Chapter 48: The Ugly Bird
On the twenty-eighth day of the twelfth month, Zhao Zun, accompanied by Han Lei and dozens of loyal trusted aides, braved the severe cold and, after twenty days of arduous travel, finally returned to the Capital City of the Da Jing Dynasty.
Standing outside the city, gazing at the towering city gate before him, a complex emotion surged in Zhao Zun’s heart.
Since his father, the former Duke of Protecting the Nation, bravely died on the battlefield, he had been stationed at Beiguan. This sojourn had lasted four or five years, and every blade of grass, every tree, every brick, and every tile in the Capital seemed both familiar and strange.
His heart was filled with both the joy of returning home and endless reflections on the bygone years.
Despite being a hero who defended the border and returned to the capital, the Emperor did not personally go to the pavilion ten miles out, nor did he go out to greet Zhao Zun.
Han Lei had long understood the turmoil in Zhao Zun’s heart and feared that such a sudden cold reception would make Zhao Zun feel even more disheartened.
She gently stepped forward, taking Zhao Zun’s arm as if her warmth could dispel the coldness in his heart.
Han Lei’s eyes were full of understanding and comfort, "Zun, your achievements are evident to the heavens and the earth; there is no need for others’ insincere approval."
"Hmm! I know. I don’t care about those worldly false reputations and vanities. As long as you are by my side, I have no other desires in this life."
Zhao Zun smiled as he patted her soft little hand, looking at her gratefully, a warm feeling surged in his heart, a profound gratitude and cherishing for his soulmate.
After entering the city, Zhao Zun asked Ping Chuan to take the trusted aides and accompany Han Lei back to the Prince Mansion to rest, while he went to the Imperial Palace to see the Emperor first.
Han Lei thought for a moment, then took a birdcage out of thin air and handed it to Zhao Zun.
"Take this with you and present it to His Majesty after entering the palace. You can’t go empty-handed to see His Majesty, can you?"
"Is that necessary? It’s just a bird; there are plenty in the palace."
The Imperial Palace had countless rare treasures, and Zhao Zun didn’t understand why Han Lei wanted him to present a bird to the Emperor. Besides, the bird was pitch-black and quite ugly.
"Haha, this is a mynah; it’s not an ordinary bird, it can speak." A flash of cunning appeared in Han Lei’s eyes. "Just say you acquired it by chance at Beiguan. The bird has been with you for years, and you’ve always liked it, so you want to present it to His Majesty."
"Hmm! Alright then!"
Zhao Zun frowned in slight disdain, asked no more questions, took the birdcage and set off for the palace with Xiao Zhengfei.
In the Imperial Palace, the ministers were attending the morning court.
Emperor Jing was about to signal the chief eunuch to announce the end of the court, when a little eunuch, with downcast eyes, walked into the great hall, knelt down, and reported submissively.
"Your Majesty, Prince Xiaoyao requests an audience outside the hall."
Emperor Jing was taken aback, forced a laugh, and nervously clutched the hem of his Dragon Robe hidden behind the imperial desk.
"Haha, I didn’t expect Prince Xiaoyao to return so soon. Quickly, let him in."
Emperor Jing’s heart was actually quite uneasy.
He knew that the peaceful years of the Da Jing Dynasty were in no small part due to Zhao Zun’s contributions. But in order to keep the imperial power firmly in his own hands, he had to replace those in important positions with his own confidants.
Otherwise, he would have no peace of mind.
During the replacement of the old ministers who served the late Emperor, their resentful voices and dissatisfaction sprung forth. Most of them, however, were relatively old, and offering them retirement or high-ranking but powerless positions seemed to placate them.
But Zhao Zun, young and vigorous, was a soldier who had repeatedly distinguished himself on battlefields. The aura of death and chaos surrounding him was terrifying to even imagine.
Though Zhao Zun had smoothly returned to the capital, deep down, he was still afraid of meeting Zhao Zun in person, fearing that withdrawing the Commander’s Seal might lead to unforeseen complications.
Soon, Zhao Zun strode in with head held high, holding up a birdcage.
"Your subject, Zhao Zun, pays respects to Your Majesty."
Zhao Zun placed the birdcage on the ground, then knelt on one knee, cupping his fist in a salute, his voice resonant as a bell.
"Rise!" Emperor Jing made a gesture of lifting in the air with his hand, saying politely, "Mr. Zhao, you have worked hard on your journey; why not rest at home first before coming to the palace?"
Zhao Zun stood upright; though clad in a brocade robe, he exuded an intimidating aura. His posture was tall and straight, his gaze as sharp as a hawk, as if he could perceive every subtle movement around him.
Zhao Zun cupped his hands and said, "Your Majesty, as a minister, now that I’ve returned to the capital, I must first come to the palace to pay respects to Your Majesty, report my duties, and hand over the Commander’s Seal. Even if I’m tired, I can’t return home first."
Zhao Zun answered flawlessly, without a hint of displeasure in his eyes. As he spoke, he drew half a small golden tiger from his bosom and respectfully held it above his head with both hands.
Emperor Jing had thought there would be some difficulty in retrieving the Commander’s Seal, that at least Zhao Zun’s resentment had not dissipated, and he might find excuses to stall for some time! Unexpectedly, Zhao Zun was so straightforward, volunteering the Commander’s Seal as soon as he returned.
Emperor Jing quickly turned his head to exchange a glance with Mr. Wei, both of their eyes betraying irrepressible joy.
Mr. Wei lightly nodded at Emperor Jing, who understood his intent.
"Ah, since Mr. Zhao is already back, there’s no need to be in such a hurry!" Emperor Jing spoke, trying to suppress his inner excitement, while signaling to the little eunuch beside him.
The little eunuch caught the hint, went to Zhao Zun to take the Commander’s Seal, and then turned to hand it to Emperor Jing.
With the Commander’s Seal in hand, a burden was lifted from Emperor Jing’s heart. He summoned the leader of the Imperial Army, ordering him to escort the Commander’s Seal to Beiguan as soon as possible and personally hand it to Cao Xiong.
Having dealt with the Commander’s Seal, Emperor Jing then turned to praise Zhao Zun.
"Mr. Zhao has been guarding the border for many years, brave and staunch, earning distinguished merits, bearing the demeanor of your father. I am greatly comforted! The late emperor also said that with the Duke of Protecting the Nation and his son stationed at Beiguan, I am worry-free."
Zhao Zun inwardly sneered but responded appropriately, "I dare not claim merit; it is my duty and my father’s duty to defend the border for Da Jing."
Emperor Jing considered his words and continued, "Ah! I know Mr. Zhao has been diligent all these years, but the hardship at the border is not something I can let you endure in such desolate and treacherous lands forever. Therefore, your return to the capital for reporting not only to honor and reward you but also because it is time for you to enjoy some peace in more prosperous places."
"Thank you, Your Majesty, for your compassion. Your subject is grateful!" Zhao Zun bowed his head to the floor in a show of gratitude.
Zhao Zun’s response clearly indicated acceptance of the court’s decision, and Emperor Jing felt that his remarks were quite grand and impressive.
He glanced at Mr. Wei, and sure enough, Mr. Wei subtly gave him a thumbs-up.
This is when Zhao Zun remembered the mynah bird that Han Lei had asked him to present. He crouched down, picked up the birdcage, and respectfully raised it above his head.
"Your Majesty, while at Beiguan, I happened to catch a bird that can talk to people; I have always been fond of it, often amusing myself with it in idle moments. Now that I’ve returned to the capital, I present it to Your Majesty, hoping it can keep you entertained."
"Oh? That is indeed rare. Other than parrots, could there be any other talking birds in the world? Haha, Mr. Zhao, you are indeed considerate."
Although Emperor Jing was in a good mood after receiving the Commander’s Seal, he suspected Zhao Zun still harbored resentment against him and might play tricks. Thus, he did not instruct the eunuch to take the cage.
Zhao Zun continued to hold up the birdcage respectfully, while the mynah inside hopped back and forth joyfully, chirping merrily.
The civil and military officials found it intriguing, watching the pitch-black bird and discussing it with great interest; some even teased the mynah through the cage.
"Psst~ psst~" Minister of War, Cao Ge, walked over, wiggling his finger to tease the mynah, curious as he asked, "Can you really talk?"
"I can, I can." The mynah’s voice was a bit hoarse, unlike a parrot’s crispness.
"Haha, it really can!" Cao Ge chuckled, then asked, "Then, tell me, who are you?"
"I’m your uncle!" The mynah blurted out.
"Screw you!" Cao Ge’s bright smile instantly froze.
"Screw your uncle!" The mynah wasn’t backing down.
"Hahaha..."
"Hahaha..."
The civil and military officials in the court couldn’t help but burst into laughter.