Advanced chapter at patreon.com/caleredhair
In the imperial study, Yang Zhen was quietly reporting to Emperor Xiao Wenxuan. When he finished, the Emperor frowned deeply.
“Are you sure it was Prince Qi’s men who caught the Jin merchant?” Xiao Wenxuan asked.
“Yes. We could have caught the merchant earlier, but Prince Qi’s people got there first. Our men have been following closely, and we can take the merchant back anytime the Emperor orders. But until then, we dare not act rashly and risk offending Prince Qi,” Yang Zhen replied.
“Hmm, you handled it well. Avoid conflict with Prince Qi’s men. I know Xiao Ming’s temper — though he’s changed a lot in two years, he’s not someone who will take a loss quietly,” Xiao Wenxuan gave a bitter smile. “Now we wait to see who this Jin merchant really works for.”
“If it is the Second Prince, Your Majesty will have a tough time,” Yang Zhen said, worried for the Emperor.
Having served Xiao Wenxuan for over twenty years, Yang Zhen knew him well. The Emperor’s patience was for the empire’s peace; without it, chaos would have erupted long ago.
Xiao Wenxuan frowned again. “It’s not too hard. If the Second Prince is behind this, then we must give Xiao Ming an answer. For the Great Yu Empire, Xiao Ming is far more important than the King of Liang now.”
Yang Zhen nodded. “Indeed. After all, Prince Qi is of the royal family.”
At this time, Xiao Ming already had the Jin merchant’s confession.
Li San reported after leaving the city. When he arrived, the secret guards were interrogating the merchant, and they had recorded a statement.
Li San immediately brought the confession to Xiao Ming.
“Your Highness, the Jin merchant has confessed. It was indeed the Second Prince who ordered him to sell tribesmen into the Eastern Palace. The King of Liang knew too. These tribesmen came from his territory,” Li San said firmly.
Xiao Ming read the statement and nodded. He was almost certain it was the Second Prince. The tribal leader Beishan had just been defeated — the tribes couldn’t have deployed assassins into Chang’an so fast without someone opening the gates.
“It’s time to avenge the fallen soldiers,” Xiao Ming said, clutching the statement. “Bring the merchant in.”
For safety, he asked Li San to keep the merchant outside the city to prevent danger.
Now he could tell Emperor Xiao Wenxuan the truth. How else could he explain to his dead soldiers? How could the Qingzhou army respect him if he could not deliver justice?
They fought bravely for him, but he could not secure fairness. Who would risk their life for him in the future?
This time, he would show his soldiers that he was loyal to them too.
“Yes!” Li San spoke firmly. He was angry about this too.
Li San left, and Xiao Ming came out of the main hall.
Feiyue’er was by the window. Seeing Xiao Ming’s grim face, worry showed in her eyes.
When Xiao Ming looked at her, she quickly looked down, afraid to stir trouble — she had been warned by her sister before marriage that the Crown Prince might take out anger on her.
Looking at the frightened deer-like Feiyue’er, Xiao Ming’s dark expression softened.
He smiled helplessly and headed straight to the palace.
In the palace, Xiao Ming went directly to the imperial study.
Before he could speak, Xiao Wenxuan said, “It seems you already have clues about the assassin.”
“You already know, Father?” Xiao Ming was surprised.
“Don’t forget, this is Chang’an. But I’m ashamed I didn’t notice your Second Brother’s moves. When we learned it was the Jin merchants, we already guessed it was him,” Xiao Wenxuan sighed.
“Then I hope Your Majesty will judge wisely,” Xiao Ming said, handing over the confession.
Xiao Wenxuan glanced at it and sighed deeply. “Your Second Brother is too impatient.”
He paced slowly, then said, “Give me the Jin merchant. I will give you a satisfactory answer.”
“I have already had the merchant brought into the palace,” Xiao Ming said shortly.
Xiao Wenxuan nodded, seeming suddenly very tired. He waved Xiao Ming off. “Your mother told me you’ll leave Chang’an soon. You should prepare.”
“Yes, Father,” Xiao Ming bowed and left.
He was not afraid of Xiao Wenxuan smoothing things over. If the Emperor did so, Xiao Ming would gradually distance himself from court politics.
After Xiao Ming left, Xiao Wenxuan sat and thought deeply, then began writing an imperial edict.
Outside the palace, Xiao Ming returned to his mansion to prepare for his trip back to Qingzhou.
He no longer needed to attend court or engage in Chang’an affairs. As a regional lord, he was basically an independent ruler — interfering in court politics would be a serious taboo.
In the next few days, Chang’an grew livelier than before, stirred by rumors that the Second Prince had tried to assassinate Prince Qi to frame the Crown Prince.
The whole city buzzed with talk of the matter.
Soon after, an imperial decree was announced: the Second Prince was immoral, murdered his brothers, and defied the law.
He was stripped of title and exiled to the barren Bashan region as a commoner.
With the imperial decree, the assassination scandal quieted down. The city became tense and wary.
After years of a weak image, Emperor Xiao Wenxuan finally showed strength — unafraid of angering the King of Liang by punishing his son.
Many officials now saw this as proof the royal power had strengthened and that the emperor no longer feared the regional lords with armies.
More importantly, they understood Xiao Ming’s key role.
To appease Xiao Ming’s anger, Xiao Wenxuan exiled the Second Prince backed by the King of Liang — showing how highly Xiao Ming was valued.
Other princes stopped looking down on Xiao Ming. They realized the court was different now.
The rising regional powers in the east would influence their lives from now on.
With the answer clear, Xiao Ming chose to return to Qingzhou that very afternoon.
He traveled by merchant ship, carrying many gifts.
Watching the great city of Chang’an fade away, Xiao Ming smiled slightly.
He had brought home his wife — now it was time to build his own legacy and live quietly.