Love and Crown

That day after court adjourned, as he walked beside the bluestone steps in front of Qianqing Gate, a civil official approached him with lowered voice and an extremely cautious expression: "Your Highness the Prince Regent, this humble official heard Your Highness enjoys fine wine. Recently I acquired a jar of peerless vintage. If it pleases Your Highness, shall I have it delivered to your residence?"

He glanced sideways, vaguely recalling this man was a vice minister from the Ministry of Revenue—reliable in work and prudent in conduct.

Long accustomed to such flattery, he responded with casual indifference, nodding with a slight curl of his lips: "Very well."

Unsurprisingly, the slightly plump middle-aged official appeared momentarily dazed before hurriedly agreeing.

The smile at his lips deepened as he leisurely descended the steps.

All officials behind deliberately slowed their pace, waiting for the Prince Regent to depart first.

Accustomed to unrestrained freedom in Chu territory, he hadn't worn Court Robes to court. Instead, he donned silver-white robes embroidered with kui dragons, cinched at the waist with golden satin, appearing like a celestial being descended from the heavens—stunning as the clear wind after rain.

As the current Prince Regent holding immense power, even Emperor Deyou recuperating at the Imperial Villa had entrusted him with overseeing state affairs. Only one step separated him from the Dragon Throne.

Thus swarmed the court officials seeking his favor—fearing the day Emperor Deyou might whimsically pass him the throne, or that he might exploit the crown prince's youth to seize power outright, they sought to secure their positions by attaching themselves early.

His natural indolence showed as he approached an extravagantly decorated palanquin waiting at the base of the long staircase. Bending to enter, he ordered the gauze curtains lowered, shutting out the outside world.

That an outsider could ride a palanquin within the Forbidden Palace was yet another of his privileges.

These privileges came partly from his royal bloodline, and partly from the man currently occupying the Dragon Throne.

Emperor Deyou, who ascended at twelve—his imperial elder brother. Frail yet diligent and wise; gentle yet decisive... He had considered usurpation, but knew none could fill that throne better than its current occupant.

This was why during Deyou's ninth year, when the emperor was lost in the Martial World, he hadn't claimed the throne. Instead, he returned power upon Deyou's restoration.

Court gossip varied about this episode—some said he was restrained by the Imperial Guard and Empress Dowager, forced to relinquish the nearly-won throne.

Others claimed incompetence left governance in shambles, awaiting Deyou's return to fix.

Asked directly, he'd likely answer idly: "Couldn't be bothered."

Indeed—what other explanation could there be?

Their apparent discord was legendary. Even during rare joint court appearances, he displayed neither deference nor obedience.

This pair of royals—estranged yet united—left the entire court baffled.

Though his princely residence stood beside the Forbidden Palace, his daily quarters lay within its walls.

The palanquin circled the outer court before brazenly proceeding to the inner chambers.

Before alighting, a figure in bright yellow robes burst through the palace gates—a face strikingly similar to Emperor Deyou's, now matured into adolescence, brimming with delight: "Uncle Qing!"He had always disliked this face, and now he didn’t bother to hide it, reaching out to pinch the young man’s cheek: “You’ve been very obedient today, didn’t ruin my plans.”

Emperor Deyou had long been absent from court, and just now, sitting beside the dragon throne to listen to political affairs was the Crown Prince, Xiao Lian.

When the two of them attended court, it was often the Regent King who handled the reports with a light touch, while the Crown Prince listened quietly by his side. But occasionally, when the Crown Prince had doubts, he would raise them in court.

At such times, the Regent King usually let the Crown Prince finish speaking before earnestly answering his questions… though once they returned to the inner court, he would inevitably seize the opportunity to pull his nephew over and give him a playful scolding.

Being pulled along by his uncle, the Crown Prince seemed quite happy: “Uncle Qing, there’s been less business these days, and there’s no morning court for the next two days. Let’s go to the Imperial Villa to see Father and Mother!”

His hand paused, releasing his nephew’s face as he smiled slightly and said, “I don’t feel like moving. You go ahead.”

“Uncle Qing isn’t coming again?” Hearing this, the Crown Prince immediately deflated. “Last time Uncle Qing didn’t go, Mother asked about it. Father also misses Uncle Qing and asked if he was feeling unwell.”

He snorted coldly at this: “He should worry about his own broken body instead of fussing over me.”

The Crown Prince, ever the expert at charming his elders, tugged at his sleeve and swayed it gently: “Uncle Qing, go see Father. He’s been coughing again these past few days, and Mother is worried.”

He frowned and remained silent for a long moment before finally relenting: “Fine, I’ll go take a look.”

The journey from the capital to the Imperial Villa in the secondary capital was not short. Even riding in plain clothes, it took nearly an hour to arrive.

Dusty from the ride, he naturally insisted on bathing in the hot springs first, freshening up before appearing before others.

So when he emerged in loose white robes, his long black hair cascading over his shoulders, and walked into the front hall, the family was already gathered happily, enjoying snacks together.

His narrow phoenix eyes swept over the scene, landing on the figure in green robes sitting to the side. Instinctively, he let out a cold snort, his gaze sharp as a blade.

The target of his glare, however, seemed oblivious, instead smiling and waving at him: “Qianqing, you’re here.”

The only one who dared address him so casually was naturally his elder brother, the current Emperor Deyou. Yet he showed no courtesy in return, turning instead to sit on the other side, right beside the woman in red.

With a gentle smile, his famously peerless face brimming with affection, he said, “Cang Cang, I came to see you. Did you miss me?”

“Of course I did!” Utterly disregarding the presence of her husband and child, the red-clad Empress leaned over to embrace him, taking his hand. “Qianqing, have some grapes! They just arrived from Turpan—so sweet!”

His smile, capable of captivating anyone regardless of age or gender, paled in comparison to the allure of the grapes… The corner of his mouth twitched almost imperceptibly, but the peerlessly beautiful Regent King ultimately smiled again, lifting a glistening grape with his slender fingers and offering it to the Empress’s lips: “Cang Cang, you have it.”

She opened her mouth and bit down on the grape without looking, then suddenly remembered a new game. Turning, she threw herself into Emperor Deyou’s arms, mumbling around the grape: “Brother Xiao… let me feed you…”Here was this kind of headache-inducing situation, while over there, Crown Prince Xiao Lian and Second Prince Xiao Yan had long since started bickering for some unknown reason. Hidden beneath the table, their hands were engaged in a lively exchange of finger strikes and palm shadows, thoroughly enjoying their little battle. Meanwhile, the Evil-Warding Princess sat to the side, eating grapes while propping her cheek on one hand, watching the scene with cold detachment.

At times like these, the Regent Prince would silently think to himself—if this was the happiness they had worked so hard to obtain... then perhaps it wasn’t all that enticing after all?

After the commotion had gone on for a while, Emperor Deyou, who was being held around the waist by the empress, smiled faintly and said, "Lian'er, take Yan'er and Xiao Xie to the training grounds by the lake. Give Yan'er some pointers."

Having found a legitimate reason to spar with his younger brother, the crown prince quickly agreed cheerfully and led his siblings away.

The Regent Prince cast a lazy glance in their direction, knowing full well that the emperor was sending the children away. Sure enough, Emperor Deyou soon smiled again and said, "Cang Cang, Qianqing and I have some matters to discuss in the study. Could you prepare two cups of tea for us?"

The empress agreed, leaned down to kiss Emperor Deyou, and then rose to leave.

Standing up, the emperor extended his hand toward him once more, still smiling. "Qianqing, I must trouble you again."

With a soft scoff, the Regent Prince stood up, deliberately ignoring the outstretched hand. "You certainly know how to put on an act."

Despite his words, he still followed Emperor Deyou to the study.

Though he no longer attended court or handled political affairs, most of the state matters and memorials were still reviewed by Emperor Deyou. Thus, the study was filled with various documents and memorials, and an unfolded topographical map lay on the desk.

Smiling at him, Emperor Deyou picked up a memorial from the desk. "The Ministry of Works' supervising secretary has impeached the Right Vice Minister of Revenue, Si Yu'an. What do you think, Qianqing?"

Recalling the middle-aged official who had offered to gift him fine wine after court that morning, he only pondered briefly before replying, "If Si Yu'an is indeed at fault, then punish him according to the law."

Emperor Deyou lowered his gaze and chuckled. "Qianqing, do you think I’ve arranged spies to monitor you?"

The man had spoken to him in front of Qianqing Palace that very morning, and now, by afternoon, Emperor Deyou was testing him with this memorial. How could it be mere coincidence?

He sneered. "Isn’t that the case?"

"The Escort Battalion has indeed been by your side all along, but that’s because the safety of the Regent Prince cannot be overlooked." Smiling, Emperor Deyou set the memorial down. "Qianqing, starting today, both Imperial Presence Battalions will be under your command. They will no longer report any matters to me."

He was momentarily stunned. The Imperial Presence Battalions were the emperor’s most trusted forces, the two sharpest blades in the emperor’s hands. Back when Emperor Deyou’s whereabouts were unknown, these battalions had refused to obey his orders. Even now, after years of overseeing governance, he had never had the chance to meddle in their affairs.

Narrowing his faintly arched phoenix eyes, he spoke the words on his mind: "To even hand over the Imperial Presence Battalions to me... Your Majesty truly isn’t afraid I’ll seize the throne."

Raising his eyes to meet his gaze, Emperor Deyou remained unruffled by his words, his tone still gentle. "Qianqing, you know full well that if you wanted the throne, all you’d need is to say the word..."

Before he could say more, Emperor Deyou’s brows suddenly furrowed. His figure swayed slightly as he lifted a hand to steady himself against the desk.

Startled, before his mind could even catch up, he had already reached out and wrapped his arms around the figure in blue robes. "Brother Huan!"Closing his eyes and leaning most of his weight against the crook of his arm, Emperor Deyou coughed lightly before shaking his head after a pause. "It's nothing, just occasional dizziness. Don't tell Cang Cang."

The innate Cold Poison and the successive injuries from his early years had already ruined the health of this body. Several years had passed since his severe illness in the eighteenth year of Deyou's reign. They all knew this frail body couldn't hold on for many more years, yet they maintained a silent and evasive understanding.

A flicker of emotion passed through his light phoenix eyes as he smiled, his voice carrying a rare hint of irritation. "So, are you entrusting your orphan to me again?"

"Qianqing..." Another hand, slightly cool to the touch, suddenly covered the back of his hand, holding it gently. Emperor Deyou's lips curved into his usual smile. "I want to ask you to watch over this realm for me."

The image of a youthful face, strikingly similar to Lian's now, surfaced in his mind. He opened his mouth but ultimately couldn't refuse, feeling a helpless annoyance. "You always think everything will go your way!"

"Not at all..." Knowing he had already agreed, Emperor Deyou's pale face brightened with relief and a touch of teasing. "I still wanted to ride through the hunting grounds with Xiaoqing, but he refuses to accompany me anymore."

Hearing the long-unused nickname "Xiaoqing," a faint blush of embarrassment rose within him, and he stiffened his expression. "If you keep talking nonsense, I'll let go."

With a soft chuckle, Emperor Deyou fell silent.

Just then, the Empress returned, carrying a tray with two teacups. Seeing the two of them, she exclaimed in exaggerated surprise, "Brother Xiao, Qianqing... You two are actually hugging!"

He looked down to find his arm wrapped around Emperor Deyou's waist—indeed a hugging posture. He wanted to let go but feared the Emperor might still be dizzy, so he forced a cold tone. "An occasional hug won't hurt!"

Emperor Deyou, feeling slightly better, chuckled and steadied himself on his shoulder, standing up. To the Empress, he said, "Cang Cang, come put the tea down."

Not one to miss a chance to tease the Regent Prince, the Empress clicked her tongue repeatedly. "Qianqing, I know you adore your elder brother, but clinging like this isn't proper..."

Knowing that arguing with the Empress usually ended poorly, he simply snorted and stayed silent.

But as Emperor Deyou turned to leave, he muttered under his breath, "Fine, we'll ride. It's no big deal."

The Empress didn't understand the context, but Emperor Deyou laughed, his dark, double-pupiled eyes brimming with amusement. "Then, Qianqing... it's a promise."

The very next day, as luck would have it, the weather was clear and crisp—perfect for autumn. Emperor Deyou indeed took the two princes and him to the Hailuo Hunting Grounds for relaxation.

The Crown Prince and the Second Prince, of course, wouldn't idle. Seizing the rare opportunity, they each led their elite guards to hunt game, quietly competing.

Despite years of illness, Emperor Deyou still stood tall and dashing in his riding attire. Unable to gallop freely, he let his steed tread lightly through the grassy fields.

The Regent Prince rode beside him in silence.

They traveled this way for a while until Emperor Deyou, gazing at a line of autumn geese in the sky, smiled. "Xiaoqing, we've finally returned."Looking at the familiar hills and trees beside him, he smiled faintly. "Not too late, after all."

Yes, everything was still early... Only twenty-seven years had passed since they last parted in this hunting ground, promising to meet again.

Back then, the Prince Regent was just nine years old—not yet the esteemed Prince of Dawu, merely the son of an unfavored prince and a lowly dancer.

That year, Emperor Deyou, then the Crown Prince, was only eleven.

In the cold depths of the palace, where people were fickle and cruel, he bore an unnaturally bewitching face that made others shun and fear him.

In that icy world, there was only one youth who smiled at him gently from beginning to end, like any elder brother doting on his younger sibling.

They sneaked to the Taiye Pond to fish together, were scolded by their tutors for playing too much, and hid in the rockeries to evade the searching guards.

Their last meeting as boys was in this Hailuo Hunting Ground. It was his first autumn hunt, the first time he killed prey with his own hands.

Excited, he brought back the hare he had caught and handed it to the frail youth who couldn’t join the hunt, gripping his hand and saying, "Brother Huan, next year I’ll hunt a deer to nourish you!"

The youth smiled and replied, "Alright. When I’m better next year, we can ride together in the hunting grounds."

At nine, he grinned, eyes slightly narrowed. The peerless charm he would later wield deliberately as an adult was still like uncut jade then, radiating an unconscious, natural purity.

But after that hunt, before he could visit the youth in the palace again, his father received an imperial decree granting him a princely fief.

Once enfeoffed, a prince had to leave the capital immediately without delay.

On the day of their hurried departure, the usually obedient boy struggled fiercely for the first time. Even as a child, he knew this parting would span years, with no certainty of reunion. He cried and begged to enter the palace to bid farewell, but the guards escorting them out of the capital stopped him and forced him into the carriage.

That separation lasted a full decade. Over those years, geese came and went, crabapple blossoms bloomed and faded. Year by year, his mind grew more calculating, step by step, he swayed the realm.

A decade later, he returned to the Forbidden Palace—as a scheming usurper.

The rebellion at the end of Deyou’s eighth year was too rushed and chaotic. Their gazes crossed several times, yet neither mentioned their childhood bond.

Yet in the critical moment, he unhesitatingly pushed the girl in red into his arms, and he unhesitatingly caught her, fighting desperately to bring her out of the Forbidden Palace.

Another decade of mutual companionship followed—never too close, yet never too distant.

Returning from the hunting grounds to the Imperial Villa, the Crown Prince wished to stay another day, but he went ahead to the capital.

Though governance was tedious and burdensome, someone had to stand firm in the Forbidden Palace.

By the time he reached the inner palace, it was deep night. In Deyou’s ninth year, the harem was disbanded, and the emperor and empress moved to the Imperial Villa. Now, the Forbidden Palace grew ever colder.

Walking through the empty halls, surrounded by darkness, the autumn chill cut to the bone.

Is it lonely at the top? Standing at the pinnacle of imperial power, he finally understood the solitude with no one to confide in, the desolation with nowhere to vent.Yet at this very moment, he still had to stand here, overlooking the empire's mountains, rivers, and cities, listening to the joys and sorrows of the common people... just as that man had done for so many years before.

This was the duty of their Xiao descendants—unbreakable and inescapable.

He thought, perhaps many years later, when he could finally lay down these responsibilities, when he could finally let go of that smiling woman in red and the boy in his memories who had smiled at him and taken his hand.

He would return to the land of Chu, go back there, to spend the endless years that belonged only to him, to see the thousand-mile clear rivers of Chu and the boundless autumn skies.