Chapter 72 His Majesty Was Kidnapped by the Marquis

Chapter 72 His Majesty Has Been Abducted by the Marquis of Dingbei

Yaotai.

A Ministry of Rites official entered to report on the preparations for the grand wedding and empress's coronation ceremony. The minister was speaking when he looked up and saw the Young Emperor on the throne, devoid of any joy, his mind clearly elsewhere.

"..." The old minister paused, hesitating whether to continue.

Zhao Anfu glanced at him, signaling a servant to replace Yan Weichu's cooled tea with a fresh cup.

Yan Weichu snapped back to attention and asked, "What were you just saying?"

The minister sighed helplessly and repeated the process: on the wedding day, welcoming officials would receive the prospective empress and escort her to Fengtian Gate, followed by the coronation and conferment procedures.

Yan Weichu found it dull and waved his hand to cut him off. "Just handle it. There's no need to report back to me."

*You really don't care at all...*

The old minister had countless questions. To this day, they still didn’t know the prospective empress’s given name. Rumors outside claimed she was from a minor branch of the Xie family, but no one knew which branch exactly.

The emperor said he would personally write the enthronement edict and they need not worry. But when things seem off, there's usually trouble—how could he not worry?

Yet he didn’t dare say it to the emperor’s face.

If he did, the Young Emperor would pull the early retirement threat on him. He was only in his fifties and still had twenty more years to strive.

Forget it, forget it. Let him marry whoever he wants. The idea of making a protest by hitting a pillar and bleeding was best left unmentioned.

After the Ministry of Rites officials withdrew, the Directorate of Imperial Accoutrements brought two sets of wedding attire: one imperial robe and one formal leather court attire. One set was Yan Weichu’s own imperial crown and robes, and the other was in the Crown Prince’s style, specially requested by him.

The measurements were also provided by Yan Weichu from memory. He had held his cousin countless times and touched every inch of his body—he probably got it right.

But now the clothes were ready, and the wedding and enthronement ceremonies were fully prepared, yet the person he wanted to enthrone was still a thousand miles away, unwilling to return.

Things had reached this point, and he couldn’t bring himself to issue an edict summoning him back.

If his cousin really didn’t return... in a couple of days, he would find an excuse to postpone the wedding date.

Yan Weichu thought miserably to himself, *this emperor really had no face left.*

The eunuch holding the clothes stood to the side waiting for a long time, but the emperor remained lost in thought.

Zhao Anfu cautiously asked, "Your Majesty, would you like to try on these clothes? If anything doesn’t fit, it can still be altered."

Yan Weichu listlessly replied, "No need."

His cousin wasn’t here anyway. What was the point of trying them on alone?

In the afternoon, while Yan Weichu was handling affairs in the imperial study, Cui Shao hurried in to report.

"Your Majesty, a message by carrier pigeon just arrived from Qingjiang Prefecture. The Marquis of Dingbei left the city late the night before last after handing over military affairs to his officers. He took twenty personal guards and rode back to the capital overnight!"

The vermilion brush in Yan Weichu’s hand dropped, staining the memorial he was reading.

What did this memorial say again? Oh, right—it sarcastically advised him to treat scholars well and not rock the boat.

He had been about to write a scolding response in red ink, but never mind. *Consider yourself lucky—I’m in a good mood now.*

Yan Weichu shot up from his seat. "Really?!"

"It shouldn’t be wrong," Cui Shao said excitedly. If the Marquis of Dingbei didn’t return soon, their lives would become unbearable. "He’s handed over all remaining matters to Prince Shun. He has indeed left Qingjiang Prefecture."

Yan Weichu was instantly overjoyed. He paced back and forth a couple of times, his heart pounding wildly. With great effort, he suppressed his emotions and asked, "What’s the date today?"

Cui Shao replied, "Your Majesty, it’s the seventh day of the sixth month."

Yan Weichu frowned. "Can he make it back in time?" Only three days were left until the tenth.

Cui Shao calculated and said, "The Marquis left Qingjiang Prefecture the night before last. If he rushes back at the speed of an approximately 250-mile emergency pace, four days should be enough. He should just make it."

Yan Weichu snorted. "Just make it? What a coincidence. Typical! I bet he almost didn’t want to come!"

Zhao Anfu and the other palace attendants breathed a long sigh of relief. They were finally saved. With the Marquis returning, their days of suffering were finally coming to an end.

Cui Shao then brought up another matter with Yan Weichu. After Xie Xiao shut down the Yunshan Academy in Yu’an, he had recently imprisoned the local Education Intendant along with several deputies and assistants. Zhang Xujie, the grandson of Grand Tutor Zhang Wenhuan, was among them.

"The Marquis found out they had private dealings with Yunshan Academy, possibly involved in Imperial Examination fraud."

"Zhang Xujie?" Yan Weichu said mockingly. "I sent him to the regional assignment for training, and he’s still misbehaving? What a waste of Mr. Zhang’s efforts."

Cui Shao asked how to handle it and whether they should bring him to the capital.

Yan Weichu didn't really care. "Since the Marquis said I need not concern myself with it, I’ll leave it be."

Zhang Xujie was the only male heir of the Grand Tutor’s household. If he were brought back to the capital and someone pleaded for him, should he show mercy or not? Better to leave him detained in southern China, ignored and forgotten. He would pretend not to know and let others grow anxious. Even the most cunning fox would eventually become restless.

Cui Shao got the emperor's drift and asked no further.

After finishing his report, Yan Weichu did not dismiss him. Instead, he ordered someone to summon the Minister of Rites and his officials again.

The emperor immediately began asking about the wedding day welcoming ceremony procedures. The Ministry of Rites officials were baffled. Hadn’t he just told them that morning to handle it themselves without reporting back?

The minister repeated for the third time what he had already said twice: "Early in the morning on the day of the ceremony, at the hour of Chen, Your Majesty will put on the imperial robes and ascend the throne in the Fengtian Palace to accept the officials’ bows. The chief and deputy welcoming envoys will hold the edict and Ceremonial Treasures, exit through the Chengtian Gate, and proceed to the Duke’s residence on behalf of Your Majesty to bring back the bride—"

Yan Weichu interrupted him. "I don’t need to go personally?"

"I'm going anyway." Yan Weichu paid no heed to this. Last time, when he married his cousin, his cousin had come to fetch him. This time, he would naturally go bring back his cousin personally.

"Your Majesty, you can't do that!" The minister grew anxious. If he agreed to let the emperor personally fetch the bride, he would later be criticized for flattering the emperor and recklessly violating ritual laws and ancestral traditions.

Yan Weichu remained firm. "I'm going anyway." *He would go, go, go—just to spite them.*

"..." The minister felt the powerlessness of dealing with a spoiled, unruly child at home—except he couldn’t ground him. It wasn’t worth remonstrating by bashing against a pillar over such a trivial matter...

Yan Weichu was only notifying them so they could adjust the wedding plans early. He wasn’t seeking their approval.

The Ministry of Rites officials had no choice but to accept the decree. *Fine, fetch her yourself, fetch her yourself. Since you, the emperor, don't mind losing face, what does it have to do with us?*

After these people withdrew, Cui Shao worriedly reminded, "Your Majesty’s wedding is a celebration shared with the people. On the day of the welcoming ceremony, the entire city’s population will flood the streets to watch. If Your Majesty insists on personally fetching the bride, I believe we should add more guards along the route for protection, to prevent any disorder."

Yan Weichu did not directly respond but said coldly, "I went to the border towns and then to Jiangnan. I killed many people and did many things that dissatisfied or even angered those below. Countless people outside wish for my death. Back in Pengcheng, they attempted to assassinate me and failed. Do you think they would try a second time?"

Cui Shao was worried about precisely this. Assassinating the emperor was no easy task, with few opportunities. But on a day like the emperor’s wedding, with large crowds and mixed company, precautions were necessary.

Yan Weichu continued, "In the half year since I returned to the capital, I’ve rarely left the palace, seldom held court, and only summoned close ministers. The imperial guards at Yaotai are more than three times what they used to be. The attending eunuchs are all my trusted confidants. All food and drink are repeatedly tested for poison. It’s difficult for them to strike through those close to me. Their only option is likely to take a desperate risk and seize an opportunity for a public assassination attempt."

Cui Shao turned pale. "Since Your Majesty knows this, why insist on personally fetching the bride?"

"I am tired," Yan Weichu's eyes held a mocking glint. "I don't want to play with them anymore. This is the last time—let's round them all up in one fell swoop."

Cui Shao wanted to advise against it, but Yan Weichu remained unmoved and instructed him, "Leak the information about the defensive arrangements along my wedding procession route on the day of the ceremony. Do it discreetly, leave a few gaps for them, and arrange for men in ambush nearby. If there's any unusual movement this time, capture everyone alive."

Cui Shao lamented, *If the Marquis of Dingbei finds out that His Majesty is using himself as bait again, my life is over.*

Yan Weichu said, "Do I need to repeat myself?"

Cui Shao reluctantly agreed.

Yan Weichu thought for a moment and added, "If the Marquis of Dingbei enters the city on that day, don't stop him from approaching the imperial presence."

"...I understand, Your Majesty." *No one would dare to stop him anyway.*

After Cui Shao also left, Yan Weichu touched the jade pendant at his waist, and his mind gradually calmed.

*Cousin, you must arrive in time. Don't disappoint me. Don't miss the auspicious hour for establishing the empress.*

*

On the ninth day, as evening fell, Xie Xiao arrived at Jizhun with his personal guards. This area already belonged to the direct jurisdiction, less than two hundred miles from the capital.

Over the past few days, they had changed several spirited horses, crossing mountains and rivers, traveling day and night, and were finally nearing their destination.

Xie Xiao did not rush straight to the capital but ordered them to rest in the city for the night and set off again at daybreak when the city gates opened.

Next to the inn was the largest local restaurant, bustling with noise and excitement as lanterns were lit. Xie Xiao and his guards, all in plain clothes, found a corner seat on the first floor, ordered wine and food.

After so many days of travel, everyone was exhausted.

Xie Xiao drank from a large bowl and devoured his food. A few guards whispered among themselves, but he remained silent throughout.

He had been like this the entire journey, rarely speaking, only urging everyone to hurry.

At the next table, people were discussing the emperor's wedding the next day, saying they had heard news from the capital that the emperor would condescend to personally go to the Duke of Zhenguo's residence to fetch the bride. There were gasps of amazement.

"Our emperor is truly accustomed to defying conventions," someone remarked.

Xie Xiao listened, frowning unconsciously. Over the past few days, he had repeatedly pondered why Yan Weichu had suddenly decided to marry and establish an empress. Calming down, he realized he had indeed let his concern cloud his judgment—this marriage must have some other hidden reason.

But regardless, since he had decided to follow his heart and crash the wedding, he had no intention of backing down. Everything would be discussed after he had taken what's his.

In the hall, someone laughed, "It's just a pity for the esteemed Marquis of Dingbei, transforming from a loyal subject into a villain. The emperor previously married as the heir of the Count of Anding—this beauty trap is truly ingenious."

Others chimed in, "Then isn't the emperor being unfair? Luring someone in, using them, and then discarding them—how is that different from killing the donkey after it has ground the grain?"

Some also expressed regret, "Once lovebirds, soon to become an estranged, resentful couple—how lamentable."

Among Xie Xiao's guards, one with a short temper threw down his chopsticks and wanted to go argue with them but was scolded by Xie Xiao, "Don't cause trouble."

He finished his food, drank the last sip of wine from his bowl, paid no mind to the criticisms, and returned to the inn.

*Villain or not, villains have their own way of living. If he didn't do something outrageous, he wouldn't live up to the reputation the world had given him.*

*

At exactly *mao* hour (5-7 AM), Yan Weichu rose, fasted, bathed, and changed into his imperial robe.

For his second wedding, his excitement and anticipation were undiminished.

Late the previous night, the imperial guards stationed in Jizhun sent word that they had seen the Marquis of Dingbei and his party there.

"The Marquis brought twenty personal guards, rushing forth covered in dust, and stayed at an inn in the city. Upon arrival, he specifically inquired about the time the city gates open—he should leave at first light tomorrow."

After hearing the report, Yan Weichu finally slept soundly last night, dreaming of his Cousin accepting the golden register and seal and truly becoming his empress.

He picked up the phoenix mask beside him—newly made by the imperial workshops, even more magnificent and dazzling than the one he wore when he married Xie Xiao last time.

Lifting his hand, he placed the phoenix mask over his face and looked into the mirror ahead.

Behind the golden mesh, his deep black eyes held a smile.

Something that should have been worn by Xie Xiao, he willingly put on himself.

At 7:30 AM, the emperor ascended the throne in the Fengtian Hall, and the ministers entered, performing the five bows and three kneels.

The chief and deputy envoys stepped forward to receive the empress's golden register and seal—one holding the decree stand, the other the scepter stand, presenting the phoenix carriage.

Yan Weichu stepped down from the throne one step at a time. The ministers looked up, stunned—

On the emperor's face was clearly the phoenix mask worn by men when marrying into another family.

Only when Yan Weichu boarded the imperial carriage, and the grand imperial procession set off to the sound of drums and music, did everyone seem to wake from a dream.

"His Majesty... His Majesty he..."

"Absurd! Truly absurd!"

"The empress His Majesty wants to establish—could it really be that person? But isn't that person still in Jiangnan?!"

The Senior Minister of Rites nearly fainted. What had he seen?! The Young Emperor was actually wearing a phoenix mask himself to fetch the bride! Had he known earlier, he should have found a pillar to bang his head against to end it all!

Now, to try to advise?

Too late!

The imperial procession exited the Chengtian Gate and shortly arrived at the Duke of Zhenguo's residence.

The envoys entered first to read the decree.

Yan Weichu sat upright in the imperial carriage, hearing the faint sounds from within.

"I consult you, Xie clan, born of clear streams, endowed with upright wisdom, profoundly intelligent, with lofty aspirations..."

The decree was written in his own hand. He spared no praise for his Cousin, feeling it was still far from enough.

Pity his Cousin wasn't here yet to hear it personally and receive this decree of establishment as empress.

As he alighted, Cui Shao approached and quietly informed him that there had been unusual movements in the city earlier—suspicious individuals attempting to approach the imperial route. They had made arrangements to ensure everything was secure.

The fish had indeed taken the bait.

But Yan Weichu wasn't concerned with that now. He asked, "Has he arrived?"

"Just received word—the Marquis has already reached the outskirts of the city with his men," Cui Shao replied.

The corners of Yan Weichu's mouth lifted as he stepped into the Duke of Zhenguo's residence.

The residence was filled with Xie clan members seeing off the bride. They were even more curious than outsiders about which branch's daughter had been chosen to enter the central palace.

But asking around yielded no answers. Everyone was baffled. When they asked Xie Yuankui, he played dumb.

The emperor had specifically ordered not to reveal the truth to outsiders. Without the emperor's consent, how dare he say a word.

After the imperial edict appointing the empress was read aloud, an awkward silence fell over the crowd.

Why did this edict sound increasingly strange? Phrases like "governing the court and supporting the imperial enterprise"—what kind of language was this? Was it openly encouraging imperial harem involvement in state affairs? Combined with the earlier praises, it didn’t sound like it was praising a woman either. Hiss...

No wonder even the empress did not appear to receive the edict, which was instead accepted on her behalf by Xie Yuankui. The crowd seemed to have stumbled upon some astonishing secret, gaping in astonishment.

But there was no time for further contemplation. The emperor entered, and everyone paid their respects.

Although the uncles and paternal uncles already knew that the nephew's wife they had cursed was actually the emperor, seeing Yan Weichu enter in imperial ceremonial robes still frightened them into lowering their heads, not daring to make a sound.

As for the mask with phoenix designs on Yan Weichu’s face? They had no mind to dwell on such details now.

Yan Weichu swept a cool glance over them, his gaze settling on Xie Yuankui. "We have heard that the elderly lady fell ill again last night?"

Xie Yuankui broke into a sweat. "Your Majesty, n-no, it was nothing. My mother simply was unable to get up to come and pay her respects. I beg Your Majesty not to hold it against us."

Of course, that was not the truth.

The old woman had taken her own life the night before, deliberately choosing the eve of his wedding to spite him and bring ill fortune. As for whether it would implicate the entire Duke of Zhenguo’s estate, she no longer cared—the descendants she valued were gone, and she had long lost the will to live.

Yan Weichu did not expose the lie, unwilling to dampen his own spirits.

"If all is well, then it is good," Yan Weichu said coldly. "This Duke of Zhenguo’s residence has truly dreadful feng shui in this generation. The only worthy one it produced is our Empress."

Xie Yuankui thought bitterly, *Then please take him away quickly. I am willing to offer up my son with both hands, preferably never to return.*

Yan Weichu was in high spirits today and could not be bothered to dwell on their matters.

Once the formalities were concluded, with a flick of his sleeves, he turned and left.

The Phoenix Carriage arrived empty and departed empty—something best left undiscussed with outsiders.

In that brief moment, the contents of the edict of appointment had already spread from the Duke of Zhenguo’s residence throughout the entire city.

The officials were waiting at the Chengtian Gate to welcome the imperial procession. When the news reached them, an uproar broke out.

Regardless of whether the person entering the central palace was the Dingbei Marquis or not, the edict’s exhortation for the harem to govern was enough to make countless people fume.

Some even proposed on the spot to block the Phoenix Carriage from entering the Chengtian Gate and jointly petition the emperor to revoke the decree.

Liu Zhu, finding himself the focus of everyone’s attention, did not mince words this time. With a stern expression, he pointed to the Imperial Guards visible everywhere around them. "Their blades aren't meant to shed blood today, but if any of you remain obstinate and disrupt His Majesty’s joyous occasion, he may not hesitate to let your blood add to the celebrations."

*Who are you trying to scare?!*

The officials looked displeased, but Liu Zhu closed his eyes and ignored them.

As they glanced at the stern-looking Imperial Guards surrounding them, one person’s courage faltered, followed by a second and a third. Their resolve dissipated like scattering sand, and the protest died down.

The imperial procession left the Duke of Zhenguo’s residence and, following tradition, took a detour on the return journey to allow the populace along the route to witness the ceremony.

This wedding procession was exceptionally unusual because the emperor himself was present, drawing a particularly large crowd of onlookers.

Passing through the busiest street in the city, West Avenue, a sea of people gathered beneath the vermillion-painted *pailou*. Even with the Imperial Guard clearing the way ahead and the Capital Garrison Troops escorting from behind, those with keen senses could detect the undercurrent of tension beneath the bustling surface.

The incident occurred in a flash.

As the imperial procession reached the widest intersection on West Avenue, the window lattices on both sides of the taverns and restaurants above suddenly burst open simultaneously. More than a dozen black-clad figures descended like ghosts from the sky, brandishing swords and charging directly toward the imperial carriage.

"Assassins! Protect His Majesty!"

Screams and shouts erupted instantly. The spectating civilians scattered in panic, and the orderly street descended into chaos.

In that fleeting moment, the walls of the imperial carriage split open and collapsed. Several Embroidered Uniform Guards leaped out from within, engaging the assassins who had descended from above.

The emperor himself was clearly not among them.

Eunuch attendants on both sides of the carriage drew crossbows from their sleeves, dispersing to secure key positions. Bolts fired continuously, targeting the assassins’ hands, feet, and shoulders.

The porters carrying the dowry chests flung them open, revealing uniformly crafted Yanling sabers inside. They swiftly drew the blades and joined the fray.

The Imperial Guard clearing the way ahead quickly fell back, while the Capital Garrison Troops behind advanced. Within moments, the Phoenix Carriage was surrounded tightly, impervious to any breach.

Realizing their ambush had failed and that the emperor was actually inside the Phoenix Carriage—and that this was a carefully laid trap—the assassins grew frantic.

The death warriors fought like madmen, ignoring the blades assaulting them from all sides, and charged toward the Phoenix Carriage.

The clashing of weapons, shouts, and screams merged into a cacophony.

Amid the chaos, one figure leaped up, using his comrades' shoulders and heads as stepping stones to propel himself forward, his sword aimed directly at the emperor’s Phoenix Carriage.

Cui Shao, positioned right before the Phoenix Carriage, reacted swiftly, drawing his blade to block. At the critical moment, a crossbow bolt shot through the air from ahead, striking the assassin’s sword's guard with precision.

With a "clang," the sword was knocked from the assassin’s hand, and his momentum faltered.

Cui Shao’s blade ran through the assassin’s shoulder blade, sending him crashing heavily to the ground.

All eyes, including Cui Shao’s, instinctively turned toward the source of the crossbow bolt.

A tall horse burst through the chaotic crowd ahead, its rider none other than Xie Xiao, who had rushed back travel-worn.

Yan Weichu seemed to sense something and pushed open the carriage door to step out.

Standing on the carriage footboard, the emperor paid no heed to the assassins still fighting madly who had yet to surrender, staring spellbound at the figure charging toward him.

Xie Xiao did not slow his horse, galloping straight toward the Phoenix Carriage.

The guards and soldiers below had already recognized him. As if guided by some unseen force, they subconsciously cleared a path for him.

Xie Xiao charged right up to the imperial presence.

Without reining in his horse, he leaned forward abruptly before anyone could react, reached out an arm, and hoisted the emperor by the waist, placing him on the saddle before him.

By the time everyone regained their senses, Xie Xiao had already galloped far away with their emperor.

The crowd exchanged bewildered glances, suddenly jolted awake.

...His Majesty had been abducted by the Marquis of Dingbei!