The South Imperial Garden.
The entire Liu family felt as if they had fallen into a frigid lake, their bodies frozen to the bone.
[The Liao King, uncle of my foolish Emperor father, demanded urgent delivery in the depth of winter from hundreds of miles away, commandeering postal relay stations and military roads to send an auspicious gift—a nine-colored peony blooming in winter.]
[He's clearly taking the opportunity to inspect local military defenses!]
Master Liu: [gasping]
He nearly choked on his breath.
What?
So this was the real purpose behind the nine-colored peony!
Concubine Liu couldn't help but steady the Fifth Prince Cheng Qian's little shoulders to prevent herself from stumbling.
The Fifth Prince Cheng Qian gritted his teeth as well.
No place for peaceful slumber beside the imperial bedchamber!
The Liao King was audacious indeed! Using the pretext of presenting flowers to openly prepare for rebellion?
His Majesty the Emperor had been preoccupied with managing river works and caring for refugees, his mind clouded by the debate over establishing the crown prince.
Did His Majesty not realize this at all?
[The leader of the Liao King's escort for the nine-colored peony paid a visit to someone upon entering the capital—what was his name again? It seemed to be the Eminent Cavalry General... This man had served as the Yanmen Guard Post's captain a decade ago under the Liao King, who had saved his life.]
[Grateful for this life debt from over ten years ago, especially since few survived the battle at Yanmen Pass, no one knew that this Eminent Cavalry General had been loyal to the Liao King all along!]
[When the Liao King rebelled, the Ministry of War still recommended that His Majesty dispatch this Eminent Cavalry General to lead 100,000 troops to attack the Liao King. The outcome was predictable: not only did he fail to halt the rebels in Shu, but the 100,000 troops were also turned by the Liao King and joined his forces!]
Xiao Chuchu recalled the events, unaware that those around her had turned pale.
The Fifth Prince's breathing grew rapid.
Master Liu and Concubine Liu held their breaths, afraid to miss a single word from Xiao Chuchu.
[Alas, I don't remember this general's name.]
[But after receiving the Liao King's message, he conspired with one of His Majesty's eunuch scribes.]
[This eunuch sold him and the Liao King much inside palace information.]
[It seems the Xuantong Prefectural Governors returning to the capital for their year-end evaluations were also involved in this scheme.]
[I'm trying to recall... Ah yes, it was the day all officials entered the palace for the Awarding Gold Festival that they secretly plotted!]
The Awarding Gold Festival was merely two days away!
Master Liu's eyes lit up—there was still a chance to stop them!
But then his beard bristled in anger.
They dared choose this very day?
To conspire about rebellion right under the Emperor's nose, on the day he would host all officials for a banquet?
He was truly in awe of their audacity.
Had he not heard Xiao Chuchu's revelation, who could have imagined such a scheme?
"Ahem, well, Concubine, Fifth Prince, with the upcoming new year and these unstable times, both of you must be vigilant within the palace. Do not wander about with little Princess Chuchu unless it is necessary."
Master Liu gave his daughter, grandson, and their party a complex look.
His gaze finally rested on the rosy cheeks of the bundled infant Xiao Chuchu.
What if the rebels succeeded and stormed the palace, harming his precious great-granddaughter, grandson, and daughter? The consequences would be unthinkable!
"You must heed my words, understood?"
Master Liu feared his young grandson and newly-appointed daughter might not take him seriously.
He furrowed his brows in thought, then said, "Your grandmother went to the temple yesterday and drew an ominous fortune that warned of a 'calamity of bloodshed.' She was deeply alarmed and sought guidance from a prestigious monk, who advised that one should 'remain still and avoid action' until a significant event has passed or the arrival of spring next year to reverse the misfortune."
The Fifth Prince and Concubine Liu were startled.
They had intended to find a way to ensure Master Liu, unable to hear Xiao Chuchu's revelations, would also exercise caution in the coming days!
If rebels were to attack the capital gates, their civilian household would be defenseless against being overrun...
Concubine Liu promptly nodded, dabbing her slightly pale complexion with a handkerchief to restore its rosy hue. "Father, the same goes for you as well. I had a terrible dream last night, so please avoid crowded places for now."
The Fifth Prince Cheng Qian nodded repeatedly in agreement.
Yet his expression remained grave.
Even if they managed to evade the rebels, what of the multitudes of unarmed civilians out there?
The Liao King's rebellion would bring untold casualties and suffering to the populace along his path of conquest!
His concerns deepened.
Xiao Chuchu lamented sadly, [Alas, this rebellion by the Liao King resulted in over 40,000 casualties among the capital's three elite army divisions alone!]
The Fifth Prince's face turned ashen.
The capital's three elite divisions were distinct from others stationed in Hangzhou and the surrounding Zhejiang region.
These were the Empire's finest troops!
To suffer 40,000 casualties meant they had lost over half their strength.
Who knew how long it would take to recruit and train replacements of equal caliber?
[After this battle, several border tribes learned of our severely depleted forces and continuously dispatched cavalry to harass and attack our fortified towns along the frontier.]
[The people suffered, the soldiers suffered, but most troubling was that our dynasty never regained its strength from this blow, leading to its eventual decline!]
The Fifth Prince clenched his fists resolutely.
Master Liu could no longer bear to listen.
From what he had heard, it seemed the Tianqi Dynasty was doomed!
"Master Liu, please enter the garden and make your selection. We have a total of three pots of the nine-colored peony housed in the warm chambers."
"Feel free to choose whichever you prefer."
Wei Zheng emerged with a bandaged head, having cleared the concubines from the garden to make way.
"Whichever pot you select, my servants will escort it directly to your residence."
"We'll also send three craftsmen and one gardener to tend to this auspicious winter-blooming peony at your manor."
Oh dear!
Master Liu's mouth twitched uncontrollably.
Auspicious? How?
This peony was clearly an omen of national ruin, a portent of doom!
Yet they were dispatching so many attendants for it!
Master Liu's expression betrayed his resistance, but he restrained himself as he bid farewell to his daughter and the Fifth Prince. "Remember my words, and I shall heed yours as well—let us limit our outings."
Pinching his nose, he entered to select the flowers.
Concubine Liu and the Fifth Prince watched him depart with furrowed brows.
That night, neither could sleep.
Xiao Chuchu, unable to control her infant needs, fell asleep after nursing.
Meanwhile, Emperor Xiao Yunzhou did not visit little Princess Chuchu that evening. He secluded himself in his study, agonizing over which prince should succeed him.
To maintain fairness and impartiality, he avoided seeing Concubine Liu and Princess Chuchu, lest his affection for the Fifth Prince cloud his judgment.
Thus, the Fifth Prince spent the night in Concubine Liu's wing at the side pavilion.
"Mother, might we find an opportunity to bring Sister over and remind Father?" The Fifth Prince frowned with worry.
Concubine Liu pondered and nodded. "Yes, we must do so."
If the Emperor remained unaware, failing to prepare sooner would leave the populace displaced and countless families shattered.
"If he does not come tomorrow, I shall have the nursemaid bring Princess Chuchu to him."
However, the following day brought no such chance.
Master Liu had entered the palace again, visiting the Chonghua Palace where the Emperor resided for half a hour in his study.
Not long after, a message arrived.
"Concubine, His Majesty has instructed this servant to inform you that due to the unstable circumstances, you and the Fifth Prince must not take Princess Chuchu beyond the few familiar places within the palace grounds."
Receiving this notice, Concubine Liu and the Fifth Prince were taken aback.
The Emperor knew?
Wait, did her father/grandfather go and advise the Emperor?
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