Jiapingguan Chronicle

Chapter 2744 Still Vigorous in Old Age 128.0
Xiao Fengqi nodded to Shen Haolin, Shen Cha, and Song Yaojia, indicating that they were right.

“That’s true.” He sighed softly and said, “At that moment, they felt an unprecedented fear and were plunged into endless panic. According to what they said later, they all had a feeling of unreality.”

"Unreal?" Shen Haolin sneered. "Do you think that everything you possess, including your power, is unreal?"

“The Duke is right, that’s exactly how they feel.” Xiao Fengqi sighed and said, “My great-aunt participated in the interrogation afterward because it involved the kidnapping of the Xiao family’s heir, so she had to come forward. They said that after learning that Young Master Lan had been sent away, they suddenly understood what it meant for the emperor’s heart to be unpredictable, especially the concubine. She thought that in recent years, the inner palace had been dominated by her, the court by her two children, and with the full support of her maternal family, she was capable of standing shoulder to shoulder with the late king. But she never expected that everything was like the moon in a mirror or a flower in the water.”

“Without the emperor’s favor, this power is fragile and easily shattered; it was never truly theirs. So, they panicked.” Shen Cha thought for a moment. “If they want to retain their power, or even have more power, there is only one path they can choose.”

“Yes!” Xiao Fengqi nodded. “So, they used the Regent’s Palace for the drill.”

"I remember you mentioned before that the concubine wanted to become the second Empress Dowager Xiao, and her family wanted to become the second Xiao family, right?"

"What the general said is true, but it's just what they said. They said why the Xiao family can do it, but they can't."

"Because their aptitude is too poor, they simply can't reach the achievements of Empress Dowager Xiao and the Xiao family." Shen Cha patted Xiao Fengqi. "Don't worry, we can leave them far behind!"

"Thank you, General." Xiao Fengqi said, both amused and exasperated. "I never expected such comfort."

“The essence is different, the foundation is different, no matter how hard they try, they can’t do it.” Chu Han looked at him and smiled. “First of all, it’s the foundation of the Xiao family. It’s a century-old clan, isn’t it? Besides, after each new king ascends the throne, there are powerful clans who marry their daughters into the palace. Not every one of them is Empress Dowager Xiao.” He took the orange that Shen Cha handed him and smiled. “Not just anyone can imitate it.”

"granduncle."

"Never seen her." Chu Han shook his head at Shen Cha. "When she was at the age of 'lovemaking,' I was still a child!"

"That's such a pity." Xia Chen looked at Chu Han with regret. "If Uncle had met that legendary figure, perhaps he could have told us about him. Young Master Xiao would probably be willing to hear some stories like that, right?"

“Yes, because of my family.” Xiao Fengqi touched his nose embarrassedly, “We don’t mention her much, probably to save face for the Yelü family. Unfortunately, even so, in previous years, the relationship between Yelü and our family was awkward. They were afraid that we would send them another Empress Dowager Xiao. In the end, we didn’t have such thoughts, but others did.”

“Just like Xiaocha said, that family doesn’t deserve it.” Xia Chen chuckled and said, “We’re not saying this because you’re here; we’ve always believed that it’s incredibly difficult for another Empress Xiao to emerge in this world. Besides her own charm and strength, there’s another very important reason why Empress Xiao has achieved such fame and success.”

"What is it?"

"Not being misled by power, nor coveting it." Xia Chen looked at Xiao Fengqi. "That's what I admire most about him, something most people in this world can't do." "Yes, judging the situation, knowing when to hold onto power tightly and when to let go." Shen Cha looked at Xiao Fengqi, smiled gently, and said, "Young Master Xiao has the spirit of our ancestors."

"I'm actually a little embarrassed by the General's praise."

"Young Master Xiao, there's no need to be modest. Not everyone has the courage to destroy before they can build."

“That’s right!” Xia Chen nodded. “Young Master Xiao, there’s no need to feel embarrassed. This is a very good quality.”

"The more I talk about it, the more ashamed I feel."

"Let's not talk about that anymore, let's change the subject." Shen Cha couldn't help but smile and said, "What did they do after they finished throwing their tantrums? They couldn't just keep throwing tantrums, could they? That's not like them."

"The General should know that the current city defense of Linhuang Prefecture is basically the same as that of Xijing Prefecture of Daxia and Yiqing Prefecture of Jin, with a special patrol team in charge. But many years ago, when I was young, it was not like this. The city defense of Linhuang Prefecture was rotated by various families who held military power, every two years, and those two years happened to be the responsibility of the two young princes."

"City defense rotation." Shen Haolin glanced at the orange Chu Han offered to his mouth, which he obediently ate, and then continued, "This means that they have the ability to seal off the city, making the entire Linhuang Prefecture a no-go zone."

"Yes!" Xiao Fengqi also ate the orange that Chu Han fed him. It was so sour that his face scrunched up. He said, "Lord Duke, how can you eat this?"

“I think it’s perfect.” Shen Haolin smiled. “They have the ability to seal off the city, control the city gates, control the palace, and do whatever they want, right?”

"That's what I mean."

"Wait a minute!" Jin Miaomiao looked at Xiao Fengqi with a blank expression. "Such a huge hidden danger, hasn't the Yelü family ever considered changing it? What if someone gets unhappy? Wouldn't that be dangerous?"

“Lord Jin is right, but there’s nothing we can do about it.” Xiao Fengqi sighed. “The Liao Kingdom is different from the Great Xia Kingdom. It is composed of various tribes and families, each with strong military power. The Yelü family was able to become kings because they were the strongest of the strong and could command respect from the people. The various tribes and families were willing to assist them. But there are conditions. Each family must retain its own military power. Similarly, the security of Linhuang Prefecture is rotated among the families. If there is a problem during the term of office of any family, that family will be held accountable.”

"While there's responsibility involved, it also benefits and provides advantages for each party. If they don't want anyone to have an easy time, they can deal with the other party during their term, right?" Seeing Xiao Fengqi nod, Shen Haolin sneered, "So, despite all the careful planning, they overlooked this point and were instead used by the two little princes?"

"No, it's because we guessed they might make a move that my great-aunt, grandfather, and uncle chose to speak up at this time."

"I see. This is a deliberate attempt to provoke those two princes and their concubines and maternal relatives, to force them to do something so outrageous, right?" Seeing Xiao Fengqi's meaningful smile, Shen Cha raised an eyebrow. "It seems everyone is prepared, just waiting for them to walk right into the trap!"