The Child Emperor

Prince Donghai had married and moved out of the Cui residence into his own manor. Though spacious, it paled in comparison to the Cui manor and had fewer servants. He told Han Ruzi who came to congratulate him, “The Cui family thinks I can’t live without them. I’ll show them I can do just fine on my own.”

His bitter words, combined with the strong wine, made his stomach churn.

Few guests came to offer congratulations. The hasty wedding preparations during these unusual times meant many people feigned ignorance and refused to attend. The banquet felt cold and sparse, with several dozen guests mostly from long-declined noble families scattered across a dozen tables, stiffly sitting before tables of fine food and wine, barely daring to move. The scene was worlds apart from the Champion Marquis’s lively wedding celebration just days ago.

Even so, Prince Donghai refused to invite lower-status guests to his table, with only Han Ruzi sitting as his companion.

“The Cui family is busy preparing gifts for the new bride, too occupied to deal with me,” Prince Donghai said, staring at the empty hall and taking another drink. He had already dismissed the servants and was pouring his own wine.

The “new bride” he mentioned wasn’t his own wife, but rather the Cui daughter who married the Champion Marquis. “Heh, you know what? The Cui family is so proud, but Shujun hasn’t even received her title as a marquis’s wife yet. Right now she’s… just a commoner, haha.”

The palace hadn’t approved the petitions, and both the Ministry of Rites and the Bureau of Imperial Clan Affairs had a backlog of conferment documents. Not only the Champion Marquis’s wife, but Prince Donghai’s new bride from the Tan family also couldn’t receive the title of “Princess Consort” for the time being.

“The Champion Marquis must have planned this. I just found out he’s been a marquis for over a year but never applied for his previous wife’s title. Even then he must have felt the Tan family’s daughter wasn’t good enough for him,” Prince Donghai hiccupped, his eyes slightly red. “This guy is ambitious. Even if he becomes emperor, the Cui family will end up with nothing.”

Several guests came to bid farewell. Prince Donghai impatiently waved them away, not bothering with pleasantries.

Han Ruzi gently swirled his untouched wine cup and asked, “Will Grand Tutor Cui still lend you his official seal?”

Prince Donghai nodded, “It will be delivered tomorrow. This is the Cui family tradition – betting on multiple sides. With even the slightest chance of winning, they never give up. While Cui Hong lends me his seal, he’s already explained everything to the Champion Marquis. The Cui family claims they’re preparing gifts for my new bride, but it’ll all end up in the Champion Marquis’s hands in the end. Heh, the Cui family is so direct in currying favor with their new master.”

Prince Donghai was somewhat drunk. Han Ruzi didn’t know how to comfort him, so he just murmured in agreement. He had already sent Du Chuanyun to write to Grand General Han Xing, and expected a reply in the next day or two.

Suddenly, bursts of laughter came from the inner quarters – all female voices, and quite a few of them.

Prince Donghai’s expression darkened further. After the laughter died down, he said, “There are plenty of female guests congratulating the Tan daughter, but their fathers, husbands, and brothers have no time to come. Haha, such is the cold reality of the world! Come, let’s drink!”

Prince Donghai drained his cup in one gulp, staring ahead at nothing in particular. The remaining guests began sneaking away, hiding some food in their sleeves. Though the wedding feast was sparsely attended, the food was excellent.

“Get out, all of you! Don’t stand here offending my eyes!” Prince Donghai shouted, frightening away the last few guests.

Only the two brothers remained in the vast hall. Several servants peeked in from the doorway but dared not enter, seeing their master’s foul mood.

Prince Donghai sprawled on the table, looking askew at Han Ruzi. In what he thought was a lowered voice, he said, “To hell with this succession competition and emperor selection! Once we gather the imperial clan members, we’ll kill them all – the Champion Marquis, the fate seers, and those officials. You become emperor, and I’ll help you… I’ll help you…”

Prince Donghai fell asleep. Han Ruzi took a sip from his cup – this was convenient, as he wouldn’t need to bid farewell.

Prince Donghai and Han Xing’s plan was completely unfeasible. Though many imperial clan members held official positions, most were ceremonial posts without real power. They didn’t even qualify to participate in the emperor selection. Only a few princes and Han Xing commanded some troops, but these forces were too scattered. Han Xing called himself Grand General but directly commanded less than twenty thousand troops at Hangu Pass, having minimal impact on the Capital’s situation.

Han Ruzi and Yang Feng had other plans.

Just as Han Ruzi was about to leave, the sound of ornaments jingling and footsteps came from outside. Several maids escorted a noble lady who entered without invitation.

The noble lady was in her twenties, beautiful but stern, acting as if she were the manor’s true owner. She looked around before walking to the main table.

Han Ruzi stood up, not recognizing her and unsure whether or how to greet her. Though he had studied etiquette, it was this noble lady who was currently breaching protocol.

“Take Prince Donghai to the bridal chamber,” the noble lady commanded.

Several maids obeyed, half-supporting and half-carrying Prince Donghai away. Han Ruzi felt it inappropriate to stay longer and was about to leave with a slight bow when the noble lady sat down across from him and said, “Sit.”

Han Ruzi glanced at the single remaining maid behind the noble lady but received no hint. He slowly sat down, vaguely guessing her identity.

“I’m from the Cui family, Xiaojun’s elder sister.”

“So you’re the Marquess of Ping’en. Pardon my rudeness, I am…”

“Since I’ve already said I’m Xiaojun’s elder sister, how could I not know who you are?” The Marquess had a rather fierce demeanor as she sized up Han Ruzi. “Xiaojun must have mentioned me to you?”

Han Ruzi nodded. Xiaojun’s elder sister was born to Cui Hong’s first wife. Known for her volatile temper, she was not favored at home and had married early to Marquis Ping’en, Miao Shuang. The Ping’en household had already declined, and marrying a Cui daughter had been an unexpected blessing. However, their wedding day also marked the end of relations between the two families. They rarely interacted afterward, and Xiaojun had barely seen her sister since growing up.

“Prince Donghai is still as worthless as when he was young. On his wedding day, he drinks himself into a stupor just because fewer guests showed up. How can a real man accomplish anything if he can’t endure such minor setbacks?”

Han Ruzi agreed with her words but only smiled without speaking.

“I came to see both of you. Since he’s drunk, you’ll do just as well.”

“Does the Marquess have business with us?” Han Ruzi’s first thought was that she wanted to borrow money. Not all noble houses were wealthy – their annual ceremonial obligations consumed most of their property. Without official positions or other income sources, life could be tight. The previous Marquis Ping’en had held no official post, and Miao Shuang had achieved nothing.

The Marquise didn’t answer immediately. After staring at Han Ruzi for a while, even her last remaining maid curtsied and left.

“I bring a message from the Grand General.”

Han Ruzi was shocked.

“No need to be so surprised. Marquis Ping’en and Imperial Son-in-law Zhuo Ruhe are old friends. I’ve known the Princess for many years. She trusts me, and I’m willing to work for her.”

“I see.” Han Ruzi was still very surprised. Han Xing had mentioned someone in the capital would contact him, but he never imagined it would be a woman, much less Xiaojun’s sister.

“The Capital is full of spies, so men must be cautious. That’s why women must step forward.” Seeing Han Ruzi’s lingering shock, the Marquess smiled. “And you’re supposed to be a Han descendant who was once emperor? How shallow your knowledge is – don’t you know that women control half the court?”

Han Ruzi shook his head. He knew about the Empress Dowager’s dominance but had no understanding of other noble women.

The Marquess continued sneering, “You really are a husband focused solely on external affairs. Your wife, my sister Cui Xiaojun, has been maneuvering through the Capital’s female circles for the past half year, building connections with noble ladies, gaining so many advantages for you, yet you know nothing about it?”

Han Ruzi was even more shocked. After a while, he said, “Xiaojun… never told me any of this.”

“I don’t blame you. You were fighting at the border, so naturally Xiaojun wouldn’t trouble you with these matters. As soon as you returned to the Capital, she was summoned into the palace. Sigh…”

“Can you see Xiaojun in the palace?” Han Ruzi’s eyes lit up.

The Marquess remained coldly silent.

Han Ruzi stood and clasped his hands. “Please help me, elder sister. By cruel fate, I haven’t seen Xiaojun once since returning to the Capital before we were separated.”

“It seems you do have some feelings for Xiaojun. At least she hasn’t worked so hard for you in vain. Very well, I’ll help you. Do you have any tokens or loving words you want me to bring to her?”

Han Ruzi had spoken from momentary excitement but quickly became cautious again. He sat down slowly. “I haven’t thought it through yet.”

“Hehe, you doubt me. Stop guessing, brother-in-law. I have my own purposes for doing this.”

Han Ruzi looked at her.

“The Ping’en marquis title is a county-level title that can only be passed down for three generations unless merits are earned to extend it. The third Marquis Ping’en fought in battles and preserved the title for his descendants. The fourth and fifth generations – my father-in-law and husband – were both incompetent. The title will soon end. My son can only take a nominal position for life. Looking at him, he takes after the Miao family – another person who won’t achieve anything when he grows up. My grandson will become a commoner, having to climb up through his own efforts. Alas.”

Though Cui family members had different personalities, they shared one trait – pride and arrogance. Unable to rely on her husband, the Marquess had to act herself, willing to take risks to secure the marquis title for her descendants.

“To be honest, I’m not qualified to curry favor with the Champion Marquis – too many people already do that, and none of them have prospects. That’s why I chose you and Prince Donghai. The Princess trusts me, and Grand General Han Xing trusts me. If you have any doubts, speak now. Let’s not waste time with guessing games.”

“I believe you. I really haven’t thought about what to send to Xiaojun… How should I contact you in the future?”

“Through Prince Donghai. His wife is from the Tan family. The Champion Marquis is a fool who doesn’t understand the Tan family’s deep potential. The Tan family acts low-key, so he thinks they’re useless. Anyway, Prince Donghai married well – his wife can contact me anytime. But you’d better find a trusted lady of your own to communicate with. It’s more convenient and draws less attention.”

“Alright.” Han Ruzi immediately had someone in mind.

“We’ve chatted idly for so long without getting to the main point. I came to tell you two things: First, the imperial clan is very dissatisfied with the Champion Marquis and Empress Dowager. Their silence doesn’t mean they don’t want to resist. Second, don’t take the court officials’ support for the Champion Marquis too seriously. They all have their own schemes – very few wholeheartedly support his bid for emperor.”

The Marquess paused and asked, “Do you feel more confident now?”

Han Ruzi nodded, though he was actually somewhat disappointed. The support from imperial clan members that Grand General Han Xing had promised turned out to be just a group of noble ladies. His only consolation was the prospect of establishing contact with Xiaojun and his mother in the palace.

If he wanted to take action, he had to first ensure their safety.

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