FIMA Ch97: Rebellion

Emperor Jianzhao’s birthday was on the fifth day of the tenth month, just after the frost had fallen, right at the intersection of autumn and winter.

The north wind howled, and even in the most bustling inner palace, dry yellow leaves were occasionally blown down.

Xie Xuan pulled his cloak tighter as he stepped down from the carriage.

Before entering the palace gates, he looked up at the sky full of dark clouds and smiled softly, “A storm is coming!”

Just like usual, the officials he met along the way greeted him warmly, and Xie Xuan politely nodded back.

Before long, they arrived in front of Wenhua Hall, where Emperor Jianzhao’s birthday banquet was being held.

The Crown Prince Xie Hong also arrived at this time. In the past two months, due to the visible fallout between Xie Xuan and Emperor Jianzhao, Xie Hong had taken advantage of the situation and recently regained some of his previous favor.

Seeing Xie Xuan, he regained his usual arrogance.

Xie Xuan had no intention of arguing with him and simply nodded before walking to his seat.

Soon, there was a commotion outside as Emperor Jianzhao arrived with his concubines.

Today was Emperor Jianzhao’s birthday, and before the banquet officially began, the historians brought out a booklet and loudly recited it, detailing Emperor Jianzhao’s achievements over the past year, using the occasion to showcase them.

After that, the singing and dancing began, and the banquet officially commenced.

However, at today’s banquet, everyone was more excited than usual, with no one seriously eating, all waiting for Emperor Jianzhao’s final announcement.

After a round of dishes, Emperor Jianzhao finally spoke, “I suppose you all know that two months ago, I said I would announce the crown prince today.”

Hearing this, everyone was shocked, but their mouths were full of flattery: “Your Majesty is in the prime of life, there is no need to rush.”

Emperor Jianzhao shook his head, “I know my own body. The matter of the crown prince concerns the nation’s future. If it is decided early, I can be at ease, and so can you.”

Everyone could only continue to praise, “Your Majesty is wise.”

At this moment, Emperor Jianzhao gave a signal to Wang Chengying, and a young eunuch walked out from the side hall, holding a bright yellow box.

Everyone’s breathing grew rapid, knowing that inside was the imperial edict establishing the crown prince.

Just then, Consort Lu suddenly stepped out from her seat, “Your Majesty, I have something to report.”

Everyone exchanged glances. The matter of establishing the crown prince was a political issue, and the harem should not be involved. However, since today was the emperor’s birthday banquet, the consorts were also present.

Emperor Jianzhao’s face darkened, and he said coldly, “I am discussing state affairs; step back immediately.”

But Consort Lu knelt straight and unwavering, “What I have to report is a matter of the harem, but it also concerns the state. I must expose Concubine Li of Feihong Hall for confusing the royal bloodline and passing off a commoner’s child as a royal descendant. If Your Majesty turns a blind eye to this, won’t the empire be handed over to others in the future?”

These words were shocking.

Everyone in the hall breathed more heavily.

Emperor Jianzhao even stood up from his throne, looking at Consort Lu as if he wanted to swallow her whole, “You vile woman, what are you saying?”

The officials were even more shocked by these words. In their eyes, Consort Lu was a femme fatale, a vixen who bewitched the emperor and corrupted the court. But seeing the emperor’s reaction, it didn’t seem to be the case…

Consort Lu looked at Emperor Jianzhao, at this man who finally showed his true colors before her, and sneered, “Concubine Li of Feihong Hall was a saintess from Nanzhao, offered as tribute to Liang twenty years ago. She was also the secondary consort of the former Crown Prince Licheng. In September of the first year of your reign, the former Crown Prince Licheng died in captivity.”

“Originally, out of brotherly affection, Your Majesty kept his brother’s consort and posthumous child in the palace, which could be considered a good deed. However, the Fourth Prince Xie Huan was born in August of the second year of your reign, nearly a year after the former Crown Prince Licheng’s death, indicating that he is not of royal blood.”

“Unless Your Majesty violated your brother’s widow within two months of his death, making her pregnancy legitimate royal blood, otherwise…”

“Hmph…”

As soon as these words were spoken, Wenhua Hall instantly erupted like boiling water, with discussions rising wave after wave, impossible to quiet down.

The ministers couldn’t stop whispering among themselves.

“What… what’s going on?”

“How could Concubine Li be the former Crown Prince Licheng’s consort?”

“So now, doesn’t this mean His Majesty…”

Emperor Jianzhao glared fiercely at Consort Lu, his eyes sweeping across Xie Xuan’s face.

Good, very good, they actually found this out.

Very good, they even dared to say it directly in such a setting.

However, Emperor Jianzhao sneered, “Vile woman, what nonsense are you spouting? I see you have lost your mind. What do you mean Concubine Li was the former Crown Prince Licheng’s consort? Concubine Li was just a minor palace maid. She only became reclusive because she was injured during childbirth. I will summon her immediately to prove it.”

Consort Lu raised her eyebrows, glanced at him, and chuckled softly, “Do you think I didn’t anticipate this? Of course, the person in Feihong Hall now is not Concubine Li. It’s just a substitute you found.”

Emperor Jianzhao’s expression darkened, and he waved his hand, calling out to his attendants, “You don’t believe me? Knowing that I would establish the crown prince today, yet acting mad? I have been too lenient with you. Guards, take Consort Lu away and lock her up. We will deal with her later.”

“Let’s see who dares!” 

Xie Xuan suddenly stood up, his sharp gaze sweeping across the guards, his tone cold to the extreme.

Emperor Jianzhao looked at the mother and son duo, sneering, “Well, well. Are you two planning to rebel today?”

Xie Xuan sneered, “Rebel? Father, you’ve been pushing me step by step just for this moment, right? Hoping I would rebel first so you could have a justified reason to eliminate me and make way for your most beloved son, Xie Huan!”

Emperor Jianzhao didn’t expect that he had guessed everything.

If he had guessed it, why put on such a show today? Could Xie Xuan be that confident?

Impossible.

The Capital Garrison and the Imperial Guards were under his control. What could Xie Xuan possibly do?

Emperor Jianzhao’s face tightened, but he didn’t admit anything, “What nonsense are you talking about? Why would I force you to rebel?”

Xie Huan quickly stood up, scolding Xie Xuan, “You are the one being disrespectful and coveting the throne. Now you’re trying to shift the blame for your rebellion onto Father. Xie Xuan, you have no sense of responsibility.”

Xie Xuan chuckled lightly, “No sense of responsibility? I’m still not as bad as you, Fourth Brother.”

“The sacrificial ceremony incident was your attempt to smear my reputation by causing the pillar to collapse. But I survived, and your conspiracy was exposed. Father had to clean up your mess and blamed it on the Japanese pirates.”

“The tiger incident at the training ground was another attempt to harm and test me. But I survived again, and Father once again covered for you, blaming it on the people from the grasslands.”

“Such incidents are countless. Fourth Brother, talking about responsibility coming from your mouth lacks credibility.”

The ministers, including the Crown Prince and the Second Prince, were all shocked.

So this was the truth?

When the emperor handled those incidents so fiercely, they thought it was because he cared for Xie Xuan.

Due to the sacrificial ceremony assassination, the Crown Prince lost his influence over the Capital Garrison. Because of the tiger incident, the Second Prince lost an eye. They had been resenting Xie Xuan, not realizing someone else had been orchestrating events behind the scenes.

For a moment, the two princes’ emotions were extremely complicated.

If this was true, then Father had been very unfair, making them fight amongst themselves while secretly paving the way for Xie Huan.

They both looked at Emperor Jianzhao, their voices trembling, “Father, is what Sixth Brother said true?”

Emperor Jianzhao’s face changed drastically, “Are you two also doubting me like this unfilial son Xie Xuan?”

Xie Xuan sneered, “If you don’t want us to doubt you, Father, you could make a vow in front of everyone. Swear never to make Xie Huan the crown prince, and never to entrust the empire to him. Among your four sons present, any of us would be better than Xie Huan, who has a dubious origin and is unkind and ungrateful.”

Upon hearing this, Xie Hong’s eyes lit up, and he immediately added, “Yes, Father, make a vow.”

Xie Kuan’s expression darkened, but he also chimed in, “It’s just a simple vow, Father.”

Xie Huan’s face changed instantly.

These people actually…

Emperor Jianzhao also looked at his three sons with a dark expression, “You three rebellious sons, how dare you pressure me like this? If I succumb to your threats today, how can I govern the empire in the future?”

Xie Xuan grabbed the sword from a nearby guard and slowly dragged it across the ground.

He looked at Emperor Jianzhao with deep eyes, “Father, stop saying such high-sounding words. After going through so many assassination attempts and accidents, do you think I would still be intimidated by such words? Do you know how terrifying it was when that huge sacrificial pillar fell towards my head?”

“Do you know how scary it was when a tiger that big pounced at my face? It’s ridiculous. At that moment, I even ran to save you first. But you, Father, you must have been secretly laughing, right?”

These words took everyone back to that night.

Yes, the Sixth Prince had been so filial to the emperor, even risking his life. But who knew it was like this…

What a pity!

Emperor Jianzhao saw the looks on everyone’s faces and knew Xie Xuan had struck a chord with them.

His face tightened, “I don’t know what you’re talking about. But even so, it doesn’t excuse your rebellion.”

Xie Xuan sneered, “So, I should just wait obediently to die? Hmph, then let me tell you, I am not that kind of person. If someone hits me once, I will hit back twice.”

Emperor Jianzhao said in a deep voice, “So, you want to rebel?”

Xie Xuan nodded without hesitation, “Yes.”

Emperor Jianzhao also nodded, “Very well, you admitted it. According to the laws of the Liang Dynasty, rebellion is the gravest of crimes, even for a prince. Guards, arrest the Sixth Prince Xie Xuan and Consort Lu and detain them in the Ministry of Justice’s prison.”

Upon hearing the imperial decree, the imperial guards immediately moved to carry out the order.

However, at that moment, their comrades suddenly turned on them and attacked.

The guards who tried to arrest Xie Xuan were immediately struck down.

The hall was filled with the unmistakable scent of blood.

A man from the imperial guards stepped forward and said to Xie Xuan, “Your Highness, it’s all been taken care of.”

Xie Xuan nodded.

Emperor Jianzhao watched all this, his expression unchanged, muttering, “So you had people in the imperial guards.”

Xie Xuan raised an eyebrow, “Otherwise, did Father think I would rebel with just my courage alone? Although you’ve controlled the imperial guards for years, the initial selection was managed by the Jingwei Command. Just before autumn, a new batch was added to the imperial guards, wasn’t it the perfect opportunity to replace them?”

Emperor Jianzhao was not angry but looked at Xie Xuan with an expression full of smugness, “But since you knew I was setting a trap today, did you think I only had the imperial guards prepared? Ha, the 30,000 troops of the capital’s garrison should already be outside the palace gates.”

“You and your mother, along with these rebellious ministers and these mutinous guards, none of you will survive.”

Xie Xuan also smiled lightly, “Father, since I knew about your ambush and still dared to come to the palace openly, did you think I only had a few people in the imperial guards?”

Emperor Jianzhao’s expression changed slightly, “What do you mean?”

The ministers frowned in frustration, feeling like the emperor and his son were playing a game of nesting dolls.

Just reveal everything at once, they thought. They wanted this to end soon so they could choose a side early.

At this moment, Xie Xuan looked at Gu Siyuan standing beside Emperor Jianzhao and asked with a smile, “Did you summon the garrison troops?”

Gu Siyuan nodded, “Of course. The imperial guards, nearly ten thousand strong, with Guan Zhuoyi and a large contingent waiting outside the hall. At the emperor’s command, they will storm in. What use is your small number of men within the guards?”

Xie Xuan nodded and said in a coquettish manner, “When you handle things, it’s always reliable.”

Emperor Jianzhao, watching their exchange, saw a hint of indulgence in Gu Siyuan’s otherwise cold demeanor.

These two…

He glared at Gu Siyuan, “You…you betrayed me?”

Gu Siyuan’s expression remained unchanged, his voice cold, “My mother died early, and after my father remarried, he favored my stepbrother. I have always despised biased parents. But my father’s favoritism was nothing compared to yours, Your Majesty.”

“The emperor repeatedly conspiring with one son to harm another, every time I see the Sixth Prince, I am reminded of my own difficult childhood.”

“So, I am not betraying you. I am simply following my heart. Your Majesty is unfit to be a father, unfit to be a ruler, and unfit to be a model for all. Today, I respectfully request the emperor to abdicate in favor of a worthy successor.”

With this sudden turn of events, the ministers were first shocked, then amused by the emperor and his son’s acting.

Then, some ministers who sided with Xie Xuan stepped forward, knelt, and shouted in unison, “We request the emperor to abdicate in favor of a worthy successor!”

“Abdicate? You want me to abdicate?” Emperor Jianzhao chewed over the words, slumping into his throne.

He never expected that Xie Xuan had planted such a significant mole beside him, delivering a fatal blow at the crucial moment.

He looked over Gu Siyuan and the kneeling ministers, issuing a series of cold laughs, finally focusing on Xie Xuan, “Abdicate in favor of you?”

Xie Xuan nodded, unabashedly, “Yes.”

Emperor Jianzhao shook his head, refusing, “In your dreams!”

Gu Siyuan looked at Emperor Jianzhao and asked calmly, “Is Your Majesty so firm because you expect Guan Zhuoyi to bring men into the hall, capture us as hostages, and then use your order to make the garrison troops withdraw?”

Emperor Jianzhao’s expression changed again. That was exactly his plan.

In the contest of the winner-takes-all, the garrison troops would only support Gu Siyuan’s rebellion for great benefits.

But if Gu Siyuan were captured, those benefits would be void. Would the garrison still have a reason to rebel?

A rare hint of a smile appeared on Gu Siyuan’s usually cold face, “Your Majesty, have you never seen me kill before? Look at the distance between us. One step, or two steps? Who will fall under the sword first is uncertain.”

Emperor Jianzhao’s expression changed. He had gotten so used to having Gu Siyuan by his side that he hadn’t realized this danger.

He stiffened his neck, “If Xie Xuan dares to kill his father, history won’t spare him, and the people won’t accept him.”

Xie Xuan chuckled, “Killing a father is not acceptable, but killing a brother should be fine, right?”

With that, the broadsword that had been dragging on the ground was suddenly at Xie Huan’s neck.

Perhaps due to unfamiliarity with handling the sword, Xie Xuan accidentally cut Xie Huan’s skin, and blood immediately oozed out.

Xie Huan cried out in pain, “Xie Xuan, you’re mad!”

Emperor Jianzhao’s face changed drastically, shouting, “Xie Xuan, how dare you!”

Xie Xuan tilted his head, his expression innocent yet demonic, “At this point, what wouldn’t I dare to do?”

At this moment, Consort Lu also leisurely looked at Emperor Jianzhao and said softly, “Speaking of which, today, as I passed by Qingwu Pavilion, a lowly maid offended me. I have captured her, and I will have her dealt with immediately.”

Emperor Jianzhao was taken aback, his eyes turning bloodshot as he glared at Consort Lu, shouting harshly, “You vile woman, what have you done to Li’er?”

He had thought the safest place was the most dangerous place, so he had hidden Consort Li with the Yulin Guards in the Cold Palace, only to realize that this mother and son had already discovered her.

It must have been Gu Siyuan, who informed them after noticing something.

Consort Lu raised her delicate eyebrows, looking very innocent as she said, “What Li’er? Didn’t Your Majesty say earlier that Consort Li was unwell and stayed in Feihong Hall all the time? That palace maid was radiant and healthy, only a bit crazy and disrespectful. As a noble consort, half in charge of the harem, I dealt with a mad maid from the Cold Palace. Is that worth Your Majesty’s anger?”

Emperor Jianzhao continued to curse, “Vile woman, vile woman, if you harm Li’er, I will take your life!”

Hearing this and seeing Emperor Jianzhao’s appearance, the ministers understood everything.

It turned out that Emperor Jianzhao had indeed taken his elder brother’s concubine and, within two months of his brother’s death, had impregnated her. This was extremely unfilial and immoral.

Several old-fashioned censors stood up immediately, “Your Majesty’s actions are a laughing stock to the world. How can you educate the people? We also request Your Majesty to abdicate in favor of a worthy successor!”

Following this, other civil and military officials exchanged glances and all knelt down, “We request Your Majesty to abdicate in favor of a worthy successor!”

Xie Xuan chuckled lightly, feeling very pleased inside.

He looked at Emperor Jianzhao and sincerely suggested, “Father, don’t go mad. For the sake of yourself, your beloved woman, and your beloved son, you should comply with the times and issue an edict to abdicate!”

Emperor Jianzhao leaned back on the dragon throne, falling silent.

Xie Huan’s expression changed drastically.

He knew his father was wavering.

In his life, his success and failure both came from his mother. If she hadn’t been captured, his father wouldn’t waver so quickly.

After an unknown period of time, the Wenhua Hall gradually quieted down.

The imperial guards carried out several corpses.

Palace servants constantly poured water and swept the floor.

All the civil and military officials had left. The decree to establish Xie Xuan as the crown prince would soon be announced to the world.

Gu Siyuan raised his hand to wipe Xie Xuan’s cheek, “When did you get blood on your face?”

Xie Xuan rubbed his cheek against Gu Siyuan’s hand, smiling mischievously, “Your wish is about to come true. Are you happy?”

Gu Siyuan glanced at him, “Whose wish?”

Xie Xuan stuck out his tongue and licked his palm, “The general’s wish. Didn’t you say a long time ago that you wanted to try the Golden Throne?”

Gu Siyuan: “…”

So you’ve always remembered that.