Thousand Verdant Mountains – Chapter 160 Part 1
Chapter 160 Part 1
The emperor was not only physically frail, but his eyes could no longer see—a fact now widely known and no longer needing to be concealed. After the captive offering ceremony, it was the princess who escorted him away. It was naturally inconvenient for him to show up at a place like Zhenguo Tower. However, out of gratitude for the long-term friendship between the monarch and his subjects, he still answered the call after the ceremony. From among the many envoys from foreign kingdoms eager for an audience, the elder statesmen of the court, regional governors, and renowned scholars of the day, he selected a few senior and virtuous figures to grant the honor of a private audience—exchanging words, offering congratulations, and celebrating the grand ceremonies together.
Though the Crown Prince possessed natural grace, keen intelligence, and a gentle, refined temperament, and his performance today—his first public appearance on such a weighty occasion—was commendable, in the end, he was still just a youth, lacking in past experience. How could he compare with the authority the emperor had accumulated over the years? The emperor had been in power for twenty years, and finally there was such an occasion to boast of his achievements that could rival the grand occasion of the Yong’an Hall in the past. He must have been waiting for this for many years, but in the end, he was unable to attend in person—how could one not feel a pang of regret?
When meeting his subjects, the emperor showed a relaxed attitude that he had never shown before, chatting and laughing, recalling the years they had worked together. When they left, many people were filled with emotion, some even burst into tears, and repeatedly begged the emperor to take care of his health for the benefit of the people.
When everyone left, it was already dark. Finally, the emperor summoned two people separately. One was Zheng Song, and the other was Yuan Zhi.
Today, the imperial court bestowed titles and rewards on many people. In addition to meritorious individuals directly related to the war who were honored in Zhenguo Tower, others were also conferred titles, such as Zheng Song and Cui Daosi, who had not yet returned to the capital due to injuries. Yuan Zhi was also among them.
The emperor had just finished meeting Zheng Song. When the old censor came out, he held his sleeves tightly, with tears still in his eyes.
Yuan Zhi was to be appointed as the military commissioner of Qinzhou and would leave the capital for his post on a chosen day.
Although the place was far away from the Central Plains and was located in a remote and desolate area, it spans across the Qin and Cheng provinces and had always been an important pastoral area for the country, raising war horses for the imperial court.
Given his status, to end up in such a place was, in a way, the best possible destination. He knelt before the emperor; no one knew what words the emperor spoken to him, but he did not rise for a long time, only kowtowed over and over again. The emperor reclined half-seated, eyes closed, and waved his hand gently. Yuan Zhi wiped away his tears, kowtowed once more, and only then slowly rose to his feet, withdrawing quietly. As he left, he bowed deeply to Zhao Zhongfang, his expression solemn and respectful.
“You will be shouldering an important responsibility from now on. Remember His Majesty’s words well—serve with utmost loyalty, never slacking nor indulging, and guard the foundation of the dynasty!”
The old palace eunuch no longer looked old, his eyes were sharp and his expression was unusually solemn.
“Son will always remember! If I am fortunate enough to have descendants, I will ensure the charge is passed on through generations, never to be forgotten. Should I ever break today’s oath, may I fall eternally into Avici Hell, never to be reborn!” Yuan Zhi responded word by word.
At this time, the sound of palace clock was heard.
The old palace eunuch listened attentively and said, “The Princess and Prince Consort should have arrived. You should bow once more, and then you can go.”
“Yes.”
Yuan Zhi didn’t wait for the people to show up first, directly lifted up his robe and knelt down on his knees.
Xuyu and Pei Xiaoyuan entered Ziyun Palace carrying Xiao Hu’er and saw this scene. When they got closer, they couldn’t help but stop.
Yuan Zhi said: “By order of His Majesty, this servant will go to Qinzhou to continue to serve the court. This servant shall never forget the grace shown upon him, and will hold His Majesty’s words close to heart, never neglecting one’s duties. From this day forward, though mountains and rivers may lie between us, this servant humbly wishes the Princess and Prince Consort a long and harmonious life together, descendants unbroken like the melons on the vine, and may the young master grow up free of worry or misfortune, and live a long and healthy life!”
With that, he solemnly kowtowed and performed the full formal rites.
Pei Xiaoyuan paused, a little confused at first. Just as he was about to speak, he hesitated, and turned to glance at her beside him.
She didn’t say anything, just quietly looked at Yuan Zhi who was kneeling on the ground and saluting.
After Yuan Zhi finished his bow, he did not stay any longer. Rising to his feet, he lowered his head and departed.
Pei Xiaoyuan turned his head and was watching Yuan Zhi’s departing figure. At this moment, he heard a voice coming from inside the hall: “Is Hao’er here?”
Zhao Zhongfang gave an affirmation and looked at the two of them.
Pei Xiaoyuan collected his thoughts and followed Xuyu inside, carrying their son.
The emperor had already taken off his daytime robes and crown, and was now only wearing his casual clothes, looking like an ordinary elder. He sat cross-legged on the couch, while the mute palace eunuch stood quietly in a corner with his head down. Seeing Xuyu and Pei Xiaoyuan entered, he quickly bowed and hurriedly left.
“Where’s Xiao Hu’er? Did you bring him?”
Without waiting for Pei Xiaoyuan to salute, the emperor smiled, placing his hand on the couch, and tried to stand up.
Xiao Hu’er had just fallen asleep in the carriage, and was now being carried into the palace by his father. He woke up on the way, recognized the emperor, and immediately reached out to him, uttering joyful babbling sounds.
When the emperor heard this, he turned his face with a joyful smile and asked, “Does Xiao Hu’er want me to hold you?”
Pei Xiaoyuan did not respond.
Xuyu looked at him, took her son from his arms, held him, and handed him to the emperor.
The emperor took the child into his arms, and with his daughter’s help, leaned back to sit more comfortably. Holding Xiao Hu’er, he played with him for a while before laughing and saying to his daughter: “Father heard Pei Ji say that Xiao Hu’er accidentally pulled out two strands of his beard. And he was delighted about it—boasting to Father that the child must be fond of him. Clearly trying to show off! But does he not know how many times Father’s beard has already been pulled by this rascal? Ridiculous, truly ridiculous!”
Of course, it wasn’t just the Emperor and Pei Ji who had suffered little Hu’er’s enthusiastic grasping. There was another—her grandfather. But the emperor didn’t know that. At this very moment, he was actually comparing himself to Pei Ji over something like this.
Truly, pride knows no age—he even had to compete over this.
Xuyu smiled and said nothing, watching the emperor holding her son and teasing him for a while. Knowing that her son was very active and getting heavier, she was afraid that the emperor would get tired, so she reached out and wanted to hold him back, saying, “It’s a blessing for Xiao Hu’er to be loved by Father and the others.”
The emperor did not return him to her immediately, but asked, “Did Pei Ji give him a name?”
“Uncle said, how about the name ‘‘?”
“Fuxuan, Fuxuan…”
The emperor was silent for a moment, muttered twice, raised his hand and stroked Xiao H’er’s round head.
“Alright, that’s a good name. Don’t forget the past, forever engraved into the heart.”
Xiao Hu’er thought the emperor was playing a game with him. He let out a delighted giggle and suddenly pushed off with his increasingly strong little legs, bouncing up and down without pause.
The emperor held him up by the armpits, letting him jump as he pleased, laughing heartily. After his laughter subsided, he reached into his robe and drew out a long key, handing it over.
The key was nearly as long as a chopstick, seemingly cast from iron—dark and heavy. It wasn’t clear what lock it belonged to, and it appeared entirely unremarkable, though it weighed quite a bit.
Xiao Hu’er thought it was a new toy. His eyes lit up and he grabbed it. Holding it tightly in his little hand, he danced around without dropping it.
Xuyu was puzzled and looked at the emperor, only to hear him say, “Father prepared something for Xiao Hu’er. Your Zhao Bandang is in charge of this matter, and he will tell you later.”
Xuyu was still puzzled and looked at Zhao Zhongfang who followed in. His eyes turned slightly red, smiling and nodding.
Xuyu didn’t ask any more questions. The emperor kissed Xiao Hu’er lovingly and motioned her to take him. She took her son and coaxed him to let go so that she could put away the iron key in case it scratched someone. The emperor also got off the couch, and Zhao Zhongfang came up to help him put on his boots and put on a coat.
The emperor steadied himself, slowly turned to Pei Xiaoyuan’s direction, and said to the man who had not uttered a word since he came in: “Zhen want to go out for a stroll, you come and accompany Zhen.”
Xuyu looked up quietly. Seeing Pei Xiaoyuan finally taking a step, she was about to go over to help, but the emperor put his hand on the old palace eunuch’s hand instead, and then they walked outside.
Pei Xiaoyuan paused, then followed behind.
The night was thick and deep. Pei Xiaoyuan walked alongside the emperor through the long and quiet city wall corridor and came out. There was a carriage parked outside.
After the emperor got on the carriage and sat down, the carriage proceed along the main street, heading south.
It was almost midnight, but in the central area of the north city near the imperial palace, the lights were still dazzling, and the streets were still full of people out for night walks, with endless sounds of laughter and conversation.
The carriage passed through the street slowly, and gradually, the prosperity disappeared and the lights faded. After passing a road with wasteland on both sides, they finally arrived at a remote place.
Pei Xiaoyuan led the emperor to the place that was not illuminated by the brilliant lights. Accompanied by the distant sound of children playing, a glowing halo of lights gradually appeared in front of them.
A dozen little children had originally planned to go play in the bustling northern part of the city that night. But the journey was far and night had fallen, so the adults had stopped them. Now, unwilling to sleep, they carried their handmade lanterns—rabbit lanterns, pumpkin lanterns, flower-petal lanterns—and chased each other around, laughing and playing on the open ground in front of the gates.
The emperor paused at the edge of the deserted path, quietly listening for a moment. The children suddenly noticed someone approaching. They ran over, and when they recognized Pei Xiaoyuan, their faces lit up with joy. They all knelt down and kowtowed, then stared curiously at the emperor beside him, not daring to speak.
The eunuchs following behind handed out sweet pastries to the children. Pei Xiaoyuan continued to lead the emperor forward, into the house, and walked to the threshold of the silent altar.
An oil lamp was lit on the offering table, dimly lighting up the space, revealing the shadows of a group of tablets of varying heights nearby.
The emperor let go of Pei Xiaoyuan’s hand, took a step forward, groped his way forward, and finally arrived in front of the table.
He stood facing the offering table for a long time. Suddenly, he slowly knelt down, kowtowed, his forehead touched the ground.
He prostrated himself on the ground, his figure motionless, as if he had turned into a stone statue. After a long time, he finally propped himself up on the offering table and struggled to get back up. At this time, behind Pei Xiaoyuan, outside the altar room, there were already many people gathered.
Many of them were people who had rushed to Zhenguo Tower during the day. They looked at the uninvited person who suddenly appeared here with the Pei family’s son in the middle of the night, with a look of doubt and uncertainty.
The emperor turned around and walked out slowly. A white-haired old soldier stared at him intently for a moment, and suddenly he shouted in surprise.
“His Majesty! It’s His Majesty!”
The old soldier suddenly fell to his knees, turned around and shouted to the people behind him: “His Majesty is here! His Majesty is here!”
As the old soldier shouted, the people around him reacted and men, women, old and young all knelt down. In an instant, a large group of people knelt in the courtyard outside the door.
“Your Majesty! Your Majesty! When will the Great General and his men finally see that day?”
The old soldier slammed his forehead hard against the threshold, again and again, not caring that his skin split and bled. Tears streamed down his weathered face as he wept.
The emperor stopped behind the threshold and stood there for a moment. Then he stepped forward once more, groping his way ahead in silence. He said not a word, and little by little, he left behind all the people flanking him—and with them, all the cries and pleas that filled the air.