Chapter 49: Festival

The Lantern Festival is the liveliest celebration after the New Year. On this day, officials traditionally enter the palace to celebrate the festival with the emperor. Compared to the solemn and dignified atmosphere of the first day of the new year, the fifteenth day of the first month is much more relaxed and cheerful.

Melodious music and vibrant colors fill the air, while the magnificent palace resounds with laughter and joy. Even rivals who usually engage in open and covert struggles would set aside their differences for the occasion. Although true harmony might be a stretch, everyone at least manages to maintain a respectful distance, minimizing conflicts and unpleasantness.

The emperor was in excellent spirits tonight, even engaging in casual conversations with his officials. He inquired about an elder’s health in one family and asked if a son in another family had married yet. As the banquet progressed, with three rounds of wine and five courses of dishes served, the emperor summoned General Xiao closer. After a few ordinary inquiries, the emperor called for a group of boys, none older than ten, whose noble lineage was apparent at first glance.

“Beloved Minister Xiao, what do you think of these children’s potential?”

General Xiao scrutinized each boy carefully. Among them was the ninth prince, Yun Yifan, the youngest legitimate son of the empress, exuding royal poise; Yun Yichen, the only legitimate son of Prince Jing; the grandson of Duke Mu from the empress’s family, Mu Fengwu; and children from the Rong and Qi Jun Wang households.

Unclear about the emperor’s intentions, General Xiao gave an impartial and honest assessment after a cursory evaluation.

“They appear promising.”

Others might seize the opportunity to lavish praise and curry favor with the royal family, but General Xiao remained true to his principles, focusing solely on his honest opinion.

The emperor was unsurprised and nodded approvingly. General Xiao was known for his ambition paired with integrity, his means tempered by principles.

“If you find their potential adequate, would you accept them as your disciples?”

With such a royal decree, refusal was not an option. General Xiao, though surprised, was far from delighted.

“If Your Majesty deems this old minister worthy despite my age, I will dedicate myself to the task. However…”

“Speak freely, General.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty.” General Xiao knelt in obeisance before continuing. “I will do my utmost to teach them, but Your Majesty knows I hail from humble origins and have only basic martial skills. Furthermore, I have never formally taken on disciples, let alone ones of such noble stature. I fear I may fail to meet expectations.”

“Why be so modest, old General?” Prince Jing, seated below the emperor, replied calmly. “Precisely because you are disciplined, fair, and skilled that my royal brother entrusts them to you. They are to learn martial arts and cultivate their character under your guidance.”

“Your Majesty’s will be done.” By this point, what else could he say? General Xiao could only comply.

As the banquet neared its end, Prince Jing’s bodyguard extended an invitation to General Xiao for tea the following afternoon. General Xiao raised his wine cup and drained it, silently accepting the invitation.

When Prince Jing and his son left the grand hall, the chief eunuch of Fengxiang Palace, Eunuch Qu, greeted them with a beaming smile.

“Greetings to His Highness and the young prince.”

“Is something the matter, Eunuch Qu?” Prince Jing’s expression remained indifferent, his tone revealing no emotions.

“The Empress Dowager requests an audience with Your Highness and the young prince at Fengxiang Palace,” Eunuch Qu replied, his smile unwavering. He knew better than to show any sign of offense to these two masters, who could dictate his fate with a mere gesture.

Prince Jing lowered his gaze, concealing his emotions. When had it begun, his unwillingness to step foot into his mother’s palace? He detested hearing her unprincipled defense of Consort Han and her family, which always came at the expense of his wife. This facade of care masked relentless harm, unbearable and unacceptable.

No one understands a child better than a parent, and the reverse is equally true. Seeing the person accompanying his mother in intimate conversation, Prince Jing knew his hope for a pleasant day was dashed.

“Your son greets the Empress Dowager.”

“Your grandson greets the Imperial Grandmother.”

“Come closer, Ah-Chen, let your grandmother see you. It’s been so long since you last visited Fengxiang Palace,” the Empress Dowager gently chided.

“I greet Your Highness. Ah-Chen has grown taller,” said Consort Han, her figure enchanting and her attire as dazzling as that of a legitimate wife.

Prince Jing responded with a perfunctory “Hmm,” not even sparing her a glance. If in the past, he had maintained a superficial cordiality for his mother’s sake, now that he knew she had poisoned his wife and daughter, leaving the latter still suffering from illness, he could no longer forgive her.

The Empress Dowager had long noticed her son’s changed attitude. It seemed this matter wouldn’t be easily dismissed. Her niece’s incompetence had caused all this trouble. If she had acted decisively, the matter would have ended cleanly. Instead, her failure had left lasting consequences, thoroughly alienating her son and strengthening her rival. The Yins were indeed fortunate, having not only survived the poison but also retained the love of their husband and father.

Yun Yichen ignored the offending party entirely, indifferent to their feelings. In his view, it was already a compromise not to take her life. Expecting a response from him was nothing short of wishful thinking.

“Who came up with the idea to involve Xiao Hu? He’s just a brute—how could he be fit to teach royal children?” the Empress Dowager demanded directly.

Prince Jing sipped his tea and was about to respond when she continued, “If you can’t find a suitable teacher, why didn’t you consult me? Tomorrow, I will assign the best martial artists from the palace to your household. Xiao Hu can enjoy an honorable retirement instead.”

“Even the experts in Duke Mu’s household are more qualified. Xiao is barely fit to teach soldiers, let alone royal children. He should know his place,” Consort Han added disdainfully.

Prince Jing’s grip on his teacup tightened. A veteran who had guarded the frontier for years, now belittled by a mere woman—where was the Han family when hardships arose? Always quick to speak but never willing to act.

“It was my decision to have Xiao Hu teach the children. Does Consort Han have a problem with that?” the emperor asked as he entered.

The group exchanged greetings before taking their seats. The emperor’s eyes briefly swept over Consort Han. It was no wonder his younger brother disliked her. Self-centered, arrogant, and oblivious to her own shortcomings, she was thoroughly unlikable.

“Why did you make such a decision? Xiao Hu’s skills and character are entirely unfit for such a position. Historically, the royal family has only employed scholars of great renown. How does he measure up? If you truly value him, let him teach Mu’s children and the others. As for the ninth prince and Ah-Chen, more suitable candidates must be found,” the Empress Dowager asserted firmly.

“Does the Empress Dowager wish me to go back on my word? If I break my promises, how will I command respect? Who would submit to an emperor who changes his decrees at will?” the emperor retorted, frowning slightly.

The emperor’s sharp words left the Empress Dowager silent. Though teaching martial arts might seem trivial, the emperor had already publicly announced his decision. It could not be undone without undermining his credibility.

With the matter settled, Prince Jing rose to take his leave. The Empress Dowager had initially hoped to use this opportunity to mend the relationship between her son and niece, but with the emperor present, she could not bring it up and reluctantly let her son depart.

“Doesn’t my royal brother deserve thanks?” the emperor teased. Had he not arrived, his mother would surely have put his younger brother through the wringer, with Consort Han ready to seize her chance.

“Clear all Han family members out of my residence, and I’ll thank you properly,” Prince Jing replied flatly.

The emperor chuckled wryly. As emperor, he felt more restrained than anyone—subject to his mother in the inner palace and threatened by his younger brother outside it. Truly pitiable.