jdhmnovel Chapter 111 Prince Rui, Xiao Yunli
Chapter 111 Prince Rui, Xiao Yunli
The scenery along the way became increasingly beautiful, and Xie Wanru knew that she was getting closer and closer to Xuancheng.
She had been away from Xuancheng for nearly two months, including the time spent traveling back and forth. Spring had arrived in Xuancheng, but Xie Wanru was not in a good mood.
Before parting, her father told her that he would try to discuss it with the Emperor and that one of her three elder brothers would be sent back to Xuancheng to accompany her in the investigation. However, it would take some time to arrange, and she should not rush when she arrived in Xuancheng, so as not to alert the enemy.
Aside from Xiao Yan and Shen Nian'an, Xie Wanru couldn't think of anyone else who disliked the Xie family.
After all, in her previous life, she devoted herself to raising Shen Yanzhi for more than ten years after marrying into the Shen family, and did not care about anything else.
Xuancheng Imperial Palace.
The Emperor looked at Xiao Yan. He had a vague feeling that his son had impure thoughts, but after all, he was his son. Without evidence, he could not punish him too severely.
Moreover, he always felt that Xiao Yan couldn't have done this, since he had always been wary of Xiao Yan and knew that Xiao Yan couldn't possibly collude with the Northern Barbarians.
"Yan'er, do you know why I trust the Xie family so much?"
Xiao Yan was a little uneasy when he was suddenly left in the imperial study. Could it be that his father had discovered what he had done?
"Please enlighten me, Father." Xiao Yan said, bowing his head.
"Because if you doubt someone, you won't use them; if you use someone, you won't doubt them. I believe that the Xie family members all have a strong sense of righteousness in their hearts. They will not betray me, nor will they betray the people of the Great Zhou Dynasty. And they also believe that I will be a good emperor."
The Emperor's words were not profound, and Xiao Yan naturally understood them.
But in his heart, no one could be trusted.
He clearly trusted Lou Li, but how did Lou Li treat him? Just because he recommended himself in court instead of recommending members of the Lou family, he made those fools from the Northern Barbarians withdraw their troops, ruining his carefully laid plans.
Xie Yanting was almost kidnapped by his men and taken to Xuancheng. Just when his plan was about to succeed, his whereabouts were exposed and he was rescued by Xie Wanru.
“Your elder brother didn’t understand this principle before. He always asked me why I liked this family so much. Later, he learned that he was able to be born safely thanks to the old lady of the Xie family who died young due to illness. He then had great respect for the Xie family. Yan’er, no matter who we are, whether we are the emperor or a prince, we cannot think we are superior or break our promises just because of our status!”
The Emperor's voice was particularly heavy as he spoke the last four words.
He knew that Xiao Yan harbored resentment towards the Xie family. Back then, he didn't want his third son to have the Xie family as a support, so he deliberately delayed bestowing marriage upon him and Xie Wanru. The Xie family didn't make any effort in this regard either. In the end, due to various reasons, the two of them separated.
"My son understands."
Although Xiao Yan verbally agreed, he had other plans in mind.
In his view, to gain a foothold in this vortex of power, one must learn to be ruthless. He both hated the Xie family for blocking his path and feared their prestige and power in the Great Zhou Dynasty. At this moment, even if he did not want to rely on the Lou family and be controlled by Lou Li, he had no choice but to accept this fact.
That means only the Lou family can rival the Xie family.
“Father, I have recently finished my work.” Xiao Yan decided to test the Emperor’s attitude. “I have gained considerable knowledge of military strategy and tactics and wish to find an opportunity to practice in actual combat to test what I have learned. There are bandits around Xuancheng. I am willing to lead troops to quell them. Firstly, I can serve the country, and secondly, I can hone my skills.”
Upon hearing this, the Emperor's gaze deepened, as if he had seen through Xiao Yan's thoughts, but he did not point it out.
Perhaps by giving this child some rights, he will be able to understand some of the lessons learned.
"This is a good thing, as it can both train you and protect the people. I will support it. However, you must remember that war is a matter of great importance to the state, a matter of life and death, a path to survival or destruction. It should not be undertaken lightly. You must proceed with caution on this mission. I grant you five hundred soldiers, and I await your report of victory."
The emperor picked up his pen and wrote an authorization document for him. Five hundred people may not seem like a lot, but they were considered few in Xuancheng.
"Your subject obeys the decree and will certainly live up to Father Emperor's high expectations."
Xiao Yan immediately knelt down to express his gratitude.
His father was willing to give him a small team of five hundred men, and he was determined to make a name for himself and let his father know that he was better than his elder brother.
Besides having a bunch of advisors under his command, what else can my elder brother do? He can't do anything, so what makes him the commander-in-chief of the world?
With five hundred soldiers, he can march one thousand, two thousand, ten thousand, twenty thousand... Given time, he will surely change the emperor's and the people's perception of him.
Xiao Yan emerged from the imperial study looking refreshed, his eyes brimming with joy.
Although he lost the chance to put the Xie family to death, didn't he gain his father's trust in the blink of an eye? That was what pleased him even more.
No sooner had Xiao Yan left than a man of exceptional stature entered the Imperial Study.
"Your subject pays respects to Your Majesty! Long live Your Majesty!"
Xiao Yunli bowed respectfully to the Emperor, but he was not as refined as his name suggested, nor as dignified as the Emperor. He was somewhat... effeminate, far from being refined.
"Rise. What wind blew you here today?"
The emperor smiled; his younger brother rarely showed himself in public.
"Just boredom."
Xiao Yunli had a nonchalant and irresponsible demeanor.
The Emperor's eyes held a hint of doting. He and Xiao Yunli were born to the same mother, but when their father passed away, their mother was heartbroken and followed him. Xiao Yunli was only eight or nine years old at the time, still a child.
So he was essentially raised by the emperor.
"Your Majesty, I've heard that people outside have a lot of complaints about the Xie family. As soon as Xie Yanting disappeared, they said he was a traitor. Don't you think someone is behind this?"
Xiao Yunli held a folding fan in his hand, gently waving it. His eyes subtly revealed a sharpness, as if he could see into people's hearts.
The Emperor frowned slightly, pondered for a moment, and then said, "The Xie family has been loyal and virtuous for generations, and I certainly trust them. But you can't see into someone's heart, and it's hard to guarantee that there won't be any villains causing trouble. Yunli, you've always been very perceptive, do you have any thoughts on this?"
Xiao Yunli smiled slightly, gently closed his folding fan, and said, "I think it would be wise to investigate this matter secretly to see if there are any treacherous people causing trouble. At the same time, we can also strengthen the protection of Princess Yongchang of the Xie family to prevent any unforeseen events."
The Emperor nodded, but said, "When did you become so concerned about Wanwan? I thought you would say you wanted to go to the Northern Border. But what you said makes sense. Would you be willing to investigate this matter for me?"
Xiao Yunli's lips curled into a playful smile as he said, "It is my duty to share your burdens, Your Majesty. But if I do this job well, what reward will Your Majesty offer?"
The Emperor chuckled at his appearance and said, "If you can truly uncover the truth for me and protect Princess Yongchang, I will certainly not treat you unfairly. Tell me, what reward do you desire?"
Xiao Yunli's gaze swept across the Emperor with a hint of meaning as he said, "What I ask for is nothing more than a nod from Your Majesty. Please don't forget our agreement when the time comes."
The Emperor paused for a moment, then burst into laughter, "Very well! I agree. As long as you don't plot rebellion, I will grant your request! Haha!"
Xiao Yunli bowed and said, "Thank you for your great kindness, Your Majesty. I will go and carry out my duties now."
After saying that, he turned and left, his figure graceful and elegant, like a gentle breeze.
The Emperor watched his departing figure, his eyes filled with complex emotions. This younger brother of his was not young anymore; what fun things didn't he have? What was it that he truly wanted? The Emperor pondered this silently, yet he had no way of knowing.