On the eve of the Princess’s departure, Xing Muzheng was released from the Heavenly Prison.
Though he had not been tortured, his face was haggard, his figure gaunt. Xing Pingchun had men carry his father onto a carriage. The Emperor had already given a verbal command that Xing Pingchun was not to weep and wail upon returning to the estate. So Xing Pingchun let others cry, and cry they did—so much so that the entire street trailed after the Marquis’ carriage.
“Father, you’ve suffered.” Xing Pingchun knelt inside the carriage, softly speaking to Xing Muzheng, who had closed his eyes to feign sleep.
Xing Muzheng opened his eyes and looked at his son, whom he had not seen in a year. The boy had shed his immaturity; the once slightly rounded face in his memory was gone, replaced by sharp features that resembled his own youth. With a faint smile in his eyes, Xing Muzheng reached out and stroked his son’s head.
This was the first time Xing Pingchun had ever been treated with such tenderness by his father. Thinking of their family’s separation, his nose suddenly stung.
He sniffled.
“You’ve worked hard as well,” Xing Muzheng said.
Xing Pingchun’s eyes reddened, and unable to hold it back, tears slipped down. He hurriedly turned away to wipe them, afraid his father would think him weak—or worse, laugh at him.
Xing Muzheng saw, but pretended not to notice. “Have you sent word to your mother?”
“Your son already released Lielei, it should reach Yuzhou by tomorrow or the next day.”
“Good.”
Outside, the wailing of servants filled the air, joined by monks and Daoists Xing Pingchun had invited to drive out ill fortune—chanting sutras, casting spells, beating drums and gongs, even setting off firecrackers. It was deafening, but none of it reached inside the carriage. Xing Muzheng asked, “Is everything ready for tomorrow?”
“Father needn’t worry. I’ve arranged everything. When the time comes, someone will see us safely out of the estate.”
Xing Muzheng raised his brows. “I received your letter before. You said someone is lending us aid. Who is it?”
Xing Pingchun’s body stiffened imperceptibly. He forced a laugh. “When tomorrow comes, Father will know.”
Still keeping secrets? Xing Muzheng studied his son a moment, then tugged the corner of his lips and closed his eyes again. “Very well. Whether we father and son escape with our lives depends on you.”
While Xing Muzheng was being noisily escorted home, the news reached the palace and Emperor Yongtai erupted in fury.
“That foolish brat! I clearly ordered him to hold his tongue, yet he still paraded his father back home with gongs and drums—does he take my words as nothing?”
Yu Xi quickly said, “Your Majesty, please quell your anger. In truth, if you think about it carefully, isn’t this actually a good thing? Now that all of Yongan knows Xing Muzheng has returned home, should anything happen to him, it will have nothing to do with Your Majesty. Even if the Xie family defies the throne, it will be only for this one day. Please, endure it just this once.”
Emperor Yongtai gave a heavy snort.
Yu Xi poured him wine. “Does Your Majesty wish this servant to make arrangements for tomorrow… night’s matter?”
The Emperor downed his cup and barked, “How could such things fall to the tongue of a servant? Begone!”
Yu Xi obeyed, retreating and quietly shutting the hall doors. Dismissing the waiting eunuchs and maids, he pressed his ear to the door. Inside, he could hear faint voices. He knew it must be the secret Imperial Guards—an elite corps that served only the Emperor, unmatched in martial skill and merciless in their strikes, leaving no survivors among their targets.
The next day was an auspicious one, suited for weddings and sacrifices.
A princess’s marriage was a rare spectacle for the common people. Crowds thronged both sides of Xianghe Street, watching as the young groom led the princess out of the palace and into her new household.
Xing Pingchun, dressed in a bright red wedding robe, rode atop his powerful steed Ant, calmly moving through the masses. Behind him followed Princess Huairou’s phoenix carriage and ceremonial retinue. A princess’s wedding meant ten miles of red adornment, with endless palace servants carrying dowries trailing behind.
“The Imperial family marrying a princess into the Xing household means they’ve pardoned General Xing’s crime, doesn’t it?”
“General Xing was released from prison just yesterday. Truly, His Majesty is a virtuous and wise ruler!”
“Yes indeed. General Xing has rendered great service to our state. May he live in peace, and may the princess bring harmony to the Xing family!”
After all the tedious formalities, Xing Pingchun finally entered the bridal chamber with the petite princess. Emperor Yongtai sent word that ministers were to feast at the Xie estate, drinking without restraint.
The ministers received the decree with reverence.
Yu Xi smiled. “My lords, His Majesty adds another decree: ‘I know Minister Xing has suffered much of late. Pass on my order that all my beloved ministers must each toast him a cup. Keep my in-laws well company, and let Minister Xing forget all cares.’”
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