the brothers were deeply bonded, or perhaps Zhang Qingyu was not as worthless as rumors claimed and was willing to die in Zhang Qingfang’s stead.”

After speaking, Cui Daohuan turned to the Emperor, whose brows were drawn in worry. “Your Majesty need not be overly concerned. Even if Zhang Qingfang returns, he is only clinging to his last breath, dreaming foolish dreams of an ant shaking a mighty tree. With the valor of the Silver Dragon Cavalry and Prince Xiao’s strategy, the rebels will surely be annihilated.”

After a short while, the rain ceased. The Emperor returned to the palace directly. Once the officials and generals had sent him off, they dispersed.

The Imperial Guards were beginning to dismantle the tent. Xiao Rong stood in place for a moment when he heard hoofbeats from behind. It was Xi Rong who had ridden over.

“The sky looks like it will rain again later. I’ll take you back.” Xi Rong extended his hand from atop his horse.

There were only a few scattered soldiers and attendants of the Eastern Palace left on the drill field. Xiao Rong smiled, obediently placing his hand in Xi Rong’s and allowing himself to be lifted onto the horse.

The black stallion, proud and wild by nature, could easily kick away Eastern Palace guards, yet showed no resistance toward Xiao Rong, allowing him to stroke its smooth, silky mane.

Light drizzles still slanted across the sky.

Xiao Rong wore only a thin robe. He had felt cold earlier, but now, leaning against Xi Rong’s chest, warmth and comfort sank into him. He closed his eyes, letting the drizzle land softly upon his lashes.

“Don’t worry. I’ve already sent people to investigate the situation on the outskirts. It’s only a remnant band of rebels. They won’t stir up any real trouble.”

Xi Rong’s low voice came from behind.

Xiao Rong opened his eyes. He did not nod nor speak further, only saying, “I just think that the timing of Zhang Qingfang’s appearance is strange. And the matter of Zhang Qingyu dying in his place back then also feels highly suspicious.”

“I have indeed heard a little about this person.”

Xi Rong undid his cloak with one hand and draped it over Xiao Rong’s shoulders. “It’s said he truly is a military genius; cunning, shrewd, and excellent at maneuvering. In those years, Xue Jian was only able to establish a firm foothold in Longyou because Zhang Qingfang ceaselessly offered stratagems. Xue Jian even married his youngest daughter to him for that reason.

“After Xue Jian’s defeat, he gathered the remnants of Xue Jian’s forces under his own banner. These men obeyed him without question, following him through life and death. One can see how much influence he wielded within the army. With his temperament and intelligence, even if Xue Jian had not been crushed, Zhang Qingfang would likely have usurped his authority sooner or later.”

Xiao Rong gave a soft, derisive laugh.

“That man is a faithless slave of three surnames. He framed Crown Prince Min Huai back then, yet still had the shameless audacity to claim he was avenging Crown Prince Min Huai while plotting treason. Utterly brazen beyond measure.”

“Indeed. And according to what I know, the prince whom Zhang Qingfang secretly sided with back then was most likely the Second Prince, the very one backed by the Cui clan.”

Xiao Rong was unsurprised. “So that’s why Cui Daohuan knows so much about Zhang Qingfang.

“I’ve heard from my master that in the late emperor’s reign, Crown Prince Min Huai was virtuous and benevolent. Supported by the Empress’s maternal clan and the prestigious Gao clan of the Five Great Clans and Seven Noble Houses, his position as Crown Prince was unshakable. Had Xue Jian not betrayed him at the critical moment, neither Crown Prince Min Huai nor the Gao clan nor the late Empress Gao would have met such tragic ends. Xue Jian had already risen to Deputy General of the Imperial Guards. Anyone capable of turning him against the Crown Prince could not be an ordinary person. Only the omnipotent Cui clan.”

The two rarely discussed state affairs so earnestly.

Xi Rong continued, “Crown Prince Min Huai’s benevolence was admirable, but in the end, it was also what doomed him. Xue Jian came from a mediocre background. His rapid rise in rank and advancement in such a short time was because he had once shot dead a tiger that suddenly leapt in front of the Crown Prince’s horse during a hunt. The Crown Prince remembered this favor. Not only did he personally promote Xue Jian to important military posts, but he also continued to tolerate Xue Jian’s overstepping and misconduct afterward, indulging a traitor and raising a tiger that would eventually devour him. He never realized that such lenience would not inspire gratitude but only embolden Xue Jian further.”

Xiao Rong looked faintly surprised.

“Your Highness seems quite familiar with the old matters of Crown Prince Min Huai.”

Xi Rong gazed into the distance, his eyes deep and faraway.

“When I was held as a hostage among the barbarians, I often heard my father speak of his elder imperial brother, the Crown Prince.

“What Father spoke of the most was how benevolent and virtuous his brother was, so unlike his own cold and indifferent father. He long hoped that after Crown Prince Min Huai ascended the throne, he would bring him back from the barbarians’ hold. But instead of news of the Crown Prince’s enthronement, he heard of his deposition and imprisonment, falling from a high and noble crown prince to a commoner. For several days afterward, my father hid in his tent and wept loudly, grieving as if he himself had been abolished. Even when he could barely keep himself fed or clothed, he worried about how the fallen Crown Prince would survive in confinement.”

Xi Rong’s tone carried a faint thread of irony.

Xiao Rong said, “No wonder my master often says that His Majesty is weak in benevolence, even more so than Crown Prince Min Huai.”

Xi Rong tugged at the corner of his lips. “My father was indeed weak in benevolence when he lived among the barbarian tribes. So from childhood, I told myself that I must never become a weakling ruled by ‘benevolence,’ nor a deposed crown prince trampled by others.”

Xiao Rong had not expected that beneath Xi Rong’s years of struggle lay such a reason. He asked, “Your Highness’s mother was from the barbarian tribes. When you were young, were you bullied while living among them?”

“Of course. If I were not bullied, that would’ve been the unusual thing.” Xi Rong’s tone was very calm. Then he smiled faintly. “But your father, Prince Xiao, did help my father and me greatly. If not for your father running about negotiating on our behalf, the two of us would likely have died among the barbarians long ago.”

However, bearing the blood of both sides had indeed made Xi Rong’s life extremely difficult, even stirring uncontrollable moments of self-loathing. Thus, when Eastern Palace attendants like Song Yang hinted at matters of heirs and lineage, he never cared and never harbored expectations.

Hearing Xi Rong mention Prince Xiao, Xiao Rong fell silent again, his thoughts scattering like the drifting rain.

When they reached the outer training grounds, the Qi household carriage was already waiting.

Xiao Rong had no choice but to dismount and bid Xi Rong farewell. He boarded the carriage with Grand Chancellor Qi to return to the city.

A Qi household servant personally drove Xiao Rong back to his residence.

As Xiao Rong stepped down from the carriage, he saw a figure silently squatting by the gate of his house.

The moment he saw Xiao Rong return, the person immediately stood up.

It was Mo Dong.

“What are you doing here?” Xiao Rong walked up and asked.

“Your subordinate has been waiting for Young Master to return.” Mo Dong lowered his head as he answered.

Xiao Rong noticed that he was still wearing the same clothes from the night they parted. He gave a cold snort. “Didn’t I tell you to crawl back to wherever you came from?”

Mo Dong replied, “From the day I was dispatched, I have followed Young Master. Other than remaining by your side, your subordinate has nowhere else to go. And these two pills. I’m returning them to Young Master.” Mo Dong opened his hand. Two round, red pills lay on his palm. They had probably been held for too long and soaked by the rain since their surface was already dissolving.

Xiao Rong’s voice grew even colder. “You’re not afraid of being poisoned to death?”

Mo Dong said, “I knew from the start that what the Young Master gave me was only common sugar pills. They wouldn’t kill anyone.”

“…”

For once, Xiao Rong was so furious he choked on his words. He said nothing, simply opened the gate, and walked into the courtyard.

Mo Dong immediately followed.

From a distance, Xi Rong sat atop his horse, watching master and servant enter the residence. Only then did he turn and ride away.

By dusk, the heavy rain returned, several times fiercer than what had fallen at noon.

Xiao Rong had little appetite. Staring at the thick curtain of rain, he sat beneath the eaves for a long while. Even when half his sleeve was soaked by the hail-like downpour, he noticed nothing. It was only when a warm current suddenly surged through his abdomen that Xiao Rong snapped back to awareness.

He stared silently at his waistband for a moment, then turned and went back into the room.

Thunder and torrential rain raged through the night and Xiao Rong barely slept at all. When dawn finally broke, the downpour had eased somewhat. Mo Dong returned with breakfast and Xiao Rong only managed a few bites. Before he could put down his chopsticks, a sudden pounding came from the gate.

It was Xi Rong who had rushed over through the rain.

Xi Rong’s face was unusually pale and a bad premonition surged up inside Xiao Rong.

“What happened?” Xiao Rong asked.

Xi Rong remained silent for a long time before speaking. “News came from the outskirts of the capital last night. During the battle inspection, Prince Xiao was ambushed by Zhang Qingfang’s remaining troops and fell off a cliff. His life or death is unknown. Prince Yan has also gone missing. There are rumors… that Northern Yan might have been involved in the ambush.”

Just then, a muffled rumble of thunder rolled across the sky.

Xiao Rong’s ears rang loudly. He stared at Xi Rong, motionless, unable to speak for a long moment.