Book 12: Chapter 41
“You misunderstand, Your Majesty!” Ling Shaoxuan cried.
Sharing a cosmic moment as they frequently did, Emperor Yuansheng and Her Majesty both cast their gaze to Long Zaitian at the same time.
Without wasting a moment, Long Zaitian shouted, “Misunderstand, my foot! You going to kneel and yield, or am I going to have to make you?!”
Long Zaitian was revving to put on a show in front of His Majesty since he failed to stop the quarrel before. Though he wouldn’t dare to swing a weapon in their presence, he was good with his fists. Plus, it wasn’t as though his opponents would dare to wield a weapon for the same reason. Accordingly, he charged forward to uncork a combo. Before he could make contact, though, he felt his elbow go numb, followed by numbness in his lower back. Next thing he knew, he was on his back.
Emperor Yuansheng tilted his head in bafflement.
“Ehehe.” Long Zaitian’s eyes conveyed, “I lost.”
Emperor Yuansheng bobbed his head and extended a finger upward.
Long Zaitian’s eyes conveyed, “Please no.”
Song Chi dusted his hands and smiled. “Your Majesty, you really have misunderstood.”
Coming from a family of martial artists, Her Majesty could discern how skilled Song Chi was from the way he subdued Long Zaitian. Nonetheless, the imperial palace wasn’t so hopeless that Long Zaitian was their best guard. In a low voice, she questioned, “What misunderstanding can there be when you’re carrying King Yao?”
During Ling Yaos.h.i.+’s time as proxy leader, he was granted immense authority, which was why his sword was the equivalent of him. Why would Ling Shaoxuan need to carry around a sword that could command thousands of Mount Lu Sword Sanctuary members in times of peace?
“That is the misunderstanding. According to Zi Li’s knowledge, the sword is not intended for private use but to be pa.s.sed on to the imperial court.”
Her Majesty’s flame was somewhat quenched. “Is that true?”
Ling Shaoxuan hurried to his knees. “Aunt, Proxy Sanctuary Master said that we have many members, some of whom are difficult to manage. As such, we are willing to offer our authority. This empowers the imperial court to step in should any friction escalate. Should any members fail to observe the rules, the imperial court will have the authority to impose consequences instead of feeling it needs to consider Mount Lu Sword Sanctuary’s stance.”
Emperor Yuansheng and his wives were all taken aback. Since when did a preaching fox offer its own geese?
“You are too rash, Sister. You scared them.” Brilliant Consort’s remark and dimple served to ease the tension in the atmosphere. “You five really need to be more sensible. The three boys are doing all the talking instead of giving the girls a chance to speak. You three step back, and let me speak to the two girls.” Ignoring the fact that Ling Shaoxuan was still kneeling, she affably turned to Bai Yumo. “Oh, Bai Clan’s daughter is beautiful. How old are you this year? Are you married yet?”
Bai Yumo, cheeks seared, murmured, “Seventeen… Not yet…”
“Hmm? What was that?”
Foreign to handling the questions, Bai Yumo’s voice tapered off more and more with each word. “N-no… I am not married yet…”
“Bai Clan has a hobby of setting couples up, yet they’re leaving their daughter on her own? Do you have someone you like? If you do, I shall speak up for you. Regardless of which family he is on, I’ll make sure you have him.”
Bai Yumo shook her head vigorously. “No! No! Thank you, Your Highness, but I do not have anyone I like!”
Brilliant Consort Huang chuckled. “You’re adorable. Tell me: what is the purpose of your visit today?”
Bai Yumo began fiddling with her fingers. “Dad told me to follow Brother Song and help with anything that I can. Dad wants me to bring my unbridled temperament under control and stop being a tomboy. He also said I should have some real-world knowledge since I am now seventeen instead of only training at home. He said I need to know more boys so that I can marr-” She covered her mouth. “You only need to worry about the first part!”
Even Her Majesty couldn’t keep a straight face, let alone Brilliant Consort Huang and His Majesty.
Brilliant Consort Huang turned to Jin Zhaoying. “Talented Maiden Jin, you have been in the capital for a long time, so you have had plenty of opportunities to enter the palace. Why did you suddenly decide to visit us without any prior notice?”
“This one is here on orders of her family’s head. She was ordered to not reveal anything to anyone.” Jin Zhaoying was too proud to lie, but her adherence to her patriarch’s orders came as a surprise.
“What did Patriarch Jin task you with?”
“There is no need to ask this one. You can consult Song Chi; he will not withhold information.”
Brilliant Consort Huang was the person who suggested questioning Jin Zhaoying last, reasoning Jin Zhaoying was the only person she knew among the five. They didn’t just know each other but were even the closest of friends. Not only did they come from similarly wealthy families, but they were also around the same age. Brilliant Consort Huang befriended Jin Zhaoying during the latter’s several visits to the imperial palace, and they had seven years to nurture their friends.h.i.+p further. Brilliant Consort Huang helped Jin Zhaoying several times when the latter was inundated with requests for her to become an official. Brilliant Consort Huang also turned to Jin Zhaoying several times when her husband faced tough problems. As a consequence, Brilliant Consort Huang felt betrayed to see her friend in the palace with the other four. Given time to scrutinise, though, she felt her friend’s typical relaxed mannerisms were a sign that she was making wrong a.s.sumptions.
Likewise, Emperor Yuansheng no longer felt apprehensive about the sudden visit.
Meeting with Emperor Yuansheng’s gaze, Song Chi politely smiled, then stepped forward.
It was unknown what Song Chi did; however, it was a fact that Long Zaitian’s numbness dissipated, allowing him to return to his feet. “Protect His Majesty! Protect His Majesty!” Long Zaitian raced back to stand anterior to Emperor Yuansheng and pointed at Song Chi. “What was that sorcery?! I won’t allow you to have your way for as long as I’m here!”
Song Chi amiably stated, “The first reason we requested an audience today is to erase the insinuations people are spreading and clear our name. The second reason is because we know the imperial court is in urgent need of hands. Therefore, although aware of our rashness, we requested an audience to volunteer ourselves. For our rashness, we sincerely apologise.”
Emperor Yuansheng took a moment to process everything. “… You are aware the imperial court has its own regulations for hiring, yes? You cannot become a civil servant just because you desire so.”
“Zi Li is aware of your concerns. We cannot undermine the imperial court’s regulations. In saying that, Zi Li believes the special exams you announced are an opportunity. For that reason, Zi Li boldly suggested his brothers and sisters to come together.”
“You mean…”
Song Chi nodded. “Is being ranked not an opportunity? Zi Li knew about Sister Zhaoying attending Daren Academy. The four of us are also willing to enrol at Daren Academy to study to prepare for the imperial exams for the opportunity to serve.”
“You intend to take the imperial exams?”
In five different voices and in a synchronised beat, the five answered, “Yes, Your Majesty!”
***
Long after the five departed, it was dead silent in the palace despite there being three people present.
“Seven Champion White Princes, more like Seven Old Foxes,” Emperor Yuansheng remarked.
Gently patting Emperor Yuansheng’s back, Brilliant Consort Huang urged, “Do not let them get to you, Your Majesty.”
“I’m not mad. I just didn’t expect this move. I underestimated them.”
It was true that Emperor Yuansheng was in desperate need of competent individuals, reason being he projected upcoming complications with the remaining White Princes regardless of their pro-war or pro-peace stance. He wanted a taskforce dedicated to squas.h.i.+ng them. In the end, though, they chose a third route: they were neither willing to copy Luo Sword Manor or start a war. What sort of joke was a force built with members of the very enemy they were supposed to eliminate?
Her Majesty advised, “Do not feel pressured, Your Majesty. Winnowing the White Princes requires tremendous mental fort.i.tude. You cannot be shaken when it is only the beginning.”
Despite her emotionless tone, Her Majesty’s determination soothed Emperor Yuansheng’s raised shoulders. He always found Her Majesty to be special. Her tendency to swing to extremes in her mood kept people on their toes and at arm’s length. Whenever foreign enemies entered the fray, howbeit, she’d be the most reliable backup he could ask for. During one rebellion, she commanded the defence force alone from atop a city wall.
Emperor Yuansheng gently took hold of Her Majesty’s hand, surprising her. She initially wanted to pull away as Brilliant Consort Huang was still present. Once she reflected on the fact that her stubborn personality was the reason she was frequently alone in her palace, she decided to fight her embarra.s.sment and let him hold her hand until her cheeks turned rosy.
“What more could I ask for when I have you two.” Emperor Yuansheng took hold of Brilliant Consort Huang’s hand with his other hand.
For the first time, Her Majesty allowed Brilliant Consort Huang to express kindness with her eyes while she was still around, much to the shock of Brilliant Consort Huang. Being as quick as she was, nevertheless, Brilliant Consort Huang soon understood why Emperor Yuansheng liked Her Majesty.
“They have the ladder to scale the walls. I have Zhang Liang’s brilliance. Hmph, I ensure my soldiers are in tip-top form so that I can count on them when I need them. Men, summon my Zifang for me.” Emperor Yuansheng consoled his wives with a smile. “My ladies, you need not worry. They can’t scare me.”
Brilliant Consort Huang smiled. “That is a given.”
Her Majesty followed suit. “That is a foregone conclusion.”
Emperor Yuansheng felt imbued with the confidence and strength to singlehandedly choke out an overgrown bear in a wild forest until Brilliant Consort Huang asked, “So, can you now explain Miss Lyu’s story?”
Emperor Yuansheng had the privilege of feeling how it felt to fall from the ladder of success.
Her Majesty: “Who? Who’s Miss Lyu?”
“You did not know, Sister? I shall tell you.”
When else should Emperor Yuansheng have run if not when the two were whispering? He carefully turned and, on the tip of his toes, stepped aside. He winked at Long Zaitian and w.a.n.g Tushui for them to cover him. Upon hearing a lion’s roar from behind, the three juddered.
“Oi, stop where you are! You have yet another woman outside?!”
“Where are you going, Your Majesty?! Stop where you are!”
“I’m going to search for Zifang! I’ll see you two again some time!”
The palace smelt like blood on that day.
His Majesty broke his best sprint record on that day.
It was… a dark day.
Glossary
They have the ladder to scale the walls. I have Zhang Liang’s brilliance – A less literal translation is, “They’re not the only ones with plans.” I used a literal translation because it connects to one of the later lines, namely, “Men, summon my Zifang for me.” Zifang is the courtesy name of Zhang Liang, a Chinese military strategist and politician who lived in the early Western Han dynasty.