SWDnovel Chapter 14 The Emperor Rids His Horse
Chapter 14 The Emperor Rids His Horse
"This place is quite far from the Hall of Supreme Harmony. If we walk there directly, I'm afraid we'll keep the Empress Dowager waiting for a long time... The Empress Dowager has been looking forward to your return to the capital for a long time. If she knew that you were tired from the journey, she would definitely feel sorry for you. How about this..."
Under the slightly puzzled gaze of Prince Su, Xiao Suyue, Xiao Qingkuang suddenly turned around and looked at a certain eunuch behind him.
"By my imperial decree, bring my royal carriage here!"
Upon hearing this, the surrounding air seemed to freeze for a moment.
The eunuch who was given the order was clearly stunned for a moment before he reacted—and the first thing he did was to bow and accept the order:
"Your servant obeys!"
To be honest, not only the eunuch who was given the order, but even Prince Su, Xiao Suyue himself, was clearly stunned for a moment.
It should be understood that the emperor's imperial carriage was a symbol of status and prestige. At the same time, it was a carriage that only the Son of Heaven could ride in. Normally, apart from the emperor and the special cleaning staff, no one dared to touch it, let alone allow others to ride in it.
But now, judging from His Majesty's words, he is actually planning to let Prince Su, a prince, ride in the imperial carriage that only the emperor can ride in.
Just as Prince Su, Xiao Suyue, was wondering if he was overthinking things, a moment later, accompanied by the clear sound of imperial bells, a magnificent jade carriage slowly approached him!
This is the emperor's "Grand Chariot"!
The carriage body is decorated with gold and inlaid with various gemstones. The roof is round, symbolizing the ancient Chinese concept of a round heaven and a square earth. It is surrounded by bright yellow brocade curtains. The carriage shaft is carved with a five-clawed golden dragon with its mouth holding a bell. The bell makes a clear and melodious sound as the carriage moves, showing the majesty of the royal family.
"Little brother, get on!" Xiao Qingkuang pointed to the magnificent imperial carriage, a gentle smile on his face, as if he were casually inviting his younger brother to get into his own family's carriage.
Xiao Suyue's expression changed instantly.
Despite harboring resentment over his father's choice to ascend the throne instead of him, Xiao Suyue still knew the proper etiquette.
Furthermore, this place is the imperial palace, the territory of Emperor Xiao Qingkuang, so Xiao Suyue dared not act recklessly!
then……
Prince Su, Xiao Suyue, hurriedly took a half step back, bowing and clasping his hands in a respectful and urgent manner: "Your Majesty, absolutely not! This is the Emperor himself. As his subject, how dare I presume to appoint him? If this gets out, I fear it will incur criticism from the people. I beg Your Majesty to rescind your decree!"
"We're brothers, why be so formal?" Xiao Qingkuang feigned displeasure, his brows furrowing slightly. He stepped forward and took Xiao Suyue's arm. "You've guarded the frontier for me in the Western Frontier, enduring wind and rain, sleeping in the open. How much hardship have you suffered? This mere carriage cannot compare to your contributions. Get on, don't make me persuade you any further!"
"Your Majesty, there is a distinction between ruler and subject, and the proper etiquette cannot be disregarded." Xiao Suyue insisted, with fine beads of sweat even appearing on his forehead. "You are the ruler, and I am the subject. The etiquette between ruler and subject is paramount, and I dare not neglect public duty for private reasons."
Seeing that he still refused, a glint of shrewdness flashed deep in Xiao Qingkuang's eyes. Then, Xiao Qingkuang's face darkened, and her voice suddenly turned cold: "Xiao Suyue!"
This low shout, carrying the oppressive power of the emperor, caused the surrounding eunuchs to kneel down in unison.
"Since you keep claiming to be a subject and I am the sovereign..." Xiao Qingkuang stared into Prince Su, Xiao Suyue's eyes, and said, enunciating each word clearly, "Then now, I, the sovereign, in the name of my imperial edict, command you—Xiao Suyue, to obey!"
Xiao Suyue trembled and had no choice but to kneel on one knee: "Your subject... is here!"
"I command you to immediately obey my decree, ascend the imperial carriage, and accompany me to the Hall of Supreme Harmony! Will you... obey or not?"
When Xiao Qingkuang uttered this decree, the air seemed to freeze completely at that moment!
Prince Su, Xiao Suyue, knelt on the ground, his heart churning with turmoil.
To be honest, in his heart, Prince Su, Xiao Suyue, actually wanted to ride in this so-called imperial carriage!
After all, he really wanted to experience the difference between the emperor's carriage and an ordinary horse-drawn carriage!
However, he knew even better that the emperor's decision to let him ride in the imperial carriage was not simply a matter of sitting in the carriage.
Once he boarded this carriage, it meant that Prince Su, Xiao Suyue, had accepted the honor bestowed upon him by his elder brother... who is now the Emperor!
Once he accepts this honor, it means, to some extent, that he has sided with his brother—at least for the time being!
But if he continues to refuse his elder brother, the emperor, this kind offer, then it will not simply mean disobeying the imperial decree and disrespecting the emperor... it's not that simple!
If he's not careful, others might interpret it as him declaring to the world that he's alienated from the emperor... or even that he's completely opposed to the emperor!
After thinking for a while, Prince Su, Xiao Suyue, felt that he might as well accept this honor!
After all, besides the Empress Dowager's decree, his return to the capital was also driven by his desire to cultivate a good relationship with his elder brother, the Emperor. Whether it was due to the Empress Dowager's schemes or to enhance the strength and potential of his western frontier, he desperately needed his elder brother's assistance.
If that's the case...
Prince Su, Xiao Suyue, took a deep breath and immediately kowtowed heavily to Xiao Qingkuang, saying, "Your subject... obeys the decree! Thank you for Your Majesty's great favor!"
Then, with the help of the eunuchs, Prince Su, Xiao Suyue, somewhat stiffly boarded the dragon carriage that symbolized supreme power.
The bright yellow brocade was warm to the touch, and the soft cushions inside the carriage were comfortable, but his back was straight, and his hands were placed neatly on his knees. Even his breathing became somewhat cautious!
However, to Prince Xiao Suyue's surprise, just as he had settled into his seat and was about to step aside to give up the main seat, the expected sound of the emperor boarding the carriage did not sound.
Immediately, Prince Su, Xiao Suyue, lifted a corner of the curtain with some doubt.
As he could see, his elder brother, the emperor Xiao Qingkuang, indeed showed no intention of getting into the carriage. Moreover, not only did he not get into the carriage, but he also walked straight towards the front of the imperial carriage!
Amidst the somewhat puzzled expression of Prince Su, Xiao Suyue, Emperor Xiao Qingkuang, who had come before the imperial carriage, reached out and grasped the reins carved with dragon patterns.
It was astonishing to see that the imperial horses, which were usually only ridden by skilled horse trainers from the Imperial Stables and used to pull the imperial carriage, were now so docile in the hands of Emperor Xiao Qingkuang!
Before Prince Su, Xiao Suyue, could speak, Xiao Qingkuang, who was facing him, turned around and flashed a bright smile: "Little brother, hold on tight!"