While the northern frontier was engulfed in war, the capital Lin'an was also gripped by tension and alarm.
The moment Yue Qiong discerned Yan Chi's intentions, he immediately sent a letter to the capital. By the time the letter arrived via swift horse relay, ten days had already passed.
By then, Yan Chi had long since led his troops southward, yet no one in the capital was aware of this.
Upon receiving the letter, the Grand Princess feigned illness and confined herself to her residence, also keeping Yue Jia and Yue Qing within the manor. She publicly claimed to be gravely ill, insisting her grandsons must attend to her. When news of this spread, Yan Han caught wind of it and dispatched imperial physicians to Marquis Anyang Manor, though he did not probe further.
It was at this time that news leaked of the Emperor ordering Ge Yang and other reinforcements to march west and attack the Northwest Frontier Army. Instantly, rumors swirled throughout the capital. Being under the Emperor's watchful eye, no one dared openly criticize his actions as unjust, only murmuring that the Northwest Frontier's situation looked dire.
The Grand Princess, who had claimed illness, learned of this and could only sigh in despair. Yue Jia and Yue Qing, unaware of the reasons, were questioned by her: "The Emperor's actions are not entirely unexpected, but Grandmother wishes to ask you both—what are your thoughts on this matter?"
Yue Jia, having previously trained with the Northwest Frontier Army, replied, "It is utterly without principle."
The Grand Princess smiled faintly. "Explain. Yan Chi is already a rebel, and the Northwest Frontier is his stronghold. As the Son of Heaven, the Emperor must reclaim it."
Yue Jia sighed. "At a time of national crisis, the Emperor's actions reveal a petty and calculating mind. No wonder reinforcements were delayed—this was his plan all along. Though the Northwest Frontier Army are rebels, they understand righteousness better than the Emperor. If the Northwest Frontier is indeed retaken by him, it would be a disgrace."
The Grand Princess then turned to Yue Qing, who frowned and said, "The Emperor's actions are indeed disheartening, but those in power naturally think differently from us. Since they are labeled rebels, why bother with such principles?" He sighed. "It's only because it's Prince Rui. If it were anyone else causing trouble, I might not see this move as significant."
Yue Jia shook his head. "You haven't trained in the army, so you don't understand its critical role. Besides the Northwest Frontier Army, there are still a hundred thousand Northern Expedition troops in the north. By delaying reinforcements, the Emperor is gambling with the lives of those soldiers, not to mention the millions of northern civilians. Without Yan Chi, what state do you think the north would be in?"
Stumped by this argument, Yue Qing scratched his head. "Put that way, it makes sense. Then the Emperor is in the wrong."
The Grand Princess nodded at Yue Jia. "Jia'er, your time in the army was not wasted. But Qing'er, you've spent too little time in the military, never seen battle, and were raised in comfort. You see the weight of imperial authority but overlook the lightness of the nation's welfare."
Yue Jia frowned. "Grandmother, your feigned illness—is it because..."
The Grand Princess shook her head. "Great events are about to unfold. Your father is risking his life in the north, and I must guard this household for him."
Yue Jia and Yue Qing exchanged uncertain glances, but the Grand Princess refused to elaborate, saying only, "For the next month, our manor gates need not open again."
Seeing her resolve, both understood that momentous events were imminent and dared not take the matter lightly.
Meanwhile, in the imperial palace, Yan Li was kneeling outside Chongzheng Hall.
Inside the hall, Yan Han's eyes were dark and brooding. Beside him, Yuan Qing wiped a light sweat from his brow and said, "Your Majesty, it is hardly wise to let Prince Gong kneel like this indefinitely."
Yan Han sneered. "Since he enjoys kneeling, let him kneel."Yuan Qing gave a bitter smile. "The mornings are mostly chilly now, yet there's still some summer heat at noon. I'm afraid Prince Gong's health won't withstand it."
Upon hearing this, Yan Han slammed his palm on the imperial desk. "How outrageous! Yan Chi is committing treason! Treason! He actually dares to accuse me of launching the western campaign... This is practically... practically equivalent to rebellion..."
Yuan Qing had no choice but to continue advising, "Your Majesty, please calm your anger..."
Yuan Qing waved his hand dismissively. "Let him keep kneeling. If he still refuses to get up, just throw him into the Celestial Prison and be done with it!"
Yuan Qing's eyes shifted slightly. "What if... we ask Eminent Son Yan Ze to persuade him? They're close in age, and Prince Gong has always listened to Prince Yi's heir apparent."
Yuan Han glanced at Yuan Qing, narrowing his eyes for a moment. "Go and tell him then."
A slight curve formed at the corner of Yuan Qing's lips as he hurried out toward the Longevity and Health Palace.
These past two days, the court had been abuzz with discussions about the western campaign. Only Yan Ze remained uninvolved, spending his days accompanying the Empress Dowager in the Longevity and Health Palace, showing great filial piety.
When Yuan Qing arrived at the Longevity and Health Palace, he saw Yan Ze teaching Yan Sui calligraphy.
After paying his respects, Yuan Qing said, "Crown Prince, this humble servant comes bearing the Emperor's oral decree. Prince Gong is currently kneeling outside Chongzheng Hall and refuses to listen to advice. Therefore, His Majesty wishes for you to go and persuade Prince Gong—"
Yan Ze smiled upon hearing this. "Even if I go to persuade him, he might not listen."
Yuan Qing quickly added, "It's different when it's you. Please go and talk to him."
Yan Ze nodded. "Don't worry, I'll go. His Majesty has already been lenient with him. He shouldn't make His Majesty grieve any further."
Yuan Qing was slightly taken aback, sensing something unspoken in Yan Ze's words. But since Yan Ze didn't elaborate, he thought it better not to pry. Yan Ze continued, "The Ninth Prince is almost finished with his writing. You may go and report back first. I'll head over shortly."
Hearing that his task was accomplished, Yuan Qing naturally took his leave.
After Yuan Qing had gone far, Yan Sui looked up. "What happened?"
Yan Ze sighed. "Do you remember what I discussed with Yan Li last time?"
Yan Sui nodded his little head. Yan Ze then said worriedly, "Yan Chi and Qin Guan have gone north to fight the Rong barbarians, but just at this time, the Emperor has sent people to Shuoxi." Seeing Yan Sui's confusion, Yan Ze explained, "Currently, Shuoxi has few troops. By the time Yan Chi defeats the Rong barbarians, his homeland will have been seized. Then Yan Chi and the others will have nowhere to return to, and the army will have no provisions or pay. Their morale will quickly collapse, and then—"
Yan Sui's small face turned pale. His hand gripping the brush tightened, and his brows furrowed.
"Is Brother Yan Li... begging him?"
Yan Ze shook his head directly. "Begging is useless. The Emperor is determined to take Yan Chi's life."
Yan Sui immediately stood up. "Then who can save him?"
Yan Ze smiled bitterly. "No one can save him. In this world, whoever the Emperor wants dead must die. Everything is decided by the Emperor."
Yan Sui murmured, "Everything is decided by the Emperor?"
Yan Ze nodded. "There's no way around it. Even if I have the will, I lack the power. Could we possibly change the Emperor?"Yan Sui listened to these words, his small body tensed tightly, as if his heart was filled with rage with nowhere to vent. He had lost his mother at a young age and had finally found refuge under the Empress Dowager's protection, as well as Qin Guan's care. But now, the Empress Dowager was gravely ill, the Emperor turned a blind eye, and Qin Guan and Yan Chi were about to lose their lives at the Emperor's hands, along with his own mother...
Yan Sui swayed slightly, looking helplessly at Yan Ze. "You... can't you save them? Aren't you afraid of him—"
Yan Ze frowned slightly. "I'm not afraid of him?"
Yan Sui nodded. "I think you're not afraid of him."
Yan Ze's gaze grew complex. "What about you?"
Hearing this, Yan Sui's pupils trembled slightly, and he lowered his head, utterly defeated and dejected. "I... I am afraid..."
As he spoke, Yan Sui quickly lifted his head again. "You... can't you send them a message? Tell them to go home..."
Yan Ze stared fixedly at Yan Sui for a moment before taking his tightly clenched fist into his own hand. "Ninth Highness... do you truly, truly wish to save Yan Chi and Qin Guan? Are you willing to do anything to save them?"
Yan Sui nodded immediately, his eyes filled with determination.
Yan Ze pursed his lips slightly and, after a moment, slowly said, "There is a way to save them."
...
Yan Ze brought Yan Sui with him to Chongzheng Hall.
Seeing Yan Li kneeling on the steps outside, Yan Ze led Yan Sui over to his side.
Yan Ze sighed. "What are you doing? You know it's useless."
Yan Li, sweating profusely from kneeling, looked at Yan Sui and asked, "Why did you bring him here?"
Yan Ze sighed again and sat down on the steps beside Yan Li. "I brought him to help persuade you. The Emperor ordered me to talk sense into you, but I didn't know how, so I brought him along. Even if I can't convince you, at least he'll see how naive you are."
Yan Li's expression shifted. "Third Brother, you..."
Yan Ze smiled. "Don't you think you're being naive? Things have reached this point—there's no turning back. Do you know what rebellion means?!"
Yan Li frowned, his face growing paler. Yan Ze, however, smiled calmly, though his words were cruel. "You should know better than anyone what rebellion entails. Your maternal clan paid a heavy price for it. Once the charge of rebellion is laid, there is no possibility of reversal. Kneeling here won't change anything."
Back then, the entire Fu Clan was executed—that was the consequence of rebellion.
Yan Li broke into a cold sweat. "Third Brother, what do you mean by this?"
Yan Ze looked at Yan Li without speaking, then shook his head after a moment. "Yan Li, sometimes I admire you."
Yan Li was puzzled. Yan Ze brushed the dust from his robe and said, "In life, everyone must grow up, especially those in the imperial family. But you... it's as if you've never grown up. That's hard to achieve. I've tried, but I simply couldn't do it."
Yan Li's pupils contracted slightly. "Third Brother... what are you saying?"
Yan Ze held Yan Sui's hand, speaking to Yan Li but looking at Yan Sui. "It's difficult, isn't it? After all, you're not like him—truly only five years old. You have too much kindness in your heart. Those who are too kind are too easily burdened by guilt. Once a person feels guilty, they stand in a position of helplessness. It would be better to have more ambition and aspiration."
Yan Li grew impatient. "Third Brother, what exactly do you mean by this?"Upon hearing this, Yan Ze stood up, his face once again assuming that impenetrable, gentle expression. "I know I can't persuade you. Since that's the case, you may continue kneeling like this. However, the western campaign will not stop—"
Yan Li grew somewhat irritated by Yan Ze's words and looked up, saying, "Then why are you telling me all this, Third Brother? Haven't you joined the court? Aren't you highly favored by His Majesty? As a subject, you shouldn't stand by and watch the Emperor do something that will lose the people's support. Why can't you advise against it?"
Yan Ze laughed at this, waved his hand, and without another word to Yan Li, led Yan Sui up the steps to the entrance of Chongzheng Hall.
Turning to Yan Sui, Yan Ze said, "Wait here for me. I'll be back soon."
Yan Sui nodded, and Yan Ze entered. Yan Han was reviewing memorials and set down his imperial brush upon seeing Yan Ze arrive. "Have you visited the Prince of Gong?"
Yan Ze smiled wryly. "Your Majesty, I am unable to persuade him. I believe that instead of persuasion, it would be better to teach him a lesson. He still behaves like a child, unable to see the situation clearly and clinging to hope. Your Majesty should make him understand what imperial authority and royal law mean."
These words greatly pleased Yan Han, who frowned and said, "Even if you hadn't mentioned it, I had the same intention. He has never faced adversity since childhood and has been spoiled into this state."
As he spoke, Yan Han suddenly realized his words were inappropriate, as if recalling Yan Li's circumstances after his birth.
His expression darkened slightly, and he continued, "Let him stay in the Celestial Prison for a few days to learn his lesson."
Yan Ze smiled. "Your Majesty is wise."
Just as Yan Ze was about to take his leave, Yan Han glanced outside the hall and asked, "Who is out there?"
Yan Ze hurriedly replied, "It's the Ninth Prince. Earlier, when Eunuch Yuan went to fetch me, I was teaching the Ninth Prince calligraphy. Thinking I might not be able to persuade him alone, I brought the Ninth Prince along. Unfortunately, it was in vain..."
"What could a child his age possibly say?"
Yan Han shook his head. "Since he's here, why hasn't he come to pay his respects?"
Yan Ze hesitated for a moment, and Yan Han raised an eyebrow. Yan Ze then explained, "The Ninth Prince is somewhat afraid of you. It seems Your Majesty's majesty is too imposing."
Yan Han's eyebrows rose even higher, and he chuckled. "Guards! Bring the Ninth Prince in!"
A young eunuch escorted Yan Sui inside. Yan Han indeed noticed Yan Sui shrinking back, seemingly fearful of him. Having not visited the Longevity and Health Palace for many days, Yan Han had not seen Yan Sui for some time. Now, looking at him, he felt Yan Sui bore a striking resemblance to Yan Li in his childhood. His heart stirred slightly, and he gazed at Yan Sui a while longer. Yan Sui tremblingly performed the proper greetings, and Yan Han inquired about the Empress Dowager's condition. Yan Sui answered each question, though his voice was very soft.
Recently, Yan Han had learned that the northern border with the Rong enemies had stabilized, and the western campaign army was advancing toward Shuoxi. His mood was relatively relaxed, so he said, "You're not so young anymore—it's time for your education. Your cousins can teach you, but you must also study diligently with your tutor, learning calligraphy and literature. From now on, come here every other day. I will test you to see if you are applying yourself."
Yan Sui tremblingly agreed, and only then did Yan Han dismiss them.
After leaving Chongzheng Hall, Yan Ze took Yan Sui's hand and said, "You see, it wasn't so difficult."
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