Chapter 91: The Fifth Day of the Ninth Month
After Mr. Ge left, Han Min was sad for quite a while before he could recover.
The next day was the fifth day of the ninth month, the day of the autumn hunt.
Wei Gui, the young General Wei, organized the troops and waited outside the gates of Yong’an City. Duke of Yue, Fu Le, along with Chancellor Jiang Huan and a group of civil officials, were also outside the city gates to see them off.
Then Fu Xun, dressed in narrow-sleeved military attire, long boots on his feet, a golden crown on his head, rode a fine horse. Behind him followed a group of palace attendants in similar martial uniforms, coming out from the palace gates and proceeding along Xuanwu Avenue.
Among those following him was not just palace attendants; there was also the young official Han Min in a civil official’s robe.
The red attire looked like autumn maple leaves, flapping in the wind as the horse moved swiftly.
A few accompanying civil officials exchanged glances—they hadn’t heard that the young official Han Min would be coming along. Looks like they would have to make space for one more.
Standing in the formation, Chu Yu didn’t look at anyone but clearly explained, “He’s not going to join the hunt. He just stayed in the palace last night and is coming out this morning along the emperor’s route.”
Chu Yu hadn’t entered the palace yesterday, yet he guessed the situation almost perfectly.
Several officials exclaimed in admiration: “Lord Chu is impressive!”
While they were whispering, Fu Xun had already arrived in front of them. He reined in his horse beside the civil official formation and looked at Han Min.
Han Min saluted with a fist: “I’ll go ahead first, Your Majesty.”
Fu Xun nodded: “Hmm.”
Han Min then dismounted, handed his horse to the attendants, and took his place in the ranks.
The order of the civil officials was mainly based on rank but not entirely. Those close to Fu Xun were placed near the front.
This was always the case in history: future close ministers of the emperor often honed their skills in relatively low-ranking positions first.
Those officials who paid attention could see that Han Min was not only one of the emperor’s close aides but the foremost among them.
So, without coordination, they left him a place next to Duke of Yue, Fu Le, and Chancellor Jiang Huan.
As soon as Han Min stepped into position, he hadn’t even squeezed into the civil officials’ ranks when several officials pushed him to the front.
He was puzzled at being placed in the front row. Duke of Yue held his hand: “You just stand here.”
Han Min nodded carefully, then turned to Fu Xun and smiled.
What a silly boy.
Fu Xun couldn’t help but smile. He then placed a fist near his lips, coughed lightly, and restored his usual dignified demeanor.
Wei Gui, clad in armor, led his men, waiting across from them.
Fu Xun, mounted on his horse, rode slowly forward and stopped in front of the civil officials.
“On this autumn hunt, all of you remain in Yong’an and take care of affairs diligently.”
The officials bowed and said: “It is our duty, Your Majesty. Please rest assured.”
Fu Xun’s gaze swept across the officials in red and blue robes, finally resting on Han Min, whose attire was particularly bright.
He rode closer, tilted to the side, and casually flicked Han Min’s official hat. Han Min covered his hat, annoyed, and raised his head.
Fu Xun smiled lightly and extended his hand. Han Min hesitated but eventually offered his hand.
Fu Xun held Han Min’s hand and squeezed his fingers gently.
What followed sounded like words to all the civil officials, yet seemed particularly meant for Han Min.
“Officials, while you remain in Yong’an, do not worry. The treasures of Tiger Fang Mountain, I will bring them back with my warriors to share with you all.”
The officials bowed further: “We thank Your Majesty for your grace.”
Han Min, however, was held by the hand and couldn’t bow.
Fu Xun glanced back. Wei Huan was leading the troops directly behind him. He held the reins with one hand, turned his body to shield Han Min, and while no one noticed, kissed Han Min’s fair fingertips.
Han Min’s face instantly flushed, even his fingertips tinged with pale pink.
He quickly withdrew his hand, whispering: “We’ll die if we linger—aren’t we going?”
Fu Xun twirled Han Min’s fingers one last time before releasing him and turning his horse.
Han Min quickly bent down, pretending he had been bowing with the other civil officials all along, blending in.
After Fu Xun said “You may rise,” he straightened up, feigning a stretch as though he had been bowing for a long time.
Fu Xun laughed out loud. Releasing the reins, his horse galloped down the wide official road without pause, even passing Wei Gui and the soldiers.
Wei Gui spurred his horse, loudly commanding “March,” and followed suit.
Dust flew in front of the city gate, giving the procession an imposing appearance.
The Qi Kingdom treated hunting as a military exercise rather than a leisurely outing. Wei Gui’s command of “march” reflected this, rather than simply “depart.”
On the way to Tiger Fang Mountain, soldiers adjusted formations according to the terrain. Sometimes the scene seemed chaotic and disorganized.
This was why the Qi Kingdom was often scorned by the Song kingdom. The southern lands were barren and uncivilized, the Qi royal family descended from bandits, with loose laws and customs. Yet some soldiers dared to run ahead of the emperor—a thing utterly intolerable in Song.
Qi people, however, didn’t mind. On the battlefield, rules were secondary; as long as military law wasn’t violated, it was acceptable.
During the past spring and autumn hunts, local Qi citizens would come out to watch. In the first three years under the late emperor, he disliked this and would ride leisurely in his carriage.
Now, under Fu Xun’s reign, the old prestige of the virtuous emperors returned, bringing a fresh spirit throughout Qi.
The dust gradually settled, and the officials outside Yong’an City hadn’t left yet.
Duke of Yue and Jiang Huan turned around. Jiang Huan clasped his hands, slightly lifting his gaze with a serious expression: “For the next month, I will trouble all of you to stay at your posts. The gates of the Duke Yue’s Mansion and the Chancellor’s Mansion remain open. Please stay vigilant, and upon the emperor’s return, you shall be rewarded.”
The officials responded and dispersed.
Han Min also prepared to return to the city. Looking back, he saw a furtive figure near the gate. Once the others left, the figure turned to leave, probably to report back.
He glanced back again.
Fu Xun had only taken half of the Xuanhu army to Tiger Fang Mountain, leaving the other half stationed outside Yong’an City.
Han Min raised his eyes to the clear sky, now darkened by a distant drifting cloud.
Deep autumn was approaching. Another rain and the weather would turn even colder.
The man watching the gate cautiously wound through two streets and finally returned to the courier inn.
He knocked. Inside, someone controlled their excitement and said: “Come in.”
A servant pushed the door open and closed it behind him.
Zhao Cun and his sister Zhao Yin were both inside.
The Song kingdom emissaries shouldn’t have been there, but since Zhao Yin was injured at the polo ground last time, they stayed a few months under the pretext of recovery. Fu Xun deliberately didn’t interfere.
Zhao Yin asked first: “How is it?”
The man knelt on one knee and saluted: “Your Highness, Lord Qi has led half of the Xuanhu army to Tiger Fang Mountain.”
Zhao Cun could barely contain his excitement, clapping his hands: “Good, good!”
He hurriedly said: “What are you waiting for? Go notify our people in the city—mobilize everyone… No, wait, first find Duke of Xin, let him mobilize the remaining Xuanhu army. Quickly, contact Master Ji.”
Zhao Yin advised: “Lord Qi just left. Brother, calm down; it’s not urgent right now.”
“True, true. I was momentarily confused.”
With Yong’an City largely empty, the throne seemed almost within Zhao Cun’s grasp.
After spending over a decade in the Cold Palace, he thought being Duke of Guangning was the best he could hope for. Who would have thought the throne might fall into his hands someday?
Even with all his composure, he was now intoxicated by joy and desire.
He no longer doubted Zhao Yin: “Good sister, I will never wrong you in the future.”
Zhao Yin smiled: “I naturally trust you. Since you became a duke, how could you ever wrong me? We are siblings; no need for such formalities.”
Life at Jianguo Temple was fairly calm.
Every morning, the Duke of Yue’s household sent someone to escort Han Min to the mansion for political discussions.
The recent reforms in the three neighboring Magistrateures along the river had gradually stabilized and were being implemented slowly. Besides that, there was nothing urgent.
Thus, Han Min’s work was light; officials handled their duties methodically.
After lunch at the Duke Yue’s mansion, he was escorted back to the temple.
Afternoons were spent napping, accompanying his mother to buy groceries, playing with Pei’er, or pushing his elder brother for a stroll. The afternoons passed quickly.
He noticed that Wei Huan patrolled the surrounding streets, though discreetly.
Fu Xun still worried about his safety.
After all, he had clashed with Zhao Cun and embarrassed him before. If Zhao Cun succeeded, he might seek revenge.
Others, at first, would aim to co-opt him.
Thus, ten uneventful days passed.
That afternoon, after a nap, a nanny came to call Han Min.
“Young Master Han, the Empress Dowager requests your presence.”
Rubbing his eyes, Han Min didn’t immediately respond. After a moment, he said: “I’ll be there shortly.”
He changed clothes, washed his face, and stepped out.
“Does the Empress Dowager summon you for something?”
“You worry too much, Young Master Han. The Empress Dowager was looking through the scriptures and saw two pages you copied in the past. She thought it was excellent and sent me to ask you to copy two more pages.”
Han Min nodded without asking further.
The room was bright, with several palace attendants standing by. The Empress Dowager sat at the desk, having removed her bracelets, copying scriptures.
Han Min saluted and sat at another desk, opening the prepared scripture and began copying.
Soon, the Empress Dowager put down her brush, massaging her wrist: “Old age… my eyes tire so quickly.”
Han Min also set down his brush silently.
Attendants behind her tried to help with warm compresses, but she waved them away.
The attendants retreated outside, able to see but not hear.
The Empress Dowager asked: “Min’er, you are close with your mother?”
Han Min nodded: “Yes.”
“But your relationship with the emperor is not so good.”
“Being close is not necessary, comfort is enough.”
“You are right.” She continued: “Min’er, I have a dilemma and would like your advice.”
“Please speak, Empress Dowager.”
“This autumn hunt, I had planned for Miss Xu to accompany the emperor.”
She looked at Han Min. He didn’t blink, listening attentively.
She continued: “But the emperor refused. I don’t understand. Miss Xu is beautiful, skilled in horsemanship and archery, spirited and courageous—she should get along with the emperor. Why doesn’t he like her?”
Han Min shook his head honestly: “Your pardon, Empress Dowager, I do not know.”
The Empress Dowager smiled: “You don’t know… then how could the emperor like you?”
Han Min, unperturbed, smiled slightly: “If he dislikes my riding and archery, I dislike his lack of poetry.”
Mutual disdain.
He added: “In my humble opinion, His Majesty is very different from the late Crown Prince.”
The late Crown Prince had the meticulous protection of the previous emperor and empress dowager. After his death, they expected Fu Xun to follow in his obedient footsteps, but Fu Xun frustrated them instead.
Perhaps the Empress Dowager was subconsciously trying to treat Fu Xun as the Crown Prince’s successor, transferring all arrangements once made for Fu Lin to Fu Xun.
She was reluctant and sought an answer from Han Min.
Afterward, they both let the matter rest. Han Min didn’t know if the Empress Dowager got the answer she wanted.
As dusk fell, Han Min stood to take his leave.
Just then, a low trumpet sounded outside.
The Fu family, descended from bandits, emphasized defenses. When Yong’an City was built, the emperor’s ancestors placed stone pillars throughout the city.
Though seemingly ordinary, the pillars were hollow. Placing a trumpet inside would allow it to sound.
One pillar would signal another; once one sounded, the alarm would spread throughout Yong’an. Citizens would know to brace for action.
Perhaps Zhao Cun had made a move. Han Min turned sharply: “I’ll go see.”
As he ran out, the Empress Dowager called behind: “Quickly, follow him—don’t let him get hurt!”
Author’s Note:
Empress Dowager (in a rare voice): Quick, go after him!!!
Qi royal bloodline: bandit + southern barbarian—truly a perfect match.
