Amid officials and Han generals shouting “Long live the Emperor,” the silhouettes of the Emperor and the child disappeared from the Meridian Gate tower.
The ceremony had ended, but none of the civil and military officials in the square departed. They remained gathered there, seeking information and discussing the young child who had suddenly appeared before their eyes moments ago.
On such an important occasion, not only had the child been brought to the Meridian Gate tower by the Emperor, but he had even issued the “execution” order on the Emperor’s behalf.
By common reasoning, this child must be the Crown Prince designated of the Great Wei Dynasty.
Since the Emperor’s ascension to the throne, his only son had been deposed from the Crown Prince position years ago and was still confined in the ancestral lands of Gengzhou. As the Emperor had no more children in these years and was showing signs of aging, the court officials grew increasingly anxious. Recently, rumors began to spread that the Emperor intended to reinstate the former Crown Prince. However, just as these rumors reached their peak, the official who had suggested bringing back the deposed Crown Prince was flogged in court, and thus this speculation was shattered.
In private discussions, the officials considered two possibilities for the future. First, the Emperor might have a son in his old age, which would resolve all difficulties. Second, the Emperor would have to select a suitable nephew from the imperial clan to adopt as heir to the throne. No one could have imagined that on this imperial birthday, the situation would change so dramatically.
The officials had finally seen the likely future Crown Prince, which should have been good news. But before today, no one had seen this child or knew his origins. Now, officials like He Gongpu, Minister of Personnel; Zhang Shiyong, Minister of Rites; Lu Xiang, Right Commissioner; and Liu Jiushao, who frequently visited the imperial study, were surrounded by crowds seeking answers.
While the pigeons still circled over the Gate of Divine Might, a rumor spread rapidly.
It was no secret that the Prince of Liuyang had been summoned to the capital again, but it was said that this trip was not just to offer birthday congratulations, but also to bring a child to the Emperor.
This child was the Emperor’s grandson, his father being an imperial son the Emperor had left behind in his youth. This son had refused to return to the imperial clan but entrusted his child to the Prince of Liuyang, who knew of these matters. Now, the Prince had been ordered to bring the imperial grandson back to the capital to acknowledge his ancestry.
The imperial grandson brought by the Prince of Liuyang was the child the Emperor had carried onto the Meridian Gate tower today.
This news completely disrupted the court. Before evening, new rumors emerged.
Reportedly, it all began thirty years ago. After Emperor Tianxi ascended the throne, he confined the current Emperor, then Prince of Yunzhong, to Yunnan. At that time, the Prince of Yunzhong was young and spirited but filled with melancholy. For about half a year, he secretly left his domain to travel. While passing through Xiangxi, where the Prince of Liuyang resided, he happened to meet a divine woman (a priestess). They formed a union, but the woman, devoted to her people, was unwilling to follow the Prince back to Yunnan. The Prince had been away too long and needed to return urgently, so they reluctantly parted. The divine woman later gave birth to a son, who in turn had a son of his own. Over the next twenty years, as Emperor Tianxi’s suspicion toward the Prince of Yunzhong deepened, by a twist of fate, the imperial bloodline could not be recognized. Now, in his old age, the Emperor increasingly longed for family, so he ordered the Prince of Liuyang to bring his grandson back to the capital, to worship at the ancestral temple on a chosen day and acknowledge his ancestry.
The Prince of Liuyang and his wife were witnesses to this matter over the past thirty years and were the ones who brought the imperial grandson back to the palace.
The court officials were astonished.
Some had sudden revelations, some were overjoyed, and others were filled with doubts.
Those who had revelations finally understood why the obscure Prince of Liuyang had received the Emperor’s favor and generous rewards decades ago.
Those who were excited rejoiced that Great Wei had an imperial grandson. No wonder the Emperor was unwilling to reinstate the Crown Prince. Judging by the Emperor’s demeanor today, he must intend to establish the child as the Imperial Grandson.
Those with doubts questioned the credibility of the “divine woman” in the child’s background.
But there was no doubt that the child was the Emperor’s grandson.
The imperial bloodline, especially the Emperor’s offspring, was concerned about the fate of the nation and could not tolerate the slightest error. If this child’s origins were unclear, how could the shrewd Emperor possibly be deceived by the Prince of Liuyang?
Officials like He, Zhang, and Lu, upon hearing these rumors, remained tight-lipped when questioned, waiting for the Emperor’s next move.
In truth, compared to the shocked or doubtful court officials, the astonishment felt by the Prince of Liuyang and his wife, who had reentered the capital, was truly beyond description.
Four years ago, the Prince and his wife left the capital with imperial favor. The following year, Li Yuangui secretly arrived at their mansion, relaying the Emperor’s confidential order for them to “give birth” to a son in their old age. The Princess then began to pad her abdomen, increasing the thickness monthly. After “being pregnant” for ten months, she “gave birth” to a “son.” To avoid suspicion, the Prince secretly adopted a male infant from the common people, reported it to the Imperial Clan Court, and entered him in the imperial clan’s records.
The Prince and his wife understood that three years ago when the Emperor asked them to “have” this “son,” it was likely to facilitate a future “imperial clan adoption,” establishing someone the Emperor truly wished to make his heir. Given the significance of this matter, the couple kept it strictly confidential. For three years, they raised the adopted child in their mansion, rarely showing him in public, making all preparations for the day when the imperial edict would arrive, and they would send the true successor to the capital under the name of their family’s heir.
Regardless of whom the Emperor wished to establish as his successor, this plan had been in preparation since four years ago and was now thoroughly prepared.
The couple never imagined that at the final moment, for unknown reasons, the Emperor would abandon this plan that had been meticulously prepared for years, which would have been foolproof and raised no suspicions among officials.
The current story about the “divine woman” could work as well. If the Emperor’s authority was strong enough to suppress all opposition, he could certainly succeed. No official would dare question whether the Emperor would recklessly acknowledge a child of unclear lineage as his grandson. But compared to the “adoption” plan carefully prepared for years, this approach seemed hasty, as if decided on impulse, and would likely arouse officials’ speculation.
The Prince of Liuyang and his wife were truly shocked. But how could they disobey the Emperor’s command? They naturally followed his instructions, operating in secrecy.
…
Jia Fu was in Banana Garden, and at noon, despite the many palace buildings between, she seemed to faintly hear the thunderous shouts of “Long live the Emperor” from the southeast.
She stood at the top of the white arched bridge by the garden’s fish pond, her heart pounding, looking toward the garden gate, anxiously waiting for her son’s return.
This was the highest spot in the garden, from where she could see over the walls to the path outside.
At a quarter past 3 PM, she finally saw a group of people approaching from the end of the path. Ci’er was being carried by Cui Yinshui, coming in this direction, with several palace attendants following.
Ci’er seemed unable to wait and struggled down from Cui Yinshui’s arms, running toward her on his little legs.
Jia Fu descended from the bridge and ran out to meet him.
“Mother! Mother!” Ci’er, seeing Jia Fu, ran even faster, like a little bird, diving into her embrace and wrapping his arms around her neck.
Jia Fu tightly hugged her son’s small body, barely holding back the tears that threatened to spill. Ci’er was initially extremely happy, but gradually his smile faded. Looking at Jia Fu, he reached up to touch her eyelids. “Mother, are you unhappy?”
Jia Fu shook her head and kissed her son’s face firmly. “Mother isn’t unhappy. I’m just too happy to see Ci’er.”
She picked up her son.
Ci’er was finally reassured, his soft arms encircling Jia Fu’s neck.
“I think about Mother every day, but Imperial Grandfather said I could only return after the prisoner presentation ceremony. Mother, there were so many people standing below today, and when they all shouted together, the sound was so loud, just like when Father inspected the troops at the training ground last autumn! Later, a very impressive general came, bringing many bad people. The general said they had harmed our Great Wei people, and Imperial Grandfather let me help him give the execution order. Mother, I want to grow up quickly, like Father and that general, to fight bad people…”
Jia Fu listened to her son’s chatter as she turned to go inside. Cui Yinshui, carrying Ci’er’s clothes, carefully followed, stealing glances at Jia Fu’s expression but not daring to approach, standing far away at the doorway.
Ci’er had risen very early that morning and had experienced this grand occasion, which in his confused innocence he did not fully understand the significance of. Now, finally back in his mother’s arms, leaning against Jia Fu, he gradually grew drowsy, and as he spoke, he fell asleep.
…
After the prisoner presentation ceremony, the Emperor returned to his private quarters in the palace.
The morning ceremony seemed to have exhausted the Emperor’s energy. Upon returning, he changed out of his ceremonial robes and lay down. The Imperial Physician came to examine him; the Emperor took medicine, closed his eyes to rest briefly, then put on his clothes and sat up, calling for Li Yuangui to bring the memorials to his dragon bed. Li Yuangui, seeing his weariness and fatigue, was reluctant to bring them and earnestly advised him to rest more. As they were speaking, a palace attendant rushed in, reporting that Pei You’an had returned to the capital without a summons and tried to force his way into the palace. He had been stopped at the second palace gate, and the guards were urgently requesting instructions on how to proceed.
Li Yuangui’s heart skipped a beat.
Although he knew Pei You’an would return, he hadn’t expected him so quickly. Looking at the Emperor, he felt somewhat worried.
Just moments before, the Emperor’s face had been ashen, showing extreme fatigue, but at the very instant he heard this news, he suddenly became animated, his spirit reinvigorated. He threw off his covers, swung himself off the dragon bed, and said, “Tell him to come in, do not obstruct him!” Then he urged Li Yuangui to help him comb his hair and change his clothes.
The palace attendant accepted the order and hurried away. Li Yuangui had no choice but to call people in to attend to the Emperor. Quickly, they changed him into neat attire, and the Emperor personally selected a five-colored jade belt to fasten around his waist. Then he went to the mirror, took a beard comb, and carefully groomed his beard. After examining himself from all angles, he touched the gray hair at his temples, turned to Li Yuangui with a gleam in his eyes, and said sternly, “I’ve been waiting for him to come! I know you! Don’t mention a word about my illness in front of him!”
Li Yuangui knew the Emperor was proud and unwilling to admit defeat. Seeing him still so stubborn now, unwilling to show any weakness, he acknowledged the order and withdrew, his heart filled with concern.
…
Pei You’an stood before the second gate of the palace, facing a row of alert guards with drawn swords. Their commander recognized him, aware that he now held the position of Longyou Military Governor, and dared not offend him too much, but also dared not let him in. He stepped forward, bowing, and said, “Lord Pei, please do not put me in a difficult position. I have sent someone to report, and if there is a response, I certainly will not obstruct you.”
Pei You’an closed his eyes in silence, trying hard to suppress the anger rising in his chest.
The nomadic people had never given up their designs on the Hetao region. Several years ago, there was a change in their leadership, and according to information Pei You’an had gradually obtained, they had been secretly building up their forces.
He had a premonition that a great battle, like the one decades ago, would come sooner or later. Perhaps today, perhaps tomorrow. So this early spring, as soon as the weather warmed slightly, he strengthened his vigilance and went out early to patrol the borders personally.
Half a month ago, he finally completed his border patrol and returned to Suye City, only to discover that Jia Fu and Ci’er, mother, and son, had both been taken to the capital, and Yang Yun had been restrained by men sent by the Emperor, preventing him from reporting this news to Pei You’an.
He had left the capital for Suye City in the autumn of the second year of Zhaoping, and nearly five years had passed. That day, the moment he learned that Jia Fu and her son had been “invited” to the capital by the Emperor during his absence, a premonition arose in his heart.
In his nearly thirty years of life, the brief period of peaceful existence that had been his most reassuring was about to be broken, perhaps never to return.
After making arrangements, he set out that night and finally arrived today.
However, he was still too late.
Outside the Gate of Divine Might, he encountered former colleagues who had just attended the ceremony. Amid a mixture of joyful and astonished gazes, Liu Jiushao rushed toward him.
Liu Jiushao thought he had been summoned to the capital to attend the imperial birthday ceremony and deeply regretted his late arrival. He told him that just now, the Emperor had appeared on the Meridian Gate tower holding a three or four-year-old child. Reportedly, this child was the grandson of an imperial son born during the Emperor’s youth when he was enfeoffed in Yunnan. The Emperor intended to establish this child as his heir.
Pei You’an wore a faint smile as he briefly exchanged greetings with Liu Jiushao and other former colleagues who approached, then excused himself and turned to enter the palace, only to be intercepted by guards at this second gate.
From the distant corridor, a eunuch ran up, out of breath, shouting before he got close: “His Majesty summons Lord Pei for an audience—”
Pei You’an suddenly opened his eyes, pushed aside the guard still standing in front of him, and strode forward with large steps.
…
After settling her son, Jia Fu lay down beside him, closed her eyes, and thought of Pei You’an.
By her calculations, he should have returned to Suye City by now and must know about her and Ci’er’s situation, though she didn’t know when he would reach the capital.
The Emperor had stubbornly pushed their son before the world, and when Pei You’an arrived and learned what had happened, who knew what conflict might arise between them?
Thinking of Pei You’an’s likely anger and recalling the Emperor’s fainting and vomiting blood the previous night, Jia Fu’s thoughts were in turmoil. How could she sleep? As she tossed and turned, she suddenly heard Cui Yinshui’s cautious voice softly calling her from outside, so she got out of bed and went out.
“My lady, my godfather asked me to tell you that Lord Pei has just arrived and entered the palace. He’s now on his way to His Majesty…”
Cui Yinshui hunched over, her face anxious yet cautious, stumbling over her words.
Jia Fu was startled—she hadn’t expected Pei You’an to arrive so quickly!
She naturally understood Li Yuangui’s purpose in sending Cui Yinshui to relay this message.
This old eunuch, so loyal to the Emperor, must be worried about another conflict between father and son, haunted by last night’s events. He was calling her over, probably hoping that seeing her might calm Pei You’an’s fury and prevent him from excessively offending the Emperor.
Jia Fu was dissatisfied with the Emperor’s stubbornness and couldn’t fully understand it.
If his concern was having no heir to the throne, when he first deposed Xiao Yintang, he could have had children with his consorts, but strangely, no one in the harem had shown any signs of pregnancy for years.
Even if there were no children, he could have adopted a nephew from the imperial clan as heir, which would have been by natural order and human sentiment.
But knowing Pei You’an’s unwillingness, he still acted this way!
Since the matter had already occurred, she didn’t want to see Pei You’an and the Emperor clash head-on as they had before. Even without considering the Emperor’s current health condition, it would be of no use now.
Jia Fu told Cui Yinshui to watch over Ci’er and, guided by a palace attendant, hurried away.
Pei You’an entered the palace hall he had not seen for several years, strode to the throne, and stood there, motionless.
Xiao Lie sat upright, looking Pei You’an up and down, finally raising his gaze to meet the other’s eyes. “After being posted away for a few years, you’ve forgotten even the protocol for imperial audiences. Should I have the Ministry of Rites send someone to teach you again?”
Pei You’an slowly knelt and bowed to the Emperor: “Pei You’an pays respects to His Imperial Majesty.” Each word was pronounced as if from the depths of his heart.
Xiao Lie said coolly, “You may rise.”
Pei You’an stood up. “My journey to the capital has but one purpose—to take back my wife and child. Please, Your Majesty, have them brought here. I will take mother and son out of the palace and return immediately to the frontier.”
The Emperor said, “You may take your wife. Pei Yiyuan, I will keep.”
Pei You’an stared at the Emperor’s indifferent expression, anger gradually building in his eyes. Through gritted teeth, he said, “He bears the surname Pei, not Xiao. I am his father, and he is my son! Your Majesty acts in this manner, bringing a three-year-old child to the Meridian Gate tower—did you ever ask for my consent?”
“You’an, when you privately released Xiao Yu, did you ask for my consent?” the Emperor coldly retorted.
“You refuse to acknowledge me as your father, so be it. I will not force you anymore. Leave Ci’er with me, and from now on, we will be merely sovereign and subject.”
“Zhen Shi is in Banana Garden in the Western Palace. Take her back!”