Chapter 4 Young General, Just Marry Him Already

Chapter 4: Young General, Why Don't You Just Get Married Already?

Buye Fang, nestled on Qiongyun Island in the Kunshui River north of the capital, was the city's grandest pleasure quarter, rivaling the famed Fumeng Zhu.

Fumeng Zhu had recently been raided and sealed by the Imperial Guards, making Buye Fang even more bustling.

The only access to the island was by water, via exquisite painted boats, rowed by charming young women whose eyes sparkled with youthful allure.

Yan Weichu gazed into the distance: tiered pavilions rose on the island, thousands of red lanterns reflecting on the water, creating an otherworldly glow.

Upon disembarking, an attendant led the way. They traversed a winding plank bridge, passed through layers of beaded curtains, where the air was thick with the scent of perfume and an intoxicating warmth. Soft laughter and chatter filled the air. Looking up, a plaque in the main hall read, "A Thousand Gold for One Drunken Night."

Yan Weichu paused for a moment. The attendant, bowing obsequiously, enthusiastically described the establishment's various offerings.

This young gentleman seemed unfamiliar, likely a first-time visitor. With four or five retainers in tow, the sharp-eyed attendant had already surmised his extraordinary origins.

Yan Weichu remained silent. Behind him, Zhao Anfu offered a gold ingot and stated, "We require a quiet courtyard. Tea and refreshments will suffice; no other services are needed."

"Right away! Please follow me, honored guests!" the attendant chirped, delighted.

Beyond the main hall, the space opened up. The higher they ascended the hill, the more tranquil it became.

The clamor faded, leaving only the distant, languid strains of string and wind instruments.

However, as they passed through a flower-lined corridor, an unwelcome interruption occurred.

A drunken man, stumbling, pushed the attendant aside and lurched towards Yan Weichu. Squinting his eyes, he leered with a vulgar expression, reeking of alcohol. "Where did this beauty come from? You're in luck—tonight, you belong to me."

As his hand reached for Yan Weichu's wrist, in the next instant, the Imperial Guards drew their swords, pressing them against the ruffian's neck from either side.

The drunkard sobered instantly with a jolt and roared, "Do you know who I am? You've got some nerve!"

Yan Weichu, expressionless, ordered, "Slap him."

"Please, no!" the attendant exclaimed in alarm. Though he didn’t recognize these disguised men with ordinary swords as Imperial Guards, he knew the drunkard. "He is the son of the Duke of Zhenguo! You mustn’t!"

Yan Weichu cast another cold glance at the still-shouting drunkard. "If the ancestors of the Duke of Zhenguo's household knew their descendants were so arrogant, debauched, and dissolute, they would likely rise from their graves in fury to slap him themselves."

The restrained man flew into a rage. "You son of a bitch! How dare you insult my ancestors—"

Zhao Anfu raised his hand and delivered a forceful slap.

The attendant, cowed by Yan Weichu's presence, lowered his head and retreated, bowing even deeper, not daring to utter another word.

As night deepened, Yan Weichu sat in an elegant pavilion on the hillside, sipping tea and gazing out at the distant and nearby lights.

The capital had no curfew. Not only Buye Fang, but the entire vast city was ablaze with lights, a scene of flourishing prosperity.

Yet, beneath such splendor, who knew how many malevolent forces lurked.

A moment later, an Imperial Guard entered to report that the owner of Buye Fang was outside and wished to meet this distinguished guest.

Yan Weichu knew well that the earlier incident would not be easily dismissed—and he had intended it that way.

Setting down his teacup, he casually instructed, "Let him in."

Zheng Shize entered and subtly assessed the group: fierce, sword-bearing guards; a pale, beardless elder; and a young man leisurely sipping tea and enjoying snacks.

A shrewd man, he knew that those who dared to lay hands on the Duke of Zhenguo's son were certainly no ordinary people.

Taking in the scene, he suddenly understood. There was no mistaking it now. He hurried forward, knelt, and kowtowed deeply. "Your Majesty, I pay my respects. May Your Majesty be well!"

Yan Weichu replied coldly, "I am not well."

"..." The man, who had been about to raise his head, kowtowed again.

Yan Weichu let him kneel for a while before finally saying, "Rise."

Zheng Shize looked up, eyes brimming with tears. He crawled forward on his knees, hugged Yan Weichu's legs, and sobbed, "Your Majesty, brother, it's really you!"

The corner of Yan Weichu's mouth twitched slightly.

*

At the heart of Qiongyun Island, the most prime location, was a theater—the liveliest spot in all of Buye Fang.

Xie Xiao sat alone in a private room on the second floor for a while before someone pushed the door open.

As the door closed, the newcomer stepped forward and knelt on one knee in a military salute. "Lieutenant General Cao Rong pays respects to the Young General!"

"Rise, take a seat." Xie Xiao immediately gestured for him to stand and speak.

This man was a lieutenant general stationed in Shuoning. He had returned to the capital to report on his duties and would be reassigned elsewhere in a few days. Xie Xiao had already resigned from his position as Shuoning General and could no longer meet with him privately, so they had to arrange a meeting in such a place to avoid drawing attention.

Cao Rong was a straightforward man. He sat down, poured himself a cup of water, downed it in one go, wiped his mouth, and said, "I’ve heard these past few days in the capital. That Young Emperor called you back to the capital, gave you titles and rewards, but gave you no official position, leaving you with nothing to do. He plans to use you and discard you—the bastard."

"Watch your words," Xie Xiao coldly reminded him. "This is the capital. You're risking your life speaking so recklessly."

"What’s wrong with that?" Xie Xiao's tone was indifferent, as if he didn’t care in the slightest.

Cao Rong asked him, "Young General, do you know who is being sent to Shuoning to replace the Commander-in-Chief?"

"Bing Yuanzheng." Xie Xiao calmly stated the name. He was not cut off from the world in the capital and had naturally heard.

Cao Rong hissed. "The Young Emperor is determined to seize military power."

If someone else had been sent to Shuoning, the soldiers might not have obeyed. But Bing Yuanzheng was different—he was a seasoned general who had once followed the Senior Duke on campaigns.

In the past, the Senior Duke commanded nearly 400,000 troops across the Wulong, Yan'an, and Shuoning garrisons, his immense influence, and his subordinates were all fierce generals.

Two years ago, the Senior Duke passed away. Xie Xiao's father, Xie Yuankui, succeeded as the Duke, taking command of the Wulong and Yan'an garrisons, while Xie Xiao was transferred to Shuoning. At that time, Bing Yuanzheng was under Xie Yuankui's command but offended the new Duke—a man of limited ability but great pettiness. Xie Yuankui made up charges against him and reported them to the court. The Empress Dowager Xie, who controlled the court at the time and was Xie Yuankui's elder sister, helped convict Bing Yuanzheng, stripping him of his rank and exiling him.

Just a few days ago, the Young Emperor suddenly reinstated Bing Yuanzheng and issued an order sending him to Shuoning.

Sending a general from the border garrisons, who also held a grudge against the Duke of Ning, to replace Xie Xiao made the Young Emperor's intentions clear.

Xie Xiao took a sip of tea and shook his head slightly. "The Emperor is not as weak and easily bullied as outsiders think. He is just young, and his harmless appearance is deceptive."

Even though the Young Emperor had shown weakness in front of him that day, Xie Xiao sensed that this Emperor was not to be underestimated.

Having endured for ten years, he staged a coup to seize power, quickly regained control of the Imperial Guards and other imperial forces—how could such a person be weak and easily bullied?

Cao Rong asked curiously, "Really?"

Xie Xiao said casually, "The current Commander of the Imperial Guards, Cui Shao, is the son of the Marquis of Huai'an. The Marquis of Huai'an's household has close ties with the Prince Regent through marriage, but it's long been rumored that Cui Shao and his father are at odds, nearly to the point of severing ties. How the Emperor contacted him is unknown, but he clearly used this to win Cui Shao over."

"So on the night of the coup, Cui Shao decisively killed his superior, subdued those loyal to the Empress Dowager Xie, and took control of the entire Imperial Guards. Then, armed with the Emperor's decree, he forcefully took over the Capital Police Department."

"Moreover, the capital garrison remained on the sidelines throughout the coup, effectively acquiescing. The Emperor had calculated this as well. The Capital Garrison Commander is the Duke of Ning. The Duke of Ning's household is the maternal family of the late Emperor. Compared to the Emperor, they would be even more unwilling to see the Empress Dowager Xie hold power."

"Furthermore, those civil officials had long been eager for His Majesty to take the reins, and many secretly lent their assistance. That night’s palace coup was almost a guaranteed victory."

Though Xie Xiao had only just returned to the capital, he was well aware of these matters. The more he understood, the less he wished to provoke that shrewd Young Emperor.

Cao Rong tutted upon hearing this. "I heard the Emperor has placed the empress dowager under house arrest. Now he’s given you a hereditary title—who knows what he’s really thinking?"

"To reassure them," Xie Xiao said calmly. "It’s a signal to the nobility in the capital that he won’t move against them, at least not for now. That’s why only some insignificant figures were dealt with in the so-called treason case."

"However, once His Majesty fully secures military control in the capital, that could change—and it won’t be long. The commanders of the Twelve Imperial Guards have all been replaced by those he brought from the Western Garden, especially the Embroidered Guard, which now obeys him completely. The Capital Police is also in his hands. The next step will be the Capital Garrison and Capital Guard under the control of the Five Military Commissions."

As for the title, it can be granted now and just as easily revoked later under some pretext.

Cao Rong got chills. "Is the Emperor planning to move against the Duke of Zhenguo’s estate? Are you just going to sit back and wait for it, Young General?"

"No," Xie Xiao said coolly. "As long as my father remains Commander-in-Chief of the Wulong and Yan’an garrisons, he won’t. As for the future, whether it brings fortune or disaster, there’s no avoiding it anyway."

Mentioning Xie Xiao’s worthless father, Cao Rong grew indignant. "The Duke is becoming more and more unreasonable. Before I returned to the capital, I heard news from Wulong that the Duke, upon learning the Emperor had granted you a marquis title, started scheming to petition for changing the heir."

"Not only did he secretly elevate his concubine to the official wife, but he also wants the son born to that woman to replace you. In the future, that brat would be the Duke, while you’d only be a Marquis, subordinate to him. What right does he have?"

Xie Xiao seemed already aware of this and remained composed. "This is also the Emperor’s open strategy—using this method to drive a wedge between my father and me. He has succeeded."

Cao Rong found it irritating. "This Young Emperor isn’t very old, but he’s certainly cunning. Speaking of which, I heard just yesterday after arriving that the Ministry of Rites has already asked the Emperor to choose an empress. The eldest young lady will have to marry into the palace. Won’t that make you the Emperor’s brother-in-law, Young General?"

Xie Xiao frowned. He didn’t want his elder sister to marry into the palace, and she didn’t want to either.

Cao Rong guessed his thoughts and teased with a chuckle, "But the empress must be a daughter of the Duke’s estate. Aside from the eldest young lady, there are no other suitable candidates of the right age. You’re not married either, Young General, but you can’t exactly take her spot—unless the Young Emperor is willing to have you."

Xie Xiao sighed helplessly. "Don’t talk nonsense."

Cao Rong only grew more enthusiastic, clapping his hands together. "Emperor Taizu only decreed that the empress must come from the Duke of Zhenguo’s estate—he never said an empress who's a man wasn’t allowed! Why don’t you just marry him yourself, Young General? That would save the Young Emperor from constantly suspecting you and looking for ways to target you."

"Who knows what the Young Emperor’s temperament is like or how he looks?" The man had always been unrestrained in his speech and now grew even more outrageous. "Young General, you might as well just suck it up…"

Xie Xiao set down his teacup, declining firmly and unequivocally: "No, thank you."

Author’s Note:

Xie Xiao now: Hard pass.

Xie Xiao later: Yes, yes, yes!