Xiao Youcheng had just arrived at the entrance of Qianqing Palace when the plump eunuch Laixi hurried forward with a beaming smile and ushered him into a side chamber.
"Your Highness, please wait here for a moment. His Majesty is currently in purification. Once this matter is concluded, he will summon you," Laixi said with a respectful yet warm smile, bowing slightly.
Xiao Youcheng remained composed and gave a slight nod.
"Might I ask which master is inside?"
Laixi deftly lifted the teapot and poured a cup of steaming tea for Xiao Youcheng, its fragrant aroma quickly filling the room. "It is Master Fadu from Mount Wutai."
Mount Wutai. Xiao Youcheng fell into brief contemplation—the memorial tablets of his elder brother, the Crown Prince, and his mother, the Empress, were both enshrined there.
"My thanks to you, Eunuch Laixi, for the information."
Before long, the chanting inside gradually softened and finally ceased. Then, with a creak, the door to the side chamber opened, and several monks in plain kasayas filed out. One of them gestured toward the room, indicating that Xiao Youcheng could now enter.
Straightening his attire, Xiao Youcheng stepped steadily into the hall. The moment he crossed the threshold, he lifted the hem of his robe and knelt solemnly, performing a deep bow. His voice was clear and firm: "Your son pays respects to Father Emperor. May Your Majesty enjoy divine health and eternal prosperity!"
"Rise," the Emperor said, seated upon the dragon throne, his gaze gentle as he observed his son, who had long shed his youthful immaturity and grown increasingly steady.
"You have handled this assignment exceedingly well! It has brought me great joy. Name your reward, and I shall grant it without hesitation," the Emperor declared, his voice resonant with approval.
Xiao Youcheng bowed slightly, about to express his gratitude, when he suddenly felt a piercing gaze fixed upon him.
After a brief hesitation, he raised his head and met his father’s eyes with earnest resolve.
"Father Emperor, if I may make a request, it would be to see my mother once before returning to Yingchuan City. No matter her faults, she is the one who bore me and raised me through hardship..."
At this point, Xiao Youcheng’s eyes reddened slightly, and his voice carried a faint tremor.
The Emperor, seated high above, exuded an imposing aura, but his expression softened slightly at these words. He snorted coldly.
"I am no longer young, and in matters of court and state, you are the one I rely upon most. From tomorrow onward, you shall remain in the capital. Do not speak of returning to Yingchuan again. As for your mother—given your filial devotion, I will permit you to visit her once each month henceforth. But remember, she has committed grave offenses and deserves her punishment. Do not let her ruin your future!"
"Your son thanks Father Emperor for this kindness!"
Seated upon the dragon throne, beneath his stern exterior, the Emperor felt a flicker of warmth.
Both his sons, like their mother the Empress, possessed pure hearts and benevolent natures. After all these years of meticulous nurturing, it seemed his efforts had not been in vain.
Yet in the next instant, the Emperor’s gaze sharpened. Kindness alone was far from enough—to secure the throne, one needed decisive ruthlessness at critical moments.
With this thought, he straightened slightly and addressed Xiao Youcheng again, his tone measured.
"You have reached the age for marriage. Since your mother can no longer oversee such matters, I, as your father, must take charge. Presently, there are several outstanding young ladies in the capital, unmatched in both talent and beauty. I have already arranged for your grand-aunt to host a gathering, inviting eligible noble maidens to the palace for a flower-viewing banquet. You shall attend and choose a suitable match."
The Emperor paused, then added sternly, "Marriage is no trivial matter—it concerns the continuation of the imperial lineage and the balance of court factions. You must not act recklessly. The greater good must come first. Do you understand?"
His piercing gaze locked onto Xiao Youcheng, as if to etch these words into his very soul.
"Your son understands!"
At the mention of marriage, the Emperor’s brow furrowed as he recalled recent rumors.
"Some time ago, to temporarily placate Xiao Zheng, I granted her the unprecedented rank of First-Rank General—a last resort!"
He sighed heavily, picking up a memorial from the desk before slamming it back down.
"Hmph! The court has been in an uproar over this matter of a woman holding office. The ministers argue endlessly, and the protests are relentless. These past few days, memorials of impeachment have poured in like a blizzard, unceasing!"
Rubbing his temples as if to dispel fatigue, he continued, "Yesterday, the Prince of Nanchang sought an audience, pleading earnestly for a favor. Can you guess what it was? He wished to propose a marriage—for his son, Shining, to wed Xiao Zheng! That boy has no discipline, so the Prince wants a formidable wife to rein him in. And he doesn’t even mind Xiao Zheng’s tarnished reputation!"
The Emperor’s eyes narrowed as he turned to Xiao Youcheng.
"You have interacted frequently with Xiao Zheng and know her well. I summoned you today to hear your counsel. Tell me—what do you think of this arrangement?"
Settling back into the dragon throne, the Emperor took a sip of tea, though it seemed tasteless to him. Setting the cup aside, he leaned back slightly.
"In my view, a woman’s rightful place is in marriage and motherhood, tending to her family. Once wed, how could she have the leisure for battlefields and bloodshed? But Xiao Zheng is no ordinary woman. I wonder what complications may arise. Speak plainly—hold nothing back."
If Xiao Zheng were to marry the Prince of Nanchang’s heir, the Emperor would not only gain praise for his magnanimity but also quietly quell the mounting dissent—a double victory.
At these words, Xiao Youcheng’s expression darkened. He knew all too well what kind of scoundrel Xiao Shining was! The man’s conduct was utterly disgraceful, devoid of any dignity befitting a noble.
Discipline? Xiao Shining had none. He indulged in debauchery without restraint, drowning in wine and women. His household was as chaotic as a marketplace troupe, with men and women coming and going in a haze of dissipation. Visiting brothels was as routine to him as eating meals.
Moreover, he abused his family’s prestige, committing outrage after outrage—oppressing the weak, harassing women. The common folk recoiled at the mere mention of his name, seething in silent fury.
Were it not for the Prince of Nanchang’s protection, given his vile deeds, he would have long been ambushed, bundled into a sack, and left for the wild beasts in some desolate ravine.
Xiao Youcheng clenched his fists, weighing his words carefully—how could he persuade his father to reconsider?
"Father Emperor, this son must speak the truth—if you proceed with this arranged marriage, you would be doing Shining a great disservice!"
"How so?!" The emperor's eyes flashed with anger.
Xiao Youcheng bowed slightly, his expression earnest and troubled, speaking slowly, "Father, you are well aware of Xiao Shining's temperament—reckless and dissolute, spending his days in idle pleasure with no regard for discipline or propriety. As for Xiao Zheng, though she is a woman, she was raised as a man from childhood, trained in exceptional martial arts, and possesses an unyielding character. She despises wickedness above all else—how could she tolerate even a speck of impropriety?"
He paused, as if recalling Xiao Zheng’s presence in the military camp, then continued, "In the barracks, her reputation is formidable. The soldiers both respect and fear her; few dare to approach her casually, for her aura is so sharp and unapproachable that none would risk offending her."
Here, Xiao Youcheng’s words quickened slightly, his eyes filled with concern. "Father, consider this—if you force her into marriage with Xiao Shining, given her temperament, what if that good-for-nothing pushes her too far? She fears neither life nor death and has no family ties. If driven to desperation, might she not resort to extreme measures, dragging him down with her? The Prince of Nanchang has only this one heir—wouldn’t he be devastated? While it would be Xiao Shining’s own fault, the blame would still fall upon your imperial decree, tarnishing your sacred name!"
The study fell into silence, broken only by the faint sound of the emperor’s fingers tapping. The air grew heavy, thick with tension as the emperor’s brow furrowed.
