Accidentally Having a Baby with the Future Emperor - Chapter 18

“You personally gracing this humble home for my unworthy son truly overwhelms us. Sadly, his fate was not blessed to receive your teachings in person…”

Liu Xin, humble to the extreme, led Cui Jiu and Yan Hemei into the mourning hall.

Cui Jiu wore finely tailored silk garments and a jade thumb ring on his finger. Although he held no official title, as the chief steward of the Cui clan and retainer of the Minister of State Affairs, he carried more weight than most officials wherever he went.

Hearing Liu Xin’s words, he sighed lightly. “You have my condolences. Your son was indeed unfortunate. I heard he studied well, was diligent, and motivated. He might have had a bright future. When our Eldest Young Master heard the news, he specially ordered me to deliver a token offering on his behalf.”

With a sweep of his gaze, Cui Jiu signaled his accompanying servant, who stepped forward holding a tray.

Liu Xin reached out in a panic to receive it. “For the Eldest Young Master to remember my son like this, he can rest in peace.”

He then asked respectfully, “Is the Grand Tutor in good health?”

“Rest assured, the Grand Tutor is well. He’s just a little concerned about the situation here in Jiangnan.” Cui Jiu left it at that, then turned to Yan Hemei and said, “Since we’re here, Lord Yan, let us offer incense to the Eldest Young Master Liu together.”

Yan Hemei nodded.

Although he held the fifth-rank position of Assistant Prefect, he still remained a step behind Cui Jiu, treating him with utmost deference.

“Why aren’t you lighting incense for the honored emissary and Lord Yan?” Liu Xin gave a signal to his second son.

It was usually a servant’s task, but how could Liu family’s second son not understand the hidden meaning behind his father’s order? He immediately agreed with respectful composure.

Cui Jiu saw through it but didn’t expose anything, instead turning to Yan Hemei. “Lord Yan, please, you are the Assistant Prefect of Songzhou Prefecture. I wouldn’t dare overstep.”

Yan Hemei replied humbly, “You flatter me, honored emissary. Please, after you.”

The two exchanged formalities for a moment before Cui Jiu ultimately stepped forward first to offer incense.

Yan Maocai trailed after Yan Hemei absentmindedly. Due to a bizarre rash that had broken out inexplicably, he had been suffering immensely the past few days and could barely sleep. His right hand was still wrapped in thick bandages. He had no interest in mourning ceremonies and his presence there was entirely due to being forced by his father, Yan Hemei. The goal, of course, was to give him an opportunity to make an impression in front of the Cui clan’s emissary and pave the way for his official career.

While the others exchanged pleasantries, Yan Maocai let his eyes wander around the mourning hall. As they wandered, they fell upon a figure in red tucked into a corner.

It was a young gentleman in a bright red wedding robe, holding a memorial tablet in his arms. Perhaps because the robe was too loose, or because its wearer was too lazy, he was kneeling in a slouched posture, his shoulders seemingly vanished, exposing a stretch of fair nape like luminous jade glowing in the dark.

Yan Maocai’s gaze froze instantly.

He had seen countless beauties, frequented countless pleasure houses, and was especially fond of visiting the Nanfeng Pavilion, but just one glance told him the person was someone extraordinary, with the bone structure of an absolute stunner.

And strangely, the face seemed vaguely familiar.

As he puzzled over it, a sudden chill crept over him. Looking more closely, he realized that seated beside the beauty was a tall figure in dark robes, wearing a wooden mask. The man was a whole head taller than the beauty and exuded a cold, oppressive air, even while simply seated.

At that moment, the beauty who appeared so delicate and pitiful seemed to sense his gaze. He slowly raised his face, revealing a pair of lovely, cat-like eyes.

Yan Maocai’s heart surged wildly.

But as he focused, he was abruptly struck by the ghastly sight: a face pale as a corpse, both cheeks smeared with garish rouge; truly horrifying. In the hall draped in white mourning banners, it looked indescribably eerie.

Even the beauty’s eyes now resembled those of a soul-reaping spirit.

Yan Maocai broke into a cold sweat, his expression turning ashen.

“Maocai!” Yan Hemei’s stern call snapped Yan Maocai out of it.

He could hardly believe that such a stunning and rare bone structure could bear such an appalling face! What a tragic waste!

After incense was offered, Cui Jiu and Yan Hemei turned to leave. After only a few steps, Cui Jiu suddenly paused.

Yan Hemei followed his gaze and finally noticed the two figures in the corner, one of them was a young gentleman in wedding robes. Ghost marriages were quite common among noble families and the cause of Eldest Young Master Liu’s death wasn’t exactly a secret.

The two men didn’t even need to ask to understand the situation.

“And who is this?” Yan Hemei’s gaze landed on the man in black, Xi Rong.

Liu Xin immediately stepped forward to explain. “Replying to my lord, that is the young gentleman’s older brother. He came to escort him to the wedding. Because of their deep brotherly bond and concern that the young gentleman might be timid, he insisted on staying to keep vigil for my son.”

Although he didn’t think much of the eccentric elder brother, the Liu residence was still his domain, and he couldn’t afford to risk offending any nobles because of his own judgment.

So Cui Jiu only paused briefly before shifting his gaze and continuing on his way.

Liu Xin hastily followed.

Only Yan Maocai remained reluctant to leave, fixating on the pale face of the young gentleman inside, as if trying to extract something hidden beneath it.

That face noticed again and winked at him with a mischievous smile.

Yan Maocai shuddered so violently that goosebumps exploded across his skin, finally tearing his gaze away and fleeing in horror.

The vast mourning hall once again fell quiet.

Xi Rong tilted his head and raised an eyebrow. “You’re still not done playing?”

Gu Rong’s lips still held a faint curve as he said, “It’s rare to get a chance to scare someone by pretending to be a ghost. Honestly, I didn’t get enough of it.”

“He offended you?”

“Him?” Gu Rong waved his hand dismissively. “Brother, you really underestimate me. You should be asking, what kind of misery he suffers at my hands.”

Xi Rong’s lips lifted slightly. “So, that hand of his was your doing. You used poison?”

Gu Rong shook his head. “It’s just a little wild bee powder, but a special kind, found only in the northern regions. Hardly anyone knows about it.”

Xi Rong showed a trace of interest. “You’ve been to the north?”

“That was a long time ago.”

“What were you doing all the way out there?”

“Mooching people’s food and drink, of course,” Gu Rong said half-jokingly, half-seriously.

Xi Rong raised an eyebrow. “I’ve heard that Prince Yan in the north is famously cruel and violent, known to skin people alive to make lanterns. He’s still considered a serious threat by the court. And you dared scam people on his turf?”

“I don’t kill, I don’t burn things down. Not to mention Prince Yan, even the emperor himself has no business meddling with me. …But wait, wasn’t the skin-lantern story about the Crown Prince?”

Jiang Cheng, hanging from the roof beam, nearly fell down upon hearing that.

“Oh, I must have remembered wrong. Young master is clearly well-traveled and skilled in many arts. It seems I’ll have to be careful around you in the future,” Xi Rong said coolly.

Gu Rong chuckled. “All my tricks are nothing more than petty and unrefined things, not fit for the eyes of proper gentlemen. Brother, your family is wealthy and powerful, surely you wouldn’t think much of my antics.”

“My family may be wealthy and powerful, but all I’ve earned from you is a single ‘brother.’ So it seems wealth and power aren’t all that useful.”

“Hmm?”

Xi Rong didn’t elaborate. He glanced at the sky and stood. “I’ll go find us something to eat for tonight.”

Gu Rong said, “The Liu family will send food over. You don’t need to trouble yourself.”

“It’s no trouble. Night vigil drains the spirit, light soup and plain water won’t do.”

Xi Rong reached out, lifting the back of Gu Rong’s wedding robe, which had slipped down, before heading out.

Gu Rong sat cross-legged again, watching that departing figure, once more falling into a kind of quiet confusion.

“Your Highness.” Jiang Cheng stepped out from the shadows and followed him out. “Just now, I was truly scared out of my wits.”

Xi Rong sneered. “Relax. He won’t recognize me. He wouldn’t dare.

“However, Liu Xin is just an insignificant town mayor. His son’s death alone couldn’t possibly summon someone from the Cui clan. Their visit today must have another motive. Go inform Song Yang and tell him to keep a close eye on the Liu residence. A gentry clan like Liu’s is likely to keep a number of private soldiers.”

Jiang Cheng acknowledged with a nod. “I’ll deliver the message to Lord Song right away.”

“No rush. First, go outside and pack up two servings of hot congee. Also get some steamed pork ribs with rice flour, lotus-leaf meatballs, and one serving of dessert,” Xi Rong said.

“…”

Even Jiang Cheng, slow as he sometimes was, could guess from the word ‘dessert’ who the food was really for.

He didn’t dare show even a hint of displeasure and answered respectfully.

***

Not far from the mourning hall was the receiving room. After everyone sat down, Cui Jiu first shook his head with a chuckle.

Sitting beside him, Yan Hemei asked in puzzlement, “What’s amusing, honored emissary?”

Cui Jiu only shook his head and chuckled again. “I’m laughing at myself for actually becoming so paranoid one day.”

That person was no longer who he once was. With his status and temperament, how could he possibly lower himself to keep vigil over the son of an unremarkable town mayor? And while bearing such a serious injury, no less.

It was already merciful that he hadn’t slaughtered everyone there.

No one else dared ask further.

Cui Jiu smoothed the smile from his face and began slowly, “Lord Yan, Family Head Liu, let us now discuss serious matters.”

With someone of Cui Jiu’s position, he would never come to mourn his son without reason. Liu Xin had been mulling this matter over ever since they met. Upon hearing this, he quickly stood and said, “What are the Grand Tutor’s instructions? Honored emissary, please command me.”

To his surprise, Cui Jiu gave a cold laugh.

“The Grand Tutor oversees the Ministry of State Affairs and is swamped with countless matters daily. How could he possibly manage every trivial detail? As his subordinates, we not only must serve loyally but also learn to anticipate his will. This time, the Eldest Young Master made a point to mention your second son.” |10|

Liu Xin was even more confused, but he understood the last part. His eyes lit up with delight and he exclaimed, “To be held in such regard by the Eldest Young Master is my son’s greatest fortune!”

Cui Jiu waved his hand. “Across this realm, there are countless who yearn for the Eldest Young Master’s favor. But he only has one pair of eyes, how could he possibly see them all clearly?”

“Then I ask the honored emissary to speak plainly.”

“Are you aware of the assassination attempt on the Eastern Palace?” Cui Jiu asked directly.

Liu Xin froze. “That person… was attacked?”

Cui Jiu nodded. “It’s confirmed. But the Eastern Palace has kept a tight lid on it, so the news hasn’t gotten out yet. With the recent great victory in the southwest, that person has grown even more formidable. If he’s allowed to return safely to the capital, the consequences will be unimaginable. His methods are ruthless and should he come to power, it will bode ill for the Five Great Clans and Seven Noble Houses, including all local gentry like yourselves. Although the Grand Tutor has said nothing outright, this is the perfect opportunity to uproot the threat once and for all.”

Liu Xin felt his heart pound wildly. “But that person is the crown prince, his status is too high… How could anyone possibly act against him?”

“Isn’t now the perfect chance? He’s injured, his whereabouts uncertain, and he’s trapped here in Songzhou. He’s like a tiger stuck in shallow waters, his claws dulled. Killing him now would not be difficult. But this isn’t a matter that can involve government troops. I’ve heard Family Head Liu has three thousand private soldiers in his residence. Are you willing to assist the Grand Tutor?”

Liu Xin was taken aback.

He was, after all, the head of a powerful family. He immediately understood that this could be an opportunity to soar to unimaginable heights, but if handled poorly, it could also mean total ruin.

So he hesitated, and replied cautiously, “This humble one is of course willing. But half of my private troops are old, sick, or unfit, hardly of use. Might there be other reinforcements available?”

Of course Cui Jiu could see through him.

“Rest assured. Lord Yan and several others will lend full support, you won’t be fighting alone. The most urgent task now is to discover that man’s hiding place.”

Liu Xin was overjoyed and no longer hesitated. “I shall follow your orders completely!”