After the heavyweight figures had left, the New Year's banquet truly became a place for drinking and casual conversation.
Xie Jingshan did not linger for long. After bidding farewell to his colleagues, he returned to his residence. Grand Preceptor Xie was still awake, clearly waiting for his news.
"Father, as expected, trouble erupted."
Grand Preceptor Xie poured him a cup of water: "Calm down, speak slowly."
Xie Jingshan recounted the events at court that day. "I truly never expected that the first to jump out would be the Censorate, Censor Zheng? I'd never paid much attention to that man before."
"This contradicts our investigation. Censor Zheng doesn't have any imperial consort backing him. For him to take the lead, it certainly has no connection to Noble Lady Chu's plot against the Seventh Prince. Do you think he truly couldn't stand watching the Marquis kill people and spoke out because of that?"
"Are you a three-year-old child? Even if he truly disapproved, he wouldn't bring it up at the New Year's banquet. The Censorate are the types who submit memorials first and then unleash their criticism; it's their creed of 'courtesy before force'."
Grand Preceptor Xie pondered for a moment: "It's unclear who Censor Zheng answers to, but this Supervising Secretary from the Ministry of Justice... his interjection was far too conveniently timed."
The Supervising Secretaries of the Six Ministries, though low in rank, wield significant power, overseeing their respective ministries, making their positions quite crucial.
Xie Jingshan said, "He has some connections to Consort Lan's maternal family."
Grand Preceptor Xie pondered deeply: "So, the one behind Noble Lady Chu is Consort Lan..."
-
Zichen Palace.
Emperor Chongzhao went to the Western Warm Pavilion. "Fetch a seat for Marquis Xu."
Xu Jin and Prince Ming both sat on chairs. Eunuch Yu served them both milk tea.
Emperor Chongzhao: "A fresh beverage, Marquis Xu, give it a try."
Xu Jin paid it no mind and took a sip.
What's with this milky taste? All flashy and fancy, wine is still better.
"It was actually Little Seven who came up with this. That little head of his is full of strange and wonderful ideas."
Xu Jin took a careful sip and discovered its delightful charm: "Quite good."
Emperor Chongzhao: "Marquis Xu, coming to see me alone, what is the purpose?"
Xu Jin sat perfectly steady: "Knowing Your Majesty is wary of me, I've come to surrender my authority."
"Pfft—"
Prince Ming sprayed out his tea, patted his chest repeatedly, stood up and said, "Imperial Brother, your subject brother suddenly remembers there are matters at home yet to be handled. I shall take my leave first, no need to see me out."
Was this something he was supposed to hear?
Emperor Chongzhao: "You be steady for me, sit down!"
"Marquis Xu, why say such a thing? You are still my father-in-law, we are family. How could I possibly be wary of you?"
Xu Jin fell silent for a moment. "Yueqing is dead. This old man no longer has a daughter. I didn't even get to see her one last time. If it weren't for this damned—"
"Xu Jin!" Emperor Chongzhao's face turned cold. "Watch your words."
Xu Jin's voice suddenly rose sharply: "If Your Majesty hadn't insisted on Yueqing entering the palace, if it weren't for this damned military authority in the Northern Frontier, if the weight of duty and country weren't pressing on my shoulders, how could I, Xu Jin, have to bury my own child! How could my wife have to wander between Buddhist temples and Taoist monasteries, pleading with every god and Buddha, yet find not a shred of peace!"
Emperor Chongzhao: "Enough!"
Eunuch Yu's heart began to pound.
"I killed the assassin to vent my rage. Your Majesty should be well aware of this. Between you and me, we are both father-in-law and son-in-law, and sovereign and subject. We have long known each other's character. If Your Majesty wishes to balance the military power in the Northern Frontier, why bother with concealment! Put all the chips on the table, and let us talk directly!"
"Even the late Emperor dared to place the full military authority of the Northern Frontier entirely in this old man's hands. Now, in Your Majesty's reign, do you not even dare to talk about it!"
Emperor Chongzhao clenched his teacup, threw it down, and it shattered on the ground. He was furious: "I said enough!"
All hidden intentions between them were torn to shreds and laid bare on the table. Prince Ming covered his heart, holding his breath amidst his imperial brother's boiling, furious gasps.
Between normal sovereign and subject, even when probing or conceding, it's all hidden within seamless dialogue. No matter how many schemes fill their hearts, the surface at least remains calm and unruffled.
This kind of hardcore negotiation, pointing fingers and tearing off all pretenses, was something Prince Ming had never seen in all his years.
Xu Jin suddenly stood up, then abruptly squatted down. The gray-haired man clutched his head and burst into loud, mournful sobs.
"I don't have my daughter anymore... I don't have my daughter anymore..."
"Who will compensate me for my daughter, who..."
"I, Xu Jin, saved so many people on the frontier, but who came to save my daughter..."
Emperor Chongzhao was taken aback.
The boiling fury seemed doused by a bucket of cold water.
He pressed his hand on the armrest of his chair, slowly sat back down, and propped his head up with one hand, his temples still throbbing.
For a time, the Western Warm Pavilion held only the sound of weeping and heavy silence.
A long time passed.
Emperor Chongzhao, still supporting his head, said hoarsely, "Regarding Yueqing's matter, I don't wish to say more. I know you suspect the Astrological Bureau might have been involved, but back then, I watched Zhang Fanming for two years and found nothing amiss."
"That Zhang Shiming, kill him if you want. Whether to vent your rage or due to suspicion, I will act as if I never heard of this matter. The Ministry of Justice and the Court of Judicial Review will only go through the motions."
He spoke slowly.
Xu Jin, sitting cross-legged on the floor with his back to the emperor, took out the military tally from his robe and tossed it in Prince Ming's direction.
Prince Ming caught it, not daring to breathe in this bizarre atmosphere, and gently placed the tally beside Emperor Chongzhao.
The military tally was in the shape of a double-headed tiger, two pieces that fit together to mobilize the Northern Frontier troops.
Originally, one piece was held by the emperor or a supervising eunuch, and the other by the Northern Frontier General. During the late Emperor's reign, to suppress unrest and improve efficiency, the system was changed, placing the authority to deploy troops entirely in the hands of the Northern Frontier commander.
Later, after the unrest subsided, Fang Hechuan, who served as both head of the Five Military Commissions and Minister of War, retired. Only the Marquis Who Holds the Sword remained stationed in the Northern Frontier, resisting the covetous eyes from beyond.
Gradually, this became a major concern for Emperor Chongzhao.
Today, this military tally lay before him.
Emperor Chongzhao did not reach for it. Prince Ming looked left and right, feeling as if he were about to suffocate. He truly wasn't suited for such a stifling atmosphere.
"Imperial Father?" Qu Dubian peeked in quietly from outside. "May I come in?"
Prince Ming felt as if granted amnesty: "Little nephew? Come in, come in!"
Xu Jin, sitting cross-legged on the floor crying, hurriedly covered his face, listening to the child's light footsteps running past him.
Qu Dubian resisted the urge to look at his maternal grandfather, trotted up to Emperor Chongzhao, and poked his calf. "Why aren't you going to sleep? You're not reviewing memorials either. I was waiting for you."
He was wrapped in a thick cloak, his shoes loosely on, having come out carrying only his small pillow.
He had waited anxiously. Heaven knows how restless he became when he faintly heard the sounds of argument from here.
He felt his maternal grandfather had a tough temper. He couldn't quite grasp the exact situation in the Northern Frontier or the precise relationship between his grandfather and his 'cheap' father, and was worried his 'cheap' father might actually have him killed in a moment of anger.
So, after things quieted down here, he ran over.
Of course, being a young child now, understanding nothing, he couldn't openly speak up for his maternal grandfather.
Emperor Chongzhao took a calming breath and patted his head. "Imperial Father is handling matters. Go back and sleep by yourself first. I'll return shortly."
"Yu Decai, carry the Seventh Prince back. Don't let him catch a chill."
"Yes."
Eunuch Yu bent down and took Qu Dubian's hand. "Your Highness, shall we go?"
Qu Dubian: "Then be quick. Come back before I fall asleep."
Emperor Chongzhao nodded.
Qu Dubian then left, but as he passed by Xu Jin, he caught a glimpse of the moist tear tracks on the face of this Marquis who was just beginning to show his age.
He sat with his face covered, legs crossed, like a silent, massive stone.
Qu Dubian's steps faltered; he couldn't move forward.
In that one second, he told himself countless times that it wasn't the right moment to stop, yet his feet stubbornly refused to obey and step forward.
Qu Dubian sighed inwardly and shook off Eunuch Yu's hand.
The child squatted in front of the big man, seemingly curious, and asked, "Why won't you look at me? Are you shy?"
Xu Jin's fingers twitched slightly, parting to reveal a slit, and his terrifying, bloodshot eyes finally saw clearly the child his daughter had left behind. His little grandson.
At that sight, the tears could no longer be held back. He still hid this face that might frighten the child.
He cried silently, yet the tears fell like a mountain collapsing.
So alike, so very alike.
This child looked so much like his mother when she was little, especially the eyes.
Through this face, he was weeping for his own child.
With one hand covering his face, Xu Jin reached out with the other, wanting to touch but not daring to.
Emotions can truly spread and infect others. Qu Dubian only felt a tightness in his chest, a stifling ache. He lowered his head for a second to conceal his expression, then picked up his small pillow.
"Do you want this? But Father Emperor said Grandmother gave this to me, that I must cherish it. I can't give it to you."
"No, I don't want that," Xu Jin said hoarsely, quickly waving his hand. "Grand... I, I'm just not feeling well, a bit sick."
"Sick?" Qu Dubian fished around in his little pocket, pulled out a few pieces of candy, and placed them in Xu Jin's palm.
"I get sick often too. Whenever my mouth tastes bitter, I eat these. I'm giving them to you. You're such a big, tall grown-up, don't cry now. I've never even cried."
Xu Jin clutched the candy. "Good, good..."
Noticing Qu Dubian's thin sleeping garments underneath, he urged, "You should go now, hurry back. It's so cold."
Qu Dubian: "Bye-bye!"
He called for Eunuch Yu to pick him up, curled into a ball, and left the Western Warm Pavilion. Nestled in Eunuch Yu's arms, he turned, resting his head on the eunuch's shoulder, and waved towards Xu Jin.
Xu Jin also instinctively raised his hand and waved back.
Only when the child's figure was out of sight did he slowly withdraw his gaze.
Emperor Chongzhao: "He was always bold. You didn't need to hide your face at the start. The eyes, they're very alike, aren't they?"
Xu Jin remained silent.
Emperor Chongzhao: "Let's stop here for today. Since we've laid things out, I'll tell you this: the Northern Frontier still relies on you to hold it steady, so you cannot completely let go."
"However, I now understand your stance. After the New Year when court resumes, I will handle everything together. After all this commotion and this outcome, what is it you want?"
Xu Jin slowly stood up. "From now on, the Seventh Prince can openly be close to the Marquis's household, can't he? Can Your Majesty also be at ease now?"
Emperor Chongzhao was silent for a few seconds. "I never intended to obstruct it too much in the first place."
Xu Jin: "Your Majesty, you still have many children. The Xu family has only this one left. My wife and I both have grey hairs now, and our household is cold and quiet. For the New Year, let this child come and keep us company."
Emperor Chongzhao detached half of the military tally and threw it towards Xu Jin.
Xu Jin caught it with a backhanded motion.
Emperor Chongzhao: "I grant it."
-
Late at night.
Xu Residence.
Xu Tingfeng had set up a large iron wok in the courtyard. A rich chicken broth floated with some oil slicks, and on a winnowing basket lay a lump of messy, oddly shaped noodles.
Xu Jin climbed over the wall and entered.
Xu Tingfeng's ears twitched. He stirred the pot with his extra-long chopsticks and shook his head. "I knew it. Not leaving the main gate open for Uncle was the right choice."
"Timing it just right, you've come just as the broth is perfectly seasoned, waiting for the noodles to be cooked."
Xu Jin walked with his hands behind his back. Passing by the pavilion, he kicked a stone stool, which landed with a clang precisely opposite the iron wok.
He leisurely sat down. "Bowl."
"How uncouth," Xu Tingfeng said, handing over a bowl while dropping the noodles into the pot. "Still have to wait a bit. We'll add some chili oil at the end."
"Aren't you going to ask if it went smoothly?"
"Seeing Uncle so at ease, it must have gone smoothly. Uncle grew powerful in the Northern Frontier; the division of your authority was an inevitable trend. Rather than waiting for the emperor to act, it's better to strike first."
Xu Jin: "How did you know my return to the capital was to resolve this matter? I never mentioned it to you beforehand."
Xu Tingfeng smiled without answering.
When the noodles were cooked, he scooped up a portion with his chopsticks and served Xu Jin.
"You value sentiment. If your return to the capital was merely to vent anger or... you would have certainly taken the Seventh Prince away in advance. You would never leave alone the child of Sister Aqing."
Xu Jin didn't speak, slurping down a bowl of noodles noisily. Suddenly, he said, "Censor Zheng is your man."
Xu Tingfeng's hand stirring the noodles didn't stop. He raised an eyebrow slightly. "Was it obvious?"
"A wild guess. You're not even in official circles, practically invisible in the capital. Who would think it was your man? But the opening Censor Zheng provided was too perfect to pick up. Other capital officials are cunning as ghosts; they wouldn't leave such a perfectly timed and measured opening for me."
Xu Tingfeng sighed. "Alright, I'll be more careful next time."
The ugly noodles somehow stirred the appetite. Paired with a bowl of richly fragrant chicken broth, they slid satisfyingly into the stomach.
"'The young general in white, with one spear pacified Wolf Mountain, calculating every move on the battlefield; not a scholar, yet surpassing the literati,'" Xu Jin recited. "Tingfeng, do you want to return to the Northern Frontier? Er Sen and Lang Qing are both here. The Ninth Battalion misses their little commander dearly."
"Given the current situation, someone needs to watch over and guard the capital, Aunt, and my little nephew from the shadows," Xu Tingfeng's voice paused slightly. He rubbed his thumb against his thigh, his smile unchanged, and shrugged.
"And as you can see, Uncle."
The chicken broth in the iron wok bubbled and gurgled, steam dissipating into the cold night.
"Now, I prefer cooking."
