Chapter 56: Acknowledging Kinship

Chapter 56: Acknowledging Kinship

This night was destined to be unrestful, with countless households keeping their lights ablaze throughout.

Despite Marquis Xuanping's thorough preparations, he still underestimated the tenacity of the civil officials. As they waited in sequence outside Qinghe Hall, various gazes were cast his way. Their bloodshot eyes betrayed an inexplicable excitement, while the dark circles beneath their eyes were conspicuous and prominent. Each one of them seemed eager to pounce, ready for action.

It was evident that many had spent the entire night awake, drafting memorials until dawn.

General Hong stood beside him, indignantly remarking, "Look at their exhausted appearances, like a flock of black-eyed chickens. They've probably been holding back all night. Once they enter the hall, they'll surely denounce you. You'd better be prepared."

He nodded, his back straight as a board.

Entering the hall, he took a deep breath. There's no avoiding fate; whether it's a blessing or a curse, one can only resign oneself to what has transpired.

To the surprise of all the courtiers, the emperor unexpectedly presided over the court session today. He sat majestically on his elevated dragon throne, seemingly still half-asleep, with a stern expression on his face.

The civil officials, one after another, presented their arguments, each passionately decrying the Emperor's act of acknowledging a foster mother. They refrained from invoking the tired trope of beauties as harbingers of calamity; instead, they drew upon the precedents and protocols set by past dynasties, asserting how this act was utterly unbecoming, tarnishing the majesty of the imperial household. They vehemently urged against setting such a precedent, for it would surely undermine the dignity that had been so meticulously upheld for generations.

While some opposed the Emperor acknowledging a foster mother, others criticized Marquis Xuanping for his failure in educating his daughter. In their view, His Majesty's antics were one aspect, but the second miss from the Marquis's household was likely no less troublesome. Being young and ignorant, the Emperor might have been swayed by her allure, leading to such confusion.

"Your Majesty, that woman is not mere trouble, she is calamity!"

"Scourge?" Shangxing's eyes flared with anger. "Before, you spoke of a femme fatale bringing ruin to the state, and now you call her a scourge. Pray tell, what has she scourged?"

Whom else could it harm but the emperor himself?

The officials were strained, with several contemplating the ultimate act of loyalty through bold remonstrance.

Shangxing let out a cold snort. "My birth mother passed away early, and I was never nurtured under the care of the empress dowager. Whenever I ponder on this, I always feel a lack of maternal love. Second Miss Pei, on the other hand, is well-versed in literature and has a profound understanding of manners. Her conversations with me are filled with sincere concern, reminiscent of an elder's guidance. Hence, I thought of acknowledging her as my foster mother to alleviate the sorrow of losing my own. What could be wrong with that?"

An elderly minister stepped forward, suggesting that it would not be inappropriate for the emperor to take the lady as an adoptive mother. However, Miss Pei, the second lady of the family, was far too young and had yet to be married - it was indeed not suitable for her to assume the role of an adoptive mother.

Upon hearing this, numerous voices chimed in agreement.

The courtiers were taken aback, ultimately, due to Pei Yuanxi's identity and age. If it had been an elderly Marquise from some noble household, no one would have reacted so strongly; they might have even praised it as a delightful anecdote.

As they discussed, they kept observing Gongye Chu's facial expressions.

Gongye Chu's face was as cold as a mountain, revealing no emotion.

The crowd felt that he must also be dissatisfied with the emperor's decision, thus increasing their fervor. Each one of them was determined to be the first to persuade Shangxing not to acknowledge the empress as his foster mother.

Shangxing, being young and impulsive, couldn't help but show his annoyance. He pointed at the most agitated old minister and asked, "How old are you, Minister Liu?"

"I am 54 years of age, Your Majesty," the old minister replied, believing that the emperor was moved by his loyalty, and he was almost brought to tears by his own emotion.

"54, indeed an advanced age. I recall that you married a second wife last year. She is not much older than your granddaughter, and your son is significantly older than she is. I dare to ask, does your son address her as his mother, and do your grandchildren call her grandmother?"

The old minister was left speechless, his face turning red with embarrassment. "Your Majesty, I married her in a proper and legitimate manner."

Shangxing let out an "oh," and continued, "According to Minister Liu, age is not an issue as long as the marriage is legitimate. So, was your earlier fervent opposition because Second Miss Pei is about the same age as I? You can marry young women even when you're old and near death, but you object to my acknowledging a foster mother? What is the reasoning behind this?"

The old minister was terrified and knelt, pounding his head on the ground while saying he dared not.

"I see that you all dare quite a lot, meddling in everything from the heavens to the earth, even interfering with my choice of a foster mother. Each of you wants to be known as an upright and loyal minister, just short of pointing your fingers at my nose and calling me a tyrant! Let me ask you, what ancestral precept have I violated by acknowledging a foster mother, or which secular custom have I disregarded?"

Being young and uninterested in politics, many ministers viewed him as a tyrant. In history, tyrants were either cruel rulers who lost the people's support or were obsessed with beauty and easily swayed by flattery. But none of them had squandered their ambitions like he did.

No one spoke, yet their silence was a silent protest.

He gave a cold laugh. "I've made up my mind about taking her as my foster mother. If any of you wish to die in protest, I won't stop you. But do it in the privacy of your own homes, not in the Qinghe Hall where you'd soil my sight."

The elder officials were so enraged that their beards quivered. With such a ruler, the Shang family was doomed!

Zeng Tai's brother was among the assembly and promptly implored Gongye Chu. "Lord Gongye, please say something!"

All the ministers looked to Gongye Chu, knowing he was the true decision-maker in this realm. The young emperor might be behaving recklessly, but Lord Gongye wouldn't stand idly by. They believed that even if Gongye Chu indulged the emperor's self-destructive tendencies, he wouldn't tolerate such absurdity.

To their surprise, Gongye Chu only said, "This is His Majesty's domestic affair. It's not appropriate for his subjects to intervene."

Upon hearing this, Shangxing raised an eyebrow slightly. He thought to himself, You people go to my father to complain, but don't you realize he's my own flesh and blood? Which father wouldn't protect his child?

"Did you hear that? This is my private matter. Each of you tend to your own households. Don't favor your concubines over your wives today and engage in sibling rivalry tomorrow."

When Marquis Xuanping heard this, he felt the emperor was indirectly insulting him.

In that moment, the ministers lost their guiding light.

As Minister Zeng pondered Gongye Chu's intentions, he became more convinced that the emperor was digging his own grave. A monarch without the support of his subjects would be vulnerable. If another crisis arose that further alienated the people, the grand admiral could logically seize power.

The prosperity that the Zeng family currently enjoyed was all thanks to Empress Dowager Zeng. As Shangxing sat on the throne, their family still benefited from her influence. He shared the same thoughts as Empress Dowager Zeng – on one hand, they both despised Shangxing, but on the other, they feared that he might be deposed.

"Your Majesty, the Empress Dowager has always treated you as her own child..."

"Empress Dowager?" Shangxing interrupted him. "Speaking of which, she should still be kneeling in Chengyou Palace. At her age, she should be enjoying her retirement. She meddles in things she shouldn't and neglects those she should attend to. Minister Zeng, you should advise her to refrain from causing trouble and to know her place."

Minister Zeng's face turned pale. Was this how an emperor should speak of his stepmother? Without even the slightest respect, the Emperor was clearly expressing his dissatisfaction with the Grand Marshal!

It was well-known that his sister was chosen by the Grand Marshal, essentially becoming his proxy.

"Your Majesty, Concubine Tai is your stepmother. She is also considering the reputation of Your Royal Highness..."

"Vice Minister Zeng seems unusually talkative today. I merely expressed an opinion, yet you're quick to accuse me of disobedience. Perhaps you are displeased with my occupancy of this Dragon Throne? Would you like to try sitting on it yourself?"

Excellency Zeng was so terrified that he immediately knelt, daring not to utter another word.

The courtiers were well aware of the emperor's wayward nature. In the past, with the Grand Tutor's guidance, he hadn't been as stubborn. Little did they expect that without the Grand Tutor's influence, the emperor would become so recklessly unchecked.

What else could they do but swallow their anger and dare not speak out?

With a serious expression, Shangxing held his cheek and said, "I simply wish to experience the bond between a mother and son. You all are making too much of a fuss. In my opinion, you are still too idle. You might as well go home and tend to your flowers and grass for some genuine leisure."

No one dared to respond to such a remark. The officials pretended to be oblivious.

While they maintained their silence, Shangxing straightened his imperial robe and stood up. "I'm concerned that Empress Dowager Zeng is being stubborn and still kneeling in Chengyou Palace. The thought of her kneeling through the night worries me greatly. I'll take my leave first; you may continue."

Disregarding the expressions of the officials, he strolled out of Qinghe Hall with an air of nonchalance. His relaxed pace and demeanor showed no sign of urgency.

As the only Empress Dowager in Tai Ling Palace, Zeng had loyal supporters and informants within the palace. Upon learning of Shangxing's departure from Qinghe Hall, she hastily straightened her kneeling posture and ordered the cushions to be removed.

The distance from Qinghe Hall to Chengyou Palace was not short. By the time Shangxing leisurely made his way there, she felt like her knees no longer belonged to her.

"Empress Dowager is still kneeling?" Shangxing sat down without ceremony, calmly observing her posture. "Empress Dowager truly has a stubborn heart, having knelt through the entire night, I presume?"

She was seething inside; this impudent boy's words were infuriating. "Your Majesty, decorum must be maintained. I know I cannot dissuade you, but to act against reason risks Your Majesty's reputation for generations to come. I implore you to reconsider!"

"I have considered it, more than thrice," Shangxing glanced around the hall's interior. "Empress Dowager's previous palace was far worse than this. Three years may not seem long or short, but perhaps Empress Dowager has forgotten the hardships of the past."

Zeng's heart skipped a beat. What was this boy implying? Back then, she was an unpopular concubine, sharing a palace with several lower-ranking concubines. Her quarters were in shadow, receiving no sunlight in summer and plagued by drafts and insufficient heating in winter. How could she forget?

It was because of the depth of her memories that she needed to hold on even tighter to her current wealth and status.

"Your Majesty, how could I forget? Back then, you had no one to care for you and lived in Qixia Palace with the Tenth Prince and others. At that time, I was struggling to protect myself, so I could only watch helplessly as you all suffered from hunger and cold."

Qixia Palace was a deserted palace, the most desolate place within Tai Ling Palace.

A mocking smile tugged at Shangxing's lips. "Empress Dowager, your memory is indeed sharp, but you lack the ability to read the situation. Regardless of the past, I am now the ruler of this country. If I choose to acknowledge someone as my foster mother, no one can stop me! If Empress Dowager has grown tired of her comfortable life, I shall grant your wish. Speaking of which, the grass in Qixia Palace must be withering by now, just the right season for rats to hoard food for winter. If Empress Dowager cannot behave, perhaps you should move there to keep them company!"

Zeng Tai Fei gasped, never imagining he would speak to her in such a manner. She was an Empress Dowager, how dare this brat humiliate her?

"Your Majesty, I dare not forget the past, and neither should you. You should remember how you ascended to the throne and how I became the Empress Dowager."

This reckless brat would surely face consequences from the Grand Marshal.

To her surprise, Shangxing's expression remained unchanged as he slowly rose to his feet and approached her. A peculiar smile, too mature for his young face, appeared as he gazed at Zeng Tai Fei as if she were an idiot.

"Empress Dowager is absolutely right. I owe my position as emperor to the Grand Marshal. And the reason you became the Empress Dowager is due to your lack of favor, support, or children. Lately, I've noticed your insatiable desires for power and influence, even reaching out into the court. Not only can I not tolerate you, how could the Grand Marshal possibly condone such behavior?"

Upon hearing this, Zeng Tai Fei felt as if a thunderbolt had struck her. Clenching her palms tightly, a chill ran down her spine. How could she not know why she survived and was bestowed the title of Empress Dowager? But she was well aware that she was merely a pawn deliberately placed in the palace by the Grand Marshal to restrain the emperor.

With this thought, her mind gradually calmed.

That stubborn brat refused to admit his mistakes even on his deathbed. It was still uncertain who would be abandoned first by the Grand Marshal.

"Your Majesty, we share the same fate. You should understand that I genuinely wish you well... If you want to retain your throne, you must know how crucial your reputation is. One misstep could cost you everything you have now..."

"Your Majesty's affairs need not concern Empress Dowager Zeng. If you behave yourself in the future, perhaps I will show you some favor. But if you dare to meddle in my affairs again just because of your status, I'll send you back to where you came from!"

"Your Majesty!" Empress Dowager Zeng's eyes turned dark with anger. She wanted to say he had no right and that he himself was just a puppet without the power to exile her to the Cold Palace. But when she met his dark gaze, she realized she had been wrong from the beginning. She had underestimated that deadbeat. "Everything I've done is within my duties, with not a hint of overstepping my boundaries."

Shangxing had no patience for word games. "I hope that's truly the case, Empress Dowager. You've always portrayed yourself as an unassuming, peaceful person. It would be best if you continued to maintain that image. If you wish to vie for attention, Tai Ling Palace has no room for your showiness."

Empress Dowager Zeng trembled with rage. She was the only empress dowager in the palace—whom could she compete with? How was she being showy? This brat was subtly insulting her, trying to tarnish her reputation.

She would see who would have the last laugh.

When Shangxing left Chengyou Palace, his pace was hurried, a stark contrast to his leisurely entrance. He rushed just in time to stop Marquis Xuanping as the court session dispersed. Marquis Xuanping walked alongside General Hong, while other officials kept their distance, some watching, some envious, and others disdainful.

Marquis Xuanping jumped in surprise at being called out. The stream of exiting officials promptly knelt upon hearing his voice.

"I have always held filial piety in high regard," Shangxing said casually, yet his words thundered through the assembly of ministers like a bolt from the blue. "I wish to accompany my foster mother for a meal at the Marquis's residence. Would Marquis Pei be so kind as to grant me this favor?"

Marquis Xuanping was taken aback. "Of course... it would be my pleasure."

Could he say no?

Shangxing looked at him with a warm smile. They had rarely met before. His father's wrath after his mother's death had affected everyone, resulting in Marquis Xuanping being demoted to an earl's residence. This maternal grandfather, without any official position, neither attended court nor entered the palace.

It was said that this maternal grandfather doted on his mother. Perhaps because of this, Shangxing felt a certain familiarity with him. However, their interactions were scarce, and he found it difficult to address him as 'grandfather.'

"Since it is convenient, I shall accept your gracious offer with humility," Shangxing continued.

General Hong scratched his head, sensing something amiss. The emperor clearly wanted to dine at the marquis's residence, but how did it turn into accepting an offer out of respect? These flowery phrases sounded awkward and left him dizzy.

Shangxing waved his hand, gesturing for the ministers to rise. "I've heard that common folk often hold a feast and invite an esteemed elder as a witness when establishing a foster relationship. I wish to follow this tradition. What do you think, Marquis Pei?"

Marquis Xuanping, still reeling from the first blow, was struck again. He stammered, "Y-yes, it's possible, but Your Majesty's status is exalted. It's really not necessary to personally attend to such matters. A royal decree would suffice..."

"How could that do? This is my first time acknowledging a foster relationship. If I were to issue a decree casually, people might think I don't hold my foster mother in high esteem. Little do they know, in my heart, my foster mother is equivalent to my own mother."

All were astounded, none dared to believe their ears when the Emperor uttered such words.

Marquis Xuanping nearly stumbled, his eyes locking onto Gongye Chu in the distance as if beholding a savior. He fervently hoped that the Grand Commander would promptly intervene to halt His Majesty's reckless actions, thereby sparing their Marquisate from being thrust into the center of the storm.

Shangxing also spotted Gongye Chu, his face alight with excitement. "Lord Gongye, your timing is impeccable. I am preparing a banquet to hold a recognition ceremony. Would you kindly serve as a witness for this imperial occasion?"

The Emperor's behavior has become increasingly reckless, perhaps he has lost his mind, some whispered to themselves.

Marquis Xuanping was so startled that he dared not raise his head, utterly bewildered by the emperor's actions. At times, his mind would turn to darker suspicions, wondering if the emperor was using the Marquis's estate as a pawn, deliberately provoking the Grand Commander.

Yet upon closer reflection, it didn't seem quite right. Thus, he became even more confused and failed to catch a single word Gongye Chu said. When he realized he was sandwiched between the emperor and the Grand Commander, he wished he could die on the spot.

"Lord Pei, come along," Shangxing invited him, leaving him utterly distraught yet unable to express his tears.

Amidst the envious and complicated gazes of the onlookers, he walked awkwardly, sandwiched between the two. From the palace to the marquis's mansion, he had traversed this path countless times. Seated in his sedan chair, the thought of those two venerable ancestors made his head spin with twofold trouble, and he had never felt the path as short as it seemed today.

The Kang and Shen families received the news, equally stunned for a long while. Lady Kang, being the experienced matriarch that she was, managed to compose herself swiftly. On one hand, she dispatched a messenger to inform Pei Yuanxi, while on the other, she assigned Nurse Cloud to personally oversee the kitchen preparations. It wasn't long before they learned that they needn't trouble the Marquis' household with the meal preparations; the palace had sent imperial chefs for the task.

Madam Shen assembled all the servants and ordered that those on duty in Xuanting Courtyard and Changhui Courtyard be dismissed. The rest were instructed not to wander about to avoid disturbing the honored guests.

Pei Ji, too, was summoned back from the academy to meet with his grandmother, mother, and sister. They hurried to the main gate to receive the royal visit.

Pei Yuanxi stood at the forefront, still reeling from the sudden revelation that she had a son, a surprise that had kept her awake all night. Hearing that both the emperor and her son were coming, she was momentarily struck dumb, sitting in a daze.

If the emperor was behaving recklessly, had Gongye Chu joined in? Was this how they had always interacted as father and son? It had been difficult for her to picture someone as stern and aloof as Gongye Chu raising a cheerful and vivacious child, but now it seemed likely that he had indulged his son excessively.

Fortunately, their journey had been discreet, causing no disturbance among the common folk. However, the entire court was aware of their trip, and countless eyes in the Eastern Capital City were undoubtedly fixed on the Marquis Xuanping's residence.

The household of the marquis received the imperial party with great deference, welcoming the emperor into their estate.

Walking side by side with Pei Yuanxi, Shangxing addressed her with endearing terms as his foster mother. Madam Kang's heart pounded wildly, wishing she could cover her ears.

Marquis Xuanping accompanied Gongye Chu, feeling distinctly uncomfortable. Pei Ji and Madam Shen followed behind, one already frightened out of their wits, while the other trembled with fear.

The formidable guards of Liu Wei kept the Marquis Xuanping's residence so tightly secured that not even a fly could enter or leave. The servants within the mansion, not permitted to move about freely, were so frightened that they dared not even show their heads.

The banquet was arranged in the front courtyard, with Marquis Xuanping and Pei Ji in attendance as honored guests, accompanied by Pei Yuanxi.

A myriad of dishes were served, many of which Marquis Xuanping had never laid eyes on before. The aroma was pungent, and the vibrant red color made it seem almost too intimidating to touch with chopsticks. In truth, despite their allure as exquisite delicacies, he lacked the appetite to savor them at that moment.

Shangxing was knowledgeable about every dish, detailing their origins and ingredients used – whether they were exotic imports, seafood, fowl, land animals, or rare delicacies from deep mountains.

Listening to his explanations, Marquis Xuanping and Pei Ji gradually relaxed.

Gongye Chu knew Shangxing had a knack for peculiar things but was surprised by the extent of his culinary knowledge. After describing each dish, he glanced at Pei Yuanxi, encouraging her to taste them first.

"Godmother, I'm sure you'll love this one."

"Godmother, this dish is tailored to your palate."

Throughout the meal, he found himself narrating while watching Pei Yuanxi savor her food. With every bite she took, a myriad of emotions stirred within her. The world deemed him peculiar, little knowing that his eccentricity stemmed from none other than her.

These dishes were all to her liking, or more accurately, they were beloved by her before she traversed time. She sampled them one by one, the spicy flavors dancing on her tongue, yet she discerned an underlying taste, something else entirely.

Gongye Chu sat as resolute as a mountain, his gaze shrouded in mystery.

It was a plight for the Marquis Xuanping and his son, who, on one hand, had to suppress their coughs from the spicy dishes and, on the other hand, force themselves to taste the bizarre concoctions before the emperor's expectant gaze, as if they were savoring the finest delicacies.

After a hard-earned meal, the emperor surprisingly expressed a desire to take a stroll around the marquis's mansion.

Fortunately, the Grand Marshal showed mercy and spared them from accompanying him. Marquis Xuanping's just-relaxed heart leapt back into his throat when he saw the three of them walking together.

The Emperor's actions were unpredictable, and today the Grand Marshal was behaving rather unusually as well. He felt that there was something amiss, but he couldn't quite put his finger on what it was.

Shangxing appeared to be in high spirits, walking between Pei Yuanxi and Gongye Chu. With him acting as a buffer, the two didn't seem awkward at all.

Suddenly, the pet dog, Pointless, appeared out of nowhere and obediently circled around his legs. Shangxing tossed something in his hand, and Pointless eagerly jumped up to chase after it.

He followed, joining in the playful chase not far away.

Pei Yuanxi was suddenly struck with a sense of taking a child for a walk, albeit a rather large one. Upon seeing the youthful figure reveling in play with the dog, she couldn't help but feel that this "child" seemed not to have grown up at all.

Gongye Chu stood with his hands behind his back, gazing in that direction.

The young boy, engaged in play with the dogs, laughed uninhibitedly. He mused that if he ever had a son, it certainly wouldn't be one like this. The child seemed entirely unaware of the virtues of restraint and profundity, traits that he likely inherited more from his mother.

Their eyes met as if they shared an unspoken understanding, but Pei Yuanxi quickly averted her gaze. She seemed to have detected a hint of disdain in his eyes just now. Whom was he actually disdainful of?

Over there, Shangxing was whispering intimately to Dim Sum, "I really have it tough, pretending to be a child is no easy task. You're so much better off, not having to worry about your parents arranging your marriage."

The pet dog whimpered affectionately, wagging its tail eagerly towards him.