Chapter 53 Doomed, He’s Fallen in Love

Chapter 53: Oh No, He's Fallen in Love

After noon, Yan Weichu went to the training grounds as usual. The imperial clansmen, emboldened by the scholars' recent petition at the palace gates, had been training with remarkable vigor, truly beginning to resemble the Imperial Guard.

Yan Weichu was pleased. After offering a few words of encouragement, he called out to Zheng Shize, "Come here, I have some questions for you."

Zheng Shize followed him into the duty room. Once they were alone, he smiled ingratiatingly and asked, "What does Your Majesty wish to ask?"

Yan Weichu got straight to the point: "The officials below have been urging me to establish an empress. If I wish to make my male cousin the empress, how do I make them accept it without protest?"

Zheng Shize’s mouth hung open, too stunned to react… Huh?

Yan Weichu said displeasedly, "What’s that expression? Is it really that surprising?"

"…"

Well, since His Majesty had already married him, bestowing a title upon the Marquis of Dingbei and establishing him as the empress didn’t seem all that strange.

Zheng Shize scratched his head and said, "There were female emperors in previous dynasties, and our dynasty establishing a male empress isn’t a big deal. If those old stubborn officials disagree, Your Majesty can cite Emperor Taizu’s ancestral rule. After all, Emperor Taizu himself said the empress must come from the Xie family—he never specified it had to be a woman."

Yan Weichu glanced at him and added, "But my empress cannot bear children. What about the imperial lineage? I don’t want to take concubines."

Zheng Shize inwardly groaned; the matter of the imperial lineage was not something he could casually discuss. "…Then you bear children yourself."

"I can’t," Yan Weichu frowned.

Hearing the resentment in his tone, Zheng Shize choked. So, if he could, he really would? How deep must this love be?

"Then just do as you please. After all, you’re the Son of Heaven. How can they stop you if you insist on being willful? Besides, you’re not even twenty yet—it’s still early. The matter of the imperial lineage can wait; we’ll deal with it later."

Yan Weichu thought to himself that this was the only way. At most, he’d just have dissenters executed.

Zheng Shize was itching to ask. "Your Majesty, does the Marquis of Dingbei know your identity? Are you making this decision alone to make him empress?"

"No," Yan Weichu said. "Establishing the empress won't happen overnight. I’ll tell him once everything is prepared."

Zheng Shize was speechless. Is that how it works? And if the marquis refuses, are you planning to force his hand?

That was exactly what Yan Weichu had in mind. Returning to Yaotai Palace, he immediately summoned officials from the Ministry of Rites and the Imperial Astronomers, ordering them to begin preparations for the coronation ceremony and to report back once an auspicious date was chosen.

Hearing that the emperor had finally relented on this matter, the Minister of Rites hurriedly asked, "Your Majesty, who is the candidate for the central palace…"

"Don’t worry about it," Yan Weichu cut him off. "You’ll find out when the time comes." And it’ll shock you.

The minister was baffled. This was the first time he’d encountered a situation where the empress was to be established, but no one knew who it was. What was the emperor up to now?

Yan Weichu smiled. "Any objections?"

"…None." The minister tentatively asked, "Since the empress position is decided, will Your Majesty be selecting concubines to fill the harem?"

It’s over.

His Majesty’s soul has been stolen by some unknown fox spirit.

His refusal to marry a Xie woman wasn’t due to fear of the Xie family’s influence, as they had thought—it was simply because he didn’t want to marry one.

The words of advice and dissuasion were on the tip of his tongue, but he had no chance to voice them.

Yan Weichu had no desire to listen. "Don’t advise me. If you disagree, I won’t marry anyone. The harem will remain empty indefinitely. You figure it out."

Gritting his teeth, the minister accepted the decree. His Majesty’s temper was such that the more one opposed him, the more stubborn he became. It was better to go along with him for now. Even if he said now that he wouldn’t select concubines, sooner or later, the emperor would change his mind.

He refused to believe that any goddess could remain captivating after three to five years. What about after that?

News of the emperor’s plan to establish an empress spread through the court that very day, sparking widespread discussion. Everyone was guessing and inquiring about the mysterious empress who had inspired the emperor to declare he wanted only her.

Could it be that His Majesty had a beauty hidden away in Yaotai Palace?

Those in the know, such as Liu Zhu, Bian Shen, and Ji Lanshu, chose to remain silent and watch the drama unfold calmly. Whenever colleagues asked, their responses were invariably, "I don’t know, maybe she really is a celestial beauty."

And it wasn’t far from the truth. After all, the marquis was renowned, often spoken of as a heavenly general descended to earth. It was true that he had stolen the emperor’s heart.

The only thing that dissatisfied Yan Weichu was that the Imperial Astrologer, after much calculation, informed him that there were no particularly auspicious dates for the entire year. They would have to wait until the end of the year or early next spring.

Yan Weichu thought it over and decided to wait. He could be patient.

*

With the palace examination results announced, the young Liu, who had placed as the Tanhua, also received the emperor’s personal decree for marriage to a noblewoman, making him the talk of the capital.

In contrast, Young Master Su’s moment of glory was fleeting. He ended up with a low ranking in the third tier and was appointed as a county magistrate in a remote area in the southwest, soon to depart.

Yan Weichu saw him again when the latter came to seek him out.

When the gatekeeper reported Su Ping’s name, Yan Weichu, who had just returned to the residence, rolled his eyes and wanted to send him away immediately. "Tell him the marquis hasn’t returned yet and it’s unknown when he will. Ask him to come another day."

The gatekeeper said, "He mentioned he’s leaving the capital tomorrow and came today not to see the marquis but to speak with you, Young Master."

Yan Weichu found this curious. Su Ping wanted to see him?

Fine, he’d see what this guy wanted.

"Let him in."

Su Ping entered, dispensing with small talk and not drinking the tea offered by the marquis’s household. He got straight to the point: "I’ve come to take back my elder brother’s sword."

Yan Weichu frowned. "What are you talking about?"

"So you don’t know," Su Ping said, observing his expression before suddenly smiling. "As expected, what exists between you and Mingzhao is fake. Then again, why would he tell an outsider about his relationship with my brother?"

Yan Weichu’s face turned cold. "Is this all you came to say to me?"

"Yes, that’s exactly why I came."

Su Ping provoked, "I’m leaving the capital tomorrow, and it may be a long time before I return. But don’t gloat. Do you really think Mingzhao likes you? His heart already belongs to someone else—my brother, Su Changning. He rejected me because of him."

Yan Weichu was taken aback. The name was familiar, and he immediately thought of the sword in Xie Xiao’s study, engraved with "Changning" on the scabbard. At the time, Xie Xiao had said the sword was a gift from a friend. Could that friend be… Su Ping’s brother?

He said displeasedly, "Do you think I’ll believe you just because you say so?"

"Believe it or not, it’s up to you," Su Ping said smugly. "My brother was a few years older than Mingzhao. Mingzhao learned horsemanship and archery from him, and they shared a bond since childhood that others couldn’t penetrate—not even me. My brother was an exceptional talent, but heaven was jealous of his gifts. He died six years ago from an arrow shot by the Wuerhun people. After that, Mingzhao, only fifteen at the time, resolved to follow the old Duke of Zhenguo to the battlefield. The duke initially refused, but Mingzhao knelt for three days and nights until he gave in—all to personally avenge my brother.

"The sword I mentioned was given to Mingzhao by my brother before he died, passed through his subordinates. He didn’t even leave it to me, his own brother."

The story was heartfelt, but Yan Weichu’s expression grew increasingly dark. Su Ping, seeing this, felt even more pleased with himself. "You didn’t know any of this, did you? You mean nothing to Mingzhao—you’re not even worth one of my brother’s fingers—"

"Have you said enough?" Yan Weichu had no interest in hearing more of this nonsense and coldly interrupted him. "What happens between us as husband and wife is not your business. If the sword was a gift from your brother to him, there’s no reason to return it to you. You can go now."

Su Ping raised his voice emphatically, "Young Master of Anding County! Mingzhao has no feelings for you at all. Stop deceiving yourself!"

"What does it have to do with you?"

Yan Weichu suppressed the impatience in his expression: "Your father and brother both died on the battlefield, sacrificing themselves for the country—I respect them for that. As for you, you barely managed to pass the imperial exams as an associate metropolitan graduate, and now you’re being posted to a remote region. Instead of focusing on how to serve the people and alleviate their hardships, all you care about are romantic entanglements and frivolous pursuits. You truly aren’t worthy of even a fraction of your brother’s merit—no wonder your cousin looks down on you."

"You’re talking nonsense!" Su Ping, having been struck where it hurt, instantly turned furious and flustered.

Yan Weichu looked at him, his voice suddenly deepening: "Young Master Su, how exactly did you obtain that Huiyuan title before? Do you dare swear it was through your own ability?"

"I don’t know what you’re talking about!" A flicker of panic and guilt flashed across Su Ping’s face. Though he tried hard to conceal it, Yan Weichu didn’t miss it.

The Qilin Guard lacked evidence and couldn’t investigate openly, so they hadn’t uncovered any issues with Yunshan Academy. But Yan Weichu trusted his intuition, and Young Master Su's reaction now confirmed it.

He could, of course, have the Qilin Guard arrest Young Master Su and interrogate him under torture in Zhaoyu, but there was no need. Young Master Su was nothing more than a discarded pawn with no remaining value, and whatever inside information he had was likely limited.

Compared to this insignificant flea, Yan Weichu was more interested in seeing how far the mastermind behind it all intended to go. There was no point in alerting the enemy prematurely.

Besides, this pampered, delicate, frail young master was being posted to the disease-ridden southwestern border—a place Yan Weichu had specifically chosen for him. The journey alone, rough and arduous, was akin to exile. Whether he would even survive to take up his post was uncertain. Killing him outright would be letting him off too easily.

"Nothing," Yan Weichu’s tone cooled. "Just a reminder—if you don’t want others to know, don’t do it in the first place."

Su Ping gritted his teeth, all his earlier arrogance and triumph gone.

Yan Weichu signaled for someone to see the guest out, adding finally: "Young Master Su, I grant you this mercy. One day, I will have someone tell you exactly whom you offended to end up in this state. Now go." On the journey to the underworld, I’ll let you die with understanding.

Su Ping was indeed guilty and fearful that his secrets had been exposed. He even overlooked, in his panic, what authority Yan Weichu had to speak of granting him "grace."

Yan Weichu had done it intentionally—leaving half the story untold, letting Su Ping fill in the blanks himself. On this journey, even if he didn’t die of illness or exhaustion, he would likely worry himself to death sooner or later.

Half an hour later, Xie Xiao returned. Hearing from the servants that Yan Weichu was in his study, he went straight there.

Yan Weichu stood before the sword rack, silently gazing at the row of swords displayed there. He didn’t react even when the door opened behind him.

"A Li?" Xie Xiao approached, calling out to him.

Yan Weichu picked up the Changning sword and asked Xie Xiao: "Can you give this sword to me?"

Xie Xiao glanced at the sword in his hand and said: "This one isn’t suitable. If you want one, I can have a good one forged for you."

Yan Weichu insisted: "I want this one."

Xie Xiao took the sword from him and placed it back: "This sword isn’t suitable for use."

"Is it not suitable, or are you just unwilling to give it to me?" Yan Weichu’s voice turned cold.

Xie Xiao didn’t understand his meaning but sensed his displeasure: "A Li, what’s wrong?"

Yan Weichu felt deeply wronged. He was the emperor of Dajing—when had he ever suffered such indignity?

"Fine," Yan Weichu muttered, "if you won’t give it to me, I don't care anyway."

If you won’t give me the sword, I won’t make you empress either! Let's just end it! Yan Weichu thought bitterly.

Yan Weichu turned to leave but was pulled back by Xie Xiao: "Don’t lose your temper."

Yan Weichu, enraged, shoved him away.

"Let go of me." Then he yanked his hand free and ran off.

Just as Xie Xiao was about to follow, Yan Weichu, who had stormed out slamming the door, stormed back in with another bang.

"Marquis of Dingbei," Yan Weichu said coldly, his face stern, "I want a divorce."

Xie Xiao belatedly realized his young husband seemed truly furious: "A Li, what exactly happened? Even if you’re sentencing me, you have to give a reason."

Yan Weichu said angrily: "There is no reason. I just don’t want to be with you anymore," he said through gritted teeth. "To be honest, I only approached you to help His Majesty win you over. My admiration for you was a lie—I don’t admire you at all. I, the heir to the Count of Anding, am no less than you. Why should I submit to you?" he added bitterly. "His Majesty promised me high office and generous rewards if I completed this task. I’m already the Qilin Guard Commander—I’ve had enough…"

Even if spoken in anger, these words were hurtful enough. But Xie Xiao, looking at Yan Weichu’s eyes red with anger, couldn’t bring himself to argue. He stepped forward and pulled Yan Weichu into his arms.

Yan Weichu’s remaining unsaid words stuck in his throat. He turned his head and bit down hard on Xie Xiao’s neck, as if wanting to draw blood.

It hurt, but Xie Xiao let him, raising a hand to gently rub his back in comfort.

In the end, it was Yan Weichu who finally relented, pushing Xie Xiao away and stepping back. This time, he really ran off.

Xie Xiao chased after him, stopping a steward to ask what had happened after Yan Weichu returned to the residence. Upon hearing that Young Master Su had visited, and recalling Yan Weichu’s earlier request for the sword, he understood everything.

Yan Weichu had returned to his room, sent all the servants away, and even Shun Xi was driven out. With a pained expression, Shun Xi told Xie Xiao: "The young master ordered us to pack his belongings. He says he’s returning to the Anding Count Residence…"

"All of you, leave." Xie Xiao instructed.

Xie Xiao stepped forward, bent down, and picked Yan Weichu up.

Yan Weichu pushed him: "Put me down."

Xie Xiao refused, carrying him to the bed before setting him down. He knelt before him, looking at him seriously: "A Li, what did others say to you? Why didn’t you ask me if it was true before getting angry?"

Yan Weichu stopped struggling and said self-mockingly: "Ask what? You wouldn’t even give me a simple sword. How could what he said—that there’s already someone in your heart—be false?"

The more Yan Weichu thought about it, the more resentful he felt.

Xie Xiao hadn’t married me out of genuine feeling. Anyone else who could help solve his problems would have sufficed.

He had been the one to propose marriage, the one to demand consummation, even the one to initiate their first kiss—Xie Xiao never made the first move.

Why?

"If I said it was false, would you believe me or him?" Xie Xiao explained helplessly, "A Li, it’s not what you think. Young Master Su’s elder brother, Su Changning, was both a brother and friend to me. That sword was indeed a gift from him before his death, but only because Young Master Su was too weak to use it, so he gave it to me."

"I don’t know what Young Master Su told you, but I can guess most of it. Young Master Su has always been like this—too extreme and unreasonable. I was closer to his brother, and he assumed others thought like him, making up wild accusations. He even resented his own brother in the past, which is why I distanced myself from him."

Yan Weichu listened, frowning: "That’s all?"

Xie Xiao sighed, frustrated: "What else? I told you before—before you, I wasn't interested in men. Where did your mind wander? Moreover, Changning had already someone he loved and was engaged. Before he died, he specifically asked me to tell that girl not to mourn him but to remarry and live well. Everything Young Master Su said was his own twisted fantasy. Don't take it seriously."

"……" Yan Weichu realized he might have truly misunderstood and felt embarrassed, but he refused to back down verbally: "Why didn’t you explain clearly?" he asked defensively.

Xie Xiao pinched his chin: "Did you give me a chance? The moment you saw me, you threw a tantrum and even talked about divorce."

"You refused to give me the sword." Yan Weichu picked fault, still sulking.

Xie Xiao, softening his tone, said: "That sword is too heavy—it wouldn’t be comfortable for you to wield. That’s why I said it wasn’t suitable. If you can really use it comfortably, then take it. I’m sure Changning wouldn’t mind."

Forget it, then, Yan Weichu thought to himself, turning away—he had only been picking a fight and didn’t really want the sword.

Yan Weichu was still unhappy: "Why are you explaining all this to me? What are we, anyway? We were forced into this union—" Yan Weichu’s voice trembling slightly.

Yan Weichu’s words cut off as Xie Xiao leaned in, covering his lips in a soft kiss.

"It wasn't forced," Xie Xiao murmured as their lips parted. "A Li, I adore and love you. Perhaps it wasn't pure at first, but at this moment, my feelings for you are real."

Yan Weichu blushed... Why'd you have to bring this up all of a sudden? It made him too embarrassed to even respond.

Xie Xiao's gaze burned intensely: "What about you? A Li, can you distinguish admiration from affection?"

Yan Weichu was at a loss for words, kicking himself for not reading more romance novels to handle such situations.

"I already said the admiration was a lie..." His heart pounded wildly, his voice a little shaky, yet he couldn't escape Xie Xiao's unwavering stare.

Xie Xiao pressed: "Then what is real?"

"...Affection," Yan Weichu mumbled, like a weight was lifted.

It was as if he'd had an epiphany at that very moment.

To step down as emperor and submit to someone—all that talk about admiration, trapping, or alliances was just nonsense.

If it weren't real feelings, why would he go this far?

Ever since he first heard Xie Xiao's name and those battlefield stories from others years ago, his admiration and affection had sprouted together and could never be torn out.

Xie Xiao leaned in, resting their foreheads together: "Mhm."

"I..."

Yan Weichu wanted to say more, but his unreliable heart beat even faster.

Well, shit. He was falling in love.