For three consecutive days, the emperor did not appear.
During these three days, there were no court assemblies, no discussions of state affairs, and no ministers caught sight of the emperor. The memorials submitted remained unanswered for an unusually long time.
The court officials remembered only that the emperor had always been diligent in governance, never suspending court sessions even when ill. Such a situation was unprecedented since his ascension to the throne. When they inquired with Li Yuangui, he merely said that Your Majesty had accidentally fallen ill the night before and was feeling unwell, hence the suspension of court to recuperate. The first day passed without much concern, but by the second day, the ministers began to whisper among themselves. By the third day, rumors abounded, and those of high rank who often entered the Imperial Study were pushed forward to inquire about the emperor’s health. After waiting outside for a long time, Li Yuangui finally emerged and addressed the anxious ministers, relaying the emperor’s verbal decree that the morning court would resume the next day. Only then did everyone feel somewhat relieved.
Li Yuangui watched the ministers’ retreating figures before turning back into the inner palace.
The inner palace was empty, all the palace attendants having been dismissed. Layers of curtains hung low, and even at midday, the interior was dimly lit.
Li Yuangui tiptoed to the depths of the palace, approaching the Dragon Bed shrouded by bed curtains. Bowing, he spoke softly through the fabric, "Your Majesty, they have all left."
There was no sound from within the curtains.
After waiting a moment, Li Yuangui finally reached out and gently lifted the curtain.
It was only early October, and at noon, wearing a lined robe and walking under the sun could still induce a sweat. Yet at this moment, the emperor was wrapped from head to toe in a thick quilt, sitting on the bed with only his face exposed. His eyes stared fixedly ahead, motionless as if in deep meditation.
In the dim light of the curtained bed, his eyes appeared dark and hollow, his expression somewhat terrifying.
Li Yuangui spoke again, "Your Majesty, the ministers have all left. Your Majesty must attend the morning court tomorrow. This servant will summon a physician to prescribe a tonic for your qi..."
"I am not ill. Decades have passed, and such a trivial matter won’t kill me—tell me, what has he been doing in prison these past few days?"
"Lord Pei has done nothing—" Li Yuangui whispered.
The emperor let out a hoarse laugh. "I see! He remains stubborn, and all my earnest efforts that night were in vain!"
He slowly turned his head, his voice muffled. "I bared my heart, hoping for his loyalty, for father and son to be of one mind. Yet this is how he treats me, showing no regard for my dignity! I am the emperor—I have face to maintain! Li Yuangui, tell me, how should I punish him?"
Tears immediately welled up in Li Yuangui’s eyes. He quickly wiped them with his sleeve and knelt. "Your Majesty, the Dragon Body is of utmost importance. Please do not distress yourself to the point of illness. As for Lord Pei, grant him more time. The bond between father and son is innate, borne of blood. In time, he will come to understand Your Majesty’s earnest intentions."
The emperor seemed not to hear. After a long silence, he sneered. "My earnest intentions, he probably sees as worthless. Enough. For her sake, I will give him one more chance. If he remains obstinate, even if it means incurring her reproach, I cannot acknowledge this son!"
Li Yuangui was taken aback. "Your Majesty means to..."
"I will first review the memorials!"
With that, the emperor flung aside the thick quilt he had been wrapped in all day and rolled off the bed. Disheveled, wearing only a white undergarment and barefoot, he strode across the cold, smooth palace floor, his sleeves billowing like wings in the wind.In his youth, he was spirited and handsome in appearance. Now aged, though his temperament had drastically changed, turning gloomy and brooding, and though he was not dressed in imperial robes nor cared for his appearance, his shoulders still bore the weight of mountains. His silhouette carried an air of untamed freedom, like that of a man beyond worldly concerns.
Li Yuangui was taken aback for a moment before exclaiming, "Ah!" He quickly picked up the shoes from the ground and hurried after him, saying, "Your Majesty, beware of cold feet. This servant will help you put on your shoes..."
...
At midnight, under a moonless sky and howling wind, the secret prison in the West Garden where Pei You'an was held was dimly lit. Pei You'an lay on his side on a straw mat spread over the cold floor of the cell, facing the corner.
Gradually, footsteps echoed from outside the cell, growing louder until they stopped right before the prison door. The sound of unlocking followed, and someone stepped inside, standing firmly on the ground.
Pei You'an opened his eyes, slowly turned his head to glance, then rose to his feet. He smoothed his robes and knelt, bowing deeply to the figure before him.
Xiao Lie's face was half-lit by the dim candlelight, as if coated in a faint glow, while the other half remained shrouded in shadow. His eyes, one bright and the other dark, gleamed with an eerie light.
"You'an, from the age of sixteen until now, you have been by my side for nearly ten years. In these ten years, you have shared my burdens and stood by me day and night. Now that you know I am your father, do you truly feel no filial affection for me?"
Xiao Lie's voice was heavy as he posed the question.
Pei You'an replied, "Your Majesty, this guilty subject's life was saved by Your Majesty years ago. Every task I have undertaken for Your Majesty was both repayment of that debt and the duty of a loyal subject. Your Majesty is the emperor of all under heaven, and a parent to all. To inspire filial reverence in the people is the way of a true ruler, and it honors the twenty years of hardship and sacrifice during Your Majesty's rise from obscurity in Wuding."
Xiao Lie's eyelid twitched, and he took a deep breath. "Very well. Since you insist on framing this as a matter between ruler and subject, I shall, as your sovereign, grant you one final opportunity."
"I ask you again—do you still have nothing to say regarding the Young Emperor?"
Pei You'an was silent for a moment before answering, "Your Majesty, this guilty subject has nothing to say."
Xiao Lie's breathing grew heavy again. His hand clenched, veins bulging like writhing green worms beneath his skin.
"Do you truly not fear death?"
"I do. But whether it be thunder or rain, all are the grace of heaven."
Xiao Lie's eyes bulged as he raised his arm, pointing a trembling finger at the kneeling Pei You'an, his voice dragging out in a distorted tone: "Without loyalty to your sovereign or filial duty to your father—treacherous and unfilial! I can no longer tolerate such a rebellious and disloyal man in my presence! I brought you from Suyeh City all those years ago, and now you shall return there! From this moment, we are even, with no debts between us!"
With that, he turned sharply, his robes swirling as he strode swiftly out. The sound of his footsteps faded as his figure disappeared into the depths of the corridor.
Pei You'an remained kneeling stiffly, his face growing pale. Slowly, his back bent forward until his forehead touched the cold, earthen floor, his body utterly still.
Suddenly, he felt a sweetness rise in his throat. He straightened slowly, swallowing back the dark, stagnant blood that had pooled in his chest for days. Then he sat back on the straw mat and closed his eyes.
...
Days later, the entire court of Great Wei was thrown into chaos by a sudden rumor spreading like wildfire in private circles. Officials were too distracted to attend to their duties, and even during court sessions, they stole glances at the emperor's expression, searching for any trace of confirmation.After those three perplexing days of suspended court sessions, the emperor had now returned to his usual self—diligently attending morning assemblies, summoning officials for inquiries afterward, and demonstrating an exhaustive grasp of every detail. Whenever a minister faltered in response, he would reprimand and demand corrections, true to his imperial manner. The courtiers tread as if on thin ice, straining to respond with utmost focus.
No one dared believe the rumor circulating in hushed tones was true.
Several days prior, at dawn, someone had witnessed a man escorted by two old soldiers exiting the northern gate of the imperial city.
Many in the capital recognized Pei You'an. It was said the man bore an uncanny resemblance to him, except that day, he wore plain blue garments instead of his crimson robes. Once past the gate, he headed north.
Subsequently, it was confirmed that Pei You'an had never arrived at his post in Jingxiang. Thus, the rumor spread like wildfire.
Word had it that while en route to his southwestern assignment, Pei You'an had abandoned his post without leave and defied imperial orders, provoking the emperor's wrath. In his fury, the emperor stripped him of his rank and banished him north as punishment.
As for the specifics—why the emperor had not made a public spectacle of it—speculations ran rampant. That day, Liu Jiushao and the Marquis of Anyuan sought an audience to verify the rumors, arguing that as a high-ranking official, Pei You'an deserved a trial by the three judicial offices if truly guilty. Unexpectedly, the emperor flew into a rage, rebuking them on the spot and docking three months' pay. From then on, the court fell silent; no one dared utter another word about it. The name "Pei You'an" became unspeakable.
On this autumn morning, as the first pale light of dawn tinged the eastern sky, withered willow tendrils drooped by the roadside, and cold reeds shed their fluff. Pei You'an marched onward alongside the old soldiers.
With luck, a few more days of travel might bring them upon a military supply convoy heading north.
As they neared the bridge pavilion ahead, the rumble of an approaching carriage sounded from behind. A modest blue-canopied cart drew up and halted. A woman climbed out—plainly dressed, a bundle clutched in her arm—and called for him to wait.
"Lord Pei, a young lady's come after you!" one old soldier remarked.
Pei You'an paused, then slowly turned.
Chi Hanzhen caught up, stopping short with her bundle gripped tightly, her eyes fixed on him as she caught her breath.
The soldiers exchanged glances and stepped aside.
"You've been well?" Pei You'an nodded slightly, as gentle and courteous as ever.
Chi Hanzhen's breathing steadied as she took in his gaunt face, tears welling in her eyes.
"Lord Pei, I heard what happened. I've settled my brother's affairs. The northern frontier is harsh—please allow me to accompany you. I seek nothing else but to serve by your side, even as a maid. I'd die content."
Pei You'an's brow relaxed into a faint smile. "Your kindness touches me. But I am a condemned man, exiled by His Majesty's decree. Family members are forbidden to follow; doing so would compound my offense. You must turn back."
He turned away.
"Lord Pei—"
Chi Hanzhen pursued him a few more steps.
"The Buddhist sutras say, 'Though the weak waters stretch three thousand leagues, one need drink but a single scoop.' In this life, I was blessed with two years of my wife's companionship—for that fortune, I have no regrets. Go back now!"
Without looking back, Pei You'an strode forward.
Chi Hanzhen stood rooted, gazing at the receding figure in blue.
His back remained straight—like bamboo, like pine. The morning breeze tugged at his robes as he advanced, gradually vanishing where the road met the horizon.
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