The people within the imperial palace were as shrewd as could be. Following the incident with Consort Li, they understood that Xiao Qi was not a soft persimmon to be pinched at will. Consequently, for several years, no one was foolish enough to provoke him.
The following two years passed peacefully until the beginning of the sixteenth year of Jiande. A victory report from beyond the frontier pierced the lonely, heavy snow of the capital: Shangguan Rui, the General of Agile Cavalry, had repelled the invading Kasa tribes. He was returning to the capital in triumph, carrying the head of the Kasa King!
With the New Year approaching, such joyous news delighted Emperor Jiande. The palace was adorned with lanterns and streamers, presenting a scene of prosperity and harmony.
During those days, almost everyone inside and outside the palace spoke of the Great General’s victorious return. The martial faction, which had gradually declined over the years, suddenly found itself bathed in imperial favor. Holding great power once more, they showed signs of overshadowing the civil faction.
This, however, made life difficult for the scholars, who felt compelled to write extensive commentaries on the shifting balance of power between these two factions.
Within the Chonghua Palace, where the princes studied, a teacher held a book and stroked his white beard. He swayed his head back and forth, intoxicated by the difficult, archaic prose he was reciting. Halfway through, he looked up only to find most of the students with their heads down, appearing drowsy.
Dissatisfied, he exhaled a heavy breath through his nose. He struck the table with his bamboo scrolls with a resounding clack that made everyone shudder.
“Since you are unwilling to recite your texts, today we shall discuss something you enjoy hearing.” He elongated his tone, building suspense before coughing twice and continuing. “Do you know what the literati are discussing in private these days?”
Xue Gongwen, who lacked a filter, immediately blurted out an answer. “I know! They are saying, they are saying which faction, the civil or the martial.”
He stopped halfway. Realizing the hall had fallen into a dead silence, he belatedly understood the foolishness of his words.
The civil and martial factions? Behind the Third Prince, Xiao Hong, stood the civil faction; behind the Second Prince, whom Xue Gongwen admired, stood the martial faction. On the surface, this was a debate about factions, but in reality, it was an insinuation about whether Xiao Hong or Xiao Qi would eventually sit upon the dragon throne.
Sure enough, both Xiao Hong and Xiao Qi sat upright with solemn expressions. For a moment, the room was so quiet a falling needle could be heard. The teacher chuckled, appearing entirely unbothered as he spoke. “Indeed, it is about which faction can suppress the other.”
“I am a man with half his body already in the grave, so I have nothing to fear. Speak your minds freely; I shall simply listen.”
Silence still reigned over the class.
The teacher added, “If you do not speak, everyone shall receive fifty strokes to the palm!”
Hearing this, Xue Gongwen grew restless and scratched his head, unable to sit still. He glanced at Xiao Qi and swallowed hard. Before he could utter the word “martial,” he was met with a sharp glare from Xiao Hong. He quickly changed his tune. “Uh, the, the civil faction.”
Upon hearing this, Xiao Qi glared at him and spoke loudly. “I disagree!”
Seeing him speak first, Xiao Hong no longer restrained himself. He said sinisterly, “You are nothing more than an effeminate Ger. What does it matter if you disagree?”
The teacher frowned. “Third Highness! Watch your words!” He then turned to Xiao Qi. “Tell me, why do you favor the martial faction?”
Xiao Qi puffed out his chest and looked down at Xiao Hong, declaring loudly, “The civil faction may seem high and mighty, but in truth, they are not of one mind. They are nothing but a heap of loose sand, nothing to be feared.”
Xiao Hong refused to be outdone. “The Duke of Wu is advanced in years and becoming muddled. The Great General is away for years at a time. Swords and spears have no eyes; if an accident were to happen.”
Xiao Qi’s eyes widened in anger as he stood up abruptly. “What nonsense are you talking?!”
“Am I wrong? The martial faction only relies on military power, does it not? But one must have a life to take that power, and a life to keep it!”
“The Great General protects the country and brings peace. Are you cursing him to die?”
“Our Great Liang is full of talent. Do we lack for a single soldier? Shangguan Rui has held military power for a long time; who knows if he harbors treasonous intentions!”
“Stop your malicious slandering!”
“Enough!!” Finally, the teacher slapped the table, ending the verbal dispute.
“Do you think I do not know of your constant infighting? I have simply turned a blind eye, watching you perform this act of brotherly affection until I am tired of it. I decided to let you stop hiding your feelings, yet I did not expect you to argue so improperly!”
“The two of you! Go stand at the entrance for half an hour and reflect on your faults!”
The teacher had once been the Emperor’s tutor, so they did not dare disobey his words. Despite their resentment, they rose reluctantly and walked outside. On the way, Xiao Qi did not forget to give Xiao Hong a fierce glare, whispering a curse, “Useless bucket of rice!”
“Effeminate Ger!”
In the late winter, snow fell in flurries. They stood at the door holding their books, and soon their shoulders were covered in white. Xiao Qi’s legs grew numb. Just as he leaned against the wall to slack off, he was spotted by Xiao Hong, who shouted into the Chonghua Palace, “Teacher! Xiao Qi is being lazy!”
The teacher loathed those who were deceitful or lacked a solid work ethic. Upon hearing this, he emerged angrily carrying a ruler. Xiao Qi hurriedly cried out, “Teacher! I was not!”
“You dare to slack off while being punished! No excuses!” The ruler swung like a sword, slicing through the thick mist. Seeing it about to land on him, Xiao Qi instinctively closed his eyes.
However, after waiting for a long time, the expected pain did not come. Xiao Qi cautiously opened his eyes and saw the ruler being held mid-air by a large hand.
He blinked in confusion and looked at the owner of the hand. After staring for a long moment, he matched the person to a familiar face from his memory. His beautiful eyes suddenly sparked with even more spirit. “Uncle!”
The newcomer was none other than the General of Agile Cavalry, Shangguan Rui!