Accidentally Having a Baby with the Future Emperor - Chapter 81

The sun hung high. A middle-aged man with a silver mask and a broad, powerful frame strode in with heavy, purposeful steps; every motion of hand lift and footfall was charged with a deadly gravity. He was led into the tent by his guards.

Xiao Rong, who had been idly toying with his wine cup throughout, finally looked up coldly.

Gongsun Yu bared his chest, spread his robe and knelt, kowtowing before the Emperor, and then presented a report of victory.

After reading it, the Emperor’s face lit with pleasure and he bade Gongsun Yu rise.

Gongsun Yu rose, thanked him, and then bowed to Prince Xiao. “I pay my respects to Your Highness.”

“You flatter me.” The corner of Prince Xiao’s mouth curled with scorn. “I just heard an amusing tale,” he went on. “They say the attempted assassination of Prince Yan two years ago was carried out by my heir. What, do you mean the Northern Yan garrison has no sentries at its gate? Any weak scholar unable even to lift a chicken could walk in and assassinate your commander?”

For a moment, every eye turned to Gongsun Yu.

Clearly, as Prince Yan’s foremost general and a man Prince Yan trusted deeply, it would be impossible for Prince Yan’s assassination to have been concealed from Gongsun Yu if it had occurred. That was why Minister Cui Daohuan had dared publicly to confront Prince Xiao’s heir.

Prince Xiao and Prince Yan had long been at odds. If Gongsun Yu himself confirmed that Prince Xiao’s heir had attempted to kill Prince Yan, today’s matter would obviously not end simply.

“Your Highness flatters me,” Gongsun Yu replied modestly. Because his face was hidden behind a silver mask, no one could see the hideously burned features beneath, rumored to have been horribly scarred. He paused and then continued, “In truth, two years ago, a villain did break into the central command tent, intent on killing Prince Yan,” Gongsun Yu said. “But fortunately, His Highness woke in time and the villain failed. That assailant only bore a slight resemblance in build to the heir.”

Cui Daohuan’s expression changed sharply. He looked at him in startled doubt. “General Gongsun, you—”

Gongsun Yu answered, “It was the young Thirteenth Protector, hot-headed and ignorant of the facts, who mistook the man and caused the Minister of State Affairs’ misunderstanding. I beg the Minister to show some forbearance, and also beg Prince Xiao and his heir to forgive this error.”

Cui Daohuan’s face shifted through several shades. Although furious and bitter, for now, he still needed to win over Prince Yan and could only swallow his resentment.

Prince Xiao rose. “It seems this farce should end here. Mo Qing,” he called.

Mo Qing immediately left his seat and respectfully waited for orders.

Prince Xiao looked up and watched a line of wild geese cross the sky. With his hands tucked in his sleeves, he said, “Since the Minister of State Affairs is unsatisfied with yesterday’s hunt, go and hunt some better game and add it to the Prince of Jin’s catch.”

Yan Hemei was carried away on a stretcher with both legs broken, barely clinging to life.

Mo Qing, meanwhile, had managed to take down a fierce tiger and added it to the Prince of Jin’s tally.

When the banquet finally ended and the Emperor withdrew to his tent to rest and the ministers dispersed, Prince Xiao’s face at last relaxed. He glanced at the young man beside him and then strode out.

Xiao Rong rose and followed. Just as they were about to leave the pavilion’s reach, Xiao Rong abruptly stopped, turned back, and smiled toward Xi Rong, who was still seated, the only one remaining at the table.

Xi Rong looked up in haste, nearly thinking he’d mistaken it. By the time he registered it, the figure had already vanished.

Song Yang had been tense the entire time. Only now did he let out a long breath and glance at the bloodstains left on the ground outside. He could not help but murmur, “This Prince Xiao is truly no ordinary man. But I didn’t expect Gongsun Yu not to identify Prince Xiao’s heir on the spot.”

Zhou Wenhe, on the other hand, wore a pleased expression. “It’s rare to see that old Cui Daohuan take such a beating. It’s quite satisfying.”

***

Back at his residence, Prince Xiao stood with a hard face and dismissed the guard Mo Chun, who had stepped forward to change his wounds’ dressings.

Not long after, Mo Qing entered, holding in his hand a feathered arrow whose tip had been broken off.

Mo Qing said, “Your Highness, the Court of Judicial Review and the Ministry of Justice have both sent men to investigate. The arrow that injured Yan Hemei is of unknown make with no identifying marks on the shaft, so it will take time to trace. They asked whether Your Highness wants them to continue hunting for the attacker.”

“No need.” Before Prince Xiao could speak, the tall and silent figure standing lower in the room, Xiao Rong, raised his head and spoke first, “I did it.”

Mo Qing froze and turned to look at Xiao Rong.

Xiao Rong turned to face Prince Xiao, spread his sleeves and knelt. “Minister Cui Daohuan’s suspicions are all true. I feared Yan Hemei would expose what I did in Songzhou, so I had him removed to cut off future trouble.”

“Young Prince.” Mo Qing’s eyes flashed with concern. He could not help but try to stop him from saying more.

“It’s not just this,” Xiao Rong said. “What Cui Daohuan said about the other matters is true as well.” He did not stop. His dark eyes met Prince Xiao’s with an unprecedented calm. “Two years ago, I did indeed change my name and hide my identity to infiltrate the Northern Yan garrison to attempt to kill Prince Yan. And I did impersonate the Thirteenth Protector Jing Xi in Songzhou to steal the treasures from the Golden Lantern Pavilion. I did all of that. I know I cannot escape the guilt I owe and I have no words of defense.”

Xiao Rong bowed low to the ground, knocking his head against the floor. “Please, Father, punish me.”

The tent fell into utter silence.

After a long while, Prince Xiao let out a laugh. “Xiao Rong, you certainly have skill. It seems I truly underestimated you.”

“Your Highness,” Mo Qing said at once, dropping to one knee. “The heir is young and hot-blooded. He’s bound to act rashly at times. Perhaps there were reasons beyond his control—”

“I had no such reason, General. You need not plead for me.” Xiao Rong’s voice remained calm. “Two years ago, I escaped from the Hall of Repentant because I thought Father’s judgment was unjust, favoring outsiders and treating me unfairly. I went to Northern Yan purely to vent my anger. “I impersonated Prince Yan’s Thirteenth Protector, Jing Xi, to steal the treasures of the Golden Lantern Pavilion simply because I wanted them and I had no money of my own.

“I had no hidden cause and no one forced me. Everything I did, I did of my own will, by my own hand, and with careful planning. If Father wishes to know exactly how I infiltrated the Northern Yan camp and how I entered Prince Yan’s central tent to strike at him, I can recount every detail.”

“That’s enough!” Prince Xiao finally cut him off, his tone edged with fury. He laughed in anger. “Xiao Rong, have I been too lenient with you lately, that you’ve grown so insolent, so arrogant, so lawless and ungrateful?!”

“Mo Chun!” Prince Xiao called sharply.

The shadow standing silently in the corner stepped forward at once.

Prince Xiao’s face was dark as water. Pointing at the kneeling youth, he ordered, “Thirty lashes. Beat him.”

“Your Highness!” Mo Qing’s face changed. The guards’ whip was no ordinary one but a punishment lash; thirty strikes from it would cripple a frail young man like the heir. Mo Qing pleaded, “Your Highness, there’s the reward banquet tonight. If the heir is injured, how can he attend? His absence will surely arouse suspicion and even the Emperor will demand an explanation. I beg Your Highness to reconsider.”

“If thirty lashes leave him unable to walk, then he is unfit to be the heir of the Xiao clan,” Prince Xiao said coldly. “Strike!”

It was rare to see Prince Xiao so enraged.

Mo Qing dared not say another word, afraid further pleas would only worsen his temper. Yet he couldn’t help glancing anxiously at the youth still kneeling on the floor.

Xiao Rong showed no resistance. He merely rose, pressed his lips together, took off his outer robe and cast it aside, then knelt again, ready to accept the punishment calmly.

Mo Chun saw his lord standing with his back to the hall entrance, hands clasped behind him, one fist clenched tight. His resolve was clearly set. Daring no hesitation, Mo Chun removed the punishment whip from his belt.

“Your Highness,” came a voice from outside in the silence. “Prince Yan’s general, Gongsun Yu, requests an audience.”

“I have no time for him,” Prince Xiao said curtly. “Let him wait.”

“Prince Xiao!” Ignoring the guards’ attempts to stop him, Gongsun Yu forced his way in. Seeing the scene before him, he immediately bowed deeply. “This humble general greets Your Highness. There is urgent military business that cannot be delayed.”

Prince Xiao turned and gave Mo Qing a look.

Understanding, Mo Qing withdrew with the guards.

Only then did Gongsun Yu lower his voice. “Before I departed, our Prince instructed me to deliver a message that whatever happened in Northern Yan was all a misunderstanding. He hopes Your Highness will not make things difficult for the heir.”

Prince Xiao gave a cold laugh. “You dare to break into my residence without my leave; is this the discipline of your Northern Yan army? When did my family affairs become Prince Yan’s concern? If it was all a misunderstanding, then how does he explain today’s events?”

Gongsun Yu could only remain silent, bitter and helpless.

How could he have imagined that the youth who once tried to assassinate his Prince had been none other than Prince Xiao’s heir? No wonder he had always felt that the boy’s features looked oddly familiar, as though he’d seen him somewhere before. Now he understood that the young man bore the refined grace of Prince Xiao in his youth, although tempered with sharper wit and delicate brilliance.

That the heir of Prince Xiao had traveled all the way to Northern Yan to assassinate Prince Yan was an astonishing revelation. And looking at Prince Yan’s reaction back then, it was clear he had already guessed the boy’s true identity. No wonder, after surviving the attempt, he had come to hate Prince Xiao to the bone, enough to ally even with the Cui clan just to capture the heir with his own hands.

When word reached that the Cui clan intended to exploit the old assassination incident, using the summer hunt as an opportunity to publicly accuse the Xiao heir and strike at Prince Xiao himself, Prince Yan, quite unexpectedly, gave a contrary order. He commanded Gongsun Yu to ride to the capital at once and put a stop to it.

He even instructed, in detail, that once he met Prince Xiao, Gongsun Yu must find a way to smooth things over and ensure Prince Xiao would not punish his heir. No matter how cold, mocking, or cutting Prince Xiao’s words might be, Gongsun Yu was not to answer back.

Such a mercurial temper; it left even Gongsun Yu bewildered. He truly could not fathom what his lord intended.

“In any case,” Gongsun Yu said earnestly, “please believe, Your Highness, today’s matter was never our lord’s true intent.”

Prince Xiao’s expression grew more scornful. “I don’t care what he means. Just give him this message: if he’s truly determined to collude with the Cui clan, then I’ll accompany him to the very end. Mo Qing, see the guest out.”

Mo Qing, who had been waiting outside, answered promptly and came in to escort Gongsun Yu out.

Knowing further words would be useless, Gongsun Yu saluted once more and withdrew.

Prince Xiao stood in silence for a while. Then he gestured for Mo Chun to leave and turned to look at the young man still kneeling quietly on the floor. His gaze flickered with many emotions. “We’ll leave it for today. When you return to the manor, go to the Hall of Repentance and kneel in penance.”

Xiao Rong replied respectfully, rose, put on his robe, and walked out. In the corridor ahead, he saw Gongsun Yu still standing under the eaves.

“Young Prince,” Gongsun Yu greeted him immediately as he approached. “Prince Xiao did not trouble you further, I hope?”

Xiao Rong looked at him coolly, as though hearing something ridiculous. “What does that have to do with you? Do you think that by pretending to be kind and saying a few pleasant words, I’ll be grateful to you?”

Gongsun Yu sighed. “Back in Songzhou, we acted too harshly and were discourteous to the Young Prince. I hope you’ll forgive us. When our lord learned of it, he punished the Thirteenth Protector severely and reprimanded me as well.”

Xiao Rong clasped his hands behind his back and smiled faintly, with a touch of mockery. “That’s rather amusing. I’ve been studying in Qizhou all this time. I’ve never been to Songzhou, nor have I any grievance with you, General Gongsun. I don’t know what you’re talking about. As for whom Prince Yan chooses to punish or scold, that’s your army’s business. It has nothing to do with me.”

Gongsun Yu nodded. “I spoke thoughtlessly just now. Please don’t take offense.”

Xiao Rong gave him a long, level look, his smile fading. His tone turned cold. “Tell him again for me: if there’s someone he hates, it’s me. The one who tried to kill him and that useless protector of his was me. Whatever he wants, he can come for me alone. But if he dares to touch my father or the Xiao clan again, I will never forgive him.”

With that, the young man turned and walked away, leaving Gongsun Yu standing there, shaking his head with a quiet sigh.

“General Gongsun.” A servant from the Cui household came forward and bowed respectfully. “The Minister of State Affairs wishes to know if General Gongsun has finished his report. If so, he invites you to join him for a talk.”

Gongsun Yu nodded. “Let’s go.”

***

“Your Highness, the Ministry of Justice and the Court of Judicial Review have stopped investigating Yan Hemei’s assassination. Each has only assigned one minor clerk to handle the formalities,” Zhou Wenhe reported to Xi Rong as he entered the hall.

Song Yang, who had been anxiously waiting for news, looked surprised. “So even Cui Daohuan agreed?”

Zhou Wenhe said, “It’s said the decision came from Prince Xiao himself. He said it wasn’t worth making a fuss over the attack of an official, lest it disturb His Majesty. He only ordered the Court to conduct a quiet inquiry. And the Court’s officers are no fools, they wouldn’t dare turn it into a grand affair. Cui Daohuan took a hard blow today, so he probably doesn’t have the strength left to pursue it further. Right now, I think his greatest concern is simply keeping Yan Hemei alive.”

Xi Rong looked up from behind his desk, deep in thought.

***

That night, the Emperor hosted a banquet in the Sweet Spring Hall.

Alongside the attending ministers, every officer who had distinguished himself in the hunt was invited. Among the military men, none drew more attention than Prince Yan’s fierce general, Gongsun Yu.

Prince Yan ruled the northern frontier, commanding the most formidable cavalry in Da’an. Although Gongsun Yu had little open contact with Minister of State Affairs Cui Daohuan, everyone already knew of the Yan–Cui alliance. As such, the Prince of Wei’s faction and the Cui officials were eager to toast this grim-faced general, Prince Yan’s strongest commander.

It was, after all, a matter of courtly courtesy and no one could criticize it.

The Emperor glanced around the room and suddenly asked, “Where’s Rongrong?”

Eunuch Zhang Fu immediately stepped forward. “Your Majesty, the heir was feeling unwell this afternoon and sent word to ask leave. But as Your Majesty was resting at the time, this servant did not dare disturb you.”

“How did he fall ill so suddenly?” The Emperor frowned, his tone tinged with concern. “Send an imperial physician to see him later.”

Zhang Fu bowed. “Yes, Your Majesty.”

Xi Rong silently finished a cup of wine, then stood and said, “Imperial Father, this son accidentally soiled his robe. This son fears it might offend Imperial Father’s eyes, so he asks permission to leave and change.”

During this summer hunt, the Crown Prince’s performance had been rather disappointing. The Emperor waved his hand dismissively and granted leave without much thought.

Of course, Xi Rong had no intention of changing his clothes. Once he left the Sweet Spring Hall, he slipped past the guards and made his way to the back of the Clear Stream Hall.

Behind the hall stretched another lotus pond. A faint light glimmered from within the building.

Xi Rong leapt lightly onto a viewing platform behind the hall and slipped inside through the rear window.

The interior was dim. Only a small lamp burned on the low table by the south window, its weak glow mingling with the scent of wine that hung in the air.

Xi Rong stepped closer and saw a youth slumped over the table, his wide sleeves spilling messily over the mat. Beside his arm sat a half-finished wine jar.

It was Xiao Rong.

“Rongrong,” Xi Rong frowned slightly and called in a low voice.

Xiao Rong pushed himself up from the table, slowly lifting his head. In the dim light, his unfocused gaze lingered on Xi Rong’s face for a long while. He didn’t speak. Instead, he suddenly reached out and touched that face; first the left cheek, then the right, before glancing around to confirm he was indeed in his own quarters. Then he asked, “Your Highness… why are you here?”

“I heard you were unwell,” Xi Rong said quietly. “I came to check on you.”

Xiao Rong was clearly drunk. At those words, he smiled. “It’s nothing. I just had a little to drink. But—” He leaned closer, eyes glinting like a mischievous fox’s, studying Xi Rong with a hazy smile. His breath carried the faint scent of wine. “Your Highness, I thought you didn’t care about me. You didn’t even want to see me. So why come now?”

Xi Rong fell silent.

However, Xiao Rong wouldn’t let him go. He caught a fold of the Crown Prince’s robe at his chest, his face almost pressed against Xi Rong’s heart, and murmured, “Your Highness, I know I annoy you. Lately, your tone with me has been especially cold. Honestly, I am rather detestable. From now on, don’t do dangerous things for me. Don’t risk yourself to save me again. Let’s call it even between us. You don’t owe me anything. It’s not worth it. Truly not worth it,” Xiao Rong said this with a faint smile.

Then he straightened up, reached for the wine jar on the table, and tilted it toward his lips.

“It’s not like that.” Xi Rong reached out and stopped the jar with his hand.