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Chapter 171: Bingzi
In Chang'an City, Duke Liang's Residence, Xiao Cong was expelled from Luoyang for advising the emperor. On the way back to Chang'an, he fell ill. Relatives and old friends came to visit; regardless of the emperor's situation, as long as the empress was still around, the Xiao Family would remain a prominent lineage of the Sui Dynasty.
Xiao Chanyan naturally came to visit her father, bringing two carts of precious medicinal herbs. The steward had been waiting early, looking at the noble lady with a pained expression.
Duke Tang's Residence had become quite desolate. Although it was not unusual for prominent families to rise and fall, it was particularly concerning that her husband had been captured by the Turkic people, and no one knew if he would ever return.
Upon arriving at the inner courtyard, the Duchess held her daughter's hand with concern, her eyes reddening. Although they were in the same city, it was not easy to see each other often.
After inquiring about her father's health, Xiao Chanyan felt relieved. She showed no signs of anxiety and instructed the steward to inform her when all the guests had left since there were only male visitors around her father, making it inconvenient for her to see him.
There were also several women who had come with their husbands in the inner courtyard. However, seeing the Duchess clearly distressed, those who were slightly distant took their leave. The closer acquaintances stayed behind to surround Xiao Chanyan, offering their concerns and well-wishes.
Xiao Chanyan responded to each of them without any hint of sorrow, which eased everyone's worries a bit. They all understood that regardless of the situation at Duke Tang's Residence, as long as there was no imperial decree for confiscation, they would not lack for food and resources.
Moreover, Xiao Chanyan had brought a substantial dowry when she married; she could indulge herself for hundreds of years without worry.
Their main concern was her mental state. Once the wife of the Right General of the Imperial Guards and future Duchess of Tang, she now had nothing left—a burden that ordinary people could hardly bear.
As dusk approached, the guests finally took their leave. Only she, her mother, and sister-in-law Wang remained in the inner courtyard. Shortly after, Xiao Cong arrived with his son's support, coughing lightly.
Xiao Cong looked at his daughter and noticed that she only showed concern for him without much sorrow, which reassured him.
"I am fine; I will just take some medicine and rest for a while."
Xiao Cong waved away the maidservants who were attending to them. Although they were trusted household servants, it was best not to let them know anything.
"Is there any news from the Li Family?"
Xiao Chanyan shook her head. "Mother is very worried about Father, and Father looks troubled as well. They have sent relatives to Turkic, hoping to spend a fortune to ransom him back."
"What do you think? If you no longer wish to stay with the Li Family, then don’t go back. In a couple of years, I can ask you, Aunt, to find a good Lord for you to remarry," Xiao Cong said.
Her words immediately furrowed the brows of her son and daughter-in-law; it was rather offensive, not just to the Li Family but also to other relatives who might think too much about it.
Cai also felt it was inappropriate. Even if there was such an intention, they needed to confirm that Li Jian Cheng truly could not return before acting so hastily.
Xiao Chanyan blinked her bright eyes. "Father is trying to test me. Please rest assured, I have no such thoughts."
Upon hearing this, Xiao Cong nodded with satisfaction. "Good! My daughter is blessed. Those who cherish their blessings will receive more, while those who do not will face misfortune; that is the way of heaven."
Xiao Chanyan's elder brother added, "I have already contacted friends in Turkic. As long as we can bring Jian Cheng back, the Xiao and Li families can afford any price!"
"Ahem." Xiao Cong chuckled. "I’m afraid we won’t need to intervene. Over the years, Jian Cheng’s official position has had its ups and downs, but when has he ever suffered? I can't help but feel something is off about this matter; perhaps he is doing this on purpose."
Xiao Xuan was taken aback by this revelation. "Why would he do that?"
Wang Shi was clearly more perceptive than her husband. "You men lack wealth and status; what other reason could there be for such a risky move?"
Xiao Xuan's eyes widened as he finally turned his gaze toward his sister, following the looks of his parents and wife.
Xiao Chanyan smiled brightly, "Perhaps I can support the family just like Aunt does."
Xiao Xuan's voice tightened slightly, but her gaze brightened, "Did Jian Cheng tell you?"
"No, but a man like my husband would do nothing less for the emperor."
"Rebel! Traitor!"
Yang Guang gasped for breath. He could afford to lose Li Jian Cheng, but he could not forget the hundred thousand troops in Liaodong City. On his way back to Luoyang, he had already sent someone to deliver an edict.
To his shock, the messenger was beheaded. This was outright rebellion. Initially, he thought Li Jian Cheng had genuine grievances, but now it seemed he had not been mistaken; this was a traitor who appeared loyal, worse than Yang Xuangan!
He immediately issued an edict to the Turkic people, demanding Shibi Khan kill Li Jian Cheng and send his head back to the capital. Then, in front of the court officials, he would harshly reprimand those who defended Li Jian Cheng.
The emperor originally believed this incident would reveal Li Jian Cheng's true nature to everyone, but unexpectedly, the response was tepid. The people of Luoyang thought this was yet another attempt by the emperor to salvage his reputation, feeling increasingly sympathetic towards Li Jian Cheng.
Furious, the emperor issued another decree to prepare the military. He intended to intimidate the Turkic people into forcing Shibi Khan to kill Li Jian Cheng before launching an expedition against Liaodong City.
However, there were no officials to dissuade him. Once the emperor's decree was issued, not only did the various prefectures ignore it, but even the generals in Luoyang adopted an attitude that suggested they dared him to kill them too.
Of course, the emperor could not execute them; without these troops, he would struggle to protect himself. He could only make token promotions among some Guanlong Descendants, yet there was still no significant improvement.
This realization finally awakened the emperor. He no longer commanded the once prosperous Sui Dynasty; through repeated failures, he had already lost his imperial dignity.
The emperor underwent a dramatic change in temperament, finding it difficult to sleep at night, often waking in fright. He required several concubines to soothe him before he could rest.
One night, a fire broke out in the West Courtyard of Daye Hall. The emperor, fearing it was a rebellion by the soldiers of Luoyang, panicked and fled, eventually hiding in the grass of the Western Garden. He only emerged once the fire was extinguished.
Such was the state of the mighty emperor that both civil and military officials could only report good news to comfort him, even though they understood that the day of regime change might not be far off. Those whose family influence was insufficient were particularly resistant to such thoughts.
The risks of regime change were too great; attempting to gain favor could easily lead to miscalculations and result in family decline.
Gradually, as he heard more good news from various places, the emperor began to return to normalcy. He even found leisure to catch fireflies at Jinghua Palace with the queen and the crown princes.
After gathering several jars of fireflies, he led his family on a nighttime excursion into the mountains, releasing the fireflies so their glow filled the valleys.
On New Year's Day of the twelfth year of Great Undertaking, the emperor inquired about the situation regarding the rebel forces.
Yuwen Shu replied, "They have gradually become fewer; Your Majesty need not worry."
The emperor wished to let this matter pass without further inquiry, but he also knew that avoidance was not a solution. He gradually became aware of how many mistakes he had made in previous years.
………………
(End of Chapter)
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