“Understood.” The eunuch immediately summoned the palace guards who’d accompanied them earlier. It was then that Qin Yining noticed they were all wearing wicker baskets on their backs.
Two of them lowered their baskets to reveal a bag of the fist-sized, black, mixed grain flat cake army rations, and another bag of packaged medicinal ingredients.
Awkwardness set in with Weichi Yan and he laughed in a self-deprecating manner. “With the kind of emperor We’ve been… We know that there are many people here and was worried that you’d gone hungry for a while. Sadly, all the gold and silver in the vaults can’t be exchanged for food, so I hope you don’t dislike what’s available. There’s not much in terms of dry foodstuffs. Fill you and your servants’ bellies first, then take the rest back with you.
“The medicine was specifically prepared to nurture the body and enrich the blood. You’re not fully recovered, after all… and don’t you be so silly as to give everything to others. Fill your stomach for a few meals. Look at how skinny you are.” Weichi Yan shook his head with a sigh.
He was the mighty ruler of a nation, but he couldn’t even get a full meal to the girl he liked. It was really something, to be impoverished to this degree.
However, Qin Yining gratefully knelt in the grand gesture of greeting and kowtowed. “This subject will remember Your Majesty’s friendship of giving aid in times sorely needed. Our deepest gratitude to Your Majesty.”
“Hurry and rise.” It was unbearable for Weichi Yan to see her so fragile that she might be blown away with the wind. Her little face was pale as a sheet and her lips bloodless. “Eat a flat cake here first.”
Qin Yining looked at him with some surprise.
“Your maids are loyal enough — they haven’t left you even in these times. Call them over so they can get a full meal too. This is an imperial order. We will watch you eat. You may return only after you finish.”
Qin Yining looked down, giving emotional thanks. She called Jiyun, Bingtang, and Qiulu over. The four girls picked up a dry hunk of flat cake each and started nibbling.
Weichi Yan’s nose twinged to see Qin Yining like a little hamster, working at cold, rock-hard flat cake like it was an imperial meal. He almost teared up.
Things can’t go on like this!
If this continues, everyone in the city will be burial goods for my selfishness!
……
When Qin Huaiyuan opened his eyes, he discovered that he was in an unfamiliar room. Darkness met his eyes when he looked out a window. It must be night.
He didn’t immediately rise, but calmly thought back to the events of the day.
Drowsiness had descended after a bowl of watery porridge, and he’d fallen asleep on the table. He was already here when he next opened his eyes.
It looked like the person who’d brought him here didn’t want to kill him. At least not yet.
“You’re awake!”
As wild thoughts filled the marquis’ mind, the door creaked open and a tall, large shadow came in with a tray. There was a large bowl on it, and the next person to enter carried a candlestick holder. Since the light source was to the rear of both people, Qin Huaiyuan wasn’t able to make out who they were until the candle was placed on the table.
He sat up and looked expressionlessly at the steaming bowl of plain noodles on the table. He then cast a glance at Pang Xiao, who was dressed in patched clothes of a refugee, and snorted coldly. “So it’s you. What, did you bring this old man here to treat me to a meal?”
Pang Xiao didn’t mind Qin Huaiyuan’s cold mocking and made a circumspect bow. “Father-in-law, your son-in-law has given offense. This was indeed a brash operation, but it might have been inconvenient had you known beforehand, plus I didn’t want to place you in a disloyal position. Hence I rashly used a sleeping powder. Please forgive me.”
Qin Huaiyuan’s eyebrows twitched when he heard these words. What was this about a father-in-law and son-in-law? With the current relations between the two countries, how would their families possibly have such an association and shared destiny?
“This old man wouldn’t dare. Please pick your words carefully, Your Highness. My daughter is clean as ice and pure as jade. She’s never had any entanglements with anyone. What circumstances are you trying to put my daughter in with your words?”
Pang Xiao wiped off a forehead of sweat. Crap. I’ve completely offended my father-in-law now. My darling is cut from the same cloth alright! They’re equally hard to handle when they’re mad.
“Please quell your anger, father-in-law. It’s just that Yining and I have promised ourselves to each other. I will take no other wife than her in this life, and she will marry none other than me.”
“How ludicrous! What gives you the confidence that she will marry no one but you?” Qin Huaiyuan surged angrily to his feet and brandished his sleeves. “If it had been before, she might’ve been moved by your gestures. But now that she’s seen people eat their own children and personally experienced hell, how dare you expect that she remains unbothered by it all? My daughter is a human being, not a saint! Where do you get such high self-worth to be so confident that you can do whatever you want? Where is she in all of this?!”
* * *
Chapter 272: Surrender (IV)
Chapter 272: Surrender (IV)
“Please quell your anger, father-in-law.” Pang Xiao dropped to his knees without another word when he saw that Qin Huaiyuan was well and truly angry. He didn’t mind in the slightest his identity as a prince and commander-in-chief of the Valiant Tigers.
“You can berate me however you’d like, but please don’t voice such hurtful things. I know Yining is suffering greatly with the war. Not just her, but the people as well. This is why I’ve forcefully invited you here today.
“Father-in-law is highly preceptive and intelligent, able to arrange the most perfect of schemes. So of course you understand that I lack the freedom to dictate my actions. Your heart goes out to the people and Yining, so you can curse at me however you’d like, but please don’t say that I don’t cherish her. I can feel the blades churning my heart.”
Pang Xiao’s head drooped, becoming more dejected the more he spoke.
He didn’t blame Qin Huaiyuan for being angry with him. A quick description of things in the city had been enough to give rise to unstoppable heartache. Knives stabbed at his heart to think of how Qin Yining was caught within such an environment; her wounds weren’t yet healed and she spent her days hungry.
Qin Huaiyuan looked down at the prince, unsure of how to respond in the moment.
From the nation’s perspective, this person was an utter villain, here to trample all over Great Yan.
From a personal perspective, this was an outstanding young man versed in both martial and civil subjects. He possessed talent, looks, and sincerity in his affections. His schemes and battles not only demonstrated his strategic mindset, but even more so his benevolence. The latter was especially apparent from when he defied the imperial decree and refused to raze a conquered city.
Qin Huaiyuan sat down wearily and rubbed his forehead. “How is Xihua now?”
Given Pang Xiao’s smarts, he could tell from the question that his father-in-law wasn’t so livid as to reject him entirely. A chance was being given!
“All is well in Xihua,” the prince immediately responded.
“But I hear nine houses out of ten are empty, and that your Valiant Tigers have slaughtered all the citizens. Heads are hung on poles as lanterns.” Qin Huaiyuan sneered coldly. “Are you trying to pull the wool over my eyes?”
“Father-in-law sees clearly. That’s just to throw the enemy into chaos.” Well, actually it’s to add to the future wife funds. But Pang Xiao would never say that, even on pain of being beaten to death.
Huzi, also on his knees next to his master, elaborated further. “In response to milord, my prince really hasn’t killed innocents. The heads displayed in front of Xihua’s gates belong to people doing bad things to begin wi
th. His Highness made a thorough investigation after taking the city and recorded all the names of those being called scalpers and demons. They were sentenced only after their crimes were verified.”
“So the story now is that you brought justice, hmm?” Much of Qin Huaiyuan’s anger had dissipated, but he was still uncomfortable at seeing Pang Xiao. He turned his head away, refusing to look at the prince.
Pang Xiao heaved a silent sigh of relief with how things had developed. I think my position as future son-in-law is safe. He hastily kowtowed. “Father-in-law, I would never dare act against my conscience. It’s just that war is war. We stand in opposing camps, so there will be times when we can’t choose our own actions.”
He straightened up, still on his knees, to take a close look at Qin Huaiyuan’s face. Pang Xiao continued when he didn’t observe any displeasure. “Take you for example, father-in-law. Has the thought of surrendering for the good of the people never crossed your mind? Or has it struck you for a while now?”
Qin Huaiyuan’s heart trembled. He closed his eyes with a soft sigh.
On one hand was the issue of whether the Great Yan royals could continue to rule over the land, on the other was sacrificing the people for the authority of one on high. How had the thought never crossed his mind? But he was mired in the muck and couldn’t stick his neck out for this.
“You should rise. As a prince and the commander of an army, it won’t do for you to kneel to me.”
You’d still be angry right now if I didn’t! How would we have had a conversation if I’d put on airs as soon as I saw you!
Pang Xiao complained internally, but was still relieved. He rose to bring over the bowl of noodles with a smile. “Father-in-law’s been out cold for a day and hasn’t had anything to eat. Have a bowl of noodles first, we can talk after.”
Qin Huaiyuan didn’t have much of an appetite due to prolonged hunger. His stomach seemed to have shrank along with his desire to eat.
But the bowl that Pang Xiao was holding out glistened with clear broth, thin and almost translucent noodles with even length, and jade-green vegetables and chopped green onions scattered on top. Light fragrance wafted into the nose, and the entire picture was highly appetizing.
It wouldn’t be proper to have a Great Zhou prince continue to hold a bowl for a marquis, so Qin Huaiyuan took it and ladled some soup into his mouth. It was refreshing with just the right amount of seasoning. His appetite awakening, the marquis lifted the bowl to eat more.
Pang Xiao relaxed even further to see his father-in-law willing to eat his cooking. Huzi brought over a cup of tea when the food was consumed. “Please have some tea, Lord Qin.”
Qin Huaiyuan rinsed his mouth. “The noodles were cooked rather well.”
“It’s the noodles’ great fortune that father-in-law likes them. Darling Yi also likes my noodles.” Pang Xiao’s smile softened when he thought of Qin Yining.
“You cooked them?”
“Yes. Your son-in-law worked at the family restaurant before joining the army. I like to cook, so learned a trick or two from my maternal grandfather and the cooks.”
“Mm.” Qin Huaiyuan looked down, deep in the thought. The prince’s sincerity was highly evident, so it wouldn’t do to continue playing off his own position.
For one, it wouldn’t help relations between the countries at all and secondly, it might backfire on his daughter. What if his daughter still liked this kid? He couldn’t mess things up for them.
The marquis rose and remarked solemnly, “We were speaking of personal affairs just now, let’s turn our minds to official business. For what reason has Your Highness brought this official here today for?”
Pang Xiao privately complimented his father-in-law’s wits. The simple segue wrapped up everything earlier as a personal grudge, one that didn’t impact the relations of the two nations at all.
He was happy to comply and brought out a thick envelope from his robes. “Grand Preceptor Qin, I invited you privately today in order to think of a way out for the people. Please take a look at this.”
Qin Huaiyuan took the envelope with a perplexed look. His expression immediately changed when he saw the handwriting on the paper. He had the ability to remember everything he saw, so he recognized most of his peers’ writing. The characters on this envelope were from the Duke of An, Li Mian!
When he thought of the duke’s attitude towards the war, an educated guess formed in his mind. The marquis hastily tore the envelope open and rapidly skimmed through the contents.
It was a declaration of loyalty and willingness to offer proof in blood.
The gist was that the Faithful Prince of the First Rank needed to only give the word for the duke to open the city gates at an agreed upon time. He would welcome the Valiant Tigers into the city and behead Grand Preceptor Qin Huaiyuan as a gift offering. It would also be revenge for the prince and a sign of the sincerity of the duke’s surrender.
The most important was the long list of names at the end, each written in blood as a token of trustworthiness. Every name’s handwriting was different, and each name accompanied by a hand print.
Ninety percent of Great Yan’s generals and half of the civil officers were on the list!
Qin Huaiyuan laughed tragically. How could they continue fighting the war? It was impossible to!
“I see.” He calmly tucked the letter back into the envelope. “I need to have the emperor look over this letter.”
Pang Xiao nodded. “Don’t worry, Grand Preceptor. This prince promises that I won’t kill a single innocent person.”
I won’t kill the people, and I won’t kill you.
Qin Huaiyuan chuckled. “Naturally, I trust you. Since you can bring me out, then take me back.”
* * *
Chapter 273: Decision
Chapter 273: Decision
Pang Xiao’s men did things in a tight and clean fashion. Qin Huaiyuan was back safe and sound in the city in the wee hours of morning.
The marquis strode through early morning light to immediately see Weichi Yan. He wasn’t the type of person to worry at the details or play the role of a loyal subject to the bitter end, willing to die for his convictions even though the times had left them behind.
Having survived the emperor emeritus for so long and weathered several rises and falls, Qin Huaiyuan had shifted from someone idealistically simple to one who thought of his family’s future. Since it wasn’t possible to triumph over Great Zhou, he should instead bend his mind to the task of obtaining the most benefits for the emperor.
Weichi Yan was in a wonderful mood today, perhaps on account of seeing Qin Yining yesterday. Even now, the image of the girl gently sending him off with a lowered head appeared whenever he shut his eyes.
Or perhaps some lingering convictions had finally shattered after seeing her. All Weichi Yan knew was that he seemed to have shrugged off immensely heavy shackles, and he felt light as a feather from the bottom of his heart.
“Your Majesty, Grand Preceptor Qin requests an audience.”
“Show him in, quickly,” Weichi Yan responded urgently. He happened to want to speak to Qin Huaiyuan as well.
The marquis entered the imperial study shortly afterwards. He bowed. “This subject greets Your Majesty. Long live Your Majesty.”
“You may rise. Be seated.” A faint smile hung on Weichi Yan’s face.
Qin Huaiyuan thanked the imperial favor and took a seat on the chair that the young eunuchs brought over. This particular chair imitated the design of the hats that officials wore as part of their uniform. The marquis smiled. “Judging from Your Majesty’s expression, a joyous matter seems to have occurred today.”
Weichi Yan gave a small smile. “Nothing particularly joyous, just that We’ve thought through a few things and feel all the lighter for it. You have good timing. We were about to summon you.”
Seeing that his liege seemed to be in high spirits, Qin Huaiyuan played along. “What has Your Majesty thought through?”
&nbs
p; Weichi Yan rose and responded solemnly, “We made a clandestine outing yesterday and spent a lot of time walking through the city proper, taking note of the tragic circumstances.”
When Qin Huaiyuan saw the emperor’s tightly furrowed brows and barely concealed anguish, he quickly sank to his knees. “This humble subject is incompetent and unable to share Your Majesty’s burdens.”
“No, you’ve done very well.” Weichi Yan helped the marquis back up. “You’ve done much already for Us and the people of Great Yan. We can only rue that the heavens don’t bless us, that we lack proper timing, geographical advantage, and unity within our own ranks. We possess none of the trinity.”
He smiled wryly. “When my royal father handed the throne to me, it wasn’t that he thought highly of my abilities or talents. It was only because he had no other option for a scapegoat. He stashed away large sums of wealth and threw an empty shell at me. He hoarded treasure so that he might rise again in the future. He won’t be the shameful ruler of a defeated nation when Great Yan falls in battle. The historians will only record that I was the last emperor of Great Yan.”
Weichi Yan closed his eyes and clenched his fists. “To be honest, I feel deep hate and resentment. I’ve never received one iota of care from my father. As I grew up, my father didn’t look at me with the love of a father for a son, but with deep-rooted wariness.
“I know that he was afraid I would steal his position. He cared about my royal uncle much more than he cared for me. How I wished sometimes that it was my uncle in this seat. Perhaps then we wouldn’t have ended up in these straits. But it’s all too late now.”
Weichi Yan’s back was to Qin Huaiyuan, not wanting his subject to see him shed tears in a moment of weakness. However, his nasally voice betrayed that this emperor, this man, was weeping.
Qin Huaiyuan took a kneeling position on the ground again, quietly listening to Weichi Yan pouring his heart out. Bleak pity welled up correspondingly.
When that useless emperor emeritus had been in charge, he’d been on guard against everyone, not just Weichi Yan. This pain wasn’t limited to only the crying majesty. As a subject, Qin Huaiyuan had offered most of his life and energy to court. But in the end, the former emperor toyed with him as he would, killing or praising at the drop of a hat.
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