c15 (1/2)

This chapter is rough, so don’t say I didn’t warn you. As if we didn’t already see enough hints that Yun Zhong Ge doesn’t have Da Mo Yao‘s easy stakes, this chapter cements that this novel is serious and pulls no punches. The power is about to s.h.i.+ft in Chang An big time, and the consequences will have far reaching ramifications even down to the personal level. Yun Ge and Meng Jue’s blossoming relations.h.i.+p will soon come up against the age old choice of “power or beauty”. We’re also reminded once again what a precious situation Emperor Liu Fu Ling is placed in, and how hard it is not just for him, but for everyone around him in the Palace. We finally meet our final lead of this novel, Shang Guan Xiao Mei, Liu Fu Ling’s young Empress. She’s one of the most fascinating and unforgettable characters in this novel, and it’s just chilling that Tong Hua chose to introduce her to the readers this way. My heart just breaks for this little girl.

Chapter 15: Worthy of Pity

The Princess intended to get closer to the Emperor during the visit to Gan Quan Palace. She wanted to chat some more with him once he was in a better mood. Who knew that she somehow offended the Emperor, so much that the brother who was close to her since childhood started to distance himself from her.

At Gan Quan Palace, the Emperor was cold to her but very solicitous of the Infante of Guang Ling. When the Infante of Guang Ling returned to his territory, the Emperor sent him off personally, bestowing rewards and even t.i.tles on the Infante’s sons.

But to her? All her usual rewards were gone, and she could no longer enter the Palace at will. She cried and threw a fit, but none of that worked.

When she returned to Chang An, she asked for interesting things to be found to present to the Emperor, who glanced at it and then set it aside. Soon, her poor relations.h.i.+p with the Emperor spread far and wide, and quickly the visitors to her estate dwindled.

In the past, when it was a month away from her birthday, people would start delivering presents. This year there was barely anyone.

The Princess sat in her room being sad. Ding Wai Ren came running in happily to announce that the Infante of Yen had just sent expensive birthday presents.

When her royal father was alive, the Infante of Yen fought for the Crown Prince position, so she was always wary of him. He sent presents every year but she rejected it every year. Who knew he would send a present after she had lost favor with the Emperor.

She still didn’t want to get close to the Infante of Yen, but this time she didn’t want to reject his present. “Accept it, and treat the messenger well.”

Ding Wai Ren smiled “It’s good to see someone not brown nosing, why don’t you write a letter back to the Infante of Yen?” The Princess thought “Alright, to thank my royal brother for having the heart to send a present.”

Ding Wai Ren prepared the ink “Princess, how do you want to celebrate your birthday this year?” The Princess said distastefully “You see the situation. Usually the Emperor remembers but this year he hasn’t said a peep. I am in no mood for a party.”

Ding Wai Ren replied “The officials who are not trying to be toadies have sent presents, like Lord Shang Guan and Lord Xang. You can’t just say thank you to them. You and the Emperor are full blooded siblings, and the Emperor lost his mother when he was young and you helped raise him. When his temper lessens you two can patch things up. Princess you shouldn’t be too distressed about it right now. Both Lord Shang Guan and Lord Huo have said they will talk to the Emperor about this.”

The Princess smiled and looked slightly mollified “You are right, I should have a birthday party otherwise those toadies will just laugh at me. Invite Shang Guan Jie, Xang Hong Yang, and Huo Guang. With those three in attendance, the party won’t be too shabby and no one dare laugh at me.”

Ding Wai Ren quickly said yes, but inside he knew the Emperor was very odd and his moods impossible to predict. What he just said to the Princess was what Huo Yu said to him, but neither believed it. He wondered if he should go sell this news to Meng Jue, who was just a stupid businessman who paid anything for news to gain more information about the rich and powerful.

To celebrate the upcoming Weaving holiday, Yun Ge and Xu Ping Jun had been making holiday biscuits since early in the morning. Initially they planned to go out to celebrate with some of Xu Ping Jun’s female cousins.

Liu Bing Yi initially agreed, but after he chatted with someone Meng Jue sent over, he forbade them from going and said he wanted to spend the holiday with them.

The girls set out plates of snacks, and then Xu Ping Jun handed Yun Ge an embroidered pouch with little white clouds sewn on. It must have taken a lot of time and Yun Ge was really touched “I didn’t make anything for big sister.”

Xu Ping Jun laughed “You made these dishes, no? I’ll eat it and take it as your gift. If you want to embroider something for me, tonight you’ll need to pray extra hard to the weaver girl.” Yun Ge laughed “Big brother, did you hear, Xu jiejie is mocking me for being bad at embroidery.”

Liu Bing Yi appeared distracted and was looking outside. When he heard Yun Ge talking to him, he turned and smiled at her.

Because farming was the backbone of the nation, the Emperors paid great attention to the Weaving holiday. The women folk would gather and compete on their sewing skills and play sewing games. Because of the beautiful legend of the weaver girl and the cow herd, this holiday was also called Lover’s Day. On this day, lovers would meet and pledge their troth to each other.

In the previous years on the Weaving holiday, the city was abuzz with activity and energy, with laughter ringing out well into the late tonight. Tonight it was extraordinarily quiet, the streets were empty and the homes were silent.

Yun Ge and Xu Ping Jun were just wondering what was going on when they heard the gong from outside and the loud announcement “Every family must stay inside. No one is allowed out. If anyone disobeys, it will be consider treasonous.”

Xu Ping Jun was so afraid she immediately wanted to bolt the door, but Yun Ge rushed out and even Xu Ping Jun couldn’t stop her. Liu Bing Yi grabbed Yun Ge’s hand “Yun Ge, Meng Jue will be fine, big brother promise you.”

Yun Ge stopped trying to leave and instead paced the courtyard “Is one of the Infante’s rebelling? The Infante of Yen? The Infante of Guang Ling? Or the Infante of……Chang Yi?”

Liu Bing Yi shook his head “Doesn’t look like that. If an Infante was rebelling, he would be attacking the city. The forces in Chang An would open the doors to lure them in and dispose of them. But by shutting the city gates tight, it looks like a sweep of inside the city.”

Yu An got a secret message and immediately went to inform the Emperor. His voice was quaking “Your……Your majesty, Lord Shang Guan has secretly moved the troops.”

Liu Fu Ling stood up. This day has finally arrived.

The Shang Guan father and son are both from the Yu Lin Army. Shang Guan Jie is the Left General, Shang Guan An is the Biao Qi General. After many years, the Yu Lin Army considers the Shang Guan family its head. Without the Emperor’s permission, the Shang Guan family can only move the Yu Lin Army.

The Yu Lin Army was his royal father’s creation, meant to attack the Xiong Nu and protect the Emperor. It has now become the tool for officials to vie for power. How would his proud royal father feel if he knew this had happened?

Liu Fu Ling gave a sardonic smile.

Huo Guang’s power is in the Imperial Army. His son Huo Yu serves there, and his two nephews Huo Yun and Huo Shan are both lieutenants. His son-in-laws Fang Peng Ming and Deng Guang Han are also the head of the Imperial guards. Huo Guang must have heard the news and the army he will move to counter this force will be the Imperial Army.

The Imperial Army is tasked with guarding the Palace and the royal family. The Emperor’s safety rests solely in the hands of the Imperial Army, and ought to only listen to the Emperor’s command. But right now, the Imperial Army listens only to Huo Guang. It was akin to Huo Guang tightly grasping Liu Fu Ling’s throat in his hand.

Royal father, years ago you killed mother because you were afraid she would manipulate power and harm me. What about now? What has happened with the Regents you hand picked for me?

Liu Fu Ling suddenly said to Yu An “Immediately go and bring my royal sister into the Palace. Tell her that I want to see her because it’s her birthday.”

Yu An said yes and rushed out, only to return moments later, his face ashen. “Your majesty, Fan Peng Ming brought Imperial guards and sealed the entrance to Wei Yang Palace and won’t let me leave or anyone to enter.”

“Come with me” Liu Fu Ling walked out and his eunuchs followed. Fang Peng Ming kneeled before him “Your majesty, we have news someone is rebelling. To protect Your majesty, please stay inside the Wei Yang Palace.” The veins in Liu Fu Ling’s hand throbbed “Who is rebelling?”

“General Huo is investigating right now, and will report once he has news.” Liu Fu Ling continued to walk out but the guards blocking his way refused to move. Their hands remained on their weapons and looked fierce. The eunuchs behind Liu Fu Ling immediately s.h.i.+elded him.

Fang Peng Ming crawled forward a few steps “I know its hard for Your majesty to hear this, and I am willing to die for daring to oppose Your majesty, but all I want is for you to be safe inside the Palace.” The Palace was surrounded by Imperial guards all ready to strike, just waiting for Fang Peng Ming’s order.

Yu An cried as he said to Liu Fu Ling “It’s late, please will Your majesty go rest inside.” Liu Fu Ling’s hand remained fisted and shaking, but he turned and walked inside.

Liu Fu Ling grabbed a cup from the table and was about to smash it, when he stopped and put it back. Yu An cried “Your majesty go ahead and smash it! Let your frustration out.”

Liu Fu Ling turned and he had a strange smile on his face “My uselessness, why harm innocent items? I shall go rest! The outcome is already set, so I need to be ready to reward Huo Guang tomorrow for quelling the rebellion.”

Yu An was stunned “The Imperial Army might have the locational advantage, but in terms of skill and prowess, the Yu Lin Army is perhaps even stronger. There is a chance both sides might annihilate each other.”

Liu Fu Ling smiled and said gently to Yu An “There must be a traitor next to Shang Guan Jie. Fang Peng Ming was certain in the way he spoke to me. If Huo Guang was only investigating, Fang Peng Ming would never dare speak this way to me. Shang Guan JIe’s every move must be within Huo Guang’s control. If Huo Guang hasn’t made a move, he was just waiting for the right time.”

Liu Fu Ling walked into his inner chamber “My only hope now is that my royal sister, who has lost favor with me, can remain outside this fray.”

Yu An heard this and he s.h.i.+vered with cold sweat. He already knew about the Princess’s birthday banquet and how she invited Shang Guan Jie, Huo Guang, and Xang Hong Yang.

Yu An opened his mouth but when he saw the Emperor’s lonely figure, he said nothing. The Heavens must be kind! The Princess is just a defenseless woman with no power now. Nothing must happen to her, nothing must happen to her…………

The Princess didn’t invite a lot of guests, but everyone was important and powerful. The Shang Guan family, the Huo family, and even the elderly Xang Hong Yang showed up personally.

At the banquet, everyone was in a very good mood. After days of being lonely, the Princess was happy to be surrounded by people again.

Shang Guan Jie and Shang Guan An kept drinking and shooting glances at Huo Guang. After tonight, tomorrow the court of the Han dynasty will belong only to the Shang Guan family. Huo Guang and Huo Yu also drank to themselves, knowing everything was within their control.

Shang Guan Jie was pleased and poured another cup for Huo Guang “Brother Huo, let’s drink another one.” Huo Guang thought he used his daughter Huo Lian Er to get information about the Shang Guan family. But Shang Guan Jie took advantage of that, so the message Huo Lian Er pa.s.sed to her father Huo Guang was misdirection that Shang Guan An gave his unsuspecting wife.

Right when the banquet was getting even merrier, suddenly the sound of soldiers rus.h.i.+ng in reached the guests. Huo Yun came into the banquet leading the Imperial Army forces. Everyone was in full armor and covered in blood splatter. “General Huo, the Yu Lin Army tried to rebel and left their base without the Emperor’s orders and tried to enter Wei Yang Palace.”

In a split second, the entire banquet descended into silence.

Watching the Imperial Army surround the banquet hall, Shang Guan Jie’s expression changed immediately while Shang Guan An shouted “Impossible!”

Shang Guan Jie tried to rush forward to grab a weapon and Huo Yun immediately shot an arrow at him. Shang Guan Jie grabbed the arrow sticking out of his chest and smiled bitterly towards Huo Guang “You….you were always…..more vicious…..” and he fell backward on the ground, with his eyes wide open still staring at Huo Guang.

All the ladies at the banquet started weeping and screaming when the army entered, but seeing Shang Guan Jie die right in front of them, everyone was shocked into silence. Eyes stared wide open at the scene before them.

Shang Guan An gave a roar of rage and flipped the table in front of him, using it as a weapon as he charged Huo Guang. In that moment, Shang Guan An, who had become weakened by power and politics, suddenly regained a spectre of his former warrior self.

Huo Yu grabbed a sword and s.h.i.+elded his father. Huo Lian Er cried out “My lord husband, my father promised not to kill you. Please stop, please stop…..”

Shang Guan Am’s legs were shot by two arrows and he wobbled. Huo Yu’s sword swung forth and Shang Guan An’s head went flying through the air. His head rolled on the ground and his wide opened eyes stared at Huo Lian Ar, as if asking her why she caused his death?

Huo Lian Er collapsed on the ground, her face wet with tears “No…..no……..” Huo Cheng Jun and Huo Lian Er do not have the same mother and were never close, but facing such devastation, Huo Cheng Jun was sobbing as well. She wanted to go a.s.sist her sister but her mother grabbed her. The Imperial Army escorted the two ladies out of the banquet.

Hup Guang looked at Xang Hong Yang, whose two servants were trying to protect him. Xang Hong Yang suddenly laughed and motioned for his servants to move aside. He grabbed his cane and stood up “This old man won’t need younger brother Huo to waste his time on me. Years ago at the beside of the former Emperor, the four of us kneeled before him and made a vow. Back then I knew today would come. We have been officials in court for the past thirty years, so I hope younger brother Huo will at least leave me an intact corpse.”

He looked at the Princess who was collapsed weakly on the floor and sighed “Will younger brother Huo please do remember the vow you made to the former Emperor, do remember it, do remember it…..” and then he rushed forward and bashed his head against the stone column, dying immediately.

His two servants followed him and expired on the spot. Ding Wai Ren crawled over to plead with Huo Yu for his life, but a swift sword silenced him forever. In moments, the banquet hall of the Princess’s estate was littered with corpses.

Huo Guang was still holding the cup of wine Shang Guan Jie poured for him, and he smiled at Shang Guan Jie’s dead body before drinking it. Huo Yun ordered the soldiers to take all the female servants into custody. The soldiers found the birthday gift from the Infante of Yen to the Princess as well as their communication. Huo Guang said “Hold the Princess and wait for the Emperor to decide what to do with her.”

No one dared make a sound. In the silence, Huo Lian Er’s sobbing sounded even louder. She finally accepted that her husband Shang Guan An was dead by the hands of her brother. She got up from the ground and staggered over to Huo Guang.

She stared at her father “Daddy, didn’t you promise me. Didn’t you promise me?” Huo Guang gently replied “Lian Er, there are many good men out there. Shang Guan An hasn’t been good to you these past years because of me, I will make it up to you.”