Chapter 45
Chapter 45
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 45
Chapter Title: Whispers in the Emperor's Ear
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The Yuk Family Head readily accepted the invitation.
The private meeting took place in the rear garden on the northern outskirts of Kaifeng City. It was an auspicious site facing south toward Kaifeng, a renovated structure once used as a separate palace.
The path to the rear garden was lined with precious flowers, plants, and trees. There were also several bizarre rocks gathered from famous southern scenic spots. Though not as opulent as the imperial gardens, it possessed a refined beauty reminiscent of an ink wash painting.
The Yuk Family Head headed toward a pavilion nestled beside a serene lake.
Upon entering, the presences of guards and maids felt everywhere vanished. They had all withdrawn to allow for a confidential conversation.
It was then, upon reaching the office, that a clear voice pierced the silence.
"Long time no see, Elder Yuk."
Behind a curtain of colorful glass beads, a formidable presence emanated. It was the Azure Stream Grand Princess.
The Yuk Family Head calmly offered his respects.
"Have you been well, Your Highness?"
"Speak comfortably, as before."
The Yuk Family Head feigned a troubled expression.
"The circumstances have changed since then. How could I?"
"...They have."
With a wistful reply, the Azure Stream Grand Princess parted the curtain.
A woman of noble bearing sat upon the grand dais. Its graceful form rivaled a king's throne in size, enhanced by the distinctive golden sheen of gold-threaded nanmu wood.
In Central Plains customs, a lavish seat symbolized authority. It underscored the Azure Stream Grand Princess's formidable position as both imperial kin and a power in the martial world.
The Azure Stream Grand Princess drew a letter from her bosom. It was encased in yellow silk, a format reserved for the utmost nobility.
"His Majesty has already issued an edict to me. To monitor the movements of the four great families' heads and discern their intentions."
Whoosh! Flames erupted from her fingers, incinerating the letter. It was the Samadhi True Fire.
A faint smile touched the Yuk Family Head's lips. The act of burning the edict alone conveyed her sincerity.
The Azure Stream Grand Princess murmured softly.
"Before the Grand Ancestor passed, he summoned His Majesty and me, entrusting us with this: There must never be strife among the Zhu clan. The feudatory kings enfeoffed across the realm each have their purpose, so do not rashly suspect your uncles."
This was an imperial secret unknown even to the Yuk Family Head. He fell silent for a moment before inquiring.
"What was His Majesty's demeanor upon hearing those words?"
"Profoundly sincere."
"Then why does he now adopt such a hostile stance?"
"I truly don't know. My nephew's attitude has shifted so drastically it feels like gazing upon a stranger."
The Azure Stream Grand Princess furrowed her delicate brows.
"Perhaps someone is inciting him."
"Those thick-skulled scholars must not have shed their wicked habits."
The Yuk Family Head sneered. Yet the princess displayed caution against premature conclusions.
"It's difficult to say definitively. I attempted to summon His Majesty but was repeatedly refused. I am not privy to all that transpires in the court."
"Haha, His Majesty seems to view all kin as rapacious jackals."
"So it appears. He suspects anyone bearing the Zhu surname. My other sisters have not seen him in quite some time."
"The other princesses as well?"
"Even cousins without princely titles."
The Yuk Family Head's expression hardened.
An emperor's wariness toward feudatory kings was natural, even expected of a sovereign. Family meant nothing before power.
Yet to distance himself from the entire imperial clan was blatantly anomalous. What reason could there be to spurn those who might prove allies in a crisis?
It was that evening.
"It seems someone is whispering strange words into His Majesty's ear."
In the office of the manor assigned to the Zhejiang Yuk Clan in Kaifeng, the Yuk Family Head abruptly addressed his assembled close aides and family members.
Jin Jo-won, leader of the Red Armband Division, displayed the most dismay. Intelligence matters fell under his purview. Yet he swiftly discerned the family head's intent.
"As I mentioned previously, the Hanlin Academy scholars are actively supporting His Majesty's policies."
"No, this matter far exceeds the bounds those fools could touch."
The Yuk Family Head shook his head.
"If reducing fiefs, then reduce fiefs alone. Why meddle with powerless imperial kin? Yet His Majesty convulses at the mere sight of the Zhu surname."
"That's blatantly odd. I shall intensify surveillance."
"Pay special attention to the Inner Palace Bureau. And the eunuchs as well."
"Why them...? Should we not scrutinize the Yuk clan's high officials or Hanlin scholars?"
"If baseless schemes arose from them, word would surely leak. The Inner Palace and eunuchs are different. Who could whisper their will into His Majesty's ear more covertly, regardless of gender?"
A ruler's warped favoritism had oft birthed calamity.
Qin's Empress Dowager Zhao Ji consorted with Lao Ai, sparking rebellion. Han's Emperor Ai fell for the male favorite Dong Xian, dooming the realm.
Former Qin's Emperor Fu Jian doted on the pretty boy Murong Chong, only to suffer betrayal later.
Tang's Emperor Xuanzong's closeness to Yang Guifei wrought endless ills.
The Yuk Family Head suspected history repeating itself.
"What say you?"
The query shifted abruptly to his sons. Yuk Seo, the eldest, seized the chance to assert his standing as heir.
"I shall investigate. Court negotiations have always been my domain. Prodding the high officials will yield information."
Yuk Hang followed without yielding.
"I shall contact the Hao Clan lord in Huguang. They supply courtesans to the capital's pleasure houses and officials' favorites. They surely know something."
In contrast to the proactive eldest and second sons, Yuk Gyun and Yuk Eon quietly held their seats.
Yuk Seo inwardly smirked at his third brother's ambiguity. It was a reaction born not of prior suggestion, but circumstance.
"It is good to see you stepping forward. Proceed."
With curt approval, the Yuk Family Head leaned back, lost in thought momentarily. He then pivoted the topic with pointed tone.
"Once the conclave ends, I intend to reorganize the family structure."
"Pardon? Is that not too precipitous?"
"No, Father. To restructure the clan amid such turbulent times?"
Undeterred by his sons' protests, the Yuk Family Head held firm.
"Precisely why now. We cannot have every clan member bound to the Five Harmony Alliance. Who shall oversee the branches? Do you intend to leave the Zhejiang headquarters vacant?"
The eldest and second sons' eyes shifted. Yuk Seo tested the waters.
"The headquarters naturally falls to you, Father. Were you not returning post-conclave?"
"I plan to remain here. Someone must stay to coordinate with King Yeon and the families."
Yuk Seo bit his lip, suppressing visible glee. In the worst case, he might assume headquarters command, solidifying succession.
Yuk Hang could not be ignorant of this. Yet he adopted a watchful stance, wary of provoking the family head's ire.
The Yuk Family Head gave a wry smile at his sons' divergent displays.
One's vision was too narrow, the other's overly cautious.
Surveying his sons, the Yuk Family Head broached the crux.
"Return to your branches. Ensure clan affairs proceed without hitch in my absence."
"...Then only collaterals remain in Kaifeng?"
"There are more direct descendants beyond you: my grandsons. Leaving just me and collaterals at the alliance lacks face."
It sounded like intent to gauge his grandsons' true mettle this time. The sons' emotions intertwined.
"I shall elevate Yo-ha Pavilion and Bi-ryu Pavilion. Gyun and Eon, you are division heads henceforth. No need for daily reports; settle accounts seasonally."
Their reactions remained composed, ambitions diverging.
Yuk Gyun pondered his brother's overture, while Yuk Eon harbored no seat's desire from the start. Already forewarned, he stirred little.
The elder brothers showed scant agitation. Yuk Seo especially seethed inwardly but endured.
The stage for fretting over titles had passed. To upend succession now demanded results over rank.
"Father, then who for headquarters...?"
"The Grand Steward."
The Yuk Family Head replied decisively. Yuk Seo clung stubbornly.
"B-but the Grand Steward is no martial artist. We need someone for contingencies."
"I shall attach other division leaders, so fret not. Succeed, and headquarters faces no peril. Yun-hae Hall's branch lies south of Zhili, your charge."
Yuk Seo's complexion blanched. As the family head said, Yun-hae Hall's branch was in Zhili.
A place likely first struck should court turn hostile. It seemed poised to serve as bulwark defending headquarters.
"Block the court's assault alone?"
"Can you?"
The Yuk Family Head mocked his son without restraint. Such barbs surfaced when irked. Silence was wisest then. Yuk Seo opted to avert his gaze.
Gazing at his son, the Yuk Family Head tsked and rose. Circling the round table where his sons sat, he spoke.
"Mark this: Our mobilization must not appear rebellion."
Yuk Seo's lip twitched. He clearly yearned to retort. The family head ignored it.
"To you who know all, it sounds mere pretext. But shift viewpoint. Have we circulated manifestos backing King Yeon? All ancient clans marching on the capital?"
"No."
"Precisely. The conclave's decisions? Subjugating upstarts and exterminating sects at most. How is that defying the court? A purely jianghu affair."
It was a matter of legitimacy. Even veiling the sky with one palm holds if all act accordingly—fiction becomes fact.
"B-but if the court declares alliance with upstarts and openly antagonizes us?"
"Then we truly rebel. I shall lead the other heads straight to the capital."
The Yuk Family Head laughed heartily.
The ancient clans and Five Harmony Alliance's tepid response stemmed from dread of infamous legacy in blue history books, not fear of court.
Yet a cornered rat bites the cat. Pushed thus far, he'd gladly shoulder the traitor yoke.
"But that's for later. The court still conceals ties to upstarts."
"Indeed, Father."
Thud. Yuk Seo shuddered at his father's hands gripping both shoulders from behind.
"Thus, the current strife is jianghu's alone, distinct from King Yeon's treason. It must be perceived so. Convincing the court thereof is your task."
"......"
"Still afraid? Then abstain."
"No. I shall. Entrust it to me."
Yuk Seo feigned resolve. Internally, he rationalized: Proximity to court eased swift merits.
"Hang, you likewise. Huguang is your domain; grip the Nangong clan's leash tight and tame them thoroughly."
Yuk Hang's expression darkened in kind.
Dismissing them with finality, the Yuk Family Head turned upon their exit. The Grand Steward Choe Rim, standing behind, bowed and attended.
"Summon Jin-yang."
"Your grandfather intends to send me to Fujian. It has come to pass as per your suggestion."
"Father alone?"
"No, your uncles as well."
Yuk Jin-yang showed no surprise at his father's words.
He had anticipated some power redistribution. Long before entering Kaifeng.
The court would surely counter the ancient clans' union. The clan's main forces could not linger in Kaifeng indefinitely. Branches and headquarters required guardians.
"Jin-yang, I thought to take some of your men. They shan't be needed while you're at the alliance conclave."
"My men? They're Father's."
"Spare the quibbles. Truth be told, I'd relinquish the division head post outright, but retaining it awhile seems wiser."
To his smiling, dismissive father, Yuk Jin-yang inquired.
"Hwang Dal-pyeong aside, could not the martial artists remain alliance-affiliated? Doubled as my guards."
"Hmm, were I them, I'd contrive any pretext to separate you and them. Not to harm you, but to weaken Bi-ryu Pavilion's forces."
"Ah!"
"You're too burdensome to touch directly. The warriors differ. Even should they all perish, your grandfather would not blink."
Yuk Eon warned gravely.
"Underestimate not your uncles. Ample spies seeded throughout the alliance. Harm, death, or defection of Bi-ryu Pavilion warriors rebounds wholly upon you."
"...Yes. I thought too lightly."
Yuk Jin-yang nodded with stiffened mien. To ease the mood, Yuk Eon jested.
"Our house has ever been thus. Laxity breeds vulnerability."
"All the more chilling anew, haha."
"Thus my prior words: Shun proximity to evade suspicion."
Yuk Jin-yang merely laughed at the barbed remark. Yuk Eon shook his head at his son's nonchalance.
Then, footsteps approached the chamber. They fell silent, awaiting. A servant's voice sounded beyond the sliding door.
"The Family Head summons you, Young Master Jin-yang."