After Rebirth, I Married my Archenemy - Chapter 26
“This Li Pan!”
The Emperor Chengming could hardly contain his anger, trembling all over.
“When we went to war, he confidently declared, ‘The barbarians are weak; we’ll have them subdued by March,’ and even persuaded his elder brother to support him. And what was the result?”
“He grew overconfident after a series of victories, foolishly dismissing the guards and allowing performers, disguised as soldiers, to sneak into camp at midnight to drink and revel with him. The Xifan forces seized the opportunity, infiltrated the camp, abducted the hostages, and killed over ten guards, leading to the loss of Chaoshancheng. It was only then that he awoke from his drunken stupor!”
“Your Majesty, please, calm yourself; your health must come first,” Zheng Fu urged with caution. “Though Fourth young master underestimated the enemy, the three passes we’ve recently captured are still secure. As long as we maintain control…”
Zheng Fu was a servant to the late Empress, the mother of the Crown Prince and Li Pan. His favoritism toward Li Pan was clearly not what the Emperor Chengming wanted to hear. The Emperor held his forehead, his chest rising and falling,
“Get out, and call in Consort Lu!”
Before Zheng Fu left, he discreetly placed a confidential report on the desk.
Consort Lu entered with delicate steps.
Her figure was full, yet her movements were quick. She opened the window and covered the incense burner with a copper basin, tossing in a few pieces of orange peel. She dampened a cloth and gently pressed it against the Emperor’s forehead.
The Emperor Chengming’s expression relaxed.
Consort Lu was originally a merchant’s daughter. When her wine shop encountered the Emperor’s army passing through, she married him. Due to her cleverness and capability, she gained his favor, and her entire family was granted titles and positions, elevating them from commoners.
Consort Lu warmed the tea and offered it to the Emperor with both hands.
“Your Majesty, the tea is not hot anymore.”
She glanced at the military report, then set it back down and began to massage the Emperor’s shoulders.
To ensure complete quiet, Consort Lu stationed her personal maid Yinzi outside the screen to intercept all reports, and she quietly brought them in, stacking them on the table.
Since the confidential report was the smallest, Consort Lu had no choice but to place it on top.
When she opened it, she saw it was from Lu Huating and quietly concealed the report in her sleeve.
“What’s going on?” The Emperor Chengming still opened his eyes.
Consort Lu hurriedly smiled.
“Your Majesty, your head hurts. Please do not think about state affairs for now.”
“I’m not thinking about them; soon, the border will be completely lost.”
“I can tell the color of the cover; it’s not a military report, it’s from the close ministers.” Consort Lu’s eyes sparkled with laughter, her dimples showing a charm mixed with a touch of innocence, making the Emperor feel comforted.
He said, “What is it? Read it to me.”
Emperor Chengming favored his new consorts and sometimes bent the rules, asking them to read the memorials.
Consort Lu read a few, and the Emperor became even angrier.
“Do not read idle words that concern me! Writing a few words won’t cure an illness; it’s a waste of paper and ink.”
Consort Lu paused, then gracefully skimmed through a pile of memorials, accurately extracting one from the middle.
“This one is of value; His Majesty will be glad to hear it.”
Prince Yan is requesting to go to the west to assist Prince Zhao Li Pan.
The Emperor Chengming stared at it for a long time, setting the memorial aside without a word.
Li Huan was skilled in battle and known as the “Ghostly Face Yama.” If he truly went, he would have the means to turn the crisis into safety.
However, because Prince Yan’s accomplishments overshadowed his authority, continuing the campaign would threaten the position of the Eastern Palace. Fearing hidden dangers would arise, they could not allow military power to rest in one person’s hands.
This time, letting Prince Zhao Li Pan go into battle alone is also meant to train and test him.
If Li Pan can support himself, he can balance power with Prince Yan in the future.
Who would have thought Li Pan would be so useless?
“What else?” Consort Lu discerned discontent in the Emperor Chengming’s tone.
Consort Lu’s eyes shifted slightly as she pulled out another memorial:
“Advisor Lu from Prince Yan’s residence has reported that he is willing to use Prince Yan residence’s resources to hold the ceremony, welcoming the Buddha’s relic into Chang’an to relieve your worries, Your Majesty.”
The Emperor Chengming’s expression changed.
In just two short sentences, it represented a significant amount of money.
Prince Yan residence not only sent people but also invested money, pushing their chips to the limit.
From the wide sleeves of his ceremonial robe, the Emperor pulled out a sheet of paper—the imperial decree that demoted Prince Yan to Qinghai, already sealed with a jade stamp. However, today, Han Wanyi unexpectedly had an incident, causing chaos at the palace banquet, so it hadn’t been announced.
Consort Lu’s gaze immediately fixated on that piece of paper.
“To the common people, I am their sovereign,” the Emperor said slowly. “But to Erlang¹, I am a father. As a father, I can forgive Erlang with a mere word. However, as a sovereign, I must provide an explanation to the world regarding Prince Yan.”
“Pinghua, I noticed you read the memorials skillfully. You selected two, both from the Prince Yan residence. As a businesswoman, help me calculate: should I issue this decree or not?”
“Your Majesty jest; I do not understand state affairs and am unable to calculate,” Consort Lu replied, her heart racing. She lowered her gaze, appearing particularly vulnerable. “All I can do is empathize and feel it is unjust for Princess Consort Yan.”
She continued, “On the day Princess Consort Yan married Erlang, she led the Xiao family army to stabilize the hearts of Chang’an’s people. She also assisted the Empress in managing palace affairs, working tirelessly. Yet, after experiencing so little happiness, she must now be sent to Qinghai. Princess Consort Yan, originally a noble lady of Chang’an, has endured a sorrowful life by marrying an inexperienced Erlang. As a fellow woman, I cannot help but feel heartbroken for her.”
Consort Lu skillfully sidestepped the crux of the matter, framing her arguments from Princess Consort Yan’s perspective. After hearing her words, the Emperor made up his mind, tossing the decree into the brazier and sighing, “The Empress truly is of little use…”
—
Outside, the Grand Historian turned the compass toward Princess Bao’an: “The east has a clash.”
Bao Shu’s voice carried a hint of tears. “Your Majesty, this compass can be attracted by magnets and is known to be manipulated; it is not reliable.”
“Oh, while the compass can be faked, the eight characters can’t be,” Princess Danyang said bluntly. “Grand Historian, calculate whether Han Wanyi and Princess Bao’an’s eight characters clash.”
Once this was said, even if they didn’t clash, they would be deemed to clash.
Yang Fu stood up, biting her lip. “Your Majesty, I am unwell and will excuse myself first.”
Then, before everyone’s eyes, she disregarded Bao Shu’s obstruction and left the palace like a leaf blown by the wind.
The Empress frowned. “In that case, Princess Bao’an will be placed under house arrest until Han Wanyi safely gives birth, and then the house arrest will be lifted.”
The palace ladies sighed and discussed; seven months of house arrest would mean when she was released, it would be too late…
Before leaving, Yang Fu glanced back at Qun Qing with tears in her eyes, her expression despairing and complex.
Qun Qing said nothing.
Like most women in this world, seeing Yang Fu’s misery and isolation made her feel compassion, yet she returned a cold gaze.
To cut ties when necessary—this was a self-preservation lesson she had learned. It might be painful for a while, but it was better than sacrificing a lifetime.
She heard Zheng Zhiyi whisper, “Stare, stare, stare, no matter how wide your eyes are, His Highness won’t save you.”
Qun Qing nearly choked. Zheng Zhiyi thought Yang Fu was seeking help from the Crown Prince.
It was strange that today, Li Xuan did not plead for Princess Bao’an; could it be that he had also decided to give her up?
At that moment, the Emperor’s proclamation came:
“Prince Yan Li Huan’s request for battle is approved. Prince Yan is ordered to lead the charge to Liangzhou and assist Prince Zhao in repelling the Xifan Kingdom to jointly protect the Great Chen’s territory. If Prince Yan can turn his past mistakes into merit, he will not be held accountable for previous faults, and rewards will be given based on his achievements!”
Li Xuan’s hand moved, spilling wine.
Prince Yan Li Huan immediately knelt on the ground, declaring loudly,
“Thank you, Father Emperor, for your grace! This son will exert every effort; I will not return until the Xifan are defeated.”
Xiao Yunru also breathed a sigh of relief, thanking him with the assistance of her maids. The happiest was undoubtedly the Empress, who instructed the palace maid to return the phoenix seal to Xiao Yunru.
“I have said it before: there’s no overnight enmity between father and son. You worry too much, child; there’s no need to be so startled.”
No one else thought that way but the Empress.
Who knows what storms brewed beneath the surface?
None of the guests anticipated this turn of events; they were amazed, thinking Prince Yan was just too fortunate.
Not only was he a victorious general in battles, but he also had a knack for finding a way out of dead-end situations. Take this instance, for example: while public grievances in Chang’an were reaching a boiling point, he happened to be away. By the time he returned, the rumors in the west market had settled, and his new military achievements would serve as a ladder to success.
If it weren’t for his naturally unattractive face marked by a birthmark, one might truly suspect Prince Yan was the son of destiny.
Only Qun Qing stared at Lu Huating’s empty seat.
It wasn’t luck, nor was it destiny…
Just now, Lu Huating had hastily used osmanthus flowers to set a trap, not intending to put her to death but to create chaos at the banquet, buying time for the military report from the Xifan to arrive.
It seemed Prince Zhao’s act of calling in courtesans to the camp had already reached Lu Huating’s ears. Calculating that this battle would inevitably fail, he seized this opportunity to help Li Huan desperately seek survival. This was his trump card.
She and Bao Shu are also part of this.
Thinking of this, Qun Qing’s expression darkened slightly. She finished the loquat in her hand and leaned closer to Zheng Zhiyi, asking,
“Do you want to go out to digest your food after dinner, Liangdi?”
—
Emperor Chengming returned to the throne to dine. Consort Lu’s maid, Jin Zi, opened the small side door of the Hanyuandian used for storage.
Light poured into the darkness, and the hidden person slightly tilted their head, revealing a jaw that looked like white jade.
“The Emperor has issued an edict,” Jin Zi said, “and I apologize for any injustice done to the chief advisor.”
The person’s gaze flickered as they slowly got up.
The storage area was low, forcing Lu Huating to kneel and sit inside, with brushes and ink laid out in front of him. Consort Lu had hidden him here. The two memorials he brought for the game were written while listening to the conversation between Emperor Chengming and Consort Lu outside the door. He held the lamp, wrote the memorials, sealed them with the official stamp, and had Jin Zi secretly pass them out for Consort Lu to present to the sage.
This was the only way to ensure Prince Yan would stay with the least cost.
After staying too long in the cramped space, when he came out, his lips were pale, yet his expression was calm as he brushed off the straw from his sleeves.
“If Consort Lu is willing to help, I will be immensely grateful.”
Jinzi smiled sweetly. “The red jade coral that Meng Jieshizhong gifted to Princess Baoan is already a treasured piece, and the ladies are quite envious of it. They could never imagine that the red jade Buddha statue Lord Lu promised to give to the Concubine on the day of writing the blessing paper for the Qiqiao Festival is even larger than that coral! Concubine Lu loves it and plans to place it in Marquis Lu Wanhu’s private residence to protect the house.”
“It’s good if the lady likes it,” Lu Huating replied.
“By the way,” he asked Jin Zi, “When Consort Lu read the memorials, did she happen to see a green envelope with a secret memorial?”
Jin Zi’s eyes flickered: “It was brought in by Zheng Gonggong for the Crown Prince. When the lady saw it was related to you, she quickly hid it.”
“Could you let me see it?” Lu Huating inquired.
But Jin Zi smiled and refused: “The lady said she likes smart people like you. Even if she knew the contents of the secret memorial, she wouldn’t speak carelessly.”
She continued, “The lady’s brother, Lord Lu Wanhu, is interested in a piece of land in the southern suburbs of Chang’an, wanting to build a residence there, but the land in Chang’an is expensive. I wonder what the Chief Advisor thinks…”
Lu Huating’s dark eyes held a slight smile:
“Sounds good.”
“Then I will thank the Chief Advisor in advance.” Jin Zi happily finished speaking but did not withdraw, still standing with her hands down.
Lu Huating glanced at her and knew she still wanted a reward. He reached into his sleeve but paused, recalling that he had given all his coins to Qun Qing.
“No need,” Jin Zi declined.
Lu Huating’s fingers grasped his waistband, decisively breaking off the piece of white jade set in the middle of his decorative belt and handing it to Jin Zi, smiling,
“How can this be? A reward is necessary.”
Jin Zi had seen power holders who allied with palace consorts, but this was her first time encountering one who acted so freely, making her ears flush: “Thank you for the reward Chief Advisor. If there’s anything in the future, feel free to find me.”
—
Lu Huating descended the jade steps under the night sky, the wind tugging at his sleeves and hem. He moved with an air of ease, a faintly mocking smile dancing in his eyes—it was almost amusing.
Yet, he was not entirely unburdened, for he held a lamp that cast a soft glow.
Raising the lamp slightly, he illuminated Li Huan’s furious face below.
“I asked where you’d gone, and this is what you’ve been up to,” Li Huan, now in full military attire, said with barely restrained anger.
“You know how much I detest dealing with the consorts. They all whisper honeyed words to the Emperor, causing nothing but chaos in the court!”
Lu Huating met his gaze, eyes filled with detached amusement.
“Your Highness, good deeds are for Xiao Jingxing. I’m not suited for such things.”
Li Huan momentarily fell silent, chilled by Lu Huating’s indifference.
As Lu Huating continued down the steps, Li Huan noticed that he kept a deliberate distance between them.
In the past, Li Huan had stubbornly refused to ally with the consorts, leaving Li Xuan to build ties with the newly favored consort—an alliance that had stifled Li Huan’s ambitions.
But Lu Huating was a man who would stop at nothing; having seen the opportunity, he had no intention of letting it slip by.
“I know you’re doing this for me,” Li Huan said softly. “But what have you done? You dared to take on the task of welcoming the Buddha’s relics without my consent. My seal wasn’t meant for that! Do you have any idea how much money is needed for such a task? Can you just pull it out of thin air?!”
Lu Huating replied calmly, “As for the funds, the princess and I will handle it. You don’t need to worry.”
“It’s not just about money,” Li Huan responded, his expression troubled. “The fall of the State of Chu was due to an emperor obsessed with Daoism, neglecting governance. My brother already leans heavily toward divine and Buddhist matters, and now even Prince Yan Mansion is following suit.”
“Sanlang²,” Lu Huating said, his tone steady, “do you know how many temples exist across the nation? In Chang’an alone, there are twenty-six temples and forty-eight monasteries, with countless followers. Right now, the new dynasty’s priority is to quickly win the people’s loyalty. The Liuli Kingdom is regarded as the center of orthodox Buddhism. If we manage to bring the Buddha’s relics to Chang’an, it signifies recognition from the Liuli Kingdom, and countless believers will naturally rally to us. Why not make the most of such an opportunity? I say it should be a grand celebration.”
Li Huan stopped in his tracks. Lu Huating, without turning back, asked,
“What are you staring at?”
“I feel like you’ve changed lately,” Li Huan admitted. “I can’t quite see what your true intentions are anymore. The incident at the Western Market was clearly a scheme by Meng Guanlou; why aren’t you investigating it more thoroughly? Where did you pick up these tactics?”
“Who says we aren’t investigating? We are, discreetly,” Lu Huating replied, finally turning to meet Li Huan’s gaze, his dark eyes devoid of warmth. “There are many types of people in this world; some are fellow travelers on the same path, while others merely cross paths by chance. You and I, Your Highness, are merely ‘passing travelers.’”
“I’m still here only because I have debts to repay,” he said, his expression detached.
“Are you planning to leave?” Li Huan’s voice faltered, hurt by the coldness in Lu Huating’s words.
“You and I have endured everything together until now. I’ve promised you rank and titles, the freedom to pursue whatever you desire. Isn’t that enough to make us fellow travelers?”
Lu Huating’s lips curved into a faint smile, but he offered no reply.
In his previous life, when Li Huan ascended the throne, he came to understand that no matter who held power, hearts would inevitably change.
The young Li Huan standing before him had no inkling that one day, the very person Lu Huating would long to destroy would be the one he strove to protect, delaying fate as much as he could. And the one he swore to shield would bypass him entirely, meeting their end with a poisoned cup.
He was not here to help Li Huan reclaim his imperial legacy.
He was merely here to finish what he hadn’t completed in the past.
“Right now, we are still fellow travelers; rest assured, I won’t harm you,” Lu Huating said as they reached the post station. “Get on the horse.”
The battle couldn’t be delayed. Accompanying them were four guards and fifteen soldiers from Prince Yan Mansion. The guards had already prepared clothing and weapons, and they led the horses, ready to head to Liangzhou through the night. Li Huan mounted his horse, and under the moonlight, he looked every bit the battle-hardened cavalryman.
“Don’t forget to take care of Ah Fu for me!”
Lu Huating turned away only when the dust raised by the horse’s hooves had settled.
In the dim light, he noticed a figure crouched on a stone beneath the bushes. His eyes narrowed as he moved forward, parting the foliage to reveal a pale face.
He turned to take in the scene. From this spot, one could clearly see the members of Yan Wang’s entourage and even catch fragments of their conversation—a chill spread along his spine.
Qun Qing sensed his gaze lingering on her for a long moment.
“Tonight, my lady, you were the star of the banquet,” he said with a pleasant tone, laced with a hint of sincerity.
She hadn’t expected the sudden compliment and hesitated, unsure if he meant it as praise or mockery.
“Did you follow us here?” Lu Huating pressed. “The post station isn’t on the way back to the East Palace.”
Of course, he’d seen through her. Qun Qing sat down, a slight smile tugging at the corner of her lips.
“Following? Liangdi is Prince Yan’s elder sister-in-law, here to see him off. I simply accompanied her, and happened to step into a puddle. I’m just tidying up my appearance—do you really need to involve yourself in this as well?”
With that, she turned away, bending down to adjust her shoes. The lantern light fell on the hem of her skirt, revealing it to be genuinely stained with mud.
Then Zheng Zhiyi’s voice rang out as she hurried over, her tone bright and cheerful:
“Prince Yan has finally left! I asked the stable master if I could ride one of the post horses now, but he refused…”
“Liangdi, the Chief Advisor of Prince Yan’s residence is also here to see him off,” Qun Qing quickly stood up to remind her.
Only then did Zheng Zhiyi notice the presence of another person hidden in the shadows, and she let out a startled “Ah!”
What a devoted elder sister-in-law, coming all this way to see me off…
Lu Huating glanced at Zheng Zhiyi, who was being manipulated by Qun Qing, and gave her a respectful bow: “Lady Liang, if you wish to ride a horse, I can escort you to Shanglin Garden. Post horses are not for riding.”
“I understand. If there’s nothing more, Chief Advisor, you should return quickly. I was merely joking with Lady Qing. I’ve never seen a palace post horse before and was just curious,” Zheng Zhiyi said, her gaze fixed on Lu Huating, as if facing a formidable foe.
Qun Qing lowered her head, wiping the mud off the hem of her skirt. Suddenly, she noticed Lu Huating approaching, placing something beside her before quietly leaving.
She turned and saw a softly glowing lantern left on the ground. Calling after him, she said, “Chief Advisor, you’ve dropped something.”
Lu Huating paused and replied, “On your way back to the palace, you’ll pass through the forest. The path is uneven, and after the rain, it’s full of puddles. You can use the lantern to light Liangdi’s way.”
“This area is nearer to the East Palace and farther from Prince Yan’s residence,” Qun Qing noted.
Lu Huating turned slightly, the lantern light reflecting in his eyes, his expression a mix of warmth and detachment:
“I’m accustomed to walking at night. I won’t lose my way.”
Qun Qing watched as his figure, like a drifting shadow, vanished into the dark forest.
- Erlang – often used as a familiar or affectionate term within a family, particularly to refer to a younger son or a son with a specific birth order, such as the second or third son. ↵
- Sanglang – directly refers to the third-born son but carries a sense of endearment or intimacy, commonly used by family members or close acquaintances. So while “third son” is accurate, it lacks the familial warmth or traditional tone conveyed by “Sanlang.”↵
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