Chapter 282 Privately hoarding vassal soldiers
The world was covered in white snow, a seamless blend of heaven and earth, while the vermilion palace walls separated the two worlds.
A fresh snowfall has just covered the cleaned palace path.
Xiao Shu's black boots with gold-threaded cloud patterns creaked softly as they stepped on the untouched snow.
One step, one clear footprint.
He walked very slowly, as if measuring this cage that was both familiar and strange to him.
Every brick and every tile here is imbued with his childhood memories, cold and piercing.
He recalled that many years ago, on a snowy day like this.
The Emperor held the Crown Prince's hand and led him step by step along the palace path, teaching him to identify the different types of plum blossoms.
His father's voice was gentler than he had ever felt before.
He said that the Crown Prince is the heir apparent of the country and should be like a plum blossom in winter, possessing the spirit to brave frost and snow.
The Crown Prince was born to the Empress Dowager and was the heir whom the Emperor had painstakingly cultivated. He was the eldest son on whom the Emperor placed high hopes.
The current emperor is the second prince, of mediocre talent but with a carefree nature.
His mother was Consort Shu, from a prominent family. Although she was not favored by the Emperor, she did not dislike him.
And what about myself?
Xiao Shu's lips curled into a self-deprecating smile.
He had nothing.
His mother was just a palace maid without any rank. She died in childbirth and was posthumously granted the title of Zhaoyi by her father, the emperor.
That wasn't even a grace, but a form of charity.
It was to make his status as a prince sound less like a joke.
Despite being a prince and a member of the imperial family, he lived a life worse than that of an ordinary child.
From a young age, he learned to read everyone's expressions, to survive in the cracks, and to be like a hungry wolf cub, accurately identifying who could protect him and ensure his survival.
He took a liking to Consort Su.
That woman, who wasn't the most favored at the time, was the most ambitious and cunning.
As it turned out, he made the right bet.
Consort Su eventually became Empress Dowager, wielding immense power.
And he transformed from an invisible prince who could be forgotten or sacrificed at any moment into King Cheng, who held a powerful army and guarded a region.
In this heart-wrenching imperial city, without fighting, even survival is a luxury.
If you don't fight, you'll only become a pawn on someone else's chessboard, someone who can be discarded at any time.
If you don't fight, you'll only become a puppet on a string, unable to control your own destiny.
He didn't want to be a puppet.
He wants to be the one who plays the game.
With a myriad of thoughts swirling within me, the gate to the Hall of Diligent Governance was now almost in sight.
The tall and solemn palace doors slowly opened, pushed silently by the palace attendants.
A warm breeze, a blend of ambergris and ink, wafted over me.
The hall was warm and cozy, so quiet that you could hear the soft scratching of the vermilion brush as it traced the memorial.
Xiao Shu looked up.
In the bright light, the man dressed in a bright yellow robe was bent over his desk, meticulously reviewing the mountain of memorials.
His profile, illuminated by the candlelight, appeared exceptionally clear and resolute.
I don't know when it started, but the carefree second prince in my memory, who loved landscape painting and was determined to travel all over the country, has completely disappeared.
Instead, a wise and virtuous monarch emerged, known for his diligence, love for his people, and decisiveness in his actions.
A complex emotion flashed in Xiao Shu's eyes.
His elder brother, the emperor, was becoming more and more like their father, who was high above them all and whom they both respected and feared.
That commanding presence, that aura of authority without anger, is exactly the same.
"If you're returning to the capital, why not come back openly and honestly?"
The young emperor behind the desk did not look up, his voice so calm that it revealed neither joy nor anger.
"When did we become so estranged as brothers?"
That phrase, "You and I are brothers," sounds light and airy, yet carries a weight as heavy as a thousand pounds.
Xiao Shu sneered inwardly.
One is the ruler, the other is the subject.
A ruler may refer to his brothers as his subjects, but he must never take it seriously.
He lifted his robe, knelt down respectfully, and touched his forehead to the ground.
"Your Majesty, I, your humble servant, pay my respects."
“Your Majesty, I know that I have broken the rules by entering the capital without an imperial edict, and I deserve to die for this crime.”
Xiao Shu lowered his eyes, his voice devoid of any emotion, yet carrying just the right amount of fear and self-reproach.
"If we were to enter the city so brazenly and disturb the officials, I fear that by tomorrow morning, memorials impeaching my brother would be piled up on Your Majesty's desk."
"Your Majesty, I dare not cause you the slightest worry."
He spoke flawlessly, lightly attributing the crime of returning to the capital without permission to his "good intentions" in sharing the emperor's burdens.
His Majesty, behind his desk, finally put down his vermilion brush.
He slowly raised his head, his gaze falling on Xiao Shu, who was kneeling on the ground.
That gaze was as deep as the sea, its bottom unseen.
A moment later, he suddenly laughed.
The smile was faint and didn't reach his eyes.
"Get up."
His Majesty's voice remained calm.
"You're still the same as when you were a child."
Xiao Shu stood up as instructed, stood to the side with his hands at his sides, and made it appear as if he was listening attentively.
His Majesty looked at him, his eyes carrying a hint of unreadable emotion.
"Not a single flaw can be concealed; a gentle and warm smile is all it takes to fool everyone."
"Sometimes I wonder what kind of heart lies beneath your smiling face."
Xiao Shu felt a chill run down his spine, but his face remained respectful and docile.
"Your Majesty has wronged me. My heart is always loyal to Your Majesty."
His Majesty raised an eyebrow, neither confirming nor denying.
He put down his vermilion brush, and Eunuch Tian, who was standing by, immediately came up quietly with a clean handkerchief in his hand.
His Majesty slowly washed his hands, every movement exuding a calm and composed air of complete control.
Water droplets slid down his slender fingers, and Grandpa Tian carefully dried him with a warm handkerchief.
Inside the Hall of Diligent Governance, only the faint sound of water could be heard for a moment.
This moment of silence was more oppressive than any harsh questioning.
Finally, His Majesty finished wiping his hands and waved away Eunuch Tian.
He looked at Xiao Shu again, as if they were just having a casual chat.
The end of the year is just around the corner.
"Since you're already back in Beijing, don't leave. Spend the New Year here."
Xiao Shu's heart sank suddenly.
Should we leave him in Beijing for the New Year?
Is this a test, or... house arrest?
Immediately, a hint of embarrassment appeared on his face.
"Thank you for your consideration, Your Majesty."
"However, Yuzhou is located in a remote area, and the people are not well-educated. Bandits often cause trouble. It is really not appropriate for your brother to leave the fiefdom for too long."
"I fear unforeseen circumstances may arise, and I would fail to live up to His Majesty's trust."
After hearing this, His Majesty smiled faintly once again.
At the opportune moment, Eunuch Tian presented a sandalwood box, which, when opened, revealed a white jade thumb ring of exceptional quality.
His Majesty picked up the jade thumb ring and slowly put it on his thumb.
He twirled the warm, smooth jade thumb ring, a half-smile playing on his lips, and looked up at Xiao Shu.
That glance was sharp as a knife, as if it could see right through him.
"I had forgotten."
His Majesty's voice was as soft as a sigh, yet every word was like thunder, exploding in Xiao Shu's ears.
"Third brother, you are well-trained in military affairs."
"How could they not even be able to defend a mere city like Yuzhou?"
"boom!"
Xiao Shu's heart skipped a beat and suddenly tightened.
He has been secretly stockpiling troops and expanding his military equipment for two years.
Today, the military strength of Yuzhou far exceeds the limits set by the imperial court, making it the strongest among all the vassal kings.
He did this extremely secretly, believing it to be flawless.
Unexpectedly, his elder brother, the emperor, who was far away in the capital, already knew everything about him.
This was the first time His Majesty had so bluntly revealed his greatest secret to his face.
The air inside the Hall of Diligent Governance seemed to freeze for a moment.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
