“Your Highness, this is a secret letter sent by General Chu,” Bai Feng walked in quickly from outside, his expression somewhat urgent.
Yan Chi frowned upon hearing this, clearly surprised, “They should be in Liang Province now, why would Chu Fei Shen send a letter back?”
Chu Fei Shen, over forty years old, was one of the longest-serving generals under Prince Rui. This time, Lin Xu Gui deliberately tried to pin the blame for the Shuoxi military grain corruption on Chu Fei Shen, using this to eliminate Prince Rui’s old subordinates. However, Chu Fei Shen had already left the Shuoxi military camp and disappeared. Now that Chu Fei Shen was safe, why would he send a letter?
Yan Chi opened the letter and quickly scanned it. His eyes showed first uncertainty, then realization, and finally, the oppressive calm before a storm.
“Ah, so that’s how it is—”
The darkness in Yan Chi’s eyes was something Bai Feng hadn’t seen in a long time. Such an expression had last appeared on Yan Chi’s face several years ago when the Rong people launched a full tribal attack on Great Zhou. At that time, Shuoxi had been in grave danger, fortunately saved by his master’s decisive action.
Now Prince Rui was gone, and though Shuoxi was in chaos, until now, they had managed to save everyone they wanted to save.
Why would his master show such an expression because of one letter?
Yan Chi crushed the letter tightly in his hand. He had been wondering what had catalyzed the development of events, and now he finally knew. Yan Chi crumpled the letter into powder, “We learned of this news too late.”
Bai Feng didn’t understand. Yan Chi suppressed all emotion in his eyes, and after a long while gave a cold laugh, “The Rong people had sought peace with Father.”
Bai Feng’s eyes widened. Yan Chi continued, “They submitted a state letter to Father.”
Bai Feng quickly understood the meaning of Yan Chi’s words, “His Highness concealed this matter, but it was still discovered?”
Yan Chi nodded, the lingering pain in his heart slowly spreading through his body.
His father-son relationship with Prince Rui was more complicated than most. Prince Rui was his father, his teacher, and his superior. Everything he had learned and known in this life, directly or indirectly, was taught by Yan Lin. His feelings toward Yan Lin had little of familial dependence, but more of admiration and respect, even some confrontation born from old matters.
While being controlled and trained by Yan Lin, he secretly made resolutions in his heart, even developing a kind of defiance that only men and strong individuals would understand. He was restless, eager to surpass his father…
But his father suddenly died. When news of his death came, he initially couldn’t believe it. How could such a mountain of a man die?! How could the eagle who commanded from the Shuoxi plateau die from an accident?!
He couldn’t even cry. Since childhood, except for being beaten once or twice while training at age five, he had never shed another tear. No matter how many people he saw fall during charges into battle, no matter how severely he was wounded during sieges, he never shed another tear. Tears were weakness, and a man who stood tall didn’t need tears.
He only felt a part of his world collapse. Without realizing it, his father had occupied a deeper place in his heart than he had imagined. Even though in all these years, father and son never had tender moments, even though he harbored resentment toward his father for his mother’s early death, these dozen years of following each other on the battlefield, watching how Prince Rui commanded troops and fought—he had seen the epitome of male strength and valor in Prince Rui.
He hadn’t shed a single tear, yet felt cracks forming in every meridian and bone that Yan Lin had tempered. At times, there was a dense, needle-like dull pain, which he deliberately suppressed, never showing the slightest ripple on his face. At most, when facing Qin Wan, tender emotions would lower his armor, allowing a glimpse or two.
During these days and nights, he remained rational and decisive, even when Master Qi became panicked and angry, he remained unmoved. He wanted to investigate the cause, make the most thorough arrangements, and make Prince Rui proud while watching from heaven. Even though his father was dead, he still wanted his approval, even though Yan Lin’s praise had been rare in his lifetime.
He had expended much effort, but only now did Yan Chi accurately know the cause of things.
It was because of the Rong people’s state letter.
Yan Chi was silent for a moment, “Father naturally didn’t trust the Rong people, but though he didn’t believe them, others did.”
This was the difference between being at the distant frontier and in the high temple.
In the Shuoxi military camp, one saw the Rong people’s blade edge, heard the screams of Shuoxi civilians being slaughtered by the Rong, and smelled the blood that wouldn’t dissipate in the cold night. There, victory came first. When the enemy’s blade swung down, you realized you were Zhou people, and the name Great Zhou became sacred and solemn at that moment. Every young soldier could consecrate the flag with their blood—this was loyalty and courage that those in the capital’s golden pavilions of luxury could not understand. Thinking of this, Yan Chi felt a block of iron lodged in his chest.
For Yan Lin, and the thousands of soldiers guarding Shuoxi.
Never had he felt his heart as cold as iron as now. The loyal paid in blood and even life, receiving only a few taels of military pay in return, their names uncertain even when wrapped in horse hide for burial. While in court, soldiers’ casualties were just insignificant numbers, not even worth furrowing a brow over.
And when their loyalty was questioned, they could become abandoned pawns at any time, attacked from both front and rear.
Yan Chi’s fingertips unconsciously tapped the table corner, the cold tapping sounds echoing one after another. Early winter’s cold air rushed in through window gaps, freezing the room’s silence into a pressing web. Bai Feng felt his breathing becoming increasingly rapid.
At this time, Shuoxi should be seeing its first heavy snow.
Yan Chi suddenly looked out the window and ordered, “Have Chu Fei Shen and Master Qi withdraw from Liang Province, and return to Shuoxi.”
Bai Feng waited for Yan Chi’s next words. After a moment, Yan Chi said, “After Lin Xu Gui takes over the Shuoxi camp, he will certainly change the defensive deployments. The garrisons in Liang Province and Qian Province will certainly send reinforcements. I need to know the troop strength changes in every part of Shuoxi. Ge Yang will return to the capital in at most a month. Once Ge Yang leaves, Yu Wen Xian and Lin Xu Gui won’t amount to much.”
Bai Feng hesitated, “Your Highness plans to—”
Yan Chi didn’t speak, his eyes flickering as he looked at the gloomy sky outside. “Winter is coming, going to Shuoxi will likely mean being blocked by heavy snow. Find a way to have the Ministry of Revenue submit a memorial, best to send next year’s summer military provisions to Shuoxi early.”
A glint flashed in Bai Feng’s eyes, and he quickly agreed.
—
When Prince Rui’s heir Yan Chi reappeared in people’s sight after many days of absence, it was on the day of his title inheritance.
As it involved inheriting a prince’s title, the Ministry of Rites had prepared the ceremony early. Besides an imperial edict, they also had to pay respects to ancestors at the ancestral temple.
Yan Chi wore a black court robe, with fierce and magnificent four-clawed coiled dragons on his hem. When he walked out of the ancestral temple, the court officials couldn’t see obvious grief in him, only feeling that this new Prince Rui’s bearing was particularly somber. Following Yan Chi was Yan Li, also wearing a black court robe.
Their court robes were of the same style, only slightly different in patterns. Previously, Yan Li had been accustomed to being unrestrained, always preferring to wear bright red wide-sleeved robes. Now suddenly changed into court robes, standing beside Yan Chi, he wasn’t overshadowed too much. Though his stature and bearing couldn’t match Yan Chi’s, naturally not appearing as imposing, his features were exquisitely perfect. Under the dignified court robes, he displayed a kind of inexplicable naturalness, as if all the physical advantages of the Yan imperial clan had fallen on him alone. The old ministers standing outside the ancestral temple’s eyes flickered, almost seeing the young Prince Gong.
Prince Gong… these three words, like a curse, once again appeared in the world.
After paying respects to the ancestors, Yan Chi and Yan Li went to Chongzheng Palace to express gratitude. The brightly lit study had no brazier, and cold wind entered, yet Yan Huai didn’t seem to feel cold. When he saw the two enter, Yan Huai scrutinized them for a moment. Even the youngest faces would appear more steady wearing these court robes. Yan Huai nodded with satisfaction.
“You two are the earliest to inherit titles. From now on, you must set an example.”
The earliest to inherit titles… these words were truly ironic, but Yan Huai didn’t feel so. He coldly instructed, “Yan Chi will still enter the Ministry of Justice. These days you’ve been unwell, and I’ve been lenient with you. You were trained in Shuoxi, surely you’re better now?”
Yan Chi nodded, “Thank you for Your Majesty’s consideration. Yan Chi can attend court tomorrow.”
Yan Huai nodded and then looked at Yan Li. When looking at Yan Li, Yan Huai seemed to hesitate, “You’re not young anymore, it’s not good to waste time like this. Your Imperial Grandmother worries about you most. Do you have any ministry you’d like to join?”
Yan Li raised his eyebrows to look at Yan Huai. This emperor who showed no emotion looked at him with deep eyes. He couldn’t tell if this was sincere or false. Pressing his lips together, Yan Li said carelessly, “This subject will follow Your Majesty’s instructions.”
Yan Huai frowned as he looked at Yan Li for a while, “Go to the Ministry of Personnel.”
Yan Li frowned but dared not object, immediately agreeing. However, everyone in court knew this wastrel heir could embrace beauties and indulge in wine and pleasure, but asking him to do real work in a ministry—he didn’t understand a bit of it. What would he do in the Ministry of Personnel?
“I will have someone arrange your duties, you must pay attention.”
At this, Yan Li immediately agreed again.
Yan Huai had nothing more to say, “Go see your Imperial Grandmother. Your title inheritances were at her request.”
Yan Huai didn’t hide this at all. Yan Chi and Yan Li bowed and withdrew, leaving Chongzheng Palace.
As soon as they left Chongzheng Palace’s main gate, Yan Li let out a breath. He tugged at his collar and pulled at his sleeves, feeling these court robes were uncomfortable no matter how he wore them. “Seventh Brother, what can one do in the Ministry of Personnel?”
Yan Chi shook his head helplessly, “Don’t worry, someone will teach you.”
Yan Li wasn’t happy at all, “If I had known inheriting the title meant working, I’d rather not have inherited it.”
Yan Chi looked at him with a sigh, “Inheriting the title has its benefits, you should pay attention from now on.”
Yan Li was noncommittal. Before Yan Chi, he never had to hide, so his manner became increasingly casual, “Mother doesn’t force me, why should Imperial Grandmother worry? I won’t starve to death.”
Yan Chi’s thoughts weren’t on Yan Li, seeing him act like he was shirking, he didn’t respond.
Yan Li turned to look at Yan Chi, “Seventh Brother has lost weight these days.”
Yan Chi pulled at his lips, “Not at all.”
Yan Li sighed, “Sometimes I think, being like me, losing a father right after birth, is quite good. Without all these years of interaction, I feel nothing when he’s mentioned now. But if Mother suddenly passed, I would surely be extremely distressed.”
Yan Chi’s brows furrowed slightly. After a moment, he reached out and patted Yan Li’s shoulder, “That’s not how you should speak. How is the Princess these days?”
“Well. She asked about you, about your marriage to Qin Wan.”
Yan Chi smiled slightly, “The Princess must be thinking about your matters too—”
Yan Li snorted, “I have no mind for such things. There are too many beauties in the capital, how can I love them all? If I have to go to the ministry every day from now on, won’t those beauties go mad with longing for me…”
Yan Li wore an expression of extreme grief, while Yan Chi raised his eyebrows helplessly.
“Greetings to Prince Rui, greetings to Prince Gong…”
“Your Highnesses, the Empress Dowager has been waiting for you.”
Having just inherited their titles today, Shoukang Palace’s servants cleverly changed their forms of address. With the old Prince Rui recently deceased and Prince Gong having long been taboo, the servants’ hearts trembled as they bowed.
Yan Chi waved his hand and strode into the main hall. The Empress Dowager reclined on a lohan couch. Seeing the two arrive in court robes, her face showed gratified smiles. After Yan Chi and Yan Li bowed, the Empress Dowager looked at Yan Li and said, “These clothes look much better. From now on you’re a prince, you must not act willfully anymore.”
Yan Li smiled bitterly repeatedly, “Imperial Grandmother, was it you who asked His Majesty to let me enter the court? You know I’m not cut out for it…”
The Empress Dowager was startled, “What? The Emperor allowed you to enter the court?”
Yan Li held the Empress Dowager’s arm and wheedled, “Imperial Grandmother, why don’t you speak to His Majesty again? I’d rather not go to the Ministry of Personnel. I don’t know what I can do there, wouldn’t I just cause trouble?”
The Empress Dowager quickly recovered and began laughing, “You child, the Emperor letting you enter court is a good thing, how can you be unwilling?!” Then looking at Yan Chi, “Yan Chi, from today on, take him to the ministry every day. If he dares to be lazy, come tell me. *cough cough* My health worsens day by day, let’s see if you still dare to make me worry about you all day…”
Yan Li looked to Yan Chi for help, but Yan Chi smiled faintly and nodded, “Yes, grandson promises Yan Li won’t be lazy.”
Hearing these words, Yan Li truly wanted to cry, continuously holding onto the Empress Dowager’s arm. The Empress Dowager wouldn’t relent, only asking about the Emperor’s arrangements for Yan Chi. Hearing that Yan Chi would still enter the Ministry of Justice, the Empress Dowager’s heart temporarily settled.