Chapter 453: Must Return Safely
Xiao Huayong was indeed treated as an honored guest by Xiao Juesong, provided with fine food and comfortable accommodations. Though only a few years older than the Youning Emperor, while the emperor was burdened with myriad state affairs and far busier, Xiao Juesong had graying temples and appeared emaciated, all because he suffered from a severe illness and was nearing the end of his life.
If not for this, he would not have complied with Xiao Huayong so readily, becoming his blade to break the deadlock.
He had no time left—this was his only chance before death to cause trouble for the Youning Emperor. Moreover, Xiao Huayong had promised him that if he ever ascended the throne, he would ensure Xiao Juesong was laid to rest in the imperial mausoleum and receive offerings from the Xiao clan.
To return to one's roots—there was no more compelling reason than this.
"Cough, cough, cough..." Xiao Juesong was seized by a violent fit of coughing, and as expected, blood stained his handkerchief. His voice was weak and faint. "Have you made up your mind?"
"If I were unwilling, would you allow it, Uncle?" Xiao Huayong countered calmly.
Xiao Juesong, who had been coughing for some time, let out a low chuckle. The coarse, grating laughter sounded eerie. "Naturally... I would not."
"Then I have no choice, do I?" Xiao Huayong replied with a faint, mocking smile.
"If you wished... there would be a way," Xiao Juesong said, his turbid eyes gazing at Xiao Huayong with admiration.
Even now, his younger brother, who sat high upon the throne, remained under this nephew's control. If Xiao Huayong truly wanted to break free from him, he surely had no shortage of methods.
"Why bother?" Xiao Huayong said with an air of nonchalance. "This is the only time in this life that you and I will join forces. Why turn against each other at the last moment? Just proceed with your plan, Uncle. Your nephew has his own ways to ensure his safety."
"You resemble your father," Xiao Juesong praised, thinking of his brother who was the same age.
In their childhood years in the palace, their father treated them as differently as heaven and earth. Xiao Juesong could bully and humiliate Qian Wang at will, but Qian Wang was a man of endless wit and stratagems. He always managed to escape Xiao Juesong's traps and then used every available resource and person to retaliate.
Never fearing that Xiao Juesong would escalate his cruelty, Qian Wang refused to compromise, yield, or bow. He was proud and self-assured. Xiao Juesong had actually despised him, and when he heard that Qian Wang had been demoted to the northwest, he took no small pleasure in his misfortune.
But he had been young then. Had he been a few years older, he would never have allowed the mother and her three children to escape to the northwest.
Xiao Huayong did not respond. He had no desire to inquire about the father he had never met. In his heart, he already had his own image of his father and did not need to learn of him from others.
Xiao Huayong's lack of probing further earned Xiao Juesong's respect. A true ruler would never allow his desires to be easily stirred or follow another's train of thought. A ruler was always the one in control.
It was rumored that the Crown Prince had been abducted by Xiao Juesong's men. A day had passed, and during that time, some unfortunate events had occurred. Many villagers' unharvested wheat fields in the vicinity had been set ablaze, reducing the crops to ashes and leaving the commoners wailing in despair. This was the fruit of their year's labor, their annual harvest. Without it, their hopes for the year were shattered.
Furious, they reported the incident to the authorities. Before the officials could intervene, someone left a message: if they wanted to know who had burned the wheat, they should go to Banhe the next day.
At the same time, an invitation was delivered to Xiao Changying at the temporary palace. After reading it, his face turned pale, and he immediately presented it to the Youning Emperor. The handwriting was none other than Xiao Juesong's.
It summoned the Youning Emperor to meet at Banhe, threatening that otherwise, Xiao Huayong would be thrown into the river.This news could not be concealed, as the Youning Emperor had to attend the meeting personally. Otherwise, if anything were to happen to Xiao Huayong, the Empress Dowager would never let the matter rest. Thus, the officials were informed, and though they vied to dissuade the emperor, urging him not to risk his life, their efforts were in vain.
Upon hearing the news, Shen Xihe went to seek an audience with His Majesty, pleading to accompany him.
It was unclear what Xiao Juesong was scheming. He had not demanded that the emperor come alone nor restricted the number of attendants he could bring.
Therefore, when Shen Xihe made her request, the Youning Emperor nodded in agreement.
Having achieved her desired outcome, Shen Xihe went to find the Empress Dowager, who was already on her way. Shen Xihe supported her as they moved to a shaded pavilion: "Empress Dowager, Zhaoning will accompany His Majesty. Please remain at the temporary palace and await our return."
"You make it sound as though this old bones would only be a burden to you," the Empress Dowager retorted, clearly wanting to go along and unwilling to be persuaded otherwise.
"Empress Dowager, the sun is harsh. If you were to accompany us, the Crown Prince would surely feel guilty and worried upon seeing you like this, distracting him from the task at hand," Shen Xihe gently reasoned. "The Crown Prince often says you are his closest kin. He cannot bear to see you suffer on his account. Surely, you would not want him to blame himself for it, would you?"
The Empress Dowager looked at Shen Xihe. "You've covered all angles, both the kind and the harsh. If I insist on going, it would be my fault."
Though worried about Xiao Huayong, she knew her presence would not help and might even become a liability if conflict arose. She clasped Shen Xihe's hands tightly. "Zhaoning, you must bring Qilang back safely."
Even knowing that Xiao Huayong had the ability to protect himself, the Empress Dowager remained deeply anxious, unaware of the role he played in these events.
"Empress Dowager, rest assured. Zhaoning will return safely with the Crown Prince," Shen Xihe solemnly promised.
After comforting the Empress Dowager, Shen Xihe escorted her back to her palace quarters. Returning to her own residence, she prepared some essentials, instructing Biyu and others to stay and protect the Empress Dowager. She would only take Zhenzhu and Moyu with her.
The incident outside the temporary palace had not spread within its walls. Local officials were aware of the Crown Prince's disappearance and the recent assassination attempt on the emperor. The palace was enveloped in a tense silence. Moreover, the burning of the wheat fields was not considered a matter of grave urgency, so the officials planned to report it only after resolving the issue, hoping to atone for their negligence.
The meeting time was set by Xiao Juesong. The Youning Emperor's schedule was slightly earlier than the time given to the commoners, who were sternly warned that arriving early would forfeit any compensation. If they came on time, they would be duly paid.
With money at stake, the villagers kept a close watch on one another, fearing that anyone breaking the rules might cost them their compensation.
Banhe was a river not far from the temporary palace, its surface exceptionally wide as it merged into the Yellow River. The currents were swift and turbulent, the water murky and yellow.
The meeting place designated by Xiao Juesong featured a rickety suspension bridge. On the opposite bank lay a mountain village and town, typically isolated from the outside world. The bridge, neglected and dilapidated, swayed precariously over the river like an unsettling swing.
The Youning Emperor did not bring many people. The main army was concealed in the woods behind him. He was accompanied by Xiao Changqing and his brothers, along with Shen Xihe, who had insisted on joining, and their attendants—amounting to just over ten people standing at one end of the suspension bridge.They had just taken their positions when figures emerged from the opposite end of the drawbridge. Xiao Huayong, bound and restrained, and Xiao Juesong, being pushed forward amid a crowd—the two brothers separated for twenty years—gazed at each other from afar, their eyes sharp as blades.
(End of Chapter)
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