Nine Nights Owl Song

On the third day after the imperial edict was issued, the court was in an uproar.

During the grand court assembly, no one mentioned the matter of bestowing a marriage upon anyone.

But everyone was watching—watching the Crown Prince, the Second Prince, the Fourth Prince, Su Zhentian, and the Sixth Prince Xiao Yan, who stood at the end of the military ranks, never speaking and never noticed by anyone.

Crown Prince Xiao Jingrui stood at the head of the civil officials' line, his expression unchanged.

His position was as secure as Mount Tai. He had been the crown prince for more than a decade, and half of the people in the court were his people.

His other half belonged to the Second Prince, and he didn't side with any of the others. But the arranged marriage made him uncomfortable.

It's not that Su Jiuge is uncomfortable because she married Xiao Yan—Xiao Yan is a useless person, and marrying Su Jiuge also makes him a useless person, posing no threat to him.

What bothered him was that his father hadn't consulted with him.

The Crown Prince was completely unaware of the important matter of being betrothed to the eldest daughter of the Marquis of Dingyuan.

Was his father distancing himself from him, or was he testing him? He didn't know.

The Second Prince, Xiao Jingyan, stood at the head of the military ranks, his face as dark as the bottom of a pot.

He didn't care who Su Jiuge married; what he cared about was who would gain control of the military power of the Marquis of Dingyuan's mansion.

The sixth prince, Xiao Yan, was a good-for-nothing. He had no military power, no influence, and no followers.

If Su Jiuge marries him, the military power of the Marquis of Dingyuan's mansion will not be at his disposal.

Fortunately.

But why would the Emperor marry Su Jiuge to a good-for-nothing? What was he thinking?

The fourth prince, Xiao Run, stood calmly in the line of princes.

He had already passed the most painful time—on the eighth day of the first lunar month, he publicly proposed to Su Jiuge in court, was scolded by his father, and was punished by being confined to his room for a month to reflect on his mistakes.

Before a month had even passed, the imperial decree for the marriage was issued.

The bride is Su Jiuge, but the groom is not him.

The sixth son, that notorious good-for-nothing playboy.

He didn't know where he went wrong.

Old Six is ​​more handsome than him, but that's just superficial.

In terms of talent and learning, he believed he was no less capable than the sixth brother.

In terms of status, he was the fourth prince, and the sixth prince was the sixth prince; neither of them was more noble than the other.

Speaking of sincerity—he looked down at his hands.

What's the use of sincerity? The Emperor doesn't acknowledge it, the court officials don't acknowledge it, and Su Jiuge doesn't acknowledge it either.

He sat in the small room where he reflected on his mistakes all night, and after sitting there all night, he came to a realization.

It's none of his business who Su Jiuge marries.

Su Jiuge was unconcerned about the ever-changing political landscape of the imperial court.

The imperial decree granting the marriage was accepted, and the wedding date was set—the ninth day of the third month, an auspicious day.

With less than twenty days to go, Madam Shen was busy every day, sewing wedding dresses, making jewelry, and preparing her dowry.

Su Jiuge was dragged around every day to take measurements, try on clothes, and choose patterns; it was much more tiring than killing people.

She practiced her sword skills in the training ground of the Marquis of Dingyuan's residence.

Shen Qing stood to the side, holding her scabbard in her hand.

He had heard about the arranged marriage yesterday, but didn't ask her "Are you willing?"

Those who have served in the secret service know that under an imperial edict, there is no such thing as willingness or unwillingness, only obedience.

He wouldn't ask, whether the Pavilion Master was willing or not was none of his business; he only needed to follow behind her, three steps away.

Su Jiuge sheathed her sword. "Shen Qing."

"exist."

What do you think of the Sixth Prince?

Shen Qing thought about it for a long time.

"I can't see through it."

Su Jiuge sheathed the knife.

"I can't see through it either."

Xiao Yan did not go to the Marquis's residence today.

Su Jiuge waited for him at the training ground for an hour, but he didn't come.

She sheathed her knife, and Shen Qing came out from under the eaves and handed her the scabbard.

"Sect Master, shall we go to Prince Zhao's residence?" Su Jiuge remained silent for a moment.

"Need not."

February 21st, the eighteenth year of Yong'an.

Luoyang, the imperial city.

The imperial decree bestowing the marriage has been in effect for seven days.

Emperor Yong'an did not summon any of his princes during these seven days.

He went to court as usual, reviewed memorials as usual, ate his meals as usual, and went to bed as usual.

Everything seemed normal, as if nothing had happened. But beneath the calm surface, undercurrents were surging.

The Crown Prince could no longer sit still in the Eastern Palace and repeatedly sent people to pay their respects and test the waters, but Gao Dequan turned them all away.

"His Majesty is in good health, Your Highness need not worry."

The Second Prince's residence sent three memorials requesting an audience, but Emperor Yong'an only replied with one word—

"busy."

The fourth prince is still in seclusion, reflecting on his mistakes, and cannot leave the capital.

In the imperial study, Emperor Yong'an sat behind his dragon desk, a memorial spread out before him—

The Crown Prince submitted another greeting memorial today. It was very long, full of allusions and over a thousand words, but the central idea was only one thing:

"Father, are you dissatisfied with your son?" Emperor Yong'an read two lines and then tossed the book aside.

"Gao Dequan".

"This old servant is here."

"Tell me, should I reply to the Crown Prince's memorial?"

Gao Dequan knelt down and kowtowed.

"Your Majesty, this old servant dares not speak presumptuously."

Emperor Yong'an did not make things difficult for him, and leaned back in his chair with his eyes closed. "The Crown Prince is anxious, the Second Prince is anxious, the Fourth Prince is reflecting on his mistakes, and the Sixth Prince—the Sixth Prince is not anxious at all."

He went to the Marquis of Dingyuan's residence almost every day to deliver books, give lectures, and eat osmanthus cakes.

"He's not in a hurry because he knows what I'm doing." Gao Dequan was puzzled.

Emperor Yong'an opened his eyes and looked at the ceiling.

"I am protecting him."

Emperor Yong'an picked up the imperial edict bestowing the marriage—he had read it many times before.

"I married Su Jiuge to him not so that he could enjoy a life of luxury, but so that he could have a shield. The military power of the Marquis of Dingyuan's mansion is a shield, the assassin network of the Dark Pavilion is a shield, and Su Jiuge himself is an even greater shield. With these, the Crown Prince will not dare to touch him, and the Second Prince will not dare to touch him. If they want to touch him, they should first think about the 100,000 troops of the Marquis of Dingyuan's mansion and the assassins of the Dark Pavilion who come and go without a trace."

Emperor Yong'an put down the imperial edict.

"I know my sons well. The eldest is no good, the second is even worse. The fourth is kind-hearted and not good enough to be an emperor. Only the sixth, who has pretended to be useless for more than twenty years, is flexible, patient, and accommodating. Only a person like this can survive in this cannibalistic court and become an emperor."

Emperor Yong'an remained silent for a moment.

"I am not choosing a crown prince, I am choosing an emperor. The crown prince has already been chosen and cannot be changed. Unless the crown prince himself makes a mistake, a serious mistake, so serious that I have no choice but to depose him. The second prince is the same; he is waiting for me to depose the crown prince so that he can take the throne. I will not let him succeed. If the eldest prince is deposed, the second prince will take the throne. Once the second prince takes the throne, the court will be his domain. With his temper, the sixth prince will not live more than three years. I cannot allow such a thing to happen."

Gao Dequan lowered his head, cold sweat pouring down his face.

He had heard these words before, but each time he did, they terrified him.

"Therefore, I will marry Su Jiuge to him." Emperor Yong'an's voice was as calm as if he were describing the weather.

"Su Jiuge is the daughter of the Marquis of Dingyuan's family, which holds military power. The Crown Prince dares not touch anyone with military power, nor does the Second Prince. Su Jiuge is the head of the Dark Pavilion, whose assassins are unparalleled. Anyone who wants to touch the Sixth Prince should first ask Su Jiuge for her blade."

Emperor Yong'an leaned back in his chair.

"I am not bestowing a marriage upon him; I am extending the life of the sixth prince. Su Jiuge is his life."

Gao Dequan knelt motionless, even his breathing became soft.

Emperor Yong'an remained silent for a long time.

"Gao Dequan, do you think Su Jiuge knows my intentions?"

Gao Dequan thought for a moment. "Miss Su is exceptionally intelligent; she should be able to guess it."

Emperor Yong'an nodded.

"She can guess, but she won't refuse. Not for the sake of the sixth prince, but for the peace of the realm. This girl has more than just herself in her heart. I have high hopes for her."

On February 21st, Xiao Yan returned.

Su Jiuge went to Prince Zhao's residence to find him, and she entered through the main gate.

When the doorman saw her, he didn't announce her arrival but simply stepped aside to let her through the door, his face showing an expression that said, "I knew you would come."

The tea was already brewed in the study. The person sitting behind the desk was dressed in a moon-white casual outfit, with messy hair and dark circles under his eyes, looking like he hadn't slept for several days.

Seeing Su Jiuge walk in, Xiao Yan's lips curved into a smile. "You've come?"

"Where did you go?" Su Jiuge walked over and sat down opposite him.

Xiao Yan poured two cups of tea.

"The Northern Territory. The Thousand Machine Pavilion's intelligence network has run into some problems. There were three groups of assassins, all targeting the Thousand Machine Pavilion's strongholds in the Northern Territory. The person behind it has been identified as a retainer of the Second Prince. He wants to cut off the Thousand Machine Pavilion's intelligence sources in the Northern Territory in preparation for his next move."

Su Jiuge picked up her teacup.

"Is the Second Prince about to make a move?"

"It'll be ready soon." Xiao Yan also picked up his teacup.

"The Crown Prince has recently made a series of missteps in court, which the Second Prince has seized upon, piling up memorials against him to a height of half a person. Although the Emperor has not made a statement, he has not summoned the Crown Prince alone for several days. The Second Prince is waiting for the day when the Emperor loses faith in the Crown Prince."

Su Jiuge put down her teacup.

Do you think His Majesty will lose faith in the Crown Prince?

Xiao Yan remained silent for a moment.

"Father never had confidence in the Crown Prince. He made him Crown Prince not because he was the most suitable, but because he was the eldest son. It was the law, and he had no choice but to make him. What has the Crown Prince done all these years? He's formed cliques, engaged in factionalism, and appointed relatives and friends. He's condoned half of the corrupt practices in the court. Father has seen it all, but he hasn't said anything because he's waiting. He's waiting for the Crown Prince to realize his mistakes and change. He's waited for many years, but the Crown Prince hasn't changed."

Su Jiuge looked at Xiao Yan.

"You want to be the emperor."

Xiao Yan's finger stopped on the teacup.

He looked at Su Jiuge, whose eyes, which were always languid and seemed perpetually sleepy, were now open, and there was a light in them that he had never seen before—not ambition, but a heavy, suffocating sense of responsibility.

"I don't want to be emperor," Xiao Yan said.

"But I can't let the Crown Prince become it, nor can I let the Second Prince. If the Crown Prince becomes it, the court will continue to rot, and in ten years, the Great Liang will no longer belong to the Xiao family. If the Second Prince becomes it, the court will be awash in blood. He's stubborn and self-willed, and he won't listen to anyone. He'll kill all his opponents. If all the opponents are killed, who will govern the country? Who will lead the army?"

Xiao Yan put down his teacup.

"There's no one left. Only his men are left, and his men only know how to flatter. The Great Liang will fall even faster."

Su Jiuge remained silent for a moment.

"So you want to be the emperor."

Xiao Yan nodded.

"I became emperor not for myself, but for the sake of the Great Liang."

Su Jiuge stared at him for a long time.

She said, "I'll help you."

Xiao Yan's pupils contracted slightly.

Su Jiuge said:

"It's not because you're my collaborator, it's because you're right. The Crown Prince can't be emperor, and neither can the Second Prince. If you become emperor, there's still hope for the Great Liang."

Su Jiuge looked into his eyes. "Helping you is also helping myself. The peace I desire is only possible if you become emperor."

Xiao Yan's eyes suddenly stung.

He lowered his head and took a sip of tea, suppressing the rising heat.

She's right. He pretended for over twenty years not to harm others, but to avoid being harmed himself. So many people want to be emperor, but none of them do so to save the world; they want the throne for the sake of the throne. He wasn't like that. He wanted the throne to save the world.

Xiao Yan's voice was very soft:

"You help me become emperor, but what about yourself?"

Su Jiuge remained silent for a long time.

"I'll help you, and then I'll leave."

Xiao Yan's hand tightened suddenly.

"Where are we going?"

Su Jiuge shook her head.

"I don't know. Anyway, I'm not suited to be empress. I'm better at killing than living in the harem. I'll manage the secret chambers, that's my business. You can handle matters in the court. As for matters in the harem, find someone else to manage them."

Xiao Yan lowered his head and looked at the tea in the teacup.

His face was reflected in the water; it was calm, but his heart was churning with emotions he couldn't quite put into words.

She wanted to help him become emperor, and then leave on her own.

What should he say, like "Don't go"?

He said he couldn't bring himself to say it.

She is Su Jiuge, a sword that needs no sheath; she does not belong to anyone's harem.

Xiao Yan looked up at her, his voice a little strained.

"Alright, I agree. Now that I'm emperor, you can go wherever you want. You can manage the Secretariat; I won't interfere. I'll handle matters of the court. You can come back anytime."

Su Jiuge nodded. "Okay."

She stood up and walked to the door, then suddenly stopped without turning back. "Xiao Yan, I helped you become emperor not for your sake, but for the peace of the realm. Remember that."

"I won't forget," Xiao Yan said softly.

Su Jiuge walked out.

Xiao Yan sat alone behind his desk, the tea in front of him had gone cold, but he didn't refill it.

She said, "I'll leave after I finish this for you." She said, "I'm not suited for that position." She said, "Find someone else to manage the harem."

Every word cut a wound in his heart, not deep, but painful.

He leaned back in his chair and closed his eyes.

Su Jiuge's face appeared in his mind—her slightly furrowed brows when she was reading, her chubby cheeks when she ate osmanthus cake, and the cold glint in her eyes when she drew her sword.

She said she didn't want to be empress, and she said she wanted to leave.

Xiao Yan opened his eyes and looked at the empty doorway.

He has no right to stop her from leaving.

She was not anyone's appendage; she was not the daughter of the Marquis of Dingyuan's family, not the head of the Dark Pavilion, and not his collaborator.

She is Su Jiuge, and she belongs only to herself.

The only way to stay by her side is not to try to keep her, but to walk alongside her.

Wherever she wanted to go, he would go. If she wanted to leave, he would accompany her. If she didn't want to be empress, he wouldn't let her be empress.

She wanted peace in the world, so he gave her peace in the world.

This was all he could give her.

Xiao Yan picked up the teacup and drank the cooled tea in one gulp.