Chapter 81

 

The next day, a piece of news spread like wildfire in the camp that Lantai was promoted to the position of imperial hunting officer because his poem he had written a few days ago had won the emperor’s favor.

This was a temporary official position, which was insignificant in itself, but in this hunting trips, he could always accompany the emperor and convey his orders. Even the prime minister and generals had to follow his command and be subject to his jurisdiction. In terms of the glory of his status, it could be said to be the best in the hunting ground.

With his talent as a Tanhua, Lantai’s poem was able to receive the emperor’s favor. For this, other people were just jealous at most. However, another piece of news spread along with it, which really aroused the dissatisfaction of many people.

On that day, no one knew where the rumor came from, but soon everyone said that he was going to be chosen as the prince consort by the emperor.

This statement may seem sudden at first, but upon closer examination, it made a lot of sense.

Although at night banquet in the Qingyuan Hall the emperor had publicly declared that he would not consider the princess’ marriage for the time being, when the princess had just returned to the court. But the princess had come of age, and for the sake of the princess’ long-term future, how could the emperor, who loved his daughter so much, really not choose a son-in-law? And if he chose a son-in-law, considering that the emperor was in poor health and the princess had been away for many years and had finally returned, how could the emperor be willing to let her marry far away unless it was an extreme situation?

Regardless of anything else, based on this one clause alone, Prince Ashina, Hedu, and even Shizi Yuwen could be eliminated, leaving only Lantai, who had already settled in Chang’an and served as an official in the court, as the most in line with the emperor’s wishes.

Therefore, although the hunting on this day was still grand and imposing, with thousands of riders and countless carriages, and figures like Hedu, Yuwen Zhi and others took their own guards to hunt, the atmosphere was far more competitive than the previous day’s warm-up. Every bow and arrow were not shot in vain, and the harvest was rich. However, at the end of the day, the one who really stood out among all them was Lantai, the prince of Bohai, who had stayed by the emperor’s side the entire time and did not participate in the hunt.

What made Lantai’s limelight reach its peak was the routine presentation of the hunting’s gains in front of the emperor. At that time, the emperor, accompanied by his close ministers, was watching with great interest the rare prey that had been hunted during the day. Among them was a bear, which was caught by a group of hunters. It was extremely large that when standing upright, it was taller than a man, with strong looking muscle. Unexpectedly, it suddenly broke free from the iron cage and then attack the people nearby before ran around at the field. Dozens of guards immediately raised their swords and spears to capture it again. However, because the incident happened suddenly and the organization was scattered, not only they could they not kill it, but many people were injured by its sharp claws, their skin and flesh were torn and bleeding.

Seeing this, the guards nearby also took action. Chengping, Yuwen Zhi and others fired arrows at the wild bear. Chengping shot the wild bear in the chest and abdomen, and Yuwen Zhi shot the wild bear in the chest and neck. However, the fur of this big bear was as thick as a wall. How could ordinary arrow wounds stop its attack?

Hedu was standing opposite the big bear and shot an arrow into its eye, causing it to howl wildly on the spot, but he still failed to shoot it down. Instead, it became even more ferocious and ran towards the emperor, the most conspicuous person in the field, with a trail of dirty blood dripping all over it.

The emperor was riding on a horse at the time, and Han Kerang was nearby. He rushed to the emperor, drew his sword and personally protected the emperor. He also ordered the guards to surround the emperor in layers, keeping the emperor in the middle, then slowly retreated to the back.

However, the bear was so fierce and powerful that in a blink of an eye it broke through the outermost sword array, tearing the guards to pieces and causing the scene to become utter mess.

At this moment, a figure flew up from beside the emperor, drew his sword and stood in front of a wounded guard who had fallen to the ground. Facing the oncoming swipe of the bear’s massive paw, he swung his sword with ferocious precision, slicing off half of the paw in one stroke. Blood sprayed everywhere as the bear, now enraged, turned its single remaining eye on this new target and rushed viciously towards the man who had just injured it head-on.

This person was none other than Lantai. Successfully diverting the bear’s attention onto himself, he quickly led it away from the emperor’s position, retreating to an open area beyond the crowd. The bear roared and gave chase. At this time, Hedu, Chengping, and Yuwen Zhi also followed, armed with blades and swords. After an extraordinary battle, the four of them, working in perfect coordination, finally succeeded in killing the bear.

Despite the unexpected scare, the emperor’s mood was not dampened in the least; in fact, he appeared even more exhilarated. He ordered care to the injured guards and send them back to the palace to recuperate, and then summoned the four brave warriors. The emperor commanded the court painter, Song Bokang, to immortalize their heroic battle against the ferocious bear, commending their unwavering courage and loyalty in protecting him during the crisis.

Lantai, in particular, rushed forward to lead the bear away at the critical moment and became the focus of everyone’s attention. The emperor was also very caring towards him. When he learned that his arm was scratched in the fight with the bear, he personally inquired about the injury and ordered the imperial physician to prescribe medicine.

At the camp banquet that night, the emperor gave each of the four people who had participated in taken down the beast a gold-and-jade belt each, along with a jar of fine wine. He also ordered the generals of the guards where the four people were stationed to join in the festivities and drank wine together. Among them, Lantai was appointed to an official position and promoted to serve in the Secretariat as an Attendant of Affairs.

This sixth-rank official position was far from prestigious in the capital, but for young officials, it was a rare position that could get close to actual government affairs. If one was truly talented, after gaining experience in this position, it would not be a pipe dream to enter the cabinet in the future.

Lantai himself was obviously flattered and hurried to express his gratitude.

The emperor smiled and said, “Although you are from Bohai, you have already obtained a Jinshi degree, which means you are an official of our dynasty, regardless of whether you are a native or foreigner. Your talent and knowledge are certainly qualified for this position. What you lack is only experience. Moreover, Zhen has seen your performance in the past few days. Whether it is courage or loyalty, you are outstanding. Therefore, Zhen promote you to this position. First, to make the best use of your talent, and second…”

The emperor paused, his eyes flickered, and he glanced at the many ministers attending the banquet around him, then raised his voice.

“Zhen also want more people to know that all Zhen’s considerations are based on long-term calculations for the country. Therefore, Zhen employs people according to their abilities, regardless of their background. As long as you have talent, serve Zhen, and report to the court, then you can all be promoted and given important positions!”

As the emperor finished speaking, the banquet hall of the camp erupted with cheers of “Long live the emperor”. Lantai was pleasantly surprised. He glanced at the jade tent where the princess lived in the distance, and then bowed again. The only regret in his heart at this moment was that the princess did not show up again tonight, did not participate in the banquet here, and did not let her see his glorious moment.

As for Hedu and others, although they secretly harbored jealousy, envy, or dissatisfaction in their hearts, they could only express their gratitude on the surface.

At this time, the chieftains of the vassal states also came out with the people around them, kneeling and toasting to the emperor to show their respect. The atmosphere in the venue was pushed to a climax because of this. It could be said that everyone was gathered together and everyone was in harmony.

In such a joyous atmosphere tonight, compared to Lantai, the most proud person, the most unlucky and frustrating person in the audience was undoubtedly Pei Xiaoyuan.

Han Kerang couldn’t understand why his subordinate, who was once the most likely candidate for the imperial family’s favor in the eyes of everyone in the court, had fallen into such an ignored existence overnight.

Tonight, the four most outstanding young men from each guard were receiving the emperor’s commendation and enjoying the supreme honor. However, the person he had originally placed high hopes on was outside, taking the initiative to replace an officer of the Jinwu Guard who was scratched by a bear during the day, and was arranging tonight’s duty.

Not only that, Han Kerang also knew that he was summoned by the emperor last night. Relying on his own face, Han Kerang finally found out from Yang Zai’en that it seemed that the emperor was angry because his poem did not meet the emperor’s wishes.

All these events left Han Kerang deeply disappointed in his subordinate. He had initially decided not to involve himself further in the matter, lest it cause him more frustration. However, seeing the superiors of the rewarded subordinates tonight—figures like Fan Ximing, all old acquaintances of his—each brimming with pride, he couldn’t help but feel a pang of bitterness. He could not bear it any longer and ordered someone to call Pei Xiaoyuan again. He waited for him in a corner of the banquet hall. When he saw him, he bluntly said, “What exactly is holding you back, or where are you struggling? Tell me! Old Han here will do whatever he can to help you find a solution! The princess is so beautiful, has an impeccable temperament, and she’s someone you’ve long known. Yet now, you’re just standing by, watching as she’s about to be taken by someone else! If you don’t feel heartache, I’ll feel it for you! Are you truly willing to give up so easily and hand the princess over to another?”

He was trying earnestly to persuade his subordinates when he suddenly stopped.

From the direction of the palace in the distance, several people were galloping towards them. The one in front was dusty and exhausted. It was Feng Zhenping, who had fallen ill when they set out yesterday and stayed in the palace instead of coming with the emperor to hunt.

At this moment he somehow rushed over, dismounted, walked through the lively banquet hall filled with laughter, and quickly came to the emperor’s seat. After paying his respects, he came to the emperor’s side. It was unknown what he whispered, but the emperor, who was originally chatting and laughing with several chieftains beside him, paused.

The distance was quite far, and it was dark, relying only on the light from the fire stick, therefore the emperor’s expression was not very clear. Yet, it could faintly be seen that after a brief moment of stillness, the emperor quickly regained his usual composure and resumed chatting and laughing with those around him. A short while later, as if finding an excuse, he rose from his seat and headed toward the imperial tent. Feng Zhenping followed closely behind, keeping pace with him.

“Why did Feng Zhenping come here suddenly?” Han Kerang immediately became alert.

“Come with me, in case His Majesty summons you too!” Han Kerang ordered in a low voice.

Pei Xiaoyuan had also taken in the scene just now, his eyes flickered in the night. He said nothing and just followed.

Xuyu did not attend the banquet tonight. She stayed in her own tent, sitting behind a desk. Under the bright silver candle, she lowered her head and picked up a brush, slowly painting a picture reflecting the emperor’s hunting trip.

After her princess identity was made public, Song Bokang and others who came on this trip were naturally shocked. Afterwards, Xuyu met them privately and told them not to be too polite, saying that she would still be a member of the painting department from now on. Everyone was delighted and said yes, but how could they really dare to get along with her like before. After meeting them, Xuyu understood in her heart that they have a heavy painting task on this trip, so she proposed to paint this imperial hunting herself.

Although she did not show up at the banquet held outside after hunting tonight, the two places were not far away, so the noise and laughter from there were carried into her ears from time to time by the wind. Not only that, there was also a young man running back and forth, reporting to her at any time what was happening at the banquet.

“Report – Princess! His Majesty has given each of the four masters a gold-and-jade belt! He has also appointed Master Lantai as Attendant of Affairs in the Central Secretariat! Where did our family’s master go? I didn’t see him!”

After a while, Qingtou came into the tent again and slid to his knees in front of Xuyu’s desk.

“Report – Princess! Master Hedu looks very unconvinced! After coming down, he glared at Master Lantai and drank alone! I think he might want to pick a fight with Master Lantai! Shizi Yuwen also looks unhappy! He keeps looking around the princess’s tent, looking absent-minded! Prince Chenping looks like he’s looking for someone, always looking around! I don’t know who he’s looking for! General Han is also very unhappy tonight for some reason, he has a gloomy face! And my master is still missing! I looked around, but I don’t know where he is!”

This little guy was quite talkative, reporting everything he saw and heard. But every time he finished his report, he would always say something about his master.

“No need to report where your master has gone! I didn’t ask you to look for him!”

Xuyu carefully drew the facial features of an attendant and added two wisps of beard, and spoke without raising her eyes.

She remembered that Liu Bo and others under Luwu Division had mentioned to her that they were hoping to be included in her paintings. It was just right for her to use their faces in this painting, and before the painting was completed and returned to the palace archives, she would show it to them.

“Understood! I won’t talk about my master anymore!” Qingtou climbed up from the ground, and before he could catch his breath, he turned around and was about to run out again, but was stopped by Xuyu.

“Wait a moment!”

“Princess, do you have some instruction?”

Qingtou hurriedly stopped in his tracks, and saw that the princess actually asked a young palace maid to bring him a bowl of sweet yogurt, saying that he had worked hard running back and forth, and asked him to drink it before leaving. Overjoyed, he immediately dropped to his knees with a loud thud, kowtowed deeply, and only then accepted the bowl with both hands. He gulped it down in one go, not leaving a single drop, wiped his mouth, and dashed off swiftly.

“Report—Princess!”

No sooner had he left than, accompanied by a loud and urgent announcement, he once again burst into the tent, panting heavily.

“Princess, something seems to have happened! Grand Chancellor Feng suddenly rushed over just now! He came up to His Majesty and said something. His Majesty stood up and returned to the imperial tent, and Grand Chancellor Feng followed him inside!”

Xuyu stopped painting, raised her eyes, pondered for a moment, then put down her brush. She stood up from behind the drawing table, walked out of the tent, and went to the imperial tent not far away.

The banquet in front of the camp was still going on.

Because they were hunting outside, there was no strict etiquette like in the palace. Although the emperor had quietly withdrawn, at this moment, except for a few people who were always paying attention to the emperor’s movements, most people still did not notice and were still indulging in the feast.

Xuyu walked to the edge of the imperial tent and saw Han Kerang. Even Pei Xiaoyuan, who had been mentioned countless times by Qingtou tonight and was listed as a missing person, was there. The two looked solemn and saluted when they saw her coming.

Xuyu nodded, and without stopping, she walked straight past the two of them. The guards outside the imperial tent saw that it was her, and did not stop her, but only announced: “The princess is here—”

She lifted the curtain and walked inside. What greeted her sight was Feng Zhenping kneeling in front of her father. It seemed he just finished reporting the matter and was bowing his head. In a solemn and resolute voice, she heard him said: “Your Majesty! This minister dares to guarantee with this minister’s head that everything that was said just now is true!”

Suddenly he notices Xuyu entering and hurriedly fell silent. However, he realized that the emperor appeared entirely unperturbed, not even blinking. The princess also walked to the emperor’s side and sat silently on a couch that seemed to be reserved for her. After a pause, he continued, “Although this minister has asked Prince Ning to guard Zhuxiu Palace before coming here, there is no guarantee that the Crown Prince had known that the matter has been exposed and took action. If he replaces the original with the fake one, it will be too late! It takes two hours for a fast horse to go back and forth from the palace to the hunting ground. If Your Majesty does not believe it, why not send someone to search the Crown Prince’s palace immediately!”

Xuyu suppressed the doubts in her heart and looked at her father. She saw that his expression remained the same as usual, and just called out in a cold voice, “Come in!” Soon, Han Kerang walked in.

“You personally take people back to the palace immediately, search Crown Prince’s Zhuxiu Palace, find a box covered with red satin, and send it here!” the emperor ordered.

Han Kerang’s heart skipped a beat. He glanced at Feng Zhenping who was still prostrating on the ground, and agreed. He retreated, picked up a group of men, and told Pei Xiaoyuan to stay here and guard the imperial tent. Then he led the team himself and rushed to the palace overnight.

After Feng Zhenping withdrew, the emperor closed his eyes and sat motionless, as if in a trance.

Xuyu stood up and came to her father’s side, helped him up, and let him lie down slowly. Then she asked softly: “Father, what’s wrong with you? What happened?”

“Feng Zhenping said that he received reliable information that Crown Prince secretly hid a dragon robe. On the nights of the new moon and full moon, he would wear the robe to sleep, and this time, he had even brought it with him to Cangshan.

“According to Feng Zhenping, this evil creature must have believed the words of a sorcerer a few years ago. He thought that by doing so, he could attract more luck from heaven and ascend the throne sooner.”

The emperor spoke slowly in a calm tone.

Previous     TOC     Next