Accidentally Having a Baby with the Future Emperor - Chapter 59 Part 1

“Xiao Rong?”

Morning had only just broken. At the Cui clan’s residence, Cui Xie stood in a pavilion, tossing feed into the lake where a cluster of red koi swam eagerly.

As he spoke the name, he faintly furrowed his brows. “Hasn’t he been away from the capital for a long time?”

Cui Jiu replied, “I heard he’s been studying in Qizhou and just returned recently. I also heard Prince Xiao intends to hold Xiao Rong’s capping ceremony a year early. The Minister of State Affairs even instructed me to prepare a generous gift.”

Knowing the Eldest Young Master still held a grudge about the events of years past, he added, “Prince Xiao is always meticulous. When the Eldest Young Master had his own coming-of-age ceremony, the Xiao Royal Residence sent Xiao En to personally deliver a gift. Naturally, the Minister of State Affairs cannot fall short in etiquette now.

“However, in my view, this move by Prince Xiao may also be intended as a show of strength. Since the Minister allied with Prince Yan, many noble families in the capital have been restless. It’s said even within the Xiao clan, there are those unhappy with Xiao Jingming’s heavy-handed tactics and are looking to stir up trouble. Advancing the capping ceremony is clearly an effort to solidify Xiao Rong’s position within the Xiao clan.”

“Internal conflict in the Xiao clan?”

“Yes. Xiao Rong’s long absence studying abroad had stirred discontent among the clan. During family council meetings, more than once, there were calls to replace the heir. But each time, Prince Xiao suppressed the dissent. Now that Xiao Rong has returned, as Prince Xiao’s only legitimate heir, his position as successor is unshakable. Who would dare raise objections again?”

Although the matter of Prince Xiao’s heir did not directly involve the Cui clan, Cui Jiu soon got to the main point. “Last night, the Crown Prince had only just returned to the capital when he transferred Liu Xin and several Songzhou Prefecture’s family heads to the Court of Judicial Review. However, the Crown Prince only ordered them to be investigated for violating imperial laws by seizing farmlands and exploiting the people. He made no mention of the attempted assassination of the Crown Prince. It’s rather difficult to interpret.”

Cui Xie smirked. “That is precisely the Eastern Palace’s cleverness. Attempting to murder the crown prince is a grave charge, but it requires solid evidence. Yan Hemei covers his tracks well and for the Eastern Palace to obtain proof would be nearly impossible. Their main goal was always the confiscated wealth. Now that the goal is achieved, Liu Xin’s fate is no longer important. Bringing the culprits to the capital rather than killing them outright serves two purposes: first, to make the seizure appear legitimate; second, to intimidate the Cui clan.”

Cui Jiu nodded. “Eldest Young Master is absolutely right. But rest assured, Cao Ancheng has already launched his impeachment campaign against the Crown Prince. Right now, the Court of Judicial Review is busy investigating the attempt on the Emperor’s life and has no time to handle other cases. Whether Liu Xin is guilty or not, the Crown Prince’s failure to return promptly to attend to the Emperor’s illness is an undeniable fact. As long as Cao Ancheng clings to that, a charge of disloyalty and filial impiety alone will be enough to ruin the Eastern Palace.”

Cui Xie tossed out a second handful of feed.

“Just one Cao Ancheng is far from enough. We must accelerate efforts with Liu Bingyang as well. I want to ensure the Eastern Palace never recovers. Let them taste the agony of living in the capital yet being worse than dead.”

Cui Jiu bowed. “Understood, Eldest Young Master.”

He hesitated and then cautiously added, “There’s one more strange matter about the Eastern Palace. This time, when the Crown Prince returned to the capital, all his entourage were present except for the fake Protector. Back in Songzhou Prefecture, the Crown Prince cared deeply for that imposter and even went so far as to offend Prince Yan just to save him. Now that he’s returned, why would he not bring that person with him? Without the fake Protector, it will be hard to explain things to Prince Yan.”

“Are you certain?” Cui Xie’s movements paused.

Cui Jiu nodded. “It should be reliable. When the Crown Prince entered the city, I had someone tailing him the entire time. I also made inquiries at the Eastern Palace and no one there saw that fake Protector. Could it be the Crown Prince didn’t bring that fake Protector with him this time? That would be highly unusual.”

Cui Xie frowned at first and then gave an ambiguous smile.

“Fickleness in love is human nature. Perhaps he’s truly tired of him. For the dignified Crown Prince of the Eastern Palace to be so enamored with some rural commoner, he was clearly blinded by lust from the start.”

“It’s possible.” Cui Jiu smiled as well. “But the Crown Prince has always been meticulous. He wouldn’t easily expose his weaknesses. Perhaps he’s hidden the person somewhere. I’ll keep watching.”

***

Today was the heir apparent’s first day back at the residence. Early in the morning, Xiao En personally came to assist Xiao Rong in bathing and dressing.

His previous plain robe was no longer suitable. From underclothes to outerwear, everything had to be replaced with proper attire fitting for the heir, including the ceremonial robes and crown.

After fastening the belt, Xiao En took out a finely crafted white jade pendant carved with lotus tendrils, intending to hang it at Xiao Rong’s waist. But Xiao Rong suddenly asked, “Where’s my string of pearls?”

Xiao En had noticed earlier that, although the heir returned wearing a plain cloth robe, he had a string of pearls hanging at his waist. The workmanship was quite simple with about ten small pearls strung together with twisted silk. Although the pearls had a fine luster and had been carefully polished, they were by no means rare or valuable. For the heir to wear them on his person showed how much he cherished them.

It was surprising, since the heir had never cared for jewelry or adornments. To treasure a string of pearls this way was quite out of character.

So he smiled and said, “This old servant has kept them safe, of course. Why? Does the Young Prince want to wear the pearls instead?”

Xiao Rong replied, “Give them to me.”

“Yes, Young Prince.”

Xiao En retrieved the string of pearls from a tray beside him and handed it over. Unable to hold back his curiosity, he asked, “Did the Young Prince buy this himself?”

Xiao Rong stared at the item in a daze for a moment before replying, “It was a gift from a friend.”

Xiao En nodded.

Inwardly, he was surprised. The Young Prince was notoriously picky and rarely thought highly of other noble sons. Yet out there, he’d actually made such a close friend.

Xiao Rong held the pearls in his palm and said, “Let’s use them as the pendant.”

Xiao En smiled and complied.

Once he was dressed, Xiao Rong went straight to the residence of Prince Xiao. Naturally, he wasn’t eager to come, but he had no choice. Since he was back, he had to strictly observe the rites of greeting his elders at dawn and dusk.

Xiao En went in first and quickly came back out. “Perfect timing, Young Prince. His Highness is just about to eat. Please, go on in.”

Xiao Rong nodded, walked through the courtyard, and entered the main hall.

The servants had already set the meal. Prince Xiao Jingming was seated in a chair, his right sleeve rolled up to the elbow while the court physician tended to a wound. Mo Qing stood to the side, reading aloud from a military dispatch.

Prince Xiao Jingming listened intently.

Seeing this, Xiao Rong stood quietly to the side.

The wound on Prince Xiao’s arm was quite deep, almost to the bone. The physician worked very cautiously. Perhaps too cautiously as his hand trembled and he accidentally knocked over the medicine jar, spilling powder all over the floor.

The physician turned pale at once and was just about to kneel to apologize when a hand caught the medicine pouch in time.

“I’ll do it,” said the person.

The physician turned his head and saw a refined, handsome youth. As if granted amnesty, he quickly stepped aside.

Xiao Rong took another bottle of wound medicine and expertly sprinkled some powder onto Prince Xiao’s wound. Once the first layer was absorbed, he applied a second. Then he picked up the bandage and wrapped the wound, tying it off securely.

The entire process was smooth and practiced, so much so that even the physician and Mo Qing were visibly impressed.

Not long after, the dressing was complete and Mo Qing had finished his report.

“Young Prince.” Mo Qing smiled and saluted Xiao Rong.

The physician, even more shocked, quickly made his own bow before withdrawing with Mo Qing.

Only father and son remained in the hall.

Prince Xiao rolled down his sleeve, stood up, and finally glanced at Xiao Rong. “Sit and eat with me.”

Xiao Rong acknowledged him and waited for his father to sit before taking a seat himself.

Then Prince Xiao suddenly asked, “Where did you learn all that?”

Those skills, after all, were not something a noble heir was supposed to know.

Xiao Rong remained expressionless and said, “I only saw a traveling physician treat it that way once.”

Xiao Jingming said nothing more, only adding, “Later, there’s a clan meeting. You’ll come with me.”

***

The Xiao clan’s council chamber was naturally also located on the Jade Dragon Terrace.

When Xiao Rong followed Xiao Jingming into the meeting hall, both sides were already filled with well-dressed men, figures of importance within the Xiao clan.

The moment Xiao Jingming stepped in, the previously noisy hall instantly fell silent. Almost every gaze turned toward Xiao Rong.

Xiao Rong acted as if he hadn’t noticed and directly knelt at the mat beside the head seat.

Xiao Jingming said calmly, “You’ve been away these past two years. Your uncles and elders have worried about you plenty. Go offer each of them a cup of tea.”

The news of the heir-apparent’s coming-of-age ceremony had already spread within the Xiao clan. Since Prince Xiao had abruptly summoned a clan meeting today, most had guessed it had something to do with that. Still, Xiao Rong hadn’t shown his face in the clan for two years, so even within the Xiao clan, there had been much speculation about whether the news was true.

Just before entering the hall, many had been quietly asking the most senior and respected elder, Xiao Hao, for confirmation.

Now, with the heir-apparent appearing alongside Prince Xiao, everyone finally realized the rumors were undeniably true.

Xiao Rong respectfully acknowledged the command and rose from his seat.

The Xiao clan was the foremost among the Five Great Clans and Seven Noble Houses, and in recent years, many outstanding descendants had emerged. But the poise and bearing of the Young Prince were unmatched.

Xiao Rong first approached Xiao Hao, seated at the head of the left row, knelt with a sweep of his robe, took the teacup handed over by a servant, and respectfully offered it with both hands. “Grand-uncle, please have some tea.”

Xiao Hao smiled as he accepted it. “Good child. Stand up now. These are turbulent times in court and there are plenty of internal matters in our clan as well. Your return to assist your father is truly for the best.”

Xiao Rong then moved to the second man beside Xiao Hao, knelt, and presented the tea. “Third Uncle, please have some tea.”

The ‘Third Uncle’ was Xiao Jingcheng, a direct descendant of the Xiao clan and one of the primary voices calling to replace the heir during the past two years. He had two sons, both outstanding among their peers.

At that moment, Xiao Jingcheng sat motionless behind the table, stroking his beard and staring at Xiao Rong without reaching for the tea.

Since he didn’t move, neither did Xiao Rong. He maintained his respectful posture and continued to offer the tea.

The atmosphere grew tense and expressions among the elders were mixed.

Xiao Jingcheng had always disapproved of Xiao Rong and had been determined to push one of his own sons into the heir position. His current behavior was clearly meant to give Xiao Rong a show of force. But what he hadn’t expected was that the usually arrogant and insufferable boy would endure it so calmly today.

“Third Brother, don’t be so ungracious,” Xiao Hao said with disapproval.

However, Xiao Jingcheng had made up his mind to clash with Xiao Rong today and refused to listen. He wanted to see just how long the boy could hold out.

Xiao Rong lifted his gaze and pulled the corner of his lips into a smile. In a voice low enough for only the two of them to hear, he said, “Don’t worry, Third Uncle. Even if I wear my knees down to the bone today, I will make sure you drink this cup of tea.”

The provocation in those words was blatant.

However, Xiao Jingcheng wasn’t intimidated in the least. He let out a cold snort and raised his chin even higher.

Just as the situation grew even more awkward, the always-calm Prince Xiao spoke casually, “Since your Third Uncle isn’t thirsty, there’s no need for him to drink it.”

Xiao Rong replied loudly, “Understood,” stood up, threw the tea aside, picked up another cup, and handed it to the next person.

Immediately, those who had been watching and considering whether to follow Xiao Jingcheng’s example dared not act rashly anymore. They all eagerly accepted the tea at once, expressing their joy at the heir’s return.

Only Xiao Jingcheng remained seated in place, face flushed as though he had just been slapped in front of everyone.