Chapter 1
Chen Yi twisted the rice grains between his fingers and placed them in his palm, then spread them out to watch his flock of white pigeons vying for food. Every now and then, one would flutter its wings, trying to get ahead, then slide down the wooden pole a little further, its claws hooked for a long time before it stood firm and continued to stretch its neck to peck at the rice grains.
He raised his finger and poked the most competitive one. "You're just greedy." A chuckle escaped his lips, and his wide crimson sleeves slid down. It was mid-autumn now. After this winter, he would be able to wear the imperial robe and enter the court. His grandfather was still waiting for him to learn spearmanship. Shen Yi thought of his grandfather, who was still as strong as a man.
He did not forget that the great General of Cavalry had made a promise with him in early spring this year - sooner or later he would find a young eagle from the north for him and personally teach him how to train a eagle.
Of course Shen Yi believed in his grandfather. If the old man broke the promise, he would ask his mother to say a few good words to remind him when she returned home.
By then, it was too late, and even if his father was unwilling, it would be useless. Thinking of his parents, he lowered his head and scattered the rice on the ground for the pigeons to peck at.
Shen Yi was even more worried about something else. As the sun rose to the middle of the sky, he still hadn't heard anything. Who knew how the emperor in the palace had come to like my sister? His Majesty was more than twice her age.
Even if she wanted to marry, marrying any prince as his principal wife would be much better than entering the palace. Although her grandfather had always looked down on his son-in-law, to be honest, apart from always disagreeing with him practicing martial arts, Shen Qian was quite spoiled to his mother, elder sister, and even Shen Yi himself.
My sister's temper... Regardless of what the situation will be like after entering the palace, she has been on a hunger strike these days to force Marquis Jianxin to come to the palace to meet the emperor.
Shen Yi shook his head at this thought. He usually looked like a dandy, but he was not ignorant. If even Shen Qian couldn't persuade the emperor, Shen Qian would probably have to enter the palace.
Chen Qian wouldn't go to his grandfather personally to ask for his help, especially since General Huo was now a recluse, rarely even attending court meetings. Chen Yi still remembered how he'd gotten into trouble a few years ago and hadn't dared return home, so he'd gone to his grandfather to ask for his help. The moment he stepped through the door, he was whipped. He ended up lying on the couch, cursing while the doctor applied medicine, muttering that the old man was just making up stories about him being ill and unable to attend court meetings.
The bloody whip marks took half a month to fade away. During that time, A'niang came and sat by his bedside to watch over him all night. Shen Yi was not asleep at that time. He could hear A'niang sighing softly, repeating to himself that he should not cause trouble for his grandfather so that he could live out his life in peace in Chang'an.
He didn't take it seriously at the time, but later, Chen Qian called him into the study and talked with him for half the night. They argued, overturned the table, and finally, when the lights in the study were turned off, he heard a few sincere words from Chen Qian.
Shen Yi remembered clearly that his father was bent over like he was used to it. "The one sitting on the dragon throne... is there anyone who dares not move now?"
His voice was so soft that if he hadn't been so close, it would have been lost in the wind. "He's not the man he used to be. No one can predict his intentions now." Chen Qian straightened his collar. "As long as you're in Chang'an, you can't even offer the hilt of the knife. Otherwise, you'll be at his mercy."
"You can go now." Shen Yi was still immersed in what he had just said, and had no idea that he would comment on that person in this way - Shen Qian's waist was obviously bent enough, but it didn't seem as bent as it looked.
"Young Marquis—Young Marquis," the servant's drawn-out voice echoed through the courtyard. Shen Yi reached out and touched the white dove's soft tail feathers, suppressing his momentary shock. His usual charming smile returned to his lips. "But is there any news from my father?"
He watched the servant run in, panting for a moment before nodding and answering his own question, "The Marquis's carriage will be returning to the palace soon. As for the news... I am incompetent, please forgive me, young Marquis."
Chen Yi grabbed a handful of the other person's scattered hairband and wanted to take something out of his arms, but then he remembered that this was a new dress he had just changed into. "I don't blame you, but I was planning to reward you personally. Since there is no news, then go ask the steward for a tael of silver yourself."
He listened to the servant's thanks and just waved his hand, "Go quickly and tell him it was me who said it. Don't let the Marquis know."
Shen Yi took out another handful of rice and squatted down to feed the gray pigeons that were often isolated from the pigeon flock. Although white pigeons were better, he felt there was no difference. After all, they were not as good as the eagles mentioned by the old soldiers who had come down from the battlefield in the general's mansion.
My grandfather's eagle was as old as he was. When he asked about it, Old Master Huo simply said it had a more aggressive temper and refused to return to Chang'an with him. He simply left it in Longxi, leaving it to fend for itself. Chang'an didn't have a cloud of sand, so it wouldn't be able to restrain a bird of prey like that, and no one would let it fly overhead without a care in the world.
Chen Qian also heard some noise outside. She glanced at her pale face in the bronze mirror and told the maid to stop dressing. With her hair half loose, she put on her outer robe and walked out step by step.
A few days of fasting had only made her look a little more haggard, but even without makeup, her bright and beautiful features were visible. She approached and saw her compatriot, her brother, squatting there. She glanced at the flock of pigeons gathering inside, then slowly spoke, "Any news from Dad?"
Chen Yi quickly stood up and helped Chen Qian over, "Not yet, but you should eat something first. It's been three or four days, and you're so hungry that you're not as pretty as before." He teased her with a smile as before.
Chen Qian was also forced to laugh at his exaggerated words, and bent her eyebrows lightly, "Sister is waiting for you to tell me the news. Don't worry, I know what I am doing and I won't starve myself to death."
Shen Yi glanced at Shen Qian and nodded, "I will definitely be the first to tell my sister when the time comes. Sister, please go into the house first." He coaxed Shen Qian into the house, and only breathed a sigh of relief after seeing the maid close the door again.
He stopped laughing as usual for a moment, and immediately returned to his previous self. He took out a jade-inlaid folding fan from somewhere, opened it and fanned it gently, letting the autumn wind blow directly at him, blowing away the hidden worries that could not be dissolved.
After Chen Qian got off the carriage, Shen Yi was led to the front of the mansion by the servant in the mansion. Just as he was about to speak, he glanced at the court robes and hat that Chen Qian had not taken off, so he could only follow him.
Fortunately, Shen Qian had no intention of getting involved in these trivial matters. He allowed him to follow him into the study and said, "Loosen the bolt."
Shen Yi put away his folding fan and held it in his hand. It was rare for him to listen to what was said first. Then he stood very close to Shen Qian and asked, "Sister's matter...what did that person say? Is there any room for negotiation?"
In fact, when he first saw Chen Qian's face, he felt half relieved. Now he just wanted to confirm whether there was any chance of turning the situation around.
Chen Qian spoke quickly, almost announcing the news they had long expected, "Tell your mother first that the other person only gave five days... Ask your mother to talk to your sister as well."
He sat down on the chair, hunched over, and slowly took off his hat. His voice was filled with fatigue, "Your mother knows what to do. Youngsters, please don't get involved in these matters."
Even though he had anticipated this, Shen Yi still clenched the folding fan in his hand tightly. He lowered his head but failed to meet Shen Qian's eyes. "Five days? Is that person already that anxious?"
The folding fan made a dull sound when it hit his palm. "Sister is clearly over the age limit—there wasn't even a sister during the original talent show. Did that guy really come for her?"
Shen Yi subconsciously raised his voice. He didn't want to see the twists and turns of officialdom. He only knew that his elder sister, his compatriot's elder sister, was going to enter the palace at such a young age.
My sister was so happy last month. She didn't care where she would marry in the future. She just wanted to find a man she liked. Whether it was her parents' advice or she eloped, it was all her own wish.
But no matter how we imagine it, there is no place for the Heavenly Family. No one only sees the rain and dew of the Heavenly Family, but what they first see, guess, and anticipate are all the ghosts under the skin.
To be even more disrespectful, he now felt that there was not even human skin hidden under the dragon robe, but only a ghost with its mouth constantly open, devouring the flesh and blood he longed for, and gnawing on the skin and bones he set his eyes on.
Even though he was not old enough to serve as an official in the court, even though he had never actually paid his respects to the almighty emperor, even though he had never seen him with his own eyes, he still did not know whether the emperor was a human or a ghost.
"Yier, be careful with your words." Chen Qian only managed to squeeze out four words, still sitting on the chair, examining his legitimate son with an unchanging gaze, and also examining the true words that came out of his mouth.
"Be careful with your words, be careful with your words. Your father has been a dog for so many years, and he can't even protect his own daughter?" Shen Yi was completely enraged by such a look. He no longer restrained himself, nor did he continue to think about the intricate interests and sacrifices buried underneath. He just vented according to his own heart.
"Did father really bend over and pick up meat all these years? He's been so careful with his words and actions, but what did he get in return? What did he get?" His eyes were red with excitement, but he was completely unaware. "Is he really interested in my sister? Or is he targeting you, father?"
The force in his hand almost broke the folding fan. "At least I never saw clearly what my father was willing to give up and what he was not willing to give up, and I never understood his mind."
Chen Qian straightened his court robes. His knees ached from the long kneeling that morning, but it was of no use. He acknowledged his cowardice, but still considered it a principle of officialdom. This principle had allowed him to live in peace and security for twenty years, until now. Until now, this peace began to be punctured.
"What is there that you don't understand? I know it too. If you want the title, the fiefdom, and only these, in exchange for Kan'er's life, no matter how reluctant I am, you will force me to do it." Chen Qian stood up, met Chen Yi's eyes, and continued talking.
"What he wants to take away is clearly power. If I, the Marquis of Jianxin, were to disappear from the court today, Chang'an would no longer have a General of the Cavalry tomorrow. And then what about the Prime Minister, the Grand Marshal? Who do you think can escape? Do you think there is no land under heaven without the king, no weapons without weapons, no power without power?"
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
