Chapter 18

Chapter 18

In early spring, the Shrine for the Fallen Soldiers was erected, and the Qi Family Army set off back to the northern frontier.

The Emperor hosted a farewell banquet, appointing General Qi Shen as the Commander of the Northern Frontier, seeing off tens of thousands of border troops.

The Shrine for the Fallen Soldiers was built near the Temple of National Protection. By the Emperor's great grace, led by the Empress Dowager, a host of concubines, princes, and ministers' families were to go to the Temple of National Protection to pray for blessings and peace, guiding the countless heroic spirits home. Right then, the Crown Prince was grounded for an offense and was not even allowed to go to the shrine to pray. The Emperor reassigned the Eastern Palace's duties to the First Prince.

The First Prince had established his own residence outside the palace for several years and had made considerable achievements at court. He handled matters efficiently and gained a reputation for virtue.

The imperial carriages stood at the city gate, and the palace concubines and princes had already arrived.

When Ying Fusheng arrived, he saw Consort Ning's carriage ahead from afar. He walked up to Consort Ning, "Mother."

Consort Ning offered a flat greeting to Ying Fusheng. She had to keep up appearances in public, but when she saw that Ying Fusheng had his own carriage, a flicker of hatred crossed her eyes.

Since the palace banquet where the princes sat, Ying Fusheng had been traveling according to the prince's allowances, with his own carriage. Her own son, on the other hand, was grounded for a minor mistake and couldn't even leave for such a major event as the prayer. Consort Ning dug her nails into her palm, sneaking glances at Empress Xu's carriage, and only when she confirmed there was no carriage from the Eastern Palace did she finally let it go.

She turned and boarded the carriage, leaving Ying Fusheng standing there alone.

Many nearby were watching. Bi Zhu, her maid, said, "The Consort has been restless and unwell lately. Your Highness spends most of his time in Cining Palace, so you two have grown apart."

Then she added, "It's cold, Your Highness. Don't catch a cold. Please go back."

Her words were a veiled accusation that Ying Fusheng lacked filial piety. The onlookers, seeing the Sixth Prince standing in front of the carriage, muttered under their breath. Ying Fusheng lowered his eyes slightly, as the carriage curtain had already dropped.

"What's up with Consort Ning?"

"The Sixth Prince has been in Cining Palace for so long—and I heard Consort Ning has been sick for days."

It was widely known in the palace that the Sixth Prince was convalescing in Cining Palace. Now, as the surrounding people looked over at the Sixth Prince, the rumors seemed to be true. Low whispers circulated, while the Sixth Prince, after offering his respects before the carriage, showed a flicker of fatigue crossed his pale face. He paused for a moment, then turned back to the prince's carriage.

Before the carriage, Ying Fusheng endured the strange looks from others, many with searching looks.

After the Crown Prince's incident, Song An sent word to Weiyang Palace, and Consort Ning had claimed illness. Given how well it matched recent palace events, Ying Fusheng understood Consort Ning's intentions well. The whole "loving mother, dutiful son" act—he was even better at it than she was, and more patient.

Ignoring the stares, Ying Fusheng climbed into his carriage. Inside, he spotted a charcoal stove that had been set out for him.

The carriage driver, seeing Ying Fusheng, hurriedly bowed, "Your Highness, if you are cold, just give the order."

Shen Changcun had been demoted to Vice Minister of the Imperial Stud, and travel carriages were part of his job. Ying Fusheng had no trouble guessing who arranged it.

"Lord Shen sure is thoughtful," Ying Fusheng said.

The driver replied, "Your Highness, it is only right."

The prince's carriage took the lead. Ying Fusheng ordered Song An to light the charcoal stove. He rarely left the palace, so when they passed through the streets, he took note of the lively crowds.

Song An, though, stared out the window, "Your Highness, it's so lively out there."

"Qi Shen is heading back to the northern frontier, so of course it's lively. With him there, Dayuan stands like an iron wall," Ying Fusheng said, leaning against the window edge, his gaze lingering briefly. Indeed, it was lively... Qi Shen's return to the northern frontier would ensure Dayuan's peace for years to come.

In his past life, Qi Shen had always been the Emperor's blade, until the Emperor fell ill, internal strife erupted at court, and a new emperor ascended.

At that time, the first to reach out a hand to him was the Qi family.

If everything followed the path of his past life, with Qi Shen leaving the capital, then Qi Hanzhou would take up a position in the Embroidered Uniform Guard. From the previous emperor to his father, the Qi family had always served only the imperial power, with one exception: the new emperor. When the new emperor ascended, the Qi family did not pledge loyalty, and the one who led the defiance was Qi Hanzhou.

The Qi family were trusted confidants of the Son of Heaven. Qi Shen's authority loomed over the Qi Family Army; he was the backbone of the entire Qi family. As Qi Shen's only son, Qi Hanzhou was a man difficult to fathom. He achieved fame young but did not seek merit on the frontier. Instead, he remained in the capital, stationed in the Embroidered Uniform Guard, almost disappearing completely. Yet Ying Fusheng knew that within a few years, he would have the entire Guard under his control and would become a sharp blade aimed at the new emperor in later times.

Qi Hanzhou had not yet grown into the deeply calculating figure of later years, but from their two meetings, Ying Fusheng knew that the man had already set his sights on him.

Just as in his past life—a bloodhound… and the most useful blade of the imperial family.

Ying Fusheng couldn't help but spread his hand, his expression unreadable as he lowered his eyes.

Lost in thought, the imperial procession had already arrived at the Temple of National Protection.

As Ying Fusheng stepped down from the carriage, the cold wind hit him, somewhat dissipating his drowsiness. Song An quickly handed him a hand warmer.

They would be staying here for two days for prayer and incense offerings.

Just as he descended from the carriage, someone approached. The Seventh Prince was dressed more simply today. Since the horse incident at the training ground, he rarely wore bright ornaments. He gave Ying Fusheng a rare nod and then walked away.

The First Prince's carriage was ahead. Recently, with the Crown Prince confined, the First Prince had distinguished himself, and the Yun family had gained influence at court. The Seventh Prince was the same; as brothers, they were closely tied. Consort Yun descended from her carriage, and the two princes stood before her. Ying Fusheng turned to head towards Consort Ning, but saw Bi Zhu already helping her away.

Song An said, "I wanted to go over, but Sister Bi Zhu said the Consort was unwell and took her away first."

Ying Fusheng curled his fingers, feigning a light cough, ignoring the glances from those around him, and walked forward with Song An.

The Ministry of Rites had organized the Shrine for the Fallen Soldiers. The monks of the Temple of National Protection conducted the requiem. Led by the Empress Dowager and Empress, the princes, concubines, courtiers, and their families offered incense and prayed in turn.

Song An, being here for the first time, was very cautious, worried about doing something wrong. He attended to Ying Fusheng thoroughly and inquired with the temple monks about the pharmacy, planning to prepare medicine for him.

Once he left, Ying Fusheng's surroundings grew quiet. He sat for a moment, then walked out on his own.

The Temple of National Protection had been built many years ago, nestled in the woods at the capital's outskirts, renovated by several generations of the imperial family.

In the secluded rear mountain, an old man in monk's robes stood there, surrounded by birds and a few wild monkeys.

Ying Fusheng noticed the monkeys showed no mischief; instead, they quietly ate from the abbot's hand, a simple bowl of grains. He stood idly, watching for a long time, until the abbot seemed to notice his presence.

"There are many creatures in the mountains. When hungry, they come to the temple to beg for food."

The abbot slightly bowed to Ying Fusheng, extending the plain bowl, "Sixth Prince, would you like to try?"

Recognized, Ying Fusheng hesitated briefly, then quickly walked over and took the bowl from the abbot. He picked up a few grains, luring the birds to perch on his arm. The abbot remained calm, watching Ying Fusheng feed the creatures with practiced ease, standing quietly by.

Seeing the young boy feed the birds calmly, his hand outstretched, waiting for the birds to eat bit by bit, his frame completely still. When the food in the bowl was gone, the abbot said, "Your Highness is a kind-hearted person."

Ying Fusheng looked at the small birds, showing no fierceness, and his interest in feeding faded, "I wouldn't say kind. I just once raised a falcon."

At that moment, a few raindrops fell from the sky.

Ying Fusheng paused, looking up slightly.

"The wind is strong in the mountains. Rain is common. Your Highness, this way, please," the abbot guided.

Ying Fusheng passed through two corridors and stopped abruptly as he crossed the threshold.

In the guest hall, it was quiet. Incense smoke swirled before the Buddha. Before the statue of Guanyin, Empress Xu knelt with clasped hands, plain clothes spread on the floor, her bowed head and lowered eyebrows full of piety. As Empress, she had no palace attendants nearby. The incense and candles on the altar had burned halfway; she had been there for a long time. Ying Fusheng paused, about to turn away, but Empress Xu looked over at that moment, seeing him.

"Empress Dowager," Ying Fusheng bowed.

The Empress's gaze lingered briefly, nodding, then she looked at the abbot, "Master Liaozhi."

Hearing the Empress's address, Ying Fusheng recalled who this abbot was—Master Liaozhi, a revered monk of the Temple of National Protection and a former national preceptor of Dayuan.

"Mother! There's a huge bird in the back mountain! I want to keep one too!" The Eighth Prince bounced in, about to throw himself into the Empress's arms, nearly colliding with Ying Fusheng standing at the door.

Ying Fusheng stepped back slightly, avoiding him.

Upon seeing the Eighth Prince, he understood why such a trivial matter as feeding birds was done with a bowl—the Eighth Prince’s love for large birds was known throughout the city, and that small bowl was prepared for him.

With the Crown Prince under house arrest, the Empress had the Eighth Prince by her side, and he was the one she brought this time.

The Eighth Prince ran to the Empress, who stopped him with a hint of helplessness, scolding him for making noise in the Buddha hall. “The Eighth Prince is mischievous; I hope he hasn’t disturbed the master.”

Master Liaozhi said, “The Eighth Prince’s innocence and playfulness are a blessing. I happened to encounter the Sixth Prince, and the affairs at the back mountain are now settled.”

The Empress lowered her eyes, noticing the grain crumbs on Ying Fusheng’s sleeve. Upon hearing that he had accompanied the feeding, her expression gradually softened. When she was calm, it was hard to read her emotions. Master Liaozhi seemed to perceive something and slightly led the way: “Your Highness, matters here are concluded. Please, this way.”

The Empress bent down to the Eighth Prince and said gently, “Mother has matters to attend to. Stay here and don’t cause trouble.”

The Eighth Prince muttered, “I know.”

Ying Fusheng watched the interaction between Empress Xu and the Eighth Prince, standing by quietly.

Outside, the wind and rain were cold. Not far away, Empress Xu carefully brushed away bits of leaves from the Eighth Prince’s clothes, whispering gently, their figures flickering like the weak shadows cast by the temple lamps before the Buddha.

Ying Fusheng glanced at them briefly, then looked away.

As dusk deepened, the chill grew heavier.

He pulled his robe tighter and turned to look at the temple hall.

The mountain forest was still, and night was approaching.

Empress Xu followed the master inside. As she stepped into the corridor, the figure behind her gradually faded.

Her unintentional observation did not escape Master Liaozhi’s notice, who said, “Your Highness has something on your mind.”

“The Sixth Prince is kind-hearted, much like Your Highness,” the master said as he led the way, his tone calm, yet his words seemed to perceive something deeper. “In the past, when the young monks of the temple fed the creatures, Your Highness would always give them some candied fruit. Today, some of them pestered me, saying they wished to come to Your Highness.”

Upon hearing this, the Empress’s expression turned cold. She looked down at the small pouch at her waist and said, “I forgot the candied fruit today.”

Empress Xu often carried small snacks, a habit formed since the Crown Prince’s childhood—bitter medicine needed sweet relief.

Master Liaozhi did not point out the abnormality in Empress Xu’s attitude toward Ying Fusheng. He softly chanted a few Buddhist verses before speaking: “Your Highness came today to light a lamp for the Crown Prince, did you not?”

...

The Buddha hall was quiet. Once the Empress left, the Eighth Prince stared intently at Ying Fusheng.

Since being pushed at the martial arts field that day, his feelings toward Ying Fusheng were complicated. He had mentioned it to the Crown Prince several times, but the Crown Prince ignored him. As Ying Fusheng was about to leave the Buddha hall, he hesitated for a long time before finally saying, “Thanks for what happened at the martial arts field that day.”

Ying Fusheng glanced sideways, as if he hadn’t heard: “What?”

The Eighth Prince pursed his lips and raised his voice: “I said thank you.”

Ying Fusheng then seemed to understand. “No need to be so polite, Eighth Brother.”

The temple was brightly lit. Lighting lamps at Huguo Temple was a prayer for health and safety.

Ying Fusheng’s gaze shifted slightly. Outside, the rain seemed to grow heavier, the sound of droplets falling like a torrent. In the mountain wilderness beyond the Buddha hall, fewer people were holding umbrellas and lighting lamps.

As the wind and rain intensified, night deepened.

The Eighth Prince noticed Ying Fusheng looking at the prayer lamps. Seizing the chance to continue their conversation, he added, “You’ve never left the palace, so you wouldn’t know, right? Behind this Buddha hall, the imperial consorts and ministers all come to request lamps. You’re so weak, let Consort Ning request a few more for you, so you don’t fall ill or anything...”

“Request lamps...?” Ying Fusheng repeated the words with a strange tone, looking at him.

The Eighth Prince was puzzled. “What’s wrong?”

Ying Fusheng suddenly smiled. “Yes, she should request more lamps for me.”

He leaned against the door of the Buddha hall, his gaze lingering on the Eighth Prince. “Since I have nothing to do, why don’t we go see the lamps?”

...

The prayer ceremony at Huguo Temple was a major event, with ministers’ families following the imperial family.

Inside a small Buddha hall at the back mountain of Huguo Temple, a woman put down her umbrella and stepped inside. Her clothes were already soaked from the rain. Unlike ordinary family members, her skirt was patched and the hems were worn white—clearly from a frugal household. Behind her followed a young daughter. Once inside, they first lit lamps, then offered incense before the Buddha shrine.

The hall was brightly lit, but when the wind blew, the flames flickered.

The mother and daughter prayed devoutly.

When Ying Fusheng entered, only the mother and daughter were in the hall. He lowered his eyes slightly, noticing the woman’s plain clothes. The Eighth Prince seemed surprised to find anyone there. Once inside, he couldn’t help staring at them. “Why is someone here?”

The woman saw the Eighth Prince first. As the most flamboyant of the princes when traveling, even in plain clothes today, his noble aura was unmistakable. Pausing briefly, she led her daughter in a bow. “Your subject’s wife pays respects to Your Highness.”

The Eighth Prince, only interested in showing Ying Fusheng the lamps, waved for them to rise and turned to Ying Fusheng. “Come over here.”

Ying Fusheng saw the mother and daughter looking his way and nodded slightly in greeting.

The woman paused, then bowed to Ying Fusheng as well.

Just from that one glance, Ying Fusheng knew who they were. The woman’s clothes were simple, and the style of her wristbands and shoes was markedly different—the tight wrapping at the wrists was typical of those who had long lived in the cold northern regions, a style to resist the wind, unlike the ladies of the capital.

Madam Hu, the wife of Prefect Hu Buyu of Anlong Prefecture, who shared her husband’s surname.

Ying Fusheng, through Shen Yunfei, had gathered much information.

Anlong Prefecture, situated in the northwest, was a vital passage to the northern lands. It had long dealt with the border troops stationed in the north, making it a difficult post for local officials. This Hu Buyu was no ordinary man—he had been a trusted aide to the Emperor before his ascension, accompanying him on many campaigns, and was later appointed Prefect of Anlong Prefecture after the Emperor took the throne.

This time, when the Emperor returned in triumph, Hu Buyu’s wife and daughter also came to the capital. Some in the court said it was because of Hu Buyu’s merits during the war, winning the Emperor’s favor. For Ying Fusheng, Hu Buyu was a cunning old fox—since the Emperor’s ascension, he had stayed in Anlong, keeping out of court factions, a rare neutral figure.

To hold the key position of Anlong, which connected to the northern lands, for over a decade was no mere feat of frugal governance. Hu Buyu was highly adept at maintaining good relations with most people. Over the years, many had tried to trade with him, but he had always secured the Emperor’s trust. In this regard, he was far from simple.

After Hu Buyu’s wife and daughter arrived in the capital, the Emperor had not granted any official position to him. They mostly stayed at home, rarely venturing out, and avoided other noble ladies of the capital.

Today was an exception. With the founding of the Temple for Soldiers, Madam Hu, as a member of an official’s family, had to attend.

Ying Fusheng lowered his eyes, hiding his calculations.

And his purpose for coming to Huguo Temple was them.