# Chapter 18
The morning's unpleasantness still lingered in the Emperor and Empress's throats like they'd swallowed a fly, but by evening their expressions had returned to normal—as if nothing had happened. If anything, they seemed even more spirited than usual, all thanks to "Princess Dunsu's return to the capital."
The Emperor mingled with the young nobles and ministers in the front hall, while Empress Feng received the titled ladies in the inner chamber of Tingfeng Pavilion. At the second quarter of the hour of the Rooster, Princess Dunsu's palanquin arrived. Music ceased, dancers withdrew, and every titled lady in Tingfeng Pavilion bowed deeply to the Princess. Even Empress Feng rose to greet her. Such grand ceremony could only be afforded to a legitimate Princess Imperial.
The Princess tilted her head to give an order. One of the palace attendants微微躬了下身子 and loudly announced that everyone could rise. Empress Feng invited Princess Dunsu to the seat of honor, but after the Princess declined twice, she finally sat just below the Empress. After exchanging pleasantries with the Empress, the Princess turned her warm smile toward the group of elderly women seated nearest her.
"Your Royal Highness has been away for so long. How have the old Marquises been keeping?"
The several grade-one Madams, all over sixty, hastily rose to respond with warm greetings. After a lengthy exchange, some ladies who had brought their newly wed daughters-in-law took the opportunity to introduce them to the Princess. Princess Dunsu listened with a gentle smile throughout. She bestowed gifts upon each new bride, and to families of good reputation she would say, "You are truly blessed, madam. Your parents-in-law are rare and kind souls." To families with few children she would say, "Your ladyship has such auspicious features. In time, you shall surely have many children and much happiness."
Though she spoke little, what impressed everyone was her warmth mixed with genuine affection, each word striking precisely at the heart. Even Empress Feng couldn't help but secretly admire her.
Truth be told, Empress Feng and Princess Dunsu weren't particularly close. By the time the Emperor took a wife, Princess Dunsu had long been married, and their families had little contact. Moreover, the Emperor had been merely a common-born prince then, and the Feng family whose daughter Emperor Wen chose for him was not of particularly high standing. In her girlhood, Empress Feng had never entered the palace, only catching a glimpse of Princess Dunsu from a distance at someone else's wedding outside the palace walls. Compared to Princess Dunsu's friendship with Empress Xiaoxian, it was hardly worth mentioning.
Back then, Empress Feng had already admired the intimacy and understanding between Princess Dunsu and Empress Xiaoxian. She had heard that when Empress Xiaoxian first married, Princess Dunsu had visited the Crown Prince's residence nearly every day to look after her new sister-in-law, personally introducing her to the imperial clan and titled ladies. Thanks to Princess Dunsu's efforts, the newly appointed Crown Princess had not stumbled once. Word of her "dignity and grace" and "generous conduct toward kin" spread throughout the capital. Empress Xiaoqin, upon hearing of it, was most pleased and repeatedly praised Empress Xiaoxian for possessing the bearing of a future Mother of the Nation.
Whether Princess Dunsu was caring for her own brother's wife or simply being considerate toward a childhood friend, she had certainly done her utmost. Watching Princess Dunsu's immaculate makeup and measured words, Empress Feng thought of her own early days of marriage and couldn't help but coldly laugh. When she married, had Princess Dunsu even spared her a glance?
It was then that Empress Feng came to understand how vast the chasm between legitimate and illegitimate truly was within the royal family. So when her husband desired the throne, Empress Feng supported him with all her might. And the outcome proved her decision correct. Yet all these years later, each time she stood beside Princess Dunsu at such occasions, watching the Princess conduct herself with unwavering nobility, Empress Feng would still recall her own former shabbiness and insignificance.
Princess Dunsu's every word and gesture constantly reminded her: wealth is heaven-born, imperial power is heaven-granted.
Empress Feng's heart ached. If she could not secure Qi Hua's succession, what was once true would remain true forever.
The person who could best understand Empress Feng's mood was probably the Emperor himself, who was currently lavishing praise upon Qi Xiao before the dukes and marquises. Many court officials had attended today's banquet, and several who had long since retired had even been helped into the palace by their grandchildren. Had they come to see Princess Dunsu? To see himself? The Emperor coldly smiled. No, they had come to see Qi Xiao.
Over these years, the Emperor had been so concerned with keeping the old officials silent that he had never dared make any underhanded moves against Qi Xiao behind the scenes. He had only sought to provide the boy with riches and comfort, hoping to destroy him through indulgence. But who could have anticipated that Qi Xiao had been so self-possessed from childhood? No matter how much the Emperor indulged him, the boy never went too far. Everything had its limits, and though his disposition was cold, there was truly nothing else to criticize.
Later, when Qi Xiao grew older, the Emperor watched him even more closely. At first, citing concern for Qi Xiao's delicate health, the Emperor had kept him from court affairs. But when Qi Xiao turned fifteen, Princess Dunsu, who had been residing in the distant South, personally wrote a memorial to the Emperor. The Princess's memorial bypassed the Cabinet entirely and was presented directly to the Emperor's desk in open court.
The Emperor had been racking his brain over how to respond to Princess Dunsu's veiled implications, but he never expected her to employ such a straightforward tactic. Before all the ministers, she laid everything bare: "Your nephew has grown. He can no longer remain ignorant. It is time he learned to conduct affairs of state. Otherwise, he shall be unable to become Emperor and inherit the great duty."
To this day, this was the most direct confrontation between the Emperor and the legitimate line of Emperor Wu. It was so direct it seemed almost brutish, yet it was far more effective than any other method could have been. Princess Dunsu had made her meaning unmistakable. If the Emperor rejected her proposal at that point, people would inevitably start questioning Qi Xiao's parentage—and this was precisely what the Emperor wished to avoid most.
Afterward, the Emperor did attempt to make amends, and Qi Xiao suffered some losses both obvious and hidden. But compared to entry into court, those were negligible. From that moment on, the Emperor realized things were slipping further and further from his control. Once Qi Xiao entered the court, he was like a dragon returned to the sea.
The Emperor drew a deep breath as he observed the hidden anticipation in the old officials' eyes. Perhaps he had been wrong from the very beginning. The Emperor was not unaware of Qi Hua's mediocre abilities; what he valued more was Qi Hua's status as the legitimate son. Were not others still harboring hopes about Qi Xiao's bloodline? Very well, the Emperor would use the strategy of favoring Qi Hua to counterbalance Qi Xiao. But now, looking at the situation...
It had all been for nothing.
The memory of the morning's events still made the Emperor's head throb. All these years, while appearing unconcerned on the surface, he had secretly transferred considerable power to Qi Hua and provided him with countless opportunities for experience. He had only been waiting for the right moment to let Qi Hua rightfully replace Qi Xiao as Crown Prince. But the result? Nothing had been achieved except making the loyalist faction more cautious and vigilant.
The Emperor smiled graciously, praising Qi Xiao with every breath, yet in his heart he had begun to form new plans. Perhaps... it truly was time to start considering the other princes.
He was still in his prime. Barring any accidents, he could sit upon the dragon throne for several more decades. By then, whichever prince he chose would be in his prime as well. With decades to spare, those of the legitimate line would have mostly passed away. This battle, the Emperor could simply outlive them all and emerge victorious.
Qi Xiao spoke respectfully with the elder officials, his expression attentive. Many of the old men could barely hear, yet Qi Xiao showed not a trace of impatience, repeatedly answering questions that had been asked several times without complaint. In his heart, he quietly recalled these officials' relationships with the late Emperor, listening alertly to the hints embedded in their words.
Qi Xiao understood clearly that these old men's dimming eyes were not truly looking at him, but at the late Emperor Wu—the greatest warrior in the founding of Great Xiang. Qi Xiao had never met his father, but he knew his biological father was a hero, certainly not the violent and aggressive figure the Emperor had allowed historians to portray. From the simple fact that nearly twenty years after the Emperor's ascension, he still had not managed to consolidate all military power—whatever others might say about Emperor Wu being a fool, Qi Xiao would never believe it.
His mother had been gone for twenty years, yet her virtue and kindness were still praised. His father had been dead for twenty years, yet his lingering blessings still protected his son and kept him beloved.
Qi Xiao turned and smiled toward the Emperor. Illegitimate son, did you think because I had no father or mother, I could be slaughtered at will?
His father Emperor and mother Empress had never left him.
Qi Xiao could almost see through the Emperor's thoughts and couldn't help but laugh softly inside. Finally starting to regret? Finally understanding that one Qi Hua alone could never defeat you? Planning to favor other princes instead... Hmph. Qi Xiao didn't believe Empress Feng and the faction behind Qi Hua had the capacity for tolerance. The enemies of my enemies are my friends. The Emperor's tactic had inadvertently gained Qi Xiao many covert allies.
In his heart, Qi Xiao grew even more fond of Bai Ren. This person was truly a lucky star sent by heaven. Though Bai Ren hadn't intended it, the fragile balance that had barely been maintained in the capital for nearly twenty years had been truly and utterly shattered today.