Side Story 4. The Closed Door
Yelü Chun listened to Xiao Dili until the very end.
The words he had brought were gentle.
The intent hidden within them was not.
Depose Emperor Tianzuo.
Raise Yelü Chun in his place.
Yelü Chun set down his teacup.
The base touched the table with a small sound.
That faint sound seemed to settle the air inside the room.
"I have heard what you came to say."
Xiao Dili cautiously raised his head.
There was still hope on his face.
Yelü Chun had neither lost his temper nor called for guards.
"If Your Highness considers this deeply, the foundations of Great Liao may yet be restored."
Yelü Chun looked toward an attendant standing nearby.
The attendant gave the slightest bow and withdrew.
Xiao Dili noticed the movement, but did not immediately understand what it meant.
Yelü Chun spoke.
"It is late. You have traveled far. Stay here and rest for the night."
"Your Highness, I must return at once and convey your intentions to the general—"
"Stay and rest."
His voice was quiet.
It was also a voice that did not invite another question.
Only then did Xiao Dili sense that something was wrong.
There were more footsteps outside the chamber now.
They were heavier and more measured than the footsteps of ordinary attendants.
A moment later, the door opened and two officials wearing swords entered.
They showed no discourtesy.
Both bowed properly to Xiao Dili, then stepped aside and indicated the way.
"A room has been prepared for Lord Xiao."
The softness vanished from Xiao Dili's face.
"What is the meaning of this?"
The official bowed again.
"It is His Highness Prince Wei's command. The night is late, and His Highness wishes you to rest comfortably."
Xiao Dili looked at Yelü Chun.
"Your Highness, I am the princess consort's own brother. I am not a man to be detained in this manner."
Yelü Chun's expression did not change.
"You are the princess consort's brother. That is precisely why you are being treated with courtesy. A private room will be prepared for you, and attendants will see to your needs."
"Then open the way for me. I must return to the general."
"Whether you return will be decided again after dawn."
Xiao Dili's lips stiffened.
The meaning was unmistakable.
No one had used the word prison.
But he was no longer a guest free to leave the residence at will.
"Your Highness, this matter may grow far larger than you think. General Yelü Zhangnu is waiting for me.
"If I do not return, he will become suspicious."
Whether Yelü Zhangnu became suspicious or not, Yelü Chun could not allow Xiao Dili to leave now.
He answered calmly.
"Even if Yelü Zhangnu grows suspicious, I cannot send you back tonight. What I have just heard must first be brought into the open."
Xiao Dili's gaze sharpened.
He lowered his head again, but strength had entered his voice.
"Your Highness, if you keep me here like this, the princess consort herself will be deeply alarmed. The Xiao clan will not take this matter lightly either."
Only then did Yelü Chun slowly raise his eyes.
"If you wish to invoke the Xiao clan, then all the more reason for caution.
"A kinsman of the princess consort came to me in the middle of the night carrying words of deposition and enthronement.
"If I simply send you back outside, the entire Xiao clan may become entangled in those words.
"At this moment, I am protecting both you and your clan."
Xiao Dili could not answer.
The name he had raised as a threat had turned into a cord tightening around his own neck.
He lowered himself further.
This time his tone was closer to pleading than intimidation.
"Your Highness, if any part of my words went too far, I beg your forgiveness. I came only out of concern for the country.
"I will return and never speak of this matter again.
"Please, allow me to leave."
Yelü Chun watched him quietly.
"I understand your intention. But this is no longer a private conversation.
"We must determine who planned this, who joined in it, and how far it has spread.
"Until then, you will not leave this residence."
"Your Highness!"
"For the sake of the Great Liao dynasty you spoke of."
Xiao Dili's face turned pale.
He understood that Yelü Chun was now returning his own words to him.
He had invoked the dynasty.
Now he would be detained in the name of the dynasty.
He had invoked the imperial clan.
Now he would be judged by the law of that clan.
Yelü Chun gave orders to the officials.
"Escort Lord Xiao to a private chamber. Prepare a warm bed, tea, and food.
"Those who came with him are to be housed separately. Do not allow them to speak with one another.
"Collect and record every document, token, and letter they carry or have exchanged."
The officials bowed together.
"It shall be done."
Xiao Dili took one step backward.
Guards were already standing near the door.
Their hands did not rest on their swords.
They simply stood in the way.
That very courtesy made the barrier feel all the firmer.
"Your Highness, if you do this, there will be no turning back."
Yelü Chun answered,
"You are the one who brought words from which there is no turning back."
The corner of Xiao Dili's eye trembled.
He lowered his voice one final time.
"If Your Highness lets this opportunity pass, you may regret it later.
"The general has already moved.
"The gates of the founder's temple will soon be opened.
"The hearts of the army are leaving Emperor Tianzuo."
Yelü Chun rose from his seat.
"If the hearts of the army are straying, then a subject's duty is to set those hearts right.
"It is not to use them to replace the emperor."
Xiao Dili had nothing more to say.
Yelü Chun did not approach him.
His voice alone fell with quiet finality.
"Go and rest.
"When morning comes, I will question you again.
"You will answer, one by one, whose words you carried, to whom you intended to deliver them, and where Yelü Zhangnu is now."
The guards took their places on either side of Xiao Dili.
They did not seize him or drag him away.
But whenever he moved a step, they moved with him.
Only then did he fully understand.
This was not a prison.
But the door had already closed.
Lamps burned at regular intervals along the corridor leading to the private chamber.
The night wind seeped through the cracks around the doors.
As Xiao Dili walked, he looked back several times.
Yelü Chun was still standing in the same place inside the chamber.
There was no excitement of victory on his face.
No fury of an offended prince.
Only the cold composure of a man who knew exactly what had to be done the moment he heard the words deposition and enthronement.
When Xiao Dili entered the private chamber, the door closed quietly behind him.
Two guards took position outside.
Across the courtyard, others settled into place like shadows.
Tea and food soon arrived.
So did bedding.
Every courtesy was observed.
But no road out was prepared for him.
The sweet words Xiao Dili had carried never passed beyond Prince Wei's residence.
That night, they were shut inside with him.