Chapter 18 – I Hand over the Kingdom

The sons of the noble families supported Chiyun Yuexuan to the east yard, the main courtyard of the General Estate. A short while later, Murong Zhining could see through the crack that they had again arranged food and wine in the courtyard and continued drinking noisily. There was even music and the vague figures of women waving their sleeves as they danced. Murong Zhining shook her head and smiled bitterly, These noble juniors only know to eat, drink, and have fun.

Chiyun Yuexuan accompanied the three playboys to drink in the east courtyard. The estate had its own musicians and dancers to help them enjoy themselves. Chiyun Yuexuan seemed depressed as he sat there drinking alone, drowning in his own thoughts. In the disaster relief regarding Yuliang and Yanshan, he was fine if his contribution wasn’t recognized, but they actually ratted on him for the crime he didn’t commit, forcing him to yield the Commander’s Seal and give up the rights to military leadership. This was a great shame to him. Chiyun Yuexuan tried hard to think, just who in the court would be the one behind the scene pushing all of this to happen?

This afternoon, Chiyun Yuexuan and the three noble juniors were drinking and having fun in the Drunken Loner Floors. These three noble juniors used to study with him in the Imperial School when they were little, so they still had a bit of friendship.

The other noble juniors at the next table weren’t friendly toward them and acted extremely provocative. Among those, Yu Jihui, the son of Minister of Revenue Yu Wei, even walked to their table and rudely stared at Chiyun Yuexuan. “Where are you from, sweet charming little lady? Come accompany me for a drink and I’ll reward you as much as you want.”

Chiyun Yuexuan was already in a bad mood, so he ignored the guy and kept drinking. Yu Jihui was the type that if they gave him an inch, he would want a mile. Seeing Chiyun Yuexuan like this, Yu Jihui concluded that his notoriety was just some unwarranted fame, and that Chiyun Yuexuan was, in fact, weak and an easy target.

Yu Jihui placed his hand on Chiyun Yuexuan’s shoulder and deliberately humiliated him, “Are you being shy, little lady? There’s no need to put on an act with this lord. With this pretty face of yours alone, it’s much easier to accompany people for a drink than it is being a general.”

The noble juniors who came with Yu Jihui laughed wantonly.

Chiyun Yuexuan couldn’t take it anymore and splashed his wine on Yu Jihui’s face. The later wiped the wine off his face. “General Chiyun is indeed domineering. I heard that you’ve caused a disaster in Yuliang and His Majesty stripped you of your position to be investigated. How are you still acting so high and mighty then, huh? You think you’re still the grand general with military power in your hand? My father said you’re doomed for sure this time.”

Chiyun Yuexuan initially didn’t intend to make a fuss, but the considerable amount of wine he’d just drunk made him somewhat out of control. As a young and hotblooded man overrun by alcohol, how can Chiyun Yuexuan tolerate someone who acted so arrogant in front of him? He grabbed Yu Jihui’s collar, and after a few punches and kicks, the guy was already sprawling on the ground, unable to get up.

Chiyun Yuexuan’s vicious growl terrified everyone around. “I and your father are both court-officials. When you see me, you have to call me ‘uncle.’ Didn’t your father tell you to behave like a respectful junior in front of your seniors? This time, I only teach you a small lesson in your father’s stead. If you dare to act like this again, you’ll be spending the rest of your life in bed.”

The others scrambled to lift up Yu Jihui and fled with their tails between their legs.

The cold wind blew on Chiyun Yuexuan’s face and gradually cleared his head. He pondered over and over again about Yu Jihui’s provocation this afternoon. Yuliang’s disaster relief was handled by the Ministry of Revenue. Yu Wei is the minister of revenue, could it be that the corruption regarding the support silver this time had something to do with him?

Yu Jihui lay face-down in bed and moaned in pain. Yu Wei stood by his bed with a chilling face. “You spoiled brat. Of all the people in this world, you actually chose to provoke that lunatic? Even your old man doesn’t dare to mess with him. Can’t you see? All of my subordinates have just lost in his hands, even I might just be dragged down with them.”

Yu Jihui pulled a long face as he cried. “He looks like a weak woman, so your son only wanted to humiliate him a little and cow him into submission. But, I never thought he nearly wanted my life. I don’t care! Someone’s just bullied your son, Father, you can’t let it slide. Ouch ouch ouch, it hurts so bad, the pain is killing me!”

A ferocious gleam flashed in Yu Wei’s eyes. “My son is not someone he should touch. Rest assured, father won’t let him off.”

As days passed, the imperial envoy that Yan Feng sent to verify the case had returned to the capital. The first thing Imperial Envoy Hu Qizhi did was report to Yan Feng the real situation. Yuliang County indeed had a civilian petition letter, but it wasn’t to impeach Chiyun Yuexuan, but to inform his contributions during the relief to the imperial court. However, some local officials with ulterior motives intercepted and changed it to an accusing letter. As for every sum of money embezzled that Chiyun Yuexuan had dealt with, all was noted in the files. Those records and books that the local officials planned on destroying were handed to Hu Qizhi by a conscientious record assistant.

Yan Feng revealed a satisfied smile. This case had taken the first step and proved Chiyun Yuexuan’s innocence. However, it would take some more effort to find out the big fish involved behind the scenes.

Yan Feng immediately ordered Qi Shangming to Chiyun Yuexuan to see him.

In the Imperial Study, Yan Feng let Chiyun Yuexuan know of the imperial envoy’s findings. “General Chiyun indeed hasn’t disappointed the expectations I have for you. However, you acted too recklessly. Due to your contributions in the relief, I won’t punish you for leaving your station on your own initiative. From now on, act with due caution. Don’t cause trouble and become the byword of others’ derision.”

Chiyun Yuexuan respectfully cupped his fists and agreed.

Yan Feng suddenly changed the topic. “Right, you should return Murong Zhining to the palace and save the gossip. You aren’t small anymore, I’m going to betroth my younger sister, Princess Jingrong to you.”

Chiyun Yuexuan was stunned. He had not expected Yan Feng to still remember that girl Murong Zhining, he had underestimated her position in Yan Feng’s heart. On the other hand, he didn’t want to be a princess’ husband or anything, because he already had someone he held dear in his heart. Thinking of Chiyun Ping’s infatuation for Yan Feng, of Yan Feng’s indifference for Chiyun Ping, and of his friendship with Yan Feng, Chiyun Yuexuan fell into a long silence.

Seeing him bow his head without a word, Yan Feng said, “You don’t want? Princess Jingrong is a girl that all of the noble juniors in the capital wish for but can never have.”

Princess Jingrong, named Yan Yu, was Yan Feng’s younger sister from the same mother, this year 19-year-old, beautiful and talented. When she was little, she often followed Yan Feng and the Chiyun siblings to play and had liked Chiyun Yuexuan for a long time.

Many times, Yan Yu put aside the pride of a princess and asked Yan Feng to appoint Chiyun Yuexuan as her husband. However, Chiyun Yuexuan used his career as the excuse to turn down this marriage twice. That was why Yan Yu was already nineteen but still refused to recruit a husband. She was so infatuated with Chiyun Yuexuan that it seemed she wouldn’t agree to marry anyone else but him, even the Retired Emperor was worried.

Chiyun Yuexuan knelt on the floor with an ashamed expression. “I implore Your Majesty to take back the order. I dare to not bring shame upon Princess Jingrong. On the night two days ago, I drank too much and sullied Miss Murong. I have taken her in as my concubine. I ask your Majesty to punish me.”

Yan Feng coldly snorted. “You think you can fool me with your petty trick? My every word is the decree. Not only are you going to marry Princess Jingrong, but you shall return Murong Zhining to me as well. If I didn’t know you so well, I really would have been fooled by your nonsense.”

Chiyun Yuexuan prostrated and heavily banged his head on the floor. “I deserve a thousand death. Please punish me, Your Majesty. Murong Zhining has truly become my beloved concubine.”

Yan Feng angrily grabbed Chiyun Yuexuan’s lapel and pulled him up from the ground, shouting uncontrollably, “I do not believe it! While I am the Son of Heaven, I have never fallen for a girl before. I believe you can see my feelings for Miss Murong as well, so you wouldn’t steal her from me. Not to say, Jingrong has refused to marry for so many years because of you. Are you so cruel to let her die waiting for you in the palace? You must bring Miss Murong to the palace tomorrow, or else, don’t blame me for disregarding our past relationship.”

Chiyun Yuexuan once again dropped his knees on the floor. “Please forgive me as I cannot obey!”

Yan Feng lowered to look into Chiyun Yuexuan’s eyes, his voice softened down, “I don’t believe that you would disregard our brotherhood. Return Miss Murong to me, and I can even hand over this kingdom to you if you want!”

Chiyun Yuexuan still looked very ashamed. “It’s too late, this general has done wrong by Your Majesty.”

Furious, Yan Feng grabbed a porcelain jug on the shelf and viciously threw it at Chiyun Yuexuan. The latter didn’t evade. A dull sound echoed as the jug hit his head, then fell to the ground. Blood flowed from Chiyun Yuexuan’s hair and temple down his face, but his brows didn’t move a little bit. The Imperial Study was dead quiet except for only the faint “tick tick” of blood falling onto the carpet.

After a very long time, Yan Feng gradually came to his senses. He coldly spat, “I don’t believe you. Leave. Tomorrow, bring Murong Zhining to see me.”

Chiyun Yuexuan came to Minghui Palace with blood on his face. Seeing him, Chiyun Ping yelped in fright, “What’s happened to you? Hurry, men, come, bring the medicine box!”

Chiyun Yuexuan sat there in a daze as Chiyun Ping used alcohol to clean the wound underneath his hair. Chiyun Ping sobbed. “Listen to your big sis and return that lowly slave to the palace. I have never seen His Majesty so cruel to anyone before. Next time, he will directly have your life.”

Chiyun Yuexuan sneered. “Wouldn’t I be humiliating myself if I bring that lowly slave back now? Wouldn’t this wound be in vain then? I will settle this score with that lowly slave. Don’t worry, sis, His Majesty won’t take my life.”

Chiyun Ping shook his shoulders, “Just listen to me. If anything, he’s your brother-in-law. Think about it, which emperor doesn’t have three palaces and six yards to himself? If it’s not that lowly slave, there will be others to compete for his favor with me. Let’s not oppose him anymore, just let him have her.”