Tang Ning felt as though something was missing, but she couldn’t quite grasp what it was…
As she clutched the oversized cloak around her, it nearly enveloped her entirely. The faint scent of pine mixed with a trace of bitter medicine clung to it, the tonic prescribed by Madam Qin to nurse Xiao Yan’s old injuries, which had resurfaced after the palace upheaval. Lately, Xiao Yan always carried this scent.
Sniffing the subtle medicinal aroma, Tang Ning’s tangled thoughts calmed slightly.
“Yuejian, how have Uncle Xiao and the others been lately?”
“They’ve been staying at the academy. Master Xiao gets along well with Dean Shi, and Young Master Xiao has been serving as the academy’s martial arts instructor.”
When Emperor An bestowed honors on Xiao Yan and posthumously recognized He Wenzhuo, he had, perhaps to flaunt his “imperial grace,” also pardoned the Xiao family, who had faked their deaths years ago, and granted them a residence. But the Xiao family’s ancestral home wasn’t in the capital. They had come to assist Xiao Yan and had no interest in dealing with the endless stream of visitors seeking to probe or curry favor. So, Xiao Jin’an and his son simply stayed at Rongsheng Academy.
Tang Ning asked softly, “I recall Uncle Xiao and his family led troops in the past?”
Yuejian nodded. “Yes, Master Xiao was once the Patrol Governor of Anyang, commanding troops to guard the region. Young Master Xiao was also mentored by the late Crown Prince for a long time in his youth, only returning to Anyang in his early teens. Like the Governor, he’s skilled in both literary and martial arts.”
Had the He family’s downfall not implicated their married daughter, causing Madam Xiao to take her own life, the Xiao family wouldn’t have relinquished their power to protect the late Crown Prince’s young, injured heir and avoid suspicion. They had stepped back to shield themselves from scrutiny, but Xiao Jin’an and his son would have been formidable generals on the battlefield.
“I once sparred with Young Master Xiao,” Yuejian continued. “His skills, while not on par with the Governor’s, are rare in this world and better suited for the battlefield. The Xiao family hasn’t slacked over the years. Young Master Xiao even served in the military, though no one knew he was a Xiao.”
Tang Ning nodded, understanding. No wonder she had sensed a chilling aura of lethality in Young Master Xiao when they first met, a quality even Di Tao, raised in the northwest, didn’t possess.
“Young Lady, why suddenly ask about the Xiao family’s military experience? Is it because of tonight’s palace summons…” Yuejian asked hesitantly, lowering her voice.
Tang Ning gave a soft “mm.” “There may be war.”
Listening to the sound of carriages rushing past toward the palace and glimpsing the dim night beyond the carriage curtain, she said, “Let’s get to the academy first.”
…
Meanwhile, Xiao Yan rode directly to the palace with Jinyun. The palace guards recognized him and didn’t block his way. His horse stopped at the second gate, where a guard took the reins from Xiao Yan and Jinyun, leading the two attendants aside. An inner attendant approached, bowing respectfully.
“Duke, His Majesty and the others are already in the Imperial Hall.”
Xiao Yan asked calmly, “The others? Who’s there?”
The young eunuch replied, “Lord Cao, Grand Preceptor Liang, Secretariat Wei, the Six Ministers, and several other lords.”
Xiao Yan’s tone carried a hint of ambiguity. “Quite a full house.”
The eunuch, catching the mockery, didn’t dare respond and led Xiao Yan and Jinyun toward the Imperial Hall.
As they reached the hall, someone called out “Duke Dingguo” as Xiao Yan and his attendant approached. The young eunuch who had guided them stepped back.
A familiar-looking inner attendant hurried forward, his expression anxious. “Duke Dingguo, why are you only just arriving?”
Leaning closer, he whispered quickly, “Prince Pingshan has rebelled. He killed the imperial envoys sent to him and spread rumors that His Majesty wants him dead to cover up dealings with the Lu family. His Majesty is furious and wants to send troops. Eunuch Feng sent me to warn you to be cautious once you enter.”
With that, he bowed as if urging, “Duke, please hurry inside. His Majesty and the lords have been waiting.”
Xiao Yan’s expression remained unchanged, though his eyes grew colder. He glanced at Jinyun, who turned and slipped away unnoticed, vanishing in moments. Xiao Yan strode into the hall.
“Those damned scoundrels… *cough, cough, cough*…”
Before Xiao Yan crossed the threshold, he heard angry cursing mixed with violent coughing from within.
“I see he’s not content with his position as a vassal king and wants to rebel! I’ve treated the vassal kings generously all these years, never intending to reduce their power, yet I’ve fostered their ambitions… *cough, cough*!”
Emperor An sat on the dragon throne, gasping heavily, his sickly pallor tinged with the flush of rage.
“Not only did Pingshan harbor Lu Jiu’an despite the Lu family’s treason, but he killed the men I sent to capture the traitor. Now he dares to turn the tables, claiming I ordered his death and slandering me with lies. He’s nothing but a rebellious minister and thief. I…”
*Cough, cough, cough, cough*!
As if overwhelmed by anger, Emperor An’s coughing grew worse.
Eunuch Feng hurried to soothe him, while the Crown Prince and assembled ministers below spoke up.
“Father, calm your anger.”
“Your Majesty, take care of your health.”
Someone announced the arrival of Duke Dingguo. As the hall doors opened, Xiao Yan entered, and the crowd turned to look.
Xiao Yan stepped to the center of the hall. “Your servant greets Your Majesty.”
Emperor An, still catching his breath, waved a hand. “Rise, no need for formalities.”
“Duke Dingguo, you’ve finally arrived.”
Wei Quan, who had taken the Secretariat Director post after Lu Chongyuan’s demotion, spoke urgently. When the Lu family still stood, the aristocratic families refused to yield the position, Emperor An wanted his own man, and Xiao Yan had meddled. In the three-way struggle, none relented, and the role fell to the previously unremarkable Wei Quan.
Seeing Xiao Yan, Wei Quan said anxiously, “Duke Dingguo, did you know Pingshan has rebelled?”
Xiao Yan raised an eyebrow, feigning surprise. “When did this happen?”
“Just recently,” Wei Quan said, his voice urgent. “After the Lu family’s treason, didn’t one of their bastards escape to Pingshan’s residence? It seems Pingshan has colluded with him and rebelled.”
Emperor An, seeing Wei Quan’s vague explanation, cut in. “Liu Tong’en, you explain.”
Liu Tong’en stepped forward. “After the Lu family’s conviction, Your Majesty ordered me to send men to capture Lu Jiu’an and investigate whether Pingshan’s residence was colluding with the Lu family. But no word came back for a long time.”
“Tonight, a man returned to the capital, wounded and in disarray. He said Pingshan was hiding Lu Jiu’an, refusing to admit any ties to the Lu family or come to the capital to clear his name. He killed the men sent to apprehend him, claiming they attacked first and injured his heir, and accused Your Majesty of intending to eliminate the vassal kings.”
“He said all his companions were killed. He narrowly escaped pursuit by Pingshan’s men and barely made it back to the capital. He reported that Pingshan is mobilizing troops and has rebelled.”
Liu Tong’en’s tone shifted abruptly.
“Does Duke Xiao not know of this?”
=============
You can read ahead to chapterr 770 (100+ extra chapters) here
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