Chapter 55 Do You Know Who He Is to This Emperor?

Chapter 55: Do You Know Who He Is to Me?

(Second Update)

Xie Xiao withdrew, his first stop being the Capital Garrison to muster the troops.

Yan Weichu then summoned the cabinet officials to arrange supplies for the army’s campaign to suppress the rebellion and banditry. He also dispatched an imperial envoy to handle the aftermath, including the resettlement and relief of refugees.

It was late at night when matters were roughly settled. Only then did Yan Weichu’s tense mind relax slightly, leaving him utterly exhausted. At that moment, Yan Biao came seeking an audience.

Yan Weichu frowned upon hearing this. "Didn’t I say to keep this matter from him? How did he find out so quickly?"

The subordinate reported, "He went out with some companions to see an opera this evening and heard the news outside. He rushed back immediately. Just now, he encountered Commander Cui outside Yaotai and tried to get a clear explanation from him. But Commander Cui, following Your Majesty’s orders, did not dare to speak. Now, Yan Biao is waiting outside, insisting on seeing Your Majesty."

Yan Weichu knew it would be impossible to keep the matter hidden for long, but he hadn’t expected the news to spread so quickly. Then again, Xie Xiao and the others had already returned to the Capital Garrison to mobilize the army—such a significant movement could hardly escape notice.

"Very well, summon him in."

Yan Biao entered and immediately knelt, kowtowing to Yan Weichu. Choking back tears, he pleaded, "I beg Your Majesty to tell me what exactly has happened to my family. Is it true, as they say, that everyone in Prince Shun’s residence perished in the fire... with no survivors?"

Yan Weichu sighed. "Stand up."

Yan Biao struggled to rise from the floor. When he looked up and clearly saw the emperor’s face on the throne, he froze in surprise.

Without explaining further, Yan Weichu stated bluntly, "According to reports from the Eastern Depot, Prince Shun’s residence has been burned down. Rebel forces have taken over the entire Pengze County. It is still unknown whether anyone from the prince’s household managed to escape. The Capital Garrison will set out tomorrow to suppress the rebellion. Return to the Martial Training Garden and await further news."

Yan Biao, too distraught to dwell on his shock over the emperor’s identity, broke into loud sobs upon hearing this. "Why? After the drought struck, my father opened the prince’s granary multiple times to distribute grain. He always forbade us from oppressing the common people. Our Prince Shun’s residence has never committed any heinous deeds! Why must we suffer like this?"

Yan Weichu had previously heard that Prince Shun was among the more virtuous of the feudal princes, which was why he had taken the trouble to discipline his son. He did not rebuke Yan Biao for his breach of decorum. "Return and rest well. I grant you a few days of leave."

Yan Biao knelt again, weeping uncontrollably. "No, I cannot return. I... I beg Your Majesty’s permission to join the Capital Garrison in suppressing the rebellion in Jizhou!"

Yan Weichu was hesitant. These imperial clansmen had only been training for a little over three months, and Yan Biao, in particular, had always been a troublemaker—lazy and undisciplined. Suppressing a rebellion carried risks, and Yan Biao might be the last surviving heir of Prince Shun’s line. Sending him out recklessly could lead to impulsive actions with unpredictable consequences.

But Yan Biao continued kowtowing and pleading, "I will strictly adhere to military regulations and not cause any trouble for Your Majesty. I beg Your Majesty to grant me permission!"

After a moment’s hesitation, Yan Weichu relented.

"You may go. I will appoint you as a squad leader. Remember your words—abide by military rules, follow your superiors’ orders, and do not act on your own."

Yan Biao immediately kowtowed in gratitude and made his pledge.

Yan Weichu said no more, only adding a final reminder, "Do not speak of my identity to anyone," before sending him to the Capital Garrison.

After Yan Biao left, Zhao Anfu approached Yan Weichu to ask if he wished to rest there.

Yan Weichu rubbed his temples, closed his eyes, and asked, "What time is it?"

"Past midnight," Zhao Anfu replied softly.

Yan Weichu opened his eyes, his hand pausing. "Return to the Marquis’s residence."

Xie Xiao would be leading the troops away tomorrow. Once preparations at the Capital Garrison were complete, he would surely return to bid farewell. Yan Weichu did not want to miss him.

Xie Xiao returned to the residence just before dawn. Yan Weichu had not slept all night.

Hearing of Xie Xiao’s return, he immediately rose and went to the front courtyard to greet him.

"When did you get back? You're up so early today?" Xie Xiao pulled him inside, posing the question only to answer it himself. "Didn't sleep a wink all night?"

Yan Weichu yawned: "I couldn’t sleep with you gone, all alone in an empty room, tossing and turning through the night..."

"Then you'll have to guard an empty room and toss and turn alone every day from now on," Xie Xiao said.

Yan Weichu disagreed: "Can't you say something nicer, cousin? It's just a rebellion by some refugees. No matter how many there are, they're just a rabble. You and Father go, won't half a month or a month be enough to quell the rebellion?"

Xie Xiao reminded him: "Underestimating the enemy is the biggest taboo when leading troops into battle. A Li, a general should never think that way."

"Got it," Yan Weichu took the advice to heart, "but I don't want to stay alone without you here either. Since you and Father are both leaving, I'll go stay at the uncle's residence for a while, keep Daddy company."

Xie Xiao had no objections: "Suit yourself."

He had come back to have some things packed, have a quick word with Yan Weichu, and would be leaving again soon.

Though Yan Weichu called the rebels a rabble not worth fearing, he was still worried. Watching Xie Xiao instruct the servants about household matters, he couldn’t help regretting—maybe he should have just let the Count of Anding go alone...

But his cousin was an eagle meant to soar; how could he be held back by his selfishness? He had to let go.

After sending the servants away, Yan Weichu wanted to speak with Xie Xiao alone.

"Cousin, when you asked the Emperor for forgiveness, did you mention divorcing me again?"

Xie Xiao admitted: "Did His Majesty tell you?"

Yan Weichu was a bit upset: "If you mention those two words again, I won't speak to you anymore."

Xie Xiao countered: "Who brought it up first?"

"..." You’re really digging up the past now, huh? Yan Weichu asked, "Cousin, in your heart, am I someone who's only there for the good times?"

Xie Xiao was taken aback by the question.

It was rare for Yan Weichu to be so serious and earnest. He had always subconsciously thought of Yan Weichu as childish, his instinct was to shield him and keep him away from trouble, but he had underestimated his young husband.

"I apologize," Xie Xiao said earnestly. "It won't happen again."

Only then was Yan Weichu satisfied. He personally helped him don his armor and finally picked up the Imperial Sword he had bestowed upon him the night before, gently drawing it from its scabbard.

The blade gleamed sharply, forged from the finest patterned steel, engraved with dragon motifs—truly the greatest sword under heaven.

"His Majesty’s sword is truly excellent."

"Mm," Xie Xiao thought for a moment and said, "A Li, earlier you asked me for a sword. How about I give you mine?"

Yan Weichu laughed at this: "Wasn’t that sword given to you by the Senior Duke before your first battle? Are you willing to part with it?"

"What’s mine is yours," Xie Xiao said, going to fetch the sword.

Yan Weichu took it, hefted it in his hand—it was also an excellent blade, and he liked it very much: "Then I’ll happily take it. Thank you, cousin."

This way, they had effectively swapped swords. Quite nice.

It was getting late. Xie Xiao didn’t stay long; once matters were settled, he prepared to depart.

Yan Weichu walked him to the gate, where dozens of Xie Xiao’s personal guards were waiting.

Xie Xiao mounted his horse, lifting his chin slightly: "Head back inside."

Yan Weichu stepped forward, looked up at him, and hooked a finger.

Xie Xiao, confused, bent down closer. Yan Weichu smiled, hooked an arm around his neck, and planted a kiss on him in full view of everyone.

"Cousin, catch you later."

Xie Xiao paused for a moment, then straightened up and planted a kiss on Yan Weichu’s forehead. "See you later."

The army set out, and that evening when they set up camp, Xie Xiao specifically called for Yan Biao to see him.

The emperor had assigned Yan Biao to the Capital Garrison, which Xie Xiao had some concerns about. He had witnessed this young man’s temperament, and with such changes, he wasn’t sure how Yan Biao might change—it was bound to be troublesome.

Yan Biao arrived quickly, no longer crying as he had the previous night in front of Yan Weichu. He seemed much more steady and serious.

Before departure this morning, the Eastern Depot had sent word: his mother and younger sister had been at a temple in the mountains burning incense when the tragedy occurred, thus escaping unharmed. The Eastern Depot agents stationed there had already taken them under their protection and would bring them to the capital shortly. This news had somewhat calmed him down.

Xie Xiao didn’t add much, only reminding him that since he had joined the Capital Garrison, he must strictly adhere to military discipline, obey commands, and not expect special treatment—he would be held to the same standards as everyone else.

Yan Biao said solemnly, "I understand, Marquis. You can rest assured."

Xie Xiao nodded, gave a few more instructions, and sent him away.

As Yan Biao turned to leave, he caught sight of the sword casually placed on the nearby table and blurted out, "Is that the Imperial Sword?"

Xie Xiao picked up the sword and frowned. "This is a sword gifted by His Majesty, but it is not the Imperial Sword."

Besides, the Imperial Sword was a symbol of the Dajing Emperor’s status—how could the emperor possibly bestow it upon a subject?

Yan Biao was surprised, realizing that the Marquis of Dingbei had married the heir to the Count of Anding and might not know the emperor’s true identity. He felt awkward. "Then I must have misidentified it…"

In truth, he was almost certain.

His grandfather had been the most favored son of Emperor Chengzong, the current emperor’s great-grandfather. After seeing the Imperial Sword up close in Chengzong’s presence, his grandfather had never forgotten it and secretly had a replica made once he reached his domain. As a child, Yan Biao had played with that replica—it looked exactly like this.

But the emperor had specifically instructed him not to speak of his true identity to anyone, and Yan Biao hadn’t realized that "anyone" included the Marquis of Dingbei.

After Yan Biao left, Xie Xiao picked up the sword again.

He mused, running his fingers slowly over the dragon patterns on the scabbard, his frown never easing.

*

After seeing Xie Xiao off, Yan Weichu went straight back to Yaotai.

Many matters required his personal attention, and traveling daily between the Marquis’s residence and Yaotai was highly inconvenient. Moreover, he was getting tired of keeping up this act.

Half a month later, news arrived that the rebellion had been largely suppressed. The Jinyiwei had escorted all involved officials to the capital. Considering the marching time, Xie Xiao and his troops had quickly suppressed the chaos within days of arrival.

Although the rebel forces claimed to number over a hundred thousand, a large portion were merely the elderly, weak, women, and children. Even after capturing several counties, they were no match for the court’s artillery and guns—like throwing eggs against stones.

Yan Weichu had previously ordered avoiding combat where possible. In the end, Xie Xiao and his men captured only the rebel leaders. The rest, as long as they hadn’t taken lives, were disarmed after surrendering and either sent back to their villages or resettled locally, with no further repercussions.

Xie Xiao and Bian Shen remained there for the time being. Suppressing the rebellion was simple, but taking over and reorganizing the local garrisons required a lot of work.

After that would come the border towns. Once the entire north was firmly under his control, he could truly handle the southern agitators. Sending Wan Xuanju there earlier to collect commercial taxes had merely been a first step.

But how to handle the border towns, especially Wulong, was tricky for Yan Weichu.

An opportunity soon came knocking.

When he heard that Xie Yi, a sixth-rank officer from the Rear Military Governor’s Office, had come requesting an audience, Yan Weichu thought he must have misheard. "A sixth-rank officer, coming to Yaotai to see me without summons? What does he think he’s doing?"

This was entirely against protocol. If any official could see the emperor simply by asking, chaos would ensue.

Not to mention seeking an audience—with Xie Yi’s rank, he shouldn’t even be allowed through Yaotai’s gates.

Zhao Anfu reported, "He seems to have something urgent, related to the Duke of Zhenguo, and insists on speaking with Your Majesty in person."

Yan Weichu considered briefly and ordered, "Let him in."

Moments later, Xie Yi was led inside.

Yan Weichu had him stop in the outer hall and spoke to him from behind a curtain. "Speak. What about the Duke of Zhenguo requires you to see me in person?"

Unaware of the disdain in Yan Weichu’s tone, Xie Yi knelt immediately and said, "I’m risking my life to come here and report my uncle, Duke of Zhenguo Xie Yuankui, for harboring enemy agents and conspiring with outsiders to betray the nation!"

Yan Weichu’s expression turned icy.

Xie Yi, oblivious, rushed on, "The Duke of Zhenguo’s second wife is a spy for the Wuerhun people. He knew she was a foreign woman yet kept her by his side, changed her name, even made her his principal wife. He carelessly leaked military intelligence to her. In the two years since my grandfather passed, the remnants of the Wuerhun people have begun regrouping in the west, all due to the Duke of Zhenguo’s actions. I beg Your Majesty to investigate!"

The emperor’s voice, low and impassive, came from within. "I heard you returned to the capital several years ago. How do you know of these matters?"

Xie Yi explained frankly, "My grandmother often sent people to Wulong to interfere in the Duke of Zhenguo’s household. One of them accidentally discovered this and secretly informed me. The matter is too grave to conceal, so I risked my life to come here. Every word I say is true—I beg Your Majesty to believe me!"

Yan Weichu’s face was like still water. Xie Yuankui’s second wife was said to have been a courtesan who became his mistress due to her beauty. After bearing him a son, she was brought into the household and elevated to principal wife after the old Duke of Zhenguo passed away. She might have been skilled in domestic affairs, but there was nothing particularly remarkable about her.

That she was a foreigner—or even a spy—was something Xie Yuankui himself might not have known.

But Xie Yi’s purpose in coming to report was clearly not the righteous justice he claimed.

In an even tone, Yan Weichu asked, "If that is so, how do you think I should deal with the Duke of Zhenguo and your Zhenguo Duke’s household?"

Xie Yi prostrated himself and said through gritted teeth, "The Duke of Zhenguo’s crimes are unforgivable, but my grandmother, mother, and the rest of the Zhenguo Duke’s household in the capital know nothing of this. I beg Your Majesty for mercy and to leave us a way to survive!"

Yan Weichu said sarcastically, "You’ve reported your own family out of duty—why would I implicate you? By law, shouldn’t I reward you heavily?"

"I dare not," Xie Yi pretended humility. "I only did what was duty-bound as a subject. I dare not speak of rewards."

"You ask me to spare the Zhenguo Duke’s household in the capital?"

Yan Weichu continued, "What about the Marquis of Dingbei? He is the Duke of Zhenguo’s heir. Do you think he knew of these matters? Should I punish him?"

Xie Yi knelt with his head lowered, silent for a moment, then said viciously, "The Marquis of Dingbei and the Duke of Zhenguo are father and son. I cannot guarantee that the Marquis was completely unaware of the Duke’s actions. Your Majesty sees all with clarity and will judge wisely!"

This implied that Xie Xiao knew—stopping just short of outright saying Xie Xiao deserved death.

He spoke too triumphantly, failing to notice that Yan Weichu had risen and stepped out from behind the beaded curtain.

"Xie Yi."

Yan Weichu spoke in his own voice. "You come to me to accuse the Marquis of Dingbei? Do you know who he is to me?"

Xie Yi froze, finding the voice strangely familiar. The emperor’s words sent a jolt of fear through him, and a sense of foreboding gripped him.

He instinctively looked up but before he could clearly see the emperor’s face, Yan Weichu landed a fierce kick that sent him sprawling.