Chapter 70: Mother and Son Undermine Each Other, Father and Son Grow Apart

Xiao Yun was shrouded in a fierce, ominous aura, brimming with hostility. Although, judging by the time Tao Renzhi had left the palace, it was already too late to send anyone after him, Little Youzi knew his master was in a foul mood. Naturally, he had no choice but to comply and hurried back to the Eastern Palace to fetch reinforcements.

Meanwhile, Xiao Yun strode straight toward the inner palace, barging directly into his mother’s Zhengyang Palace.

Empress Jiang was reviewing the accounts when a sudden commotion outside drew her attention. She looked up to see her precious son storming in without so much as a word to the palace attendants. The maids scattered in panic, bowing low to make way. “Greetings, Your Highness the Crown Prince!”

Xiao Yun’s face was stony, anger radiating palpably from every inch of him.

Empress Jiang frowned slightly. “What’s the matter? Court ended only just now?”

Sensing something amiss in her son’s bearing, she quickly signaled to Madam Fang.

Madam Fang nodded and briskly waved all the serving maids out, then hastened to shut the great doors of the outer hall.

Though Xiao Yun had entered in a rage, his mother’s and Madam Fang’s reactions made him suddenly conscious of himself—he was, after all, the Crown Prince, burdened with propriety in all things.

He held his anger in check, and only when the hall was empty did he stride up to his mother and, without a word, drop to his knees before her.

Empress Jiang was taken aback.

“Mother,” Xiao Yun said, “your son does not wish to marry so soon. I beg you and Father to revoke your decree and recall the imperial edict.”

He had always been dissatisfied with the arrangement to select his bride, voicing his complaints with little effect in the past. But never had he made such a scene. Both Empress Jiang and Madam Fang were startled.

“What is this—” Empress Jiang gasped, drawing a sharp breath.

Madam Fang hurried to his side, trying to lift him up. “My dear prince, what are you doing? If you have something to say to Her Majesty, speak plainly—why these formalities?”

But Xiao Yun brushed her off, stubbornly kneeling before the Empress. “Mother, I am begging you in earnest. Please, revoke the decree and recall the edict!”

It took Empress Jiang a moment to calm herself.

“Nonsense!” she scolded, brows knitted tightly as she glared at her kneeling son. “Even commoners know that a word given cannot be taken back, let alone your father, who is the ruler of the nation. The emperor’s word is law—an imperial edict, once issued, has never been recalled. There must be a limit to your mischief. Stand up!”

“I am not making mischief!” Xiao Yun refused to rise, his neck stiff with defiance. “It is my own marriage, and I do not wish to marry now. If you do not agree, I will kneel here until you do!”

Empress Jiang knew her son well. Though young, he was stubborn and strong-willed.

Seeing persuasion was futile, she softened her tone. “I have explained this to you many times. You know well that it is your father’s wish for you to marry early. Even I could not oppose him. You know his health is failing—do you want him to...”

She caught herself before finishing, realizing she had said too much. The emperor’s declining health was a matter they both knew but never spoke of openly.

Empress Jiang sighed. “Yun’er, as Crown Prince, you must understand your responsibilities. Last time you said you disliked the second daughter of Marquis Dingyuan, I acquiesced and arranged another match. This time, your betrothed is your cousin, Lady Yuzhi. You know her well—gentle, educated, and well-mannered. With family ties so close, she will surely be devoted to you. What more could you want?”

Xiao Yun was indeed dissatisfied, and Empress Jiang understood that his true discontent lay not with the chosen brides, but—

With being manipulated, with marriage itself used as a tool and a bargaining chip.

But what choice did he have? At his age, once the emperor was gone, what means other than marriage alliances could secure loyal support and stabilize the court?

Xiao Yun could not refute this. Still, he was adamant. “Mother thinks she is suitable, but I do not. I simply refuse to marry. If you will not relent, I will go to Father myself.”

He turned to leave.

Empress Jiang panicked. “Fang Jin! Stop him!”

Madam Fang, forgetting all decorum, rushed forward to block his path. “Your Highness—”

But Xiao Yun shoved her aside and strode on.

Empress Jiang, furious, leapt to her feet. Seeing he was about to cause a scene, she snatched a teacup and hurled it at his feet.

Madam Fang trembled and dropped to her knees. “Your Majesty, please calm yourself!”

Xiao Yun, shocked to see his mother so unhinged, clenched his jaw and finally halted, but when he turned, he was still defiant, his voice cold. “All these years, you have told me, ‘You are the Crown Prince!’ Yet I do not understand—what is the point of being Crown Prince? From childhood, have I ever decided anything for myself? From when I rise to when I sleep, how much I eat, whom I speak with, whether I study or practice martial arts—every detail is dictated for me. You say the world will one day be mine, but is it truly so? I cannot even choose my own wife! Am I to be the master of the realm, or its grandest puppet?”

His anger crescendoed into a shout.

Empress Jiang was stunned, at a loss for words.

Xiao Yun pressed his lips together, refusing to yield.

Empress Jiang felt her temples pounding. Instinctively she wanted to comfort him, but knowing his obstinate nature, she ground out, “Then what kind of woman do you wish to marry?”

The question caught Xiao Yun off guard—he could not answer.

Empress Jiang hadn’t meant to corner him, but with events now set in motion, there was no turning back. Hardening her heart, she pressed him: “Are you still thinking of that girl from the Huo family?”

Xiao Yun tried to deny it, but Empress Jiang gave him no chance, her tone cold and angry. “I warned you before, but you would not listen. After all that happened yesterday, can you still not see what sort they are? That troublemaking family—any decent household would avoid marrying such a girl. Even if she is beautiful, how long will that last? And as the future emperor, you will have your pick of the finest women in the land. Why are you so fixated on her?”

Empress Jiang had seen Xiao Yun’s attitude toward the Huo family and did not believe he would still be infatuated with Huo Yunhua. But she knew her son’s fatal flaw—he would never admit defeat. Even if his feelings had changed, he would not confess it outright.

So she invoked Huo Yunhua to block him.

Mention of Huo Yunhua only darkened Xiao Yun’s mood further. He was utterly disgusted with her and saw no point in arguing further with his mother. He was about to storm out—

But the marriage his parents had arranged for him was something he could neither accept nor let go.

As Empress Jiang watched him stalk toward the door, she breathed a sigh of relief, only for Xiao Yun to stop abruptly and turn back.

Their eyes met, and Empress Jiang had a sudden, ominous premonition.

Sure enough, Xiao Yun’s voice rang out, cold and implacable. “Mother is right. I do favor Lady Huo. If you insist on me accepting the marriages you and Father have arranged, very well—let me marry her, and I will comply.”

“Your Highness, please do not jest about such things!” Madam Fang nearly rushed over to cover his mouth.

Empress Jiang was thunderstruck, never expecting to be caught in her own trap. She stared at him, speechless and anxious.

Xiao Yun stood tall, his expression fierce, pressing his mother once more: “Will you agree, or shall I go to Father myself?”

He made as if to leave.

“Stop!” Empress Jiang shouted, panic-stricken. She hurried around the table, seized him by the shoulders, and stared into his eyes. “There are limits to your mischief! Say such things to me if you must, but do not let your father hear them. If he thinks you are besotted and unfit to rule—even if it is untrue, the consequences would be dire, and you know it!”

The emperor had raised Xiao Yun with all his hopes—not only because he was the legitimate and eldest son, but because he was clever and capable. Yet the emperor had other sons, and Xiao Yun was not the only choice. The emperor’s favor had its limits.

Empress Jiang was truly frightened, her eyes full of uncertainty.

Seeing her weakness, Xiao Yun only pressed harder. “I do not wish for this either. But this is my sole condition—will you agree or not?”

Mother and son locked eyes.

Empress Jiang knew he was provoking her, but he had always resented his lack of agency. For the sake of this protest, he truly might do anything.

Madam Fang was sweating with anxiety, but if even Empress Jiang was powerless, how could she intervene?

Time passed, and Xiao Yun showed no sign of relenting. At last, Empress Jiang, unable to bear the standoff, steeled herself. “If I agree to let you marry her, will you stop this nonsense?”

Xiao Yun frowned—his mother’s response was not what he expected.

He pressed his lips together, silent.

Empress Jiang, gritting her teeth, released his shoulders, took a deep breath, and declared, “Very well! As you wish, I will immediately issue another decree to arrange it!”

“Mother—” Xiao Yun started, wanting to take it back, but when he saw the fury and resolve in her eyes...

His old habit flared—he could not back down, not now. So he simply glared at her, saying nothing.

Seeing her son’s stubbornness, Madam Fang was growing frantic when a maid outside announced, “Your Majesty, Lady Pingguo, Madam, and Lady Yuzhi have come to the palace to express their gratitude.”

Clearly, the edict of marriage had already reached them.

The matter was settled.

No matter how unwilling Xiao Yun was, he knew there was no turning back. In shame and anger, he turned and stormed out.

He flung open the palace doors so suddenly that the maid outside startled.

“So His Highness is here as well!” Lady Jiang greeted him with a smile.

Lady Yuzhi, bashful, curtsied. “Greetings, Your Highness the Crown Prince!”

Already irate over the matter, seeing these people only made Xiao Yun angrier. He strode off in silence, not deigning to respond.

The Jiang family had never seen him so out of sorts, least of all Lady Yuzhi, who was left awkwardly kneeling with everyone watching.

Lady Jiang sensed something was wrong. As mother and daughter-in-law, she knew protocol but, seeing the situation, led her daughter-in-law and granddaughter directly into the main hall.

Empress Jiang, exhausted from her ordeal, greeted her family with little pretense. “Mother, Sister-in-law, you are here? Please, sit.”

Lady Jiang eyed the shattered porcelain on the floor.

“I dropped it by accident,” Empress Jiang said, embarrassed. She motioned for Madam Fang to clean it up.

Once the mess was cleared and tea was served, Empress Jiang waved the servants out. “Leave us. I wish to speak with my family.”

Lady Pingguo’s title still belonged to Empress Jiang’s father, Jiang Yangde, though he had retired. The household was now managed by her brother, Jiang Weixian, Minister of Works, making the Jiang family both wealthy and influential. His wife, Lady Li, came from a distinguished and scholarly family, well-respected in the capital.

They all sat.

It was Lady Jiang who finally spoke, hesitantly. “We met His Highness on his way out. Is there discord between you and the Crown Prince?”

Empress Jiang, thinking of her son’s defiance, felt a stab of pain but, mindful of her family’s feelings, merely said, “He’s driven me to distraction! That Huo girl must have bewitched him. I’m too weary to be angry—he’ll come around in time.”

Lady Jiang was unfazed, but Lady Li—a mere sister-in-law, not privy to the empress’s confidence or the Crown Prince’s character—was troubled. The prince was only twelve. If he were so easily swayed by a woman...

Empress Jiang, seeing her concern, smiled and called Lady Yuzhi over. “Yuzhi, come here. I have a few words for you.”

Lady Yuzhi rose and curtsied. “Aunt.”

Empress Jiang took her hand kindly. “Now that the edict has been delivered, I am at ease. The wedding will be soon, so you and your mother must prepare diligently. I’ll provide all I can, and if you lack anything, do not hesitate to ask.”

Lady Yuzhi, fourteen this year, would have begun seeking a match if not for the broken betrothal between Wu Tan and Xiao Yun. Now, with the change, Lady Yuzhi gained the position of Crown Princess—keeping the honor in the family.

The Jiang family had no objections—after all, their house had produced two empresses in succession.

Empress Jiang continued, “The Crown Prince is two years your junior, but he is not immature—just stubborn. Be patient with him. As for others and other matters, with me in the palace, you needn’t fear being mistreated.”

This was a significant assurance.

Lady Yuzhi thanked her again and returned to her seat.

Empress Jiang then addressed Lady Jiang and Lady Li. “Mother, Sister-in-law, I know that today’s edict may have wronged Yuzhi, but I hope you understand. The Crown Prince is still young, and many political considerations must be balanced...”

She referred, of course, to the matter of Tao Renzhi first delivering the edict to the Wu family.

In another family, resentment might have brewed, but Lady Jiang replied, “No need for such words, Your Majesty. We understand your and the Crown Prince’s situation. You needn’t worry.”

Lady Li agreed, “Yes, we are all family.”

And so, the Jiang family bore no grudge. As noon approached, Empress Jiang invited them to stay for lunch before seeing them out.

Yet, even after they left, Empress Jiang remained frustrated, holding her head in her hand for a long time.

Madam Fang came to massage her temples, gently advising, “Isn’t everything settled now? Don’t dwell on it. The Crown Prince is just stubborn. Even if that Huo girl enters the Eastern Palace, nothing serious will happen.”

Empress Jiang sighed. “I am not worried about that. Huo Yunhua has thoroughly offended the Consort Xian. If she does enter the Eastern Palace, Consort Xian will deal with her. What troubles me is how the Crown Prince clashed with me today. I cannot help but feel stifled.”

Between mother and son, these clashes could never truly have a winner.

Madam Fang could only sigh as well. “He is still young—he will come around in time.”

“I hope that day comes soon,” Empress Jiang said.

Using marital alliances to bind ministers was always a matter of necessity. The bloody struggle between the emperor and the former Prince Xin had left the court weakened, and with Xiao Yun not yet fully grown, what else could be done?

Sighing, Empress Jiang issued another decree that afternoon, this time to the Huo family.

At the Huo residence, Huo Wenshan had spent most of the day in bed, just feeling a little better when he heard the news of Xiao Yun’s impending marriage. The shock left him furious and hopeless, and in his wrath, he went to vent his anger at Huo Yunhua, smashing everything in her room.

Huo Yunhua could only weep on her couch—her father had lost his chance for advancement, but for her, life itself seemed over.

She hated Huo Wenshan bitterly, resenting his uselessness and how he had only ever used her for his own ambitions.

Now, fallen from grace, she had lost all her former spirit and dared not talk back.

Huo Wenshan, having worked himself into a rage, found nothing left to break. Seeing Huo Yunhua huddled in a corner, bruised and sobbing, only made him angrier.

“You still have the nerve to cry?” He dragged her to the floor and beat her with a withered vine. “Weren’t you so clever? You schemed without telling me, meddling even in palace affairs. Now show me your cleverness!”

His blows grew heavier, and Huo Yunhua could only cower and wail.

Qiu Ning had long since been sent out. Hearing the commotion, she dared not intervene, instead dismissing all the servants from the courtyard.

In the midst of this, the steward arrived with a message from the palace—the Huo family was to prepare to receive an imperial edict.

Huo Wenshan, vine raised mid-air, froze. Was this the emperor and empress coming to punish them after all?

He felt faint and had to be helped to a seat.

“What is this about?” he asked the steward. “Why a decree from the Empress?”

“No idea, sir. Only that we must prepare to receive it,” the steward replied.

The messenger, from Zhengyang Palace, gave nothing away.

Huo Yunhua cowered beneath the table, convinced disaster was upon them.

The steward regarded the pair with disdain. “Regardless, the palace must not be kept waiting. I’ll notify Madam and Second Miss.”

As for Huo Changyu—he had given up entirely and, after leaving the palace the previous night, had yet to return home.

No matter the fear, a palace edict could not be ignored. Huo Wenshan hurried to make preparations, while Qiu Ning helped Huo Yunhua wash up and change. Her face was so battered that she donned a veil to avoid disgrace.

Huo Yunhao was ill with fever, and Tian Shi, having learned the news early that morning, had stayed by her daughter’s side all day, refusing to greet the decree, claiming illness.

Meanwhile, Huo Wenshan and Huo Yunhua knelt nervously at the gate, expecting ruin, only for a sudden twist of fate to leave them both stunned and bewildered as the imperial agents departed.

Word of the third marriage edict quickly reached Wu Qinglin.

The Wu family matriarch, unsettled by the order in which the edicts had been issued, called him over to discuss. After reassuring her, Wu Qinglin stepped out and received the news from Mu Song.

After a moment’s thought, he went straight to Wu Tan’s quarters.

Wu Tan, having returned to her room, was pondering Madam Meng’s strange behavior, her appetite and spirits both lacking. Seeing her brother, she asked, “Brother, why are you here?”

Cheng Cheng opened the door to let Wu Qinglin in.

Noticing the unusual quiet, he asked, “Why so still today? What are you up to?”

Wu Tan, normally lively and mischievous, was uncharacteristically subdued.

Wu Qinglin, however, did not think she was upset about Wu Qingqiong’s marriage.

Wu Tan quickly invited him to sit. “Brother, you’re just in time. I wanted to ask you—don’t you think Second Mother is acting very strangely today?”

Meng Shi’s odd behavior had been noticed by all.

Wu Qinglin sat across from her. “My servants can’t freely enter the inner quarters. You’d do well to have someone keep an eye on her—see if anything comes to light.”

His close attendants were all men, forbidden from entering the women’s quarters, and the maids were not his confidantes. Wu Tan’s staff were better placed.

“I’ll arrange it,” Wu Tan agreed, still speculating. “But what could it be? All this fuss just because Wu Qingqiong is to marry the Crown Prince? She was upset last time Grandmother brought it up—if she spoke up, she would have tried to stop it. And today, as soon as the decree arrived, she was so distraught. Brother, what do you think...?”

Wu Qinglin’s eyes narrowed, a shadow passing over them. He disliked Meng Shi, but over the years had simply kept his distance, never targeting her.

Wu Tan, seeing his expression, felt uneasy. “Brother!” She tugged at his sleeve.

Wu Qinglin collected himself, looking at her seriously.

She opened her mouth but hesitated, feeling nervous under his gaze.

After a moment, Wu Qinglin said, “Perhaps—marrying the Crown Prince carries consequences too terrible for her to bear?”

He looked at Wu Tan intently.

Her heart skipped a beat, instinctively blurting, “What... what consequences?”

Brother and sister gazed at each other.

Wu Qinglin had not spoken plainly. He cared nothing for what might befall Wu Qingqiong; had it been only her, he would not care. But—

This marriage had once been meant for Wu Tan.

If not for Huo Yunhua’s interference, had Wu Tan become betrothed to Xiao Yun—

Even if his suspicions were baseless, even if all was mere conjecture...

The thought alone sent chills through his veins.

He dared not speak more, fearing to frighten her, but Wu Tan, keen as she was, understood at once.

She, too, felt her blood run cold, a dreadful chill seeping through her.

“Brother...” Wu Tan’s throat was dry. She pressed her chest, swallowing hard to steady herself, but her mind spun with a thousand tangled thoughts. “What could happen? And what could Meng Shi, a woman secluded in the inner chambers, possibly know that you and Father do not?”

It was clear enough—the emperor wanted a Wu daughter to secure the Wu family’s loyalty. The motives were transparent; what deeper danger could there be?

The only thing to fear was the unknown.

Even Wu Tan, usually fearless, now felt a vague terror.

She looked at her brother, seeking reassurance.

“It’s nothing,” Wu Qinglin said, though his feelings were far more complicated. He simply wanted to comfort her, taking her hand to warm it. “In any case, this matter no longer concerns us. Perhaps there is no hidden danger. Wu Qingqiong has never been clever, and the Eastern Palace is no place for her. Meng Shi has always doted on her—perhaps she is simply worried. I’m here. Don’t be afraid, alright?”

Indeed, what could Meng Shi possibly know of palace intrigues?

Wu Tan couldn’t say she was truly convinced by this, but she trusted her brother by instinct.

Seeing his reassuring smile, she nodded.

In the end, Wu Qinglin forgot to tell her of Huo Yunhua’s affair. Noticing she hadn’t eaten, he ordered food brought and dined with her before leaving.

By then, Wu Tan’s spirits had improved.

But as soon as Wu Qinglin left Jingchun Studio, his face darkened, his eyes cold and grim.

Mu Song, aware of his concern, consoled him, “My lord, what could happen in the Crown Prince’s palace? As you said, Third Miss’s temperament is ill-suited to court intrigue. Perhaps her mother simply worries for her, especially since the eldest daughter is married off far away. It’s natural for her to dote more on her youngest.”

Wu Qinglin did not seem to hear. “Has there been a reply to the letter sent to Father?”

Because of Wu Tan’s fate, Empress Jiang had requested Wu Qingqiong’s details, and the family matriarch had instructed him to write to General Wu. Now—

He wanted to know Wu Xun’s attitude.

Though Wu Xun had always treated his children equally, if anything, he favored Wu Tan’s cleverness over Wu Qingqiong’s impulsiveness...

Yet, as the matriarch had said, his grievances with Wu Xun stemmed from Meng Shi.

It was not a matter of right and wrong, but of character revealed in small things.

He still admired Wu Xun’s military achievements but had long ceased to see him as a father to trust and rely on.

These distinctions he kept to himself.

Mu Song, sensing the distance between his master and Wu Xun but unaware of the root, said, “A reply should have arrived by now. Perhaps it was sent directly to the matriarch. Shall I inquire?”

Wu Qinglin seldom stayed in the capital; letters from the south were usually delivered to the matriarch.

“Go,” he instructed.

Mu Song soon returned with the letter. “My lord, the marquis’s reply arrived several days ago and was delivered to the matriarch. With preparations for the emperor’s birthday, she hadn’t mentioned it.”

Wu Qinglin opened the letter, handwritten by Wu Xun. It spanned two pages, first addressing the marriage arrangements, expressing deference to the imperial will, then updating the matriarch on Wu Qingyu’s situation at the barracks. Most of the letter concerned their brother, Wu Qingyu.

After reading, Wu Qinglin found nothing suspicious, so he wrote again to explain the emperor’s latest decree, instructing Mu Song to bring any reply directly to him.

Meanwhile, Wu Tan, after her brother left, had Cheng Cheng prepare a gift and went to visit Meng Shi, intent on probing her further.

—End of chapter—

Author’s note: Though Huo Yunhua seems entirely spent as a character, she will have her uses later. Think of it as a plot armor—continue tormenting her all you like.

PS: Happy Lantern Festival! To those who can comment and see their fan stats—red envelopes for you! Please read the official version and don’t repost!

End of chapter.