The stepmother who ruled behind the curtain lusted after the power on the dragon throne. The grand - uncle, who held great power in the court, harbored the ambition to kill the emperor and install a puppet. The intertwined forces in the court were like a spider's web, and countless venomous snakes lurked in the shadows, hissing and waiting for the right moment.
In the grand imperial palace, there was not even an inch of pure land where this young emperor could rest in peace.
And Shou'an...
Although it seemed that the flames of war raged and swords and arrows were merciless, but here there was Xiao Jingnan, Feng Xiao, and the 200,000 - strong army of General Feng.
Those close friends from his youth, and the loyalty tempered by the flames of war, were often more reliable than the gold - plated bricks and jade - inlaid walls within the palace.
The border, where life and death hung in the balance, might actually hide a glimmer of hope for the young emperor to turn the tables.
...
Deep in the alley, Xiao Jingnan had grabbed Zhao Yanke's collar. His grip was not too tight but impossible to break free from. His pitch - black eyes were unfathomable.
Zhao Yanke stared at the bench in Xiao Jingnan's other hand, his face turning pale with fright. He shrieked, "Brother Xiao... Brother Xiao! Please listen to my explanation..."
Xiao Jingnan stared at him for a while, then suddenly let go, took two steps back, placed the bench horizontally against the wall, and sat down boldly in front of him. His face was calm. "Alright, Your Majesty, I'm listening."
Zhao Yanke leaned against the wall and coughed for a while. Then, gasping for breath, he said, "This matter... can't all be blamed on me. You all left one by one, leaving me alone facing the Empress Dowager. I was really scared... You know I've always been timid... My heart was pounding..."
Xiao Jingnan stood up and was about to grab the bench again.
"Hey! Don't... don't!"
Sweat poured down Zhao Yanke's face. He exclaimed, "Brother Xiao, I can explain... I really can explain!"
"Speak."
Xiao Jingnan placed the bench in front of him and stared at Zhao Yanke coldly.
Zhao Yanke wiped the sweat from his forehead with his sleeve. He carefully peeked at Xiao Jingnan's expression and then hesitantly began, "Actually, I think that my escape this time... ah, no, my southward journey this time was a well - thought - out decision."
"Oh?" Xiao Jingnan raised an eyebrow. "Let's hear it."
Zhao Yanke caught his breath and slowly straightened his body. The playfulness on his face suddenly faded like a receding tide, and a glint of sharpness emerged in his black eyes.
"The Empress Dowager first used the war in the Southern Region to send General Feng away. Then she scolded you for being overly eager for merit and imprisoned the Prince Ning's Mansion..."
His voice was soft but every word was clear. "Now, the capital is like an iron cage hanging under a crossbow for me. One wrong move and I'll be pierced by a thousand arrows."
"On the contrary, coming out..." He suddenly flashed a sly smile. "I might stand a chance of survival."
"As long as General Feng wins this battle, I can return to the capital in glory. By then, even the Empress Dowager wouldn't dare to blame a meritorious official and risk the condemnation of the world!"
"At that time..." The young emperor flung his sleeve robe and stood upright with his head held high. "I will be the great and wise emperor who, without fear of risks, personally led an expedition and reclaimed the six lost cities in the Southern Region in one fell swoop!"
"Wouldn't all the problems be easily solved? With such a great and everlasting feat, the Empress Dowager would never be able to stop me from taking control of the government!"
"Your Majesty just said..." Xiao Jingnan's voice showed no sign of joy. It was as cold as ice, and his long fingers stroked the ancient wood grain on the bench. "What did you say you were going to do?"
"Person... personally lead an expedition..." Zhao Yanke stopped halfway. Suddenly realizing what was wrong, he quickly waved his hands. "No! Brother Xiao, listen to me! It's not what you think!"
"My so - called personal expedition is not a real one!"
He was so anxious that he was sweating profusely and gesturing clumsily. "I... what I mean is, after General Feng has almost won the battle, I'll suddenly show up and claim the title of leading the expedition personally..."
"In this way, won't the greatest credit be mine?"
"I'll be able to transform into a wise emperor whom all the people will look up to!"
"I don't have to worry about anything or actually go to the battlefield, but I can leave my name in history, gain the greatest political capital, and return in triumph with extraordinary merits... It'll surely scare the Empress Dowager out of her wits! Hahaha!"
While Zhao Yanke was talking animatedly, Xiao Jingnan just remained silent.
The hot and humid summer air steamed in the alley. The tall phoenix trees blocked the sun, casting mottled shadows and making the long alley even darker and quieter.
Xiao Jingnan stood at the boundary between light and shadow. His face gradually took on a strange expression: three parts of anger, three parts of contempt, three parts of mockery, and one part of barely perceptible relief.
After a long while, the corner of his mouth curved slightly. "Your Majesty is quite bold when it comes to taking credit."
"Hey, we're all family. Why be so polite?"
Hearing this, Zhao Yanke knew that Xiao Jingnan was no longer angry with him. The rock in his heart dropped, and he wiped the sweat from his forehead. His cheerful voice mingled with the summer cicadas' chirping.
"I know you're worried that it's too reckless and dangerous to come to the front - line during the battle. But the current situation leaves me with no choice. I might as well take a chance. Maybe I can really become a wise emperor who will be remembered for all time!"
Xiao Jingnan's eyes were still as calm as water. He asked again, "What about the Empress Dowager when you left the capital? Aren't you afraid that she'll suddenly install a royal clan member on the throne?"
"Hahaha!" Zhao Yanke laughed heartily. "She'd like to, but she can't!"
"Now, the two most important ministers in the court, Grand Tutor Lu is my father - in - law, and Prime Minister Fang is Feng Xiao's father - in - law. When the nest is overturned, can the eggs remain intact? If I'm not on the throne, how can their families escape the consequences?"
Zhao Yanke flung his sleeve robe. The golden - threaded dragon patterns that occasionally flashed in his sleeve robe flickered in the tree shadows. "The Empress Dowager arranged these two marriages back then to place spies around me and win over General Feng. But she forgot that marriage is always a double - edged sword!"
"She can win them over, and so can I! Humph, I'm a handsome, young, intelligent, and lovely emperor. Can't I win them over better than an old woman?"
Xiao Jingnan's eyebrows twitched slightly. "Did Prime Minister Fang know that you left the capital?"
"Not exactly, but we understood each other tacitly." Zhao Yanke scratched his ear and said casually. "Think about it. If he hadn't given his silent approval, could I have followed Pei Yanqi and the others out so smoothly? The capital is under strict inspection now!"
Xiao Jingnan lowered his eyes. His thick eyelashes cast a shadow under his eyes, hiding the turbulent thoughts in his eyes.
He was indeed worried about Zhao Yanke.
Firstly, it was extremely risky for an emperor to come to the front - line in person. Secondly, with Zhao Yanke's departure, the capital would be left empty and vulnerable, which was like handing over the entire imperial city to Empress Dowager Kang.
However, if this matter had the silent approval of Prime Minister Fang and Grand Tutor Lu, then it would be different...