Accidentally Having a Baby with the Future Emperor - Chapter 79

Xiao Rong returned to his quarters together with the Prince of Jin.

The Prince of Jin sighed. “It is a pity the evidence is insufficient and we cannot bring Cui Cheng to justice. Still, those vicious hounds have all been put down. They will not harm anyone again.”

Xiao Rong gazed at the night sky, now completely black, his thoughts drifting elsewhere. At those words, he replied, “The wicked are not beyond Heaven’s reach. Cui Cheng has committed countless evils. He may have escaped with his life this time, but the next time, he may not be so fortunate.”

“The Young Prince’s words are absolutely right.”

The lanterns beneath the eaves swayed, their light spilling onto the lotus pond outside the gallery, tracing ripples clear as rings of jade.

As Xiao Rong withdrew his gaze, the sound of footsteps drew near. Looking up, he saw a group of people approaching from across the corridor.

It was Xi Rong and his retinue.

He had clearly just come from the hunting grounds. His crown and robes were still drenched, mud clung to his hem and boots, and the Shan’a sword hung at his side. His features were austere, his brows like blades, while his thin lips pressed into a cold line. His imposing frame filled the corridor, nearly blotting out the light behind him.

Xiao Rong gathered himself and, alongside the Prince of Jin, bowed in greeting.

Xi Rong only gave the slightest nod before passing by without a glance, his strides leaving a trail of wet prints across the stone floor.

Following behind him, Song Yang, Jiang Cheng, and the others hurriedly saluted Xiao Rong and the Prince of Jin before hastening after their master.

Xiao Rong could not help glancing back.

Seeing this, the Prince of Jin remarked, “His Highness the Crown Prince has always had such a temper. Even I at times find him formidable. The Young Prince need not take offense.”

Xiao Rong smiled but said nothing.

Back at the Clear Stream Hall, Xiao Rong rested for a while and sipped a cup of hot tea before Zhang Fu arrived once more.

“His Majesty summons the Young Prince to the Sweet Spring Hall.” Standing with a fly-whisk in hand, Zhang Fu conveyed the message with a smile.

Setting down the teacup, Xiao Rong asked, “Is it about today’s affair?”

“Indeed. His Majesty is drafting punishment for Cui Cheng and asks the Young Prince to attend and lend judgment to the matter.”

“Whom else has His Majesty summoned?”

“The Crown Prince, the Prince of Jin, the Prince of Wei, and several ministers from the Ministries of Justice and Revenue, as well as the Court of Judicial Review. Prince Xiao and the Grand Tutor will also be present.”

Xiao Rong nodded and followed Zhang Fu to the Sweet Spring Hall.

Inside, the hall blazed with light. Many were already seated. The Emperor, draped in a bright yellow robe, sat upon the throne, his displeasure plain to the eye. In the open space below, Cui Daohuan stood with lowered sleeves. At his feet, Cui Cheng lay upon a stretcher, clearly treated by the Imperial Physicians, his chest and legs bound with heavy bandages. Another official in a vermilion robe knelt trembling on the ground, pleading for forgiveness.

The Crown Prince, the Prince of Wei, and the Prince of Jin were all present.

When Xiao Rong entered and bowed, the Emperor’s expression eased somewhat. “Rong’er, We already know the full matter. Rest assured that today We will see you vindicated,” the Emperor declared.

“Your servant dares not presume,” Xiao Rong replied respectfully. “Your servant was merely startled. It was His Highness the Prince of Jin who narrowly escaped being mauled several times by those beasts. It was truly a terrifying thing to recall.”

The Emperor nodded, striking the table with his fist. “Such vicious hounds attacking men in the imperial hunting grounds itself! Outrageous, intolerable! It chills even Our heart to think of it.”

His fury stirred his old ailment and he was seized by a coughing fit.

Zhang Fu hastily offered a cup of ginseng tea.

After a sip, the Emperor’s breath steadied. “The matter of the Ministry of Revenue’s accounts will be left to the Three Judicial Divisions. However, Grand Tutor, you say Cui Cheng is guilty of negligence. Tell Us, in your view, how should this dereliction be punished?” |21|

The Minister of Revenue, kneeling on the ground, turned ashen.

The Minister of State Affairs Cui Daohuan’s expression too grew visibly strained.

Clearly, Cui Cheng’s embezzling of Imperial Guards’ funds to raise those hounds had already been discussed. However, if Cui Cheng’s life was to be preserved, Cui Daohuan could only grit his teeth and submit.

Composing himself, he said, “Cui Cheng’s negligence has led to a grave error. This old servant dares not excuse him. Yet today, he has been gravely injured and has received a bitter lesson. My late elder brother left only this one son. I beg Your Majesty, in remembrance of Cui Cheng’s past services, to deal with him leniently and grant him a chance to repent, so that my brother’s line may not be cut off. From this day forth, I will keep him under strictest discipline.”

As he spoke, he raised his sleeve to wipe the tears that had welled at the corners of his eyes.

“Imperial Father, for the Grand Tutor’s many years of loyal service, this son too beseeches Imperial Father to show clemency toward Cui Cheng,” said the Prince of Wei, stepping forward.

Several officials aligned with the Cui clan immediately rose in chorus to plead as well.

The Emperor said coldly, “Then, Grand Tutor, tell Us, what exactly do you call ‘lenient punishment’?”

Cui Daohuan was just about to speak when Xiao Rong suddenly interjected.

“Your Majesty, since Cui Cheng holds office within the Imperial Guards, this humble servant believes it best to deal with him according to military law. This servant imagines the Grand Tutor must surely agree with him.”

It was indeed what Cui Daohuan had intended. First, within the Imperial Guards, he commanded enough influence to maneuver as he pleased. Second, by bypassing the Court of Judicial Review and the Ministry of Justice, he would save himself endless wrangling and trouble.

At Xiao Rong’s words, however, he could not help but cast him a suspicious glance.

The Emperor nodded and asked, “What do you, my loyal ministers, think?”

“Your Majesty, this servant concurs with the Young Prince’s opinion.”

“This servant too concurs.”

One after another, the officials of the Ministry of Justice and the Court of Judicial Review expressed agreement.

Prince Xiao said lazily, “The Secretariat has matters to deliberate later. As for this trifling affair, this minister shall refrain from discussion.”

The Emperor then turned to Xiao Rong. “Rong’er, in your view, what would military law prescribe?”

Xiao Rong replied, “This servant is not well-versed in the Imperial Guards’ statutes. But within the Silver Dragon Cavalry, a negligence of this severity would warrant at least a hundred strokes of the staff and demotion by three ranks. As for the Imperial Guards’ code, this servant fears we must defer to the Grand Tutor.”

“If this son recalls rightly,” Xi Rong interjected with a casual tone, “a grave dereliction of duty, under the Imperial Guards’ law, is also punished with one hundred strokes and demotion by three ranks.”

At once, some remembered that in his youth, the Crown Prince had sought favor with the Cui clan and even served briefly in the Imperial Guards, hence his familiarity with their codes. Only later, when the Cuis chose instead to back the Prince of Wei, did they cast the Crown Prince out of the Imperial Guards.

That the Crown Prince would seize this chance to strike at Cui Cheng was no surprise at all.

“Your Majesty!” Cui Daohuan fell to his knees at once.

“Cui Cheng is already gravely wounded. If subjected to the staff, he may not survive. This old servant begs Your Majesty, substitute flogging for the staff. And as for demotion by three ranks, during his tenure as General of the Imperial Guards, Cui Cheng has committed no other great faults. Such punishment would be too harsh. Might it not be better to strip him only of the general’s title and reduce him to deputy? Should he err again, demotion can follow.”

“And what do you think, Rong’er?” the Emperor asked.

Xiao Rong answered, “The one most endangered today was His Highness the Prince of Jin. So long as the Prince of Jin harbors no objection, neither shall this servant. Yet today’s affair caused an egregiously bad impression and gravely damaged General Cui’s reputation. I believe it would be best to administer the punishment tomorrow, in the presence of Your Majesty and the full court. First, it allows General Cui to redeem himself openly. Second, it proves the Grand Tutor’s fairness and impartiality. Third, it serves as a warning to all officials, so none dare follow such an example.”

“Imperial Father, this son agrees with the Young Prince,” the Prince of Jin declared at once, rising in support.

The Emperor turned to Cui Daohuan. “Grand Tutor, what say you?”

Cui Daohuan clenched his fist, glaring bitterly at the composed youth in the hall. “This old servant has no objection.”

“Then tomorrow at dawn, let the sentence be carried out at the Stag Terrace,” the Emperor pronounced, final and unyielding.

***

“Truly, the Young Prince shows remarkable skill. This old man’s eyes have been opened.”

As the court dispersed, Cui Daohuan stood at the great stone steps outside the hall, his gaze cold upon Xiao Rong.

At last, he understood why Xiao Rong had been so eager to propose judgment under military law. Only under military law could punishment be administered publicly. Thus, he was left no room at all to maneuver.

Xiao Rong smiled faintly. The Grand Tutor flatters me. A hundred lashes is no easy matter. It’s best for the Grand Tutor to summon a skilled physician to tend to General Cui well, lest tomorrow’s punishment prove too much and sever your family’s line altogether.”

Cui Daohuan sneered. “When pointing to others’ crimes, the Young Prince sees all too clearly. But what of your own crimes, Young Prince? Do you truly think you can escape them?”

“My crimes?” Xiao Rong feigned puzzlement. “I lack both the skill and the audacity to raise a pack of vicious hounds, unlike General Cui. The Xiao clan enforces strict ancestral law and we would never allow our scions to do such a thing. Grand Tutor, your words are far beyond what I dare shoulder.”

Cui Daohuan chuckled softly, as though hearing the most amusing thing in the world. Stroking his beard, he said leisurely, “Young Prince, do you not know what you did two years ago? Some things, spoken plainly now, would spoil the game. Tomorrow, let us see.”

With that, he swept his sleeves and departed.

Xiao Rong’s lips curled coldly as he too descended the steps at an unhurried pace.

***

From the Sweet Spring Hall to the Clear Stream Hall, one had to pass through a long covered corridor. At this hour, the lamps were lit, casting a trail of light along the way. Xiao Rong walked with his thoughts adrift and just as he rounded a corner, he unexpectedly collided with someone.

“Does the Young Prince always walk without looking where he’s going?”

A low, cold voice sounded above him.

Xiao Rong lifted his gaze and was met with a familiar, strikingly handsome face. It was Xi Rong.

Perhaps it was the night or the way he stood against the light, but Xi Rong’s figure seemed even taller than by day. His eyes, dark as a frozen pool, lowered slightly, fixing him with a weighed and measured look.

Xiao Rong quickly stepped back, smiling faintly. “My apologies, Your Highness. I’ve managed to run into you yet again.”

“It seems the Young Prince has yet to collide with stone and learn a lesson.” Xi Rong’s tone dripped with dry mockery.

“…”

However, after the ordeal at the hunting grounds earlier that day, Xiao Rong was no longer unsettled by such barbed remarks. Instead, he said solemnly, “Just now in the hall, I must thank Your Highness for speaking on my behalf.”

“I merely happened to recall the law and spoke idly,” Xi Rong replied. “The Young Prince needn’t make too much of it.”

Mo Dong, standing five paces away, watched silently as the Young Prince and the Crown Prince exchanged polite deflections, both fencing with words. For the first time, he realized the Young Prince’s temper had grown astonishingly mild. Could it be because the Crown Prince had stepped in to shield him during the day?

Xiao Rong studied Xi Rong. Even knowing full well that his words belied his intent, he could not help a flicker of frustration. Couldn’t this man, just once, speak plainly?

“No matter what, I still owe Your Highness thanks. I won’t intrude further on your evening.” Composing his expression into perfect courtesy, he inclined in a graceful salute and continued down the corridor.

“Wait. I have a few words to say to the Young Prince alone.”

Xi Rong’s voice cut the silence.

Xiao Rong paused, a little surprised, and then signaled Mo Dong to withdraw.

“What is it Your Highness wishes to tell me?” He leaned closer with a smiling gaze.

Xi Rong seemed momentarily distracted before his expression hardened again. “The Young Prince knows well that Yan Hemei has already arrived in the capital. Why, then, would you provoke Cui Daohuan tonight, insisting on crossing blades with Cui Cheng?”

“May I take it that Your Highness is concerned for me?” Instead of answering, Xiao Rong countered.

Xi Rong’s voice was frosted steel. “I am merely curious. Best that the Young Prince not let his imagination wander.”

Xiao Rong’s smile faded into faint disappointment. “As Your Highness said, Yan Hemei is in the capital. Do you truly think the Cui clan would summon him here at such a time for something as idle as serving fish soup? The truth is plain. I have always lived by the rule of ‘do not offend me, and I will not offend you.’ But the Cuis struck first, so I will ensure they learn what it means to set themselves against me. I am the heir of the Xiao clan. If I cannot even vent such an insult, then what use am I as heir?

“Does this answer satisfy Your Highness?”

Xi Rong inclined his head. “I have long heard the Young Prince was arrogant and domineering. Today, I see the rumors were not exaggerated. But tell me, the Young Prince was walking so lost in thought that you forgot to watch your steps. Were you fretting over this matter?”

“Fretting?” The night wind swept up the hem of Xiao Rong’s long robe, drawing an elegant arc. His eyes curved in a smile. “Your Highness underestimates me. Such a trifling matter is hardly worth my worry. But with all your roundabout questions, are you certain you are not, in truth, worried for me?” He knew full well that, given all he had said and done, this question was presumptuous; imperious even. And yet he asked it anyway. More precisely, he relished their game of words.

“The Young Prince does seem very sure of himself,” Xi Rong said flatly, unreadable.

Met with such impenetrable calm, Xiao Rong lost the mood for banter. His demeanor straightened and with another flawless bow, he excused himself and walked on.

***

“Father.” Cui Xie presented a cup of tea and set it by Cui Daohuan’s side. “I have already summoned the best physician in the capital who specializes in external injuries to attend to Cui Cheng. By tomorrow, I will see to it that his life is not in danger.”

Cui Daohuan took a sip, his anger yet to subside. “That Xiao Rong is insufferably arrogant. Xiao Jingming has truly raised a little madman who is no different from himself.”

Cui Xie said, “Fortunately, Prince Yan has already given his initial consent to ally with the Cui clan. Father need not dread the Xiao clan as in the past. This summer hunt, I had intended to suppress the prestige of the Crown Prince, but who would have thought that Cui Cheng would act on his own, provoke that Xiao Rong, and nearly bring disaster upon you?”

Cui Daohuan said, “Xiao Jingming is ruthless. Now that he has seized upon the Imperial Guards’ misconduct, he will surely take the chance to slash their funding. The alliance with Prince Yan can no longer be delayed.” His eyes turned sharp. “As for Yan Hemei, how certain are you of that matter?”

From outside the curtain, Yan Hemei, who had stood respectfully all this time, answered in a steady voice, “Replying to the Minister, before I was granted your patronage, I worked in documentation and was once in charge of sketching portraits of wanted men. I dare not claim skill in other matters, but in this, I can stake my very life on its accuracy. There will be no mistake.”

“That is well.” Cui Daohuan’s gaze carried authority as it fell. “If this matter succeeds, the position of Prefect of Songzhou shall be yours. Wu Zhiyin has been in office for three years with no accomplishments. It is high time he made way.”

Yan Hemei spread his robe and fell to his knees. “This humble official thanks the Minister for his favor.”

***

The next morning, all the officials assembled at the Stag Terrace to witness Cui Cheng’s punishment.

Bound to the execution frame, his body swathed in medicated bandages, he received one hundred lashes before the court. By the end, he was carried away, barely clinging to life.

When the punishment was concluded, the Emperor appeared, accompanied by Prince Xiao and Minister of State Affairs Cui Daohuan. He ordered that the records of the previous day’s hunt be presented, with particular attention to the princes’ results.

The weather had cleared; the sun shone bright. Zhang Fu had already directed the palace attendants to set up long pavilions of silk awnings stretching for miles, where the Emperor and his ministers could rest.

An official from the Ministry of Rites proclaimed aloud the game captured by the princes.

The Prince of Wei had originally brought in a fine tally, but on account of Cui Cheng’s offense, more than half of his spoils, especially the larger beasts, were struck from the record.

The Crown Prince, Xi Rong, had, it was said, fallen into a trap during the hunt and sustained serious injuries; his performance was poor, yielding only small prey.

When the tally was complete, the greatest triumph belonged to the Prince of Jin.

The Emperor, before all, slipped the dragon-engraved ring from his own hand and bestowed it upon the Prince of Jin, then conferred several sets of brocade robes upon the most distinguished generals.

All the officials rose in unison to offer congratulations to the Prince of Jin and the rewarded generals.

The Prince of Wei, seated among them, turned pale with fury.

The Emperor next commanded wine be served to the generals and, in particular, instructed Zhang Fu to present a precious small flask of lychee wine to the heir of Prince Xiao.

These days, the Emperor’s favor toward Xiao Rong was so evident that none of the court found it strange.

Xiao Rong rose and gave thanks for the honor.

The atmosphere was merry when, suddenly, Minister of State Affairs Cui Daohuan stepped forward.

“Your Majesty, Cui Cheng has committed crimes, confessed, and been punished. Yet today, this servant has another grave matter, an affair shocking to the ear, that this servant must present before Your Majesty.”

The phrase ‘shocking to the ear’ instantly drew the attention of every official. Even the Emperor’s face showed surprise.

“What matter does Minister Cui wish to speak of?”

Cui Daohuan said, “Before this servant explains, this servant must summon one man.”

“And who is that?”

“Yan Hemei, the Assistant Prefect of Songzhou, who once presented Your Majesty with fish soup previously.”

The Emperor nodded. “We recall him. Let him enter.”

“As Your Majesty commands.”

Cui Daohuan murmured a few instructions to Cui Jiu, steward of the Cui clan.

Cui Jiu accepted the order and withdrew in haste.

As today’s banquet was held in the open air, there were no strict limits on attendance. Thus, Jiang Cheng, Song Yang, and Zhou Wenhe all accompanied Xi Rong.

At the mention of the name Yan Hemei, the three exchanged uneasy looks.

Only Xi Rong remained impassive, sipping his wine without a flicker of expression.

The three glanced instinctively toward the heir of Prince Xiao, only to find his expression even calmer than the Crown Prince’s.

The other officials, however, could not help but speculate. What did Minister Cui Daohuan intend to stir up such a spectacle so suddenly?

“Minister of State Affairs, it’s a disaster!”

Before long, Cui Jiu returned, his face strained. He whispered urgently into Cui Daohuan’s ear. The Minister’s expression changed; his brow knit slightly. Then, he rose and bowed toward the Emperor. “Your Majesty, last night on his way back to his quarters, Assistant Prefect Yan Hemei of Songzhou was struck in the chest by an arrow!”

The lychee wine was fragrant and mellow. Xiao Rong had been quietly drinking since the banquet began. At those words, a thought struck him and he lifted his gaze almost at once toward the opposite seat.

There sat Xi Rong, still drinking, his face an unreadable mask.

The court erupted in shock.

The Emperor demanded, “And how does he fare now?”

Cui Daohuan replied, “The shot was vicious enough to kill outright but fortunately, Yan Hemei wore soft armor beneath his robes and so he escaped with only minor injuries. The attack came after dark and he did not wish to raise an alarm. He concealed himself in a stream until dawn, only then daring to emerge.”

Xi Rong’s hand that held the wine cup stilled abruptly.

Behind him, Song Yang blanched in alarm.

The Prince of Wei shot to his feet. “Imperial Father! For an official to be openly shot at within the imperial hunting grounds, such audacity cannot be tolerated. The culprit must be severely punished!”

“The culprit?” Cui Daohuan gave a cold snort, his gaze flashing like a blade toward one spot. “Perhaps it is a question the heir of Prince Xiao should answer.”

The words fell like thunder. Gasps rippled through the assembly and all eyes turned upon Xiao Rong.

“Young Prince,” Cui Daohuan’s eyes were sharp as fire, “tell me truthfully. These past two years, have you truly been studying in Qizhou?”