Chapter 779: Forever Barred from the Center of Power
“Second Brother is dead.” At the city gate, the disguised Xiao Changyan stared fixedly at the proclamation.
A prince committing treason—such a grave crime had to be publicly announced to the world. Executing one’s own son required a clear explanation; otherwise, how would the people view Your Majesty? The charges on the proclamation were written in explicit detail, yet Xiao Changyan knew this was merely the outcome of Xiao Changmin’s defeat in the power struggle—much like his own current state, akin to a stray dog.
He had survived, but he also knew he had completely lost any chance to contend for that position. Most of his Shadow Guards had been lost. The disastrous defeat at Min River, which buried so many of the court’s elite troops, was his responsibility as the commander-in-chief. Your Majesty also needed to punish him to provide an explanation to the court.
“Your Highness, let us enter the city,” said Xiao Changfeng, who stood by his side.
Regarding the matter of the Second Prince, it was not his place to comment…
Xiao Changyan turned to look at Xiao Changfeng. His ruggedly handsome face bore bruises and abrasions, and the stubble on his chin made him appear particularly disheveled. That he had managed to escape by sheer luck this time was entirely due to Xiao Changfeng’s protection. Both of them had sustained serious injuries. Along the way, they had expected to be hunted down, but to their surprise, evading and hiding had brought them safely to the gates of the capital.
“Cousin, your wedding with the County Lord of Huaiyang is approaching. Soon, you will be brothers-in-law with the Eastern Palace,” Xiao Changyan’s words were deliberately suggestive.
The Eastern Palace’s dominance was such that it relentlessly suppressed all of them, the brothers. None could match the Eastern Palace’s momentum. Not to mention them—even in the struggle between Your Majesty and the Eastern Palace, it was uncertain who would gain the upper hand. After all, the Eastern Palace had the entire Northwest behind it.
“Your Highness, Changfeng is loyal to the sovereign,” Xiao Changfeng replied.
He did not side with anyone, only followed the emperor’s commands. Today, Your Majesty was the legitimate ruler, so he was loyal to Your Majesty. In the future, whoever could seize the throne—if they still employed him—he would remain equally loyal. If he were dismissed due to his current loyalty to Your Majesty, that would simply be his fate.
Xiao Changyan looked at the submissive Xiao Changfeng and found himself momentarily at a loss for words. To save him, Xiao Changfeng had fought fiercely with Shen Yungan on the ship until it sank. Neither had held back despite their impending familial ties, each fighting for their master with all their might.
Xiao Changfeng was truly worthy of Your Majesty’s trust. The responsibility for this defeat lay entirely with himself.
Taking a deep breath, Xiao Changyan approached the city guard and presented his jade token.
The news of Jing Wang’s return to the palace spread through the city as if on wings. It was amidst these two thunderous events that Xiao Wenxi, traveling light and without fanfare, quietly left the capital with the envoys from Shu’nan who had come to escort her.
First, there was the assassination attempt on Your Majesty and the Second Prince’s treason. Then, the Min River disaster that claimed tens of thousands of lives, followed by the return of the long-missing Jing Wang. Both events were major court affairs, and aside from Your Majesty, no one paid any attention to Xiao Wenxi’s departure from the capital.
But Your Majesty himself was poisoned, and there was the bloody lesson of Bu Shulin’s prior departure from the capital. The Invincible Army had suffered heavy losses, and Xiao Juesong had unexpectedly been involved in the affair. If not for that, Xiao Changmin would not have failed to intercept Bu Shulin.
After much consideration, Your Majesty merely dispatched a few men to follow her covertly. If an opportunity to strike arose, they would act; if not, they would let it be.
Your Majesty no longer had the energy to focus on Xiao Wenxi. He was now urgently seeking to understand how the Min River incident had escalated to its current state.In the Hall of Diligent Governance, Xiao Changyan and Xiao Changfeng knelt upright before the imperial desk. The Youning Emperor stood behind the desk with his hands clasped behind his back, his gaze heavy as he watched the two men bowing their heads in silence.
Only four people were present in the grand hall, with Liu Sanzhi attending at the side.
After an unknown length of time, the Emperor finally spoke: "Explain yourselves. I wish to know what made you charge into the river as if bewitched, completely disregarding the intelligence gathered by Yu Xiang?"
The Jiannan Governor had already presented Yu Xiang's letter to the Youning Emperor.
It was only at this moment that Xiao Changyan learned of such a letter. This correspondence had been sent by Yu Xiang two days before the incident—the very day after receiving intelligence from Shen Yungan—and happened to reach the Jiannan Governor on the day of the event.
From this letter, it was evident that Yu Xiang had been deeply convinced Xiao Changyan would trust his intelligence and follow the plan to intercept Shen Yungan and Bu Shulin eastward.
Yet, against all expectations, Xiao Changyan led his troops westward in pursuit, resulting in an irreparable catastrophe.
Xiao Changyan closed his eyes briefly. Unlike Xiao Changmin, who preferred to struggle desperately in the face of defeat, he immediately recognized this as an inescapable predicament. No matter how he tried to justify himself, he couldn't alter the fact that it was his erroneous decision.
He deeply kowtowed, his forehead touching the ground: "Your son is incompetent, acting on foolish cleverness that led to misjudgment. The grave mistake has been made and cannot be undone. Your son is willing to accept punishment."
Just yesterday, Xiao Changmin had been here like a cornered beast, making every possible excuse, only to dig himself deeper into trouble. The more thoroughly investigated, the more certain his conviction for treason became.
Today, Xiao Changyan knelt here without a single superfluous word, straightforwardly admitting his guilt. This completely different reaction slightly alleviated the overwhelming disappointment and pent-up anger in the Youning Emperor's chest.
"I gave you five thousand men, and fewer than a hundred survived." This was only the official count, not including the Invincible Army.
The Youning Emperor felt indescribable weariness: "People died, and you didn't even expose the enemy—their identity, origin? Nothing. You fought a battle that led to your own destruction!"
Did Shen Yungan's men not suffer casualties? Naturally, they did. However, they came prepared, so their casualties were minimal. Moreover, these men were mixed with the Invincible Army and Xiao Changyan's guards in the river. Since neither side could be thoroughly investigated for their origins, it was impossible to single out the other party for investigation. Thus, the matter had to be left unresolved.
Having lived a life on horseback, scheming throughout, and ascending to the ultimate throne, the Youning Emperor had never felt such humiliation, not even during his most difficult times in the northwest.
"Your son is ashamed and beseeches Your Majesty for severe punishment." Xiao Changyan kowtowed heavily once more.
"Do you have nothing else to say to me?" the Youning Emperor asked.
Xiao Changyan paused: "Your son has nothing to say."
What was there to say? Recount the events from beginning to end? Should he inform the Emperor about the presence of someone skilled in the Soul-seizing Art by his side? What purpose would that serve?
It wouldn't change the fact of his dereliction of duty. Pursuing Shen Yungan couldn't be openly discussed because there was no evidence.
The punishment he deserved wouldn't be lessened by revealing these details; it would only expose his remaining leverage.
The Youning Emperor braced one hand on the imperial desk, pinched the bridge of his nose with the other, and waved dismissively with waning interest: "You may withdraw..."
"Your son takes his leave." Xiao Changyan obediently bowed and retreated.
His offense had not been decided by the Emperor—this would await tomorrow's court assembly, where ministers would discuss and advise before a conclusion was reached.Although Xiao Changyan's mistake had caused significant losses to the court and stirred unrest among the people along the Minjiang River, his crimes ultimately did not warrant the death penalty.
After a morning of fierce contention among various factions, the final outcome was that Xiao Changyan became an idle prince—not only stripped of his military authority over Annan but also completely removed from the center of power.
(End of Chapter)
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