As dawn broke, the clamor of the night finally subsided, and a new day arrived.
Facing the rising sun, most people feel a sense of rejuvenation, and Fei Qian was no exception. He stretched his limbs, feeling the stiffness melt away, and after casually eating some pastries, he felt his energy restored.
Having spent half the night drinking and staying up almost until morning, he surprisingly didn't feel much fatigue. Being young was indeed a blessing. In his previous life, such a night would have left him exhausted for days.
Was it because of this body's resilience, or was it due to the differences between ancient and modern lifestyles? In contrast, Cui Hou seemed much more worn out. He discreetly covered his face with his sleeve, letting out a long yawn, tears welling up in the corners of his eyes. When he noticed Fei Qian observing him, he looked somewhat embarrassed. "Ah, my apologies, my apologies. Please don't mind me. I must go for my morning duties now. Feel free to do as you please, my friend."
With that, Cui Hou clasped his hands together and retreated into the house to change clothes before paying his respects to Cui Yi.
In ancient times, certain rituals and norms were quite admirable. For example, the filial duties of a son included ensuring warmth in winter and coolness in summer, as well as paying respects in the morning and evening. In modern times, however, it seems that parents are the ones serving their children day and night, leading many children to grow up prioritizing themselves over their parents. It's hard to say whether this is progress or regression.
Bathing in the Han Dynasty was no easy task. Hot water wasn't readily available at any time, so if one sweated or picked up unpleasant odors, what could be done? Commoners without means had to endure it, while the gentry often resorted to changing clothes.
Fei Qian also felt the need to return to his guest room to change his clothes and check on the two half-grown children.
To be honest, Fei Qian's modern soul held no particular reverence for the emperor, and these two children were simply too young to inspire any awe. The older one looked to be around high school age, a time when teenagers often act recklessly, swinging between extreme affection and exasperating behavior. The younger one was barely in elementary school, at that adorable age where their cuteness could charm anyone, regardless of age or gender.
Yet, it was these very children who were about to shoulder the immense responsibility of an entire dynasty, bearing the weight of millions of lives.
By the time Fei Qian leisurely made his way back to the guest room, he saw that the two children had already risen with the help of maidservants and were enjoying some pastries and tea. After a brief rest, they looked much better than they had the previous night.
The younger child, while eating, glanced around and immediately spotted Fei Qian through the window. A bright smile spread across his face, and he waved at Fei Qian.
Fei Qian smiled back and raised his hand in acknowledgment. Just as he was about to enter the room, he heard hurried footsteps approaching. Two elderly men stumbled toward him, forcing Fei Qian to step aside to let them pass.
Both men tried to rush into the room at the same time, but the doorway was too narrow, causing them to bump into each other. Fei Qian winced at the sight.
Once the two elders finally squeezed inside, there was a brief moment of silence before they both fell to their knees, each clutching one of the older child's legs, and began to weep uncontrollably.
The older child looked helpless, while the younger one continued to eat his pastries, completely unfazed. Noticing Fei Qian's stunned expression, the younger child even winked at him when no one was looking.
At that moment, Cui Hou arrived outside the room, looking puzzled. He stood beside Fei Qian and quietly explained the situation.
Earlier, when Cui Hou went to pay his respects to Cui Yi, he had run into Cui Yi and another elderly man named Min Gong. After a brief conversation, they learned that Fei Qian had found two children the previous night. Without hesitation, the two elders rushed over, leaving Cui Hou bewildered.
While Cui Hou was in the dark, Fei Qian understood exactly what was happening.
Sure enough, as Min Gong's hoarse voice cried out, "Your Majesty, this subject deserves death for failing you—" Cui Hou visibly trembled and immediately knelt down. Seeing that Fei Qian remained standing, Cui Hou tugged at his sleeve.
Well, when in Rome, do as the Romans do. Besides, kneeling was a common practice in this era. Fei Qian knelt down beside Cui Hou, and soon everyone inside and outside the courtyard followed suit, their heads bowed low.
"The nation cannot be without a ruler for even a day. Your Majesty, please return to the capital!" Min Gong declared with righteous fervor, though the tears and snot on his face somewhat undermined his dignity.
Cui Yi, of course, was reluctant. The emperor wasn't someone you could just meet anytime. Now that the emperor had come to his home—no matter how it had happened—he couldn't let him leave so easily. Unfortunately, without an official position and with Min Gong invoking the greater good, Cui Yi could only stall. "Allow me a moment to prepare the carriages and ceremonial arrangements." At the very least, he wanted to ensure that the Cui family's contribution was recognized. And if possible, he hoped to keep the emperor a little longer to secure some tangible benefits.
Min Gong, however, was no fool. He knew exactly what Cui Yi was thinking. Moreover, with so many people searching for the emperor, delivering him back to Luoyang as quickly as possible would be a monumental achievement. There was no time to waste. If someone else intercepted them along the way, all their efforts would be for naught. Thus, Min Gong glared and said, "In times of urgency, we must act decisively! Your Majesty, we must depart at once!" He wasn't about to let Cui Yi delay and allow others to steal the credit.
Cui Yi was furious. After all, they were supposed to be friends. How could Min Gong only think of himself at such a critical moment? He replied sternly, "Without the proper imperial arrangements, it would diminish Your Majesty's dignity! It goes against propriety to act hastily." He wasn't about to let Min Gong hog all the glory.
Min Gong retorted, "I have a horse with me, which can be shared with the Prince of Chenliu. We only need one more horse for His Majesty. There's no need for elaborate carriages or ceremonies. Traveling light and swift will allow us to reach Luoyang without attracting unwanted attention." He wasn't going to let Cui Yi's excuses slow them down.
Without waiting for Cui Yi to respond, Min Gong grabbed Emperor Liu Bian's sleeve and began to lead him away, leaving Cui Yi fuming.
Cui Yi, now seething with anger, forced a smile and said, "Fine! Fine! Have it your way! Prepare a horse!" He had to admit, Min Gong was ruthless.
Min Gong, without another word, immediately led Emperor Liu Bian and the Prince of Chenliu, Liu Xie, out of the house.
Fei Qian and Cui Hou, kneeling outside the door, quickly lowered their heads as Min Gong and the emperor passed by.
A pair of small feet stopped in front of Fei Qian. He glanced up slightly and saw the Prince of Chenliu, Liu Xie, standing before him. The young prince handed him a piece of pastry and said, "This pastry is quite good. Here, you can have some." With that, he hurried off to catch up with Min Gong and Emperor Liu Bian.
Fei Qian, holding the pastry, couldn't help but laugh inwardly. This little guy's nerves were something else. Even in such a situation, he was still thinking about the taste of pastries. Fei Qian examined the pastry—it was just an ordinary one made by the Cui family's kitchen. He popped it into his mouth. Perhaps because he hadn't eaten breakfast yet, it tasted surprisingly sweet.
************
Min Gong's plan was sound, but unfortunately, many others shared the same idea. Barely three miles from the Cui estate, they encountered a group of men. Earlier, Min Gong had used his official status to pressure Cui Yi, but now the tables had turned, and he found himself sidelined and disregarded.
Minister Wang Yun, Grand Commandant Yang Biao, Left Colonel Chunyu Qiong, Right Colonel Zhao Meng, Rear Colonel Bao Xin, Central Colonel Yuan Shao... Every one of these men held a higher rank than Min Gong, so unfortunately, the task of escorting the emperor back to the capital had nothing to do with Min Gong anymore. Once again, a scene of tearful reunions between the emperor and his ministers unfolded—though, to be precise, it was more like Emperor Liu Bian and Prince Liu Xie watching the ministers weep while offering a few words of consolation.
As for the horse Cui Yi had provided for Liu Bian, the group agreed that escorting the emperor back to the capital was the top priority. They could always return two horses to Cui Yi later as a gesture of gratitude for his contribution to the Han dynasty.
Although they hadn't yet reached Luoyang, Minister Wang Yun and his entourage were already in high spirits. The eunuchs had been slaughtered, the imperial relatives had been executed, and the Han dynasty had never seen such a clear and bright political atmosphere. How could they not be overjoyed?
Wang Yun gazed at the rising sun, feeling a surge of righteous energy swelling in his chest. For a moment, he felt the weight of his responsibilities. The great Han dynasty was finally about to enter an era where scholars like himself, who had endured years of hardship, could finally step into the spotlight and make their mark.
But before he could fully indulge in his vision of the future, he felt the ground tremble unnaturally. The horses beneath them began to stir and whinny in agitation.
Wang Yun turned sharply and looked into the distance. A large banner rose high, followed by countless others that soon appeared, fluttering in the wind. Beneath the banners was a dark mass of troops, surging forward like a flood along the road.
Wang Yun's hands and feet trembled, and for a moment, he was at a loss. Fortunately, Rear Colonel Bao Xin stepped forward, shouting orders for the guards to form a defensive formation around the emperor, Prince Liu Xie, and the civil officials.
In the blink of an eye, the troops arrived, surrounding the small formation. The guards on the outer edge paled, and the civil officials, who had never experienced war, were even more terrified.
Yuan Shao reined in his horse beside Bao Xin and shouted, "Who goes there?"
The banners parted, and a single rider emerged. He was burly, with a face full of rough features and a cold gaze. He casually flicked his horsewhip and said in a deep voice, "Where is the emperor?"
A few guards, unable to resist Dong Zhuo's imposing presence, instinctively glanced back toward the center of the formation.
Dong Zhuo followed their gaze but was blocked by the crowd. Frustrated, he pointed his whip and barked, "Men, clear the way!"
Immediately, soldiers stepped forward to break through the formation. Swords were drawn, and the tension in the air became palpable.
Inside the formation, Emperor Liu Bian gripped his reins tightly. In his entire life, he had never seen as much blood as he had in the past night. Several times, warm blood had sprayed onto his face and body. People he had once known, who had been by his side, were chased down and slaughtered like animals.
He had only just begun to taste what it meant to be emperor, and now death seemed just a step away.
He was terrified. He was afraid. He feared that at any moment, he would end up like those who had died—transformed from a living, warm being into something cold and lifeless.
Just today, he had finally felt a bit of peace as he was protected and surrounded by his entourage, on the verge of returning to Luoyang, to a place he knew. But now, just as they were about to reach their destination, they were intercepted here.
These soldiers looked almost identical to the ones who had stormed the palace the night before—ferocious, with a nauseating stench of blood clinging to them...
He was truly, deeply afraid—
He really, really didn't want to die—
Emperor Liu Bian, unable to bear the immense emotional turmoil, felt his throat tighten. He swayed on his horse, on the verge of collapse.
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A/N: During the reign of Emperor Ling of Han, most official positions were tied to money. Even Cui Lie's position as Minister had been bought, so when *Romance of the Three Kingdoms* mentions that the Cui family only had one skinny horse, it was likely an artistic embellishment by Luo Guanzhong. Emperor Shao of Han and Emperor Xian of Han were, respectively, a teenager and a young child. Faced with death, their reactions would naturally differ. Luo Guanzhong portrayed Emperor Shao as somewhat foolish, but in reality, it's more plausible that he was simply terrified. This is just one interpretation, so take it with a grain of salt and don't take it too seriously.