Companion

Zhang Rang thought to himself that if he could keep that boy under house arrest within the palace, he would gain leverage to threaten the Yuan family. Truly, heaven was helping him.

He leaned toward Emperor Ling’s ear and whispered, "Your Majesty, your humble servant has heard rumors. While the Princess has always been lively, she has recently become quite reserved. This must be why."

Emperor Ling had always been plagued by the willfulness of Princess Wannian, yet he doted on her immensely. After hearing Zhang Rang’s words, he had already made up his mind.

"Hehe, I have already heard of this matter. Minister Yuan, do not worry. I am quite fond of your grandson; let him stay a while longer," Emperor Ling laughed heartily.

Seeing this, Yuan Wei’s face revealed a look of embarrassment. "This... my foolish grandson is still inexperienced in the ways of the world. I fear he may offend the Princess, and this old minister cannot bear the responsibility."

"It is of no consequence; I have my own arrangements." Emperor Ling stood up, looked down at the murmuring officials, and continued, "Let it be decided: in consideration of the Yuan family's contributions, I appoint Yuan Xi as a companion to the Imperial Princes. Yes, that is all."

Yuan Wei hesitated, "This... I fear it is not in accordance with court rites!"

The Emperor’s face clouded with slight anger. "Do any of you ministers have objections?"

The hall fell into complete silence.

Zhang Rang’s eyes darted rapidly as he quickly shouted, "Court... dismissed!"

And so, Yuan Xi, the future Emperor Xuanwu of the Taizong dynasty, found himself—because of Princess Wannian, Liu Yan—muddledly becoming a companion to the Imperial Princes in the twilight of the Han Dynasty.

Of course, this also served Emperor Ling’s intent to check the power of the Yuan family and prevent a collusion between He Jin and the Yuans. Though dim-witted, the Emperor was not a fool; thus, Yuan Xi became a hostage.

However, Yuan Xi’s status as a companion was not truly solidified until the following year, when the Yellow Turban Rebellion broke out and the Emperor required the Yuan family’s assistance to quell the uprising. Yuan Xi then became the link between the Emperor and the Yuan clan.

...

The timeline pulls back to the year 189. Yuan Xi entered the palace.

Accompanied by Xu Chu, Yuan Xi arrived at the North Palace. After presenting his credentials and waiting for some time, he was summoned inside, while Xu Chu remained outside the palace walls.

Inside, fourteen-year-old Liu Bian and nine-year-old Liu Xie were practicing swordsmanship under the guidance of a middle-aged man. Standing to the side was a delicate and beautiful girl of thirteen or fourteen—the Emperor’s only daughter, Princess Wannian, Liu Yan, who was also Yuan Xi’s nemesis.

The middle-aged man, dressed in white, moved with a graceful and ethereal agility as his long sword danced like a soaring dragon. Every movement displayed the bearing of a true master. It