Chapter 49 Shackles
After a moment of silence, Liu Qi thought of another crucial question: "Can we stay in the capital for another three years?"
Cen Yan: "That's why I asked you to sort out some of the properties in the fiefdom and transfer them to his name."
"Is Young Master Zhuang willing to return to our fiefdom with us?"
Liu Qi was quite worried about this. People from the capital have always been very self-important. The capital is prosperous, but if they were to go to a remote fiefdom, many nobles would probably be unwilling, for example...
Cen Yan's brows relaxed. "That's not a problem."
"He didn't particularly like going to Beijing."
"oh oh."
Liu Qi breathed a sigh of relief.
Then he asked, "Since you're going to teach how to manage a business, then..."
Cen Yan: "Actually, it would be best if my older sister could teach us, but unfortunately..."
"You've found someone, right? You can let him practice at the Prince's mansion. Perhaps... we can use him in the future."
Liu Qi dared not ask any more questions.
I was afraid of hurting Cen Yan's lungs.
When Liu Qi came out of the study, a gust of wind blew and he suddenly felt a chill down his spine.
I didn't realize it when it was first mentioned, but now that I think about it, this scene reminds me of Consort Tao back then...
Ugh, what are you thinking!
Liu Qi quickly dismissed these thoughts.
They are definitely different.
At least Young Master Zhuang cares deeply about the future heir.
Shaking her head to clear away the jumbled thoughts, Liu Qi thought for a moment about the vast and numerous properties of the Prince's estate, then turned around and began to organize them.
*
After recovering from his illness, Cen Yan returned to court. The Emperor immediately inquired about Cen Yan's health and bestowed upon him many gifts, for which Cen Yan expressed his gratitude.
Turning back to the Dali Temple, the documents that needed to be corrected on the desk had already piled up into a small mountain.
Before returning to the capital, all the urgent documents were sent to the Prince's residence, where Cen Yan handled them.
But over time, many small things accumulate.
The entire day was spent at Dali Temple.
They wanted to continue in the evening, but Liu Qi reminded them, "The Prince's Mansion is asking if we should go back for dinner."
Recently, Cen Yan has been resting in the east wing.
Therefore, this question was actually asked by Zhuang Dongqing, asking whether they should wait for Cen Yan.
Cen Yan was taken aback, glanced at the sky outside the window, and frowned. "Why didn't you say so earlier?"
Liu Qi: "...I'll be careful tomorrow."
When Cen Yan was reading documents, he never allowed anyone to make a sound to disturb him. He was very focused on his work and had been watching for a long time. Liu Qi finally found a break to drink water and report to him, but he underestimated Zhuang Dongqing's importance in Cen Yan's heart.
Cen Yan added, "Going back now might be too late."
Liu Qi: "There's still time. They said they'll wait for someone to report before having dinner."
Cen Yan put down the documents and stood up. "Alright, let's go then."
They returned home later than usual, but Zhuang Dongqing didn't eat and waited anxiously.
For some reason, just seeing Zhuang Dongqing sitting in the courtyard waiting for him softened Cen Yan's heart.
As he entered, Zhuang Dongqing saw him, immediately stood up, and gave him a smile.
Cen Yan also smiled.
Change clothes, wash hands, eat.
He was starving, and Zhuang Dongqing ate his first few bites very quickly.
Cen Yan told him to slow down while putting food on his plate, saying, "If I'm late in the future, don't worry about me, just eat on time."
"Huh?" Zhuang Dongqing replied without hesitation, "That's not good."
"Just wait, it won't be that long."
She swallowed a mouthful of food and smiled at him, "Anyway, we're all hungry, so it won't benefit anyone."
Cen Yan stared at Zhuang Dongqing for a moment, then nodded without offering any further advice.
After dinner, Zhuang Dongqing sat in the courtyard, drinking tea to aid digestion. Liu Qi carried a pile of documents he had brought from the Dali Temple, and Cen Yan followed him into the study, the study in the east wing.
The layout was designed exactly like the study in the west wing, with an extra room added for backup purposes.
After Liu Qi sorted the documents, Cen Yan said, "From now on, before meals, have the kitchen make some easy-to-digest pastries to fill his stomach so he won't go hungry."
In this respect, Cen Yan didn't understand Zhuang Dongqing as well as Liu Qi did. Liu Qi said, "The kitchen is always prepared, but the young master doesn't usually eat much before meals, saying he wants to save room for proper food."
Having waited so long, I'm still hungry while waiting for him...
Cen Yan seemed to want to say something, but he only smiled and shook his head.
When they were having a late-night snack, Zhuang Dongqing went into the study and asked Cen Yan if he wanted to join them. Liu Qi saw that his master had put down his pen again.
The late-night snack prepared for Zhuang Dongqing was not much, mostly sweets. Cen Yan didn't like them and these days he would only eat about half a bowl, but he was happy to eat with Zhuang Dongqing.
After having a late-night snack, Cen Yan went into the study again, while Zhuang Dongqing in the outer room began to tidy up, wash up, and go to bed.
Watching buckets of hot water being carried into the bathroom outside the window, the sound of running water filling the air, Cen Yan felt a sense of peace.
After he finished and got into bed, Zhuang Dongqing's eyes were already half-open.
But I still remember the wound on his shoulder.
The scabs all fell off a few days ago, revealing tender new flesh. Zhuang Dongqing was a little afraid that it would break again, so she would take a look at it before going to bed.
Sure enough, they started tearing off his clothes again.
Cen Yan remained still, letting things take their course. Zhuang Dongqing squinted at him and mumbled, "It's almost done. It'll be fully grown in a few days."
She paused, then said softly, "Don't get injured so badly again. It's too hard to recover from."
It seemed like a reminder, yet also like a muttering to oneself.
Cen Yan said gently, "I'll try my best."
Zhuang Dongqing reached out and touched it again, nodding solemnly as if they had made some kind of agreement.
Her expression was so captivating that Cen Yan pressed her down and kissed her deeply.
"I'm so sleepy..."
"Why didn't you say so earlier?"
Taking a breath, Zhuang Dongqing rubbed her eyes and muttered a complaint.
"Why didn't you say so earlier?" Cen Yan asked, taking Zhuang Dongqing's Adam's apple into his mouth.
Zhuang Dongqing straightened up, then slumped back down, her voice even lower: "Doing this kind of thing?"
After saying that, she did not refuse, but instead relaxed her body and opened her arms to Cen Yan.
Good boy.
Cen Yan stopped teasing him and said, "No, I want to kiss you."
"Um?"
Zhuang Dongqing was puzzled.
Then the kiss descended, and Zhuang Dongqing's eyes became glazed over from the kiss.
Feeling as if his nightgown had been stripped off and then put back on, Cen Yan reached out and covered Zhuang Dongqing's eyes, coaxing, "Go to sleep."
But Zhuang Dongqing bit her wrist.
Annoyed by his flirting.
Cen Yan didn't let go, but instead used his other hand to stroke Zhuang Dongqing's back, patiently saying, "I'm not coming anymore, go to sleep, I won't bother you anymore, aren't you sleepy, go to sleep."
Stroking and murmuring, in less than the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, Zhuang Dongqing fell silent.
Cen Yan tucked the blanket around Zhuang Dongqing, reached out and touched her cheek, and gazed at her quietly for a while, a hint of unspeakable complexity creeping into her gentle expression.
With a sigh of relief, Cen Yan blew out the candle and then settled in.
*
After several busy days, the official business of the Dali Temple was finally sorted out. After another court assembly, a secret report arrived in the capital, and the palace summoned Cen Yan to an audience once again.
This time, the location is not the sleeping quarters, but the council hall.
This means there are official duties to be assigned.
Cen Yan: "I'm afraid I won't be able to return to the manor today. Tell the east wing not to wait for me."
Liu Qi sent someone back to the manor to inform them.
Before setting off for the palace, the message was delivered to Cen Yan, who read it without saying a word.
He handed it to Liu Qi, read two lines, and Liu Qi's eyes widened immediately.
"Could it be..."
Cen Yan: "Let's prepare to enter the palace first."
Liu Qi replied hesitantly, "Yes."
Upon entering the council hall, Eunuch Feng was serving His Majesty his medicine. Cen Yan bowed and quietly stepped aside to wait.
Although it wasn't in the bedchamber, Cen Yan felt that the medicinal smell that had been lingering around Emperor Shengwu all day was getting stronger and stronger.
After he finished eating, Emperor Shengwu coughed twice before speaking to him.
His voice was also tired and weary.
After all, he was the child he raised. If he were to be executed, even the most powerful emperor would suffer a great loss.
If only I had known this would happen, why did I do it in the first place?
Sighing inwardly but showing no sign on his face, Cen Yan answered Emperor Shengwu's questions.
After exchanging a few words about Li Cheng, the handling of the Empress Dowager's family, and even Li Yang's recent dramatic weight loss, Emperor Shengwu sighed, "People only think of themselves and don't care about me or share my burdens at all."
Cen Yan simply said, "The Sixth Prince is still young, and this is the first time he has encountered such a big event. It's understandable that he can't process it all at once. With Your Majesty's guidance, he will eventually become sensible."
Emperor Shengwu's expression softened slightly. "Indeed, he hasn't been crowned yet."
That's where we left off, and we'll get back to business.
First, inquire with the Court of Judicial Review, then with the fiefdom. That should be enough. Emperor Shengwu tossed a stack of memorials in front of Cen Yan. "Ahem, ahem, take a look."
Cen Yan's eyes flickered slightly as he watched Emperor Shengwu cough uncontrollably, which seemed to have angered him. He respectfully took the item with both hands and opened it.
Opening it reveals the messages I received today.
Cen Yan pretended not to know, but looked at Emperor Shengwu in surprise.
As expected, Emperor Shengwu, suppressing his anger, asked, "What does Ayan think of this matter?"
Cen Yan pondered for a moment, then lowered his head and said meekly, "If it is truly as the secret report says, that they harbor rebellious intentions, then the Yuan family deserves to die a thousand deaths."
"But the Yuan family has been officials for generations..."
"Bang!"
Emperor Shengwu slammed his fist on the table, silencing Cen Yan. Emperor Shengwu roared, "The Yuan family's wolfish ambitions are as clear as day!"
"Since I ascended the throne, how many honors and privileges have I bestowed upon them over the years in order to appease them?"
"A stream of gifts was carried into the Yuan residence..."
"Two years ago, a member of the imperial family was even demoted, cough, cough cough..."
"Unexpectedly, Cheng'er had barely left when, noticing that I had no one to carry on my family line, he harbored such thoughts. His intentions are despicable!"
Cen Yan understood.
But I still feel that the crime is not so serious.
Although the accusations in the secret report were all supported by witnesses and physical evidence, Cen Yan had been serving as the Vice Minister of the Court of Judicial Review for several years and, having observed many things, felt that there must be more to the story, and that the allegations might not stand up to scrutiny.
After Emperor Shengwu finished his tirade, Eunuch Feng brought tea to comfort him. Once the coughing subsided, Cen Yan said, "This secret report arrived at such a convenient time. This matter is of utmost importance. Would you like to..."
"Bang--!"
The teacup fell to the ground with a thud, and tea leaves splashed up along with the tea. The force of the fall was so great that water even splashed onto Cen Yan's trousers and boots. Cen Yan immediately stood up and bowed.
Emperor Shengwu was furious. "What else needs to be investigated? It's all written clearly here..."
"It was because I was too lenient in the past that I indulged them to this extent..."
Having discerned that Emperor Shengwu's mind was made up and there was no turning back, Cen Yan slowly closed his eyes.
"Does Ayan think I'm too ruthless?"
Cen Yan bowed his head deeply, "Your subject dares not."
After an incense stick had burned, Cen Yan walked out of the council hall, holding a decree in his hand.
Liu Qi quickly stepped forward, and Cen Yan handed the imperial edict to Liu Qi. Liu Qi opened it and his eyes widened.
"this……"
Cen Yan interrupted Liu Qi, saying, "His Majesty has made up his mind, so do as he says."
Liu Qi glanced at Cen Yan and saw that his master was expressionless. He was terrified and dared not say anything more in the palace, only agreeing.
But what needs to be pointed out still needs to be pointed out. Liu Qi: "The princess has married into the Yuan family and already has two sons. They are not only sons of the Yuan family, but also members of the clan. What should be done?"
Beside Cen Yan, Eunuch Feng, who had followed them out, said with a smile: "Manager Liu, there is no need to worry. Nobles will naturally be treated as nobles. Later, the palace will send an eunuch to accompany them and offer them wine."
Liu Qi fell silent.
Only after leaving the palace and entering the carriage did they dare to discuss it.
Hao San: "It can't be that bad, can it? The Yuan family looks suspicious, their story is untenable, how could they...?"
Liu Qi: "Let me take another look."
Xu Si handed the imperial edict to Liu Qi, and when Liu Qi saw the words "extermination of the entire clan," his hand trembled again as he accepted the edict.
Cen Yan remained silent throughout.
Xu Si understood and rebuked, "Stop discussing it. The evidence is conclusive, and His Majesty has already reached a conclusion."
Cen Yan: "Let's transfer people from the camp; we don't have enough personal guards in the mansion."
Furthermore, now that there are people in the manor, some guards need to be left behind. Liu Qi agreed and got out of the carriage to do so.
Cen Yan also felt stuffy, so he got off the carriage and rode a horse.
Only Hao San and Xu Si remained in the carriage. Hao San looked at the imperial edict and compared it with the news, but still couldn't figure it out.
Xu Si said in a low voice, "Alright, you don't need to think it through, just get on with it."
"But...that's a whole family, and it's just like that..."
Xu Si quickly covered Hao San's gaping mouth and gritted his teeth, saying, "Otherwise what? If the ruler commands the subject to die, how dare the subject refuse?"
"Didn't you see that neither Master nor Liu Qi said anything? Look at Master's face, doesn't Master know? You think you're so great, showing off your abilities?!"
Hao San was stunned. "But if that's the case, then wouldn't that mean..."
Wouldn't the Prince's Mansion bear all the blame again?
Hao San could guess what kind of insults he would receive; the old infamy of harming loyal and virtuous people was something he was sure to get.
Xu Si knew what Hao San wanted to say, and he felt a tightness in his chest, but they had no choice in this matter.
After a moment, still furious, he spat out, "They really think we're outsiders, so they'll stick all their dirty work on us!"
Hao San understood, and he was also angry, but amidst his anger, he knew that Cen Yan must be having an even worse time.
After calming myself down for a while, I got off the car without saying a word and went horseback riding.
He stole glances at Cen Yan several times, but found him unmoved.
Hao San wiped his face, feeling uncomfortable.
But I swallowed it down.
Anyway, this isn't my first time coming to the capital.
Just bear with it.
After a while, still feeling irritated, he muttered, "I wonder when I can go back to my fiefdom."
Cen Yan could only calmly reply, "That day will come eventually."
Endure it.
They shout "Long live the Emperor!" but no one can truly live forever.
*
Several columns of cavalrymen marched out of the city, raising clouds of dust.
That night, the Yuan family's house was engulfed in flames.
Some complications have also arisen.
The princess who had been deposed had already been asked to leave, as the imperial family had never been guilty of any offense. This has been the case since ancient times.
But perhaps it was a mother's heart that was connected to her child, for the princess forcibly seized a horse halfway through the journey and rushed back on the way back to the capital.
The imperial guards escorting her hadn't expected the princess to be skilled in martial arts, catching them completely off guard. They dared not harm her, and after a struggle, they were powerless to prevent the princess from actually returning to the Yuan residence.
When he returned, he saw the two children who had just been given poison lying on the ground, dead.
The princess was deeply grieved.
"Cen Yan, you are ruthless and cruel, you have harmed loyal and virtuous people, you deserve to die a horrible death!"
She actually cried out two streams of bloody tears.
Cen Yan listened in silence, then ordered his men to pull the princess away.
The imperial guards who followed were also alarmed, realizing the situation was bad, and hurriedly stepped forward.
In his frantic state, he appeared even more incompetent, allowing the princess to break free once more and run towards Cen Yan.
Hao San and Xu Si tried to step forward to stop them, but Cen Yan waved them away. The princess rushed in front of him, and after a brief exchange, Cen Yan removed the hairpin that the princess was using as a weapon.
After a few more moves, the princess was no match for him and knelt on the ground.
The shrill cries sent chills down the spines of everyone around.
“Princess, the Yuan family has rebelled, and His Majesty has ordered the extermination of the entire clan. You should return.” Cen Yan had no choice but to say this.
He signaled to his men to pull the person away.
"The Yuan family was devoted to the country and loyal to the end. How laughable! In the end, they died because of suspicion. How laughable! How utterly laughable!"
He burst into laughter.
Extreme sorrow and joy, he looks like he's gone mad.
With tears streaming down her face, she stared intently at Cen Yan, her words dripping with blood as she spoke, “You have been an accomplice to evil and aided and abetted the wicked. I wish that one day your Dingxi Prince’s Mansion will suffer the same fate as the Yuan family. I wish that your family will be destroyed and that you, like me, will witness your wife and children die before your eyes!”
Cen Yan's pupils contracted.
Liu Qi's heart also skipped a beat.
In that brief moment of distraction, the princess laughed loudly and crashed into a pillar, dying instantly.
All was quiet.
Slowly, Cen Yan stepped forward to check, and after checking her breathing, found she was not breathing.
No one in the Prince's mansion dared to speak.
After quietly observing the princess's crazed face for a while, Cen Yan reached out and covered her eyes, which were bleeding with tears.
He slowly opened his mouth and said:
"The words of sages and worthies state that sins should not extend to one's parents, nor should misfortune befall one's wife and children."
“My family members are no different from your two young children. Please, Your Highness, show mercy.”
"If you are not resentful,"
"Just come at me if you have any problems."
He paused, then lowered his voice and said, "If you agree, please close your eyes. I will ask someone to perform a ritual for the souls of your two children."
"If you are unwilling, then don't blame me for inviting a high monk to scatter your and your children's souls just in case."
After saying that, he let go of her hand.
The princess closed her eyes.
*
As dawn broke, the accompanying eunuch inspected the place, exchanged a few words with Cen Yan, and returned to the palace satisfied to report back.
The unexpected turn of events in the middle of the night left Liu Qi flustered. She cautiously asked Cen Yan, "Master, shall we return to the manor?"
Cen Yan glanced at the sky and slowly shook his head. "No, let's go to Daci Temple."
After changing their clothes, the group arrived outside Daci Temple, but only Cen Yan and Liu Qi went into the temple with the monks.
Since the others had just witnessed bloodshed and it was inconvenient to disturb them, Cen Yan left them outside the temple gate.
As usual, Cen Yan first went to the memorial tablet of the old prince and knelt down to listen to the sutra.
But this time, after listening to it only once, he sent someone to invite the abbot.
As dawn broke, the abbot arrived.
Upon seeing Cen Yan, he said "Amitabha" and recited a rebirth mantra.
Cen Yan, however, had a question to ask.
Abbot: "Your Highness, please speak."
Cen Yan: "When I came last time, the abbot said that an alien star had entered the world, which is a connection with me, or perhaps my lucky star."
“I want to ask,”
Can stars truly belong to humans?
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