In the first year of Longzhi, on the fourteenth day of the second month, Noble Concubine Xue went mad after childbirth, lost her mind, and hanged herself in the Cold Palace.
That evening, stars scattered like snow. The Changqiu Palace hastily summoned the imperial physician, who diagnosed the Empress Fu as pregnant. The entire court saw this as an auspicious omen.
Chapter 64: Reunion – Lord Yan’s Online Breakdown
Yan Xiaohan had just dealt with Xue when the Emperor received the news and was furious, summoning him to the palace to punish him.
As an outsider who had killed the emperor’s favored concubine – whose father was a colleague – Yan Xiaohan had overstepped. Yet he seemed unperturbed, entering the palace calmly, bowing and greeting, “Long live the Emperor.”
The Emperor, seething, did not immediately offer a seat, deliberately keeping him standing, coldly saying, “An outsider who enters the inner palace and forces a concubine to her death – you are audacious!”
Yan Xiaohan promptly knelt: “I am guilty. I request the Emperor relieve me of my position as Forbidden Army Commander and reduce me to a commoner.”
You!” The Emperor of Changtai’s heart skipped a beat.
He originally intended to reprimand Yan Xiaohan, tell him not to be so disrespectful to his sovereign, and then let the matter rest with a light punishment, as was his usual approach. But he never expected Yan Xiaohan to be so resolute, immediately declaring he would resign and go home.
Although Yan Xiaohan had his flaws, he was the one who had worked tirelessly to support the Emperor during his most difficult times and helped him ascend to the throne. The loyalty of local military governors during the new dynasty’s establishment was also secured by Yan Xiaohan. He was merely the nominal commander of the imperial guards. Yan Xiaohan maintained a delicate balance between the old northern officials and the new southern nobility, ensuring the court’s smooth and stable operation. Now that he wanted to resign and return home, the Emperor of Changtai was the first to object.
Choking with anger for a long time, the Emperor of Changtai heaved a heavy sigh and said helplessly, “Yan Qing, you… never mind. Let’s not mention the resignation. Someone, bring a seat.”
Yan Xiaohan remained expressionless, secretly sneering inwardly.
