Accidentally Having a Baby with the Future Emperor - Chapter 131

“Xiao Rong!”

Seeing the young man’s face clearly, Xiao Wenyao’s expression instantly changed.

Xiao Rong had already dismounted. Bow in hand, he stood there calmly. Hearing the shout, he didn’t respond. He only cast a faint, indifferent glance over. “You recognize me, but I don’t recognize you. Who are you supposed to be? By custom, if you wish to speak to me, you should announce your name first.”

Although Xiao Wenyao came from a remote branch of the clan, he had military merit and had once been promoted by Prince Xiao. He was widely regarded in the clan as a promising rising star. He was also extremely good at cultivating connections. During clan gatherings and banquets, he was almost always present. Not only peers, but even venerable clan elders like Xiao Hao all knew who he was.

This was the first time anyone had ever asked him his name to his face. For Xiao Wenyao, this was the greatest humiliation.

Naturally, Xiao Wenyao was not unfamiliar with Xiao Rong.

Xiao Rong was Prince Xiao’s only son, the exalted heir of the Xiao clan. Too many people wanted to curry favor with him. As someone from a collateral branch, even with approval from Prince Xiao, Xiao Wenyao was far from qualifying. Whenever the heir appeared at major clan events, he could only pay respects from a distance and was never allowed within half a zhang. Besides, Xiao Rong was famously proud and aloof, refusing even to socialize with imperial princes and was notoriously at odds with the members of the Third Branch. Ordinary flattery was useless; one might even humiliate oneself.

This was the first time Xiao Wenyao had faced the legendary heir at such close range.

It was also the first time he felt so clearly the other’s disdain and arrogance.

Over the years, military success had bred much ambition in Xiao Wenyao; his temperament had grown bold and conceited. He never took Xiao Yulin, widely considered the top candidate for the new heir, seriously. During the martial arts tournament, he had intentionally embarrassed Xiao Yulin, tripping him up to show everyone that Xiao Yulin’s gentle, cautious demeanor, though favored by Prince Xiao, was unfit to shoulder the clan’s burden.

However, Xiao Wenyao had never confronted Xiao Rong head-on until now.

His gaze flickered. Enduring the pain in his knees, he tried to stand, but halfway up, he was violently kicked back down by Mo Dong, who appeared like a specter.

Forced back to the ground, Xiao Wenyao could only grit out, “Xiao Rong, you’ve already been expelled from the Xiao clan. What right do you have to appear here, much less meddle in clan affairs?”

Xiao Rong said nothing. He casually tossed aside the bow, walked up to Xiao Wenyao, and slowly drew the long sword at his waist.

The silver blade arced through the air in a graceful curve.

Pinned by Mo Dong, unable to move, Xiao Wenyao could only watch as the sword, engraved with twin dragons, rested against his neck.

Xiao Rong looked down. His gaze was cold and judgmental. “You claim to be a son of the Xiao clan. Then you should know that Xiao clan sons may commit any number of mistakes, save one. Only one is unforgivable: colluding with external enemies and causing chaos within the clan, punishable by death.”

Xiao Wenyao’s eyes flew wide.

The next instant, the silver blade had already slit his throat, sending up a line of blood.

The strike was clean and decisive, without the slightest hesitation.

Xiao Wenyao did not even have time to react before he collapsed with his eyes still wide open. Blood from his neck mingled with the rain and flowed across the ground.

Xiao Rong turned, sweeping his gaze across the surroundings. Coldly, he asked, “Anyone else planning to commit treason as he did?”

Chaos immediately rippled through the crowd.

All eyes fixed on the young man in the jade robe, sword in hand. Seeing the blood that still dripped from the Jade Dragon Sword, not only the soldiers who had followed Xiao Wenyao into Jade Dragon Terrace, but even the clan elders and branch heads standing upon the terrace were utterly shaken. Not a single one spoke.

“This… this humble general would not dare.”

The general closest to Xiao Rong was the first to fall to his knees.

Then more and more generals and soldiers knelt down.

The remaining ones exchanged looks.

“This humble general would not dare!”

“Nor would this general!”

Very quickly, all soldiers knelt and placed their weapons on the ground.

Xiao Hao was the first to hurry down from the terrace.

Xiao Rong sheathed his sword and bowed respectfully. “Granduncle.”

Xiao Hao, overjoyed to the point of trembling, said, “Good child. It is truly wonderful that you’ve returned.”

At that moment, clashing blades sounded suddenly from outside the manor gates.

Everyone’s expression changed. Only now did they recall that Xiao Wenyao had dared storm Jade Dragon Terrace with troops because he had drawn several old generals to his side. At this moment, those old generals still had their forces surrounding the estate.

In some sense, these old generals were a greater threat than Xiao Wenyao himself.

Xiao Rong gripped the Jade Dragon Sword and strode toward the gates.

Mo Dong kicked aside Xiao Wenyao’s corpse and hurried after him alongside Xiao Hao.

Outside the residence, blades bristled in the cold rain. Mo Qing and Zhang He had already led an elite unit of Silver Dragon Cavalry to surround several veteran generals and their troops. Those old generals all wore the same look, grim, fearless, and ready to die. The two sides faced each other in total, breath-held silence.

Until Xiao Rong, loose-robed, stepped out from the residence.

When they saw the Jade Dragon Sword in his hand, the old generals’ expressions flickered, but quickly returned to calm.

Xiao Rong swept his gaze across them and ordered Mo Qing and Zhang He, “Among the Silver Dragon Cavalry, there has never been a case of killing our own. Everyone, lay down your weapons and step back half a zhang.”

Mo Qing raised his hand. The outer ring of Silver Dragon Cavalry immediately retreated in perfect unison.

The alley, choked with sword-light and killing intent just moments ago, suddenly felt far more open.

The old generals exchanged glances, wariness and confusion thick in their eyes.

Xiao Rong walked straight to the center of the encirclement and looked at the oldest general on the right, whose temples were nearly white.

“During the Battle of Longyou, Xue Jian’s rebel forces outnumbered the Silver Dragon Cavalry severalfold. Their weapons and armor were far superior. The new dynasty’s foundation was unstable; the Silver Dragon Cavalry marched far from home and could not even count on the most basic grain supplies. In the dead of winter, the soldiers slept in the open snow. My father, the Prince, ate and lived with the troops; he would rather starve himself than take food from the soldiers’ mouths.

“And even under such dire circumstances, from commanding generals to ordinary soldiers, everyone still charged fearlessly, fought heroically, and defeated the rebellion with fewer against more. If I remember correctly, the first man to scale Longyou’s walls and cut down the rebel banner of Xue Jian’s command was you, Uncle Ma. Your right ear was struck by an enemy arrow back then and you’re nearly deafened. Even now, you can only hear with your left.”

The old general froze. He stared at the young man recounting a deed buried long in dust; emotion surged violently in his eyes.

Xiao Rong turned to the second general.

“Uncle Qi, though you weren’t the first to reach the wall, after Longyou fell and Xue Jian vanished, it was you who led troops searching inside and outside the city for three days and nights, capturing Xue Jian himself, who was disguised as a merchant, trying to slip away. You earned great merit. And it was you who secretly left half your ration on my father’s desk.”

That old general also went still.

Xiao Rong looked to the third.

“Compared to General Ma and General Qi, General Zhu served under my father for a shorter time, but your merits are no less. In the Battle of Longyou, with only one flanking force, you cut off Xue Jian’s line of communication with other rebel units, preventing them from forming support. My father once said that in the Silver Dragon Cavalry, if we speak of sheer ferocity, you may fall short of Mo Qing or Zhang He, but when it comes to endurance and iron resolve, you stand firmly in the top three.”

“Your Highness… Young Prince…” The old general’s lips trembled.

Xiao Rong said, “I know that now that you three have prospered, holding high third-rank and fourth-rank general titles, with fine fields, servants, and grand estates, staying here guarding a small capital region likely feels beneath you. And my father’s promotion of younger officers, leaving the elder ones overlooked, of course fueled your grievance.

“People strive upward, water flows downward. Someone offered you better terms and you repaid the favor, fighting for a higher position, perhaps even reaching Mo Qing’s.”

“Please, Young Prince, no more!” one old general choked out.

“Even if we were beaten to death, we would never dare commit treason against the Prince. Nor harbor any grievance or resentment. If the Prince still lived, we would give our flesh and blood without hesitation. But now that he is gone, how can we watch his life’s achievement fall into the hands of Xiao Jingcheng and be destroyed?!

“To speak plainly to the Young Prince, all three of us bear private enmity with Xiao Jingcheng. He has said that if he ever becomes head of the Xiao clan, he will never spare us. It was our selfish fear and our moment of foolishness that nearly caused this catastrophe!”

“The Young Prince may kill or punish us as you wish.”

“To hear these words from the Young Prince today, we can die without regret.”

The three old generals dismounted together and kneeled in shame.

Xiao Rong drew the Jade Dragon Sword once more. “You are all old subordinates of my father, but military law is immovable. Unauthorized mobilization without the commander’s order is punishable by execution.”

The three had already accepted the consequences the moment they acted. Hearing this, they closed their eyes, exposing their necks.

Xiao Hao had arrived with the Xiao clan members.

He seemed about to speak, but ultimately held his tongue.

Xiao Rong looked at no one, only at the sword’s gleaming edge. “But Shoushan Camp is in peril and the army desperately needs manpower. Today, I will cut a lock of hair in place of your head and grant you a chance to atone through service. Judgment will be passed after the battle.”

The Jade Dragon Sword swept down, shearing a lock of hair from each of their topknots.

The three opened their eyes, trembling, tears spilling freely, then kowtowed to the ground.

Another wave of rain crashed down.

Mo Qing and Zhang He slid off their horses and led the assembled generals to kneel in turn.

“This humble general and his subordinates welcome Your Highness the Young Prince back.”

Xiao Hao exhaled in relief and solemnly knelt as well.

“Granduncle!” Xiao Rong immediately stepped forward to help him up.

Xiao Hao did not move. “You are the heir of the Xiao clan. You deserve to have your granduncle pay respect to you.”

With Xiao Hao kneeling, the clan members behind him all kneeled as well.

“We respectfully welcome the Young Prince’s return.”

Only Xiao Jingcheng and Matriarch Wang were still standing where they were. After a fierce glare from Xiao Hao, even Xiao Jingcheng begrudgingly lowered his knees to the ground.

Only then did Xiao En lead a team of shadow guards out from the dark. Seeing the scene before him, his eyes could not help but redden slightly.

***

“There’s deception. There has to be deception.”

Inside Prince Yan’s command residence, Meng Hui slammed the table and shot to his feet. “If Zhang Qingfang had really buried that much gunpowder, how could he possibly not detonate all of it? Why would he bother laying an extra fuse? And most importantly, that young heir clearly just arrived at Mount Qingping. How could he know exactly how much gunpowder Zhang Qingfang buried?”

Meng Hui slapped his own forehead in frustration. “That cunning brat! We fell for his tricks!”

The room’s atmosphere was as heavy and dreary as the storm outside. Gongsun Yu and Zhang Ran sat off to the side, neither responding.

Meng Hui was so anxious, his voice was practically smoking, “What kind of reaction is that from you two? The brat toyed with us like this! We should be rushing to Mount Qingping this instant to demand justice for the Prince! The Prince disappeared without a reason! How can we just sit here and wait to die? And we must get back the Prince’s Tiger-Lion Pendant!”

Gongsun Yu couldn’t help recalling once more the black jade pendant in the boy’s hand. Thoughtfully, he asked, “Do you truly believe the Tiger-Lion Pendant was snatched by him?”

“What else? You think the Prince got drunk and gave it to him himself?”

Although, admittedly, the entire matter was strange.

Zhang Ran’s eyes were ringed with exhaustion. “What worries me more right now is Northern Yan. The Northern Yan Iron Cavalry has always obeyed only the Prince’s command. With the situation as it is, we must have someone to take charge…”

“Someone to take charge?” Meng Hui grew more irritable. “That’s easy for you to say. The Prince has no sons and the Northern Yan has no heir. Where are we supposed to find a ready-made leader? We can’t possibly put the old clan patriarch of the Yan family in charge.”

Just then, a commotion rose outside. A guard rushed in to report, “General Gongsun, General Zhang, General Meng, the Minister of State Affairs has arrived!”

The three exchanged looks, then immediately got up and went out.

True enough, a large number of Imperial Guards poured into the command residence. The Minister of State Affairs, Cui Daohuan, stepped forward from among them, with two people following behind him.

The moment Gongsun Yu and the others saw the pair, their eyelids twitched.

For the ones who had come with Cui Daohuan were none other than Jing Xi, who had already been expelled from the Northern Yan Army by Prince Yan, and the Jing clan’s patriarch, Jing Qiu.

“Greetings, Minister of State Affairs.” The three suppressed their shock and bowed.

“There is no need for formality.” Cui Daohuan’s face was dark. “Such an incident pains this minister as well. The Northern Yan Iron Cavalry guards the northern border of Da’an and they must not fall into disorder. The urgent matter now is stabilizing the troops. Fortunately, the Thirteenth Protector has appeared in time, relieving this minister of imminent trouble. From today onward, Jing Xi, the Thirteenth Protector, will temporarily command the Northern Yan Army.”

The three could not help their expressions changing drastically.

***

Xiao Rong entered the living quarters of the Jade Dragon Terrace once more.

Xiao En followed behind. “Young Prince, rest assured. All furnishings and objects remain exactly as when you left. This old servant has ordered everything cleaned on schedule every day.”

That was indeed true, for on the bamboo mat before the writing desk, still lay the very book Xiao Rong had tossed aside the night he left.

Xiao Rong did not walk further in. He withdrew his gaze. “Send someone to keep watch at the Eastern Palace gate.”

Xiao En nodded. “This old servant will take care of it at once.”

Xiao Rong asked mildly, “You’re not going to ask me why?”

Xiao En replied, “This old servant understands. When the Crown Prince returns from the outskirts, the Young Prince wishes to be notified immediately.”

Xiao Rong glanced at him.

Xiao En’s expression did not change. “Your garments are soaked through, Young Prince. This old servant has already had the bath prepared. You should bathe and change first.”

Xiao Rong neither confirmed nor denied it.

Xiao En followed him inside to help remove his drenched outer robe.

Having raised the Young Prince since childhood, Xiao En had always attended to every detail of his daily life with utmost care. Naturally, he knew the precise measurements of every part of his body.

However, as he reached for the inner robe, his hands suddenly froze. Xiao En sharply lifted his head.

Xiao Rong looked utterly calm. “You’ve seen it before. What is there to be startled about?”

Xiao En: !!!

His vision went dark and he nearly collapsed on the spot.