Night Pearl 11

The next day, Xiao Congzhi unusually attended the morning court session. Although he merely sat on the throne, propping his head up and remaining silent, as if he didn't exist, he had at least climbed off the bed of a male favorite, much to the delight of Qi Ming, Sun Rang, and the like.

Sun Rang pondered for several days, then went to court in a daze, rushing to the capital but still failing to catch the emperor in the imperial study.

It took a lot of silver to get information from the palace maids who served him. They said that as soon as the court session ended, the emperor changed his clothes and left the palace.

Sun Rang was somewhat depressed and left the palace looking dejected. After that day, his mind was in turmoil.

At first, he thought the emperor was hinting that he had a plan in court, but later, upon reflection, he felt that was not right. The emperor might just be saying that because he was afraid of Jiang.

After a moment of disappointment, upon further reflection, Sun Rang felt that the Emperor was blaming him, since if Ge Yun had been there that day, the Emperor's plans might have been ruined.

The palace has been in chaos these past few days. One minute it's the Imperial Guard keeping male lovers, the next it's someone catching a cold from excessive indulgence in debauchery...

Taking all these factors into account, Sun Rang became increasingly confused as he pondered the matter. He had not spoken with Lin Shuo since leaving the Zichen Palace that day, simply because he was afraid that Prince Rong would disturb his thoughts. But today, Sun Rang could no longer bear it and went straight to the Prince's residence after leaving the palace.

Lin Shuo had also been thinking about this for the past few days, but not as conflicted as Sun Rang. At first, Lin Shuo was surprised that the Emperor had spoken so frankly, but after careful consideration, he realized there was more to it than met the eye. Everyone knew that Ge Yun was the Empress Dowager's person, but based on the Emperor's past actions, he should have known but not minded. Yet, judging from his words that day, it seemed he was particularly concerned.

As for what this concern really meant, and what it meant to say those words under those circumstances, Lin Shuo had not figured it out.

Therefore, when Sun Rang came to him, Lin Shuo was happy to see it happen. The two of them went to the largest restaurant in Yidu, Yanlou, booked a private room, and planned to have a good discussion and analysis.

Sun Rang poured out his fluctuating speculations to Lin Shuo.

Lin Shuo fell into deep thought after listening.

"Your Highness, please give us your thoughts."

Lin Shuo took a sip of his wine and slowly said, "These past few days, the embassy has been busy with too many trivial matters. I'm not as deep as you think."

Sun Rang sighed and continued, "I saw His Majesty at the morning court today. His Majesty did not look well. I think the rumors from the past two days, that His Majesty had a fever in the morning because he played too much with his male favorite the night before, seem to be true. In addition, His Majesty left the palace as soon as the court session ended today... Therefore, I think His Majesty is just afraid of Lady Jiang, which is why he mentioned Chief Eunuch Ge that day."

"Are you saying that His Majesty was glad Ge Yun wasn't there that day, otherwise, if the Empress Dowager had heard what you said, he would have been in trouble?"

Yes.

“I don’t think so.” Lin Shuo turned his head to look out the window, his eyes unfocused, slightly lost in thought. After a long pause, he said, “I’ve been thinking about this carefully these past few days. Why do I feel that His Majesty’s actions recently are not like him? Because over the years, His Majesty has not actually been very afraid of the Jiang family. Back then, when he wanted to learn martial arts, the Empress Dowager reprimanded him several times, but it was no use. His pride has never been suppressed.”

“This…” Sun Rang hesitated again.

"Moreover... in my memory, His Majesty has never been so straightforward on topics involving the court and the people."

"Speaking of which, Your Majesty should know that Chief Eunuch Ge is the Empress Dowager's man?"

"Over the years, His Majesty has simply neglected state affairs; it is not that he is unwise."

"Yes, yes," Sun Rang said, feigning sudden realization. "So, His Majesty was giving us a warning that day?"

"That was my first reaction. At first glance, his words suggested that he had already made arrangements, and if the Empress Dowager heard about them, it would ruin those arrangements."

Sun Rang pondered it for a moment and felt that the possibility was very high, which made him feel a little scared.

“But…” Lin Shuo changed the subject again, “What kind of arrangements could His Majesty possibly have? We’re both completely baffled.”

Sun Rang began to detail the power structure in the court: "The Ministry of Revenue, the Ministry of Works, and the Ministry of Personnel are all under the control of Minister Jiang. The current Censor-in-Chief is a student personally trained by Minister Jiang, which has rendered the Censorate virtually useless."

Lin Shuo continued his analysis: "The military power of the Sheng Dynasty is concentrated in the Zhenxi Army and firmly held in the hands of the Zhenxi General. Although Qi Ming's relationship with the Jiang family is not great, he is not close to His Majesty either."

"The Minister of War did seem to be siding with His Majesty recently, but I don't know what happened. He just betrothed his younger sister to someone else a couple of days ago."

"The Ministry of Justice is in your hands, the Ministry of Rites is in my hands, the Left Commander of the Imperial Guard, Shen Zhuo, is a member of the Jiang faction, and the Marquis of Anguo is on good terms with Prime Minister Jiang. In the entire court, His Majesty only has the Right Army of the Imperial Guard."

Sun Rang was deeply saddened and sighed in a deep voice, "Has the emperor of the prosperous dynasty been forced into such a predicament...?"

“We saw it when we left the palace a few days ago. The male favorite of Xuanhe Palace was placed in the right wing of the Imperial Guard. It was obviously inappropriate, but His Majesty still did it.”

"Is there really no one available?"

Lin Shuo nodded and said, "I really can't figure it out. If he wanted to take power, he should have come to talk to me about it this year, but he didn't."

Sun Rang said, "Even if we two really wanted to help His Majesty assume personal rule, given the current situation in the court and among the people, we wouldn't be of much help. The Ministry of Justice is only good enough to manage itself, and the Ministry of Rites has long been marginalized."

"..."

"Ah! Your Highness, I misspoke..."

"Forget it." Lin Shuo waved his hand good-naturedly and said, "I am, after all, a prince of the current dynasty. If I help him, at least the imperial clan will not side with Marquis Anguo."

"Sigh..." Sun Rang felt even more confused after exchanging words with Prince Rong. He raised his cup in frustration and downed a glass of wine.

Lin Shuo became increasingly annoyed, and for a time, the private room was filled with sighs and groans.

As for the two of them, they naturally hoped that His Majesty had some plans and that they would help His Majesty to rule personally, but if His Majesty was simply incapable of being supported, they were really powerless to do anything about it.

Suddenly, Sun Rang lowered his voice: "Your Highness, why don't you try that spot?"

Lin Shuo put down his wine cup and said sternly, "You've gotten drunk."

Unexpectedly, Sun Rang remained calm and sober, continuing, "I have thought about it more than once... Your Highness possesses unparalleled talent, is concerned about the country and its people, and has the appearance of a wise ruler."

With no one around, Lin Shuo didn't mince words with Sun Rang and spoke frankly: "A few years ago, someone tried to persuade me to do this, but I know I don't have the ability. Just thinking about it makes me tired."

"But Your Majesty..."

"This is the first time I have heard that the Imperial Uncle possesses unparalleled talent and the appearance of a wise ruler."

Suddenly, Xiao Congzhi's voice came from the window. Turning around, I saw that he had already nimbly climbed in, his movements graceful and beautiful.

"..."

"..."

Sun Rang and Lin Shuo didn't have time to think about why the Emperor was here. They only had time to realize what treasonous things they had just said, and they both knelt down on the ground.

At this moment, Xie Mowen pushed open the door and walked in. He went to Xiao Congzhi in a serious manner, knelt on one knee and said, "There is no one on this floor."

Xiao Congzhi's lips twitched. The person was from the Shadow Department. What kind of act was Xie Mowen putting on?

"Imperial Uncle, Minister Sun, please dispense with the formalities." With that, Xiao Congzhi walked to the spot where Lin Shuo had just been sitting, lifted his robe, and sat down.

Lin Shuo and Sun Rang dared not get up. This situation made them vaguely realize something, and their bodies began to tremble slightly.

Xiao Congzhi did not insist, and said with a smile, "I was in the palace a few days ago, so it was not convenient to say much."

Lin Shuo and Sun Rang trembled even more violently, but they didn't know what they were afraid of; their fear of the heavens was like an instinct.

"Your concern for the people of the world brings me great comfort."

“Your Majesty…Your Majesty…” Sun Rang stammered, unable to speak.

"But I need not trouble you, Imperial Uncle, with my arrangements in the court."

As soon as the words were spoken, Sun Rang and Lin Shuo immediately knelt down on the ground. It was obvious that the Emperor had heard their words that could cost them their heads.

"Imperial Uncle, Minister Sun, there's no need for this. Please rise."

Sun Rang and Lin Shuo still dared not get up.

Xiao Congzhi's smile deepened, his tone became gentler, yet it was all the more chilling: "I will not say the same thing a third time."

Sun Rang and Lin Shuo dared not stand up, so they straightened up but kept their heads down, not daring to face the emperor directly.

Xiao Congzhi stared at the two of them for a long time, letting Shen Mo disperse among them. After a while, he stopped smiling, sighed, and called out, "Royal Uncle."

"Your Majesty, I... made a mistake."

"If you, my royal uncle, have no interest in that position, then come and help me."

Lin Shuo was about to kneel when he heard this, but Xiao Congzhi was faster. He lifted the fan handle, and Prince Rong was unable to kneel down.

"Minister Sun, you should stay with your uncle."

Sun Rang controlled his knees, refusing to let the Emperor help him up, and said respectfully, "Your subject obeys the decree..."

"Good!" Xiao Congzhi laughed again, and the atmosphere became much lighter. He said, "In a few days, I will be leaving the capital for a while. Imperial Uncle, I will entrust Yidu to you for now."

"Your Majesty, how can you... in this day and age..."

Xiao Congzhi gave a helpless twitch of his lips, pulled Xie Mowen, who was standing ramrod straight to the side, around his waist and said, "There's nothing I can do, I have to accompany him to Anling."

Xie Mowen broke down in a second, leaning against Xiao Congzhi and laughing.

“This…” Lin Shuo asked uncertainly, “Isn’t this person just a decoy used by His Majesty to distract the audience?”

"Hahaha, I never said that. The deception is real, and the person is real too. I will be back as soon as possible after the Mid-Autumn Festival."

"What about the talent show..."

"Just consider it an escape for the imperial selection. Your Royal Uncle, please help me out for a few days."

"..."

Lin Shuo had a premonition of a troublesome future, but he had no choice but to agree.

Xiao Congzhi: "This time I am going to Anling, which is different from Xiacheng. Anling is remote, so the Jiang family will not pay too much attention to it. In this way, the Imperial Uncle can also make use of this time."

"Please enlighten me, Your Majesty."

"The Minister of Personnel is quite old."

After a moment's thought, Lin Shuo realized that the Emperor wanted him to start with the Ministry of Personnel, so he said, "Your subject understands."

With everything arranged, Xiao Congzhi stood up, closed his fan, and made as if to leave.

Lin Shuo and Sun Rang breathed a sigh of relief and respectfully escorted the Emperor to the door.

Before leaving, Xiao Congzhi turned back and said very casually, "As for the idea that Marquis Anguo once instigated you, I will not pursue it, Imperial Uncle."

Lin Shuo was startled, his back instantly drenched in cold sweat. He had never mentioned who had instigated him years ago...

Before the envoys from the outer court left the capital, Xiao Congzhi met Xiao Sizhao once more.

Since Xiao Sizhao refused to return to Jiangnan, he asked Yan Hong for leave and did not enter the palace for several days. He was avoiding Xiao Congzhi and was also processing his feelings on his own.

Xiao Congzhi had kept an eye on Xiao Sizhao, but he didn't care about this matter. After resolving the Rong Prince issue, he spent his days wandering around Yidu with Xie Mowen.

They would go to the teahouse to listen to storytelling, or go to the banquet hall to eat. If they were recognized, they would grab Xie Mowen and run away as if fleeing.

In short, she is portrayed as someone who is bewitched by a male fox spirit, and her character is firmly established.

After a few days, even the people of Yidu had given up hope that the emperor would be able to rule personally this year.

Of course, after "using" Xie Mowen in this way, Xiao Congzhi would get his revenge in bed, being held and tormented by Xie Mowen every night, sometimes even until dawn, and unable to attend court every day.

On one occasion, when Physician Xu came to check on Xiao Congzhi's pulse, he gave him a meaningful look and advised him to exercise restraint.

But when the two sleep together, they will react to even a little touching. By the time they realize it, they are already kissing. At that point, it is impossible to stop them.

Xie Mowen could only stay in the Zichen Palace because he had been on leave for several days, and the rumors among the Imperial Guards had become extremely vivid. It was really difficult for Xie Mowen to stay in the same room with them in a normal mood.

One day, just as Xiao Congzhi and Xie Mowen were about to sneak out of the palace again, Xiao Sizhao arrived and blocked them at the palace gate.

Xiao Congzhi observed Xiao Si Zhao's expression and felt that the child had something to say, so he took him to the teahouse that he and Xie Mowen often frequented.

Xiao Congzhi, sitting at the head of the table, asked, "Do you have something to say to me?"

Xiao Sizhao stood in front of Xiao Congzhi, nodded, and glanced up at Xie Mowen. He really couldn't figure out Xie Mowen's identity. Even if His Majesty needed a cover, was it necessary to ruin his reputation at the cost?

"It's alright, just say it."

"Your Majesty, I hope to be of some assistance."

“I have my own plans, and the Xiao family need not get involved.”

“My father and grandfather kept a low profile in Jiangnan, not because they didn’t want to get involved. For many years, I didn’t understand why they did it. It wasn’t until His Majesty revealed my maternal family’s secrets that I understood.”

Xiao Congzhi and Xie Mowen exchanged a glance, somewhat puzzled, when Xiao Sizhao continued.

“In recent years, my father and grandfather have used the family property to secretly engage in many businesses and have saved a lot of money, but they never spend it. I think they want to do something for Your Majesty, but all they can do is save some money.”

Xiao Congzhi never imagined that his uncle and maternal grandfather, whom he had never met, would do such things. In his mind, the Xiao family in Jiangnan had suffered from the intrigue and backstabbing in Yidu. Over the years, they had done this both to protect themselves and to avoid causing trouble for him in Yidu.

but……

Xiao Congzhi sighed: "In that case, Si Zhao, you should go back to Jiangnan."

"Your Majesty wishes me to deliver a message back to Jiangnan, and I will certainly not fail in my duty."

“Si Zhao, we are family, there’s no need to be so formal. If Jiangnan can offer assistance, I will need it too, and I will not let their kindness go to waste.”

"If I can help Your Majesty, I will do my duty without hesitation."

Xiao Congzhi smiled, stood up, pulled Xiao Sizhao's hand, and pressed him down to sit. He continued, "After the envoys from the outer court leave, I will also be leaving Yidu for a while. You should go back to Jiangnan at that time and tell your father and grandfather that I will take some time to visit Jiangnan."

"His Majesty intends to travel to Jiangnan in person?"

"Of course, they are my maternal uncle and maternal grandfather after all. It would be impolite for you to relay their messages."

"Where is Your Majesty going next to make arrangements? Is there anything I can do to help?"

Xiao Congzhi patted Xiao Sizhao on the shoulder and shook his head: "There's nothing to plan next. Just leave Yidu empty so the situation can move forward."

"Then Your Majesty really has no need to leave Yidu; there will be more or less danger."

"It's alright." Xie Mowen jumped in at this moment. "I'll stay with you. Nothing will happen."

Xiao Sizhao:......

After hesitating for a moment, Xiao Sizhao still asked, "Your Majesty, is this person one of Your Majesty's personal guards?" Xiao Sizhao prayed that Xie Mowen, who was impolite and often overstepped his bounds, was the current emperor's personal bodyguard.

Xiao Congzhi glanced at Xie Mowen and chuckled, "Does he look like one of my guards? If the emperor's personal guards are so lacking in respect for hierarchy, how could I dare to use them?"

“But… he doesn’t look like a male concubine…” Xiao Sizhao said softly.

Xie Mowen's curiosity was piqued, and he pressed for details: "How far has the Imperial Guard's reputation spread now?"

"They've already said you know witchcraft and used the Aphrodisiac on His Majesty... Oh! Your Majesty! I misspoke."

"It's alright." Xiao Congzhi smiled and rubbed Xiao Sizhao's head. "We'll talk about this later. He and I will leave now."

Upon hearing this, Xie Mowen rushed over, grabbed Xiao Congzhi's hand, and the two walked outside together.

After leaving the teahouse, Xie Mowen nudged Xiao Congzhi with his shoulder and asked, "Why didn't you tell him what our relationship is?"

Xiao Congzhi smiled and replied, "Then tell me, what should I say?"

Xie Mowen pretended to think for a moment, then complained, "That's true. His Majesty has not given me a title yet, not even when I lived in Xuanhe Palace."

Xiao Congzhi said in a pretentious tone, "After everything is settled, I will bestow upon you the title of a beauty."

Xie Mowen opened his eyes wide, his eyes filled with accusation, as if to say, "She's just a beauty."

"Master Xie's appearance is stunning, truly deserving of the title of beauty."

Taking advantage of the fact that no one was around, Xie Mowen grabbed Xiao Congzhi around the waist and threatened, rubbing his waist, "If Your Majesty doesn't bestow a title upon him as a concubine, I will make sure that Your Majesty can't attend court every morning."

Xiao Congzhi chuckled inwardly at the spectacle, realizing that all this fuss was for a mere concubine's title, and complained, "Now I can no longer attend morning court sessions."

"Hmph~"

“Last night the beauty was too vigorous, my back is still sore. Hmm… Xie Mowen?” Xiao Congzhi said, then looked up and gave Xie Mowen a wink.

This natural display of coquetry immediately made Xie Mowen feel guilty. Helplessly, he let go of Xiao Congzhi, put his hand on Xiao's waist, and began to massage it.

A few days later, the envoys from the outer court left the capital. All matters were handled personally by Prince Rong. The current emperor did not even appear to see them off, and Prime Minister Jiang took over.

On that day, Xiao Congzhi and Xie Mowen left Yidu and headed towards Anling.

Upon learning this, Prime Minister Jiang pondered for a moment and thought that the emperor was simply taking his male favorite to join in the fun in the martial arts world. He was happy to see it happen and didn't take it to heart.

The Night-Shining Pearl (complete)