Chapter 1, Entering the Palace
A glimmer of light appeared on the horizon, and the coachman called out somewhat anxiously, "Master Yang"
Yang Feng was so excited that he stamped his foot on the floor, "I knew it, who is the one blocking?"
Han Rizi nodded slightly. His mother often nagged him with these words, but to be honest, he did not remember what his grandfather looked like at all. He quickly got dressed and put on his hat, and walked out of the room with his mother
Yang Feng nodded slightly, bent his waist slightly, and said to Han Ruzi: "Please, Your Highness, ascend the carriage"
The mother did not know how to continue speaking. Her son had just turned thirteen, at an age where he was somewhat aware of the complexities of human relationships but could easily misunderstand the words of adults. "The throne was originally meant for you," the mother said gently. "Emperor Wu is your grandfather; he liked you and personally gave you your name. Had he not passed away too early, he would have made you the Crown Prince."
"Return to the palace, you are to become the emperor."
Wang Meiren was immediately persuaded, took a step forward, and stood beside her son, "Alright, let's set off now"
Han Rizi turned to look at his mother, and in the night, his mother's face seemed to be shrouded in a layer of frost
The soldiers blocking the road were drawing closer, and Han Ruzi tightly gripped the carriage with one hand, preparing to face the imminent overturning of the vehicle.
Han Rizi slightly turned his body, his gaze passing over the four galloping steeds, and saw at least twenty soldiers lined up in two rows blocking the way, each holding a long spear
Thirteen. The carriage was racing too fast, and Han Rizi felt as if his internal organs were empty, his whole body felt light, yet he was surprisingly able to sit steadily in the carriage.
Is the prince twelve years old this year?
Yang Feng stood up and shouted loudly to the charioteer in the front row: "Turn right ahead and proceed to the Penglai Gate"
Yang Feng did not move, nor did the many figures behind him.
Several knights rode ahead of the carriage, issuing a string of curses and commands
Hurry up a bit more!" Yang Feng shouted
Wang Meiren's expression changed suddenly; this time, she neither argued nor became angry, but slowly pushed her son towards the outsiders
Regardless of the circumstances, even the least favored prince will be granted a royal title before the age of fifteen, as per the ancestral customs of the Great Chu. He may very well be appointed to a remote and humble territory, yet he will ultimately be a feudal lord. The royal consort will also become the queen mother, thus distancing herself from the scrutiny and jealousy of the imperial palace
Han Rizi was awakened from his slumber by a sudden shaking, catching a whiff of a familiar scent. Without opening his eyes, he lazily uttered a sound of acknowledgment.
The closest figure stood up and walked over, a gust of cold wind followed. Han Rizi found this chill inexplicably profound, unable to forget it even after many years
"Both my daughter and I were driven out of the palace. If you wish for us to return, it cannot be done so casually," she said
In the courtyard, a shadow suddenly knelt down, and Han Rizi felt very nervous, yet he did not retreat, as he did not want to disappoint his mother
"We will meet again soon," Han Ruzi thought to himself, and unknowingly spoke it aloud.
Get up, child, we are going back
There is a group of soldiers blocking the road ahead
I am the Imperial Attendant Yang Feng, here to welcome the prince into the palace
Yang Feng stared at the prince for a while, then turned around and strode away
In the end, for reasons unknown, the blocking soldiers surprisingly stepped aside, allowing the carriage to continue its journey. Han Rizi was even more astonished, as this was his first encounter with the power of unwavering determination
Han Rizi was taken aback; he had seen some eunuchs, each of whom was cautious and careful, like a group of stealthy cats. However, the courtier Yang Feng was different from them, resembling a well-trained hunting dog.
Strangely enough, it was a group of disciples from the Taixue, clamoring about something being contrary to the great propriety
Yang Feng and *Tu* Shu turned to Han Ruzi and said, "Do not be afraid, remember, everything you will receive is what I have fought for you."
The coachman did not dare to raise any further questions. As they turned at the intersection, they headed towards the northeast direction of the palace, towards the Penglai Gate. The more than ten eunuchs behind the carriage split into two groups, with one group following the carriage and the other continuing towards the East Qing Gate.
The voice of the mother was as ethereal as celestial music, Han Ruzi struggled to lift his eyelids, and in the dim light, he saw the face of his mother, both excited and anxious, "Mother..."
"How long do we have to wait?" Han Ruzi inquired.
Han Rizi nodded again
There is nothing strange about it; the true mastermind will not reveal themselves so quickly. Hmm... You should immediately go to Dongqing Gate and announce that the young prince has entered the palace, which may help to extricate Duke Jing.
"With the blessings of the gods and Buddhas, we can finally go home," my mother repeated, her voice trembling with excitement
Han Rizi nodded repeatedly; he certainly wanted to, as he had never been this far away from his mother since childhood
Han Rizi nodded; his mother had advised him not to trust anyone. However, now he found himself in complete darkness, unable to find any support other than this old eunuch.
Han Rizi turned around in surprise, "Mother, I do not ... ... "
Han Rizi is not shorter than his peers; what makes him appear immature is his expression, much like a kitten that has fallen into a doghouse, bewildered and at a loss, unable to cope with the multitude of unfamiliar faces and scents.
"Where to go?" Han Rizi slowly sat up, still not understanding the situation
Han Rizi rubbed his eyes and finally woke up, "I do not want to go back, nor do I want to be an emperor"
Yang Feng suddenly felt a twinge of compassion; the youth sitting beside him was but a little lamb, with a bright future ahead, yet now he had led him into a pack of wolves
It is very dark outside, and quite cold as well. In the courtyard, many figures stand in the shadows, with no one lighting a lamp. The mother pushes her son forward and says in a proud tone: "This is the grandson of Emperor Wu and the son of Emperor Huan"
When... will I be able to bring my mother into the palace?" Han Rizi asked softly
"It is you who informed the ministers, leading them to set an ambush at Dongqing Gate, and then pretended to be a good person!" This voice was extremely angry
Yang Feng suddenly stood up, the night still lingering, and he could not discern the origins of those soldiers. He pressed both hands on the driver's shoulders and shouted, "Run faster, no one dares to stop the imperial carriage!"
The fates of both my daughter and I are in the hands of Lord Yang; please feel free to speak your mind, Lord Yang." The tone of Lady Wang unexpectedly softened.
The eunuch who delivered the message was taken aback, did not ask further questions, and immediately withdrew to carry out the order
The soldiers ahead were also shouting loudly, commanding the carriage to stop
Yang Feng secretly mocked his momentary weakness, "When you are able to issue a decree."
Isn't it rare for the prince to leave the house? Yang Feng recalled that when Emperor Heng was still the crown prince, Consort Wang was not favored and lived with her son in a remote courtyard. After the crown prince ascended the throne, Consort Wang and her son entered the palace but continued to be neglected. Just a month later, due to the reason that "the prince is growing up and should not stay in the palace for too long," both mother and son were sent out of the imperial palace.
Han Rizi complied with Yang Feng's reminder and remained silent
The cart cannot get through, he thought, turning his head to look at Yang Feng. The over-fifty-year-old eunuch was leaning forward like a predatory wolf ready to pounce, his hands pressing down on the driver's shoulders as if he were exerting strength on the other party's behalf
Yang Feng sat back in his original position, remaining silent for a while. Suddenly, he turned his head and asked, "Do you really want to bring your mother into the palace?"
Do not play tricks on me, let us go meet the Empress Dowager, you cannot deceive everyone!
Yang Feng bent his waist a little deeper, a smile of indifference appearing on his face. "Lady Wang, this old servant is merely acting on orders, and moreover—another group from the palace is currently on their way to welcome the King of Donghai. I need not elaborate; Lady Wang should understand how crucial it is to return to the palace a moment earlier."
"Lord Jing, do not mistake the ability to anticipate the enemy's moves for treachery. We are all in the same boat, and it is essential that someone can identify the dangers ahead. You should be grateful that I am a clever person" This was the voice of Yang Feng
The nights in the capital have always been tranquil, making the sound of hooves on the streets exceptionally loud. Yang Feng, sitting beside Han Ruzhi, heard whispers and turned his head to say kindly: "I have seen the prince when he was a child"
"Watch the road!" Yang Feng gave a heavy slap on the back of the driver, returned to his original position, and turned around to wave at the knight behind him
The decree I received is to bring only the prince into the palace
The sound of the door opening echoed as a youth, similar in age to Han Rizi, walked in, dressed in a brocade robe adorned with intricate patterns. Upon seeing Han Rizi, the youth paused for a moment and said, "Are you also here to vie for the throne? It seems we are brothers then. Some say I will make you a king in the future, but I believe that killing you would be the most straightforward solution."
At dawn, the carriage smoothly entered the palace, and Han Rizi had no impression of this place, being dazed and confused as he was settled into a room
Yang Feng fell silent for a moment and said slowly, "If it is merely waiting, one will never reach it."
Han Rizi did not grasp the deeper meaning behind the eunuch's words, but he sensed the coldness from the other party's expression and tone, thus he fell silent. He was a prince, yet he had never felt superior to others.
Han Rizi began to feel a sense of panic. Under his mother's urging, he involuntarily shuffled forward, and another pair of arms took him over. Then the crowd surged in, engulfing him like a dark cloud. From that moment on, Han Rizi lost most of his awareness, not even knowing how he had left home and boarded the carriage. The carriage had no enclosed compartment, only a canopy. He turned back repeatedly, always feeling that his mother was still following behind, but all he saw were a dozen unfamiliar knights. It was not until they had driven out two streets that he remembered he had not said goodbye to his mother.
No one else was in the room, and Han Ruzi sat quietly in the chair, doubting whether he was still dreaming, expecting to soon hear his mother urging him to get up. However, the sunlight outside grew increasingly bright, indicating that everything that had happened up to this point was indeed real
Han Rizi remained seated in silence, and in a daze, he understood that everything happening here was related to him, yet at the same time, it was all unrelated to him
"Master Yang, the Penglai Gate is quite far..." The charioteer was taken aback, unable to understand why the anxious Yang Changshi would choose a longer route back to the palace.
Yang Feng continued to stare at the young man, as he needed to assess the value of this prince in the shortest time possible. "You don't look very big."
Uncertain how much time has passed, the sound of an argument between two individuals came from outside the house
Not long after, a eunuch hurried in, drenched in sweat, likely one of the knights accompanying Yang Feng, "Lord Jing and his party have been stopped at the Dongqing Gate"
"Be obedient." Although Wang Meiren's voice was low, it was undeniable. "You go into the palace first, and then... then... bring me in after you." Wang Meiren leaned closer to her son's ear and said in an even lower voice, "Remember, trust no one but yourself, and do not offend anyone."
My mother detected the disrespect in the words of the eunuch, and thus replied in an even colder tone: "Is he merely a eunuch?"
Alright, the prince seems to be a quiet person. From now on, please remain silent, and I will handle everything, is that acceptable?
Han Rizi remained silent
The mother grasped her son's arm and said, "You are not allowed to speak such discouraging words, never allowed. Do you understand? You still have a long way to go, and there will be many obstacles in your path. You must..."