Chapter 1354 - 1285: Flattering the Wrong Person
The horseback riding across the grassland was swift, and Tuoba Yilu was also given some freedom. He had a horse, guarded in the middle by Yuan Li’s trusted aide in the name of protection, but in reality, it was supervision.
He didn’t have a single attendant. Before departure, he requested to select his confidants from among the captives to accompany him, but not only did Tuoba Liuxiu oppose this, Yuan Li also didn’t agree.
Tuoba Liuxiu had ties of sovereign and minister with Zhao Hanzhang and a heart of gratitude towards her, but what did Tuoba Yilu have?
How could he be allowed to bring his men into the Capital City?
Not only did Yuan Li refuse to let him bring anyone, but he also ordered the offices along the route and covert agents to carefully scout any men from Nan Hui.
If he were one of Tuoba Yilu’s men at that time, he should find a way to intercept and rescue along the way. There’s no way he would let Tuoba Yilu enter the Capital City like this.
Entering the Capital as a captive is completely different from entering after victory and congratulations for killing a rebellious son and celebrating the new emperor’s ascension.
The latter might make Zhao Hanzhang unhappy, but she wouldn’t be able to label any wrongdoing;
The former, with the King of Dai entering the Capital like that, it’s uncertain whether he would even survive.
Tuoba Yilu also had this feeling, fearing that this trip to Capital City could cost him his life, so he constantly sought to reconcile with Tuoba Liuxiu.
He believed that after all, they were father and son, blood is thicker than water. He did send troops, but he did not harm him; Zhao Hanzhang was the external enemy. They, as father and son, should unite.
But Tuoba Liuxiu was deeply hurt and didn’t pay him any attention. He was either surrounded by Su Hexiong and others or walking alongside Yuan Li. It wasn’t possible for Tuoba Yilu to even say a word to him in public.
Neither Su Hexiong’s group nor Yuan Li wanted the father and son to reconcile.
If they reconcile after a fallout, the blame would fall on those around them. Given Tuoba Yilu’s character and the previous father-son relationship, even if they reconcile, he wouldn’t choose Tuoba Liuxiu as his successor, so the father and son should remain estranged.
Su Hexiong and Tuoba Susuo cautiously kept the father and son apart. Sometimes, when Tuoba Yilu looked over, they would move their feet to block his line of sight with their bodies.
Yuan Li also tacitly aided in this.
With Yuan Li’s arrangements and escorts, they smoothly reached the Capital City. It was already the third day of August by then.
Upon entering the city, Yuan Li led them to a residence to stay. Tuoba Yilu continued to be guarded, with layers of surveillance outside his room.
Seeing this made Tuoba Yilu’s heart skip a beat, and he told Yuan Li, "I want to see Third Sister now." He wanted to meet her before Tuoba Liuxiu did.
A matter can be told in many ways, and he believed the one who spoke first had the advantage.
Yuan Li reassured him, "Don’t worry, King of Dai. I’ll immediately submit a petition to Your Majesty, but with the grand ceremony imminent, His Majesty has already moved into the palace, and whether there’s a summons today will depend on the decision from the palace."
Tuoba Yilu’s face didn’t look good, his gaze sweeping over to the not far-off Tuoba Liuxiu. He demanded, "I want to face the emperor with that ingrate."
Yuan Li neither agreed nor refused, only saying it would be reported.
Inside, he sneered, even now he wouldn’t yield and plead for forgiveness, thinking reasoning would suffice?
Yuan Li arranged for Tuoba Liuxiu on the other side of the residence, the courtyards of the father and son east and west, while he stayed in the middle, ensuring no tragic father-son conflict occurs here.
After settling them in, Yuan Li hurried to the palace while it was still early to report.
Zhao Hanzhang had no intention of seeing the father and son before the grand ceremony, saying, "Prepare them a set of ceremonial attire, they can attend the ceremony together the day after tomorrow. We’ll discuss their matter after the accession ceremony."
Yuan Li respectfully agreed.
Hearing this, Tuoba Yilu inevitably felt dissatisfied and wanted to cause a disturbance, but no matter how he fussed, he was still trapped in a room. Yuan Li straightforwardly said, "It seems King of Dai is weary from the journey and isn’t in good spirits, I’m afraid he can’t attend the accession ceremony the day after tomorrow."
Tuoba Yilu immediately dared not act out.
Only then was Yuan Li satisfied, warning him, "King of Dai is probably not aware that upon your troops entering Xinping City, the Bai Tribe Xianbei of Dai Country rebelled. Now, seven tribes have responded. To assist Second Prince Ziping in quelling Dai Country’s turmoil, General Beigong and General Shi have been ordered to station in Dai Country. Tomorrow’s accession ceremony is crucial for both His Majesty and the entire realm. Given Dai Country’s circumstances, you can still attend, which is due to His Majesty’s magnanimity, please do not let His Majesty down."
Tuoba Yilu’s eyes widened in disbelief that the situation had deteriorated to this extent.
Seeing that he had taken note of this, Yuan Li finally left.
In contrast, Tuoba Liuxiu was much more straightforward, immediately accepting the situation. After all, his aunt was about to ascend the throne, and surely there were many matters to handle.