The Child Emperor-Chapter 249: Prince Donghai’s Night

Prince Donghai acted slightly later than the Champion Marquis. While soldiers were ransacking the Chief Commander’s Office, Prince Donghai was just preparing to depart. Before leaving, he asked the fate seer Lin Kunshan, “How about it? Read my fortune?”

Lin Kunshan smiled and shook his head, “A fate seer is not a fortune teller.”

“Then read my fate.”

Lin Kunshan seriously looked at the top of Prince Donghai’s head for a while, raising his hand and waving it gently, as if stirring some invisible current.

Prince Donghai laughed, “Not bad, quite impressive. When you return to the pugilist world, you can make a living with this.”

Lin Kunshan lowered his arm and smiled, “The aura above Prince Donghai’s head appears somewhat tangled. Would you like me to clear it for you?”

Prince Donghai raised his hand to cover his head, “Let it stay as it is, consider it a new style of helmet. Haha.”

Prince Donghai walked out of the room laughing, looking at the five members of the Tan family, “How is it?”

Tan Ye, Prince Donghai’s wife’s brother was the one who made major decisions for the Tan family although there was still their father above him. He stepped forward and said, “There’s no problem with the Champion Marquis. His reaction might be slightly delayed, but he definitely won’t last through tonight. Tan Diao is watching the palace situation, news should arrive soon.”

Prince Donghai took a deep breath, “Keep an eye on this fate seer, don’t let him escape. Fate seers specialize in bewitching people’s hearts. After I ascend the throne, such people cannot be allowed to live.”

“Rest assured, he won’t escape.”

Prince Donghai was fairly satisfied, “It’s spring already, but the nights are still a bit cold.”

Tan Ye waved his hand, and someone went to the side room, quickly returning with a thick cloak. Tan Ye stepped forward and personally helped his brother-in-law put it on and fastened it. Prince Donghai smiled, grabbed both sides of the cloak, wrapped most of his body, but still felt a bit cold.

“Han Ruzi hasn’t returned to the Capital, right?”

“We believe…”

“No, no, I don’t want belief. Has anyone seen him?”

Tan Ye hesitated for a moment, shaking his head, “Someone saw the Weary Marquis leave the city, then… he disappeared. My men are certain he hasn’t re-entered the city, but Marquis Hua sent word that the Weary Marquis is in the city. I think he might be mistaken.”

“See, this is exactly Han Ruzi’s specialty.” Prince Donghai’s eyes gleamed, “Whether he’s in the city or outside, he won’t admit defeat. He must be planning something…”

Unable to figure it out, Prince Donghai tried to appear relaxed and said, “Hua Bin, that old fox, dares to come back. He’s quite bold.”

Tan Ye turned and pointed to three men in tight-fitting clothes, “These three pugilists were introduced by Marquis Hua…”

“Mm-hmm.” Prince Donghai nodded perfunctorily, suddenly remembering someone, “What about Yang Feng? What has he been busy with these days? They say he’s abandoned Han Ruzi, but I don’t quite believe it.”

“Yang Feng has gathered some pugilists at the Drunken Immortal Inn, asking around about the fate seer’s whereabouts.” Tan Ye glanced at Lin Kunshan’s room, “He probably truly isn’t interested in the throne struggle anymore, but I still have people monitoring his movements.”

“Don’t be careless. Yang Feng and the fate seer are the same kind. After I ascend the throne, none of these people can be allowed to live.” Only by fantasizing about settling scores after ascending the throne could Prince Donghai get himself excited.

“Of course.” Tan Ye went along with Prince Donghai, not contradicting a single word.

There was a knock at the door – three long, two short. Tan Ye went to the door and asked, “How is it?”

“It’s done,” came the answer from outside.

Tan Ye turned and said, “Let’s go, Prince Donghai.”

Prince Donghai stood in place taking several deep breaths, then flung open his cloak and strode outside. Tan Ye opened the door, and four others followed.

More people entered from outside to guard Lin Kunshan.

Tan Diao brought several dozen men, all with horses. Prince Donghai mounted, and the Tan brothers led the way north toward the city. Along the way, more people kept joining them, speaking in pugilist code that Prince Donghai couldn’t understand. Still, it reassured him somewhat – at least it showed the Tan family’s preparations were very thorough, much better than the palace coup two years ago.

However, Prince Donghai was deeply distrustful of the pugilist world. He needed to see another force before he could be fully at ease.

Due to the curfew, there were no pedestrians on the streets, nor any patrolling soldiers. The Tan family had arranged everything perfectly – there were no obstacles along their route.

The group first arrived at the prince’s mansion. Prince Donghai no longer needed to hide his movements.

At his own gate, Prince Donghai saw a large group of officers. Seven of the “Guanghua Tigers” had come, including Zhang Jing and Lian Danchen. The two stepped forward together to help Prince Donghai dismount.

“Why are you all here?” Prince Donghai asked, puzzled. He had thought the law enforcement officials would attack Shang-guan Sheng in the Palace Guard Camp.

“Shang-guan Sheng went into the palace. We can only move when he comes out.”

“He went to the palace? Why didn’t anyone tell me?” Prince Donghai glared at the Tan brothers dissatisfied – he couldn’t handle any surprises right now.

Tan Ye and Tan Diao looked bewildered. Zhang Jing, the official of the Ministry of Punishments, said: “It just happened – something must have occurred in the palace.”

Prince Donghai looked at the Tan brothers again. “What’s going on? Wasn’t the plan to move simultaneously inside and outside the palace? Why are we out of sync?”

The brothers still seemed confused. Zhang Jing answered: “The Princess Consort changed the plans last minute, telling us to wait a while longer.”

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Prince Donghai frowned. “Wait outside. I’ll go see the Princess Consort.”

Lady Tan sat in the front hall, dozens of candles lit around her making it bright as day. Seven or eight maids stood on either side, listening to her give instructions.

“Princess Consort…” Prince Donghai’s imposture deflated significantly at first sight of Lady Tan. His tone softened and he smiled, “You must have had a difficult couple of days. Did the Palace Guard Camp come looking for trouble?”

Lady Tan waved the maids away and said coldly, “They came a few times. Nothing major.”

Prince Donghai walked up to his wife, smiling. “I heard you changed the plans?”

“Yes, the situation in the palace has changed.”

“What? Mother didn’t succeed?” Prince Donghai’s face drained of color.

“I received two completely different messages – one saying success, one failure. I must enter the palace to learn the truth.”

“You want to enter the palace? But that’s… extremely dangerous.”

“Heh, more dangerous than the Tan family supporting you? I’ll leave shortly – someone can get me into the palace.”

“What should I do? Just keep waiting?”

“Until the fourth watch. If I haven’t sent word by then, don’t wait anymore – enter through the North Gate where people will receive you. Also, the Champion Marquis is no longer a threat. Xiao Sheng and Shen Mingzhi have seized the military command token from the Chief Commander’s Office. You must win these two over.”

“Why? They…”

“You’re not emperor yet.” Lady Tan grew stern. “Right now, even if your worst enemy comes seeking allegiance, you must welcome them with a smile. Understand?”

“Fine. Will those two come?”

“Not necessarily. You need to send people to find them, and Prince Ying too. Tonight you must win them all over.”

“Even that child needs to be won over?”

Lady Tan gave her husband a cold look. “The Champion Marquis has died of poison, don’t you want to give the world an explanation after you take the throne?”

“Brilliant!” Prince Donghai praised. “Why do I become stupid whenever I’m in front of you?”

Lady Tan stood up. “To become emperor, you will have harrowing experiences. Stay here and take command. No matter what, you cannot retreat. Better to burn the boats and fight to mutual destruction than take one step back. Understand?”

“Even if I die, I’ll die on the path charging toward the emperor’s throne.”

Lady Tan nodded in approval and walked toward the hall’s exit.

Prince Donghai watched his wife’s retreating figure, hoping she would turn around to say something more, but was disappointed. He had to call out himself: “Wait.”

Lady Tan stopped but didn’t turn around.

“Han Ruzi!” Prince Donghai called out the name, feeling inexplicably uneasy.

Lady Tan guessed her husband’s concerns and said without turning back: “Does the Weary Marquis care more about Maiden Wang or your cousin, Young Lady Cui?”

“He cares about both.”

“Good.” Lady Tan said nothing more as she left the hall, with her waiting ladies following and surrounding her as she departed.

The thorn in Prince Donghai’s heart was finally removed. With his wife and mother assisting in the palace, and his own forces of the Tan family and the “Guanghua Tigers” outside, success was certain. Perhaps before dawn, no matter how capable Han Ruzi was, he would no longer be a threat.

The Tan brothers and seven law enforcement officials entered the hall – they were Prince Donghai’s advisors for the night.

“Has there been no movement from the Eight Palace Guard Camps?” Prince Donghai asked. Having been in hiding for three days, he needed to quickly grasp all information.

Zhang Jing stepped forward and said: “Most of the Palace Guards have gone to defend the city walls. We’ve contacted many commanders, and they’ve promised that unless an imperial edict is issued, they will only observe tonight and not leave their camps.”

“Heh, ‘only observe and not leave camp’ – isn’t that the ministers’ tactic? What about Chancellor Yin Wuhai?”

“The Chancellor’s mansion gates are tightly closed. Yin Wuhai is sick at home and hasn’t seen any outsiders these past few days.”

“What about the two chief censors and Prince Ying? They killed the Champion Marquis – we can’t let them run around the city anymore.”

“We’ve sent people to find them, they’ll report back soon.”

Prince Donghai had no more questions, but not wanting to appear idle, he asked the Tan brothers: “Has Han Ruzi’s private force hidden in the city been found?”

“We found one hundred and forty-one men,” Tan Diao replied. “They’re just fishermen from the southern capital who’ve barely handled weapons for a few days. They’re not worth worrying about. I have men watching them. Just say the word, and we’ll eliminate them whenever you want.”

“No hurry, wait until I…” Prince Donghai was already feeling somewhat imperial. One hundred and forty-one men was fewer than Han Ruzi had claimed, but that wasn’t surprising – Han Ruzi was always good at bluffing, it would have been strange if he hadn’t exaggerated.

After waiting a moment, Prince Donghai remembered something else. “We should send more people to the ministers’ homes with messages. Tell them to keep their eyes and ears open. After dawn, don’t let me sit alone in the imperial hall for too long.”

Zhang Jing smiled and said: “Your Highness worries too much. By then, the officials will rush in like bees to honey – who would dare to be late?”

“We shouldn’t say ‘Your Highness’ anymore.” Lian Danchen decided to take the lead, respectfully bowing and calling out: “Your Majesty.”

Everyone in the hall bowed in succession, addressing him as “Your Majesty.”

Prince Donghai waved his hand, saying “too hasty” while secretly enjoying it.

After the third watch, a runner hurriedly entered, kowtowed to Prince Donghai and Zhang Jing, then said: “The two chief censors and Prince Ying were intercepted and taken away by Yang Feng on the road.”

“Yang Feng?” Prince Donghai was startled. “Tan Ye, Tan Diao, weren’t you supposed to have people watching him? How could Yang Feng still be running around?”

The Tan brothers were also surprised. Just then, one of their men ran in and, without bothering to bow, reported directly: “There was a fight at the Drunk Immortal Inn, and Yang Feng escaped with his men.”

Prince Donghai jumped up. “How did this happen?” Suddenly realizing something was wrong, he asked, “The fight at the Drunk Immortal Inn happened first, so why are you only bringing this news now?”

The Tan family member blushed, “All our men there were wiped out. When I went to investigate…”

Prince Donghai turned to the Tan brothers and said coldly: “Han Ruzi is definitely in the city. There’s no doubt about it.”

As if to prove Prince Donghai’s judgment, another law enforcement official ran in, also too urgent to bow, and shouted: “The Chai family… the Chai family has rebelled, saying they want to restore the Weary Marquis to the throne!”

Prince Donghai froze. He still hadn’t managed to shake off his elder brother and his nightmares.

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