sjar Chapter 321 Power
Chapter 321 Power
The water clock outside the Jiaofang Palace dripped steadily, and Xiao Chengjun held Su Mingyue's hand tightly, never daring to let go. The imperial physicians took her pulse three times a day, their desks piled high with mulberry bark papers covered in prescriptions, and the air was thick with the smell of medicine. Although Su Mingyue was gradually able to eat while reclining in bed, the fetus in her womb showed no obvious movements, which kept Xiao Chengjun's heart constantly in his throat.
Seven days later, late at night, Yu Zan, who was on night duty, suddenly stumbled in: "Your Majesty! Her Majesty the Empress has a persistent high fever and is delirious, asking for the 'Complete Book of Agricultural Administration'..." Xiao Chengjun overturned the teacup beside him, the scalding tea spilling onto his dragon robe without him noticing. When he rushed into the bedchamber, he saw Su Mingyue's face flushed like a sunset, her hair soaked with cold sweat and clinging to her pale cheeks, her hand tightly clutching half of a handkerchief embroidered with twin lotus blossoms.
"Mingyue!" Xiao Chengjun touched her burning forehead, his heart pounding in his chest. Su Mingyue suddenly grabbed his wrist, her nails digging deep into his flesh: "Flood... open the granaries and release the grain... no, it's the children... Your Majesty, protect our children..." Her delirium was mixed with violent coughing, and blood splattered on the back of Xiao Chengjun's hand, gleaming a glaring dark red in the candlelight.
The Imperial Physician, trembling, took Su Mingyue's pulse. Suddenly, his expression changed drastically: "Your Majesty! Her Highness is possessed by an evil spirit! Her pulse is weak and shallow, yet her heart fire is raging. Ordinary medicines will likely be ineffective!" Before he finished speaking, a thunderclap suddenly boomed outside the window, and large raindrops pounded on the glazed tiles like the rapid drumming of war. Xiao Chengjun recalled that before Consort Li was banished to the Cold Palace, a palace servant had overheard her cursing in the Buddhist hall, "May the Empress die along with her unborn child." A chill ran down his spine.
"Go and summon the Imperial Advisor! And thoroughly investigate all the items in Consort Li's palace!" Xiao Chengjun held Su Mingyue tightly in his arms, but she suddenly convulsed violently, her fingernails scratching several bloody marks on his back. When Yu Zan rushed in carrying a copper basin, she saw the Empress vomiting a pool of black blood, mixed with several pieces of paper bearing talismans.
When the Imperial Advisor burst in, carrying a peach wood sword, the Jiaofang Palace was already shrouded in black mist. As he chanted incantations and made hand gestures, the ever-burning lamp before the Buddhist shrine suddenly went out eerily, leaving only the "Complete Treatise on Agriculture" beside Su Mingyue's pillow emitting a faint blue light. "It's a forbidden technique from the 'Tai Su Gui Lu'!" The Imperial Advisor's pupils constricted sharply. "Someone is using a blood curse involving a human sacrifice, attempting to take the lives of the Empress and the Imperial Heir!"
Xiao Chengjun's killing intent surged, and as his Xuan Tie sword was drawn, a dragon's roar shook the heavens: "Send down the order to execute Consort Li and her entire family! Anyone who harbors her will be punished as an accomplice!" He turned to look at Su Mingyue, who was unconscious on the bed, his voice choked with emotion: "Grand Preceptor, no matter the cost, you must save the Empress!"
As the Imperial Advisor affixed the cinnabar-stained talisman to Su Mingyue's brow, she suddenly opened her eyes, her pupils glowing with an eerie, ghostly green. "Xiao Chengjun, do you think killing me will save her?" A hoarse male voice came from her mouth; it was none other than the long-deceased Vice Minister of Rites. "The fate of Nanzhao is sealed!" Before the words were finished, fine incantations appeared on Su Mingyue's neck, and she floated into the air.
Xiao Chengjun swung his sword into the air, but the sword energy was deflected by an invisible barrier. At the critical moment, a figure in white burst through the window—Xie Wuhen's longsword moved like lightning, aiming straight for Su Mingyue's back. Just as the tip of the sword touched her fabric, Xiao Chengjun lunged forward, using his back to block the fatal blow. Blood trickled down his dragon robe, dripping onto the floor tiles, blooming into a bewitching blood flower.
"Your Majesty!" Xie Wuhen was unable to retract his sword in time and knelt down in terror. Xiao Chengjun, however, endured the pain and grabbed Su Mingyue's wrist, forcibly suppressing the curse with his own true energy: "If I can protect the country, I can protect you!" Veins bulged on his forehead, and blood seeped from his seven orifices, but he stared intently at Su Mingyue's eyes, which were gradually regaining their clarity.
Taking advantage of the situation, the Imperial Advisor unleashed the royal treasure, the "Mirror of Heaven and Earth." The mirror reflected a mass grave a thousand miles away—the elder brother of Consort Li was leading a group of men in black robes, chanting incantations before a blood-red altar. Xiao Chengjun, enraged, laughed coldly and ordered Shen Yunzhou to immediately lead troops to encircle and annihilate the altar. As the altar collapsed in the sea of fire, Su Mingyue finally let out a heart-wrenching scream, a wave of excruciating pain washing over her.
"Her Majesty is about to give birth!" The midwife's cry pierced the tense air. Despite his severe injuries, Xiao Chengjun stubbornly stood guard outside the delivery room. Each piercing cry felt like a hammer blow to his heart. He gripped his blood-stained black iron sword, carving sword marks into the pillars of the corridor. Only when a clear cry broke through the rain did he stagger into the delivery room, where he saw Su Mingyue smiling weakly, holding a crumpled baby in her arms.
"It's a prince..." Su Mingyue's voice was weak. "Your Majesty, name him... Xiao Qicheng, to inherit the prosperous era and usher in a new chapter..." Xiao Chengjun trembled as he took the child, warm tears dripping onto the baby's pink face. He vowed to make all those who dared to covet his wife and child pay with their blood.
After this harrowing crisis, Xiao Chengjun thoroughly investigated the witchcraft practices within the palace, exhuming and dismembering all those involved. When Consort Li hanged herself in the Cold Palace, she still clutched half a yellow talisman covered in curses in her hand.
On Xiao Qicheng's first birthday, the Jiaofang Palace was brightly decorated with lanterns and colorful streamers. A gold-lacquered tray held an abacus, a writing brush, a jade seal, and other items. Su Mingyue leaned against a soft cushion, watching her toddler being carried to the table by his wet nurse. Xiao Qicheng wobbled and reached out, but instead grabbed directly at the black iron tassel of his father's sword, causing gasps from the palace servants. Xiao Chengjun smiled and picked up his son, the cold glint of the sword tip reflecting on the child's innocent smile: "My son, in the future, will surely be a sharp sword that protects the country and brings peace to the land."
However, the peace was short-lived. Three days later, at the morning court, the Censorate suddenly presented a secret memorial: "Your Majesty, there is unrest in the Miao region of the southwest. Some tribes claim that a 'demonic star has descended from the heavens,' inciting the mountain people to refuse to pay taxes." Xiao Chengjun unfolded a map, his fingertip hovering over the Ten Thousand Mountains, the border between the Miao region and Nanzhao. He recalled that several months ago, a caravan had seen a mysterious person there whose body was covered in cursed patterns, and who wore a bronze bell related to the "Tai Su Gui Lu" hanging from his waist.
"Your Majesty, I volunteer to go!" Shen Yunzhou stepped forward, his armor still dusted from his return from the northern frontier. Xiao Chengjun shook his head, however: "The Miao region is complex, and witchcraft is rampant. I need to consider this carefully." After the court session, he returned to the Jiaofang Palace and saw Su Mingyue teaching Qi Cheng to read. The child's soft voice recited "The people are the foundation of the state," and he couldn't help but feel a warmth in his heart.
"Is Your Majesty worried about the Miao region?" Su Mingyue handed her son to the wet nurse and unfolded a yellowed ancient book. "My father once traveled to the southwest. The book records that the lineage of the Miao high priests guards ancient forbidden arts. If someone seizes the position of priest, they can command all tribes." Her fingers traced the ferocious totems on the pages. "Perhaps this disturbance is related to the resurgence of evil arts."
Late at night, Xiao Chengjun was studying the local chronicles of Miao territory in his study when A Lie rushed in with a secret letter, looking flustered. The letter read: "Your Majesty, Xie Wuhen has disappeared in Miao territory, leaving behind only half a token bearing the mark of the Netherworld Pavilion." Before he could react, a rapid clanging of wooden clappers sounded outside the window—flames were shooting into the sky from the direction of the Eastern Palace!
Xiao Chengjun charged forward with his sword drawn, only to find the front courtyard of the East Palace completely surrounded by men in black robes. These men wielded curved blades, their blades gleaming with an eerie blue light, instantly withering any flowers or plants they passed through. "Protect the Crown Prince!" Xiao Chengjun roared as he charged into the enemy ranks. The moment his Xuan Tie sword cleaved through a man, several crimson centipedes emerged from his body.
Covered in blood, Yu Zan burst through the palace doors: "Your Majesty! Someone has kidnapped the young prince!" Xiao Chengjun nearly dropped his sword. He looked towards the empty bedchamber and saw Qi Cheng's tiger-head shoes lying in a pool of blood. He picked up the blood-stained shoes, his nails digging deep into his palms: "I demand to see him alive or dead! Order the Imperial Guards to seal off all nine gates of the capital!"
When Su Mingyue heard the news, she fainted on the spot. After waking up, she ignored all objections and insisted on participating in the search: "Qicheng is carrying the peace talisman I embroidered. If someone uses evil magic to control him, I will definitely be able to detect it!" She forced her weak body to search through the secret passages of the palace and finally found a clue in an abandoned Buddhist hall - Miao sacrificial totems were drawn in blood on the wall, along with half a line of blurry words: "On the night of the full moon, blood sacrifice to the demon star."
When Xiao Chengjun followed the clues to the dilapidated temple outside the city, he saw Xie Wuhen covered in blood, blocking the altar. His white clothes were stained dark red, and his long sword was embedded in the ground, yet he still held off more than a dozen men in black robes. In the center of the altar, three-year-old Qicheng was tied to a stone pillar, his innocent eyes filled with fear, and a copper collar engraved with incantations around his neck.
"Release my son!" Xiao Chengjun's roar shattered the temple tiles. The leader of the black-robed men sneered and lifted his hood, revealing himself to be the brother of Consort Li, who should have been dead! "Your Majesty, your son was born with the destiny of a phoenix, making him the perfect candidate for blood sacrifice! Once he becomes the vessel for the demon star, Nanzhao will be destroyed in the witch fire!" The bone flute in his hand emitted a sharp sound, and Qi Cheng's eyes suddenly rolled back as he began to unconsciously chant an ancient incantation.
Su Mingyue burst from the shadows, clutching a long rope soaked in cinnabar. This was an amulet she had hastily crafted overnight, with Qi Cheng's baby hair strung on the knot. "Use my body as a guide, use my blood as a bond!" She bit her fingertip, dripping blood onto the knot, and the long rope coiled around Qi Cheng like a serpent. Taking advantage of the moment, Xiao Chengjun swung his sword, severing the copper necklace, only to see Consort Li's brother pull out a beating heart—the "Demon Heart" forged using the *Tai Su Gui Lu*.
"Today is your death day!" Xiao Chengjun shielded his son behind him, the Xuan Tie sword clashing with the Demon Heart, unleashing a blinding light. Xie Wuhen, with his last ounce of strength, hurled a silver needle, piercing the vital point of Consort Li's brother. With a scream, the Demon Heart shattered, and the black-robed man turned to ashes. Qi Cheng burst into tears, and Xiao Chengjun, trembling, embraced his son whom he had lost and found again, noticing a pale golden dragon-shaped birthmark that had appeared on his back.
The rebellion in Miao territory was quelled by the execution of its leader, but Xiao Chengjun knew the crisis was far from over. He ordered the construction of a secret chamber beneath the palace to house imperial secrets and exorcising artifacts from past dynasties; he also established a pacification commission in Miao territory, selecting capable officials to educate the people. Su Mingyue taught Qicheng to read and write, while also imparting to him the secrets of identifying witchcraft.
In mid-spring in the Nanzhao Kingdom, the imperial city and its surroundings were already bathed in crimson clouds. The weeping crabapple blossoms in the imperial garden were in full bloom, their pink and white petals fluttering down onto the white marble steps. Inside the Jiaofang Palace, thirty-six gilded palace lanterns were lit one after another, and the vermilion pillars were draped with auspicious cloud patterns woven with gold thread. The air was filled with the sweet aroma of ambergris and candied fruit. Today was Crown Prince Xiao Qicheng's third birthday, and the entire palace was immersed in a joyous atmosphere.
At three-quarters past dawn, Su Mingyue, dressed in a nine-tiered imperial robe, was personally tidying her young son's attire. The scarlet brocade robe embroidered with golden qilin enveloped the exquisitely beautiful little boy, the pearls on his tiger-head boots trembling gently with his wobbly feet. Suddenly, Qicheng reached for the pearl hairpin in his mother's hair, his voice still childish, "I want...I want Your Majesty's pearls!" Su Mingyue couldn't help but chuckle, kissing his chubby cheek. "Little glutton," she said, "there will be even more interesting things than pearls at the birthday banquet later."
At the hour of Si (9-11 AM), bells and drums resounded. Xiao Chengjun, dressed in a dragon robe with twelve imperial symbols, personally carried Qicheng up to the Hall of Supreme Harmony. Below, officials in court attire stood in rows, and envoys from various countries lined up with rare treasures. The Western Regions delegation presented dancing mechanical dolls, the Tuyuhun envoy offered a snow-white Akhal-Teke horse, but the most eye-catching item was an ice-carved jade cup brought back by Shen Yunzhou from the northern frontier. The cup contained "millennial black ice" that would never melt, refracting seven colors of light under the sunlight.
"Long live the Emperor! Long live the Crown Prince!" Amidst the deafening cheers, Qi Cheng suddenly broke free from his father's embrace and ran forward with unsteady steps. His target was the giant mountain of longevity peach-shaped pastries displayed before the imperial steps. Just as his chubby little hands were about to reach the tips of the peaches, Xiao Chengjun chuckled and grabbed him by the back of his collar: "You little rascal, are you going to put on a 'monkey stealing peaches' act for me?"
Amidst the laughter filling the hall, the birthday banquet officially began. The imperial kitchen served thirty-six specially made "children's delights" dishes: jade rolls shaped like little ducks, red bean buns molded into chubby jade rabbits, and even the fish soup was shaped like stars and moons using molds. Qi Cheng sat on a specially made gilded little chair, holding a candied hawthorn in his left hand and a candied crabapple in his right, his cheeks bulging as he ate, looking just like a little squirrel.
After several rounds of drinks, Xiao Chengjun ordered someone to bring out a specially made "first birthday celebration table." Neatly arranged on a sandalwood tray were objects symbolizing both civil and military achievements: a sheep-hair brush, a bronze sword, a jade seal, an abacus, models of agricultural tools, and even a bamboo scroll of the *Complete Treatise on Agriculture*, secretly placed there by Su Mingyue. The assembled officials watched with bated breath. Qi Cheng, with his large, grape-like eyes, first curiously touched the jade seal, then grabbed the brush and waved it haphazardly, finally grabbing the bamboo scroll and turning to his mother, giggling.
"His Highness the Crown Prince has chosen the scroll!" the Minister of Rites announced loudly. "This is an omen of the descent of the God of Literature; our dynasty will surely produce a wise and enlightened ruler!" Xiao Chengjun and Su Mingyue exchanged a glance, their eyes filled with satisfaction. Su Mingyue bent down and picked up her son, whispering, "Qi'er, do you like reading? In the future, your mother will teach you to write all the essays in the world."
Just as everyone was immersed in joy, a sudden change occurred. A scream suddenly came from the Jiaofangsi (a brothel) responsible for singing and dancing. The dancer who had been playing the auspicious beast had bloodshot eyes, and the gilded beast claw in her hand lunged straight at Qi Cheng! Xiao Chengjun reacted extremely quickly. His Xuan Tie sword was instantly drawn. With a flash of cold light, the dancer's mask shattered—revealing a face covered in cursed runes!
"Remnants of the Netherworld Pavilion!" Xie Wuhen shouted, leaping to shield the Crown Prince, his longsword clashing with the enemy. Chaos erupted within the hall as officials scrambled to protect the Emperor, and spies from the Western Regions delegation seized the opportunity to draw their concealed daggers. Qi Cheng, sheltered beneath his wet nurse, remained silent, his bright black eyes fixed on the fighting crowd. Suddenly, in a childish voice, he cried out, "Bad uncle, hit me!"
Xiao Chengjun's swordplay grew increasingly fierce. The moment his blade parted the assassin's sleeve, the distinctive ghost face tattoo of the Netherworld Pavilion was revealed. A surge of murderous intent welled within him, and he was about to strike when he saw Qi Cheng, who had somehow broken free from his wet nurse, rushing towards the assassin, holding a half-eaten hawthorn berry, and shouting fiercely, "Don't bully Daddy!"
The sudden childish words caused the assassin to hesitate slightly, and Xie Wuhen seized the opportunity to deliver a fatal blow to the throat. Xiao Chengjun breathed a sigh of relief, holding his bewildered son in his arms, only then noticing the bloodstains on his brocade robe. Qi Cheng reached out and wiped the sweat from his father's brow, saying earnestly, "Father, don't be afraid, Qi'er will protect you."
After this incident, the birthday banquet ended hastily. Xiao Chengjun carried his son towards the Jiaofang Palace, the moonlight casting a silvery glow on them. Qicheng, nestled on his father's shoulder, suddenly burped, "Daddy, Qi'er still wants to eat little rabbit buns..." Xiao Chengjun couldn't help but chuckle, lowering his head to kiss the top of his head, "Have the imperial kitchen make a hundred tomorrow, all for Qi'er."
That night, the number of guards outside the Jiaofang Palace tripled. Su Mingyue sat by the bed, watching her sleeping son, gently stroking the cinnabar birthmark on his brow. Xiao Chengjun held her hand and said in a deep voice, "It seems the Netherworld Pavilion is still persistent, not even sparing a three-year-old child." Su Mingyue looked at the moonlight outside the window, a cold glint in her eyes: "The more anxious they are, the more likely they are to slip up. Qi'er is the future of Nanzhao; we must protect him."
Inside the palace, Qi Cheng suddenly smacked his lips, still muttering "sweet cake" in his sleep. His father and mother exchanged a smile, all their worries turning into tenderness.