A wise son is like a father
Tang Qi was no stranger to the Tang residence, but with so many guests and having not returned for three years, it took him quite a bit of effort to travel back and forth between the various courtyards.
Besides Tang Yan, the most important reason he came here was Qin Jianzhi.
Tang Qi had already heard about what happened in the palace when he returned to the capital, which is why he volunteered to come to the Tang residence to offer his congratulations to the eldest prince.
Tang Qi dodged through the crowds and wandered around for a long time before finally finding Qin Jianzhi's residence.
There was no one else in the room, only her sleeping peacefully. On the table lay a long, thick, blood-stained cloth that had been changed.
Tang Qi didn't go in; he just watched silently from outside. He couldn't see Qin Jianzhi's expression; the only thing he could glimpse was those strands of white hair. It had only been three years, it had only been three years.
But his mother had so many gray hairs.
Over this long period of time, he was not the only one suffering. It wasn't just Tang Yan's father and brothers who died, but also her husband and son.
Qin Jianzhi simply had neither the time nor the opportunity to suffer.
Because she is also a mother.
Therefore, she cannot suffer.
Qin Jianzhi was breathing heavily inside the room, and the person outside was breathing slowly as well. As if they were resonating in unison, for a moment their breaths overlapped, as if they had returned to the very beginning, to the very past.
They used to breathe together like this.
Tang Qi stood guard outside the door the whole time. He didn't go in to disturb them, but just watched for a very long time.
Only when other footsteps approached did he leap onto the roof and disappear again.
He was like an extra person in the world, without form or place.
"Madam, there's a bottle of ointment outside the door, but nobody knows who put it there," the maidservant who rushed over said softly.
When Tang Qi rushed back to the main courtyard, the coming-of-age ceremony was in full swing. Tang Yan, dressed in colorful clothes, walked up step by step, and Li Heyun tied her hair in place of Qin Jianzhi.
"Abandon your childish ambitions and follow your virtuous path."
Li Heyun combed and styled her hair, then put on a plain hairpin: "Grandma wishes you good fortune and freedom from illness and disaster in the future."
She changed her hairpins and donned a deep-sleeved robe with a curved hem.
May you possess abundant virtue and your virtue extend throughout the world.
She wore a three-pronged crown and a long-sleeved formal dress.
"I hope you will keep your country and family in your heart and not bring shame to your family."
The ceremony is complete.
Celebrations were heard everywhere.
Tang Yan was surrounded by many people, including her relatives and his.
Tang Qi mingled among the congratulatory crowd, enjoying the brief moment of merriment.
He used to have lofty ambitions, wanting to protect the peace of the country, but as time has passed, he now feels that the smile on his face is what he truly desires.
He didn't want to conquer the world for anyone, nor did he want to protect the land for anyone; he only wanted to safeguard every smile on the face of humanity.
"The crescent moon hangs in the sky, the father sleeps on a white jade bed, the five sons often cough up blood, the second son pretends to be injured and is happy, the crow pecks through the golden moon, and carries the crimson crown towards the rising sun."
Several children clapped their hands and skipped and hopped through the streets and alleys.
The Tang residence remained as festive as ever, and it seemed that no one noticed the orderly children's rhymes coming from outside the door.
Only Tang Qi slowly turned around, a faint smile curving her lips.
"Absurd!" Emperor Ming angrily pointed at the people kneeling below: "You can't even find out who did this nursery rhyme, what use are you to me!"
"Useless! A bunch of useless people!" he said indignantly as he paced back and forth. The nursery rhyme spread like wildfire through the streets and alleys, and naturally it did not escape the emperor's ears.
The nursery rhyme was written in a veiled way, yet every word seemed to be jabbing at Emperor Ming's spine. Being insulted to his face naturally enraged him. However, after investigating for many days without finding the source, Emperor Ming finally lost his temper.
"Your Majesty, please calm down. Your health is of utmost importance." Eunuch You, who was serving by the side, glanced at Emperor Ming and said, "Your Majesty is the Son of Heaven. Why should you be angry over these petty people? Those with ulterior motives spread such low-class rumors in an attempt to make Your Majesty lose your temper. If you fall for their trick and your health suffers from anger, wouldn't that be a great loss?"
He paused, then continued, "Moreover, His Highness's return to the capital this time should prioritize state affairs."
Emperor Ming glanced at him.
Even so, the events described in the nursery rhyme still served as a warning to Emperor Ming.
If it's just a coincidence, that's fine, but if someone is deliberately pushing things along behind the scenes, then the implied meaning in Tong Yao's story...
If that's the case, the person behind it must not be allowed to live!
Emperor Ming's eyes instantly turned sinister.
"Father."
Soon after, footsteps echoed again inside the hall.
Sheng Xiaoxin had already changed into casual clothes. He stepped into the hall, knelt down, and said loudly, "Your subject pays respects to Your Majesty."
Upon seeing him arrive, Emperor Ming's previously sinister gaze suddenly changed, and as if he had seen a lifeline, he abruptly descended the steps, walked to the center, and helped him up.
"You may all leave," Emperor Ming said.
The hall was quickly emptied. Sheng Xiaoxin had gone to the northern frontier when he was young and had been stationed there ever since, rarely returning to the capital. He was both unfamiliar with and familiar with Emperor Ming, and speaking to him face to face like this made him feel somewhat uncomfortable.
Seeing his restraint, Emperor Ming released Sheng Xiaoxin's hand and showed genuine concern like a father.
"The northern frontier is far away, and I urgently summoned you back to the capital. You must be exhausted. Do you blame me?"
Sheng Xiaoxin cupped his hands and said, "The country is in peril. Your son should return to the capital to drive out the foreign enemies and restore peace to the nation. Father, why should you worry?"
"Good, good." Emperor Ming finally smiled.
"I have summoned you back to the capital. Is the situation in the northern frontier still peaceful?"
Sheng Xiaoxin respectfully replied, "Your Majesty, I had already made proper arrangements for the affairs of the Northern Frontier before returning to the capital. During my stay in the capital, Xiao Jing has been guarding the Northern Frontier."
"Tang Jing?"
Upon hearing this name, Sheng Xiaoxin, who had remained expressionless, slightly curved the corners of his mouth and softly hummed in agreement.
His thoughts were blatantly written on his face, and Emperor Ming also spoke thoughtfully: "Tang Jing has an impeccable background and an excellent character. You and she have known each other since childhood. Tang Jing is indeed the only suitable candidate for the Crown Prince's consort. After these matters are settled, how about I bestow a marriage upon you two?"
Sheng Xiaoxin's eyes lit up, and he knelt down with a thud, finally saying with a face full of joy, "Thank you, Father Emperor!"
Emperor Ming helped him up again, saying, "You have guarded the northern border for several years without incident. Now that you are returning to the capital, I will bestow upon you the title of Prince An. What do you say?"
"Father, your son..."
Before Sheng Xiaoxin could finish speaking, Emperor Ming raised his hand to interrupt him and continued, "After you marry Xiao Jing, you will need a residence. Tomorrow... no, I will issue an edict now—You Wenhu!"
"—Your servant is here!" Someone immediately entered from outside the hall.
"Draft an imperial edict immediately!"
"Yes, sir!"
The imperial edict was quickly drafted and sent out. Emperor Ming, his voice brimming with undisguised joy, said to Sheng Xiaoxin, "Good, good! These past few days, Yun'an has returned to the palace, and you have also returned to the capital. It's truly a series of joyous events. I really want to celebrate properly."
After he finished speaking, Yu Wenhu's expression suddenly changed, and he hesitated, struggling to decide whether to speak or not.
Noticing his odd behavior, Sheng Xiaoxin gave him a look, and even Emperor Ming glanced at him and said, "Speak if you have something to say."
"This... Your Majesty, this servant is unsure whether I should speak." Yu Wenhu bowed, his expression conflicted.
"What's wrong with saying this? Do you think I'd kill you?"
Eunuch You swallowed hard and finally spoke, “Your Majesty, General Ye from Juecheng has sent word that there is a major operation in the Southern Continent, and the enemy army may arrive soon. He requests Your Majesty to send reinforcements.” As he spoke, he took out a letter from his sleeve.
Emperor Ming did not accept it, and his expression even turned sour.
“Wasn’t Juecheng just recaptured? How come there’s such a big move so soon?” His voice was full of dissatisfaction: “If you can’t even hold a city, I think Liguang should replace its commander.”
Emperor Ming put his hands behind his back and continued, "Where is Sheng Ye? Didn't he just take over Langce? He was transferred to Juecheng, along with Langce's Li Guang."
"This...this..." Yu Wenhu stammered again, "The Fourth Prince has only recently taken over Wolf Strategy. If he were to participate in such a major battle as Jue City at this time, I'm afraid..."
...
The atmosphere gradually became tense.
The hall, which had just been filled with joy, fell silent again.
After a long while, Sheng Xiaoxin knelt down again and said, "Father, I request to set off for Jue City immediately."
"You..." Emperor Ming's gaze fell on Sheng Xiaoxin, his face showing reluctance: "You have just returned, it would be too tiring for you to set off now."
"The affairs of the state are of utmost importance. Isn't this why you summoned me back to the capital, Father? Besides, Juecheng is in grave danger, and the enemy is attacking. Even if I were to rest, I would not be able to sleep at night," Sheng Xiaoxin said respectfully.
Emperor Ming stared at him for a long time before finally pursing his lips, patting his shoulder, and saying, "Fine. Then it's your way."
"The matter of Jue City is now entrusted to you."
"Your subject will certainly not fail in his mission."
Emperor Ming's eyes were full of heartache. When he helped Sheng Xiaoxin up, the hands of the emperor, who had fought for many years, were even rougher than his own.
"Xin'er, please take good care of yourself on your journey to Juecheng."
Sheng Xiaoxin watched Emperor Ming nod heavily, then turned and left amidst his reluctant and heartbroken gaze. He had rushed all the way back to Jingzhou from the northern frontier, and now he was about to set off for Juecheng without stopping.
But he didn't feel bitter.
For the ruler, for the people, and even more so for the father.
Sheng Xiaoxin's heart was still beating when he left the main hall.
What is hidden there is not only a subject's loyalty to his king, but also a son's filial piety to his father.
He didn't expect that as soon as he walked out, all the heartache and reluctance in the eyes of the person behind him would disappear completely.
Emperor Ming showed no emotion on his face, calmly withdrawing his gaze and reverting to the usual indifference of a monarch.
"Tell Sheng Ye to hide the Wolf Strategy well."
Eunuch You lowered his gaze.
That was an act that His Majesty instructed him to perform in front of the eldest prince.
The goal was to get Sheng Xiaoxin to personally volunteer to go to Juecheng.
With Juecheng in peril, Li Guang was stationed there. In the battles of recent years, Lang Ce had suffered more defeats than victories since the change of commander, and the military's power structure had shifted. Li Guang had gradually become a thorn in the side. In the battle of Juecheng, Emperor Ming had to ensure that Li Guang would be the main force.
If all goes well, holding onto Jue City will be ideal; if not...
Compared to Sheng Ye, he would certainly prefer that Sheng Xiaoxin be the one to fight to the death in Juecheng.
Although they are all sons, people's hearts have always been biased.
"Father!" A clear voice rang out again from outside the door.
Upon hearing this, Emperor Ming's gloomy gaze vanished instantly, replaced by a gentle and loving expression.
—Just like any ordinary father.
"Father! I'm back!"
"Little Five, come here to me, let me take a good look at you!"
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