21. How would you handle this?

In the Imperial Garden, that afternoon.

Zhao Chengxian, having just returned to the capital, entered the palace to report his progress to Xuan Yuanren. The Emperor was waiting for him in the Imperial Garden. Upon arrival, Zhao Chengxian sat down on a bench in the pavilion; whenever they were alone, he dispensed with the formal kowtows required between subject and sovereign. Xuan Yuanren was long accustomed to this and took no offense. Seeing Zhao Chengxian holding a scroll, the Emperor knew there must be a breakthrough. "Where did you go yesterday?" Xuan Yuanren asked. "It must be related to the case, right?" Although Zhao Chengxian had not formally reported his movements, Xuan Yuanren understood his lifelong friend well enough.

Zhao Chengxian unfurled the painting and, gazing at Xuan Yuanren, asked with a smile, "Take a look—who is this?" In truth, his trip had been immensely fruitful. To have heard Yue'er speak, to confirm with his own ears that she was indeed Yue'er, and to know she was still alive—he was filled with an incomparable sense of relief. The journey had been worth every moment.

Xuan Yuanren studied the painting carefully. Recognition dawned on him, and he asked in disbelief, "It’s him? A high-ranking official of the first grade? Where did you obtain this portrait?" He knew Zhao Chengxian would not present a portrait of Li Jinzhou—especially one from his youth—without cause. This surely had to be linked to the theft of the Ruyi Lock.

Zhao Chengxian recounted his meeting with the Crane Immortal on Mount Heling and explained the origin of the painting. Finally, he asked, "I instructed Yang Wentai to keep this quiet and leave the decision to you. How do you intend to handle this?" Zhao Chengxian felt for his friend; the Emperor had to weigh the political repercussions at court while simultaneously ensuring the safety of his own children. It was a difficult position. Zhao Chengxian felt fortunate that he had not been born into the imperial family.

After a moment of contemplation, Xuan Yuanren replied, "Since we cannot strike at the old fox directly, we shall start with his daughter." It was time to give Consort Shu and Li Jinzhou a warning. They had been far too audacious in infiltrating the palace. Since he could not punish the man directly, he would find a pretext to penalize the consort. He already had a plan in mind. Xuan Yuanren looked at Zhao Chengxian and asked, "Tomorrow is the Old Princess’s birthday. Have you prepared your gift? Surely you know what she desires most, don't you?" Xuan Yuanren felt a twinge of guilt; Zhao Chengxian should have been at the Prince’s Manor overseeing the birthday preparations instead of being dragged into this investigation.

Zhao Chengxian knew full well what his mother wanted: a grandson, and as soon as possible. Yet, that was something he could not provide. He sighed. "I know what she wants, but I simply cannot do it right now. Sometimes I admire you; you have someone in your heart, yet you can still accept others. I cannot do that." He was a man of singular devotion.

Xuan Yuanren shook his head with a faint smile. "It cannot be helped; such is the burden of being Emperor." He patted Zhao Chengxian on the shoulder. "Yue'er has been gone for over two years now. It is time to open your heart. Many young women in the Jiaoyang Kingdom dream of you." He had urged Zhao Chengxian many times, yet his friend remained anchored to the past.

This time, however, Zhao Chengxian did not wear the usual expression of sorrow. Instead, he looked at Xuan Yuanren with a radiant smile. "Brother, do not worry about me. I have my own way of dealing with this. You had better focus on your own affairs. Now, I must go buy a gift for my mother!" He stood up and walked away, thinking to himself: *I hope that by next year, I will be able to give my mother the gift she wants most.* Knowing that Yue'er was alive had brought his own heart back to life. Xuan Yuanren watched him go, sensing a change in his friend—as if he had been reborn. Indeed, it was time for him to attend to his own matters as well. He turned and walked in the opposite direction.