Chapter 126 The most important affairs of the state are sacrifice and war. ...
"Stop howling, I'm not dead yet."
Emperor Qingxi lay on his dragon bed with a somber face, his left calf strapped to a splint by the imperial physician. Before him, a dense mass of his children and concubines knelt on the floor tiles, their faces etched with sorrow, sobbing incessantly, as if they had come to sweep his grave.
The good news is that the bone wasn't broken, just cracked; the bad news is that he'll have to stay in bed for at least a month and can't move around freely.
His voice, though still quite strong, calmed the crowd down a bit as soon as they stopped crying.
Prince Yu suddenly crawled forward on his knees, hugged Emperor Qingxi's injured left leg, and choked with sobs.
"Father, Father, are you in pain? Your son wishes he could take your place! From today onwards, your son will not leave the palace. At night, your son will sleep beside your footstool and attend to you day and night until Your Majesty is fully recovered!"
Prince Heng, who was a step too late to react: ...So you're the only one with a mouth!
But he couldn't learn from Prince Yu's ways, so he could only stammer, "Father, your son is also willing to stay in the palace to take care of you."
The other princes and princesses also expressed their opinions, vying to show their filial piety to their elderly father.
Emperor Qingxi's expression softened slightly, and he waved his hand vigorously, feigning disgust, "Come on, you've all been waited on hand and foot since you were little, do you really expect me to serve you?"
He then kicked Prince Yu's head with his uninjured leg, laughing and cursing, "You've never been a good sleeper since you were little, grinding your teeth, snoring, and talking in your sleep—you never miss a beat. I'm not going to sleep in the same room as you."
Prince Yu was not angry at being rejected; instead, he looked moved and said, "Father, you even remember how I slept when I was little. Now that you are unwell, I cannot be by your side to serve you. I am truly ashamed of the many years you have raised me. Waaah..."
Prince Heng turned his face away in disgust.
These men, nearing forty, don't they feel disgusted with themselves for acting like this?
I really wish I could live like the third brother, shameless and utterly shameless...
After Princess Tong'an got up, she didn't try to outdo them. Instead, she went to the side and quietly asked the imperial physician and the chief eunuch, Huang, about the extent of Emperor Qingxi's injuries.
Chief Eunuch Huang said with lingering fear, "His Majesty was very pleased to see that the Eighth Prince was strong and had a loud cry. He didn't pay attention when he went out and slipped on the steps. Fortunately, there was a clever little eunuch sweeping snow in the courtyard who rushed over and cushioned his fall, so he only suffered a minor injury."
The young eunuch became a solid human cushion for Emperor Qingxi, his head bruised and bleeding, and he immediately fell unconscious.
"Has the imperial physician been sent to examine him?" Princess Tong'an asked. "This is a loyal servant who saved my father's life; he cannot be neglected."
"Ah, Your Highness is so kind-hearted, just like His Majesty," Chief Steward Huang hurriedly said. "His Majesty has also given orders that no matter how many precious medicinal herbs are used, that boy must be snatched back from the clutches of the King of Hell."
If that little eunuch is lucky enough to survive this ordeal, his future prospects will surely be bright.
Princess Tong'an nodded, then spoke in hushed tones with the imperial physician. She also took Emperor Qingxi's medical records and inquired about the medical principles and basis of the prescriptions, the dosages, and whether Emperor Qingxi's current physical condition could tolerate them.
The old imperial physician, whose eyebrows and beard were white and who was more than ten years older than Emperor Qingxi, broke out in a cold sweat when Princess Tongan questioned him. He became increasingly cautious in his answers, not daring to make the slightest mistake.
On the other side, although Emperor Qingxi was lying down and unable to move, he could see everything in the palace.
When Princess Tong'an picked up his medical record and began to read it, his eyes narrowed slightly, but quickly returned to normal.
Chief Steward Huang reported the matter of Consort Wang kneeling outside the palace to beg for forgiveness immediately.
But he had just injured his leg and had witnessed the little eunuch break his head and bleed profusely while protecting him, as if that was his own fate. He was filled with shock and anger and couldn't care less about anything else.
It wasn't until Tong An entered the palace and took it upon herself to let the Princess ride back in her carriage that Emperor Qingxi gradually regained his senses.
The imperial physician prescribed a calming tonic to relieve his pain. As the medicine gradually took effect, Emperor Qingxi felt a little tired and raised his hand to tell them all to go back.
"As you can see, I am fine. It is enough for the Imperial Concubine to take care of me here."
Consort Gao was the first to arrive from the harem. After the adult princes entered the hall, she immediately hid behind a screen, gently fanning herself with a palm leaf fan and intently watching the small stove where the medicine was being brewed.
Upon hearing Emperor Qingxi call her name, she quickly handed the palm-leaf fan to a palace maid beside her, walked over slowly, and sat down on the edge of the dragon bed. Without saying a word, she gazed at Emperor Qingxi with her affectionate, watery eyes.
Emperor Qingxi's heart melted at that look. He reached out to wipe her eyes and coaxed her gently, "Don't cry, I'm perfectly fine. It was all my fault for being careless..."
The more he tried to coax her, the more aggrieved Consort Gao became, her tears falling onto the quilt in circles.
Emperor Qingxi felt a little guilty, after all, he had been injured after leaving another concubine's palace. Recently, because of the Eighth Prince, he had somewhat neglected the Imperial Concubine.
He knew that the Imperial Concubine hadn't said anything, and had taken good care of the Princess Consort before, but what woman wouldn't want a child of her own?
A vague but bold idea surfaced in Emperor Qingxi's mind.
Why don't we take advantage of the fact that the Eighth Prince is still young and bring him to the Imperial Concubine's side to be raised?
...No, such a young child is at his most vulnerable. If something were to happen to him, wouldn't it be a waste of the Consort's joy and only add to the pain of separation between mother and child?
You should wait until the child is at least three years old and you're sure they can stand on their own before doing anything else.
Emperor Qingxi silently made a mental note of this matter, then took Consort Gao's hand and made a vague promise: "You are the most important person in my heart, no one else can compare to you."
Consort Gao wiped away her tears and gently stroked his left leg. "Your Majesty, I am only saddened for you. When I was a child, I was playful and climbed a tree to pick dates. I accidentally broke my arm and cried for months."
"Very well, I understand. I will be more careful in the future so as not to worry the Imperial Concubine..."
The old emperor and his favorite concubine were whispering to each other, oblivious to everyone else, while the princes, princesses, and concubines all looked completely unfazed.
They're used to it anyway.
If Consort Gao had been able to give birth herself, and if she had even one son or daughter, her position as crown prince would have been a foregone conclusion.
However, precisely because she couldn't give birth, her position as a favored concubine was relatively secure, and no one would easily make things difficult for her.
Prince Heng stood in the first row below, the closest, close enough to see the exquisite gold thread embroidery on the hem of Consort Gao's skirt.
He appeared honest and silent with his head down, but his eyes were practically glued to the top of his head, his gaze fixed on her every smile and frown, not wanting to miss a single moment.
Emperor Qingxi, holding the Consort's small hand, yawned, feeling even sleepier. He turned his head and asked in confusion, "Why haven't you left yet?"
Everyone: ...Do you really think we don't exist?
Princess Tong'an suddenly stepped forward, her expression serious.
"Father, I have another matter to ask you to decide."
"What is it?"
"The sacrificial ceremony at the Temple of Agriculture is in ten days," Princess Tong'an said calmly. "The Imperial Observatory has calculated the auspicious day, and the Ministry of Rites has drafted the procedures. Everything is irreversible, but Father Emperor injured his leg at this time..."
The most important matters of state are sacrifice and war.
So, who should be sent to this important sacrificial ceremony concerning spring plowing?
Upon hearing this, both Prince Heng and Prince Yu's eyes lit up, and they rushed to petition Emperor Qingxi.
"Father, I am willing to go!"
Since Emperor Qingxi ascended the throne, he has personally presided over all the major sacrificial ceremonies every year and has never been absent.
Whoever gets the first opportunity to preside over the sacrificial ceremony on behalf of the emperor will gain an advantage in the future struggle for the throne.
Emperor Qingxi's drowsy eyes snapped open instantly. Even an aged dragon can become incredibly clear-headed at sensitive moments involving the transfer of power.
But Princess Tong'an's words did indeed remind him.
"Isn't there still ten days? No rush, let me think about it properly after I wake up."
Emperor Qingxi yawned again, feeling drowsy, as if the scrutiny and displeasure that had flashed in his eyes just moments before were merely an illusion.
The crowd bowed their heads in agreement, their minds filled with countless thoughts, but outwardly they all appeared respectful, and they withdrew from the hall like a tide.
Consort Gao supported Emperor Qingxi by the back of his neck, helping him lie down on the pillow.
"Your Majesty, please take a nap. I will stay here with you."
Emperor Qingxi, holding her hand, was just drifting off to sleep when he suddenly asked, "My beloved consort, who do you think I should appoint to preside over the sacrificial ceremony?"
"Your Majesty can send whomever you wish, since they are all acting on behalf of the Emperor anyway," Consort Gao said casually without a second thought, her attitude nonchalant and almost joking. "Or how about I go instead? It's the same procedure every year, and I've heard it all before."
"Nonsense! How can a woman like you be allowed to perform the sacrificial ceremony in my place..."
Emperor Qingxi chuckled and muttered something before slowly closing his eyes and falling into a deep sleep.
Consort Gao blinked her long, butterfly-like eyelashes, rested her chin on her hand, and looked at him, saying softly, "Why not?"
Your Majesty, didn't you tell me the story of Empress Lü and Empress Liu?
...
"Wang Hairuo? Impossible."
Lu Xilou shook his head without hesitation, denying it. "The entire Wang family has been exiled to Liaodong. If you count the days, she should be staying at home weaving cloth during the winter. How could she possibly be in the capital? She doesn't know any teleportation magic."
After he finished speaking, he vigorously rubbed the scarf that he was holding tightly in his arms and dared not move, and smiled at Pei Jinghuai, "Your son feels so good, can I borrow him for a couple of days?"
"Go to hell, you still know this is my son?"
Pei Jinghuai kicked the stool leg, then rescued the scarf from Lu Xilou's hands, patted its little head soothingly, and pointed at Lu Xilou, scolding it: "Where's the fierceness you usually show when fighting with the fluffy ball? Bite him!"
"Chirp chirp..."
The scarf's two big ears drooped, and its tail was tightly tucked between its legs, making it look like a pitiful little thing that dared not resist.
Lu Xilou whistled and said smugly, "See? This little thing is quite perceptive; it knows who it dares not offend."
"Hmph, you wouldn't dare, but I would—"
Shen Lingyue, unable to contain herself any longer, slammed her hand on the table. "Hey, can you two be serious for once?!"
He glared at Lu Xilou again: "Don't you trust my sister-in-law's judgment, or don't you believe in her abilities?"
Lu Xilou: ...
"The world is full of wonders, perhaps the Crown Prince's wife is just seeing things."
He asked Yan Yi earnestly, "Is there any other, more conclusive evidence?"
Yan Yi handed over a portrait of the maid who had been protecting her young mistress the whole time and was very vigilant.
"Although I couldn't find out their address, I guessed it should be nearby," Yan Yi recalled. "At the time, the maid was carrying a vegetable basket with two pieces of tofu and several bundles of green vegetables inside, which looked quite fresh."
“I understand. This means they didn’t go out shopping on purpose, but just bought groceries near their homes.”
Shen Lingyue was puzzled again: "But what kind of maid would take her mistress with her when she goes out to buy groceries? If that person really is Wang Hairuo, who should have been exiled to Liaodong, shouldn't she be hiding obediently in the house? How dare she go out?"
Lu Xilou chimed in, "Your analysis is well-reasoned and insightful; you have a talent for it."
Yan Yi knew that her guess was too bold, after all, it was just a fleeting glimpse, and the last time she saw "Wang Hairuo" was only in the illusion of her maid Xiangping.
But she still wanted to trust her intuition.
"Lord Lu, does your Embroidered Uniform Guard have a branch in Liaodong? Are there any people specifically responsible for supervising those convicted officials and their families who have been exiled to Liaodong?"
"Yes, there are, but going to Liaodong is a tough job. Usually, it's only unlucky guys who have no connections and don't know how to please their superiors who get sent there. They're rotated every two years, so don't expect them to take the job seriously."
Lu Xilou wanted to build a good relationship with Yan Yi and maintain cooperation in the future. After thinking for a moment, he said, "I'll go back and look for it. The Northern Garrison Command should have archives of intelligence sent back from Liaodong every month. There might be information about the Wang family in them. I'll have someone organize it and send it to you."
"Alright, thank you for your trouble, Lord Lu." Yan Yi thanked him.
Lu Xilou acted quickly, delivering a record of intelligence about the Wang family's arrival in Liaodong that very evening.
At that time, Yan Yi had just finished bathing and was sitting at the table with her hair down, flipping through and analyzing the documents with Pei Jingyi.
"here."
With his slender fingertips lightly touching a spot on the page, Pei Jingyi said, "The Wang family set off on foot from the capital. Five days later, they stopped at Ganping Post Station for the night. That night, Wang Youmei, the second eldest daughter of the second branch of the Wang family, suddenly fell ill and died."
"Is there a problem?" Yan Yi asked, her brow furrowed. She sighed, "They used to be pampered young ladies, but now they've fallen on hard times and have to walk all the way to Liaodong, thousands of miles away..."
The first to succumb were these frail women.
Pei Jingyi gently smoothed the sorrow between her brows and said softly, "The Wang family is still a force to be reckoned with, even if they're weakened. They must have bribed the soldiers escorting them to ensure their safety. Look further ahead, why did only one Miss Wang die on the way to Liaodong, and why was it only a few days after leaving the capital?"
Following his train of thought, Yan Yi also sensed a slight unease.
"It takes more than a month to travel from the capital to Liaodong. The further along the journey goes, the colder the weather becomes, and the more exhausted the people are, the more likely things are to go wrong. The Wang family has only been gone for five days, how could they have...?"
She looked at Pei Jingyi: "Perhaps this Miss Wang was already in poor health and then had bad luck and contracted a sudden illness?"
“It only takes two days to travel from here to Ganping Post Station by fast horse,” Pei Jingyi said calmly. “Have Lu Xilou send someone to make the trip. He wants to see the person alive or dead.”
The following day, as soon as Lu Xilou arrived at the Northern Garrison, he received a message from Pei Jingyi.
"Hmm?" Lu Xilou held the page of intelligence that Pei Jingyi had sent back, looked at it carefully again and again, and muttered, "Weren't we supposed to be investigating Wang Hairuo? How did it turn into Wang Youmei?"
Two days later, it happened to be Pei Jingyi's day off. He was about to go out for a stroll with Yan Yi when he saw Lu Xilou riding up in a hurry as soon as he reached the gate.
"Oh, are you two going out?"
Lu Xilou deftly dismounted with one hand on the saddle, his face devoid of remorse, a small tiger tooth peeking out from under his lips, his smile malicious. "Wait a minute, there's been a result of your investigation."
Inside Danyue Pavilion.
Lu Xilou pulled out a stack of confessions from his pocket and slammed them onto the table.
"The postman at Ganping Post Station was easily frightened and confessed without much effort. He said that on the very night the Wang family checked into the post station, a group of people rode quickly from the direction of the capital. They were trying to conceal their identities, but they looked like they were either rich or noble."
"When the postman got up to use the outhouse in the middle of the night, he saw a young woman wearing a veil being led out of the room where the Wang family was staying. She was respectfully invited into a carriage by the travelers and quietly left through the back door of the post station."
"The next morning, he heard from the soldiers escorting the Wang family that a Miss Wang had died suddenly the night before, and fearing that the body might carry some kind of disease, they had already taken it out and buried it overnight."
Lu Xilou chuckled, "That postman worked at Ganping Post Station for over ten years, receiving countless exiled officials. Some families couldn't bear to see their precious sons suffer, so they would ask relatives and friends in the capital to bribe the escorting soldiers to secretly take the person away, reporting it as a death from illness. Or they would substitute someone else, buying someone from outside to make up the numbers, while the person taken away could live an anonymous life away from the capital."
This is also an unspoken rule in officialdom. Generally, as long as you are cautious and low-key, and don't do anything too obvious to be discovered, everyone will turn a blind eye.
After all, no one can guarantee that they will have a smooth career in officialdom. If they fall on hard times one day, they can still hope that someone can help them out and at least leave an heir for their family.
"The courier was deeply impressed by the Wang family, because it was rare to see a family go to such lengths to bribe soldiers and forge records just to exchange for a daughter. He even wondered if it was because Miss Wang's fiancé couldn't bear to see his beloved suffer in Liaodong, so he tried every means to rescue her?"
Lu Xilou placed his hands on the table and said slowly, "But I had someone investigate. Wang Youmei, the second daughter of the Wang family, is fourteen years old this year and has not been engaged yet. Moreover, according to the postman's recollection, the Wang family's young lady who was taken onto the carriage was tall and beautiful, and was at least eighteen or nineteen years old."
He glanced at the four people sitting in a row in front of him, listening intently, and sighed: "Perhaps you are right. Wang Hairuo really didn't go to Liaodong, but was secretly brought back to the capital and hidden away."
Remove the word "maybe".
Shen Lingyue hugged Yan Yi's arm and said smugly, "The first rule of the Marquis's family is: whatever the heir's wife says is right!"
Lu Xilou: "...What if she's wrong?"
Pei Jingyi said calmly, "Second rule of the family: If the Crown Prince's wife is wrong, please refer to the first rule."
“Yes, brother is right!” Shen Lingyue gave Pei Jingyi a high five across the air.
Lu Xilou's face darkened, and he coughed twice: "Alright, alright, I admit defeat. I'll have someone search the area within a five-mile radius of the Bai family's general store in a moment."
With the enemy in the open and us in the dark, he already had the portrait of the maid that Yan Yi had drawn. As long as she went out to buy things again, she would definitely be caught red-handed by the Imperial Guards.
...
Emperor Qingxi was injured and ordered a ten-day suspension of court sessions. If officials had matters to report, they could simply submit their memorials to the palace.
Of course, although the court sessions were suspended, Emperor Qingxi was not idle. Every day, he would summon the cabinet ministers and the heads of the six ministries to the warm pavilion to discuss matters. Starting with Prince Heng, he arranged for the princes to take turns listening to the government and assisting Emperor Qingxi.
This was the first time Emperor Qingxi had shown his intention to delegate power to his sons. In addition, the sacrificial ceremony at the Temple of Agriculture was just around the corner, and the chief officiant had not yet been determined. Several of the older princes were vying to make a good impression on their father.
The princesses were not assigned to this shift, but Princess Tong'an still brought Princess Lekang to the palace every day without fail to make sure Emperor Qingxi took his medicine on time, and to prepare meals and tea for the senior officials who were in meetings all day long, mainly serving as an internal affairs officer.
Prince Yu, who was on duty today, observed the situation with a cold eye and sensed that something was amiss.
Has Tong'an been acting a little too eager in front of the Emperor lately?
First, they seized the Jishantang from Prince An, and then Emperor Qingxi approved the establishment of a Min'en Temple, which began to seriously carry out official business.
Of course, his wife, Princess Yu, was also involved, but we won't go into that.
But what was the meaning behind her later use of the scandal of the brothers fighting in the Chun Prince's family to turn against the imperial clan?
Isn't this woman overstepping her bounds?
Thinking this, Prince Yu cleared his throat and said, seemingly out of kindness, "Imperial sister, we are discussing important state affairs here. Why don't you quickly take Lekang and leave?"
Princess Tong'an was standing beside the imperial desk, skillfully sorting the memorials. Upon hearing this, she gave him a cold glance and said, "What, can't I listen? Third Brother, don't forget the founding emperor's teachings. As a princess, I also have the right to attend court and participate in government affairs."
Prince Yu was taken aback, and muttered reluctantly, "Why don't the other princesses act like this? It's just you who acts like a king by his own petty rules every day..."
Princess Tong'an immediately said, "Well, Third Brother, do you dare say that the rules left by the Great Ancestor are worthless?"
Emperor Qingxi put down the medicine bowl and glared at Prince Yu.
Prince Yu felt a chill run down his spine and immediately knelt down: "Father, please forgive me. I misspoke and had no intention of disrespecting our ancestors."
Emperor Qingxi ignored him and turned to look at Princess Lekang, who had her head bowed and eyes lowered: "You and your husband have only been married for a short time and are in the midst of your blissful marriage. You don't need to come to the palace to accompany me every day. There is no shortage of servants here."
"If love between two people is meant to last, why should they be together every day and night?" Princess Lekang smiled gently. "My husband is serving my father faithfully in the Hanlin Academy, and I, as his wife, wish to follow in his footsteps and be filial to my father."
Emperor Qingxi nodded with satisfaction: "Getting married really makes a difference; she's becoming more and more sensible."
Wow, he's really chosen a good match. A third-place scholar in the imperial examinations—that's even better.
"You and your husband need to work harder; I'm looking forward to holding my grandson soon."
After chatting about everyday matters for a while, Emperor Qingxi seemed to only then remember that Prince Yu was still kneeling, and said indifferently, "Get up. From now on, watch your mouth. How dare you comment on the founding emperor so casually?"
Prince Yu stood up with a sullen expression and stood obediently to the side.
My father is biased, but Tong'an is the only child raised by the late empress, so he is different.
She never acted like a typical girl from a young age, always competing and vying with her brothers in everything.
When the late empress was still alive, she doted on Tong'an immensely, wishing she could leave all the good things in her palace to her.
Back then, before the brothers were fighting tooth and nail for the crown prince position, they would joke in private gatherings that if Xiao Zhuoying were a son, the mere fact that she would be raised by the empress would already secure her status.
But now he wonders... what exactly is Princess Tong'an trying to do?
A bold idea popped into Prince Yu's mind, but he quickly rejected it.
No, no, no, that's impossible. Even if she was raised by the Empress, she could barely be considered a legitimate daughter...
But she was still a woman after all.
Among those old officials in the imperial court who have studied the Four Books and Five Classics their entire lives, who would support her?
Prince Yu's mind was in turmoil, and he didn't notice that Emperor Qingxi had opened a memorial urging him to determine the candidates for the Temple of Agriculture sacrifice as soon as possible.
If a decision isn't made soon, the Court of Imperial Sacrifices and the various departments of the Ministry of Rites are waiting to revise the ceremonial robes and sacrificial texts; there won't be enough time.
Princess Tong'an caught a glimpse of the memorial's contents out of the corner of her eye, then calmly withdrew her gaze, pinching the ink stick and grinding it in the inkstone in circles, her wrist turning lightly and steadily.
She heard Emperor Qingxi sigh.
"Third brother, the sacrificial ceremony at the Temple of Agriculture..."
Prince Yu raised his head in surprise, "Father, I will certainly live up to your expectations!"
Emperor Qingxi slowly added the second half of the sentence: "Then you and the eldest brother will preside over it together."
Prince Yu: "...Yes."
Princess Tong'an paused slightly while grinding the ink, and then turned the ink stick a little faster than before.
As if nothing had happened, she turned her head and calmly asked, "Father, what would you like to eat for lunch? How about gastrodia elata and pig brain soup?"
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