"In the winter of the third year of Wu’an, Consort Min, banished to the Cold Palace due to the Min Family’s rebellion, was sentenced to die by her own hand with a white silk sash—her fragrance scattered, her precious life extinguished."
Dujuan opened her mouth, but was at a loss for words.
"Everything started on a night in the autumn of the third year of Wu’an. His Majesty invited the Sixth Prince into the Imperial Study and, reportedly, asked his views on our Yan, the barbarian tribes, and the affairs of Qian State. His Majesty was so pleased with the Sixth Prince’s answers that he rewarded him with gold and silver artifacts and also increased his princely stipend."
"The next day, I received His Majesty’s Imperial Edict, ordering me to exterminate the entire Min Family."
Lord Jingnan finished the last piece of sweet potato, licked the remaining sweetness off the skin, and then casually tossed the peel aside.
He sucked his fingers with satisfaction, then took the hot towel Dujuan offered to wipe his hands and mouth.
"Perhaps, that night in the Imperial Study, His Majesty was genuinely happy. The Sixth Prince’s performance greatly pleased him. Any father, upon seeing a son so much like himself, would undoubtedly be filled with joy and satisfaction."
"Why? As I’ve said before, His Majesty has his own plans and vision for Yan’s present and future. He has already designed a path for Yan and will not allow anyone to alter it, even if that person is his own son. His Majesty is not just a father; he is also the Emperor of Yan."
"That’s why, after his moment of happiness, the very next day, he ordered me to exterminate the Min Family, severing the Sixth Prince’s support from his matriarchal clan. Then, he imprisoned and eventually sentenced Consort Min to death, cutting off the Sixth Prince’s support from the imperial harem. Since the third year of Wu’an, the Sixth Prince began to indulge in debauchery, even starting to sell roast ducks."
"So this time, the Sixth Prince isn’t afraid of you?"
"He’s intelligent, so he understands me. He knows that even if I found out about this, I would help him conceal it. Firstly, I do owe his maternal grandfather’s family a blood debt. Secondly, he knows I have little interest in participating in the struggle for succession."
"My Lord, the Second Prince is your own nephew."
"My own nephew? Yes, the Second Prince is indeed my own nephew, the son of my own sister, and the legitimate son of His current Majesty. His Majesty’s intention to make the Second Prince the Crown Prince is already very clear. I reckon by next year, the Second Prince could be entering the East Palace. But, so what?"
"My Lord, are you not going to consider your nephew?"
"You really dare to ask anything."
"It is you, My Lord, who dares to tell me anything and everything. It’s made me prepare for the possibility of being sentenced to death the moment I step out of this carriage."
"HAHAHAHA! I am not like His Majesty. I wouldn’t do such a thing..."
Suddenly, Lord Jingnan fell silent.
"My Lord, what’s wrong?"
At that moment, a voice announced from outside the carriage, "My Lord, a letter has arrived from home."
A letter was passed through the curtain.
Dujuan reached out to take the letter. But before she could hand it to Lord Jingnan, he said, "Read."
Dujuan took a deep breath and opened the letter.
"You read it first, then tell me."
After Dujuan read the letter, she put it down and said to Lord Jingnan, "My Lord, this is a letter from your father."
The Old Master was, naturally, the head of the Tian Family. The Tian Family, though not one of Yan’s foremost aristocratic families, possessed an honor and status that even the Earl of North Border’s estate could not rival.
The Head of the Tian Family’s daughter was the current Empress; she had borne His Majesty a son, one very likely to soon be installed in the East Palace. His son was Lord Jingnan, commander of the fifty-thousand-strong Jingnan Army.
In the current court, unless the daughter of the Earl of North Border were to marry the Crown Prince in the future, none could rival the Tian Family’s honor.
"Hmm, tell me what that old man of mine has to say in the letter. Skip the nonsense."
Dujuan hesitated for a moment, then said, "My Lord, the Old Master says that tensions between the Northern Border Army and the imperial court are escalating. He wishes to know your views and stance."
"The Old Master also mentioned he heard you’ve been keeping a woman from the Spy Bureau by your side. He said you can dally with the woman, but as one of His Majesty’s subjects, you should be wary of the Spy Bureau in Yinlang County. Even if His Majesty allows you this connection, you shouldn’t truly maintain it."
Lord Jingnan chuckled, took the letter from Dujuan’s hands, and without reading it a second time, threw it into the charcoal basin to burn.
"My Lord, aren’t you going to reply?"
"There’s no rush. It won’t be long before I return and have a proper discussion with that old man of mine face to face."
"My Lord, a scout reports! Large-scale movement of Qian army cavalry has been detected near Beacon Fort!"
"Well now, Dujuan, do you think that lad is still alive?"
"That depends on whether you, My Lord, want him to be alive."
"He’s quite an interesting lad, and connected to Chengjue. For Chengjue to be willing to use the favor I owed his family on this boy... if he really died, it would indeed be a bit difficult for me to answer to Chengjue."
"My Lord, you never used to think about things this way."
"Oh, is that so? Then let’s go with a simpler reason."
"The soldiers of my Yan State! Even if they were to poke a hole through the heavens, it’s not the place for those from Qian State to point fingers and interfere!"
Having said that, Lord Jingnan stood up and spread his arms. ᴛʜɪs ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ ɪs ᴜᴘᴅᴀᴛᴇ ʙʏ 𝘯𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘭·𝘧𝘪𝘳𝘦·𝘯𝘦𝘵
Dujuan rose and personally helped Lord Jingnan don his armor. The gilded armor, once upon him, made Lord Jingnan appear exceptionally martial and distinguished.