Firmament Sword

By the time he left the teahouse, the sky had grown completely dark. The carriage waited quietly to the side.

The entire street was deserted!

A gust of night wind blew, and Wei Feng, drenched in a cold sweat, shivered violently. He quickly climbed into the carriage and commanded in a low voice, ”To the palace.”

”My lord... it’s so late.” The driver had been Wei Feng’s confidant and bodyguard for many years. He appeared to be an unremarkable, shabby old man, but in reality, his strength was astonishing.

Otherwise, Wei Feng would never have dared to come to a place like this accompanied by only one person.

”Go.” Wei Feng offered no explanation, his heart burning with anxiety as he uttered a single word.

”As you command.” The driver was fiercely loyal. His previous remark had just been a reminder for his lord. Since his lord had things under control, he had nothing more to say. ’After all, my lord is far more intelligent than I am.’

The driver fell silent and steered the carriage steadily, weaving through one narrow alley after another. Even if someone were following, they would never be able to guess the carriage’s destination.

...

It was deep into the night, but the Emperor had not yet retired. He sat in the Imperial Study, quietly reading several battle reports.

After a long while, he murmured to himself, ’Xu Luo, you little rascal, you’ve really given me a conundrum! Must I... must I really place a boy who has yet to come of age in the imperial court, making him stand with a bunch of decrepit old codgers? Wouldn’t that just be ruining you?’

’When you were young, you were frail, and I looked down on you, taking quite a disliking to you. Now you have transformed your body and revealed your exceptional qualities. I will, of course, treat you fairly. But this excellence of yours is nothing short of breathtaking genius. To be so flawless at such a young age... you’re practically defying the heavens!’

’That being the case, I am not the kind of monarch who is jealous of the worthy. My heart... is vast enough to contain the entire world! My ambition is to conquer a vast territory! If you truly have that ability, then why shouldn’t I give you this stage?’

’That boy Chongzhi also performed exceptionally well this time. He was composed, calm, and steady. He must be rewarded as well.’

’The other boys also did well. The Mechanical Skill that the Champion Marquis scoffs at day in and day out was a huge help to him this time. When he returns to court victorious, I must have a good laugh at his expense!’

’But what surprised me most was you, you little rascal, Xu Luo. Even your two older brothers, Chongzhi and Xu Jie, are now willing to rally around you...’

Just then, a eunuch knocked softly on the door, entered, and whispered a few words in the Emperor’s ear.

The Emperor raised an eyebrow, a playful and peculiar smile gracing his face. ”Let him in,” he said.

As he spoke, he casually gathered the battle reports from his desk and put them away.

”Your Majesty, this guilty subject has come at this late hour, disturbing Your Majesty’s rest. I truly deserve ten thousand deaths...”

His voice preceded him.

It was Wei Feng’s low voice, coming from outside the door.

The Emperor said coolly, ”Since you’re already here, come in and speak.”

The door opened, and Wei Feng walked into the Imperial Study, his face haggard. Without a word, he dropped to the ground with a THUD, kneeling. Tears welled in his eyes, and his voice was choked and trembling. ”Your Majesty, this guilty subject has sinned! This guilty subject was wrong! This guilty subject... deserves ten thousand deaths!”

The Emperor frowned. ”Prime Minister Wei, what is this performance all about?”

”Your Majesty, your subject deserves to die! I mistakenly trusted that damned little beast I have for a son. When I returned home, I thought it over and over. That little beast was spoiled rotten by my late wife since childhood. He’s arrogant and dissolute, and has made many mistakes. I was remiss in my duty to discipline him, always thinking that a profligate youth would eventually mature...”

”I never imagined that beast would become so audacious as to do anything, even daring to fake military merits! SOB... In court today, I was merely putting on a brave face, trying not to lose my dignity. After all, it matters not if I lose face, but I am the Prime Minister, appointed by Your Majesty. I cannot allow Your Majesty to lose face as well!”

”When I returned home, I was terrified. I know exactly what kind of person my son—that beast—is. Xu Luo, the second son of the Grand General of National Guardian, is a man of outstanding character and integrity. Though I dislike the Xu Family and Xu Luo himself, I must speak justly: this military achievement must belong to Xu Luo and his men!”

”Your Majesty, in years past, I followed you every step of the way. You did not forsake me, and I rose to the highest rank a subject can hold. Yet I have failed to properly repay Your Majesty’s grace, and have instead raised such a monstrous son... SOB... Your Majesty, please punish me! I will accept life or death without complaint. I only ask... I only ask that Your Majesty, for the sake of... our many years of camaraderie, spare my worthless son’s life. As wretched as he is, he is still my blood. He may deserve to die, but I... I cannot let the Wei Family’s... bloodline end!”

Wei Feng spoke through heart-wrenching sobs, his face a mess of tears and mucus. He was a picture of utter misery.

”Prime Minister Wei, why do you insist on this? I have already said we will set this matter aside for now. As for right and wrong, merits and faults, we will wait for the young men to return and let them confront each other. You are a pillar of this nation. Seeing you cry like this, anyone who didn’t know better would think I was bullying you!” Seeing Wei Feng’s display, the Emperor was inwardly greatly relieved and offered words of comfort.

But Wei Feng shook his head desperately, crying, ”Your Majesty, this must be my son’s fault! If they were to confront each other in court, how could my son possibly survive? Your Majesty, I beg you! For the sake of all the years of toil, if not meritorious service, that Xiaowei has given you, please spare my son just this once! As for Xiaowei, Your Majesty may dispose of me as you see fit!”

”Xiaowei...” Huangfu Haoran froze when he heard the name. He was stunned for a long moment. A flicker of warmth appeared in his eyes as images from long ago surfaced in his mind.

These memories were ancient, on the verge of being sealed away by dust.

Back then, he was still a Prince. Many of the eunuchs in the palace were called things like ”Xiaoshunzi” or ”Xiaodezi.” In any case, many eunuchs had names that ended with the character ”zi.”

The Huangfu Haoran of the past had also been quite mischievous, fond of giving people nicknames. His classmate and best friend, Wei Feng, was certainly not spared.

And so, he gave Wei Feng the nickname Xiaowei...

He remembered how Wei Feng had been extremely sensitive to that name back in the day. He had protested more than once, but his protests were always in vain.

Later, the Prince became the Emperor, and the name Xiaowei, of course, could no longer be used. Thus, even Huangfu Haoran himself had almost forgotten this nickname, long buried in the depths of his memory.

Now, hearing Wei Feng bring it up himself, the sudden memory of their lost youth and friendship made Huangfu Haoran’s eyes redden slightly.

”AHEM...” He suppressed his emotions, not wanting to lose his imperial dignity. Taking a deep breath, he looked at Wei Feng and said, ”You... Oh, you... Fine! At the morning assembly three days from now, submit a memorial of apology yourself. Just say... hmm, just say that boy of yours was also deceived by his subordinates...”

”As for you, your service has been long and your contributions, great. You have shared so many of my burdens over the years. You’ve grown old... and so have I. Making a few mistakes for the sake of one’s children is forgivable. How... how could I blame you? How could I have the heart to blame you? Look at the state you’re in...”

As he spoke, the Emperor stood and tossed a handkerchief over. ”Wipe your face, will you? To think you’re a First Grade official of the court. Is this not embarrassing for you?”

Wei Feng fumbled to catch the handkerchief, but then carefully tucked it into his robes. He raised his own sleeve, wiped his face messily, and said with a choked laugh, ”In Your Majesty’s presence, what’s there to be embarrassed about? It’s not as if Xiaowei hasn’t done far more embarrassing things in the past...”

Recalling some of their absurd youthful antics, the Emperor couldn’t help but shake his head with a light chuckle. ”It was good to be young, wasn’t it,” he murmured.

”Your Majesty is in the prime of your life. How can you say something so saddening to hear? It is I who has grown old,” Wei Feng said with a sigh as he got to his feet.

”I remember saying it myself back then: ’Should we achieve wealth and status, we shall not forget one another.’ As long as I am here, your position is unshakeable! That’s what I said, wasn’t it?”

”I have no way to repay the grace Your Majesty has shown me...”

”How could I not know of your loyalty? Back when I was just a Prince, you followed me with unwavering loyalty, doing so much for me. I remember it all!”

”Your Majesty!” Wei Feng’s voice was choked with emotion once more.

”All right, stop crying. If you keep on, you’ll spoil my mood too, you old man,” the Emperor said with a sense of resignation. ”Rest assured, I always keep my word. It is late. You should head back and rest.”

”Yes. This old servant... takes his leave!” Wei Feng gave the Emperor a deep bow and respectfully exited the room.

After gazing at the night sky for a long while, Wei Feng finally let out a long breath and walked away with a light spring in his step.

Back in the Imperial Study, the Emperor sat in silence, a wry smile on his face as he murmured, ’You cunning old fox. Your words even managed to stir my heart. Clever you! For the sake of your loyalty... I’ll let you off this time.’

With that, the Emperor, a man in the prime of his life, rose and paced lightly within the Imperial Study. An intensely cold light flashed in his eyes as he whispered, ’Xiaoliu, oh Xiaoliu, do you really think the people by my side are yours to win over?’

...

”My lord, is everything all right now?” the driver asked softly on the return journey.

To an outsider, the difference in status between Wei Feng and his driver was as vast as heaven and earth, but in reality, the two men shared an incredibly strong bond.

Thus, Wei Feng hid almost nothing from this driver, whom others saw as a man of low station.

He, Wei Feng, wielded power over the entire court, but it was lonely at the top. Who could possibly understand the pain of being unable to speak one’s mind?

”Everything is fine now. Later, find a few people to let the Crown Prince know... about these events. Understand?” Wei Feng said with casual ease from inside the carriage.

He trusted his driver’s abilities; there was no chance anyone could eavesdrop on their conversation.

”Yes. Rest assured, my lord, I will handle it well.” After speaking, the driver fell silent and focused his complete attention on driving.