Accidentally Having a Baby with the Future Emperor - Chapter 59 Part 2

Prince Xiao then proceeded to formally announce Xiao Rong’s coming-of-age ceremony.

Everyone stood to offer congratulations. Even Xiao Jingcheng had no choice but to get up, albeit begrudgingly.

Within the Xiao clan, Prince Xiao’s authority was absolute and none dared defy him.

Xiao Jingcheng dared to stir up trouble today for two reasons: first, among the peers in the clan, he was the only one older than Prince Xiao, and others usually gave him a bit of face because of that; second, he believed that Prince Xiao didn’t actually favor Xiao Rong, a notoriously willful and domineering boy who’d spent three years ‘growing wild’ in a Buddhist temple.

Back when they held scholarly exams at the Jade Dragon Terrace, it had been his own sons who often earned praise from the Prince, especially his eldest, Xiao Yulin, who was well-mannered, gentle, and elegant, forming a stark contrast with the arrogant and prideful Xiao Rong.

The heir of the Xiao Royal Residence ought to resemble his own son, Yulin.

In the past two years, the Xiao Royal Residence had claimed Xiao Rong was away traveling for his studies. But Xiao Jingcheng knew the truth that Xiao Rong had actually escaped from the Hall of Repentance. The boy had guts, that much was undeniable.

When he first heard the news, he had secretly rejoiced. With Xiao Rong gone, his son Xiao Yulin was the most qualified by age and merit to inherit the position. Hence, he’d repeatedly stirred up talk of replacing the heir in the shadows.

Who would have thought Xiao Rong would come back after all?

No matter the noble family, for a young heir to escape punishment without permission was considered a serious offense. Xiao Jingcheng did not believe that, given Xiao Jingming’s temperament and methods, he would have easily forgiven Xiao Rong.

Xiao Jingcheng never imagined that today, Xiao Jingming would slap his face in public like this.

Usually, he relied on being the third elder brother of Prince Xiao, always acting high and mighty. Now, he could clearly feel that others were looking at him with ridicule and schadenfreude.

He was someone who valued face above all else and at this moment, his face burned with shame. Watching those who had originally agreed to cause trouble alongside him all abandon ship and accept the tea one by one made him even more furious.

And when that little bastard Xiao Rong had just stood up and walked over, he was visibly proud and arrogant.

That brat had never shown an ounce of respect to him, his third uncle. He had even once openly mocked him as mediocre and useless, not comparable to his father’s extraordinary talent. How could he not loathe him?

After the meeting ended, Xiao Hao shook his head in anger.

“The Third Brother is such a disgrace. Not much ability, yet loves to stir up trouble. He’s gotten more and more improper these past two years. Just now, he dared to make things difficult for Rongrong in front of everyone only because his own sons, Yulin and Yuke, have achieved a bit. Two years ago, when Yuke clashed with Rongrong, you punished Rongrong, but he should’ve considered the occasion today. Can a trivial quarrel among juniors be compared to this formal setting? Half the disputes in the clan these years were stirred up by him. It’s about time he was taught a lesson.”

Then he added with satisfaction, “But Rongrong has really matured during these two years away. He’s much steadier now and he knows how to show restraint.”

At that moment, Mo Qing came in from outside, respectfully handing a small booklet to Xiao Jingming. “Your Highness, this is a record of the past two months of the Third Master’s interactions with high-ranking nobles in the capital. Most of the engagements were hosted by the others and nothing out of the ordinary, except for one occasion, when the Prince of Wei was the host.”

Xiao Hao immediately frowned. “He dared to privately associate with the Prince of Wei’s household?”

Xiao Jingming casually flipped through the booklet.

Mo Qing explained, “It’s hard to be certain. That time when the Prince of Wei hosted, he invited not only the Third Master but also other prominent figures from the Five Great Clans and Seven Noble Houses, including members of the Wang clan. During the banquet, the Prince of Wei merely brought out a few rare treasures for the guests to admire. After that, there’s been no further interaction between the Third Master and the Prince of Wei. It may have just been a regular social event.”

Xiao Hao snorted coldly, looking utterly disappointed.

“A regular social event? He knows full well that the Xiao clan is cautious in its stance on the struggle between the imperial princes and he still goes to drink the Prince of Wei’s wine? Either he’s a fool, or his brain’s been kicked by a donkey. Jingming, we both know what the third one is like. He’s a bit too clever for his own good, but he shouldn’t have the guts to conspire with the Prince of Wei behind your back. What I worry about is the Prince of Wei and that schemer Cui Daohuan; those two are cunning and manipulative. Maybe they’ve already set him up. If you ask me, summon him now and question him directly. If he dares to lie, I’ll invoke the family law. If he’s done something, he won’t dare deny it.”

Xiao Jingming closed the booklet. “If it’s all just hearsay, why bother digging too deep? Cui Daohuan has always liked to lay traps miles in advance.” He added, “But no matter how long the trap, it’ll eventually show its hand. If he’s interested in playing, I’ll take my time and play along. Unveiling the truth now would spoil the fun.”

Mo Qing asked, “And the Third Master?”

“Keep watching him. If he contacts the Prince of Wei again, don’t stop it.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

Xiao Jingming then asked, “How is His Majesty?”

Mo Qing replied, “His Majesty has been steadily improving since waking yesterday and taking his medicine on time. The Prince of Wei and the Prince of Jin have been taking turns tending to him. The Crown Prince returned to the capital last night, but His Majesty did not see him. The Crown Prince knelt outside the palace for several hours before leaving.

“According to the Court of Judicial Review, the Crown Prince seized a large number of nobles in Songzhou Prefecture during his investigation and brought several family heads back to the capital for trial. Those family heads were, to varying degrees, connected to the Cui clan.

“In addition, while I was in Songzhou Prefecture, I heard something strange: Yan Hemei, the Assistant Prefect of Songzhou, led a group of local nobles and raised a considerable force to hunt down a notorious bandit. But Songzhou Prefecture isn’t a place plagued by bandits. Even if there were outlaws, such a grand mobilization seemed excessive. Yan Hemei is currently favored by Cui Daohuan and highly trusted by him. I suspect there may be something more to this. Also, the Crown Prince achieved a major victory in the southwest and should’ve returned to report immediately. Yet he lingered in Songzhou under the pretense of healing, which is also suspicious.

“Normally, if those nobles were guilty, they should’ve been dealt with by the local authorities, who would then report to the capital for final judgment. The Crown Prince bringing them back himself suggests other motives.

“And today, the Ministry of Personnel assigned a new batch of scholars to various departments. One of them, Liu Yun, is the son of Liu Xin, a local Songzhou Prefecture noble arrested by the Crown Prince. Reportedly, he was recommended by the Cui clan. For the Cui clan to promote someone like that at this time is certainly suspicious. Does Your Highness want to investigate this?”

Xiao Jingming responded immediately, “No need.”

Xiao Hao nodded in agreement. “The Cui clan does whatever it wants and the Crown Prince isn’t easy to deal with either. He probably gained a lot from arresting those nobles. There’s no reason for Xiao Royal Residence to get involved in this mess.”

***

Xi Rong had barely slept all night.

In fact, ever since returning to the capital, he hadn’t been sleeping well. Despite that, he still maintained his rigorous daily routine of rising before dawn to practice swordsmanship and study.

After breakfast, Xi Rong convened another small council meeting.

When the formal matters concluded, Song Yang said, “Your Highness, the most talked-about event in the capital right now is that Prince Xiao’s heir is to hold his coming-of-age ceremony in two days. Nobles and officials from all over the capital, including the Princes of Wei and Jin, have sent gifts to the Xiao Royal Residence. Should we… prepare one as well?”

Xi Rong lifted his eyelids slightly. “Prince Xiao’s heir?”

“Yes.”

“The heir apparent of Prince Xiao, Xiao Rong, is not only Prince Xiao’s only son but also the sole final disciple of the esteemed Grand Chancellor Qi, who served three reigns. It’s said that the young man possesses extraordinary talent, was intelligent and studious from an early age, with an eidetic memory. Whenever there was a clan examination within the Xiao clan, as long as he participated, no one else could claim the top spot. Even during the past Five Great Clans and Seven Noble Houses literary gathering, although he did not attend in person, his essay still outshone those of numerous noble heirs, including the much-acclaimed eldest young master of the Cui clan.

“However, he is known for his arrogance and disdain for empty titles. He has spent the past years studying abroad in Qizhou and only recently returned to the capital. In short, this heir is perhaps the most distinguished of his generation. I hear even His Majesty instructed the Ministry of State Affairs to prepare an elaborate congratulatory gift. If Your Highness shows no gesture at all, it might draw unfavorable opinions.”

A strange silence fell over the hall after this statement.

Zhou Wenhe couldn’t help but speak up angrily, “Yes, he may be noble, but that arrogant brat, just because he has a good family background and a bit of talent, once drunkenly wrote that nonsense essay ‘On Yaksha’, full of veiled barbs and sarcasm, even indirectly mocking His Highness and earning him the humiliating nickname ‘Demon Yaksha.’ Outrageous! With such insolence, must His Highness still personally send him a gift? It would only lower others’ opinion of him.”

Song Yang said, “What you say makes sense, but consider how powerful the Xiao clan is. Even the Cui clan ranks beneath them. Prince Xiao controls both the Secretariat and the Ministry of War and enjoys His Majesty’s utmost trust, truly second only to the emperor. Every official in court respects and fears him. Offending the Xiao Royal Residence brings His Highness no benefit. On the other hand, giving this gift could demonstrate His Highness’s magnanimity and show that he holds no grudges.”

“Xiao Rong,” Xi Rong repeated the name with a blank expression. He seemed to recall something, dazed for a moment, then said, “Lord Song, just prepare a gift casually.”