Accidentally Having a Baby with the Future Emperor - Chapter 86

Matriarch Wang of course knew of that incident.

Not only did she know, she knew very well that on that day, for reasons no one understood, Xi Rong had suddenly gone mad and publicly whipped Wang Jin, the servant attending the Prince of Jin. Wang Jin was from the Wang clan, personally appointed by her to serve the Prince and attend to his daily needs.

When the old lady heard of it, her fury nearly burned through the roof. In her view, that whip had not struck Wang Jin’s face but it had struck the face of the entire Wang clan.

Her decision to deliberately make things difficult for Xi Rong in front of the Emperor today stemmed largely from that insult.

Now, she stared at Xiao Rong in disbelief and unease. Never had she imagined that this young heir of the Xiao clan would so openly question her in such a setting and in front of the Emperor, no less, shaming her to her face.

Even the Emperor himself had never dared to speak to her that way.

“Is there truly such a matter?” Although her heart fumed with displeasure, under the eyes of the whole hall, the old lady had no choice but to respond. “It must be those lazy servants, slacking off again. For such a serious affair not to have been reported to this old woman is unforgivable.”

“My apologies, Cousin,” said the Prince of Jin, rising quickly. “That day was chaos. The Crown Prince did indeed send palace guards to escort me safely out of the hunting grounds. When I returned, I became busy with other matters and forgot to have them inform you.”

Wang Yanshou immediately added, “And Mother happened to be unwell those few days. The servants dared not disturb her. I was negligent as well.”

With the excuse her son had given her, Matriarch Wang’s expression softened a little. She turned to the Emperor and said, “Since that’s the case, Your Majesty, perhaps it’s best to spare the Crown Prince’s punishment. Otherwise, people might say I am old and arrogant, ungrateful and unforgiving.”

“My dear cousin, you are too kind.” The Emperor paused a moment, then said to Zhang Fu, “Go and tell the Crown Prince to rise. Let him come in. But he is to personally visit the old lady another day and apologize in person.”

Zhang Fu obeyed.

Not long after, Xi Rong entered the hall. “Your son thanks Imperial Father for his leniency,” he said respectfully. Then, turning, “and thanks my Cousin for her forgiveness.”

Matriarch Wang’s smile was brittle as ice. “The Crown Prince has grown wings now. How could an old woman like me dare accept such courtesy? Next time I see Your Highness, I’ll be sure to bow first, lest people say I’ve forgotten my manners before the heir apparent.”

Xi Rong’s tone remained calm. “Cousin’s words make me uneasy.”

The old lady gave a cold snort and fell silent, her eyes glinting with deeper loathing.

Xi Rong still knelt.

The Emperor said, “You need not thank Us. If anyone deserves your thanks, it’s the young heir of Prince Xiao. Were it not for Rongrong’s intercession today, We would not have been so lenient.”

Xi Rong lifted his head slowly, bowed once more, and then rose to his feet. Step by step, he walked toward Xiao Rong’s seat. His dark eyes fixed unwaveringly on the young man behind the table. “My thanks to you, Young Prince, for pleading on my behalf today.”

Xiao Rong rose as well, smiling faintly. “That day in the hunting grounds, Your Highness lent both the Prince of Jin and me great aid. I merely told His Majesty the truth. There is no need for Your Highness to take it to heart.”

Their gazes met just for a moment before both turned away.

Xi Rong poured himself a cup of wine and then came back to Xiao Rong. “I hear the Young Prince will soon take office in the Chancellery. Allow me to toast you; may your path be smooth and all go as you wish.”

“Many thanks, Your Highness.” Xiao Rong raised his own cup and drank without hesitation.

Both men returned to their seats. The hall regained its festive air; only Cui Xie’s hand tightened hard around his wine cup.

When the banquet ended, Zhang Fu once again personally escorted Xiao Rong out of the palace.

Just as he was about to step into the carriage, a voice called out behind him.

“Young Prince, please wait.”

Xiao Rong turned around and saw it was indeed Matriarch Wang. “What instruction does the Matriarch have for me?” he asked politely.

The old lady studied the young man for a moment and then smiled. “This old woman only wishes to remind the Young Prince that at present, the Xiao and Wang clans share common fortune and fate. Although your intentions may be kind, one must still be mindful of time and place when speaking or acting. Otherwise, outsiders may misunderstand and think there is discord between our two houses.” She paused, then added meaningfully, “If today’s matter were to reach Prince Xiao’s ears, I imagine, Young Prince, it would not be easy for you to explain.”

After a short silence, she continued, her tone turning sharper, “But don’t worry. I’m an old woman. I understand that young men like you are easily swayed by a bit of favor or flattery, losing the ability to see right and wrong clearly. I’ll let today’s matter pass; I won’t hold it against you, nor trouble Prince Xiao about it. But I do not wish to see such a thing a second time. That Crown Prince is nothing but the bastard child of a barbarian witch, base and filthy by birth, tainted in blood, and afflicted with madness. For you to plead on his behalf, Young Prince, is truly beneath your dignity.”

Xiao Rong fell silent for a moment. Then he lifted his head and smiled. “It seems the Matriarch may have misunderstood the situation.”

“What?” she asked, taken aback.

Xiao Rong met her eyes, the same faint smile still on his lips. “I don’t believe I am of the Wang clan, nor do I think the Matriarch has either the right or the position to instruct me how to conduct myself.” Then, still with that courteous tone, he added, “Since the Matriarch is so kind as to advise me, allow me to offer one word in return. His Highness the Crown Prince bears half of His Majesty’s blood. To call him base is, perhaps, not very proper.”

He turned slightly toward his carriage. “It’s nearly curfew. I should return to the manor. Forgive me for not chatting longer.”

Mo Dong had already set down the carriage step. Xiao Rong turned and climbed aboard, giving the order to depart.

The golden insignia of the Xiao clan gleamed faintly on the carriage panels as it rolled away. Only then did Matriarch Wang come back to herself, still trembling with rage.

“That Xiao Rong! Is he mad? Has he forgotten who he is? How dare he speak to me like that!” She sat fuming in the dim carriage, slapping her seat hard with her palm.

Wang Yanshou stood beside the carriage, pale and anxious. “Mother, please calm yourself,” he whispered after glancing around nervously. “There are many eyes and ears here. If anyone overhears, it will not end well.”

The old lady let out a cold laugh. “The Xiao heir humiliates our Wang clan in front of the whole court, and I, the Matriarch, lose all face, yet you’re worried about who might hear? I will go to Prince Xiao myself and ask if this is how the Xiao clan teaches their sons!”

Wang Yanshou hurriedly tried to soothe her. “Mother, you mustn’t. That would only make things worse, antagonizing the Young Prince! Surely he spoke only out of gratitude to the Crown Prince for saving him before; he was merely returning a favor.”

The old lady, though furious, knew she could not truly make a scandal out of such a quarrel. Xiao Rong was about to take office in the Chancellery; his prospects were boundless. She could not afford to make an enemy of him. Forcing down her anger, she said, “If you weren’t so useless and spineless, how would anyone dare trample my face in public like this? Xiao Rong is one thing but even the Crown Prince dares to use the Wang clan as a stepping stone to make himself look grand! Outrageous! Enough of this! Make sure the Prince of Jin’s participation in the martial arts tournament is settled as soon as possible!”

“Yes, Mother,” Wang Yanshou murmured obediently.

***

The next morning, Xiao Rong officially reported to the Chancellery. The Grand Chancellor Qi was currently on sick leave, so the two senior vice ministers were overseeing affairs, assisted by three remonstrators beneath them.

One vice minister, Zhong Fang, and one remonstrator, Liu Huai’en, were both disciples of the Grand Chancellor Qi, as was Xiao Rong, making them fellow students. Xiao Rong was the Grand Chancellor’s last disciple, and the youngest among them; he addressed nearly everyone as Senior Brother.

That evening after work, the Chancellery officials held a banquet at Apricot Blossom Pavilion to welcome him. Also present were Imperial Censor Liu Bingyang and several other of the Grand Chancellor’s students.

It was a rare gathering of old comrades and the feast lasted late into the night.

After taking his leave, Xiao Rong stepped out with Mo Dong, heading toward the Xiao clan carriage. Halfway there, he suddenly stopped.

Beside the carriage stood a lone figure in dark robes, gazing straight at him.

Xiao Rong had drunk quite a lot tonight and for a moment, he almost thought he was seeing things.

It wasn’t until Mo Dong spoke that he came back to himself. “Young Prince, that seems to be the Crown Prince.”

Xiao Rong blinked, gathered his composure, and walked forward. “Your Highness is here for the banquet as well?” he asked. At such an hour and place, that seemed the only possible explanation.

“No,” Xi Rong replied with a faint smile. “I’m here especially to wait for you.”

Both Xiao Rong and Mo Dong froze.

Mo Dong found it strange since the Crown Prince was alone, without even a single guard accompanying him.

“Your Highness has business with me?” Xiao Rong asked, suppressing his surprise.

Xi Rong said, “Yesterday, you lent me a hand at the palace banquet. I wish to invite you for a cup of tea to express my thanks. If you would spare a little time, I’d be most grateful.”

The night air was stifling, the streets still damp from a fine drizzle that had just stopped.

Xiao Rong hesitated again, his gaze falling on Xi Rong’s robe where traces of rain were still visible. “Your Highness has been waiting here all this time?”

Xi Rong smiled slightly. “I heard you were drinking with colleagues. I didn’t know when you’d finish or come out, so I simply waited here. There was nothing else pressing to do.”

However, Xiao Rong understood the unspoken meaning.

In the daylight, too many eyes were watching. Perhaps only in such a deep night could the two of them stand face to face like this.

“It was just a small favor,” Xiao Rong said, meeting Xi Rong’s eyes. Then, slowly, he smiled. “I’ve had too much to drink anyway. Perhaps some tea would do me good. Allow me to be the one to treat Your Highness instead.”

They entered the teahouse and stopped before a private room.

Xiao Rong turned to Mo Dong. “Wait outside,” he said.

Mo Dong acknowledged the order, although his eyes still held confusion and unease as he glanced at Xi Rong.

The air after rain was clean and cool, a gentle breeze drifting through the window. It was one of the finest rooms in the teahouse, overlooking the night scene outside.

The two sat across the table, a thin wisp of steam curling between them from the teapot.

It all felt like a dream. Xiao Rong let the cool wind fill his wide sleeves, feeling more at ease now. His eyes curved as he looked at the composed figure opposite him. “Your Highness,” he asked softly, “what is it you really came for?”

“Rongrong,” Xi Rong said quietly, “that’s what I should be asking you. Have you run into some trouble lately?”

Xiao Rong said nothing.

Xi Rong rose, came around the table, and crouched before him. Meeting Xiao Rong’s puzzled gaze, he said, “Let me see your leg.”