Chapter 55 The Third Prince Yuan's Mutiny and Succession to the Throne
At three quarters past the hour of You (5:45 PM), Xie Yuan's horse stopped in front of the Prince's Mansion, and the guards waiting outside the gate stepped forward to take the reins.
"Has the painter arrived?" Xie Yuan dismounted and walked towards the inner courtyard.
Yan Feng said, "Since the person refused to come, in accordance with the Princess's wishes, the subordinates did not force them."
"We can't even hire one person!"
Yan Feng explained briefly: "Huangfu the painter has always been capricious. He was unwilling to do so, and even if he was forcibly invited, he would not pick up a brush."
Xie Yuan gave a soft "heh," his tone somewhat mocking, "A fallen family, even selling off their ancestral treasure, the 'Hundred Yue Evening Clouds Painting,' and still putting on this haughty act for whom?"
At the sound of an announcement, everyone in the flower hall went out to greet them.
From a distance, they saw someone being dragged out of the flower hall. Xie Yuan was walking this way when he bumped into the group. "Who is it?"
Chen Liangyu said, "He is an insignificant person and should be temporarily detained in the Prince's mansion. We cannot let him go out and cause trouble."
Xie Yuan vaguely guessed the man's identity. "Yan Feng, find a few capable people to guard him."
Xie Wenjun noticed that Xie Yuan looked unhappy, and his voice had also carried a hint of anger when he entered the mansion.
"Third Brother, what's bothering you?"
"It's nothing."
Yan Feng said, "Your Highness, the Princess Consort has been deeply worried about the Xun family these past few days. Your Highness heard that the Huangfu family's painter was traveling through Linxia and sent someone to invite him to the residence to paint for the Princess Consort. However, with the army being mobilized in Linxia, the Huangfu painter, fearing for his own safety, changed course and went to travel and enjoy the scenery elsewhere. He absolutely refused to come."
Xun Shuheng was nearing her due date, and her body was growing increasingly heavy. She could no longer play games like pitch-pot or ball-chopping, and she was tired of listening to music and admiring flowers every day; there were fewer and fewer things to pass the time. She was worried about the Xun family in Yongdu. Xie Yuan knew she would ask about it when he returned home, but he couldn't bring himself to tell this lie, and he couldn't cover it up. He worried that if he told her the truth, Xun Shuheng wouldn't be able to bear it, and it might harm the baby. He had considered having a painter come to the mansion to paint a picture, and then telling her the truth once she was a little calmer; perhaps that would be better.
The affairs of the main camp were already enough to keep Xie Yuan busy, and even this small matter caused a mishap. He couldn't help but show his helplessness on his face.
Chen Luan's right eyelid twitched violently a few times, guessing that Xie Yuan was hiding something, which should be related to the Xun family in Yongdu.
Why bother asking others?
Xie Yuan looked at the speaker and his spirits lifted. "Miss Gu Xie?"
Gu Changxue's eldest grandson, Gu Heng, and eldest granddaughter, Gu Xie, were renowned for their talent in the southeast and even Yongdu. To show respect for Hanhong Academy and Grand Tutor Gu, Xie Yuan added the word "Miss" to their names.
"Did anyone else come from Hanhong Academy?" Xie Yuan asked.
Grand Tutor Gu forbade his descendants from entering officialdom, but now that Gu Xie had come to Linxia and appeared at the Prince's residence, Xie Yuan only saw Gu Xie and Chen Luan, so he guessed that she and her brother Gu Heng had come together, hence the question.
No matter how talented she is, she is still a woman. The prestige of Hanhong Academy is maintained by Gu Changxue and Gu Heng. If Gu Heng were willing to pledge allegiance now, the "Hanhong Party" among the civil officials in the court could be brought into her possession. Even if she could not get what she wanted, the students of Hanhong Academy who had not yet passed the imperial examinations could be cultivated into close advisors.
Gu Xie said, "Xingqian is also here."
Chen Luan greeted Xie Yuan, saying, "This humble official greets Prince Shen."
No need for formalities.
Gu Xie said, "Your Highness has a discerning eye. I did bring several gifted students with me on this trip. I dare not disturb them rashly, so I have them settled in the inn. If Your Highness does not mind, I will reward them with a job."
Xie Yuan readily accepted, "Yan Feng, go and invite them."
"Thank you, Prince Shen."
Gu Xie turned to Chen Luan and said, "Xingqian, you are a skilled painter. Why don't you paint a picture for the Princess to ease His Highness's worries?"
Chen Luan paused, then said, "This humble official is clumsy, but if Your Highness does not mind, this humble official is willing to serve you."
Just then, Xun Shuheng heard Xie Yuan return to the mansion and waited for a while in front of the hanging flower gate connecting the inner and outer courtyards, but no one came. So she went out to see what was going on and overheard them discussing painting.
As they walked along the corridor, Gu Xie said, "When Xingqian first entered the academy, his painting skills were quite terrible. But he has improved a lot in the last two years. A while ago, he took a painting he copied to the academy, and even my grandfather had to look at it carefully to tell the difference between the real and the fake. His fellow students joked that he was practicing his painting skills so hard to seduce some girl. If he wanted to seduce girls, he wouldn't need to be so literary. Just standing there would be enough to attract attention."
Chen Luan looked at Gu Xie silently. "It's not that my fellow disciples are teasing me, it's what you said, young lady."
Gu Xie had a thick bandage wrapped around his palm. He waved it and made a "stop" gesture, standing still in the air. "That's not important. What's important is that right now we need your skillful hands to paint and entertain the Princess and the little prince or princess in her womb."
Gu Xie knew how to be tactful. Even though Xie Yuan's ascension to the throne was already a done deal, just waiting for the hammer to fall, she did not overstep her bounds and presume to call Xun Shuheng's unborn child a prince or princess before someone did.
Xun Shuheng was like a puppet being manipulated, being ushered into the flower hall and laid down on a rosewood chair with a soft cushion.
The heavy atmosphere eased slightly.
A group of servants set up easels, laid out paper, and ground ink, all waiting for Chen Luan's masterpiece, temporarily putting aside all worldly affairs.
Chen Luan held his brush across the desk, neither dipping it in ink nor looking at her or the drawing paper.
He tried to calm himself down, but the more he tried, the more confused he became.
A beautiful woman sits quietly by the window in a tavern.
The beautiful image I had sketched countless times in my mind had faded irrevocably with the passing of time. When I could finally paint the image of the goddess Qingnv and Su'e, I could no longer recall the features of the girl whose jade fingers had lightly touched the emerald cup that day.
Chen Liangyu was suddenly reminded of some old memories. She knew that her second brother had once met a girl he liked, but not long after, the imperial examination was suddenly brought forward, and he didn't have time to make arrangements. If that girl was Aheng... she would truly regret it!
No wonder my second brother has been acting strangely ever since he arrived at Prince Shen's residence.
This strange thing must not be noticed by others!
As if sensing something, Chen Luan turned his head and met Chen Liangyu's gaze for a moment before saying, "The phoenixes fly together, fluttering their feathers. Why not have His Highness Prince Shen and his consort join the painting?"
Xie Yuan was slightly pleased and nodded in agreement.
The image of phoenixes flying together, besides implying a harmonious marriage, also carries another meaning: the phoenix soars in the blue sky, followed by a hundred birds. The symbolism is excellent, and Xie Yuan gladly accepted this subtle blessing.
Chen Liangyu secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
Xie Yuan sat down next to Xun Shuheng, and in the blink of an eye, Chen Luan had already prepared the ink.
The lines flowed silently from the tip of the brush onto the rice paper, each stroke executed with practiced ease, without the slightest hesitation or pause, as if they had been sketched a thousand times in the mind.
His expression was focused and serene, but his heartbeat beneath his skin was quite the opposite, pounding wildly.
Suddenly, the sound of galloping hooves filled the air, like the beating of drums.
It wasn't until everyone looked towards the high walls separating the Prince's mansion that Chen Luan realized the sound of horses' hooves he heard didn't come from his heart.
Yan Feng jogged back to Xie Yuan's side and reported, "Your Highness, the generals are riding their horses toward the Prince's Mansion."
Has Military Advisor Yan returned?
"No, Military Advisor Yan has gone to coordinate the troops at the various passes."
Chen Liangyu lowered her eyes, thinking to herself, "Has Uncle Yan gone to avoid work?"
It must have been Xie Yuan who had just left the camp and returned to his residence when Yan Baizhang instigated these roughnecks to chase after him to the Prince's mansion to offer advice, while he himself hid far away. In the time it took to speak, a crowd had already gathered outside the Prince's mansion. Leading them was Feng Jiakun, the commander of the Yancheng Army, who, along with his generals, ignored the guards' attempts to stop them and pushed and shoved their way in. A group of rough men in golden armor, their voices loud and clear, caused a great commotion in the Prince's mansion.
Several of them, while arguing with the guards, didn't forget to cover their buttocks, limping and wincing when they were accidentally bumped or knocked over.
That's really unethical; they even managed to trick someone who just received military law into coming here!
Dragons fight in the wilderness, and everyone wants their master to become emperor.
The achievement of lasting glory was within reach, and the generals were filled with excitement, chattering amongst themselves.
"Your Highness, we cannot hesitate any longer! The troops from Yongdu are less than two hundred li from Linxia!"
"King Qi murdered his brother and forced the emperor to abdicate, disrupting the social order, killing loyal officials, and allowing corrupt officials to seize land and harm the people's interests, causing instability in the country and suffering for the people. How can we allow this traitor to run rampant?"
"Now that His Majesty has abdicated, if Prince Qi can sit on the throne, so can Your Highness! How can the people be convinced if someone like Prince Qi, who disregards all moral principles, becomes the ruler of the nation?"
"Your Highness, please ascend the throne and send troops to quell the rebellion!"
Outside the flower hall corridor, all the generals knelt down in unison, shouting, "Please, Your Highness, ascend the throne and send troops to quell the rebellion!"
Xie Yuan remained calm as he walked to the corridor and addressed the group of generals, saying, "Even the most important matters can be discussed after the Princess Consort has finished painting the portrait!"
Perhaps it was the overwhelming aura of the thick, heavy armor that caused Xun Shuheng to suddenly feel a pang of fear.
wrong!
Something's not right!
Although she and Xie Yuan treated each other with respect, she knew that she held no place in his heart more important than the world itself. Xie Yuan, contrary to his usual behavior, found a painter for her and accompanied her to the painting session—things he wouldn't normally do. And now he even had a group of his generals waiting for her to complete a portrait?
Xun Shuheng, supporting herself on the table with one hand on Xianyu, slowly stood up and followed Xie Yuan step by step.
"Your Highness, could you tell me what exactly happened at the Xun residence?"
Xie Yuan looked at her, his gaze calm, yet strangely unsettling. "Xun Xian has surrendered to the Prince of Qi."
Xun Shuheng lost her footing.
Xie Yuan stepped closer, helped her up, and comforted her, saying, "Don't worry, I know this has nothing to do with you and I won't hold a grudge against you."
Xun Shuheng's breathing became heavy, "But..."
Xun Xian had always wanted the Xun family to produce an empress. She was Xie Yuan's principal wife. If Xie Yuan were to seize the throne, Xun Xian would become the emperor's father-in-law. How could Prince Qi believe that the Xun family was truly surrendering?
What did the Xun family entrust this time, and what did they give up?
Xie Yuan said, "The Xun family is marrying off their daughter to Xie Xuan as his principal wife, and a date will be chosen for her to be crowned empress."
Did Xun Xian marry one of her sisters to Prince Qi?
"What about Linxia? And me? What are Father's plans?"
Xie Yuan paused briefly before continuing, "Severing ties with family and friends."
"My parents... don't recognize me as their daughter anymore?"
Xun Shuheng was incredulous. She clutched her swollen belly tightly with both hands, her body trembling, and her breathing becoming increasingly rapid and heavy.
It felt as if a sharp blade had suddenly pierced my abdomen, causing it to churn and twist.
The excruciating pain struck without warning, and in an instant, fine beads of sweat appeared on his forehead, and his face turned as pale as paper.
"princess!"
"Aheng!"
Xie Yuan and Chen Liangyu stepped forward to support Xun Shuheng's swaying body.
In the flower hall, a pen slipped silently from the hand and fell to the ground with a "thud".
"It looks like the princess is about to give birth," said Granny Ji.
Xie Yuan picked up Xun Shuheng and hurried towards the main house in the back garden.
Xianyu jogged after her, methodically instructing the maids attending her, "Go and call the midwife and doctor from the manor to the main room. Hurry up! Bring the clean cloths that were prepared a few days ago, and boil plenty of hot water! Be quick, all of you!"
Amidst the uproar, Chen Luan silently picked up his pen, gently brushed away the dust, and quietly completed the missing corner of the portrait.
After laying Xun Shuheng flat on the bed, Xie Yuan was ushered out by Granny Ji, who was serving Xun Shuheng, and several older women. "Your Highness, this is a place of defilement for a woman giving birth. Your Highness, please leave quickly and do not cause any disturbance!"
A filthy place?
Chen Liangyu's anger flared up for no apparent reason. "Weren't you born of your mother? You bunch of filth!"
The old women hurriedly begged for forgiveness, "We deserve to die!"
"You servants are useless, utterly useless!"
He kept saying "damn it," but his eyes were filled with confusion, as if he didn't know what he had said wrong.
Xie Yuan said, "What are you all kneeling here for? Go and serve the Princess." Then he went out.
The old women nodded repeatedly.
In the midst of the chaos, it's easy to overlook things. Chen Liangyu didn't notice Xie Wenjun's whereabouts for a moment, and when she turned around to look for her, she had already disappeared.
They were right beside me just now, where did they go in the blink of an eye?
"Liangyu, Liangyu!" Xun Shuheng's voice cracked with pain.
Chen Liangyu took two steps to the bedside.
"Go and tell His Highness that the greater good must be prioritized, and that he must not let my presence delay important matters! If anything untoward happens, it will be the fate of my daughter and me..."
"Aheng, don't say such things!"
“I am heartbroken. Why? His Majesty suddenly bestowed a marriage upon me, and His Highness was demoted to Linxia. When His Highness and I left Yongdu, my father did not even come out of the city to see us off. Seeing that his daughter, whom he had painstakingly raised for so many years, has no chance of becoming Empress, will he think that I am truly useless? That my death is not worth regretting?”
Chen Liangyu said, "Severing ties with relatives to protect oneself is merely a temporary measure; don't take it to heart."
"A stopgap measure? If Your Highness's grand plan fails, will Father risk his life to protect me and my child?"
Chen Liangyu felt as if a whole piece of cake was stuck in his throat, and he couldn't utter a single word.
“You noticed it too, he wouldn’t… He disciplined me from childhood, and I couldn’t disobey, otherwise I would be unfilial; I couldn’t defy him, otherwise I would be disrespectful; I couldn’t go to the restaurant to drink alone, otherwise I would be immoral; I couldn’t have a man I loved, otherwise I would be impure… Over the years, I’ve never felt like I’ve lived like a human being. I often feel like I’m a sacrifice offered up on the altar by my whole family!”
Xun Shuheng closed her eyes in pain, tears streaming down her cheeks.
“I don’t know which of my sisters my father married, but no matter who succeeds to the throne, the Xun family will lose a daughter! He loved us so much… So even parental love is full of calculations?”
What difference does it make whether the daughter who was lost was her or her sister?
Regardless of who wins this contest, the only price the Xun family will pay is one daughter. Their fate is a tool for men to seize power and profit, a sacrifice or a spoil of war after the dust settles.
Feng Jiakun still led his generals to gather in front of the flower hall corridor, looking at the ink stains on his palms as he mumbled something. Occasionally, he would get stuck, slap someone on the shoulder, and ask with a mix of questions and complaints, "What do you pronounce these characters? Military Advisor Yan writes these words in such a literary way, it's not like he's taking the imperial examination!"
"Ji, the Ji of the state. I just said that."
"Did you say that?"
As soon as Xie Yuan appeared, Feng Jiakun clenched his fist, about to offer further advice, but was abruptly interrupted by a female voice.
"The Great Lin Kingdom Seal is here! Prince Shen, receive the decree!"
Xie Wenjun walked in from the other side of the corridor, surrounded by dozens of Eastern Palace guards dressed in black tight-fitting clothes, wearing fine scale armor and black helmets. Rong Jun carried a jade tray, on which the golden seal with a dragon lay quietly on the brocade.
Xie Yuan was taken aback, then quickly knelt before the imperial seal, saying, "Your subject receives the decree!"
The man in black robes led the way, his voice like the cracking of ice. For a fleeting moment, he mistook Jiang Ning for Crown Prince Xie Yu.
The generals outside the corridor were all startled, and then knelt down with Xie Yuan.
"Heaven has ordained, and the Emperor has received it. The Third Prince, Yuan, in accordance with Heaven's will and the opportune time, has received this clear mandate, closely resembling me, and is capable of inheriting the great throne! So be it!"
Feng Jiakun only understood the words "Great Unification". Xie Yuan received the decree. He looked up and saw Rong Jun holding the tray with the imperial seal above his head and handing it to Prince Shen. The confusion on his face turned into astonishment, and then into ecstatic joy.
"This humble general pays his respects to Your Majesty! Long live Your Majesty! Long live Your Majesty! Long live Your Majesty!"
Behind him, the generals knelt and crawled forward, prostrating themselves in worship, chanting "Holy Emperor, Wise King, Long Live the Emperor!" into the clouds.
The landscape remains the same, but the hills and valleys have changed.
The setting sun's rays were no longer dazzling, like an emperor in his twilight years, soft and dim.
As the sun sets in the west and rises again in the morning, this land will have a new ruler.
Author's note: Thank you for reading this far!
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