Chapter 131

 

Fine snow mixed with cold rain fell on the fields in the outskirts of Chang’an, seeped into the slumbering alleys and corners of the city, and drenched the rooftops and eaves of every household.

Pei Xiaoyuan rode alone through this deserted night, as if traversing an empty city, unimpeded at every turn. Even the teams of night patrol guards he met turned a blind eye to him, as if he had never existed. Only after passing by him would they quietly turn back, either anxiously or suspiciously, to look at his back.

At the far end of his vision, a pair of tightly shut palace gates gradually emerged. The horse’s hooves stepped on the wet street where the rain and snow melted on the ground, carrying him forward until he finally came to a stop before the gate.

This was the outer gate of the imperial palace, standing solemnly at the heart of Chang’an, receiving the reverent gazes of countless passersby each day as they walked along the bustling street before it. Together with the city tower, it was ten zhang high, with a vermilion-painted door, adorned with golden studs and a pair of gilded beast-head knockers, their mouths clutching massive rings—every inch exuding the majesty and authority befitting the threshold of the Son of Heaven.

It was also outside this gate that many years ago, a mother led her son to kneel before it for a long time. All they asked for was the mercy of the one seated in power beyond the doors, in hopes of securing a chance at life for a group of men whose defiance had already sealed their fate.

At that time, what the truth was—none had the right to speak of it.

Even now, what the truth is—there remains no answer.

He dismounted, running his fingers over Jinwuzhui’s left ear—a silent command for it to return to where it had come from. The horse, nearly as if possessing human understanding, had long since learned to read his intent. Yet this time, Jinwuzhui merely shook its head and stood still, refusing to take a step. He gave the order again, and Jinwuzhui seemed to be hesitant, and raised its hooves a few times restlessly, tapping them against the stone-paved ground outside the palace gates. The strikes echoed in the quiet night—hollow, fleeting, like something unsaid lingering in the air.

Pei Xiaoyuan held the sword upside down and tapped the horse’s buttocks several times with the handle of the sword, and shouted “Go” in a low voice. Jinwuzhui neighed twice, raised its hooves and jumped up, finally following his instructions and galloping towards the Tianlong Stable in the north of the city.

As the sound of horse hooves faded away, he raised his arm and knocked on the door knocker.

The palace gate opened in response and lay open in front of him, revealing to him a long, endless, dark palace path covered with wet snow.

“Young Master!” “Chief!”

At this time, several shouts of panic and anxiety rang out from behind. Pei Xiaoyuan paused and turned his head, and saw a dozen people appearing from the darkness in the distance across the street, running towards him. In addition to Chen Shao, Gu Twelve and others, there were also Liu Bo and five to six other people who were his former right-hand men in the government office.

“Young Master, please reconsider! If you are implicated because of the previous incident, then we are willing to accept punishment—our deaths would not be worth lamenting. But you, Young Master, are of noble status—how can you take such a risk?” Chen Shao fell to his knees, bowing heavily until his forehead struck the ground. Gu Twelve also knelt beside him.

“Chief, please do not act rashly! There is always room to maneuver! Though we do not know what has happened, even if the sky were to collapse, you could seek out the Princess! She has the softest heart—if you ask, she will surely help you!” Liu Bo, equally anxious, led his men to kneel in earnest plea.

“It’s not just the few of us! If not for the curfew preventing crowds from gathering, many of the outer guards who were held back would have come as well!” Liu Bo added.

Pei Xiaoyuan fell silent for a moment. Then, he straightened his robes and solemnly bowed deeply to the gathered former subordinates of his father and his own men. Straightening up, he smiled and said, “This matter is not what you think. Don’t worry, I merely seeking an audience with His Majesty. How could it come to such an extreme?

“All of you, rise. Disperse quickly and return! The night curfew is especially strict now—do not put the brothers who let you come here in a difficult position!”

With that, he clasped his fists toward them once more, then turned toward the palace gates. As per protocol, he unfastened the weapons at his side and tossed them to the palace guards before striding forward without hesitation.

He walked across the imperial bridge of Longshou Canal, which was surging with dark waves, and passed the left and right Jinwu weaponry courtyard. After that, in front of him was the second palace gate next to the bell and drum tower.

The gate stood quietly open in the night, as if it had been waiting for someone for a long time.

He continued to pass through the gate, and when he passed the Lung Mei Road, he heard, “Erlang!” Suddenly, a voice calling came from behind.

Pei Xiaoyuan paused and stopped.

“What are you going to do?” Prince Ning came out from the porch and asked directly.

“I would like to see His Majesty and ask for his advice.” He bowed and responded in a normal tone.

“Don’t go!” Prince Ning looked serious, and his tone was more solemn than ever before.

“It’s not that this prince giving you orders regardless of my status, but it’s your uncle’s command. Not long ago, he wrote to me and asked me to pass on a message to you, asking you to let go of your thoughts and not be stubborn.”

Pei Xiaoyuan turned towards the direction of the Eastern Capital, bowed, and after standing up, he said, “My uncle knows me well, just like he couldn’t stop me from coming back then, he no longer tells me directly, but asks Your Highness instead.

“I really deserve to die. I am stubborn and have caused my uncle to worry all the time and have no peace, and now even troubling Your Highness as well…”

Prince Ning waved his hand and walked quickly to him: “Erlang! You also know that I have always treated you as my own nephew. Even if your uncle had not entrusted me with this, I would not sit idly by. Listen to me, you made the mistake first, but His Majesty has no intention of pursuing it. It’s a grace from heaven. Let it end here. Stop holding on to it—it will be better for everyone!”

“I appreciate your kindness, Your Highness. But tonight, since I have come here, I will not retreat.”

Pei Xiaoyuan turned around and left.

“Have you thought about the consequences?”

Prince Ning frowned and continued speaking towards his back.

“You will completely cut yourself off from His Majesty and the Princess. And, if I tell you, even if you get the answer, it will be something you cannot bear—”

He paused.

“No one can bear it, not even His Majesty! Even so, you still won’t give up?”

Pei Xiaoyuan was silent for a long time, and finally turned around, without saying a word he bowed deeply to Prince Ning, took a few steps back to show his respect, and then walked down the winding Lung Mei Road.

Prince Ning remembered the last words in Pei Ji’s letter: if it is really difficult to dissuade him, then let him be.

The Nai River is boundless—one must ferry oneself across.

The affairs of the world are difficult to unravel—only one can untangle them for oneself.

He looked at the figure in front of him who was still walking on the wet and snowy road. In the end, he could only shake his head and sigh. Then, suddenly recalling the princess, he lifted his eyes to the stormy night, growing even more anxious.

The path remained unimpeded, and the Purple Palace was already in sight. In this silent night of rain and snow, the surrounding palace halls and watchtowers lay shrouded in darkness. Only this place still brightly lit, like a luminous platform suspended high in the heavens, receiving the endless reverence of all beneath it, night and day.

On a section of palace road in front of the Mingtai gate, there stood a burly figure in armor. At first glance, he looked like a door god.

It was General Han Kerang who was on duty here tonight.

Han Kerang stood with his back to the palace lanterns lining the road, his entire figure swallowed by the darkness of the night. Only the snowmelt streaking his face and his armor glistened faintly under the blurred glow of the distant palace lights, casting dim, ghostly reflections

Ever since Pei Xiaoyuan first came to the capital and met Han Kerang outside Ziyun Palace, this superior who was said to have once killed the enemies without second thought on the battlefield had always been a figure of warmth and familiarity to Pei Xiaoyuan.

However, tonight, Han Kerang seemed unusually indifferent.

Or perhaps, a hard heart and bloody hands were the true face of this monarch’s confidant.

When Pei Xiaoyuan walked up to him and thanked him respectfully for what happened during the day, he just looked at him sideways with a gloomy expression and said nothing.

Pei Xiaoyuan didn’t care.

“Thank you, General, for your care regarding the matters at West Market today,” he continued.

“Wei Juren’s body is buried at the foot of the West Mountain, twenty miles away. General can send someone to follow Gu Twelve to dig out the body tomorrow, and the case can be closed. This was all my fault, and my crime has nothing to do with others. I will plead guilty to His Majesty.”

After he finished speaking, he saluted again and then walked past Han Kerang.

Just as they passed each other, a sword flashed by, as fast as lightning, and the sword’s tip stopped at Pei Xiaoyuan’s neck, forcing him to stop.

“Pei family’s Erlang, listen to my advice and turn back now. If you do, the past will remain as it was, and the future can be the same. His Majesty is merciful and will not hold you accountable for what you have done.”

Pei Xiaoyuan stood still for a moment before raising his arm, pressing his hand against the blade, and pushing it away from his neck. Then, without hesitation, he stepped forward, striding toward the open palace gates.

Han Kerang abruptly turned his head, and stared at the retreating back.

“You’ll regret this.”

He said through gritted teeth, his voice carrying a hint of suppressed threat and perhaps hidden fear.

However, the figure did not stop.

Pei Xiaoyuan climbed the palace steps, walked into the palace door, followed the familiar outer hall, passed through the curtains that seemed to hang from the sky, passed through the lattice door, and finally arrived at that place.

The huge candles, each as thick as an arm, were burning brightly, illuminating the entire hall. The emperor was wearing a loose casual robe, and his belt was not bound, sitting on a wide couch. He closed his eyelids slightly, listening to what Zhao Zhongfang said. Zhao Zhongfang was kneeling beside the imperial desk in front of the couch, holding the memorials respectfully and reading them one by one.

“…An earthquake in Qinzhou. Cui Ning, Assistant Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, and Lan Tai, the Pacification Commissioner, submitted a joint memorial. The two arrived ten days ago by imperial decree to console the people and provide relief. As of the day of their report, more than half of the disaster victims have already been resettled…

“Li Tan, the Imperial Censor, reported that Yuwen Shouren, the Xiping County Prince and Military Commisioner of Jiannan, has served the empire with unwavering loyalty for generations. His accumulated merits are significant, and his current post is of great importance. His son came to the capital at the beginning of the year to celebrate Your Majesty’s birthday, but with the celebrations now postponed, Yuwen Shouren—claiming frailty and ill health—finds himself without reliable support at his side. He earnestly requests his son’s return. Li Tan petitions that Your Majesty should allow Shizi to leave the capital as soon as possible to fulfill his filial duties and ease the concerns of your subordinate…”

The old palace eunuch’s voice was not loud, and his tone was flat, but it echoed to every corner of the high and spacious hall, and the sound lingered faintly. Suddenly he saw a figure standing quietly at the entrance of the inner hall. He paused, and his voice slowly lowered. The echo from the palace beams gradually died down until it stopped.

The emperor did not move at first, nor did he urge him to continue. After a while, when the sound had completely stopped, he asked, “Why don’t you read anymore?

“Has someone arrived?” he asked softly.

Zhao Zhongfang slowly closed the memorial, bowed his head, and responded in a low voice.

The emperor was silent for a moment, then raised his head and opened his eyes.

“Since you’re here, why don’t you come in? Why are you standing outside?” His tone sounded like an old father reprimanding his ignorant and beloved son.

Pei Xiaoyuan walked in, went to the front of the couch, kowtowed as usual, and paid his respects.

The emperor smiled, and his gaze followed the sound to him. Under the light, his eyes were full of kindness.

“How are you? Have you had a good rest recently?” He asked Pei Xiaoyuan to stand up.

“Zhen has been thinking these past two days that since the longevity celebrations postponed and the Luwu Division having no pressing matters at hand, keeping you in your current position seems a waste of your talents. Coincidentally, there is a vacancy for an Assistant Minister under the Secretariat Chancellery. Zhen thought that although you are still young, you possess both literary and martial prowess, your knowledge is exceptional, and your merits are many. This position would suit you well. What do you think?”

Without waiting for Pei Xiaoyuan to respond, the emperor continued to speak, and then waited quietly for a reply.

Although the official rank of Assistant Minister was also of the fourth rank, which was no different from the rank of Lieutenant General he currently held, in reality, the two were incomparable.

The Lieutenant General was only a military position, whereas the Secretariat Chancellery assisted the emperor in government affairs and was the key place for discussing government affairs, the real power center of the court. To entered its ranks before the age of thirty, even as a junior official like a Palace Attendant or a Drafter, was already rare. Yet now, the emperor was considering directly appointing him as an Assistant Minister. And he, unlike others who rose through the imperial examinations, was merely a frontier general who had spent his career serving in the border area.

This was indeed a great trust and favor, and it had a profound meaning. Entering the central government at such a young age, after some experience, it was only natural that he would become a prime minister in the future, and ascend to the pinnacle position that countless officials dream of.

Zhao Zhongfang held his breath, staring at the young man in front of him without blinking, secretly looking forward to him.

However, this figure was like a stone pillar, without any expected reaction.

There was no sound in the hall for a while.

The water from rain and snow on his body gradually melted due to the heat, condensed into water droplets along the corners of his clothes, and dripped onto the floor of the hall where his boots were standing.

The emperor was startled by the sound of the water drops. He listened carefully for a few times and then turned to Zhao Zhongfang: “Is it snowing outside? Is Erlang get wet? Take him down first and change him into dry clothes.”

“Please follow this old servant, Prince Consort.” Zhao Zhongfang immediately came to Pei Xiaoyuan’s side.

Pei Xiaoyuan clasped his fists to decline. Then, turning once more to the emperor, he gazed at the man before him—who, in appearance, was no different from any ordinary elder in the family—and spoke in a slow yet resolute voice: “Your Majesty, this minister came here tonight to ask about something.”

“Oh.” The emperor’s eyelids flickered slightly. “What’s the matter?”

“Since this minister came to the capital, this minister has heard many accounts—each from different people—of the truth behind the Battle of Beiyuan. The more this minister listen, the more this minister realize his own ignorance, and the less this minister dare to make a judgment. Your Majesty is a ruler descended from the heavens, able to perceive what lies hidden in shadow and discern what is unseen by others. This matter concerns the integrity of this minister’s late father and the honor of the eight hundred soldiers who perished alongside him. Though this minister is nothing but a mere subject, this minister dares to ask Your Majesty—who was the real pusher of the battle back then? Were my father and those eight hundred fallen warriors, men of merit or men of fault? Does the court not owe them an answer?”

Although Zhao Zhongfang had anticipated that tonight would not end peacefully, he was still shocked to hear such straightforward words coming out of the young man’s mouth. He rushed forward regardless of his inconvenient leg, grabbed Pei Xiaoyuan by the arm, and desperately tried to pull him away while scolding furiously: “Prince consort! Have you lost your mind? How dare you talk nonsense to such an extent! Withdraw at once, change your attire, and think carefully before you speak to His Majesty again!”

Yet Pei Xiaoyuan stood as straight as a pine, as firm as an iron cypress, deeply rooted in the ground of the hall. No matter how Zhao Zhongfang pulled, he did not move at all.

“People come!”

Zhao Zhongfang called out. Soon, seven to eight strong guards rushed into the outer hall.

“Send Prince Consort away!” Zhao Zhongfang shouted harshly.

“Let him speak!” the emperor suddenly said in a calm tone.

“Talking won’t kill anyone, so what are you afraid of?”

Zhao Zhongfang was stunned, then knelt down at Pei Xiaoyuan’s feet.

“Prince Consort, this old servant begs you! Please leave. How dare you do this? You are committing a heinous crime against heaven—”

“Get out.”

The emperor said, his tone calm.

Zhao Zhongfang shuddered.

“Everyone gets out.” The emperor said again.

Zhao Zhongfang slowly got up from the ground and retreated with his men.

The emperor stared at the vague upright figure opposite him.

“Pei Er, has Zhen not good to you?” He continued with a smile.

“You secretly disposed of Wei Juren. He was a third-rank court official, second only to the grand chancellors, yet you killed him as you pleased even buried him—destroying the body to cover up the evidence. You condoned Ashina in killing Zhen’s son, and in the end, you even acted out of favoritism, failing to shoot him dead and letting him escape! Was your arrow truly not strong enough to pierce through his back? Zhen don’t believe it. Do you know what he has done since he escaped alive? Not only the northern border is in turmoil, but even Xifan, which we had finally subdued, will probably be in chaos again!

“You have done so many daring things behind Zhen’s back, and yet Zhen has not held you accountable!

“Not only that, Zhen also married Zhen’s beloved daughter to you. Apart from this empire, there’s nothing else Zhen hasn’t given you. Zhen thinks Zhen has already shown you the greatest favor. Zhen’s own two sons, have they ever been treated like this? And yet you remain unsatisfied—you dare to stand before Zhen and ask such a question?

“Saying that you are arrogant in your favor, blind to the limits of heaven and earth—is that not fair?”

At this point, the smile on the emperor’s face completely disappeared.

His expression turned cold as he spoke icily.

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