Wish You All the Best - Chapter 106

Chapter 106

Amidst the mountain-shaking cheers of "Long live the Emperor" from the officials and the imperial guards, the figures of the Emperor and the child vanished from the Meridian Gate tower.

The ceremony had ended, yet not a single official left the plaza. They remained gathered there, exchanging news and whispering about the young child who had suddenly appeared in their sight moments before.

On such an important occasion, not only was the child brought onto the Meridian Gate tower by the Emperor, but he had actually delivered the command for the "execution" on the Emperor's behalf.

By all logic, this child had to be the successor to the throne of Great Wei intended by the Emperor.

Since the Emperor’s ascension, his only son had been deposed from the Crown Prince position years ago and was still under house arrest at the ancestral grounds in Geng Prefecture. As the Emperor had fathered no other heirs in the years since and had begun to show his age, the officials had grown increasingly anxious. Recently, rumors had spread that the Emperor intended to restore the deposed prince; however, when the official who dared to suggest such a thing was punished with a court caning, that speculation had withered away.

The officials discussed the matter privately, concluding there were two future possibilities. First, the Emperor could father a child in his twilight years, resolving all difficulties. Second, the Emperor would eventually have to select a suitable youth from the imperial clan to adopt as his successor. Never did they expect that today, on the Emperor's birthday, the situation would undergo such a sudden shift.

The officials had finally seen the highly probable future crown prince. Ordinarily, this would be a joyous occasion, but prior to today, no one had ever seen the child, nor did anyone know his origins. Consequently, high-ranking officials who frequented the Imperial Study—such as He Gongpu, Minister of Personnel; Zhang Shiyong, Minister of Rites; Lu Xiang, Minister of War; and Liu Jiushao—all became the focus of the surrounding crowds.

While the flock of pigeons still hovered over the Chengtian Gate, a rumor spread like wildfire.

It was no secret that the Prince of Liuyang had once again been summoned to the capital. However, it was said that this trip was not merely for the birthday celebration; he had brought a child for the Emperor.

This child was the Emperor’s biological grandson. His father was a son the Emperor had sired out of wedlock in his youth. The father had no desire to return to the imperial clan, so he had entrusted the grandson to the Prince of Liuyang, who knew the truth of what happened years ago. Now, on the Emperor's command, the Prince of Liuyang had brought the boy to the capital to acknowledge his ancestors and return to the imperial family.

The imperial grandson brought by the Prince of Liuyang was the very child the Emperor had held on the Meridian Gate tower that day.

This news sent the court into a complete uproar. By dusk, even more rumors surfaced.

It was said that the story began thirty years ago. After the Emperor Tianxi ascended the throne, he had kept the current Emperor—then the Prince of Yunzhong—sequestered in Yunnan. The Prince of Yunzhong, young and restless, had been filled with bitterness. For over half a year, he had secretly left his fief to travel. It was while passing through Xiangxi, where the Prince of Liuyang resided, that he met a "Goddess" (a female shaman). The two formed a bond, but the woman was devoted to her people and unwilling to follow him to Yunnan. The Prince had been away for a long time and needed to return to his fief urgently, so they were forced to part. The woman later bore a son, who in turn had a grandson. For twenty years, because the Prince of Yunzhong was under even greater suspicion by Emperor Tianxi, the imperial bloodline had been unable to return to the clan. Now that the Emperor was old and homesick, he had commanded the Prince of Liuyang to bring his grandson to the capital to worship at the Imperial Ancestral Temple and acknowledge his lineage.

The Prince and Princess of Liuyang were the witnesses to these events thirty years ago, and they were the ones tasked with bringing the grandson into the palace.

The officials were stunned.

Some were suddenly enlightened, some were wildly excited, and some were deeply skeptical.

Those who were enlightened finally understood why the Prince of Liuyang, who had been obscure for decades, had suddenly earned the Emperor’s favor and generous rewards all those years ago.

Those who were excited were thrilled that Great Wei finally had an imperial grandson. It was no wonder the Emperor refused to restore the deposed prince; judging by his actions today, he was clearly intent on naming the child the Imperial Grandson.

The skeptics questioned the credibility of the "Goddess" legend.

But that the child was the Emperor’s own flesh and blood was beyond doubt.

Imperial blood, especially the Emperor’s descendants, concerned the very fate of the nation; no error could be tolerated. If the child’s origins were dubious, the Emperor was far too shrewd to be deceived by the Prince of Liuyang.

When asked about the rumors, officials like He, Zhang, and Lu remained tight-lipped, refusing to take a stance while waiting for the Emperor’s next move.

In truth, however, compared to the stunned or suspicious ministers, the shock felt by the Prince and Princess of Liuyang, who were back in the capital, was truly indescribable.

Four years ago, the couple had left the capital with imperial favor. The following year, Li Yuangui had arrived at their residence in secret to deliver a secret edict: they were to "produce" an elderly couple's late-life child. The Princess had begun binding her abdomen, adding padding month by month. After ten months of "pregnancy," she "gave birth" to a son. To avoid suspicion, the Prince had secretly adopted a male infant from the commoners and entered him into the clan register.

The couple understood that the Emperor’s order three years ago was intended to pave the way for a child he truly wanted to crown—using the pretext of "adoption from the imperial clan." Because this was a matter of extreme gravity, they had kept it a secret. For three years, they had raised the adopted child within the manor, keeping him hidden and preparing for the day the true heir would arrive, so they could send him to the capital under the name of the Prince’s heir.

Regardless of whom the Emperor wished to crown, the plan had been in motion for four years and was, until today, flawless.

Neither of them could have imagined that at the very last moment, for reasons unknown, the Emperor would abandon a plan that had been prepared for years and was clearly foolproof, leaving no room for ministerial doubt.

The story of the "Goddess" was not an impossible lie. If the Emperor’s grip on power was firm enough to suppress all dissent, it would certainly work. No official would dare question if the Emperor was recklessly recognizing a child of unknown blood as his own. But compared to the carefully calculated "adoption," this method seemed hasty—like a spur-of-the-moment decision that would likely invite much speculation.

The Prince and Princess of Liuyang were truly bewildered. But how could they disobey the Emperor’s command? Naturally, they followed his instructions and worked from the shadows.

...

Jiafu, hidden within the Banana Garden, felt as if she could faintly hear the sea-like roar of "Long live the Emperor" echoing from the southeast through the layers of palace halls.

She stood at the highest point of the garden, atop the white arched bridge near the fish pond. Her heart hammered against her ribs as she gazed toward the garden gate, craning her neck to wait for her son’s return.

This was the highest spot in the garden, and her line of sight could clear the perimeter walls to see the pathway outside.

At the first quarter of the shen hour (3:15 PM), a group finally appeared at the end of the pathway. Ci'er was being carried by Cui Yinshui, heading in her direction, followed by several palace attendants.

Ci'er seemed unable to wait. Even from a distance, he struggled and climbed down from Cui Yinshui’s arms, running toward her on his own two legs.

Jiafu hurried off the bridge and flew toward him.

"Mother! Mother!"

Ci'er saw Jiafu and ran even faster, plunging into her embrace like a little bird and wrapping his arms around her neck.

Jiafu hugged her son’s small body tightly, suppressing the tears that threatened to spill. Ci'er was jubilant at first, but gradually, his smile faded. He looked at Jiafu, raised a hand, and touched her eyelid. "Mother, are you unhappy?"

Jiafu shook her head and kissed his face forcefully. "Mother isn't unhappy. I'm just so happy to see Ci'er."

She picked her son up.

Ci'er finally relaxed, his soft arms circling her neck.

"I missed you every day, Mother, but Royal Grandfather said I had to wait until the Captive Presentation Ceremony was over before he could send me back. Mother, there were so many people standing there today! When they all shouted together, it was so loud, just like when Father was inspecting the troops in the field last autumn! Then a very imposing general came and brought many bad people. The general said they were the ones hurting the people of Great Wei, and Royal Grandfather let me help him say 'execute them.' Mother, I want to grow up fast so I can be like Father and that general and go fight the bad people..."

Jiafu listened to her son, turning to go inside. Cui Yinshui, holding Ci'er’s clothes, followed carefully. He peeked at Jiafu’s expression but dared not approach, stopping far away at the doorway.

Ci'er had woken up very early and had gone through a grand spectacle—the significance of which he was still too young to fully grasp. Now that he was back by his mother’s side, he leaned against her chest and grew drowsy, falling asleep as he continued to chatter.

...

After the ceremony, the Emperor returned to his private chambers.

The morning’s events seemed to have drained all his energy. Once back, he changed out of his ceremonial robes and lay down. After the physician examined him and he took his medicine, he closed his eyes to rest for a moment. Then, he sat up, threw a robe over his shoulders, and ordered Li Yuangui to bring the memorials to the dragon bed. Li Yuangui saw that the Emperor’s spirit remained listless and that he looked utterly exhausted, so he tried to persuade him to rest more. Just then, a palace attendant sprinted in, announcing that Pei You'an had returned to the capital without a summons and had stormed the palace gates. He had been stopped at the second gate by the guards, who were now asking how to handle him.

Li Yuangui’s heart skipped a beat.

Although he knew Pei You'an would return, he had not expected him to arrive so quickly. He looked at the Emperor with a flicker of worry.

Only moments before, the Emperor had been ashen-faced and weary. But the instant he heard this news, his entire being seemed to jolt with vitality. He shed his lethargy, abruptly kicking aside the quilt and rolling off the dragon bed. "Let him enter! Do not block him!" he barked, before urging Li Yuangui to help him comb his hair and change his clothes.

The attendant received the order and hurried away. Li Yuangui, feeling helpless, called for people to come in and serve the Emperor. Soon, dressed in formal attire, the Emperor personally selected a five-colored jade belt and fastened it around his waist. He walked to the mirror, took a comb, and groomed his beard, checking his reflection from left to right. He touched the gray hairs at his temples, turned to look at Li Yuangui, and his eyes glinted with sharp, focused light. "I am waiting for him!" he said in a low, resonant voice. "I know you! Do not breathe a word of my illness in front of him!"

Li Yuangui knew the Emperor’s pride and his refusal to admit defeat. Seeing him like this, determined to show no sign of weakness, Li Yuangui retreated with a heavy heart, filled with anxiety.

...

Pei You'an stood before the second gate of the Imperial Palace, facing a row of guards who had their sabers ready and eyes fixed on him. The leading guard recognized him and knew he now served as the Jiedushi of Longyou, so he did not dare to offend him too deeply. However, he also dared not let him pass, so he stepped forward and bowed. "Master Pei, please do not make things difficult for us. I have already sent someone to report your arrival. If there is a reply, I naturally will not block you."

Pei You'an closed his eyes, saying nothing, doing his best to quell the fury rising in his chest.

The Hu people had never abandoned their desire for the Hetao region. Years ago, the royal court had changed rulers, and according to information Pei You'an had gathered in the intervening years, the enemy had been secretly building strength.

He had a premonition that a great war, like the one from decades ago, would sooner or later descend once more. Perhaps today, perhaps tomorrow. Thus, as soon as the weather turned slightly warm early this spring, he had tightened his defenses and personally gone out to patrol the border.

A fortnight ago, after he finished his patrol and returned to Suye City, he discovered that Jiafu and Ci'er had been "received" into the capital. Yang Yun had been restrained by the Emperor's men, preventing him from sending word.

He had left the capital for Suye City in the autumn of the second year of Zhaoping; four or five years had passed since. The moment he learned that his wife and son had been taken to the capital while he was away, a premonition had struck him.

In his nearly thirty years of life, the few short years of peace he had enjoyed were, he feared, broken forever—never to return.

After settling his affairs, he had set out that very night, finally arriving today.

Yet, he was still too late.

Outside the Chengtian Gate, he encountered his former colleagues who were leaving the ceremony. Amidst their gazes of surprise and astonishment, Liu Jiushao ran toward him.

Assuming Pei You'an had been summoned to attend the birthday ceremony, Liu Jiushao expressed deep regret that he was a step late. He told Pei You'an that just a moment ago, the Emperor had actually appeared on the Meridian Gate tower, cradling a three- or four-year-old child. It was said the boy was the grandson of the Emperor’s son, sired in Yunnan. Clearly, the Emperor intended to name this child his successor.

Pei You'an maintained a faint smile while exchanging brief pleasantries with Liu Jiushao and the other colleagues who had gathered. After finding an excuse to separate from them, he turned and stormed into the palace, until he was intercepted by the guards at the second gate.

In the distance, a eunuch came running down the pathway, breathless. Before he even reached them, he shouted at the top of his lungs: "His Majesty summons Master Pei for an audience—"

Pei You'an opened his eyes abruptly, pushed past the imperial guard who was still blocking his path, and strode forward, his pace swift and determined.

...

Jiafu had settled her son down and lay beside him. She closed her eyes, thinking of Pei You'an.

Calculating the time, he should have returned to Suye City long ago. He must have learned of her and Ci'er’s situation by now, though she had no way of knowing when he would reach the capital.

The Emperor had acted on his own initiative and thrust her son into the eyes of the world. Once Pei You'an arrived and learned what had happened, she could only imagine the conflict that would ensue between the two of them.

Thinking of the rage Pei You'an might feel, and recalling the scene of the Emperor fainting and vomiting blood just the night before, her mind was in chaos. How could she sleep? Just as she was tossing and turning, she heard Cui Yinshui’s cautious, soft voice calling her from outside. She rose from the bed and went out.

"Madam, my godfather told me to tell you that Master Pei has arrived and has already entered the palace. He is on his way to see His Majesty right now..."

Cui Yinshui stood with his back bowed, his face full of anxiety, stammering cautiously.

Jiafu was stunned. She had not expected Pei You'an to have arrived so quickly!

She naturally understood why Li Yuangui had sent Cui Yinshui to deliver the message.

The old eunuch, loyal to the Emperor, must have been worried that the father and son would clash. Haunted by the events of the previous night, he had called for her, likely hoping that the sight of her would calm some of Pei You'an’s fury so he would not excessively offend the Emperor.

Jiafu was dissatisfied with the Emperor’s high-handed actions, but she was also unable to comprehend them.

If he was doing this because there was no one to inherit the throne, he could have sought heirs from his own harem after deposing Xiao Yintang. Yet, for many years, not a single consort had conceived—which was, in itself, baffling.

Even taking a step back, if he had no heirs, he could have adopted a member of the imperial clan; that would have been consistent with heavenly principle and human sentiment.

But he knew Pei You'an would not want this, and yet he insisted on doing it anyway!

Since the matter had come to this, she had no desire to see Pei You'an and the Emperor clash head-on as they once had. Even without considering the Emperor’s current health, it would change nothing now.

Jiafu instructed Cui Yinshui to watch over Ci'er and, guided by a palace attendant, hurried toward the Imperial Study.

Pei You'an entered the palace hall he had not seen for years, walked swiftly to the throne, and stopped there, his silhouette unmoving.

Xiao Lie sat with rigid posture, surveying Pei You'an from head to toe. Finally, he lifted his gaze to meet the younger man's eyes. "After being stationed away for a few years, you have forgotten the rules of an audience? Do you want me to have the Ministry of Rites send someone to teach you again?"

Pei You'an slowly knelt and kowtowed to the Emperor before him. "Pei You'an pays respects to His Majesty the Emperor." Every word was uttered from the deepest, innermost depths of his heart.

Xiao Lie said indifferently, "Rise."

Pei You'an stood. "I have come to the capital for no other reason than to bring back my wife and son. I ask that you summon them, Your Majesty. Once I take them out of the palace, I will return beyond the pass immediately."

The Emperor said, "You may take your wife. Pei Yiyuan, I shall keep."

Pei You'an stared at the indifferent Emperor, a repressed fury gathering in his eyes as he gritted his teeth. "His surname is Pei, not Xiao! I am his father, and he is my son! In doing this, in bringing a three-year-old child onto the Meridian Gate tower, have you ever once considered my intentions?"

"You'an, when you secretly let Xiao Yu go, did you ever consider my intentions?"

The Emperor retorted coldly.

"If you refuse to acknowledge me as your father, so be it; I have no intention of forcing you any longer. Leave Ci'er with me, and from this day forth, we shall be nothing more than sovereign and subject."

"Madame Zhen is in the Banana Garden in the West Garden; you may take her!”