Chapter 10 This Emperor Gifts You a Son

Chapter 10: I Shall Grant You a Son

Zhao Anfu entered to find Yan Weichu examining the roster submitted by Wan Xuanju.

Wan Xuanju, besides being the Superintendent of the Eastern Depot, had also controlled the Directorate of Ceremonial. Leveraging Empress Dowager Xie's favor, he had become adept at selling official posts and titles. This roster listed officials at various levels promoted through his influence, some even holding senior positions of the third rank.

Yan Weichu clicked his tongue in amazement. His mother and uncle had previously relied mainly on noble and military circles for power, but through the eunuch Wan Xuanju, they had managed to cultivate a faction within the court using such methods.

Wan Xuanju knelt obediently. After reviewing the roster, Yan Weichu glanced at him and said, "These people, if useful to the Empress Dowager, can be useful to me. It depends on their competence. Tell them to behave themselves, or they'll be digging their own graves. Don’t say I didn’t warn them."

Wan Xuanju replied with utmost deference, "This servant obeys Your Majesty’s command and will ensure the matter is handled flawlessly."

Once Yan Weichu dismissed him, Zhao Anfu, who had been waiting nearby, stepped forward. "Your Majesty, Lord Liu has arrived."

Yan Weichu continued reading memorials without looking up. "Show him in."

Yan Weichu got straight to the point. "Since Zhang Jiong has retired, the position of Chief Grand Secretary will be yours from now on, Lord Liu."

Instead of thanking him, Liu Zhu said, "Your Majesty, I entered the Grand Secretariat late and lack seniority. If I were to become Chief Grand Secretary, I fear I would not command respect."

Yan Weichu finally lifted his gaze. "Who told you that Grand Secretariat appointments are based on seniority? Even if that were the case, it ends today. From now on, positions will go to the capable."

Liu Zhu still demurred. "Your subject is of limited talent and shallow learning. I fear I am unfit for such responsibility…"

"During the court assembly when the ministers staged their protest, I saw clearly that among all the Grand Secretaries, you alone were reluctant. Later, when they came to kneel outside my Yaotai Palace, you claimed illness and did not participate. I thought you were on my side," Yan Weichu said, his voice turning cold. "It seems I misjudged you."

Liu Zhu knelt but did not defend himself. After a moment of silence, he too requested retirement. "Your subject is advanced in years. Recently, I often feel weary and mentally foggy while handling affairs. I truly lack the energy to serve Your Majesty any longer. I beg Your Majesty to grant me mercy and allow me to retire and return to my hometown."

Yan Weichu stared coldly at him as Liu Zhu kowtowed deeply.

Liu Zhu’s ancestors had been descendants of founding meritorious officials. Later, due to certain events, his family was confiscated and the entire clan exiled, barred from official service for three generations. It was only through remarkable perseverance that he passed the imperial examinations and became an official, yet he could not restore his family’s former glory. The upright officials at court naturally excluded him due to his background, while the military nobles shared different principles and would not work with him. His lofty ambitions ultimately came to nothing.

Despite this, it was precisely his background that caught the attention of the Regent Prince, who promoted him to the Grand Secretariat in an attempt to divide the civil officials’ factions. The plan failed, however, because Lord Liu chose to remain prudent, avoiding offense to either side and allowing matters to take their course. He remained in the lowest position among the Grand Secretaries, gradually fading into obscurity, idling away his days until now, somehow surviving unscathed.

"I don’t think Lord Liu is senile yet," Yan Weichu said, losing patience. "Not long ago, when I asked you to recommend candidates for Shuoning General, the person you suggested was exactly to my liking. It seems to me you know very well what you’re doing."

Liu Zhu inwardly groaned. That day, when he recommended Bing Yuanzheng, he was merely following Yan Weichu’s implied wishes. The emperor had previously inquired about this person, showing intent to reinstate him. Liu Zhu was simply seizing the opportunity.

"Your subject only…"

"Liu Zhu!" Yan Weichu slammed the desk and raised his voice. "Who do you take me for? That I would allow you to mock and deceive me like this?"

Liu Zhu knelt, lowering his head further. "Your Majesty, please control your anger. I would not dare."

"How can I control my anger?" Yan Weichu scolded. "Do you really think I don’t know what’s on your mind? Because of your background, you’ve been ostracized at court, yet you refuse to bow and curry favor, leaving yourself isolated. You think you’re noble, standing above factional strife—a lone minister. But you won’t even listen to me, your emperor. You haven’t fulfilled the basic duties of a subject. What kind of lone minister are you?

"You say you’re retiring to return home and enjoy your old age? You’re clearly paving the way for your son! As long as you occupy a position in the Grand Secretariat, your son must avoid the appearance of nepotism and cannot enter official service. He’s a legitimate student at the Imperial Academy, immensely talented—unlike you, whose background as a descendant of a disgraced official is the first thing people think of. Your son can join the upright officials; you cannot. So you plan to step down and give him the opportunity. Am I wrong?

"But what do you think the upright officials are? A bunch of selfish, pedantic Confucians who spout empty talk and harm the state! What I need are people who can actually get things done, not hypocrites who occupy positions only to benefit their families! You want your son to become one of them? You think that will restore your family’s glory? What foolish dream are you living in!"

Liu Zhu began kowtowing. "Your Majesty, I truly have no such intention…"

"You’re still lying to me!"

Furious, Yan Weichu stood up, grabbed the paperweight from the imperial desk, and hurled it. It struck the old man’s shoulder with a "thud" before shattering into two pieces on the floor. "All of you put on airs with me, expecting me to beg you to help! Look at the civil and military officials in this court—each pursuing their own agenda, each with their own schemes. How many of them can I truly trust? Every one of you treats me like a naive child, bullying me, betraying me, waiting to see me make a fool of myself!

"Do you think I want to be emperor? I’d also like to throw down the burden and quit, but can I? I was pushed onto this throne, and I have no choice but to see it through! All of you admonish me day and night to be a sage ruler, a wise sovereign. But what is a sage ruler? One who sits loftily in the temple and governs with effortless grace? Spare me! What you want is nothing but a puppet emperor you can mold as you please! Everyone wants to ride roughshod over me—wishful thinking!"

Liu Zhu could not offer a single word in defense. The Young Emperor was more shrewd and perceptive than he had imagined. Even retreating to the Western Garden was a tactical move. His own unsavory thoughts were laid bare before the Young Emperor’s eyes.

Yan Weichu’s eyes reddened with rage. He hurled insults and smashed things like a petulant child throwing a tantrum. It wasn’t just directed at this old man; it seemed he was venting all the frustration he had encountered from Xie Xiao and others.

Besides Liu Zhu, all the palace attendants in the hall were also on their knees, bowing their heads, not daring to make a sound.

Finally, Yan Weichu finished his tirade and sat back down, staring indifferently at the man still kneeling below as he delivered an ultimatum.

"If you stay, your son need not avoid suspicion. He can take the imperial examinations this round. If he truly has talent, I will personally appoint him as the top candidate during the palace examination.

"You want to fulfill your ambitions and restore your family’s glory? I will give you the opportunity, as long as you wholeheartedly share my burdens and solve my problems. I ask you one last time: will you take the position of Chief Grand Secretary or not?"

After a long silence, Liu Zhu kowtowed heavily. "Your subject Liu Zhu accepts the decree and thanks Your Majesty’s grace."

If the emperor was willing to use him, he would gamble on this chance. Besides, at this point, to still refuse would be like a dog refusing a sedan chair—utterly unaware of its own worth.

Only after Liu Zhu withdrew did Zhao Anfu dare order the servants to quickly clean up the mess.

Yan Weichu leaned back in his chair and closed his eyes, letting out a soft sigh after a moment.

Someone like Liu Zhu was easy to control because he had weaknesses and ambitions. But Xie Xiao… The tactic of ranting and throwing fits would clearly be ineffective with his cousin. Indeed, only those unorthodox methods would do.

*

In the afternoon, Yan Weichu changed into an indigo robe woven with golden dragon patterns and prepared to go out. His destination was the residence of the Count of Anding in the western part of the city.

He arrived unannounced. The guards at the gate, seeing the imperial carriage, knelt and kowtowed in shock, sweating profusely as they hailed "Long live the Emperor."

Bian Shen, the Count of Anding, who had been in the rear courtyard, rushed over upon receiving the news. By then, Yan Weichu had already entered the main hall of the estate and was standing with his hands behind his back, admiring an ancient painting hanging there.

"Your subject Bian Shen pays respects to the Emperor! May the Emperor live ten thousand years!"

Yan Weichu turned around, narrowing his eyes as he assessed the Count of Anding kneeling in formal salute.

A descendant of a hereditary count and meritorious official, like Xie Xiao, he had made a name for himself on the frontiers in his youth. Ten years ago, he retired due to injuries and returned to the capital to recuperate. Since then, he had secluded himself at home, no longer involving himself in external affairs.

This Bian Shen was now thirty-three years old, neither married nor with children. His household was declining, its glory faded, and few in the capital remembered him. Rumors said Bian Shen kept a highly favored opera singer in his residence, and the two lived behind closed doors like husband and wife. Whether it was true or not, no one knew for certain, and it was occasionally brought up only as after-dinner amusement.

Yan Weichu lifted his chin. "Rise and speak, Count of Anding."

The other man stood up and asked respectfully, "Your subject is apprehensive. May I ask why Your Majesty has suddenly graced my humble home? I failed to kneel in welcome. I beg Your Majesty’s forgiveness."

"I came privately, not wishing to make a spectacle and alert everyone," Yan Weichu said casually.

Noting that Bian Shen looked vigorous and strong, unlike someone plagued by chronic illness, he asked bluntly, "Count of Anding, your old injuries have long healed. Why have you shirked your duties all these years, refusing to serve the court?"

"Your Majesty, you exaggerate," the Count of Anding said, bowing his head. "It is not that I am lazy or evasive. It is truly because that arrow wound from the battlefield damaged my lungs, and I cannot bear the wind…"

"Hmph," Yan Weichu sneered coldly, "Didn't you just ask what I'm doing here?"

He paused, staring into Bian Shen's eyes, lowering his voice: "To see my Prince Qing uncle."

Bian Shen's expression stiffened, his head bowing even lower: "...Your Majesty jests. The lineage of Prince Qing has long been stripped of their titles and fiefs. How could my humble residence harbor a Qing rebel?"

"I'd also like to know," Yan Weichu bluntly exposed him, "But unfortunately, you must have seen when you entered just now—the Embroidered Uniform Guards are outside. They informed me that your residence is sheltering the descendants of the Qing rebels. Alternatively, should I have your entire household thrown into prison, and you can confront the guards yourself?"

Bian Shen finally knelt and kowtowed, prostrating himself fully, offering no further excuses: "I am guilty of a capital crime and have no defense. But I beg Your Majesty for mercy. Ji Lanshu has no rebellious intentions. He grew up in Suzhou and is not fully aware of his origins..."

"Enough. If you want him to live, say no more," Yan Weichu had no patience for such excuses. "Summon him. I want to see him."

A moment later, the Embroidered Uniform Guards brought the man in. The newcomer immediately knelt and kowtowed to Yan Weichu: "Your Majesty, I'm the one who should die. Please spare the Count. He was deceived by me—he never knew my identity. I deliberately hid it from him. It is all my fault. I dare not complain whether you kill or punish me, but I beg you to spare the Count’s life!"

"Lanshu, stop," Bian Shen choked out, interrupting him, "Don’t say anymore..."

Yan Weichu coldly observed the man kneeling before him, kowtowing and pleading—this was Ji Lanshu. Though past thirty, his handsome face showed no signs of hardship, clearly well cared for by this Count of Anding beside him.

Ji Lanshu, originally named Yan Xun, was the legitimate eldest grandson of the hereditary Prince Qing estate. By blood, he was actually Yan Weichu’s uncle. If not for the rebellion of the six princes thirty years ago, he would have inherited the title, and Yan Weichu could rightly have called him Prince Qing uncle.

Thirty years ago, Prince Qing led six princes in a rebellion. After their defeat, the Prince Qing estate was executed to the last person. However, the old Prince Qing, before his death, managed to smuggle out his two-year-old legitimate grandson, preserving a sliver of the bloodline.

Yan Weichu’s discovery of Ji Lanshu was accidental. The desolate and neglected estate of the Count of Anding was the perfect place for him to hide his identity, so Yan Weichu had the Embroidered Uniform Guards investigate first, and also checked on this "Countess of Anding." The investigation revealed Ji Lanshu’s extraordinary background. A former colleague from his opera troupe recalled glimpsing a jade pendant he kept hidden on his person—a symbol of the Dajing royal family. Following this lead, the guards uncovered the past events.

Seeing their deep affection, Yan Weichu had no desire to play the villain. What does it matter if he's of rebel descent? He could no longer cause any trouble. In fact, it gave Yan Weichu a perfect opportunity to bring them under his control and have leverage over them.

"Enough talk of life and death. I dislike hearing such things," Yan Weichu said impatiently. "When did I say I would kill you? Am I such a terrible person?"

Bian Shen, clever, sensed the Young Emperor might be inclined to spare them and ventured boldly: "If Your Majesty shows mercy, I will repay you with lifelong loyalty, even beyond death!"

"Good," Yan Weichu appreciated his attitude and began painting a bright future. "As long as you obey me and work for me, I will not only pardon your crimes and let bygones be bygones, but also restore my uncle’s royal status, allowing you to marry openly."

The two kneeling men were stunned, as if unable to believe it.

"I am the Son of Heaven," Yan Weichu declared firmly. "My word is law, firm and unchangeable. How could I deceive you? Moreover, I will give you a son—an heir for the Count of Anding estate."

Bian Shen hesitantly asked: "Might I ask who this heir Your Majesty speaks of is?"

Yan Weichu smiled, raising his hand and pointing at himself: "Myself."