Wish You All the Best - Chapter 105

Chapter 105

Jiafu had not seen her son for three days. She was effectively under house arrest, unable to take a single step outside the Banana Garden. Although palace attendants brought her news of Ci'er every day, saying he was eating and sleeping with the Emperor and that all was well, Jiafu remained incredibly anxious. It was not just fear for her son's safety that troubled her, but the fact that she had no idea what the Emperor’s true intentions were.

Finally, on the eve of the Emperor's fiftieth birthday on the twenty-sixth, Li Yuangui arrived in person. He claimed he was delivering a message on behalf of the Emperor: tomorrow, the Emperor would bring Ci'er to the Meridian Gate tower to appear together at the Captive Presentation Ceremony. Once the ceremony concluded, he would have Ci'er sent back to the Banana Garden, telling Jiafu there was no need to worry.

Jiafu was horrified, standing frozen on the spot.

After delivering the message, Li Yuangui retreated.

Jiafu stared at his receding figure, and, ignoring all consequences, she chased after him and blocked his path. "Eunuch Li, I must see His Majesty!"

Li Yuangui bowed. "Madam, please wait a moment. This servant will go and relay your request to His Majesty."

In the Imperial Study, Ci'er sat in a specially crafted high chair. Xiao Lie stood behind him, bent down, and held Ci'er’s small hand, slowly guiding him to write the five vermilion characters on a memorial: "I have read this; approved." He then set down the brush, studied it for a moment, and stroked his beard with a smile. "This is how one reviews memorials. If one agrees, one replies to the ministers in this way; if not, one writes a note of disagreement and returns it to the six ministries for revision. Does Ci'er understand?"

Ci'er seemed to understand only vaguely, but he nodded anyway.

"Is Ci'er sleepy?"

Ci'er rubbed his eyes. "Royal Grandfather, I miss Mother. I want to go back to Mother."

Xiao Lie said softly, "Ci'er, stay one more night here with Royal Grandfather. Tomorrow, when the Captive Presentation Ceremony is over, Royal Grandfather will send you back to your mother, all right?"

Ci'er hesitated, then finally nodded.

Xiao Lie took Ci'er’s hand and was about to personally lead him back to the sleeping quarters when Li Yuangui entered and whispered something in his ear. The Emperor summoned Cui Yinshui, who rushed forward, picked up Ci'er, and carried him out with soft, soothing words.

Jiafu entered. Xiao Lie was sitting behind his desk, reviewing memorials. He told her to rise.

Jiafu knelt and refused to stand. "Your Majesty, Eunuch Li just relayed a message that you intend to take Ci'er to the Captive Presentation Ceremony tomorrow morning. Is this true?"

"Naturally. Ci'er is asleep now. Tomorrow, once the ceremony concludes, I will have him returned to the Banana Garden. You need not worry."

"Your Majesty! This cannot happen! Ci'er cannot bear such high honors from you!"

Xiao Lie looked up at Jiafu and slowly set down his brush.

The atmosphere in the Imperial Study suddenly turned heavy and cold.

Jiafu met Xiao Lie’s gaze without flinching. "Your Majesty, if you brought Ci'er to the capital solely for the sake of family, this subject would have no reason to disobey. But tomorrow's ceremony involves matters of great significance. Ci'er is young and naive; as a mother, I must speak up. I implore you, Your Majesty, to rescind your order and allow me to take Ci'er home!"

Xiao Lie stared at Jiafu and remained silent for a long moment.

"Madame Zhen, I assume you have learned of what happened years ago. I will tell you the truth: Ci'er is the Crown Prince of our Great Wei. This is not only my settled decision but also the will of Heaven."

Jiafu’s heart hammered in her chest. "While I am grateful for your misplaced favor, and it would be a blessing for Ci'er, he has no rightful name nor standing. How could he be the Crown Prince of Great Wei? Please, Your Majesty, think this through!"

Xiao Lie replied, "You need not concern yourself with these things. I have my own plans."

Jiafu struggled to steady her emotions as she looked at Xiao Lie. "My words are humble and carry little weight, but I dare to say one more thing: this matter is of vital importance. Ci'er’s father will know of this sooner or later, and I fear he will not be willing to accept it!"

Her words were like a challenge, underscored by a warning. Though brief, they were incredibly offensive.

Xiao Lie’s expression remained indifferent. "I shall wait for him to come." After speaking, he picked up his brush again, opened a new memorial, and bowed his head to read. "You may leave."

How could Jiafu simply leave?

Xiao Lie wanted to pass the throne to her son and make Ci'er the Emperor. Even if others saw this as a heaven-sent blessing of unimaginable value, she would not give in as long as her husband did not want it.

And her husband would certainly not want it. No one knew that better than she.

"Your Majesty! Ci'er’s father went to the border to defend Great Wei, and he entrusted our child to me before he left. If this were any other trivial matter, I would never dare to defy you. But this matter is far too significant! I cannot afford to be silent! I beg you, Your Majesty, no matter what, please wait until Ci'er’s father arrives before making a decision!"

She kowtowed to Xiao Lie on his throne.

Xiao Lie looked surprised, as if seeing her for the first time. He stared at her for a moment, yet surprisingly, he did not fly into a rage. He only furrowed his brows, threw down his vermilion brush, and stood up. "Enough. If you will not leave, then I shall." With his hands behind his back, he walked out.

Jiafu was in a state of utter turmoil.

She finally understood the Emperor’s scheme.

He would bring Ci'er to the capital, and after the Captive Presentation Ceremony tomorrow, it would be as if he had proclaimed Ci'er’s status as Crown Prince to the entire world. After that, even if Pei You'an returned, the matter would be a fait accompli—spilled water that could not be gathered back.

Jiafu bit her lip hard. In an instant, she knew not from where the courage came, but she scrambled up from the floor, reached the imperial desk, grabbed a sharp cutting knife from the brush holder, and pressed it against her own throat.

"I have only one request. Even if you have such intentions, you must let my husband know! Otherwise, I will kill myself here and now!"

Xiao Lie spun around, staring at Jiafu, his face gradually darkening with fury. "Audacious! Put that down at once!"

"My life is of little consequence, but if I die, from this day forth, you shall have neither a son named Pei You'an, nor a grandson named Pei Yiyuan! I do not speak this as a threat! Consider the weight of your choices, Your Majesty!"

Hearing the commotion, Li Yuangui rushed in from outside and turned pale with fright. "Madam, please, do not be impulsive! Put down the knife!"

Jiafu was fearless. She pulled her wrist back slightly, and the tip of the blade pierced her delicate skin, immediately drawing a trail of blood.

Xiao Lie’s eyes widened in rage as he stared fixedly at Jiafu. He slowly raised a shaking hand and pointed at her. "You... you..." His voice trembled, unable to form words. Suddenly, his face turned increasingly pale and blue until, with a lurch, he collapsed backward and fell to the floor with a loud thud.

"Your Majesty!"

Li Yuangui screamed and lunged forward. Seeing the Emperor’s eyes closed and his breathing faint, he was terrified and shouted at the top of his lungs, "Physician! Call the physician!"

Jiafu was stunned by this sudden turn of events.

She had only intended to stop the Emperor from taking her son to the Meridian Gate tomorrow. Forced into a corner, she had used this foolish—perhaps only—effective method, but she never expected the situation to spiral out of control and that Xiao Lie would be shocked into fainting by her actions. Seeing this, she hurriedly put down the knife and rushed over. Seeing the Emperor’s ashen face and unconscious state, she was also thoroughly frightened and rushed to help Li Yuangui and the small eunuchs who had hurried inside to lift the Emperor onto the daybed.

Soon, the physician on night duty, Dr. Hu, rushed over. Seeing the situation, he was shocked and began acupuncture treatment. After a long while, they heard the Emperor make two rattling sounds in his throat and spit out several mouthfuls of dark blood. Finally, he slowly opened his eyes, but his gaze was dim and dull. He stared blankly at the ceiling, his spirit utterly exhausted.

"Your Majesty! Your Majesty! How are you feeling?"

Li Yuangui whispered incessantly, trying to feed water to the Emperor, but it only trickled down the corners of his mouth.

"Your Majesty—"

Li Yuangui burst into tears.

Jiafu’s emotions were immensely complex. She slowly knelt on the floor, watching the physician and attendants run in and out. Long after the third watch, though the Emperor’s face remained as pale as paper, his condition seemed to have stabilized. The physician withdrew, and Li Yuangui ordered the other attendants to leave while he stood by the door.

The Emperor lay on the daybed, slowly opening his eyes. After staring blankly for a moment, he said in a low voice, "You may rise and go get some rest. You understand You'an’s heart; you are protecting him. I do not blame you—"

"I stand by what I said... my mind is made up—when You'an arrives, I will explain it to him clearly—"

After Xiao Lie finished speaking, he seemed utterly exhausted and closed his eyes, making no further sound.

"Madam, please return."

Li Yuangui approached and whispered softly.

Tears slowly welled up in Jiafu’s eyes. She did not know why she was crying or why she felt so heartbroken.

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

Perhaps it was for her own helplessness—that after giving her all, she still could not assist Pei You'an in the slightest.

She rose from the floor and slowly walked away.

...

The next day, the twenty-sixth of the third month in the sixth year of Zhaoping, coincided with the Emperor’s fiftieth birthday. The Imperial Court declared a general amnesty across the land. With the exception of those guilty of the "Ten Abominations"—such as rebellion, treason, murder, or disrespect—as well as those who had already been sentenced for intentional homicide, all other prisoners were pardoned and released, filling the world with gratitude. In the capital, on this day, the people were joyous and celebratory. Those with new clothes wore them; those without put on freshly washed, clean garments. Every household burned incense, kneeling and kowtowing to pray for the Emperor’s longevity on Heaven's behalf. The main street from the South Gate to the Imperial Palace was packed so tightly that not a drop of water could pass through. Everyone stood on tiptoe, waiting to watch the convoy of prisoners carrying the defeated pirates pass by.

That day, the sun was bright. As the sun climbed higher, it shone upon the magnificent tower of the Meridian Gate, its double-eaved yellow-tiled roof shimmering with dazzling gold.

Over fifteen hundred guards in embroidered uniforms stood in ranks across the plaza on either side of the Meridian Gate tower. The line stretched for hundreds of feet. Every guard was valiant and upright, clad in bright armor, girded with military sabers, and clutching long halberds. The sunlight reflected off their armor, making it shine brilliantly. The imperial officials, from the ministers of the six ministries down to the fourth rank, numbering over five hundred, stood solemnly in order of civil and military status, wearing their court robes, ceremonial caps, and holding their jade tablets, awaiting the Emperor’s appearance on the tower.

At midday, bells and drums echoed from the pavilions on either side of the main Meridian Gate tower. The two sounds blended, long and solemn. A dragon carriage, guarded by ceremonial processions in front and behind, was carried to the gate before the North Meridian Gate.

The dragon carriage stopped, and the Emperor’s silhouette finally appeared on the walkway leading to the Meridian Gate tower.

The Emperor wore the imperial crown with twelve strings of beads and the twelve-pattern imperial robe adorned with the sun, moon, stars, mountains, fire, and floral patterns, walking toward the tower step by step.

His complexion was ashen and his eyes bloodshot. The moment he stepped off the carriage, his footsteps faltered slightly, as if he could not stand steadily, and the twelve strings of beads before his eyes swayed back and forth. Fortunately, Li Yuangui at his side caught him in time.

"Royal Grandfather, what is wrong?"

Since waking up, Ci'er had felt the Emperor’s abnormality. Now, feeling uneasy, he asked in a soft voice.

"Royal Grandfather is fine."

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

Ci'er looked up at the magnificent tower before them. Young as he was, he seemed to sense an unusual, oppressive aura. He hesitated and whispered, "Royal Grandfather, can I really go up there?"

Xiao Lie reached out a hand to him. "Do not be afraid. Follow Royal Grandfather."

Ci'er, hand in hand with Xiao Lie, reached 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 designated throne on the tower.

The two seats, one large and one small, were not initially noticed by the officials below due to the height. It was only when they vaguely caught sight of the Emperor and the child appearing at the same time that the officials were startled. They all stood on tiptoe, craning their necks to look, desperately trying to get a clear view.

The Emperor brought Ci'er to the throne. A herald standing by the tower’s crenellations shouted an order. The command was relayed by two guards, then from two to four, four to eight, and so on, passed down in rapid unison. Over five hundred officials and over a thousand guards turned to face north and knelt in unison toward the Emperor on the tower. Accompanied by the metallic clashing of armor and blades, they shouted "Long live the Emperor," a sound so deafening it shook the heavens.

Ci'er sat in the small seat, his little hands gripping the armrests tightly, his eyes wide and unblinking.

A troop of horses gradually entered from the Chengtian Gate and arrived before the Duan Gate. At a command, a sturdy, bearded man in battle armor, leading a thousand spirited and imposing soldiers, passed through the Duan Gate with a steady, rhythmic stride until they reached the magnificent Meridian Gate plaza. Looking up toward the tower, where the people above were but blurred silhouettes, he shouted: "I, Commander Dong Chengang, who led the campaign against the Japanese pirates, having received the Emperor's boundless grace and the unified hatred of the coastal soldiers and civilians, have finally completed my mission after three years of struggle! We have wiped out the Japanese threat and today present two hundred and twenty-three pirate leaders, large and small! I humbly request His Majesty to deal with them as he sees fit, to spread the heavenly might of our Great Wei!"

After his report, he led his soldiers to rise and stand on either side. Hundreds of pirates were led forward, all wearing wooden shackles and iron fetters. When they reached the center of the plaza, accompanied by the surrounding roar of "Kill! Kill! Kill!" that shook the very clouds, the pirate warriors—who usually possessed such malicious courage—now all turned pale and collapsed to the ground.

The Minister of Justice, holding the imperial edict sent down from the tower, walked quickly to the center of the plaza, a bowshot’s distance from the wall, and read the crimes aloud. Once finished, he turned around, waiting for the Emperor’s order from the distant tower above.

Xiao Lie slowly stood up, picked up Ci'er, and walked to the front of the tower. Under the gaze of countless astonished eyes from below, he turned his face and said to Ci'er, "Give the order."

Ci'er clenched his small hands into fists, lifted his still-childish voice, and shouted, "Execute them!"

This order of "Execute them" was relayed down by the guards in unison. Finally, reaching the center of the plaza, fifteen hundred guards shouted "Execute them" in one voice. The pirates were dragged out of the Duan Gate to the area outside the Chengtian Gate, where execution stages had been set up in advance. Under the eyes of the countless spectators surrounding the area, the executioners' heavy blades fell in unison.

"Long live my Emperor, long live, long, long live—"

A deafening roar like a crashing tide echoed once again before the Meridian Gate tower. Amidst the sound of pigeon whistles, the white pigeons kept near the Chengtian Gate spread their wings and soared into the sky.

Dong Chengang, along with the civil and military officials, knelt and kowtowed toward the distant direction of the Emperor. When he looked up, a complex emotion, impossible to describe, flashed in his eyes.

As Pei You'an, covered in dust, rode his horse like a gale to the outermost Chengtian Gate of the Imperial Palace, the sound that reached his ears was that very thunderous, sea-like cry of "Long live the Emperor" emerging from within the palace walls.

He reined in his horse. Amidst the echoing remnants of that cheer, he looked up at the shadows of the pigeon flock circling above the distant tower, his figure frozen and motionless.