Chapter 189
Inside the main hall, civil and military officials stood respectfully with their hands at their sides according to their rank. The vast hall was so quiet that one could hear each other's suppressed breathing. On the nine-dragon throne, the emperor's face was unreadable, except for the slow, rhythmic tapping of his fingertips on the armrests, which revealed that he was not as calm as he appeared.
The atmosphere at today's court assembly was unusually tense from the very beginning. After a few routine government reports, an undercurrent began to stir within the hall.
Finally, after a brief silence, the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, a lean-faced official known for his outspokenness and courage, took a deep breath, stepped forward with measured steps, and bowed deeply:
"Your Majesty! Your subject has something to report! This matter concerns the fundamental principles of the state, and I must speak out!"
The emperor, seated high on his throne, slightly raised his eyelids, his gaze as deep as an ancient well, and fell upon him. His voice was calm and even: "Speak."
Wang, the Vice Minister, bowed again, then straightened his back, his voice suddenly rising in a somber yet impassioned tone that resounded throughout the hall: "Your Majesty, I impeach you! Several months ago, Your Majesty was ordered to suppress the cult that was plaguing the southern border. This was a meritorious deed for the nation, and the whole country praised it! However!"
His tone suddenly shifted, becoming sharp: "I have recently learned that Your Highness, during the suppression of bandits, without Your Majesty's explicit instruction or the Ministry of War's procedures for troop deployment, privately wrote a letter to the Prince of the Southern Border, who is stationed in the southwest, requesting the transfer of three thousand elite 'Black Armor Iron Cavalry'! Your Majesty! This is an overreach of authority, an arbitrary mobilization of the regional military forces, a serious procedural error, and a grave violation of ancestral laws and national regulations! Although the Prince of the Southern Border may have considered the overall situation, if this precedent is set, and if other regional princes and border generals follow suit, privately transferring troops and disregarding the Ministry of War, then the order of the state will collapse, and the nation will cease to exist! I implore Your Majesty to investigate thoroughly and punish this matter severely to set an example!"
A murmur of surprise and disbelief erupted in the hall. Many officials, unaware of the situation, exchanged hushed whispers, their faces filled with shock. Borrowing troops from a vassal king was no small matter! At best, it was a procedural issue; at worst, it was collusion with a regional warlord and a plot to commit treason!
The Second Prince, standing at the forefront of the officials, lowered his eyelids slightly, and a barely perceptible curve appeared at the corner of his lips, so quick it was almost an illusion.
The emperor shifted his gaze from Vice Minister Wang to Crown Prince Xiao Qiyun, whose face was calm and composed. His voice was devoid of emotion: "Crown Prince, is it true what Vice Minister Wang reported?"
Xiao Qiyun remained calm and composed as he stepped forward, bowed, and spoke in a clear and steady voice, showing no sign of panic: "Your Majesty, what Minister Wang said is basically true. Your subject did indeed request assistance from the Prince of the Southern Border and borrowed the Xuanjia Army."
His straightforward admission surprised some officials who were eager to see him make excuses.
Seeing this, Vice Minister Wang became even more imposing and immediately interjected, "Your Majesty! Since His Highness the Crown Prince has already admitted it, it is clear that what I reported was not unfounded! The troops of the regional military governors cannot be moved lightly without an imperial edict; this is an ironclad rule established by Emperor Gaozu! Although His Highness the Crown Prince is the heir apparent, he does not have this authority! If the procedure is improper, then it is improper! If one can be given special treatment because of one's special status, then where is the dignity of the national law? Where is the dignity of the court? If everyone follows suit in the future, what will restrain us? This trend must not be allowed to continue!"
Several more censors and officials stepped forward to second the motion, their words becoming increasingly vehement, citing classical texts and demanding that the emperor severely punish the crown prince as a warning to others.
The emperor's face was calm as still water, but his gaze was sharp as a knife as he looked at Xiao Qiyun again: "Crown Prince, what is your explanation?"
Xiao Qiyun bowed again, his tone still steady, yet carrying an undeniable authority: "Father, you are wise. On that day, the battle in the Southern Frontier was at a stalemate. The heretical cultists, relying on their evil magic and the treacherous terrain, stubbornly resisted. Our army launched several strong attacks, suffering heavy casualties, yet we were unable to capture their core stronghold. Every day of delay meant more soldiers perished, and we feared their remnants would scatter and cause endless trouble. Although the garrison in the Southern Frontier was large, only the battle-hardened and well-equipped 'Black Armor Iron Cavalry' under the Southern King could achieve a swift victory in attacking fortified positions."
He raised his head slightly, his gaze calm: "In order to achieve a swift victory, minimize our army's casualties, eradicate the evil scourge completely, and ensure the peace and tranquility of the people, I had no choice but to take this expedient measure. I wrote to the King of the Southern Border, explaining the advantages and disadvantages and earnestly requesting assistance. The King of the Southern Border, being a man of great principle and prioritizing the affairs of the state, agreed to lend troops. Afterwards, the Xuanjia Army indeed achieved remarkable feats, greatly reducing casualties, and the evil cult was wiped out in one fell swoop."
He paused, his voice becoming even clearer: "Once the war was over, I dared not delay in the slightest. I immediately submitted a report to the Ministry of War detailing the cause and effect of the matter, the detailed losses and spoils during the war, the military merit register, and a document to the King of the Southern Border explaining the situation. I also drafted a separate memorial to inform Your Majesty of the details of this matter. It was not an act of 'unauthorized action,' but rather 'an expedient measure taken in an emergency, followed by a detailed report.' In terms of procedure, there may have been flaws, as I failed to obtain prior approval. However, my heart is as clear as day; it was all for the sake of the country and the lives of the soldiers on the front lines. I had absolutely no intention of disrespecting the laws of the court or overstepping my authority!"
Xiao Qiyun's answer was clear, logical, and well-founded. It explained the extreme urgency, emphasized the complete reporting procedures afterward, and characterized the Southern King's actions as "deeply understanding the greater good" and "considering the overall situation," cleverly blocking any possible accusations that the Southern King had "ulterior motives."
Upon hearing this, a barely perceptible softening flickered in the Emperor's deep gaze. He knew Xiao Qiyun was telling the truth; he had indeed seen the detailed battle report and post-battle explanation, though he hadn't investigated it thoroughly at the time. But…
His gaze swept over the officials below who remained relentless in their demands for severe punishment, his understanding crystal clear. This was the Second Prince's faction using this as an excuse to try and bring down the Crown Prince. He admired Xiao Qiyun's talent and decisiveness, but he also needed to balance the court and quell the current controversy and surging public opinion.
A brief silence fell over the Imperial Study, with only the smoke from the incense burner rising gently.
After a long silence, the emperor spoke slowly, his voice carrying an undeniable authority that echoed in the quiet hall: "What the Crown Prince said is understandable. Expediency in times of crisis is a practice that has existed since ancient times and is not entirely unacceptable. However, the procedural flaws are also a fact. Requisitioning troops from vassal kings is no small matter; it concerns the court's prestige and the very foundation of military power. Even a detailed report afterward cannot fully compensate for the procedural errors. This practice must never be allowed to continue."
His gaze, sharp as a torch, swept over the assembled officials, finally settling on Xiao Qiyun. He spoke each word clearly: "Crown Prince Xiao Qiyun, your management of subordinates has been lax, and your actions have been inappropriate. Although you have contributed to the state, your faults cannot be concealed. You are hereby deducted a year's salary and, effective immediately, are to remain in the Eastern Palace to reflect on your mistakes. Without my decree, you are not permitted to leave the palace! I hope you will deeply reflect on this transgression, and in the future, you must be cautious in your words and deeds, strictly adhere to the laws and regulations of the state, set an example, and never again disappoint my expectations!"
The moment the words "confined to the palace for reflection" were uttered, the court fell into a deathly silence. The fine was a minor matter, but "confined to the Eastern Palace" and "not permitted to leave without imperial decree" undoubtedly stripped the Crown Prince of his political power and freedom of action. It was a clear punishment and signal, a temporary political isolation.
The officials from the Second Prince's faction, with their heads bowed, couldn't suppress the smug look on their faces.
Xiao Qiyun lowered his eyes, his thick eyelashes concealing the cold, sharp glint that flashed in his eyes. He bowed deeply respectfully, his voice steady and calm: "Your subject accepts the decree and thanks you for your grace. I will certainly reflect deeply on my actions and follow your teachings."
He knew that his father's punishment, though seemingly severe, was actually a protective isolation, keeping him temporarily away from the eye of the storm and preventing a direct confrontation when the enemy's offensive was at its strongest.
But the Second Prince's ambitions extend far beyond this. This is merely the beginning.
The heavy tolling of the court bell echoed back and forth. Under the gaze of countless eyes—some sympathetic, some scrutinizing, some gloating, and some worried—Xiao Qiyun straightened his pine-like back, his face calm, and walked steadily out of the Xuanzheng Hall toward the Eastern Palace, which had now become his invisible prison.
The golden sunlight shone on his bright yellow prince's robes, yet it seemed to carry a cold weight.
The news that Crown Prince Xiao Qiyun had been confined to the Eastern Palace was like a boulder thrown into a calm lake, stirring up ripples among various factions in the capital.
On the surface, the Second Prince's faction had won a great victory, successfully suppressing the Crown Prince's momentum. In the court, officials who were affiliated with the Second Prince couldn't help but show a hint of smugness in their eyes.
However, the Second Prince was not satisfied with this. The Crown Prince's position had not been fundamentally shaken; mere "confinement for reflection" was far from enough. He needed a more substantial bargaining chip, and he needed to tear this small breach of "procedural impropriety" into an abyss powerful enough to overthrow the throne.
Not long after the court session ended, the Second Prince found a pretext to have a private audience with the Emperor. The Imperial Study was quiet and filled with the scent of sandalwood. The Emperor was reviewing memorials when the Second Prince entered. He merely glanced up and asked, "What is it?"
The second prince bowed respectfully, his tone carrying just the right amount of worry: "Father, I did not intend to target my elder brother, the Crown Prince, in court just now. It's just that... the matter of overstepping my authority to mobilize troops is of great importance, and I am also worried about the foundation of the nation."
The emperor continued writing, then said calmly, "I have already dealt with it."
The second prince stepped forward, his voice lowered, tinged with hesitation and probing: "Father, please understand. Your son... Your son only feels something is amiss afterward. My elder brother, the Crown Prince, has always been meticulous in his actions. Why would he risk such a great transgression this time by borrowing troops from my uncle in the Southern Border? Is the Southern Border garrison really so easily defeated in the annihilation of a Jianghu cult?" The emperor's vermilion brush paused slightly.
The Second Prince, observing the Emperor's expression, continued, "I've heard... that cult is no ordinary bandit group. It has a highly mysterious 'Holy Son,' said to have a special identity, even... even connected to some secrets of the previous dynasty. The initial battle reports said this 'Holy Son' had died in the chaos of battle..." He raised his head, looking earnestly at the Emperor: "Brother, your urgency, even at the cost of procedural irregularities, in mobilizing the strongest forces for a swift victory... could it be... not merely to suppress the bandits? Perhaps... perhaps to cover something up? For example, that 'Holy Son,' who should have been executed and displayed publicly, is actually still alive? Brother Crown Prince, your 'overstepping your authority in mobilizing troops,' could it be... a substitution, secretly controlling this 'Holy Son'?"
Instead of making direct accusations, he used a series of phrases like "I've heard," "strange," "could it be," and "maybe," like a venomous snake spitting its tongue, to subtly instill malicious speculation into the emperor's mind. He cleverly steered the "procedural issue" towards the more terrifying "suspected deception of the emperor" and "colluding with remnants of a cult."
The emperor's face darkened completely, and he looked sharply at the second prince: "Absurd! Without any evidence, how can you make such wild guesses about the crown prince?"
The second prince immediately bowed his head in fear: "Your Majesty, I misspoke! I just... I just felt that this matter was too coincidental, and I was uneasy. I was afraid that my elder brother, the Crown Prince, might be confused or misled by treacherous people and make a big mistake. Since Father thinks that I am overthinking, then I will not say anything more."
He retreated as a tactic to advance, leaving behind endless room for suspicion.
The emperor waved his hand impatiently, "Step down." "Yes."
The second prince respectfully withdrew, a cold smugness flashing in his eyes as he turned away. The seed had been sown; with a little watering, it would take root and sprout.
Almost simultaneously, vague rumors began to circulate quietly in teahouses, taverns, and alleyways throughout the capital. The content was largely the same: everyone said that His Highness the Crown Prince had rendered a great service in eradicating the cult, but supposedly, the most important leader of the cult wasn't dead at all. It seemed that His Highness had secretly hidden him away, and no one knew what he was up to… Otherwise, why would he have to secretly borrow troops from a vassal king? Wasn't it all to keep things clean and avoid detection?
Rumors spread like a plague, silently and without evidence, yet enough to unsettle people and cast a shadow over the Crown Prince's reputation.
The Second Prince did not place his hopes entirely on the Emperor's suspicions and rumors. What he needed was irrefutable evidence, or rather, someone who could fabricate "irrefutable evidence." Through clandestine channels, he contacted General Zhao, a trusted general under the Southern King.
This man was once a capable lieutenant of the King of the South, but he was already dissatisfied with the fact that the King of the South lent his elite troops to the Crown Prince and only received some "thank you" instead of a real share of the benefits. He also had deep doubts about whether the legendary "holy son" was really dead. The King of the South himself may not care anymore, but his subordinates had different ideas.
Inside the secret room, the candlelight flickered. The Second Prince's messenger whispered to General Zhao, "General, are you aware that the troops His Highness the King of the Southern Border lent out might have benefited someone else? That 'Holy Son' who should have died might be hiding in the capital by the Crown Prince, enjoying a life of luxury."
General Zhao's eyes sharpened: "What brilliant idea does Your Highness have?" The envoy sneered: "Words are meaningless. We need to 'invite' that 'Holy Son' out for a face-to-face confrontation, and everything will naturally come to light. At that time, before His Highness the King of the Southern Border, you, General, will be the one who has made the greatest contribution by revealing the truth and protecting the King's interests. And my Highness only needs the truth." The two sides immediately reached an agreement.
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