Accidentally Having a Baby with the Future Emperor - Chapter 132

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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It actually didn’t show much; one could even call it flat. But Xiao En had come from the Inner Court and excelled at noticing the smallest details. The young man’s figure had always been slender and straight as bamboo, elegant and upright, so even the slightest change could not escape those sharp, fire-seeing eyes of the old eunuch.

Xiao En’s mind buzzed loudly as he began to calculate.

At this degree… it should be close to three months.

Which meant that when the Young Prince left the Xiao clan, he had already—

And when he left the Xiao clan, it had not even been two months since the Young Prince returned to the capital from Songzhou Prefecture.

Pushing further back, this meant that back in Songzhou Prefecture, the Young Prince had already—

Xiao En’s vision went dark again.

The old eunuch, who had weathered two reigns and seen countless storms, was rarely so flustered.

The Young Prince’s origins were secret, though to him, of course, they were no secret.

Such a tremendous matter and the Young Prince had concealed it alone for so long, keeping everyone in the dark, including the Prince.

How bold he was.

Xiao Rong remained utterly calm, not even lifting his eyelids. Since he had returned to the Xiao clan, he no longer intended to hide it from Xiao En. Sooner or later, Xiao En would discover it anyway. Before, he had needed to worry about Prince Xiao and the clan’s stance. Now, he didn’t need to worry about anyone or anything.

“Why didn’t the Young Prince tell me sooner?” Xiao En couldn’t help asking.

Xiao Rong’s tone was mild. “It’s my private affair.”

Who could he have told?

Prince Xiao would never tolerate it and he would erupt in fury. As for Xi Rong, putting everything else aside, he couldn’t even begin to explain it.

How could Xiao En not understand? His heart ached. “Setting others aside, the Young Prince should not have hidden it from the Prince. If the Prince had known, even if he grew angry, he would never have allowed the Young Prince to leave the Xiao clan.”

Xiao Rong shed his inner robe and stepped into the bath barrel, letting the hot water envelop him.

In the past, he would certainly have argued back. Now, he didn’t want to say anything. Prince Xiao was gone. There was no point clinging to that breath of defiance.

“The Young Prince misunderstands the Prince far too deeply,” Xiao En said, taking up a clean cloth as he served at the side, sighing with melancholy. “The Young Prince is the Prince’s only blood. How could the Prince not care for and cherish the Young Prince? If the Prince didn’t care, then during the Jade Dragon Terrace examinations, why would he make time in his busy schedule to personally attend and watch over the Young Prince’s studies?”

This time, Xiao Rong couldn’t resist countering. “He wasn’t there to watch me alone. He was there to cultivate promising descendants for the Xiao clan.”

If Xiao En had claimed that the Prince was looking to pick his faults, he would have believed that more.

Xiao En shook his head.

“The clan’s scholars are fully capable of overseeing the younger generations’ studies. There was no need for the Prince to interfere personally. The Young Prince returned to the Xiao clan at age seven and began studying at Jade Dragon Terrace. It was from that very year that the Prince started personally attending the examinations of the clan’s youths. When the Young Prince left the residence at sixteen, the Prince never again entered the Hall of Collected Wisdom afterward. Only during major examinations and only when official duties allowed did he occasionally listen in.

“When the Young Prince went to train the archery with the Silver Dragon Cavalry, the Prince personally went to the garrison to rectify military affairs and teach the Young Prince archery. The Young Prince always thinks the Prince was cold, but at every critical stage of the Young Prince’s studies and martial training, the Prince was there.

“When the Young Prince ran away for those two years, the Prince mobilized almost all the shadow guards he could, sending them everywhere in search of the Young Prince’s tracks. He even sent Mo Chun out several times.”

Xiao Rong stared at the steam curling up from the bathwater and said nothing.

When Xiao En was about to speak again, Xiao Rong cut him off coldly, “You’re too noisy. Say another word and get out.”

After the bath, Xiao En brought fresh robes for the Young Prince. Considering the Young Prince’s special physical condition, he replaced the usual jade belt with a soft sash.

Xiao Rong glanced at the outer robe. “Bring something plainer.”

Xiao En had already chosen the plainest he could but he hadn’t expected the Young Prince to want something even plainer. Then Xiao En thought of something, bowed, and soon returned with another outer robe. The hair-crown was changed to silver.

“Young Prince, the generals are already waiting in the Hall of Splendor.”

Once Xiao Rong had finished dressing, Mo Dong’s voice rang from outside.

The situation at Shoushan Camp was dire. Without delay, Xiao Rong left the living quarters and headed straight for the Hall of Splendor.

The Hall of Splendor was where Prince Xiao handled daily affairs and convened his generals.

Since the Prince’s incident, this was the first time its lamps had been lit at night. Inside the hall, aside from Mo Qing and Zhang He, there were also two generals who had just rushed back from the Shoushan Camp front.

When Xiao Rong entered, the men immediately rose to salute.

Xiao Rong took the main seat, unfolded the terrain map of the capital outskirts and the layout map of the Silver Dragon Cavalry’s encampments that were always placed on Prince Xiao’s desk and said, “Report the military situation directly.”

Mo Qing first gave a detailed account of Zhang Qingfang’s repeated attacks on Shoushan Camp and his usual combat patterns. The two generals from the front then reported the latest battle conditions and casualties from Shoushan Camp.

Xiao Rong said, “So right now, we still cannot determine how many troops Zhang Qingfang actually has?”

Mo Qing replied, “The area around Shoushan Camp is surrounded by continuous mountain ranges. The terrain is complex and excellent for concealment. Zhang Qingfang calculated exactly this, so he chose Shoushan Camp as his breakthrough point.

“But that’s not even the most troublesome part. The worst part is that Zhang Qingfang has a batch of extremely powerful firearms. Faced with firearms, the Silver Dragon Cavalry’s long crossbows cannot exert any deterrent at all.”

Xiao Rong fell silent in thought.

After a moment, he said, “Firearms depend on gunpowder. As long as we find a way to exhaust his gunpowder, Zhang Qingfang loses his advantage.”

Zhang He said anxiously, “Zhang Qingfang is extremely cunning. Knowing how lethal the Silver Dragon Cavalry’s long crossbows are, he deliberately uses firearms as vanguard weapons. The vanguard troops of each battalion are all elite. If we use them purely as a sacrifice to draw enemy fire, I fear the casualties will be enormous.”

Xiao Rong said, “Zhang Qingfang uses firearms against the vanguard battalions, first because of their destructive power, and second because crossbowmen cannot reposition as flexibly as other soldiers. Since the long crossbow is not effective anymore, then abandon it.”

“This—”

The men exchanged glances, clearly finding the decision far too bold.

Since ancient times, whether defending a city or a territory, long-range crossbows have always been indispensable.

“But without them, wouldn’t the Silver Dragon Cavalry be at Zhang Qingfang’s mercy?”

Xiao Rong said, “Has it occurred to any of you why Zhang Qingfang insists on attacking Shoushan Camp first? Yes, the terrain is complex and good for concealment, but outside the capital outskirts, Shoushan is hardly the only place good for hiding troops. And compared to other defensive lines, Shoushan is actually the hardest to attack.”

Mo Qing looked thoughtful. “Shoushan Camp was the first defensive line established by the Prince after restructuring the Silver Dragon Cavalry.”

Xiao Rong said, “Exactly. Over the years, my father placed great emphasis on the Shoushan Camp defenses. Every inspection strengthened it further. Everyone knows Shoushan Camp is as solid as iron, nearly unbreakable. Zhang Qingfang insists on gnawing at this hardest bone not because he wants the camp, but because he wants to break the morale of the Silver Dragon Cavalry and undermine Prince Xiao’s prestige in the army.

“If he captures Shoushan Camp, Zhang Qingfang’s name will spread across the capital region and all of Da’an. He is willing to gamble with several times the casualties to carry out such a reckless plan. That means two things: he is bold and meticulous with talent in warfare and he is arrogant. Very arrogant.

“Since that’s the case, why not let him be even more arrogant? From this moment, not only are we abandoning long crossbows, but the Silver Dragon Cavalry’s defensive line will be pulled back three li.

“And another thing,” Xiao Rong’s gaze fell on Mo Qing and Zhang He, “Announce this to all troops that every battalion and leadership arrangement of the Silver Dragon Cavalry will continue according to my father’s old system. Military merits will be rewarded under the same standards. Those who fight bravely will be heavily rewarded. Those who disrupt morale or retreat in battle will be executed without pardon.”

Whenever power changes hands, shifts in factions inevitably follow.

This is true at court and just as true in the army. Hence the saying, ‘a new emperor brings new ministers.’

Mo Qing knew well that the root of the Silver Dragon Cavalry’s shaken morale these past days lay exactly in this. Otherwise, those veteran generals would never have been so easily swayed by Xiao Wenyao into rebellion. For the soldiers still fighting on the front lines, the Young Prince’s words were no less than a stabilizing command that restored the heart of the army.

The four men knelt in unison to accept the order.

***

Matriarch Wang returned to the Wang residence, nearly frozen from shock.

Wang Yanshou was already waiting with his two sons. Upon seeing her enter, he hurried forward. “Mother—”

The Matriarch ignored him completely and walked inside with a dark, frozen expression.

Wang Yanshou quickly followed. Seeing his mother, who had always been proud and sharp, now sitting on the couch looking utterly defeated and even dazed, he felt his chest tighten. “Mother, what on earth happened?”

“Have the Prince of Jin prepare a heavy gift immediately and personally go to Xiao Royal Residence to… apologize to the Young Prince.” After a long moment, the Matriarch squeezed out the words between her teeth.

“The Young Prince?” Wang Yanshou was stunned. His mother had gone to the Xiao clan today to push for Xiao Yulin to become the new heir. But seeing her expression now, clearly, that ‘Young Prince’ wasn’t Xiao Yulin. Could it be…

“That’s right. Xiao Rong has returned.” The Matriarch gripped her dragon-headed cane tightly, lips pressed into a hard line.

In her mind, Xiao Yulin’s succession as heir was already nailed in place; there was simply no room for accidents. She never expected Xiao Wenyao to appear halfway through and shatter her entire plan.

Anyone else would still have been manageable, but it was Xiao Rong who came after.

Wang Yanshou’s face also changed instantly, panic rising. “What should we do? I’ve long said we shouldn’t have fallen out so badly with the Young Prince. And before this, Mother publicly gave him a hard time. Things are truly awful now.”

The Matriarch became even angrier seeing her son’s useless, cowardly expression.

“Enough! Why prattle on with this nonsense?! If he hadn’t repeatedly embarrassed me in public, why would I have taught him a lesson on the spot?

“Look at you, so spineless. And what if I did make things hard for him? The alliance between the Wang clan and the Xiao clan was personally set by Prince Xiao. Everyone knows that the Prince of Jin is the emperor’s son chosen jointly by Prince Xiao and the Xiao clan. Even if he is the Xiao clan’s heir, he cannot go against the will of the entire Xiao clan and act recklessly.

“Now that Zhang Qingfang is coming on fiercely, the Xiao clan is beset by internal and external troubles. They need the Wang clan’s support.

“Enough. Go prepare a generous gift. I will personally make a visit to the Xiao Royal Residence.”

Wang Yanshou immediately nodded. “If Mother is willing to go in person, that is naturally the best.”

That very night, Matriarch Wang arrived at the gate of the Xiao Royal Residence with lavish gifts, accompanied by her two grandsons, Wang Yang and Wang Hui.

The Xiao Royal Residence had regained its former austerity. The gates were tightly shut and strictly guarded. It was no longer a place the Matriarch could enter at will with only a verbal instruction from Xiao Jingcheng, nor was it a place she could storm into demanding answers.

The moment she thought about how she, a titled County Lady and a first-rank noblewoman, one even the Emperor treated with courtesy, had to lower herself to apologize to some brat, the Matriarch’s chest filled with stifling anger.

“Go knock on the door.”

Taking a deep breath, Matriarch Wang ordered her grandson, Wang Hui.

Wang Hui replied and took only two steps before hoofbeats suddenly sounded from the other end of the long street.

A mounted group quickly approached and stopped at the gate of the Xiao Royal Residence as well. The young man in front, in a dark robe and a black coronet, was actually Xi Rong.

As Xi Rong was the Crown Prince, Wang Yang and Wang Hui saluted him according to protocol.

Matriarch Wang’s facial muscles twitched. She turned her head aside arrogantly, deep disgust and contempt filling her eyes.

“Hui’er, go knock,” she ordered again.

Jiang Cheng had also intended to knock and announce himself, but seeing this, he could only stop for the moment.

Just then, the Xiao Royal Residence’s tightly shut gates slowly opened from within. Xiao En stepped out with two attendants.

“Chief Steward Xiao!” Matriarch Wang immediately stepped forward to greet him. “I have important business to discuss with the Young Prince. Chief Steward Xiao, please announce me.”

Xiao En stood on the steps, looking down at her from above and did not respond. Instead, he turned to Xi Rong below, smiling politely. “Our Young Prince invites His Highness the Crown Prince inside.”

Matriarch Wang’s expression changed instantly. She glared at Xiao En. “Chief Steward Xiao, when the Young Prince receives guests, there must at least be an order of arrival! I came first. Since when has the Xiao Royal Residence become so unruly?”

Xiao En’s smile did not reach his eyes. “Matriarch, you overstate it. I am but a lowly old servant of the late emperor’s reign. I would never presume to interfere in my master’s affairs. I only pass on messages.

“The Young Prince requests the Crown Prince to enter first. First, because His Highness is the future sovereign and cannot be kept waiting. Second, because they must discuss urgent military matters. Military affairs are like wildfire and they cannot be delayed. If the Matriarch is not in a rush, perhaps you might calm yourself and wait a moment. After the Young Prince finishes handling military affairs, he might have time to receive guests.”

“You—!” Matriarch Wang could naturally hear the deliberate mockery in his words. Rage surged up her chest; her breath hitched and her whole body trembled.

Along the way, all she had thought about was how to apologize to Xiao Rong without losing her dignity. Yet never had she imagined that even after she voluntarily lowered herself, Xiao Rong would refuse to see her, leaving her stranded outside his gates in the cold wind and humiliate her right in front of the Crown Prince!

Xiao En led Xi Rong straight into the residence.

In stark contrast to the solemnity outside, the Xiao Royal Residence was brightly lit within. Servants and guards stood respectfully on both sides of the paths, clearly awaiting a distinguished guest.

The moment Xi Rong rounded the screen wall, he spotted the Young Prince in pale robes with wide sleeves, standing at a distance amidst the glow of lanterns.

“Rongrong!”

Xi Rong’s eyes widened with surprise and joy. He immediately strode forward. “I received the news and rushed here at once. Are you unharmed?”

Xiao Rong shook his head. Instead, he clasped Xi Rong’s hand and directly pulled him toward Jade Dragon Terrace.

Xi Rong allowed himself to be tugged along without protest.

Seeing the Young Prince’s impatience, Xiao En hurriedly dismissed the servants and followed to attend personally. Just as they stepped onto Jade Dragon Terrace, Mo Dong arrived with a report.

“Young Prince, the Imperial Guards are chasing fugitives outside.”

Xiao Rong, Xi Rong, and Xiao En halted.

Xiao En frowned. “Fugitives?”

“Yes. I heard the Ministry of Justice sent out warrants at the command of the Minister of State Affairs. They’re wanted for conspiring to harm the Prince. They’re searching for Gongsun Yu, Zhang Ran, Meng Hui, and several other generals under Prince Yan. After these men escaped Prince Yan’s command post, they vanished. The Imperial Guards and the Ministry of Justice are combing the city.”

Xiao Rong and Xi Rong exchanged a look.

Xiao Rong sneered. “Although those men deserved punishment for turning on each other, Cui Daohuan stepping in to ‘defend’ the Xiao clan is truly the joke of the century.”

Just then, another guard came to report. “Young Prince, Chief Steward, some people have come to the rear gate, one of them seems injured. They say they wish to see the Young Prince.”

Xiao En’s brows knit tighter. He hesitated. “Allow this old servant to check first.”

“No need. I’ll go myself.”

“I will go with you,” Xi Rong said.

Xiao Rong nodded.

The three walked to the rear gate where, below the stone steps, stood several figures.

When Xiao Rong appeared, their eyes lit up, and they hurried forward.

It was precisely the wanted men, Gongsun Yu, Zhang Ran, Meng Hui, and the others. They were disheveled and battered. Gongsun Yu’s arm was wounded; blood had soaked half his robe, hastily wrapped with strips of cloth.

Xiao Rong’s face instantly hardened. “Drive them away.”

The guards received the order and stepped forward, but Gongsun Yu immediately dropped to his knees.

“Young Prince, Cui Daohuan is propping up Jing Xi to seize power. He intends to take control of the Northern Yan Army. You cannot ignore this!”

Xiao Rong replied coldly, “What does Northern Yan have to do with me? Not killing you is already mercy.”

“It does concern you!” Gongsun Yu glanced at Xi Rong, hesitating. “That Tiger-Lion Pendant was handed to you personally by the Prince, did it not? If Cui Daohuan’s plot succeeds, everything the Prince worked so hard to build will be destroyed! We beg you, Young Prince, save Northern Yan!”

The other men all knelt beside him, their eyes burning with desperation and reverence as they gazed at the youth in pale robes standing beneath the night sky.

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