Xiao Yan nodded. “Beiling has been too chaotic lately, and war on the border is imminent. If not for the critical situation in the capital, the Dragon Court Guards should have stayed in the northwest to fight alongside the Zhen’an Army.”
The Crown Prince said urgently, “But if they leave and Father wakes up and goes back on his word…”
The Dragon Court Guards were meant to protect the imperial family. He had assumed Xiao Yan brought them to the capital and dealt with the traitor Shang Qin to keep the Guards in the city under his control.
As Crown Prince, how could he intimidate the court without real power? How could he ensure his father wouldn’t easily move against him?
He hadn’t expected the Dragon Court Guards to return to the northwest!
The Crown Prince pressed, “Supervisor Xiao, aside from the Black Armor Guards, you have no personal troops. Liu Tong’en managed to tamper with the four suburban camps. Di Tao alone might not be able to suppress them.”
“The Dragon Court Guards only obey imperial orders, and the northwest has the Zhen’an Army stationed there. Why not keep General Fu and the others in the capital to be ready for any changes…”
Xiao Yan looked at the Crown Prince. “Your Highness said it yourself, the Dragon Court Guards only obey imperial orders. You are the Crown Prince, not the Emperor.”
The Crown Prince’s face stiffened.
Xiao Yan softened his tone. “We were only able to persuade the Dragon Court Guards to work with us this time because the southern flood killed too many innocent people, and His Majesty’s actions sparked outrage across the land. Add to that Shang Qin, who controlled the Guards but ignored the border wars, focusing only on power and profit, betraying the Great Ancestor’s original intent for the Guards. That’s why Fu Yue and others joined us to seize control from him.”
“They only brought ten thousand men to the capital. The bulk of the Dragon Court Guards remain in the northwest. With Shang Qin dead, the Guards are leaderless. If they don’t return promptly to reorganize, the northwest will descend into chaos. Besides, His Majesty is still alive.”
“Once the southern case is thoroughly investigated and His Majesty promises justice for the wronged, what excuse would the Dragon Court Guards have to defy imperial orders?”
“By keeping them in the capital, are you handing His Majesty a blade that could turn on us at any moment, taking both our lives?”
The Crown Prince paled. “I thought General Fu and the others would follow your orders…”
Xiao Yan replied, “I am merely a son of the He family, not of the imperial line. Earlier, at the palace gates, Your Highness’s men mingled with the Forbidden Army surely heard that the Dragon Court Guards don’t heed the Tiger Tally.”
The Crown Prince froze, panic flashing in his eyes. “I didn’t, I was only concerned for your safety…”
“No need to explain,” Xiao Yan said calmly. “You’re the heir; it’s wise to secure your own fallback options. In your position, caution is what keeps you alive.”
“Supervisor Xiao…” The Crown Prince’s face tightened.
Xiao Yan smiled. “I mean it.”
“I’ve used Your Highness before, so it’s natural you don’t fully trust me. But since you heard what the Dragon Court Guards said at the palace gates, you should understand they only obey imperial orders, not the Tiger Tally. I have little control over them.”
“If you want to use them, wait until you ascend the throne to summon them back. For now, instead of pinning hopes on the Dragon Court Guards, focus on managing the court.”
His words were earnest and sincere.
“The southern case shocked not only the common people and the unjustly killed but also the courtiers. His Majesty’s actions have lost him the people’s trust, while your dedication to the nation and disregard for personal safety will win their loyalty.”
“Now that you’re Crown Prince and managing court affairs, if you handle this investigation impartially, punish rebellious ministers, and fill vacant positions wisely, you’ll solidify your standing in court and win the people’s hearts. If you can gain the courtiers’ support through this, no one will be able to shake your position as heir.”
“You’re the Crown Prince, don’t focus on short-term gains. Look to the future.”
The Crown Prince was jolted awake by Xiao Yan’s words, realizing he’d been fixated on controlling the Dragon Court Guards for power, forgetting he was no longer the overlooked, powerless prince but the Crown Prince.
He took half a step back and bowed deeply to Xiao Yan. “I was narrow-minded. Thank you, Supervisor Xiao, for your guidance.”
Xiao Yan helped him up. “Your Highness and I share honor and disgrace.”
The Crown Prince was filled with gratitude. “I will never forget your kindness.”
…
Leaving the Imperial Dragon Terrace, the palace was aglow with lanterns. Patrolling Forbidden Guards parted to make way for Xiao Yan’s group, and palace attendants stepped aside, respectfully saluting and addressing him as “Supervisor Xiao.”
Tian Qing led the way with a lantern, its dim yellow light casting shadows on the palace walls, where Tang Ning and Xiao Yan’s silhouettes overlapped.
Seeing Xiao Yan disdainfully wiping the hand that had touched the Crown Prince with a handkerchief, Tang Ning chuckled. “The Crown Prince is too scheming to be trusted.”
Xiao Yan tossed the handkerchief aside and took her hand, guiding her around a raised stone. “I know. He’s been wary of me for a while and likely doesn’t fully trust me. But until he finds other allies to secure his position and counter Emperor An, he has to rely on me.”
The Crown Prince was shortsighted, reckless, and ambitious without the character to match. The “edict of self-reproach” he’d forced was the greatest stain of his life.
As long as Emperor An lived, his coldness toward his father and eagerness for power would make it hard for him to win hearts.
Tang Ning mused, “So, Brother, you’re having him use Emperor An’s illness to win over the courtiers?”
Xiao Yan nodded. “While some in court are opportunistic and lack principles, those truly in power want the Wei dynasty to endure. No one wants a ruler who’s unfilial, immoral, foolish, overly ambitious, and ruthless.”
To solidify his image and win favor, the Crown Prince would thoroughly investigate the twenty-year-old case and even go to great lengths to clear the He family’s name. But that case involved too many, and the He family’s extermination had too many hands in it. A thorough probe would turn the court upside down.
The Crown Prince, self-important and eager for glory, wanted both to appear wise and win the people’s hearts and to use the case to install his own allies. He wouldn’t let it rest.
Xiao Yan would use the Crown Prince to clear the He family’s name and to placate certain factions.
As he led Tang Ning toward the palace gates, he said softly, “The court is riddled with parasites, with incompetent men holding key posts. I could use military power to force their compliance, but the court is corrupt, the treasury is empty, and the aristocratic families’ influence can’t be underestimated. Forcing a fight to the death would harm Wei’s foundation.”
“Better to use the Crown Prince to purge some courtiers and leverage the He family case to pressure the aristocratic families to yield. As long as we don’t push them to annihilation and leave them hope, they’ll bleed a little, shed some skin, and the treasury will be replenished, allowing the court to recover quickly.”
Xiao Yan’s brow furrowed with concern. “Beiling’s southward push is inevitable. War will break out by next spring at the latest. With Wei’s treasury depleted and the court in chaos, we must resolve internal issues quickly to prepare for the coming conflict.”
“Taking a step back, sparing the aristocratic families and letting a foolish, unpopular Crown Prince placate them ensures ample supplies and provisions for the border armies when Beiling invades next year. It’s worth it.”
Tang Ning listened to the man beside her, gazing at his sharp, resolute profile, her heart stirred.
She knew how much Xiao Yan hated those in court.
The vengeance for his father’s death, the theft of his position, the blood debt of his clan’s extermination, he wanted to slaughter every aristocratic family member and take Emperor An’s life to vindicate the former Crown Prince and the He family. Yet he’d never let hatred cloud his judgment.
He’d survived countless trials to reach this point, so close to fulfilling his lifelong wish, where one more step could place him above all.
But he hadn’t taken it.
Tang Ning’s lips pressed together, her heart aching with a dense, piercing pain.
“What’s wrong?” Xiao Yan noticed her pause and turned back, his voice gentle. “Are you cold?”
Tang Ning shook her head. “Not cold.”
She held his hand, her eyes tracing the mix of old and new scars. “Do your wounds still hurt?”
Seeing the unconcealed heartache in her eyes, Xiao Yan’s dark lashes, shadowed by the moonlight, lowered slightly, a faint smile spreading in his gaze.
“They hurt.”
Tang Ning’s face flashed with panic, but in the next moment, he pulled her into his arms.
============
You can read ahead to chapterr 670 (100+ extra chapters) here
Comments
Post a Comment