The Bad Guys: Everyone, let’s revive the Tang Dynasty together!

Chapter 503 Reigning Supreme (Part 2)

In Bianjing (Kaifeng) in the twelfth lunar month, the morning light comes late.

A chill, mingled with the aroma of cooking, permeated the alleyways. Though dawn had just broken, the city was already awake, especially the breakfast stalls, which were steaming and bustling with activity.

In an ordinary porridge shop in the east of the city, every seat was taken. The waiter, with a towel draped over his shoulder, nimbly moved between the tables and chairs carrying trays of food, calling out the names of the porridge dishes, his voice drowned out by the noisy conversations of the diners.

Two people sat facing each other at a small table near the door.

One was an elderly man in a worn blue robe, with a thin face and a calm, almost indifferent gaze, slowly sipping his millet porridge. Opposite him was a middle-aged scholar-like man, dressed plainly, with a hint of travel weariness on his face, but with a subtle smile in his eyes, making him seem much more approachable.

Inside the store, seven or eight out of ten conversations revolved around the upcoming major event.

"...Have you seen the newspaper? His Highness has already decided on the reign title and specifically announced it to us ordinary people first: Hongwu! Listen to that spirit!" A burly man took a bite of his fried dough and mumbled to the other diners at the table.

“Hongwu…good! What a good omen!” His companion nodded in agreement. “The King of Qin pacified the world with his military might, and now he should use this reign title to usher in an era of lasting peace!”

Upon hearing this, a person at the next table couldn't hide their excitement and whispered, "The reign title has been decided, so the day of the enthronement ceremony is getting closer. The newspaper says it's on New Year's Day. It's truly a time of renewal!"

"Indeed! Think about what Bianjing was like two years ago. And look at it now..." an old man sighed. "Back then, Emperor Zhu suffered a crushing defeat in Hebei. After ascending the throne, taxes began to increase. Moreover, the Xuanming Sect was in power. How many people on the streets could smile? Now things are much better. His Highness Prince Qin has reduced taxes and levies, and prices are stable. Since last year, we ordinary people have finally been able to breathe a sigh of relief and have a decent New Year."

"It's not just Bianjing!" another person chimed in. "I heard that things are getting better in Hedong as well. His Highness is distributing land and developing irrigation systems; this is what a true Son of Heaven should be doing. As for Jiangnan... well, they don't understand the will of Heaven. Aren't they the ones suffering the most?"

The middle-aged scholar listened, his smile deepening. He tapped the table lightly with his chopsticks and whispered to the old man opposite him, "The words of the common people, though simple, reveal the true intentions of the people. Your Highness is magnanimous, allowing the people to discuss things like this."

The old man didn't even lift his eyelids, as if the porridge in his bowl was more attractive than the world's affairs, and he didn't respond at all.

The middle-aged scholar didn't seem to mind, as if he was already used to the other person's silence. He quickly finished his breakfast, and seeing that the old man had also put down his chopsticks, he got up to pay the bill.

The two walked out of the porridge shop one after the other and merged into the increasingly dense crowd of people in the early morning.

The streets of Bianjing were wide, and the snow had been cleared to both sides, revealing clean stone pavement.

Despite the cold winter, the shops lining both sides of the street were lined up one after another, their flags fluttering, and the cries of vendors filling the air. Peddlers, merchants, traveling traders, Westerners leading camels, and merchants from the northern deserts in fur coats... all sorts of people moved about, creating a bustling and vibrant scene.

The middle-aged scholar was actually Yang Shuzi in disguise.

Compared to his stern demeanor towards Li Xingyun and his fellow disciples on Mount Qingcheng, he now appeared much more amiable. He simply stood with his hands behind his back, seemingly quite interested, occasionally stopping to look at the New Year pictures and paper-cuts sold by roadside vendors, and sometimes examining the strange and unusual spices brought by the foreign merchants.

Yuan Tiangang, who was in front of him, kept walking without stopping, seemingly oblivious to the hustle and bustle around him. He walked slowly along the long street, leaving Yang Shuzi with no choice but to hurry up and catch up.

Upon reaching an intersection, Yuan Tiangang suddenly stopped, then turned directly into a rather large teahouse. Yang Shuzi, slightly surprised, followed him inside.

The teahouse was even more lively than the street. A storyteller was engrossed in his tale, spittle flying everywhere, while the tea drinkers listened intently, occasionally bursting into cheers.

"...Ladies and gentlemen, today's 'Tales of the Ten Kingdoms' finally comes to the biography of our Prince of Qin... It is said that His Highness the Prince of Qin is the direct descendant of Emperor Zhaozong, the son of a true dragon! Why did he wander among the common people in his childhood, enduring humiliation and hardship for twenty-one years? It was all because of that treacherous Zhu Wen, who wreaked havoc on the court and coveted the throne! Fortunately, there were loyal and righteous people who sacrificed their own sons to preserve the legitimate bloodline of our Great Tang Dynasty, so that we could wait until today!"

The storyteller struck the gavel, and his voice suddenly rose in pitch.

"Do you all think that His Highness Prince Qin is merely of noble birth? Little do you know, a true dragon lies hidden in the abyss, yet its brilliance will shine forth! It is said that even in his youth, His Highness displayed extraordinary signs! Wherever he went, ordinary people might not have noticed, but those with profound knowledge all said that there seemed to be a purple aura accompanying him. Though it was not ostentatious, it was vast and boundless, far beyond the reach of ordinary people!"

The old man spoke with great enthusiasm, gesturing wildly as if he had witnessed it firsthand.

"Even though His Highness concealed his identity at that time, never revealing even a fraction of his true nature, his speech, knowledge, demeanor, and bearing were already beyond the reach of ordinary people. Even those seasoned and discerning individuals among the Bad People who had the chance to meet His Highness were all captivated! They felt that although this young man was young, he was as profound and unfathomable as a deep pool and a towering mountain, inspiring awe and reverence in all who beheld him! Several heroes were even willing to abandon their original positions and futures to silently follow him. This is truly a case of a wise bird choosing a good tree to perch on, and a virtuous minister choosing a lord to serve!"

He paused briefly, whetting the audience's appetite before continuing his escalation.

"What's more! As you all know, when Your Highness first arrived in Caozhou, the governor was Zhu Wen's adopted son, Zhu Hanbin. This man was no ordinary person; he held power over the entire prefecture and had the infamous reputation of 'Zhu Luoyan,' wielding considerable influence. Yet, when he first met Your Highness—"

The storyteller imitated the scene, stroking his beard and staring wide-eyed, feigning shock.

Zhu Hanbin was immediately alarmed! He privately told his confidant, "Judging from this young man, he possesses the bearing of a dragon and the grace of a phoenix, an extraordinary talent! The world is in turmoil, with heroes vying for power, but the mandate of heaven may well rest with this young man!"

The gavel strikes again!

"Guess what happened next? Zhu Hanbin actually developed a desire to serve! Although he couldn't say it openly due to the circumstances and his position, he still did many favors for His Highness within his authority and secretly helped him! Later, His Highness was able to establish himself in Caozhou and gradually control the Bad People of Yanzhou. This may well have been due in part to Zhu Hanbin going with the flow, tacitly approving or even secretly offering up some of his power and territory! Isn't this a matter of destiny, where heroes naturally come to serve?"

This performance exaggerated a potential appreciation into an almost prophetic recognition of a lord and surrender, captivating the tea drinkers in the audience who marveled and exclaimed in amazement, marveling that the King of Qin's destiny was predetermined.

Amidst thunderous cheers from the audience, Uncle Yang simply found an empty seat on the side and ordered two ordinary cups of green tea from the waiter.

As he listened to the storyteller's narration, which was clearly artistically embellished yet highly engaging, he turned his head slightly and whispered to Yuan Tiangang beside him, his voice tinged with emotion: "Your Highness's magnanimity is truly beyond compare. This kind of folk performance, almost like a legendary tale, has actually been allowed to circulate."

A local tea drinker sitting next to me overheard this and turned around to chime in enthusiastically:
"Brother, you're not from the Central Plains, are you? Our Prince Qin is different from other officials; he's the most enlightened. As long as it's not malicious slander, talking about these heroic deeds is harmless. The court's gazette occasionally publishes poems written by His Highness! We've all read them, like, 'When will I volunteer to lead a valiant army, and with a single whip cross the Yellow River and Luo River?' Listen to that, what spirit!"

The old tea drinker, getting carried away, lowered his voice and said with a hint of mystery, "It's rumored that His Highness has many talented people under his command. Some of them are quite skilled writers, and they even use pseudonyms to write chivalrous novels, which are published in 'Fun Facts of Bianjing' to entertain the people! Everyone says that the best-written 'Romance of the Three Kingdoms' might just be one of them..."

He didn't finish his sentence, but just smiled meaningfully.

Yang Shuzi then struck up a conversation with him: "Oh? Is that so? In that case, life in Bianjing must be quite comfortable now."

"Comfortable! How could it not be comfortable!" The old tea drinker became talkative. "Grain prices are stable, salt prices are stable, and even firewood is cheaper than in previous years. As long as you're willing to work hard, you can always earn a living. Unlike the south," he lowered his voice and shook his head, "I heard that the taxes there are terrifyingly heavy, and soldiers are conscripting men everywhere. Life there is really tough..."

Just then, the waiter came over to refill the water. Uncle Yang took out a few coins from his sleeve and placed them on the table, indicating that he wanted to pay the bill.

The waiter glanced at the tea and laughed, "Sir, you've given too much." He skillfully gave back two coins as change. "The harvest is good right now, and prices in Bianjing are stable. We have plenty of tea, so you don't need this much."

The waiter seemed to be a talkative man. While clearing away the empty bowls on the table next to him, he casually remarked, "This money is enough for you to buy two more meat buns from that stall over there. It's nothing like the rice prices in Jiangnan, I heard they change every day. Sigh, it's all because of the war... It's much more peaceful under the rule of our King Qin."

Yang Shuzi smiled and waved his hand to indicate that there was no need to look. When he turned his head again, he found that Yuan Tiangang had already gotten up and was walking out of the teahouse. He seemed to have no interest in the exciting part of the performance, "King Qin Breaks the Formation Alone," which was being discussed on stage.

"Hey, take care, sir!" the waiter called out from behind.

Uncle Yang was taken aback. He quickly nodded to the kind old tea customer and got up to chase after him. Just as he reached the door, the waiter stopped him: "Sir, wait a minute! You paid too much for the tea. We agreed not to give you change and we can't charge you extra..." The waiter insisted on giving him back the extra money.

As Yang Shuzi kept his eyes on Yuan Tiangang's retreating figure as he disappeared around the street corner, he declined, saying, "Young man, you've worked hard. Please keep this for a drink to warm yourself up."

The waiter insisted, "No, no, the boss has set rules: no cheating the young or old, and clear accounts. In these times, we Bianjing people need to be even more honest in business, right?" He insisted on stuffing the extra copper coins back into Uncle Yang's hand before turning back to attend to the other customers.

Yang Shuzi held the few still-warm copper coins in his hand, paused slightly, shook his head and chuckled. When he looked up again, Yuan Tiangang's figure was almost out of sight. He quickly squeezed through the crowd and hurried after him.

Finally, they caught up with Yuan Tiangang at a relatively spacious street corner. Yang Shuzi walked alongside him, one in front of the other, on the bustling Imperial Street.

The surrounding area was teeming with people, a cacophony of hawking, laughter, and the sounds of carriages and horses filling the air. Most people wore expressions of busy but fulfilled contentment as they prepared for the New Year, chatted about everyday life, and laughed incessantly.

Yang Shuzi watched all this in silence for a moment before finally speaking. His voice was not loud, but it was clear enough to reach Yuan Tiangang's ears: "General, how does witnessing this scene compare to what you wished for back then?"

Yuan Tiangang did not stop walking; his face was hidden in the winter light and shadow, making it difficult to see clearly.

Yang Shuzi continued, his tone much more complex: "The King of Qin possesses both literary and military prowess. He quelled the chaos and brought peace to the land in just a few years. With the people's hearts united, a golden age has begun. The King of Qin's talent, ability, and magnanimity far exceed our expectations back then. Compared to him, Xingyun is like a firefly compared to the bright moon."

He sighed softly, but his eyes remained sharp, showing no other emotion.
"Back then at Anle Pavilion, I insisted on revealing His Highness's identity, my true intention being to have him... shield Xingyun from calamity, and to place this immense burden on His Highness's shoulders. Before descending the mountain, I thought it was a helpless act, and even harbored thoughts of using him, thinking that if he could struggle to survive, he might be able to secure a glimmer of hope for Xingyun. I never dared to imagine that he could truly reach this point and create such a situation. But when I truly met him for the first time, I knew that this young man was no ordinary person. Not only could Xingyun not catch up with him at all, but in this world... I'm afraid no one could match him."

He paused, as if remembering something, and shook his head: "Now it seems that it is Xingyun's most proud medical skill... If he had received Brother Lin's true teachings, Xingyun would probably be far behind."

Ahead of the Imperial Street, crowds thronged, and children ran past laughing, holding windmills.

Yang Shuzi stopped and, facing Yuan Tiangang's retreating figure, spoke in an extremely earnest tone:
"General, the overall situation is now settled, and destiny is clear. The past is tumultuous, and it's difficult to discern right from wrong. Xingyun… while of pure heart, is certainly not the choice of a ruler. Remaining in Jiangnan would only make him a puppet of the powerful, inevitably leading to his demise. All the past events were due to my poor planning and deep-seated obsession as his master; he deserved to die. I only hope that, General… out of consideration for our past relationship, you will ensure his well-being, allowing him a peaceful end and a safe future… If you do this, I can die without regret." Yuan Tiangang finally stopped. He didn't turn back, but stood there, gazing at the bustling crowd ahead.

He stood in the middle of the bustling Imperial Street, with the majestic Imperial City in front of him and the everyday life of the people behind him, completely overlapping with his familiar past, but upon closer reflection, it was already a hundred years ago.

He stood there, silent for a long, long time. The winter sun shone on him, casting a long shadow. The pedestrians around him, who seemed to be divided into two streams by him, all faded into a blurry background.

Uncle Yang simply stood there and waited.

In the end, Yuan Tiangang said nothing. He merely raised his head slightly, glanced at the sky, and then resumed his steps, merging into the bustling crowd. Yang Shuzi watched his retreating figure, sighed softly, and quickly followed.

------

The inner garden of the Prince of Qin's residence.

The underfloor heating kept the bedchamber warm, making it feel like springtime. Xiao Yan awoke from his deep sleep, his mind not yet fully awake, when he first smelled a sweet, warm scent mixed with a woman's fragrance.

He slowly opened his eyes, and the embroidery on the top of the brocade curtain came into view. Turning his head slightly, he saw Bago curled up asleep beside him, her crimson hair spread out on the pillow, her brows and eyes still showing a hint of weariness and contentment, quite different from her usual sharpness. On the other side, Li Cunren was facing away from him, seemingly still fast asleep, her shoulders and back smooth and supple.

Fragments of last night's absurd scenes flashed through his mind, followed by the memory of Bago's bold encouragement of the aloof Li Cunren's passionate and wild encounter. Xiao Yan couldn't help but chuckle, a hint of languid satisfaction on his face. He sat up very quietly, the brocade quilt slipping down to reveal his well-built upper body.

The slightest movement startled Li Cunren from her light sleep. Her body tensed at first, then she realized where she was and who was beside her. That momentary wariness turned into a barely perceptible shyness. She sat up quietly, grabbed the undergarment beside her and put it on, covering her beautiful figure, and then prepared to get out of bed to serve him.

"It's still early, you can rest a little longer," Xiao Yan said softly, leaning against the cushion.

Li Cunren shook her head, her long hair cascading down, making her profile appear even more aloof, though her ears were slightly red. She insisted on getting up, took the casual clothes Xiao Yan was to wear today, and walked to the bedside. Her voice was as calm and even as ever, yet it conveyed absolute obedience: "This concubine will assist Your Highness in changing."

Xiao Yan smiled, said nothing more, and stretched out his arms to cooperate with her movements. Li Cunren lowered her eyes, her movements meticulous, skillfully tying his belt and smoothing out every wrinkle in his robe sleeves. She wore a silk nightgown, and with each movement, her straight, slender legs and full, pert buttocks outlined a perfect silhouette beneath the soft fabric.

Xiao Yan openly admired the beautiful morning scenery, without making any attempt to conceal it. Li Cunren could feel that gaze, and his body stiffened slightly, but he forced himself to remain calm, only his earlobes, which were gradually turning pink, betrayed his inner thoughts.

"What are the plans for today?" Xiao Yan asked casually, letting her serve him.

Li Cunren quickened his pace, tidying up the last outer robe for him, then stepped back, bowed his head, and said, "Your Highness, Prince Chi Li of Zhennan and his wife should arrive in the capital this afternoon. In addition, the Ministry of Rites still needs Your Highness to make a final decision on a few details regarding the ceremonial procession on the day of the grand ceremony."

Xiao Yan nodded: "Mm."

Li Cunren glanced at the sky again, forcing himself to continue despite his weariness: "Breakfast is ready at this hour, and the Princess and Consort should be waiting. Would Your Highness like to send word that you wish to have breakfast together?"

Xiao Yan hummed in agreement, glanced at Bago who was still fast asleep, and gestured to Li Cunren not to wake her. He then reminded Li Cunren that he could continue to rest if he was tired, before walking out. Li Cunren hesitated for a moment, but eventually climbed onto the bed and quickly fell asleep again.

Upon arriving at the flower hall where they were to dine, they found the Empress and Ji Ruxue already seated. The Empress, dressed in casual clothes and without makeup, was sipping her soup. Ji Ruxue had recovered remarkably well after childbirth; her complexion was rosy, and her demeanor was even more gentle and serene. When she saw Xiao Yan enter, she was initially taken aback, but then a natural smile curved her lips.

"Oh dear, my husband has actually woken up." The Empress put down her spoon and smiled teasingly.

"The weather is fine today..." Xiao Yan was completely open and honest. He simply walked over and sat down next to Ji Ruxue, took a hot towel from a maid and wiped his hands, while changing the subject.

Ji Ruxue smiled slightly, gave him a reproachful look, and then had someone bring breakfast to Xiao Yan.

Soon, the wet nurse brought her two sons over.

Li Mingzhao, already able to babble, was staring at her father with wide, bright eyes. Li Dai, still an infant, was fast asleep. Xiao Yan took Aji from him and played with him for a while. The little guy giggled, while the two women simply looked at Xiao Yan tenderly. The flower hall was filled with a warm atmosphere.

Just then, a light footstep sound came from behind them. They looked up and saw Chi Meng fly in like a happy bird. She was wearing a brightly colored dress in the Raojiang style, and the silver ornaments on her body jingled with her movements.

"Little Pot! Princess Consort! Sister Xue'er! I've come to pay my respects to you!"

Have you eaten yet?

"Oh dear, I already ate at Sister Shuli's place," Chi Meng said somewhat embarrassedly. "My sister and I were playing outside when we smelled the delicious aroma coming from their yard..."

Ji Ruxue and the Empress immediately found themselves both amused and exasperated.

As soon as Chi Meng finished speaking, her gaze fell on Aji in Xiao Yan's arms, and she immediately leaned over and asked, "Aji, did you miss your aunt today?" As she spoke, she reached out her finger to tease the child.

Watching them laugh and joke, Xiao Yan suddenly spoke up seemingly casually: "By the way, Chi Meng, you've come at the right time. We have guests today."

"Guest? Who is it?" Chi Meng didn't even look up; her attention was clearly still on Aji.

"They said they came from Raojiang..." Xiao Yan looked at her and just laughed.

Chi Meng's movements froze instantly. She turned her head sharply, her eyes wide, staring at Xiao Yan in disbelief: "From Raojiang? Could it be... my parents?"

Xiao Yan then smiled and nodded: "I reckon we should arrive around this afternoon."

"Really?! My parents are really coming?" Chi Meng jumped up, her face instantly lighting up with immense joy, which quickly turned to annoyance. "Little buddy! Why didn't you tell me sooner! I... I wasn't prepared at all! Oh dear, my hair isn't even combed properly, and I just threw on whatever clothes I had..."

She hurriedly spun around in place, frantically adjusting her clothes and hair accessories.

Seeing this, Ji Ruxue smiled gently and said, "Your husband wanted to give you a surprise. He started arranging it a few days ago, but he was afraid that if you knew too early, you would become anxious. Besides, how could such an important event leave you unprepared? He has already given instructions, so you can rest assured."

The Empress smiled and nodded: "The Prince of Zhennan and the others have come from afar, just in time to attend the ceremony. You haven't seen them in a long time either."

Chi Meng was slightly relieved, but she couldn't hide the excitement and anticipation on her face. She couldn't sit still and kept glancing outside the hall, muttering, "My parents are really something, they didn't even tell me they were coming..." She also scolded Xiao Yan and Ji Ruxue for not telling her sooner.

After finishing their breakfast together, laughing and joking, the Empress suddenly remembered something and was about to speak when she asked, "Husband, about the day of the coronation ceremony..."

Xiao Yan waved his hand, interrupting her: "Today is a rare day of leisure, and the weather is fine. We can discuss those trivial matters later. Pass on my message that everyone in the manor who has nothing major to do today can relax. Our family will go to the ball market outside the city for some fun. I heard from Miao Chengtian that the plum garden is in bloom, so we can go and enjoy the snow scenery."

Chi Meng was the first to cheer. Ji Ruxue was also somewhat tempted and looked at the Empress. The Empress pondered for a moment, then smiled and said, "Very well. We'll do as my husband says." This suggestion was immediately echoed by the surrendered officials and Shuliduo.

Soon, several seemingly ordinary blue-canopied carriages silently drove out from a side gate of the Prince's mansion. The carriages were not overly decorated and had few guards, blending into the crowd and going unnoticed.

Xiao Yan rode in one carriage with the Empress and Ji Ruxue, while Chi Meng, her sister, and Qian Wu rode in another carriage. The surrendered minister, along with Bago and Li Cunren, rode in the carriage behind them. Shuliduo and Aogu rode in the same carriage, so it wasn't crowded at all.

The carriage made a soft clattering sound as it rolled over the stone-paved road. Inside, the carriage was warm and comfortable, with thick blankets and a small hand warmer in the corner. The Empress and Ji Ruxue chatted quietly about everyday matters, while Xiao Yan leaned against the carriage wall, his gaze casually drifting out the window.

As the Lunar New Year approaches, the crowds of people shopping for New Year's goods are denser than usual. All kinds of shops are doing brisk business, and the sounds of hawking, bargaining, and children's laughter can be heard all the time, which makes people feel very at ease.

Xiao Yan's gaze casually swept across the window, passing shops and pedestrians. As the carriage passed a teahouse, his eyes inadvertently fell on an empty seat by the window.

There seemed to have been someone sitting there just moments ago, but now only a rough porcelain teacup remains, perhaps with some tea left at the bottom. The storyteller's voice is coming from inside, mixed with laughter and cheers from the audience.

His gaze lingered on the empty seat for a moment.

The empress beside him keenly noticed his subtle pause. Following his gaze, she saw only the bustling teahouse and the empty seat, and asked softly, "Husband, what are you looking at?"

Xiao Yan withdrew his gaze, turned back, and smiled at the Empress and Ji Ruxue, who was also looking over. His expression was calm and normal, as if it had just been an unconscious glance.

“It’s nothing,” he said gently. “Perhaps I misread it.”

He reached out and adjusted the straps of Ji Ruxue's hood naturally.

The carriage slowly passed the teahouse, leaving the hustle and bustle behind, and headed towards the city gate. Outside the carriage window, the sunlight seemed brighter, shining on the eaves where the snow had not yet melted, reflecting a dappled light.

(End of this chapter)