Chapter 35: A Saint Emerges from the Yang Family
Yang Xing watched as dawn broke and took a deep breath of the morning air.
But no sooner had he inhaled than he began to cough violently.
Yang Zhan looked at the crown prince’s condition and furrowed his brow. “No wonder the emperor no longer wants you as the heir. With your health like this, can you even recover?”
“It’s just the lingering illness from before in Beiji. It won’t kill me anytime soon; it’s nothing serious.”
Then Yang Xing glanced around cautiously before pulling Yang Zhan into the prison cell.
“Second Lord, have we won?”
“I’ve won, but you haven’t.”
“What do you mean? I’m tied to you—if you win, then that means I win too.”
“Perhaps I wasn’t precise enough. I mean I’ve won, but you haven’t fully won yet.”
Yang Xing frowned slightly. “Is there something else I need to do?”
“It’s coming soon!”
“Hm?”
At that moment, the messenger who had summoned the Northern Bureau’s imperial guards entered the dungeon.
“By imperial decree, the crown prince is to enter the palace immediately!”
Yang Xing was surprised and quickly looked at Yang Zhan. “Second Lord, are you coming with me?”
“This is your family affair; I won’t be going.”
Just then, the messenger approached, saw Yang Zhan, and announced, “By imperial decree, General Yang Zhan, Commander of the Garrison Army, is to enter the palace to pay respects!”
“Haha… Second Lord, with you here, damn it, I feel like facing death isn’t such a big deal anymore!”
Glancing at Yang Xing, Yang Zhan muttered two words: “Bad luck!”
Yang Xing heard it but remained undeterred, pulling Yang Zhan along: “Let’s go, let’s go see!”
Yang Zhan gave the messenger a look. “Show me the imperial edict!”
The messenger immediately handed the edict to Yang Zhan.
Yang Zhan examined it, found no problem, and tossed it aside.
“Let’s go!”
Yang Zhan mounted his horse, and the crown prince rode in a sedan chair as they headed to the palace.
Before leaving, Yang Zhan gave some instructions to the Sixth Brother, finally departing with peace of mind.
...
The snow lay thick and white, the sun rose in the east, casting a long shadow of Yang Zhan.
They entered through Xuanwu Gate and proceeded straight to Wende Hall.
Han Zhong allowed only the crown prince to enter; Yang Zhan was stopped outside.
After the crown prince went in, Han Zhong suddenly gestured to a side room. “General Yang, this way please!”
Yang Zhan followed Han Zhong to a nearby room.
He could clearly hear sounds from the adjacent chamber and looked at Han Zhong.
Han Zhong made a shushing gesture, then whispered, “His Majesty arranged this. General Yang will stay here.”
Yang Zhan frowned, unsure what scheme the old man was about to play.
“Father, I barely made it back. Last night was perilous…”
“Enough, stop complaining!”
This was the conversation between Yang Xing and Emperor Yang Wu.
Yang Zhan found it impossible not to overhear; a thin wall was almost no barrier to a soldier like him.
Nearby,
Yang Xing knelt on the floor while the emperor sat in a rocking chair, swaying slightly, his aged face betraying no emotion.
Yang Wu looked at Yang Xing. “Last night, your third brother secretly mobilized the imperial guards and took control of the Wuce Army. What do you think should be done?”
“Of course, Father, the decision is yours. Whatever you decide, I support you.”
“Heh, what if I strip you of your title as crown prince?”
Yang Xing had long come to terms with this: the emperor could take it away easily, and giving it was just as easy.
So he blurted out, “Father, whatever decision you make, I will support and uphold it!”
Yang Wu immediately smashed the nearby wine cup on Yang Xing.
Yang Xing didn’t dare dodge; it struck him directly, yet he did not cry out, only endured it silently.
Yang Wu gave Yang Xing a cold glare. “With your weak demeanor, I really do want to replace you as heir!”
Yang Xing simply shut up, unwilling to utter another word.
After all these years, his father had never looked upon him favorably, which only made Yang Xing feel more helpless and oppressed.
“Look, you’re struck down again without so much as a whimper. Say something!”
“What should I say, Father?”
“You don’t even fight for what’s yours; do you just wait for others to hand it to you?”
“All under heaven belongs to Father. If you give, I receive. If you don’t, I hold no grudge.”
Yang Wu was momentarily stunned. Though the words sounded respectful, Yang Xing’s tone carried a hint of irritation.
Suddenly, Yang Wu smiled. “So you resent me for asking you?”
“Yes. What’s there to ask? Whatever decision Father makes, I don’t care.”
“Heh, after a trip to the dungeon, you’ve become so bold?”
Yang Xing remained silent.
Yang Wu frowned. “Enough. I called you here to ask two questions.”
“Father, please command.”
“Not command. I’m letting you choose.”
“Speak, Father.”
“First, how should we deal with your third brother? I want your choice!”
Yang Wu’s tone grew stern, his authority compelling even Yang Xing to take it seriously.
Yang Xing furrowed his brows, seeming to contemplate.
“Hurry up and speak, say whatever’s on your mind. Whether I accept it is my concern!”
“Then I say this: my third brother’s secret mobilization of the imperial guards and control of the Wuce Army is a grave offense punishable by death!”
At this point, Yang Xing shifted his tone: “But he is my brother, and also Father’s son. How can we shed our own blood? I believe few know of this; by controlling rumors, a light punishment and stern warning will suffice.”
Yang Wu’s face darkened. “Is this your choice?”
“Yes, Father. This is my choice.”
“Is this truly what’s in your heart?”
“It is what I truly feel.”
“Such an opportunity, and you let it slip away?”
Yang Xing looked up at Yang Wu. “Father, I know the opportunity well enough. I only know that family is here. After all these years, whether I remain heir or not, I simply do not want conflict among brothers.”
Yang Wu narrowed his old eyes. “If your third brother had succeeded last night, do you know what that would mean?”
“That I and Yang Zhan would be dead, and no one would stand in his way.”
Yang Wu raised his brow. “And yet you still want to spare your third brother?”
Yang Xing frowned. “Father, my third brother is unfilial, but I cannot be unjust. I am the eldest brother.”
Yang Wu burst out laughing.
“Haha… Our Yang family has produced a sage, impressive!”
Yang Xing detected the sarcasm, but didn’t care. “Father, my third brother hasn’t caused irreversible damage. He only wants to be crown prince. I am willing to yield if he is stronger and more capable!”
“In what way is he stronger than you?” Yang Wu retorted.
Yang Xing replied, “He is healthier. With my health, I don’t know how much longer I’ll live. He is more capable and courageous. Were it me, I would never dare to meddle with the imperial guards and the Wuce Army.”
“Good. Next question!”
“Speak, Father.”
“No matter which one of you ascends the throne, I will clear the path. Therefore, I have decided to kill Yang Zhan!”
Yang Zhan, listening from the next room, was speechless.
This old man must be putting on a show for his benefit.