Chapter 207: The Emperor’s Affection

The servant, hearing the commotion, stood hesitantly at the door with bowed head, reluctant to enter. Yan Shuangxu knelt on the ground, cradling Yan Congzheng's head with her arm to prevent him from hurting himself.

"Father," she said with a guilty expression, "is this really the right thing to do?"

"What choice do we have?" Yan Lian sighed. "We all know his temper. He will never consent to what the Prince of Wei intends. Not only will he refuse, but he will also interfere and ruin everything."

Had we known this beforehand, we wouldn't have gone through the trouble of getting him into the Imperial Guard. Useless for success, yet a burden for failure.

Yan Shuangxu gazed at her unconscious younger brother, her heart twisting with pain and anxiety.

"Father, to be honest... I'm a little afraid."

Since childhood, this was the first time she showed fear before her father.

"What is there to fear?" Yan Lian chided sternly. "This is our only chance. Isn't Congzheng's deputy, Lu Jinliang, from the Lu family? With Lu Jinliang and Consort Shu by our side, this matter can be accomplished."

The treacherous court intrigues never cease. One misstep could lead to demotion or exile from the capital. Only when our own hold the throne can peace endure. Yan Lian raised his hand to beckon the servants.

"Carry the young master to the east wing and lock him away."

The servants carefully lifted Yan Congzheng, and as they were about to leave, Yan Shuangxu added firmly,

"Assign twenty guards to stand watch before and behind the room. The young master is not to leave within three days."

She straightened her posture, her expression growing resolute. Since the deed must be done, her brother must be completely cleared of suspicion. If they fail, if... she dared not think of that possibility—there must be no 'if.'

After the matter was settled, her husband's mood visibly lightened; the furrowed brows of recent days relaxed somewhat, though he seemed to have lost his appetite.

The table was laden with sumptuous dishes, yet Li Chen only took two bites of sweet porridge before staring out the window.

"What are you waiting for, my lord?" Yan Shuangxu asked.

"News from Jinzhou." Li Chen helped her with a dish awkwardly. Yan Shuangxu hurriedly lifted her bowl.

She well understood the gravity of Jinzhou. The Crown Prince Li Zhang had secretly stored crossbows there. Prince Chu, Li Ce, had encountered an assassin while investigating. Recent reports told of over a hundred innocent civilians poisoned overnight in the Jinzhou prison. Rebels gathered in Jinzhou, and the military commander of Puzhou had raised arms in revolt. Chaos loomed.

Yan Shuangxu nodded, silently hoping Jinzhou's crisis would resolve as Li Chen wished.

"You should rest early," Li Chen said, pushing aside his bowl and rising. "I will spend the night in the study."

Waiting through the night for news? His expression bore the mingled excitement of assured victory and the tension of an impending storm. They had trapped Yan Congzheng. Tomorrow would decide success or failure.

Before dawn, a messenger stopped an elegant carriage.

"Is this the carriage of Master Ye from the Duke of Anguo's residence?" the respectful voice outside inquired, handing over a letter.

Feng Jie, the driver, glanced sideways at the man and replied coolly, "Whose letter is this? Do you have a token?"

The man lowered his head, placing down the lantern he held and produced a square jade pendant. The translucent jade was exquisitely carved with a deer in its center. Under the lantern's light, the deer seemed almost alive, so vivid that one's fingers instinctively longed to stroke it.

Feng Jie recognized the jade. It often hung at Prince Chu's waist alongside a golden peach, gently swaying. He turned and passed the jade and letter into the carriage, but when he turned back, the messenger had vanished.

This matter was evidently extremely secretive. Inside the carriage, Ye Jiao, half dozing, took the letter casually before suddenly proclaiming loudly,

"Uncle Feng! We're going home; no court today!"

Her voice brimmed with joy.

"Home, home! I'm going back to catch some more sleep."

The carriage jolted as Ye Jiao, cramped inside, stretched and twisted her body, even bouncing a little with relief.

"Aren't you going to the council chamber today, miss?" Feng Jie asked, turning the horses.

"No," Ye Jiao smiled, propping her head inside the carriage, clutching the jade pendant happily. "His Highness told me to rest today. After breakfast, I'll stroll over to Prince Chu's residence. It's finished now. He wants me to see what I like and dislike and note it down for the workshop supervisor. Oh, and I can also choose and arrange the jade, gems, and ornaments."

What could be more delightful than decorating one's new home? Especially since this home was her bridal chamber. Feng Jie smiled in agreement.

"Good. With the joyous day approaching, a visit to Prince Chu's residence is well deserved."

Ye Jiao lifted the curtain to look outside. Across the street sat a middle-aged man on horseback, his expression grave, seemingly burdened with worries. Perhaps sensing Ye Jiao's gaze, he turned and their eyes met. After a brief surprise, he nodded in acknowledgment.

Ye Jiao recognized him as Bai Xianyu's father, the commander of the Imperial Guard, Bai Fanxi. Naturally, he bore heavy thoughts; after all, the Crown Prince was still confined within the Eastern Palace. Ye Jiao returned a slight nod. For some reason, she sensed Bai Fanxi hesitated, as if wanting to speak but held back.

At the palace gate, during identity checks and contraband inspections, Bai Fanxi found no sign of Yan Congzheng.

"Deputy Commander Yan is attending to family matters and has requested leave today," Yan Congzheng's deputy, Lu Jinliang, stepped forward to salute Bai Fanxi.

Lu Jinliang, in his thirties and short in stature, spoke cautiously and acted with maturity, though his expression was somewhat dull. Though not skilled in combat, the Imperial Guard was not solely about fighting; he managed paperwork and rarely stood guard.

Bai Fanxi gave the usual instructions and entered the palace. Rather than attend the morning court session, he went directly to Nánxūn Hall and stood outside. Since ceasing court duties, the ailing emperor had settled into a distant palace, far from the main court.

It was still early; the emperor was asleep.

The chief steward, Gao Fu, entered and reported, lighting lamps inside. After some time, the door quietly opened and Gao Fu stepped out, gently resting his whisk on his arm.

"The Sovereign inquired if General Bai has any matters."

"None," Bai Fanxi replied, eyes on the guards outside.

Gao Fu, deep in thought, asked again on the emperor's behalf,

"If there is nothing, will you remain here on guard?"

The Imperial Guard commander personally stationed at the emperor's door was a clear warning—an omen of unrest within the palace. Bai Fanxi's reply startled Gao Fu further:

"I received a letter from Prince Chu's residence today ordering me to remain at Nánxūn Hall. His Highness the Prince assists in governance and commands the Imperial Guard, so I must obey his orders."

Gao Fu's stern expression deepened in shock. He nearly missed a step rushing back to the hall, emerging only after a long while.

"The Sovereign decrees—" he solemnly announced,

"I have heard the situation along the Hedong region is tense. General Bai Fanxi is to lead two thousand Imperial Guards to Jinzhou to assist Prince Chu in suppressing the rebellion."

Bai Fanxi knelt, stunned. Throughout his life, he had weathered countless storms—imperial successions, court intrigues, factional strife—but always navigated through with calm and poise. Only now did he find himself perplexed.

Li Zhang, Li Ce, Li Chen, and even the Sixth Prince Li Can—these imperial sons had all grown formidable. Li Zhang was calculating, Li Ce a strategist, Li Chen duplicitous, and Li Can shrewd and adaptable. Bai Fanxi had no dealings with Li Ce, yet this order from him was a warning to the emperor and to the crown prince alike.

Thanks to his troublesome son, Bai Fanxi and the crown prince were now bound together in fate. And the emperor, on the brink of potential palace upheaval, was sending him out of the capital?

Seeing Bai Fanxi hesitate, Gao Fu urged,

"General Bai, receive the decree with thanks!"

"I, your servant, gratefully accept the decree," Bai Fanxi replied, rising stiffly, lips pressed tight as if bearing a heavy burden, each step deliberate and measured.

Seeing this, Gao Fu moved closer to console him.

"General, do not read too much into it. Prince Chu worries for the Sovereign, and the Sovereign likewise for Prince Chu. As father and son, hearts are intertwined. You are to go to Jinzhou, investigate the troubles, and bring Prince Chu back—that will be a great service."

"And the Sovereign here..." Bai Fanxi remained uneasy. As commander, if he left, the capital would be vulnerable to attack... the consequences unimaginable.

"The Sovereign is guarded by Deputy Commander Yan and the Crown Prince," Gao Fu gently nudged him, urging, "Go swiftly."

Bai Fanxi dared not delay. He recalled the bloodshed endured for the emperor to ascend the throne. Though ill now, the emperor was far from weak in counsel and strategy. But could his health endure? Rumors of his critical illness had surfaced repeatedly.

Bai Fanxi bowed deeply to Nánxūn Hall before turning away. On the corridor, several imperial physicians from the Imperial Pharmacy passed by carrying medicine boxes. They all bowed respectfully and moved aside.

"Are you here to check the Sovereign's pulse?" Bai Fanxi asked the lead physician surnamed Lin.

"Yes," Lin answered tersely, his face cold.

Bai Fanxi wished to ask about the emperor's condition but held back, replying only, "Thank you for your efforts."

The morning breeze had softened. At the Imperial Guard's messenger pigeon aviary, a few men patiently tended to the cages and fed the birds.

"Eh?" one exclaimed in surprise, "Why has this pigeon returned already?"

He distinctly remembered Deputy Commander Yan taking this very pigeon away just yesterday. Could the message have been sent so swiftly? Perhaps this was a test of the aviary's efficiency…