Chapter 507 — Before and After

The Heir Apparent was a clever man, but by reason of his station he had never been permitted to decide anything for himself, and little by little he had lost the habit of having his own mind.

Now, hearing Song Yan's words, he weighed them carefully in his heart before stepping forward to push aside the Jinwu Guard blocking his way and calling out loudly, "Fifth Brother, of all us brothers, Father loves you best—so much that when Mother said she had not seen you in so long and missed you sorely, he issued the decree summoning you to the palace. If you have some grievance, why not speak to Father properly instead of taking him hostage? Father is advanced in years—how can he withstand such a commotion? Release him at once!"

The Heir Apparent's words were relayed inward layer by layer, and after a long while the Prince of Liao's voice rang out from the Palace of Earthly Tranquility: "How does Elder Brother make this out to be my tormenting Father? It is plainly you who torment him—you keep Father from entrusting the affairs of state to you even now! There's no need to play the pious, loyal son here. If you were truly loyal and filial, you would surrender yourself and trade your life for Father's safety."

The Heir Apparent froze.

Cui Yijun's head was dripping with sweat.

As though he had guessed the Heir Apparent's reaction, the Prince of Liao laughed loudly. "Elder Brother, you must be in a fine fix now! But I am not you—capable of nothing but playacting! The Five Barracks Army and the Embroidered Uniform Guard both answer to me. With the Five Barracks Army outside and the Embroidered Uniform Guard within, what does it matter if even Song Yan stands at your side? Do not forget—the Divine Pivot Camp is far away at the Western Hills! You hold the inner palace and have poisoned the Emperor's mind, making him muddled time and again. When the Empress learned of it, she feared that exposing your crimes would see her secretly murdered and the Emperor wronged, so she had no choice but to send assassins quietly to bring me word, that I might come to the capital and save the throne."

That was indeed a fine excuse!

Ji Yong cursed inwardly.

If not for his concern for Dou Yan and her son, why would he have jumped up to take sides so early?

And now look—he had assumed that with Song Yan's abilities there must be some trick held in reserve, never imagining that Song Yan was a paper tiger: fierce to look at, but blind as a bat when it mattered, and he had dragged Dou Yan and her son down with him.

He glared fiercely at Song Yan.

Song Yan pretended not to see, standing silently where he was and listening to the Heir Apparent and the Prince of Liao trade words.

A Jinwu Guard came running up drenched in blood. "Your Highness Prince Zhaohua! My lord Song! Deputy General Ma Youming of the Divine Pivot Camp has brought his men to rescue the Emperor!"

Song Yan lifted his head, his eyes bright as the morning star.

Ji Yong's heart lurched.

"What did you say?" Cui Yijun seized the man. "The Divine Pivot Camp—how does the Divine Pivot Camp know there's trouble in the palace?"

The Heir Apparent, forgetting the Prince of Liao entirely, hurried over.

The man gasped for breath. "This lowly one does not know either. We were locked in fierce battle with the Five Barracks Army when Commander Jiang Yi of the Southern City Office of the Five Wards Military Commission came leading General Ma and his men. The Divine Pivot Camp brought firelocks—the Five Barracks Army was caught front and rear and has already broken ranks."

The Heir Apparent was overjoyed and called toward the Palace of Earthly Tranquility, "Fifth Brother, did you hear that clearly? The Divine Pivot Camp has come to rescue the Emperor, and they've brought firelocks. I'd advise you to release Father quickly, lest his wrath fall on you and you find no way out!"

A commotion arose within the Palace of Earthly Tranquility, then all fell silent.

The Heir Apparent asked Song Yan in a low voice, "What do we do now?"

Song Yan said respectfully, "This subject believes we must first settle matters within before dealing with those without. Unless the Five Barracks Army and the Embroidered Uniform Guard are removed, the Emperor's safety can never be assured."

The Heir Apparent grunted in agreement. "Then let us first clear out the Five Barracks Army, and afterward negotiate terms with the Prince of Liao."

Song Yan assented and gave the orders.

Cui Yijun, as though suddenly remembering something, let out an "aiya" and said softly, "Your Highness, do you think we should summon Grand Secretary Dai?"

"Grand Secretary Dai—" The Heir Apparent's formerly cheerful face turned grim at once, and he said in a heavy voice, "Of course we must summon him. I doubt he'll still be sound asleep at this hour?"

Song Yan glanced at Cui Yijun and suddenly felt that all crows under heaven were alike pitch-black, and all eunuchs under heaven alike fond of scheming against men.

(To be continued)