Emperor Yuan Tai and the empress were not particularly close, but over the years, the empress had been cautious and never made a misstep. The Yang family had also rendered meritorious service during the founding of the dynasty. Therefore, while the emperor did not particularly favor her, he still granted her considerable trust. However, the empress had actually managed to create such a scandalous affair right under the emperor’s nose.
Whether as an emperor or as a man, the empress’s actions were tantamount to slapping the emperor across the face.
The emperor was clearly deeply provoked. Yan Xiaohan was startled when he saw him. The once lofty man was now pale with illness, his temples graying. He no longer had the imposing appearance of a strong monarch, but instead showed clear signs of aging and decline.
Emperor Yuan Tai listened to Yan Xiaohan’s detailed account and then suddenly changed the subject, asking, “Menggui, after I’m gone, which of my sons do you think is capable of taking on the responsibility?”
Cold sweat instantly broke out on Yan Xiaohan’s back.
As a subject, one must avoid taking sides on the matter of imperial succession. Fortunately, he had discussed some serious matters with Fu Shen the night before, which provided a ready-made answer. Yan Xiaohan composed himself and first demurred, “This subject is unworthy and dare not interfere in Your Majesty’s family affairs.”
Emperor Yuan Tai waved his hand dismissively, “Speak freely.”
Yan Xiaohan then reorganized Fu Shen’s words from the previous night, adding some flattering language, and recited them to Emperor Yuan Tai.
The central message was “Without you, no one can manage; you must take care of your health and continue to guide your sons.”
This flattery struck Emperor Yuan Tai’s heart. His expression visibly softened, and after a long pause, he sighed, “I did not misjudge you.”
Ordinary officials would consider it a lifetime of good fortune to be granted an audience, yet Yan Xiaohan was frequently pulled aside by Emperor Yuan Tai for conversations that many senior officials could only dream of. However, he did not want special treatment; Yan Xiaohan would prefer to be wielding a knife.
After praising him, Emperor Yuan Tai continued, “According to reports, the tax silver from Jing and Chu provinces has decreased by about twenty percent compared to last year. There are no natural disasters or human calamities, yet many people are selling their lands and becoming refugees. I have ordered Prince Qi to set out next month to investigate the matter. You will bring a few people to escort and protect him. If there are urgent circumstances, you may act at your discretion.”
After all this talk, it turned out he was being assigned a task. Yan Xiaohan secretly curled his lip, but unexpectedly, Emperor Yuan Tai then said, “When you return, you will enter the Hall of Eternal Splendor for discussions in your capacity as the Chief Inspector of the Flying Dragon Guard.”
“This time, Yan Xiaohan was completely stunned.
Fu Shen suspiciously asked: “Actually, aren’t you the emperor’s biological son?”
Yan Xiaohan laughed, deliberately teasing him: “If I were truly the emperor’s biological child, your Fu family would have produced two royal consorts.”
Yan Xiaohan poured himself another cup of tea, put away his playful expression, and seriously asked: “Jing Yuan, do you know who the emperor trusts the most?”
Fu Shen answered without hesitation: “Himself.”
Yan Xiaohan was originally planning to seriously analyze this with him, but was instead amused by Fu Shen’s response. He clearly noticed the dark shadows of past memories gradually fading from his heart, as if even the most significant matters could be laughed off in front of this person.
“Besides himself?” Yan Xiaohan asked.
Fu Shen was genuinely stumped.
Yuan Tai Emperor was so suspicious that he didn’t trust military commanders with troops, didn’t trust his blood brothers, didn’t trust his sons eyeing the throne, didn’t trust the court officials plotting in secret…”
thinking back and forth, he couldn’t find a single trustworthy person throughout the court. Fu Shen’s mouth curved, thinking the emperor was truly a lonely ruler.
Yan Xiaohan leisurely said: “Compared to court officials, he trusts military generals more; compared to regional commanders, he trusts those right under his nose. So compared to you, he trusts me more.”
Yan Xiaohan smiled silently and continued: “The Emperor had long known about Duan Linglong and the female nun, and naturally knew about me. When Duan Linglong was seriously ill, he made me swear at his bedside that I would not leave any descendants in this life, and would dedicate myself entirely to the monarch. After his death, the Emperor promoted me to the position of Chief Inspector of the Flying Dragon Guard.”
Yan Xiaohan, though not of imperial blood, was almost raised by the Emperor. His background naturally led to isolation by civil officials, and as a successor personally trained by Duan Linglong, he was an absolutely loyal and well-understood subordinate whom Emperor Yuan Tai naturally dared to use boldly.
“Why did you agree to him?” Fu Shen asked, “Even without joining the Flying Dragon Guard, you could have lived well. There are millions of paths in the world, so why choose the most difficult one?”
Yan Xiaohan countered: “When the Eastern Tartars invaded the border that year, why did you agree to go to the battlefield?”
Fu Shen said: “Was that my choice? I was forced.”
“
Yan Xiaohan was silent for a long time, as if making a decision, and spoke with difficulty: “There is a person I might never be able to stand beside in this lifetime, but I can keep him in my heart, watch him from afar, occasionally exchange a few words. That would be good enough.”
Fu Shen didn’t know what he was about to say, but seemed to have a premonition, and his heart suddenly raced.
“But later, he was forced to the northern frontier.”
Fu Shen’s mind went blank.
It seemed both expected and entirely unexpected.
“Everyone knew the battle was dangerous, that this trip would be a one-way journey, yet not a single court official stood up to block this deadly assignment,” Yan Xiaohan said. “It was then I realized that when you’re insignificant, you don’t even have the qualification to hope.”
He smiled self-deprecatingly: “So whether it’s infamy or being childless, as long as I can climb up, I’ll agree to anything.”
“Stop talking…” Fu Shen’s chest heaved violently, pressing him down with one hand, hoarse: “Brother Yan, I understand, stop talking…”
“It’s fine, these are all past events,” Yan Xiaohan stood up and embraced him, tenderly stroking his tense back, “We just happened to talk about this. It was all my own willfulness, you don’t need to feel sorry for me or burdened. Reaching this point proves I didn’t choose wrong back then.”
“If I had known earlier…”
“
Yan Xiaohan imagined the scene: “If you had known, you would probably have gathered a group of wastrel nobles and killed me on the spot.”
That year at the city gate, he casually threw down a paired lotus flower, which led to a lifetime of longing and sweetness.
Sharing hardships at the cliff’s edge, unexpected arguments, separation, and reconciliation… For seven years, they were both distant and omnipresent, though the journey was long, they ultimately reunited. What he once thought impossible—walking side by side—now became touchable.
“When you went to war, I could do nothing,” Yan Xiaohan consoled, “Fortunately, after becoming Chief Inspector, the Emperor considered me first when arranging your marriage. You see, this is called sincerity moves mountains.”
“…” Fu Shen couldn’t help but argue: “What if the Emperor hadn’t arranged the marriage?”
