Chapter 324: Trampling

The Autumn Hunt concluded, followed by a grand banquet for the ministers and the subsequent routine conferral of rewards.

Wei Yuan ranked first in the Autumn Hunt and was rewarded with gold and silver as per custom; the Prince of Jin then bestowed upon him a precious sword. This sword was merely a supreme-rank magic treasure, yet it carried significant implications—for instance, seeing the sword was akin to seeing the Prince of Jin, it granted the right to execute before reporting, the authority to behead officials, and so on. Of course, if Wei Yuan truly believed all that, it would be his own problem.

Although the Prince of Wei's entire force had been wiped out, he had managed to open a treasure vault and happened to obtain a sliver of national destiny, which made his complexion look much healthier. After all, among the three princes, only he had gained a bit of national destiny; though it was not much, it was enough to make a point.

The remaining rankings of the Autumn Hunt were Lu Wenbai, Military Governor of Yunxiang, in second place, and the Fifth Prince, the Prince of Wei, in third.

With the Autumn Hunt over, Wei Yuan had effectively had his audience with the Emperor. At this moment, he was still quite a distance from the Hall of State Affairs; he was not yet qualified to participate in true military and state matters, nor did he even have the clearance to hear confidential information. Therefore, after the Prince of Jin's grand banquet for the ministers, Wei Yuan prepared to pack up and set off to return to the realm.

Currently, he was draped in national destiny like a spiderweb, feeling entirely uncomfortable all over, and urgently needed to return to the realm to let the Azure Void wash it away.

Just then, Liu Quangong, the Chief Eunuch of the Ceremonial Department, arrived at the post house and said to Wei Yuan, "The Imperial Consort summons you!"

Wei Yuan immediately bathed and changed according to the etiquette of Jin, quickly tidied himself up, and followed Liu Quangong into the palace. The two boarded a specialized carriage and sat opposite each other.

This was Wei Yuan's first close-range encounter with this leader of the current eunuch faction, the grand eunuch who held power for a time. Liu Quangong's face was delicate and fair, quite scholarly, with long eyebrows and narrow eyes, possessing an air of kindness and benevolence; apart from that, he looked entirely like an ordinary person.

If one did not know the history of Western Jin, just by looking at him, one would never imagine that two major cases thirty years ago, involving over ten thousand people, were both his doing.

On the way into the palace, Wei Yuan openly slipped him a box of immortal silver and asked, "To summon me into the palace, sending a minor official would have sufficed; why trouble yourself, Eunuch Liu?"

Liu Quangong gestured with his sleeve, and the immortal silver vanished, completely devoid of any worldly trace. He then smiled and said, "Military Governor Wei's status is different now; you are tied to the safety of the state, so it is only right that I run this errand. The Wang Cheng has not been peaceful these past few days, with many petty villains waiting for an opportunity to act, so I must guard this road personally to be at ease."

Wei Yuan probed, "What kind of petty villains are so rampant as to dare cause trouble in the Wang Cheng?"

"None other than those few factions of rebels."

Which rebels? Liu Quangong's words were as good as saying nothing. At this moment, the Northern Liao army was pressing on the border, yet Western Jin was stable internally, and Wei Yuan had never heard of any large-scale rebels.

The carriage was both steady and fast, and soon reached the palace city. Upon entering the palace gate, Liu Quangong got off the carriage and left on his own, and the carriage continued to carry Wei Yuan to the Chunhua Hall. This Chief Eunuch really only escorted him from the post house to the palace city gate.

The carriage stopped at the gate of the inner and outer royal palace, where maids were already waiting. They led Wei Yuan into the inner palace, walking through corridors and across bridges until they arrived at Chunhua Hall.

Chunhua Hall was built with glazed bricks, and faint firelight could be seen circulating underneath; the brick surface was slightly warm, which felt indescribably comfortable to walk upon in this deep autumn season heavy with chill.

Wei Yuan kept his head down the entire way, not daring to look around, and was led into the hall. He then knelt on one knee and said, "Subject Wei Yuan pays respects to Imperial Consort Yuan."

"Raise your head."

The voice from above was familiar, but at this moment it sounded cold and lofty, as if standing atop a snow-capped mountain, carrying a different flavor when heard.

Wei Yuan looked up and saw Imperial Consort Yuan sitting composedly on the throne.

She wore a dress embroidered with a phoenix dancing in the nine heavens, with clouds and immortal mountains as the base, adorned with all kinds of gemstones and pearls. Every single pearl and gem was an indispensable part of the entire pattern, and despite the dazzling brilliance, it did not appear ostentatious in the slightest.

It might also be because it was worn by Imperial Consort Yuan.

The throne was equally magnificent, as if every exposed spot had been inlaid with pearls and gems. Wearing such a dress and sitting on such a throne, Imperial Consort Yuan looked as if she were sitting on a small mountain piled with pearls and gems.

This should have been a vulgar scene, but with her there, it seemed it ought to be so. Only these mountain-like jewels could match her appearance.

However, according to the Tang etiquette Wei Yuan had learned, everything in this hall was in violation of regulations.

Before Wei Yuan could look closely, he suddenly felt a sharp, restrained aura, which actually came from the maids. There was a maid standing on each side of Imperial Consort Yuan's throne; at first glance, they looked like ordinary people, but Wei Yuan felt an inexplicable pressure—they were actually Dharma Form cultivators.

Just as Wei Yuan raised his head and before Imperial Consort Yuan could speak, he heard a crisp child's voice from the side: "Mother! I just wrote a piece of calligraphy, take a look and see if it's good!"

A small figure ignored the obstruction of the eunuchs and maids and rushed into Chunhua Hall; it was the Little Prince of Fu. He held a piece of paper with ink not yet dry and said excitedly, "I wrote this based on my insights from practicing our family's 'World-Suppressing Heart Sutra'; take a look and see how my understanding is?"

Imperial Consort Yuan sat still and said, "It's passable; let your Uncle Wei have a look."

The Little Prince of Fu glanced at Wei Yuan and said, "He's just a barbarian, what does he know about calligraphy?"

With a *swish*, the Little Prince of Fu retracted the paper, glared fiercely at Wei Yuan, and ran off.

Wei Yuan saw the expression in that glance clearly: hatred, resentment, grievance, and humiliation, all present. It was hard to imagine a child having such clear and intense hatred.

However, born into the royal family with a mother from the Zhao Guo royal clan and holding positions in both the Lu and Li factions, the Little Prince of Fu lacked neither cultivation techniques nor refinement, so precociousness was to be expected. Back during the general examinations, Bao Yun and Li Zhi were already capable of forming alliances and strategizing.

Wei Yuan suddenly realized that the Little Prince of Fu's glance also contained a warning.

But what was he warning him about? The restrictions of the Western Jin palace were not strict; Imperial Consort Yuan often summoned ministers in Chunhua Hall, and besides, the Queen and other imperial consorts often did similar things.

However, ever since Imperial Consort Yuan and the Queen became like fire and water, no one went to the palace to see the Queen, lest they be targeted by Imperial Consort Yuan.

Since visiting the palace was not a problem, why did the Little Prince of Fu still need to warn him? Wei Yuan's thoughts moved like lightning, quickly pondering: was it because he had outperformed him in the Autumn Hunt? But that matter was mainly the fault of the Little Prince of Fu's own chosen people being too useless.

Apart from that, Wei Yuan and the Little Prince of Fu had never even met; he really couldn't think of why he would dislike him. Could it be that, like himself, he just simply didn't like the look of the other person?

While he was lost in thought, Wei Yuan heard Imperial Consort Yuan ask, "What does Official Wei think of this child of mine?"

"Smart and clever, with world-shaking talent!" Wei Yuan said immediately.

Imperial Consort Yuan covered her mouth and chuckled, saying, "Since Official Wei likes him so much, why not have him take you as his godfather, and listen to your teachings at all times in the future?"

Wei Yuan was shocked; spending days and nights with a brat—could there be a more terrifying nightmare than this?

"This subject is shallow in learning! No, I am unlearned and unskilled! With my barbarian habits, I truly dare not mislead the youth! I beg the Imperial Consort to invite someone more capable!" Wei Yuan spoke so urgently and quickly that he was almost babbling.

Imperial Consort Yuan laughed out loud and said, "Remember to speak properly in the future; don't speak without thinking, and don't spout nonsense with your eyes open."

Wei Yuan's forehead broke into a sweat, and he hurriedly agreed. He feared nothing else, but this move by Imperial Consort Yuan truly gripped his fatal weakness. "Actually, the main reason I summoned you into the palace this time is that I was curious and wanted to see what kind of person Official Wei, the 'Xuan Wei San-Shot' who can soar into the sky, really is. Seeing you today, your demeanor is indeed extraordinary."

Xuan Wei San-Shot?

Wei Yuan was a bit confused; this title should refer to him, but why were the maids laughing so strangely? However, the title "Three-Shot" was a bit inaccurate; he only needed one shot to kill the enemy. "Plum blossoms blooming twice" was one shot, and "a pear tree pressing down on the begonia" was also one shot.

"Before handling official business, we must first deal with some loose ends." Imperial Consort Yuan turned her head slightly and asked, "How did the Prince of Fu get in? Who is looking after him now?"

The maid said, "Replying to the Consort, it is Eunuch Wang, who was just changed the day before yesterday."

"Bring him here."

A moment later, an old eunuch entered Chunhua Hall and knelt on the ground as soon as he entered. He looked to be in his fifties, with half-white sideburns and Dao Foundation cultivation. Judging by his attire, his rank was not low.

Imperial Consort Yuan picked up the soup bowl beside her, took a light sip, and said, "The Prince of Fu trespassed into Chunhua Hall; was it instigated by you?"

The old eunuch was shocked: "How would this old slave dare?! Wasn't the Prince of Fu able to enter Chunhua Hall at any time in the past? This old slave just..."

Before he could finish his words, a maid directly sealed his mouth with magic power and shouted, "Answer only what you are asked; trying to be clever in front of the Consort, are you tired of living?"

Imperial Consort Yuan gently closed the bowl lid, making a *ding* sound, and said, "The Prince of Fu is still young, and in the past, the Great King spoiled him too much, so it is inevitable that he is a bit arrogant. You people who follow him, you all indulge his temperament; do you want to be favored officials by his side in the future, or are you intentionally guiding him, wanting him to act recklessly, commit a major mistake, and be eliminated early?"

The old eunuch was terrified beyond measure and wanted to defend himself, but his mouth was sealed shut, and he couldn't say a word, so he could only kowtow repeatedly.

!.

Imperial Consort Yuan put down the soup bowl and said indifferently, "Sink him in the pond."

The maid flashed behind the old eunuch, picked him up like a chick, and asked, "Which pond should I sink him in?"

"The water in Consort Dai's palace is clear; sink him there."

The maid's figure flickered and disappeared, reappearing behind Imperial Consort Yuan a few breaths later. If Wei Yuan hadn't seen the whole process with his own eyes, he would find it hard to believe that a eunuch could just vanish in the blink of an eye.

Imperial Consort Yuan said calmly, "The palace is actually filled with hidden daggers and swords everywhere. Some people see this child is favored, and these years the Crown Prince has been somewhat frustrated and repeatedly reprimanded by the Great King, so they set their sights on him. Actually, anyone who knows a bit of the inside story should know that if one wants to place a bet, one should bet on the Fifth Prince. You read Jin history as soon as you entered the city; clearly, you are a restless one, so you should be clear on this point."

"This subject is very restless! Very restless!" Wei Yuan hurriedly defended himself; Imperial Consort Yuan's evaluation of him must not spread outside.

The Prince of Wei was the fifth in line, so in Imperial Consort Yuan's words, he was the Fifth Prince.

It could be said that before entering the capital, Wei Yuan was still light and easy, able to attack or defend, and could pull out and leave at any time, at worst fighting another battle with Yue Jinshan's Northern Border Iron Cavalry. But now, with a body full of Jin national destiny, he was truly going to overcome the difficult times together with the state.

With a heavy responsibility on his shoulders, Wei Yuan restrained himself a lot and was no longer as flamboyant as before.

Imperial Consort Yuan ignored Wei Yuan's self-cleansing and continued, "Actually, just think about it, what kind of people would place their bets on Fu'er? Apart from those few idlers by my side, they are just those who can't even squeeze through the Fifth Prince's gate. Hehe, the Fifth Prince's threshold is much lower than the Crown Prince's."

Wei Yuan heard a hint of bitterness behind Imperial Consort Yuan's calm voice. When he first arrived in the Western Regions, if one were to talk about factions in Western Jin, there was no such faction as the maternal relatives at all.

It was only after Sun Chaoen acted as a go-between and Wei Yuan joined that they could barely be considered a faction, and that was only after wiping out all ten thousand of Yue Jinshan's iron cavalry.

As a result, after joining, Wei Yuan discovered that the only people of weight among the maternal relatives were Imperial Consort Yuan and himself; as for Sun Chaoen, he was a member of the pure stream, with a bright future and a good reputation, so he naturally wouldn't lower himself to associate with Wei Yuan.

Imperial Consort Yuan sighed lightly and said, "This child always feels that everything of mine will naturally be his in the future, and coupled with being spoiled too much, he is becoming harder and harder to discipline, so the best way..."

Wei Yuan instantly felt something was wrong and made up his mind never to respond.

"... is naturally to have another one."

Wei Yuan had originally breathed a sigh of relief, but upon second thought, the more he thought about it, the more wrong it felt.

"Alright, it's time to handle official business." Imperial Consort Yuan stood up gracefully and came before Wei Yuan, suddenly her skirt flew up, revealing a round, snow-white leg, and she kicked Wei Yuan over, then stepped on him!

She was actually wearing no shoes or socks, and after being stepped on, the first thought that arose in Wei Yuan's mind was: so soft.

Imperial Consort Yuan's legs were slender and round, white as if glowing, like they were carved from warm jade. Wei Yuan looked up along her legs and suddenly discovered that, if one didn't count this outer skirt, she was actually back to the beginning of life, the moment of birth.

This was too sudden, and Wei Yuan was stunned for a moment: there were still two maids nearby, and countless palace maids and eunuchs outside the hall!

Wei Yuan had to lower his voice, struggling while exclaiming in surprise: "In broad daylight, in full view of everyone, this, how can this be..."

At this moment, the skirt fluttered, the heavenly phoenix soared, the tail feathers and wingtips brought up points of brilliance, and layers of immortal mountains spilled open, turning into water-colored azure, like the prosperity of this life, slowly falling, covering Wei Yuan.

The sun set behind the western mountains.

The doors of Chunhua Hall opened, and Wei Yuan walked out from the hall, stepping into thin air as he went down the steps, stumbling and almost falling. Fortunately, he was quick-eyed and fast-handed, grabbing a corridor pillar, so he didn't make a fool of himself.

The cold, icy voice of Imperial Consort Yuan sounded from the hall: "Help Official Wei out."

Night fell, and Wei Yuan returned to his residence at the post house, sitting down slowly. The lamp was not far away, but he didn't even want to lift his hand.

At this time, an official from the post house came to report that someone was asking to see him. Wei Yuan barely mustered a trace of Dao power, pointed his finger, and lit the lamp in the room.

An old Confucian scholar paced into the room. As soon as Wei Yuan saw him, he felt a bit guilty and hurriedly pulled himself together, respectfully letting him into the room.

This old gentleman was the great Confucian who had accompanied Princess Ningguo on her mission that day; he had originally wanted to test Wei Yuan, but in the end, he was tested until he had only his underpants left. At that time, Wei Yuan was wearing the identity of a horse bandit, so he was naturally unscrupulous; now that he suddenly saw the victim, how could he not feel guilty?

The old gentleman looked Wei Yuan up and down, stroked his beard, and smiled: "The waves of the great river push the waves ahead. Official Wei is young and promising, with superb riding skills; this old man truly admires you."

Wei Yuan's old face flushed slightly; this was mocking him for impersonating a horse bandit.

Fortunately, the old gentleman did not push it too far. After a light, understated mockery, his expression turned serious, and he said: "This old man comes here entrusted by Princess Ningguo, to invite you to her mansion for a candlelit night talk!"

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 325 =====