When Jiang Xu’er saw Xiao Biehe, her gaze usually as soft as water recoiled as if pricked by a needle. Her recently calmed expression shifted back into one of visible agony.
Though Xiao Qingqu was not her biological son, he possessed the same gentle eyes and empathetic nature. He resembled Jiang Xu’er more than any of her biological children. He supported her, whispering softly, “Mother, do not be afraid. Big Brother means you no harm.”
He then cast a glance at Xiao Biehe and gave an elegant smile. “Right, Big Brother?”
Xiao Biehe stood up, but before he could move, Jiang Xu’er’er’s face filled with horror and disgust. “Don’t come over! Go! Make him leave!”
Xiao Changfeng roared at his son, “Besides causing trouble and upsetting your mother, is there anything else you are capable of doing?!”
The Emperor stepped in to play the peacemaker. “General Xiao, do not be so angry. Although Xiao Biehe did leave his post and bring troops from the border without permission, he has indeed performed many great services over the years. Today is the Young General’s victory feast! Yunfei, offer a toast to the General and the Young General… ah, no, offer them tea!”
Crown Prince Mu Yunfei stood up, raising a cup toward the Xiao family. “General, Young General, I offer you a toast.”
Mu Yunfei was the Emperor’s eldest son, born to the Emperor’s first wife back when he was still a Prince. After the death of the previous Emperor, during the bloody struggle for the throne, his mother had died taking a blade for Mu Hongmiao. Because of this, the Emperor was seen as a deeply devoted man who still mourned his late Empress. He had raised Yunfei personally and eventually named him Crown Prince.
Since Mu Hongmiao’s ascension, the country had been well-governed. The Emperor was viewed as a benevolent and wise ruler, while the Crown Prince was seen as a refined and gentle scholar-prince.
While many officials resented the overwhelming power of the Xiao family and the “divine talent” of Xiao Biehe, none harbored such feelings toward the Emperor or the Crown Prince.
In fact, some officials tried desperately to block the engagement. The Xiao family’s popularity among the people was already immense; if Xiao Biehe became the Crown Princess, many feared the Xiao family would eventually dictate the fate of the Great Liang.
The Emperor, smiling with eyes that held a deep, authoritative wisdom, looked at Xiao Biehe. “Xiao Biehe is no longer young. Yunfei is the most accomplished of my sons and my favorite. You grew up together; you are childhood friends. You know each other’s characters well, and the Prince is very fond of you he often tells me he wishes to marry you. Today is a fine day; why don’t we set the date? Next year, during the Spring Equinox, if there are no wars, the Young General and the Crown Prince shall wed. How does that sound?”
An official immediately protested, “Your Majesty, you cannot! The Crown Prince is the heir to the throne. His primary consort should at least be a woman capable of continuing the imperial lineage!”
The Emperor feigned anger. “Absurd! The Prince and the Young General are a perfect match. How can fertility be the primary requirement for a Consort? Besides, the Young General’s abilities are obvious to all. This marriage is a perfect union that will ensure the stable governance of Great Liang! Young General, what do you think?”
Xiao Biehe stood up and said calmly, “I believe the official is correct. This matter truly requires careful consideration.”
Out of Xiao Biehe’s sight, at the mention of “consideration,” the supposedly “gentle” Crown Prince’s eyes darkened with a murderous glint.
Even though Mu Yunfei had his own plans, he was still unwilling to accept rejection. He had seen Xiao Biehe at his most pathetic and his most glorious. Xiao Biehe was indifferent to everyone, including him. Just when Yunfei thought they might become close friends or more, Xiao Biehe would always strike him down with his coldness.
Even five years ago, when the marriage decree was first sent to the General’s Manor, Yunfei had watched from the shadows. Xiao Biehe had remained expressionless. Aside from a slight tremor in his hand when receiving the scroll, there was no joy or resistance. Only silence.
This coldness only made Yunfei more determined. If I cannot have him… then I will destroy him.
The Emperor glanced at his son and knew he understood the plan. Mu Hongmiao knew his son well; having watched his father’s methods for so long, Mu Yunfei could never truly be as “clean” as he appeared on the surface.
Xiao Changfeng also stood up hurriedly. “Your Majesty, I also believe this is inappropriate! Xiao Biehe only knows how to fight. He cannot manage a household or care for a husband. How could he be worthy of the Prince? Please, rethink this!”
The Emperor ignored the protests and asked Xiao Biehe with a mysterious smile, “Young General, you only need to answer: Are you willing to marry the Prince? Think carefully before you speak!”
Since the decree had already been in the manor for five years, there was no real choice. Xiao Biehe replied, “I follow Your Majesty’s will.”
The Emperor laughed heartily, looking genuinely pleased. Beneath the eyes of the court, the Crown Prince also let a gentle smile surface.
“Then it is settled,” the Emperor declared. “Next March, I shall personally host the wedding. It shall be a day of national celebration!”
Just as he finished speaking, the Head Eunuch approached and whispered something into the Emperor’s ear. The Emperor’s expression instantly soured. The Eunuch then pulled a crumpled piece of paper from his sleeve and handed it to the Emperor.
“Your Majesty, has something happened?” an official asked.
Mu Hongmiao signaled the Eunuch, Chang De, to read the contents aloud.
Chang De’s hands shook as he opened the letter. His voice trembled as he read: “The Emperor… I fear he has already developed ulterior motives against the Xiao family. Father, please be cautious.”
The letter was short, but every word was an indictment of the Emperor’s character. And in this court, there was only one “Xiao” family that mattered.
As the Eunuch finished, the hall fell into a deathly silence. He dropped the paper in his fear, and it was quickly snatched up by an official who was a known rival of the Xiao family.
Everyone presents already had an answer as to who wrote it. All eyes turned toward the General and Xiao Biehe.
Xiao Jinshi’s face went through a thousand changes. How? Why is it in the Emperor’s hands? He had lost it at the manor! Had there been a spy? He retraced his steps, he had only seen his parents, his brother Xiao Qingqu, and his personal servants.
Could it be Xiao Qingqu? But why? His second brother was the kindest person he knew, always smiling and making their mother happy.
Jinshi looked at Xiao Biehe, hoping to see a breakdown, an outburst anything. But Xiao Biehe remained as still as a corpse. His calm was infuriating.
The Emperor rubbed his temples as if suffering from a headache. He signaled Chang De to retrieve the letter. Once it was back in his hands, under the watchful eyes of the court, he held the paper over a lamp and burned it.
“This must be a misunderstanding,” Mu Hongmiao said. “Forget what you heard. No one is to discuss this again. Is that clear?”
An official knelt, protesting, “Your Majesty, do you truly favor the Xiao family so much? Two months ago, you called the rumors hearsay. Now there is physical evidence, yet you still deceive yourself? The Xiao family’s power is nearly greater than your own!”
Mu Hongmiao was pleased, he had achieved the desired effect of sowing public discord, but he feigned fury. “Silence! I know what I am doing! The General’s Manor would never betray me. This was clearly a plot to drive a wedge between us. Official Zhang, for disrespecting a colleague, you are fined three months’ salary. Anyone else who speaks of this will face the same!”
Jinshi breathed a sigh of relief, but his irritation returned when he saw Xiao Biehe’s lack of reaction.
Xiao Qingqu’s smile had vanished during the reading of the letter, replaced by a look of worry. However, when the Emperor burned the letter and insisted on his trust, a strange, unreadable expression flickered across his face.
Mu Yunfei kept his eyes fixed on Xiao Biehe. Like Jinshi, he wanted to see a crack in that mask, but there was nothing. It was as if Biehe had predicted the Emperor would not punish him yet.
The Crown Prince stood up, his black-and-gold robes exuding elegance. He walked down to the seating area and sat in the empty spot next to Xiao Biehe.
He raised his cup, a jade-like smile on his face. “I offer you another toast. A pre-emptive celebration of our union!”