Climbing on the Sparrow Branch – CH 520

Chapter 520: Helplessness

Destroying the small kingdom of Yunjiang wasn’t difficult. the Jin Dynasty held the dominant position in the Central Plains and could send troops to Yunjiang at any time.

However, Yunjiang had been a vassal state of the Jin Dynasty for many years, and the two countries hadn’t fought a war for years. Pei Que and Minister Xu were somewhat skeptical of Yunjiang’s motive for assassinating the Emperor.

In the tent, Minister Xu and Pei Que were sitting. He had a book rolled up in his hand, and his brows were furrowed as he said, “The envoy from Yunjiang said that the annual tribute was causing Yunjiang’s national strength to be strained, which is why they held a grudge. But I don’t believe that reason.”

Pei Que didn’t believe it either. “Yunjiang’s territory isn’t even as large as a single province of our Jin Dynasty. Even if they succeeded, they couldn’t possibly annex Jin; they would still have to continue paying tribute. Moreover, as an envoy of a nation, his actions are tantamount to pushing Yunjiang towards destruction. I think this envoy is very suspicious; he seems more like a spy from another country or someone who harbors resentment towards Yunjiang.”

The two people present were both cunning and calculating; one had years of experience, and the other was born with a more discerning mind than most.

It wouldn’t be so easy to deceive them.

Minister Xu agreed with Pei Que’s assessment: “The infighting among the small states beyond the Great Wall is fierce; this matter warrants continued investigation.”

“I’m afraid it shouldn’t be delayed too long,” Pei Que said meaningfully, glancing at Minister Xu. “You’ve seen the Emperor’s attitude, Minister Xu. Although the decision-making power rests with us, the Emperor is completely focused on the Yun family, believing us to be villains.”

Speaking ill of the Emperor behind his back was punishable by death. But only Pei Que and Minister Xu were in the tent. Pei Que knew Minister Xu wouldn’t relay these words to the Emperor, so he asked directly, a test of his loyalty.

Minister Xu also knew the Emperor had been somewhat misled by Yun Shengxing, but as a member of a powerful family, he had no intention of usurping the throne. The Emperor would eventually rule personally, and he couldn’t continue to leave a bad impression.

Neither of them spoke. Their loyalty wasn’t to the Emperor but to their respective powerful families. This was the influence of long-standing aristocratic power on imperial authority. “The Emperor is still young and cannot distinguish right from wrong in some matters. With proper guidance, he can certainly be guided towards becoming a wise ruler,” said Minister Xu.

Hearing Minister Xu’s polite words, Pei Que understood. The implication was that it would be best if the Emperor were wise, but if the Emperor were to target the Xu family in the future, the Xu family wouldn’t mind supporting someone else as Emperor.

Pei Que shared the same attitude towards the current Emperor.

The two old foxes exchanged glances for a moment before quickly looking away.

“You’ve worked hard these past few days, Minister Xu,” Pei Que said, rising. “As for the Emperor, let’s continue to persuade him. As for the specifics, let’s discuss it with Duke Cheng when we return to the capital.”

Minister Xu shared this sentiment. After all, Duke Cheng was their leader, and having him take the lead would divert the Emperor’s anger.

The two reached an agreement and parted ways, awaiting their return to the capital.

On the other side, the Emperor’s wound had just scabbed over, but it still hurt and itched. He wanted to scratch it but had to resist.

“Ah!” The Emperor gritted his teeth and pounded the bed in agony. Being confined to bed day after day, needing to be served for everything, was nothing short of torture for him. “Xiao Dezi, go and summon Pei Que and the others. I need to travel back to the capital tonight!”

Xiao Dezi was a young eunuch serving the Emperor, about fifteen or sixteen years old, with delicate features and fair skin but a faint scar between his brows. “Your Majesty, we’ve already stopped and set up camp today. We can return to the capital in just one more day. Even if we summon those two officials, they won’t agree.”

The Emperor threw down his jade pillow. Because the tents were only moderately soundproof, he dared not raise his voice to curse. “Why won’t they agree? I am the Emperor! Don’t you understand what the Emperor means?”

The Emperor was above all others, a figure who reigned supreme over the entire Jin Dynasty. In the Jin Dynasty, everyone and everything was subject to the Emperor’s wrath.

But the current Emperor felt utterly aggrieved.

Xiao Dezi was already kneeling on the ground, the wrinkles between his brows deepening. “Your Majesty, please calm down. If you’re upset, you can hit or scold me. Once we reach the capital and return to the palace, everything will be fine.”

“How could it possibly be fine!” The Emperor didn’t believe him. He truly didn’t want to be Emperor. When his elder brother was alive, his father and mother never forced him to study. His mother often said that as long as he was happy, that was enough.

But after his elder brother, the Crown Prince, died, his mother aged considerably overnight, and her attitude towards him changed. If he slacked off in his studies, he would be punished with a beating and said things he didn’t want to hear.

What Emperor? What ruler of a nation!

He didn’t care!

The Emperor grew increasingly aggrieved, tears streaming from his eyes onto his pillow. He said weakly, “If only my maternal grandfather hadn’t had his stroke, he wouldn’t have made me suffer so much. Today I said I wanted to destroy Yunjiang, and Pei Que and the others didn’t say a word. Isn’t that just placating me? I know it all; in their eyes, I’m no longer the Emperor!”

Xiao Dezi grew increasingly panicked, not daring to reply, and could only kowtow, waiting for the Emperor to calm down.

~

Knowing that Pei Que was approaching the capital, An Zhi prepared many of his favorite pastries.

On the day the autumn hunting party returned to the capital, An Zhi got up early to dress.

If she weren’t pregnant and unable to go out, she would have definitely gone to the city gate to greet them.

When An Zhi finished dressing, Fusheng returned first.

“Greetings, Madam,” Fusheng greeted, bowing. “My master was worried you might be concerned, so he sent me back to let you know he’s safe. He won’t be back so early today; he has to go to the palace.”

An Zhi wasn’t surprised, but her joy faded slightly. “Is the Emperor’s injury serious?”

“Actually, it’s alright,” Fusheng replied. “It’s just a leg injury, but no bones or tendons were broken. The imperial physician said he’ll be fine in about half a month. However, since he can’t get out of bed, the Emperor’s temper is rather volatile, so my master has to personally escort him to the palace to settle him down.”

Fusheng served his master closely. Although he couldn’t enter the Emperor’s tent, he could hear the cursing coming from inside, and he felt indignant on behalf of his master.

An Zhi had heard about the Emperor’s temperament. When Yun Shengxing was still an official, the Emperor trusted him implicitly, believing everything he said. Now that the Emperor had suffered this accident, An Zhi knew without a doubt that the Emperor would be dissatisfied with Pei Que.

She was somewhat worried.

Seeing his madam frown, Fusheng added, “My master said that you don’t need to worry too much about the Emperor’s affairs. Throughout history, powerful families and imperial power have always been mutually restraining. As long as my master is still alive, you can rest assured.”

Just then, four servants carried in a large food box from the courtyard.

Fusheng glanced back and explained, “The master said he couldn’t accept the snacks Madam sent for nothing. These are all snacks he bought on the road, and he’s tasted every single one. They’re a return gift for Madam.”