Chapter 155: Mountain Rain (2)

The joys and sorrows of the world rarely align. While the Qi family was mired in countless misfortunes, others indulged freely in revelry—on the following night, calm and clear without wind or rain, it was time for the new emperor to host a banquet for the Han family’s relatives.

The Han family had changed greatly since its earlier days.

Previously overshadowed by the Qi family in nearly every respect, the Right Vice Premier and his incompetent third brother had now caused a major scandal, dragging the entire Qi clan down with them. Naturally, anyone with a bit of understanding could see that the root of the Qi family’s troubles wasn’t this private debt case—it was their towering status for far too long. As the saying goes, “A tall tree catches much wind.” With the new emperor freshly ascended to the throne, eager to break with the past and assert his authority, it was inevitable that he would target the foundation of their house.

If the Qi family fell, the political landscape of Liang would shift immediately.

The current Empress Dowager was a daughter of the Han family, and the new emperor himself bore half Han blood. The Han clan, one of the four great surnames, was already prestigious, but now they stood on the brink of unparalleled glory. If the Qi family were to crumble into dust, the Hans would rise to become the new preeminent family of Jiangzuo.

This clan might stand even firmer than the Qi family ever did, for they held military power. General Han Shouye alone commanded an army of 500,000 and controlled Jiankang’s defenses. After the Northern Campaign, he had been promoted and honored beyond measure, envied by all.

That night, in a side hall of the Liang Palace, the emperor hosted a banquet for the Han family. Music filled the air as ruler and subjects mingled harmoniously. The Empress Dowager and Princess Liuyu were also present.

All those seated shared Han blood, making this more of a family gathering than a formal court banquet. The Empress Dowager, who had received much support from her natal family during her years in the palace, naturally maintained close ties with them. Upon her son ascending the throne, she hadn’t forgotten to elevate her family members in gratitude. Thus, the banquet was a joyous affair, pleasing to everyone present.

General Han Shouye, who had always enjoyed drinking, felt particularly elated now. His high spirits stemmed partly from his achievements in the Northern Campaign, but more so from the downfall of the Qi family.

For years, the military had been constrained by the Privy Council , forcing him—a first-rank general—to bow to Qi Ying, a mere second-rank minister! How absurd! Though Qi Jingchen had always treated him courteously, when it came to military matters, he ruled with an iron hand. Back then, he had enforced a ban on war unilaterally and even publicly executed one of Han Shouye’s protégés, Jiang Yong! He hadn’t forgotten that humiliation!

Hmph! That Qi Jingchen thought himself superior, but he was nothing special! Could the Northern Campaign not have succeeded without him? Others only flattered him out of deference to the Qi family’s influence—who took him seriously? Even without Qi Jingchen, the Northern Campaign would still have triumphed!

Such arrogance—how could he possibly be relied upon?

Now, with the family he depended on facing imminent ruin, how long could he stand alone? Let everyone see! Without his family’s backing, Qi Jingchen was just an ordinary man—nothing extraordinary about him!

Han Shouye reveled in schadenfreude, as if the moment Qi Ying fell, all his accomplishments would automatically be transferred to him. Now, day and night, he eagerly awaited swift action from the Chief Justice. He hoped for a verdict by morning, one that would crush the Qi family in public, leaving them no chance to rise again!

Drunk and carried away, he began to beat rhythm on his cup with chopsticks and sing loudly. Most of the Han clan members were equally intoxicated, clapping and laughing along as if impatiently waiting for the Qi family’s collapse, ready to pounce like wolves and devour their wealth and power—just as they had done to the Shen family years ago.

Lord Han Shousong, unlike his brother, didn’t indulge in drink. One of the few sober individuals in the hall, he intended to caution his elder brother against such unrestrained behavior before the emperor. Though the emperor shared Han blood, the distinction between ruler and subject remained. Things couldn’t be as casual as before his ascension.

He discreetly tugged at Han Shouye’s sleeve, then bowed apologetically to the emperor, explaining that the general’s conduct stemmed from excessive drinking and asking for the emperor’s forgiveness.

The emperor laughed carefree, his peach-blossom eyes brimming with amusement, seemingly drunk himself. Raising his cup, he dismissed the matter lightly. The Empress Dowager, too, smiled gently, addressing her clansman: “We are family; there’s no need for such formality. This is merely a family feast—relax.”

The Han clan laughed in response, and Han Shouye shot a smug glance at his younger brother, mocking his cautiousness, before resuming his song.

Seeing this, Han Shousong said no more.

After the banquet, the emperor retired to his chambers.

When the emperor left the hall, he appeared thoroughly drunk, but once away from prying eyes, his steps were steady—he wasn’t truly intoxicated. Those peach-blossom eyes, which had seemed so exuberant in the hall, now turned cold and weary.

Midway through the walk, Su Ping, accompanying the emperor, heard hurried footsteps behind them. Turning, he saw it was Princess Liuyu.

The princess had been visibly despondent throughout the banquet, and now, with no outsiders around, her face was grim as she rushed after her imperial brother, clearly intent on causing a scene.

Before Su Ping could seek the emperor’s instructions, the emperor sighed and addressed the attendants and guards: “All of you withdraw. I will walk with the princess.”

Su Ping had served three generations of Liang emperors and was well-versed in these nuances. He could guess what the princess wished to discuss with the emperor and understood that His Majesty didn’t want their conversation overheard. Thus, he promptly and respectfully led the attendants away, ensuring they were out of earshot while remaining close enough to assist if needed.

A true master of tact.

No sooner had this tactful flower retreated than Xiao Ziyu lost control, standing before her brother with furrowed brows and a deathly pale face, looking utterly exhausted and miserable.

Under the spring moonlight of Jiankang, Xiao Ziteng examined her closely, sighed, and said, “I noticed you barely ate anything during the banquet—no wonder you look so unwell. Why have you let yourself become like this?”

Xiao Ziyu remained silent for a long time, tears pooling in her eyes as she stared directly at her brother. Her peach-blossom eyes, so similar to Xiao Ziteng’s, brimmed with sorrow. After a long pause, she whispered, “Why do you think I’m like this, Brother? Don’t you know?”

Xiao Ziteng’s brows furrowed.

How could he not know? She was his only sister, his full-blood sibling, and they had grown up together. Of course, he understood her thoughts. Besides, her feelings were so transparent—even a stranger could see through them. Who else but Qi Jingchen could cause her such anguish?

Xiao Ziyu sniffled, then cautiously reached out to grasp the sleeve of her brother’s dragon robe, tears streaming down her face as she asked, “Brother… are you going to kill him?”

She didn’t call him “Imperial Brother” or address him as “Your Majesty.” She called him simply “Brother.”

It was an intimate term. As a child, she had always felt that calling him “Fourth Brother” set him apart from the others—they were siblings of the same mother, closer than with anyone else. Calling him “Imperial Brother” felt too generic. The Second Prince was an Imperial Brother, the Third Prince was an Imperial Brother—all of them were her Imperial Brothers.

But Xiao Ziteng—he was her real brother.

She wanted to call him “Brother.”

Her most trusted brother.

Xiao Ziteng understood the implications behind this title, laced with pleading and sorrow, which stirred a faint irritation within him.

His brows furrowed tighter, and he responded with silence instead of words.

How could Xiao Ziyu not understand his meaning? Tears spilled faster, and she sobbed almost breathlessly, choking out, “Why? Why must you kill him? He’s a pillar of the state! He’s achieved so much for the Liang Dynasty… Even if you fear his family, can’t you acknowledge his contributions?”

“You grew up together… He was your study companion—you were friends, weren’t you?”

Friends?

At the mention of this word, Xiao Ziteng’s expression shifted, his eyes taking on a distant, vacant look.

Though not completely drunk, he had consumed quite a bit of wine, leaving him slightly tipsy. Hearing the word “friends” now evoked a sense of disorientation and nostalgia.

Friends…

Yes, he and Qi Ying had indeed once been friends.

In truth, he had admired him greatly. After all, who wouldn’t admire someone like Qi Ying? Brilliant yet uninterested in contention, dignified yet approachable—he naturally won everyone’s favor. They had spent their youth together in the palace, studying books, practicing calligraphy, debating classics, and envisioning the grand campaigns of the north. Together, they had watched the changing seasons in the imperial gardens and dreamed of conquests while poring over historical texts.

They had been like-minded friends.

But as they grew older, they gradually became aware of their differing positions. Sometimes, it wasn’t personal—it was their roles that forced them into opposition.

His family was too powerful, exceeding the bounds of a subject’s duty, making the sovereign restless. For decades, his father had never known a single day of peace. Every decision required deference to the influential families, and though they outwardly submitted to him, it felt like mockery of his impotence.

Once the proud ruler of Jiangzuo, he had been reduced to servitude.

How could anyone endure such humiliation?

He had watched his father grow increasingly frail, eventually resorting to substances like Five-Stone Powder to numb his pain, letting both body and mind rot away until they were beyond repair.

—He hadn’t wanted that either. But trapped and unable to find an escape, he had succumbed to despair. It was an act of helplessness.

Now, as the new emperor of Liang, if he didn’t act decisively to break free, the noble families would constrain him just as they had his father—and perhaps even worse. Human nature was inherently greedy; the families would only grow more audacious, ultimately devouring the royal lineage until nothing remained.

This was a life-and-death struggle. Any hint of leniency would invite disaster. If he didn’t strike first, the ones who perished might be him—or his descendants.

He couldn’t retreat, show weakness, or waver.

He had to eliminate Qi Ying. He had devised a plan to ensure Qi Ying would never recover. In a few days, under the watchful eyes of all, he would leave him no room to escape. He had already ordered the Privy Council to secretly surround the Qi residence. Qi Jingchen was now like a fish out of water, unable to send a single message from the main house. No matter how clever or resourceful he was, without any pieces to play, he couldn’t turn defeat into victory.

He wouldn’t give him any chance. He intended to utterly annihilate the Qi family.

There would be no turning back.