Rebirth As A Human Cauldron Chapter 26

Chapter 26

Being young, the Fifth Prince held a fledgling attachment to him. Since waking up, the prince stuck to him all day long. Helplessly, he had to leave the empty Yang family mansion and move into the palace.

Now, with the court lacking a leader, as the bearer of the royal token, he became the most influential person. Standing firmly behind the Fifth Prince, he was inevitably targeted by those with ulterior motives, who accused him of manipulating the Emperor to control the regional lords. Even rumors started circulating among the common people. Anxiety filled the air for a while.

Fortunately, the Yang family’s longstanding prestige still held sway, and with the tribes from the borderlands keeping watch, nothing major happened.

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The Fifth Prince pouted, complaining, “These maids are so annoying. I don’t like them.”

He consoled, “…But Your Highness still needs attendants by your side. Today is your coronation day. If you don’t dress appropriately, you might become the laughingstock of the realm.”

Blinking his large eyes, the Fifth Prince took a step back and stretched his arms out. “I want you to help me change, General.”

“Uh… I’m not very skilled at this…” he said helplessly. Yet he couldn’t refuse the pleading look from the prince’s eyes. With a slight bow, he hesitantly straightened the jade belt around the prince’s waist.

These hands of his could kill and save lives, yet they were clueless about how to serve someone. When he had changed the young prince’s clothes after rescuing him earlier, the effort had left him drenched in sweat. But now, this was the dragon robe worn during the coronation—a task that couldn’t afford any mistakes. Still, if the prince was willing to entrust this to him, he couldn’t let the young man down.

By the time he put the last jade pendant on the prince’s waist, his back was soaked in sweat. As he stood up, he felt a bit dizzy, nearly stumbling back before regaining his balance.

A thin arm grabbed his hand. “General, are you okay?”

“I’m fine, Your Majesty. I apologize for causing you to worry,” he corrected himself, addressing the prince as “Your Majesty.” But he saw the Fifth Prince’s brow furrow slightly. “Why be so formal, General?”

“It’s not about formality, it’s about the proper respect between ruler and subject.” He turned and fetched the dragon crown, placing it on the prince’s head. The trailing part of the crown obscured the young prince’s still-childish face. “Your Majesty, you should refer to yourself as ‘We’ now.”

The Fifth Prince… no, the Emperor—his fingers beneath the dragon robe’s silk tightened suddenly. It was as if he couldn’t catch his breath. “Do you think… I… can truly be a good Emperor?”

The young voice trembled slightly. Even with the yellow robe draped over him, it couldn’t hide the fragility in his heart. Yet, having grown up amidst such influences, he wasn’t truly ignorant. It’s just that an innate innocence emerged from the depths of his being, untarnished even by climbing out from a heap of corpses.

And this was precisely what he cherished the most, and what he desired to protect.

Once again, he knelt down, his spine—the unbreakable backbone—bending for the first time. He prostrated himself fully, his body in a position of complete reverence, before the young Emperor. He made a solemn oath.

“In the presence of heaven and earth, I solemnly vow that I will follow Your Majesty until death, never to defy or betray. If I ever violate this oath, may I be struck by lightning and dismembered by five horses. After death, I will not be buried in the ancestral tomb. I will be without a name or marker, forever denied release!”

Each word was spoken with modulation and emphasis, as if he were declaring his unwavering loyalty. The young Emperor took a slight step back and helped him up.

“General… I will be a good Emperor. I won’t be afraid anymore,” he said slowly. His voice still carried some tension, yet it was imbued with a resolute determination. “All my loved ones are gone. You saved me, and you are like family. In this world, you are the only person I truly believe in… I promise you that, no matter when and what, I will trust you.”

“I will live up to Your Majesty’s trust,” he took a deep breath. With the support of the young Emperor’s offered arm, he stood up. “Your Majesty, it’s getting late. Allow me to escort you to the front of the hall.”

“Okay.” The Emperor, still a young boy, nodded. The beads hanging from his crown swayed, displaying a touch of childlike cuteness, yet an air of authority was already emerging.

Indeed, as soon as he donned the yellow robe, ascended the grand hall, and took his seat upon the highest chair in the Empire… anyone would grow. Unexpectedly, the Emperor who had been overlooked by the late Emperor turned out to have a natural aptitude for the role.

In his hands, all state matters became orderly, and even the initial voices of dissent gradually faded as he repeatedly assisted the people in disaster relief. Some said it was because he had the support of the General by his side, while others believed it was the destiny of the nation yet to be fulfilled, with a divine envoy sent to rescue them—a true Dragon Emperor.

Three years passed, and the realm experienced no more calamities. Even the annual harvest had multiplied several times over. The royal treasury gradually filled, and with the issuance of new laws, fresh blood streamed into the court, in stark contrast to the earlier desolation.

He had witnessed it all from beginning to end.

Three years ago, during the coronation ceremony, the Emperor granted him authority over the Forbidden Army, as well as various privileges such as not having to kneel in the Emperor’s presence and the right to wear a sword to court. This placed him directly in the position of a “powerful minister.” If it were anyone else, they would have been suspicious after being granted such favors. However, he understood—it was the young Emperor’s way of giving him the best, and nothing more.

Therefore, he willingly bore the rumors and whispers within the court, secretly making sure none of these reached the Emperor’s ears… The Emperor might have immense talent, but he was still not yet of age. Moreover, having been disregarded in his early years, he might have been forced into power now, but he was isolated and unsupported within the court. He was his greatest pillar of support.

As long as the Yang family banner still flew, as long as he held the tiger talisman, he would remain the minister who stood above all others. It wasn’t that he wasn’t wary of holding too much power. He simply believed that the young Emperor would trust him.

Arriving at the imperial study deep into the night, the warm yellow glow of candlelight illuminated the room. He stopped a servant at the door who seemed about to announce his presence. Upon entering, he found the young Emperor resting his head on the table, seemingly asleep.

A soft smile crept onto his face. He walked over with light steps and gently draped a cloak over the young Emperor’s shoulders. Then, he returned to the door, instructing the servants to bring some refreshments.

As expected, within the time it took for an incense stick to burn, the Emperor raised his head from the table, looking at the cloak on him, and smiled knowingly.

“General, when did you arrive? Why didn’t you wake me?” The Emperor asked.

“I saw Your Majesty sleeping so soundly, I didn’t want to disturb you,” he replied as he approached, offering a cup of hot tea. “Your Majesty, please have some tea first. I’ve arranged some porridge from the imperial kitchen, which will be brought shortly.”

The Emperor’s brows eased at his words, and he tugged at his clothes playfully, seemingly being affectionate. “You really understand me, General.”

The young Emperor was in the midst of voice changing, his voice slightly hoarse when speaking, carrying a more dignified air than before. Looking at the faint dark circles under his eyes, he felt a pang of sympathy and began massaging his temples. “Your Majesty, why are you still awake so late? Is it because of… those old courtiers?”

Though the Emperor had been on the throne for three years and enjoyed high prestige, there were still dissenting voices in the court. The most vehement opposition came from the faction led by the Second Prince of Qin—a prince who used to be upright and righteous but was now incapacitated, lying in a coma from injuries sustained during a rebellion led by his own brothers. This event had inadvertently allowed the young Emperor to seize the advantage…

Though the young Emperor possessed extraordinary talents, he was ultimately still a youth at heart. At this moment, he couldn’t hide his feelings. “Those old stubborn men keep causing problems for me. The official documents sent down earlier were delayed by two days in transit and nearly caused a major mistake…”

As he spoke, the Emperor grew more agitated, banging the table with his hands to emphasize his point. “Those people, all they think about is how to share power… Hmph, I’m not a fool. I’m not going to give in to their demands. They have no military power in their hands. I doubt they can come up with any tricks.”

As the Emperor vented his frustrations, he seemed to remember something suddenly. He grabbed his hand, a firm grip, and said, “How about I grant you the title of Duke of Zhen Guo? If it weren’t for you standing behind me all these years, if it weren’t for you…”

“If it weren’t for me, Your Majesty would still be the Emperor, protected by the heavens,” he replied with a smile, accepting the second half of the sentence. He returned the grip, his hand enveloping the young Emperor’s fingers stained with ink, massaging his stiff joints. “As for those people, as long as I’m alive, they won’t harm Your Majesty in the slightest.”

Three days later, a royal edict arrived at the estate where he resided, sending ripples through the entire court.

With this move, the young Emperor nearly pushed him into the spotlight. Even the old generals who were loyal to the Yang family hurried from afar to question him about why he accepted the title.

During the five years he guarded the border, he had forged deep friendships with the old generals who had served under his father. Facing these people he truly respected, he had to reveal his considerations. This included his old grievances, the situation within the palace, and more. The veteran generals exchanged glances and finally one of them sighed, “The Yang family has never participated in court politics… Now you’ve risen to a high position, even giving up your armor and weapons to become a powerful minister. In the future, when you descend into the underworld, how will you face your ancestors, both near and distant, in the Yang family?”

“Uncle Wei, I address you as ‘uncle’ because it was you and father who rescued me from under the corpses that day,” he said, looking at the elderly man’s aged yet clear eyes with a gentle smile. “Do you know the Yang family’s motto… Do you know what my father said to me on the first day he taught me martial arts?”

“He told me that for the sake of this country, there’s nothing that can’t be sacrificed.”

********

He remembered the clear eyes of the young Emperor in the study, the occasional childlike gestures, his gaze softened for a moment, only to regain its determination quickly.

“If that day truly comes, I won’t regret it either.” He closed his eyes briefly. “We all know… the present needs someone to step forward, to stabilize the situation for His Majesty, to prevent those stubborn parasites from acting, and to give His Majesty time to cultivate His own influence.”

“But that person doesn’t have to be you.”

“That person must be me, because only I possess such loyalty, only I dare to stake my life, my reputation, and even the eternal reputation of the Yang family, to play this move for His Majesty.” He clasped his hands together and deeply bowed to the people present. “Yang Mou has let down the expectations of the uncles, I ask for your understanding!”

Finally, someone sighed, “General Yang, you possess such insight at such a young age… we can’t compare. But Emperor Qi is still underage, with the impulsive nature of a youth. Making such a promise…”

Shaking his head, he let the conversation stop there.

He smiled gently, “Even if I’m thrown into hell by a royal edict someday, at least I’ve exchanged these years of peace… it’s not in vain.”

Though he said so, he also understood that if that day truly came, the reputation of generations of loyalty and righteousness in the Yang family would end. All accusations would fall onto him alone, written in black and white in the annals of history, etched into stone tablets for future generations to criticize and condemn.

But… so what?

After my death, what does it matter if the world turns upside down? Throughout his life, he sought neither fame nor position, only an existence without regret.

Regardless of whether the Emperor’s words were impulsive youthful sentiments, the moment he knelt and swore, he committed his life to one person.

For this, he was willing to sacrifice anything, including himself, including… the Yang family.

Duke of Zhen Guo was a first-tier noble title, a position that elevated him above tens of thousands of others. Naturally, there were many voices of opposition within the court. However, Emperor Qi was resolute, and the decree, this honor, was eventually granted.

It was from the moment he donned those extravagant robes that he found himself sinking into the whirlpool of court intrigue, unable to climb out.

In the years that followed, he relied on the connections of the old Yang family members, secretly supporting his faction in the name of Emperor Qi, rallying support… He did things he had once scorned, with decisive actions, yet always maintaining a thread of conscience.

But even so, he was no longer the young general who once commanded the battlefield. His hands, tainted by power, had not touched a Yang family sword.

It wasn’t a matter of shame, but rather a feeling of unworthiness.

There was a time he dreamt of the battlefield, where the young man stood by the golden sand dunes, a bloodied spear hanging by his side, fresh blood dripping down the red tassels, an air of heroism about him.

Then he’d wake up, lying on a bed layered with silk, no mattress, the wooden bed frame pressing painfully against his back.

Every time this happened, he’d pick up the wine jug he’d always carried during military campaigns, head to the backyard, and look towards the direction of the northern desert. He’d quietly drink a jug of wine.

The fiery liquid searing his throat, heating up his body, as if the hot blood of his youth hadn’t yet cooled.

Emperor Qi grew day by day.

The once pale and frail youth was no more. The tall frame filled the bright yellow dragon robe, even the overly exquisite face lost some of its innocence, replaced by an air of regality.

Now the person was nearly as tall as him, no longer the child who could be hugged into his embrace… Whenever he thought about this, a hint of heartache would wash over him. The world had witnessed the growth of this person—just freshly of age and shouldering the weight of an entire realm.

Yet he couldn’t deny that this person was suited for this position.

During rare moments of leisure, they would face each other over a game of chess. He wasn’t an exceptional chess player, but he enjoyed the sense of battle the board offered. The cunning strategies he learned from the battlefield came to life on the chessboard, a rare chance for him to indulge.

Emperor Qi was naturally intelligent, with a photographic memory, but he wasn’t adept at this game. Whenever he was about to lose, he’d silently look at him with those watery eyes, and he’d soften, deliberately losing, revealing a mischievous smile.

Emperor Qi’s features were exquisite to the point of perfection, making him appear solemn in court. Only in his presence would the occasional innocent childlike look break through—a touch of adorable innocence.

Sometimes, he couldn’t help but think that if this wonderful child had been born in an ordinary family, they would be cherished, pampered, and raised…

“General,” a voice called, snapping him out of his thoughts. He suddenly realized that the other person had approached him without him noticing, gazing at him curiously. “What is the general thinking about?”

They were standing quite close, and he could even feel the other’s breath against his face, causing a slight tickling sensation.

For some reason, his heartbeat quickened. He instinctively wanted to step back but found himself hitting the back of the chair.

The young emperor’s almond-shaped eyes narrowed playfully as he took another step closer, almost cornering him in the chair.

“Um,” he began, realizing his voice was trembling slightly, “I was thinking about the memorandum presented at the morning court…”

He had worked to ensure that any unsavory matters were contained within his sphere, shielding the young emperor from even a hint of them. These years had been marked by unavoidably sharp actions, and it was not uncommon to find his study filled with records. Emperor Qi usually paid no mind to them, but this morning, someone had laid one of those memorandums open in front of the court…

“Shh…” A slightly cool finger pressed against his lips, causing him to flinch, “When I ascended the throne, I promised to trust General always.”

That statement was like a reassuring elixir, instantly calming the faint unease in his heart. Instead, his cheeks flushed slightly. He improvised a change of subject, asking, “Your Majesty, you’re also at an age where marriage is considered. Do you have anyone in mind?”

He blurted out a question without thinking, unknowingly stepping into sensitive territory. The young emperor’s face immediately drooped, disappointment evident in his eyes. “So the General wants to see me married?”

Something felt off about that statement, but he didn’t ponder it much. Sincerely he spoke, “Your Majesty holds the throne and must carry on the imperial lineage… of course, if Your Majesty doesn’t wish to, then I…”

“I don’t want to,” Emperor Qi interjected with a furrowed brow, cutting off his words crisply. “You needn’t concern yourself with these matters… it’s actually you who should be considering marriage at the age of twenty-five, shouldn’t you?”

“Well…” He hesitated, his words faltering, “I have overstepped my boundaries, Your Majesty.”

Emperor Qi huffed, displaying an attitude of not wanting to argue with him. Seeing this softened his heart. “I apologize for my mistake, and I ask for Your Majesty’s forgiveness.”

“What mistake has the general made?”

He hesitated and then sighed, offering a wry smile, “I shouldn’t have meddled in Your Majesty’s personal matters.”

Emperor Qi’s brows furrowed even more, his expression turning serious. “Do you think I’m mad about this? I’m clearly upset with you… You’re always trying to push me away.” His voice lowered significantly at the last sentence, but he still heard it.

Something indescribable flashed through his heart, a sentiment that he couldn’t put into words. Even his heartbeat seemed to miss a beat. He took a deep breath, allowing his expression to soften completely. “I didn’t mean that… I just want the best for Your Majesty.”

Emperor Qi blinked and then burst into laughter.

The sunlight at that moment was just right, casting delicate rays of light that fell into the young emperor’s eyes, pure and transparent, dazzlingly beautiful.

“I’m fine now,” he said with a smile.

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