Jia Fu had not seen her son for three days. She was essentially under house arrest, unable to step outside Banana Garden. Although palace servants brought her news of her son daily, saying he was eating and living with His Majesty and that all was well, Jia Fu remained extremely anxious—not out of concern for her son’s safety, but because she did not know the Emperor’s true intentions.

Finally, on the eve of the twenty-sixth, the Imperial Birthday, Li Yuangui personally arrived. He said he came on behalf of the Emperor with a message: tomorrow, the Emperor would take Ci’er to ascend Wu Gate Tower together, to appear at the ceremony presenting prisoners. After the ceremony, he would return Ci’er to Banana Garden and tell Jia Fu not to worry.

Jia Fu was utterly shocked and stood dumbfounded.

After delivering the message, Li Yuangui withdrew.

Jia Fu stared at his gradually retreating figure, and regardless of consequences, chased after him and blocked his way: “Li Gonggong, I must see His Majesty!”

Li Yuangui bowed: “Madam, please wait a moment. This servant will relay your message at once.”

In the Imperial Study, Ci’er sat on a specially made high chair. Xiao Lie stood behind him, bending over, his hand guiding Ci’er’s, slowly writing five large vermilion characters on a memorial document: “We have read this, approved.” He then put down the brush, examined it, and stroked his beard with a smile: “This is how one reviews memorials. If agreeable, one replies to officials in this manner. If not agreeable, one writes words of rejection and returns them to the Six Ministries for revision. Does Ci’er understand?”

Ci’er seemed to half-understand and nodded.

“Is Ci’er tired?”

Ci’er rubbed his eyes: “Imperial Grandfather, I miss Mother. I want to return to her.”

Xiao Lie said gently: “Ci’er will spend one more night here with Imperial Grandfather. After tomorrow’s ceremony presenting prisoners, Imperial Grandfather will send you back to your mother, alright?”

Ci’er hesitated a moment but finally nodded.

Xiao Lie was about to personally take Ci’er by the hand back to the sleeping quarters when Li Yuangui entered and whispered something in his ear. The Emperor then summoned Cui Yinshui, who hurriedly came forward, took Ci’er in his arms, and coaxed him out in a low voice.

Jia Fu entered. Xiao Lie sat behind his desk reviewing memorials and ordered her to rise.

Jia Fu remained kneeling: “Your Majesty, Li Gonggong just conveyed that tomorrow morning, Your Majesty intends to take Ci’er to attend the ceremony presenting prisoners. Is this true?”

“Of course. Ci’er is asleep now. After tomorrow’s ceremony, I will let him return to the Banana Garden. You need not worry.”

“Your Majesty! This must not happen! Ci’er does not deserve such high treatment from Your Majesty!”

Xiao Lie raised his head, glanced at Jia Fu, and slowly put down his brush.

The atmosphere in the Imperial Study suddenly grew heavy.

Jia Fu met Xiao Lie’s gaze without the slightest evasion: “If Your Majesty brought Ci’er to the capital merely for a family reunion, this subject’s wife would comply without question. But tomorrow’s ceremony presenting prisoners is a matter of great importance. Ci’er is young and ignorant of affairs. As his mother, I must speak up and ask Your Majesty to rescind this order and allow me to take Ci’er back!”

Xiao Lie stared at Jia Fu, silent for a moment.

“Zhen shi, I presume you have learned about what happened years ago. Let me tell you plainly: Ci’er is the heir apparent of our Great Wei. This is not only my firm decision but also the will of Heaven.”

Jia Fu’s heart pounded wildly: “Though Your Majesty’s favor is Ci’er’s great fortune, he lacks proper status and legitimacy. How can he be the heir apparent of Great Wei? I beg Your Majesty to reconsider!”

Xiao Lie said: “You need not concern yourself with these matters. I will decide.”

Jia Fu forced herself to calm down and looked at Xiao Lie: “This humble subject’s wife’s words carry little weight, but I dare say one more thing: this matter is of utmost importance. Ci’er’s father will eventually learn of it, and I fear he will not readily consent!”

Her words were like a challenge, containing a veiled reminder. Though brief, they were extremely offensive.

Yet Xiao Lie’s expression remained calm: “I will wait for him, then.” After speaking, he picked up his brush again, took a new memorial, opened it, lowered his head, and said: “You may withdraw.”

How could Jia Fu leave?

The Emperor wanted to pass the throne to his son, to make Ci’er the Emperor. Though others might see this as an unspeakably great celestial blessing, if her husband did not wish it, she would not yield.

And her husband would not wish it. No one understood this more clearly than she did.

“Your Majesty! Ci’er’s father is guarding the frontier for Great Wei. Before leaving, he entrusted the child to me. If it were any ordinary matter, this subject’s wife would never dare defy Your Majesty. But this matter is truly significant! I dare not stop pleading! I beg Your Majesty, regardless of what happens tomorrow, to wait until Ci’er’s father arrives before making a decision!”

She kowtowed to Xiao Lie on his seat.

Xiao Lie looked surprised, as if seeing her for the first time. He stared at Jia Fu for a moment, yet surprisingly did not become angry. He merely furrowed his brow, put down his vermilion brush, and stood up: “Fine, if you won’t leave, I will.” With that, he put his hands behind his back and walked out.

Jia Fu’s mind was in turmoil.

She finally understood the Emperor’s intention.

First, bring Ci’er to the capital, then after tomorrow’s grand ceremony presenting prisoners, it would be like announcing his status as heir apparent to the world. After that, even if Pei You’an rushed back, it would be a fait accompli, impossible to reverse.

Jia Fu clenched her teeth. In that instant, with courage from an unknown source, she got up from the ground, went to the imperial desk, grabbed a sharp cutting knife from the brush holder, and pointed it at her neck.

“This subject’s wife has but one request: even if Your Majesty has this plan, you must first inform my husband! Otherwise, I will take my life right here!”

Xiao Lie suddenly turned around, staring at Jia Fu, his face gradually showing anger: “How dare you! Put that down at once!”

“This subject’s wife’s death matters little, but if I die, Your Majesty will never again have Pei You’an as a son, nor Pei Yi Yuan as a grandson! This is not a threat! I beg Your Majesty to weigh what is more important!”

Hearing the commotion, Li Yuangui rushed in from outside, greatly alarmed: “Madam, please don’t be rash, put down the knife quickly!”

Jia Fu did not falter in the slightest. Her wrist moved slightly inward, and the knife tip pierced her tender skin, immediately drawing a line of blood.

Xiao Lie’s eyes widened in anger as he stared fixedly at Jia Fu. Slowly raising his hand, he pointed at her: “You… you…” His voice trembled, momentarily unable to speak. His face grew increasingly pale, more and more ashen. Suddenly, his body swayed, and with a thud, he fell backward onto the ground.

“Your Majesty!”

Li Yuangui cried out, leaping forward. Seeing the Emperor with eyes tightly shut, breath faint as a thread, he was terrified and called loudly: “Imperial Physician—”

Jia Fu was also stunned by this sudden turn of events.

Her sole intent had been to prevent the Emperor from taking her son to Wu Gate tomorrow. Forced to extremity, she had used this crudest yet perhaps only effective method. She had not anticipated that the situation would change so drastically—that Xiao Lie would faint from her actions. Seeing this, she quickly put down the cutting knife, rushed forward, and seeing the Emperor’s ashen face and unconscious state, she too was greatly frightened. She hurriedly helped Li Yuangui and the small eunuchs who had rushed in to carry the Emperor to the couch.

Soon, the night-duty Imperial Physician Hu arrived. Seeing the situation, he was greatly alarmed and immediately administered acupuncture emergency treatment. After much effort, the Emperor made gurgling sounds in his throat, spat out several mouthfuls of tainted blood, and slowly opened his eyes. However, his eyes were dim, staring fixedly upward, his expression extremely weak.

“Your Majesty! Your Majesty! How are you?”

Li Yuangui called softly and continuously, also trying to feed water into the Emperor’s mouth, but the water flowed down from the corners of his lips.

“Your Majesty—”

Tears fell from Li Yuangui’s eyes.

Jia Fu’s emotions were extremely complex. She slowly knelt on the ground, watching as physicians and palace servants came and went. After a long time, by the third watch, though the Emperor still looked sallow as paper, his condition seemed to have finally stabilized somewhat. The physician withdrew first, and Li Yuangui ordered the palace servants to withdraw as well, standing himself by the door.

The Emperor lay on the couch, slowly opened his eyes, appeared lost in thought for a moment, and then said softly: “Get up and go rest. You understand You’an’s heart. You are protecting him. I do not blame you—”

“I still say the same thing. My mind is made up—when You’an comes, I will explain everything to him clearly—”

After speaking, Xiao Lie seemed extremely tired. He closed his eyes and made no further sound.

“Madam, please return now,” Li Yuangui came over and said softly.

Tears slowly welled up in Jia Fu’s eyes. She did not know exactly why she was crying, why she felt such sorrow.

Perhaps it was because of Xiao Lie’s words: “You understand You’an’s heart. You are protecting him. I do not blame you.”

Or perhaps it was for her own powerlessness. Despite her utmost efforts, in the end, she could not help Pei You’an in the slightest.

She rose from the ground and slowly walked away.

…

The next day, the twenty-sixth day of the third month in the sixth year of Zhaoping, coincided with the Great Wei Emperor’s fiftieth birthday. The court granted a great amnesty throughout the realm. Except for those guilty of conspiracy against the throne, high treason, heinous crimes, unfilial conduct, extreme disrespect, and other atrocious crimes, as well as those convicted of intentional homicide, all other prisoners were pardoned and released from jail, filling the realm with gratitude. In the capital on this day, the people were especially jubilant. Those with new clothes wore them; those without wore freshly washed clean clothes. Every household burned incense, bowing in worship, and praying to Heaven for the Emperor’s longevity. The great street from the South Gate leading to the Imperial Palace was packed so tightly that not even water could pass through. Everyone craned their necks, waiting to see the procession of prisoner carts transporting the captured Japanese pirates.

On this day, the sun shone brilliantly, rising higher and higher, illuminating the majestic Wu Gate Tower of the Imperial Palace. The gold on the double-eaved, yellow-tiled hip-gabled roof gleamed dazzlingly.

Over 1,500 Han generals in brocade attire lined up on the square on both sides of Wu Gate Tower. The formation extended for a hundred zhang. Every Han general stood tall and valiant, all clad in bright armor, with military sabers at their waists and long halberds in their hands. The sunlight reflecting off their bright armor shone brilliantly. Court officials, from the Six Ministries and Nine Ministers down to those of the fourth rank and above, totaling over 500 people, stood in order of civil and military ranks, wearing court robes and winged good-fortune hats, holding jade tablets, standing solemnly, waiting for the Emperor to appear and ascend the tower.

At mid-morning, the sound of bells and drums came from the que pavilions on the left and right of Wu Gate’s central tower. The two sounds harmonized, deep and solemn. A dragon palanquin, escorted by ceremonial guards in front and behind, was carried to the north gate of Wu Gate.

The palanquin stopped, and the Emperor’s figure finally appeared on the pathway leading to Wu Gate Tower.

The Emperor wore an imperial crown with twelve pendants and imperial robes adorned with the twelve symbols—sun, moon, stars, mountains, woven fire, and patterned creatures—as he walked step by step toward the tower.

His complexion was ashen, his eyes bloodshot. The moment he alighted from the palanquin, his steps faltered slightly, as if he could not stand steadily. The twelve pendants on his crown trembled, but Li Yuangui beside him quickly supported him.

“Imperial Grandfather, what’s wrong with you?” Having noticed the Emperor’s unusual state since early morning, Ci’er now felt somewhat uneasy and asked softly.

“Imperial Grandfather is fine.”

Xiao Lie smiled at him, pushed away Li Yuangui who was supporting him, lifted the boy from the palanquin, and gently placed him on the ground.

Ci’er raised his head, looking at the majestic tower ahead. Despite his young age, he seemed to sense an extraordinary, overwhelming presence. After hesitating for a moment, he said softly: “Imperial Grandfather, can I go up there?”

Xiao Lie extended his hand to him: “Don’t be afraid, come with Imperial Grandfather.”

Ci’er, led by Xiao Lie’s hand, came to the base of the tower and climbed the steps one by one. Finally, the two figures, one large and one small, appeared simultaneously before the imperial throne set up in advance on the tower.

One large and one small, two seats—at first, due to the height, the officials below the tower did not notice. Only when they vaguely saw the figures of the Emperor and the child beside him appear simultaneously did the officials take note, their faces showing surprise. All stood on tiptoe, craning their necks, straining to see clearly.

The Emperor led Ci’er to the imperial throne. A herald standing by the battlements of the tower announced the imperial decree loudly. The order was relayed by two attendants beside him, from two to four, from four to eight, quickly passed down in unison. More than 500 court officials and over 1,000 Han generals faced north, kneeling toward the Emperor on the tower in perfect unison. Accompanied by the metallic sounds of bright armor and swords clashing, they shouted “Long live the Emperor,” the sound deafening.

Ci’er sat on the small throne, his little hands tightly gripping the armrests on both sides, his eyes unblinking.

A procession gradually entered through Chengtan Gate, coming to Duan Gate. At a command, a towering man with a full beard, wearing battle armor, led a thousand spirited and robust soldiers. They passed through Duan Gate with orderly, broad strides, coming to the front of the magnificent Wu Gate square. Looking up at the tower where only blurred figures could be seen from such a distance, he reported loudly: “Your subject Dong Chengmao, Commander-in-Chief Against the Japanese Pirates, by imperial order to suppress the southeastern Japanese pirates. Above, with His Imperial Majesty’s vast grace, below, with the coastal military and civilians united in hatred against the enemy, after three years, I have not failed my mission. The Japanese threat has been eliminated. Today I present 223 Japanese prisoners of all ranks and respectfully request His Imperial Majesty’s order to uphold our Great Wei’s majesty!”

After his report, he led his soldiers to rise and line up on both sides. Behind them, hundreds of Japanese prisoners were brought forward, all with neck cangues handcuffs, and foot shackles. As they reached the center of the square, amidst the surrounding robust, stirring, sky-reaching roars of “Kill! Kill! Kill!” these normally bold Japanese warrior slaves now all turned pale and collapsed to the ground.

The Minister of Justice, holding an imperial edict sent down from the tower, walked quickly to the center of the square, a bow shot away from the city wall, and read out the crimes loudly. After finishing, he turned around, waiting for the Emperor’s order from the distant tower.

Xiao Lie slowly stood up, picked up Ci’er, walked to the front of the tower, and under the gaze of countless astonished eyes below, turned to Ci’er and said: “Give the order.”

Ci’er’s small hands tightly clenched into fists as he raised his still childish voice and called out loudly: “Execute!”

This order of “Execute” was again relayed by the attendants beside him, finally reaching the center of the square. The 1,500 Han generals shouted “Execute” in unison. The Japanese prisoners were dragged out of Duan Gate to outside Chengtan Gate, where an execution platform had been prepared in advance. Under the gaze of countless civilians crowding around, the executioners’ large blades fell in unison.

“Long live the Emperor, long live, long, long live—”

The mountain-toppling, sea-surging sound once again echoed in front of Wu Gate Tower. Pigeon whistles sounded repeatedly, and white pigeons raised near Chengtan Gate spread their wings and flew into the sky.

Dong Chengmao, along with the civil and military officials beside him, knelt toward the distant Emperor, kowtowed, and when he raised his head, a difficult-to-describe complex emotion flashed across his eyes.

When Pei You’an, covered in dust from his journey, rode his horse like the wind to Chengtan Gate, the outermost gate of the Imperial Palace, what he heard was the mountain-toppling, sea-surging sound of “Long live the Emperor” coming from inside the city gate.

He stopped his horse and, amid the lingering echoes of “Long live the Emperor,” raised his head to look at the black silhouettes of pigeons circling above the distant que tower. His figure was frozen, motionless.