Accidentally Having a Baby with the Future Emperor - Chapter 75

It was a brush of ebony, hard and unyielding, remarkably durable. Without some extraordinary force exerted upon it, it could never have snapped so suddenly.

At the sharp crack, all three men lowered their heads, none daring to speak further.

In the dead silence, Xi Rong swept the broken brush off the desk and said, “Matters of no consequence need not be reported. What news from the Prince of Wei’s side?”

Zhou Wenhe came back to himself and gave a concise account. “Others matter little, but Cui Cheng must not be taken lightly. Your Highness may rest assured. I have already arranged things carefully. He will not succeed. Also, Wang Hao wishes to meet with Your Highness.”

Xi Rong considered a moment, then said, “Too many eyes by day. Arrange it for the evening.”

Zhou Wenhe agreed. “Then I will make the arrangements.”

Having concluded his report, Jiang Cheng sought instruction. “Your Highness, what of Chi Nu?”

Only then did Song Yang and Zhou Wenhe notice the small creature dangling from his hand and they could not help but be startled.

“Send it back to the menagerie,” Xi Rong said, without even raising his head, already drawing forth another new brush.

Jiang Cheng froze.

In less than the span of a tea’s steeping, Chi Nu was once more banished to the cold palace without warning. So then, why had His Highness ordered him to bring the creature over in the first place?

Once outside the hall, Song Yang shook his head in dissatisfaction. “Just now, why must you mention the heir of Prince Xiao before His Highness? Isn’t that the very pot you shouldn’t lift, yet you chose to?”

However, Zhou Wenhe, thoughtful, replied, “I brought it up deliberately. You saw it yourself today; that heir, adored by all, the very center of attention, is living in a world utterly apart from His Highness. Since returning from Songzhou, His Highness has refused to take the Ice Soul medicine. The more indifferent he appears outwardly, the heavier the knot in his heart. If this continues, it will end badly. Without a strong draught, His Highness is bound to come to harm.”

Song Yang said, “That still depends on timing. Tomorrow is the grand hunt. What you did only served to stir up trouble.”

Zhou Wenhe dismissed it. “Even if I hadn’t spoken, would His Highness not see him tomorrow? And you, have you also learned the art of plugging your ears while stealing a bell?”

“You don’t understand,” Song Yang retorted.

“What don’t I understand?”

“There is such a thing as love turning into hate. His Highness may carry a knot in his heart, but at least he still remains rational. If he were to truly resent the heir of Prince Xiao and act in some rash, irrational way, the consequences would be far worse. Prince Xiao’s ways of doing things are in no way inferior to Cui Daohuan’s.”

At that, Zhou Wenhe did feel a pang of regret. “But I’ve already said it. What now?”

“How should I know? All we can do is pray that tomorrow we don’t cross paths with the Prince of Jin’s retinue.”

***

Night fell and Xiao Rong once again felt unbearably hot.

After another chilled drink, he ordered Mo Dong to spread a bamboo mat beside the lotus pond and sat by the water to cool himself. Although it eased him somewhat, it felt as if a fire still burned within, impossible to dispel.

Xiao Rong, naturally guessing the cause, asked Mo Dong to fetch him another bowl of iced drink.

All around was silent. The night wind swept over, carrying the fragrance of lotus; iron horse-bells beneath the eaves chimed restlessly.

The Clear Stream Hall lay in the southeastern corner of the temporary palace. At night, apart from patrolling guards, few ever passed by. Seeing no one nearby, Xiao Rong slipped off his boots and socks and lowered both feet into the pond.

Thus, at last, he felt some relief.

Leaning on one hand and savoring the coolness, he suddenly sensed something sleek brush past his toes under the water.

Xiao Rong was not fainthearted, yet from childhood, he had always feared water rats and snakes. He quickly drew his feet back and peered into the water by lantern-light, only to see a small golden fish darting about playfully among the lotus leaves.

He fell into a daze.

Because it brought to mind a scene in the mountain streams of Songzhou. He too had sat barefoot by the bank then, while Third Brother, robe tucked at the waist, bamboo rod in hand, waded into the shimmering creek to catch fish for him.

Whichever fish he pointed at, Third Brother would catch it for him.

No matter how swift the fish, Third Brother always succeeded.

Xiao Rong shook his head, driving away such untimely thoughts.

Rising to his feet, still barefoot, he walked a short stretch along the cool terrace, circling to the far side of the lotus pond. Waiting until the little golden fish darted beneath a lotus leaf, he bent swiftly, hand plunging into the water to snatch it.

But the fish slipped away.

It was not because he wasn’t fast enough. As his hand dipped into the water, another hand caught him by the collar and hauled him up.

Xiao Rong was startled. He turned around, only to be met with Xi Rong’s face, cold as ice in the night, completely catching him off guard.

His first thought was, ‘Where were the guards of the Xiao Royal Residence?’ Then he remembered that he had just dismissed them himself, not wanting to be disturbed. After all, the palace was heavily guarded; not even a fly could slip inside. There had been no need to worry about safety.

And precisely because of this, Xi Rong had been able to appear behind him without a sound.

“What is the Young Prince doing?” Xi Rong withdrew his hand, his eyes carrying a sharp weight of scrutiny.

Xiao Rong regarded him for a moment, then quickly realized something and countered in mild puzzlement, “What does Your Highness think I am doing?”

Xi Rong did not answer, but glanced downward.

Being barefoot was indeed rather improper. Yet Xiao Rong cared little for propriety when it came to Xi Rong. After all, they had done things far more improper than this.

Xiao Rong stepped back, his expression turning serious. “I merely felt stifled, so I came out for some air. What brings Your Highness here?”

“I happened to be passing by.”

Xi Rong was always sparing with words. Xiao Rong recalled that Xi Rong’s quarters were to the southwest. If he entered from the palace’s side gate, then passing the Clear Stream Hall on his way back would indeed be unavoidable.

“Did my walking alone by the pool disturb Your Highness?” Accustomed to his icy demeanor, Xiao Rong asked this with a touch of tentative humor.

Xi Rong turned his gaze aside coolly. “Next time the Young Prince comes out to cool off, it would be best to wear more layers. Otherwise, should the patrolling guards catch sight of you, they might take you for a ghost haunting the grounds. And if the Young Prince were to slip and fall into the pond, then at tomorrow’s hunt, I fear you would hardly be at your best.”

Xiao Rong glanced down at himself. He had felt so overheated, so he had come out wearing only a wide-sleeved robe of the thinnest cloth; a snow-white one, no less.

“Thank you for the reminder, Your Highness. I will keep it in mind,” he spoke with composure.

Xi Rong said nothing more, turned, and walked away…

—as if even looking at him a moment longer was bothersome.

Xiao Rong watched his figure vanish beneath the corridor before lowering his gaze.

It was as though Xi Rong had dumped a basin of ice water over his head and followed it with a few mocking remarks. The restless heat in his body had inexplicably ebbed away. He sat back down on the seat, put on his shoes, and rose to head indoors.

When Mo Dong returned carrying a fresh cup of iced drink, he found the heir seated alone by the south window, his sleeves spread, head propped against his hand as he stared out into the night. Only a single lamp burned in the hall, casting a dim glow.

Hearing movement, Xiao Rong turned his face. In his dark eyes, the cold moonlight seemed to pool as he asked, “Is everything ready?”

Mo Dong nodded. “The bows and arrows are prepared, and Master has even had two clever lynxes sent over.”

Xiao Rong stretched out his hand. “And the thing I asked you to find?”

“Here.” Mo Dong produced a map of the hunting grounds and handed it over.

“Light two more lamps,” Xiao Rong unfolded the map across his lap and gave the order.

***

At dawn the next day, the Emperor held a solemn summer hunt ritual at the Stag Terrace, formally declaring the hunt begun. Although still not fully recovered from his injuries, the Emperor donned armor and personally brought down a few small game animals with his bow.

Putting away his bow, he turned with a smile to those behind him. “Now it is your turn, Our loyal subjects.”

Minister of State Affairs Cui Daohuan said, “This old servant is already advanced in years and will not intrude upon this sport. It is long known that Prince Xiao’s skill in archery is extraordinary. Why not invite His Highness to display it for all to see?”

It drew a chorus of assent from the other officials.

Prince Xiao replied, “Alas, this Prince’s arm is injured. I cannot perform for your amusement.”

“It is said the Young Prince has learned his bowmanship directly from Your Highness and has inherited your true skill. Why not let him try?” suggested another official.

The Emperor’s eyes lit with interest. He glanced back and smiled. “Rong Rong, go and shoot down those two sparrows for Us.”

Xiao Rong accepted, spurred his horse forward, and drew his bow. From the quiver at his back, he pulled out a feathered arrow and set it to the string.

Today, Xiao Rong had only come with a mind to play, and so he was not dressed in martial robes, but in a straight-cut, wide-sleeved gown, his waist bound with a trailing sash. At this moment, the young man’s sleeves flared as he drew his bow, aimed upward at a slant, and loosed an arrow.

With a sharp hiss through the air, two white sparrows dropped to the ground.

Applause broke out all around.

Turning his horse, bow in hand, Xiao Rong wheeled back, only to find countless eyes fixed on him, including Xi Rong’s. Xiao Rong returned to his place as if nothing had happened, tossing his bow lightly to Mo Dong.

After that, the company divided into its respective teams and set off toward different parts of the hunting grounds.

At once, banners fluttered across the preserve, dust rose thick in the air, and horses and riders darted back and forth. The spectacle was vast and imposing.

“How was it? Did you see clearly?”

At the rear, one party had halted. Holding his reins, Cui Xie tilted his head and asked Yan Hemei, who sat mounted beside him.

Yan Hemei withdrew his gaze, suppressing the storm surging in his chest. “To report to the Eldest Young Master, this subordinate believes it is as good as certain. Even if the world holds those with similar faces, there could hardly be two visages so exactly alike.”

Cui Xie’s grip on his reins tightened. The answer drew a frown to his brow and an inexplicable irritation rose in his heart. “I truly wonder,” he muttered, “what taste the Crown Prince must have in his mouth at this moment.”

After a long silence, Cui Xie bit out his words, “Does not the Xiao clan’s heir himself scorn the Crown Prince?”

Yan Hemei dared not reply rashly.

From behind, Cui Jiu said, “The Eldest Young Master is generous. He gave the Crown Prince chance after chance, but the Crown Prince did not cherish them. The Xiao clan’s heir, by contrast, cut ties cleanly and denied him outright. How could the Crown Prince’s heart be at ease? What’s more, today, that Xiao clan’s heir joins forces with the Prince of Jin, lending him his full support.”

At hunts of such scale, the wardens would first release a batch of game to be taken easily, so the Emperor and princes might have good omens from their kills. But since His Majesty had set a grander prize this time, rabbits and pheasants no longer sufficed. After picking off some small prey, everyone pressed into the deeper woods in pursuit of greater quarry.

The harder the beast to bring down, the greater its weight in the final tally.

Xiao Rong and the Prince of Jin’s party soon set their sights on a sika deer. But the deer was keenly alert, darting left and right with astonishing speed. They chased it for a long while before glimpsing it again on a hillside.

The slope there was sparse with trees compared to elsewhere. Although the deer fled in great bounds, its form flickered in and out of sight. The Prince of Jin, Wang Hui, Wang Yang, and several other scions of great clans grew eager, bending their bows one after another. Yet all their arrows fell short. They had pursued the beast too long to relinquish it easily, especially since it bore six-pronged antlers, a rare prize worth a hundred boars.

The Prince of Jin ordered his guards to fan out, closing in from all sides. However, even under a rain of arrows, the deer slipped nimbly through, showing no sign of stopping.

Since the start of the hunt, Xiao Rong had scarcely taken action. Now, seeing this, he signaled for Mo Dong to hand him the longbow. Drawing a feathered shaft from the quiver, he urged his horse forward, bow in hand, string half-drawn, and eyes fixed on the deer’s shadow.

Just as he was about to pull the bow to its full, a pack of savage hounds burst out from the far side of the slope.

Those hounds were far larger than ordinary hunting dogs. They hurled themselves at the deer, dragged it down, and in moments tore it into a blood-soaked ruin, unmoving upon the ground.

Even the Prince of Jin and the well-born youths around him, who had seen their share of carnage, felt a chill creep up their spines at the sight of such ferocious beasts, drinking blood and tearing flesh.

At that moment, another troop emerged slowly from behind the slope.

At its head rode the Prince of Wei. Following close behind was a general in purple robes, Cui Cheng.

Xiao Rong had already lowered his bow.

Cui Cheng’s eyes struck him like lightning. His lips curled into a crooked smile. “My apologies, Young Prince Xiao. This deer belongs to this general.”

Xiao Rong stroked his bow and smiled faintly. “In books, I often saw the phrase, ‘The creature mirrors its master.’ Until today, I never understood its meaning. It seems I have had the privilege of learning it firsthand.”

Cui Cheng laughed. “Then I shall take it as the Young Prince’s praise for me.”

Xiao Rong lazily half-drew the bow in his hand again. “In ancient times, there was the great Ch’un tree that lasted eight thousand years in spring and another eight thousand in autumn. Yet even that tree, I think, would pale before a face as thick-skinned as a city wall.”

Cui Cheng gave a short, cold laugh. “I have long been acquainted with the Young Prince’s sharp tongue. But in this hunting ground, fierce beasts roam. The Young Prince would do well to take care. After all, no matter how quick the tongue, it cannot bite through a beast’s throat.”

Wang Hui burst out, “That Cui Cheng is intolerable!”

The Prince of Jin, too, wore a look of distaste. He said to Xiao Rong, “Young Prince, let us move on. There is no need to waste our time here.”

Xiao Rong agreed.

Just then, Cui Cheng suddenly snapped his fingers. At once, the two hounds that had been lapping at deer blood leapt toward the Prince of Jin’s party, pouncing upon a lynx and tearing it apart. In only a few moments, the lynx was dead.

The attack came so suddenly that even the guards of the Xiao Royal Residence, as well as a Silver Dragon Cavalry general in the retinue, had no time to react.

Wang Hui roared in anger, “Cui Cheng, what are you trying to do?”

Cui Cheng laughed boisterously. “My apologies, I gave the wrong signal just now. Sorry to have startled His Highness and the Young Prince. It’s only a lynx; this general will see to it you’re compensated with another later.” He whistled again and the two hounds bounded back toward him.

Xiao Rong cast a cold glance at Mo Dong. Mo Dong understood at once, sprang forward, and in a flash of steel, brought down both hounds, severing their heads.

At last, a shadow of malice flickered in Cui Cheng’s eyes. But in the very next instant, he merely licked his lips and said with a grin, “A fine display, Young Prince. This general will remember it well.”

With a broad wave of his hand, his men from the Imperial Guards stepped forward, quickly dragged away the sika deer the hounds had brought down on the hillside, and presented it to the Prince of Wei for inspection.

That entire party then swaggered off in triumph.

Wang Hui was livid. “They go far beyond insolence! Your Highness, are you unharmed?”

The Prince of Jin shook his head, although his complexion was noticeably pale. “I have long heard of that Cui Cheng, a notorious bully who does whatever he pleases by relying on the might of the Cui clan. It seems the rumors were no exaggeration.”

Xiao Rong ordered Mo Dong to bury the innocent lynx on the spot before turning to the Prince of Jin. “Your Highness, that man is vicious and ruthless. You would do well to be on your guard.”

The Prince of Jin nodded gravely. “Were it not for you accompanying me today,” he added, “I can scarcely imagine how I might have responded to that scene, or how it might have ended.”

Fortunately, the rest of the hunt went smoothly and they did not encounter the Prince of Wei or Cui Cheng’s company again.

Along the way, they brought down several more wild beasts. Even Wang Hui’s luck proved decent as he managed to catch a white fox.

However, summer weather is fickle. After another half hour or so, heavy clouds rolled across the sky, and without warning, rain began to pour. The company had no choice but to seek shelter on the spot.

Thankfully, the royal hunting grounds were thick with ancient trees, dense and sprawling, some with leaves broad enough to form natural canopies. By huddling beneath them, they could just barely avoid the worst of the downpour.

The Prince of Jin personally gathered some wild fruit and offered them to Xiao Rong.

Xiao Rong’s appetite had been poor of late. Seeing the fruits’ greenish hue, he recalled how, back in the mountains of Songzhou, when he lived alone, too lazy and unskilled to cook, he would often gather wild berries for meals. So he picked one up, wiped it against his sleeve, and bit into it.

The taste of freshly picked fruit was never especially fine; this one was no exception. Still, it wasn’t overly astringent and could at least stave off hunger.

The Prince of Jin gazed at the dark, storm-laden sky. “I wonder how the others are faring. It’s likely that they too are trapped in the forest by this sudden rain.”

Xiao Rong said, “The storm came swiftly. Most of them won’t be able to get out.”

“Good thing you are here.” The Prince of Jin wiped the rain from his face and repeated, with quiet relief, “Had I been stranded alone, I would truly have been at a loss.”

Xiao Rong gave no reply, for though he could remain composed even in sudden crises like this, he did have one fatal weakness. Thunder.

And summer storms often came with thunder and lightning.

As the low rumble echoed faintly from the depths of the sky, his composure was little more than a show of will. At that moment, instinctively, a thought of one person surfaced. If that person were there, he would surely not be afraid.

However, of course, that person could not possibly appear.

Just then, a guard of the Xiao Royal Residence came forward to report, “Young Prince, there are several men behind us, skulking about and tailing us.”

Xiao Rong lifted a hand.

The guards understood at once and hauled the men forward.

The leader, dressed in a ninth-rank green official’s robe, lit up the moment he saw Xiao Rong, his face alight with shock and delight. He immediately dropped to his knees and bowed deeply. “This humble official, Yan Maocai, pays respects to the Young Prince. I wonder, does the Young Prince still remember me?”

Kneeling behind Yan Maocai were two others, both in the garb of scholars. They were none other than Ji Ziqing and Zhang Jiuyi, who had entered the capital alongside him. The two men, upon seeing the true appearance of the rumored heir of Prince Xiao, were both utterly shocked.

“So it is Young Master Yan.” Xiao Rong let his gaze rest briefly on Yan Maocai, the corners of his lips lifting in a faint smile. “What brings Young Master Yan here?”

“This humble official was fortunate enough to be recommended by a patron and now serves in the Ministry of Revenue. When I caught sight of the Young Prince’s true countenance this morning, I thought my eyes deceived me. Who would have thought it was truly the heir himself? Previously, it was I who failed to recognize talent. I beg the Young Prince’s pardon! This humble one offers his apologies to the Young Prince.” Yan Maocai knocked his forehead to the ground three times in succession.

Xiao Rong’s eyes curved and he offered a kindly smile. “Of course not. To meet Young Master Yan again brings me no small joy. Please rise. I have heard your esteemed father has also come to the capital. Why is it that you are not with him?”

Yan Maocai scrambled up in excitement. “To confess the truth, I slipped away behind my father’s back. Just this morning, he repeatedly warned me not to venture southwest.”

“Not go southwest?” Xiao Rong paused.

“Yes. Father said there are too many ferocious beasts and predators here, exceedingly dangerous. But so long as I can meet the Young Prince and renew old ties, what does a little danger matter?”

Xiao Rong furrowed his brows, fell into thought for a moment, then suddenly rose to his feet and said to the Prince of Jin, “Your Highness, this place is unsafe. We must go at once.”

The Prince of Jin started, but seeing his grave expression, so unlike a jest, immediately nodded and rose as well.

Everyone hastened to mount their horses and take up their bows.

Xiao Rong turned and asked, “Young Master Yan, will you follow us?”

“Of course!” Yan Maocai hauled Ji Ziqing and Zhang Jiuyi to their feet and then mounted with several Yan family retainers.

However, it was already too late.

They had only ridden a short distance when shadows burst forth from the surrounding woods on every side, charging straight into their midst.

Wang Hui’s face drained of color. “Hunting hound! It’s those hounds again!”

Unlike the ones seen earlier on the slope, this time there were dozens of them, tongues lolling, drool dripping, eyes blazing with a savage gleam as they hurled themselves at both men and horses.

Yet not a single human figure appeared nearby, nor was there any sign of Cui Cheng.

The guards of both the Xiao Royal Residence and the Jin Royal Residence rushed to battle the beasts. But before they had finished off one wave, another surged forward. One hound even lunged beneath the Prince of Jin’s horse, springing straight at him.

Fortunately, Xiao Rong loosed an arrow in time and felled the beast.

However, it could not last. The dogs’ fangs were so sharp that they could notch and chip even the soldiers’ blades, gravely hampering their defense.

Xiao Rong made a swift decision and shouted to Mo Dong, “You protect the Prince of Jin and withdraw first. I’ll take men to draw these hounds away!”