Liu Xiang was startled and studied the other person for a moment, then suddenly exclaimed with delight: “Young Lady! How can it be you?”
Liu Xiang had been Jiang Zuowang’s subordinate in his early years, stationed in the northern borderlands around Yanmen Prefecture. They were comrades-in-arms until they parted ways more than ten years ago. Jiang Zuowang continued as the Pacifying-the-North Protector, holding the ceremonial staff to maintain peace in the border prefectures, while Liu Xiang retired from military service due to old injuries. Later, he entered the capital and became an Imperial Guard General, commanding the palace gate garrison troops and inner and outer imperial guards.
The Martial Emperor’s wars to unify the nine provinces in those days had produced countless military heroes and meritorious officials. During those years, Liu Xiang had always served under Jiang Zuowang in the northern territories and hadn’t achieved any great merits. His ability to distinguish himself and obtain such an opportunity was inseparable from Jiang Zuowang’s recommendation. Over these years, despite being unable to meet again due to the prohibition against contact between inner and outer officials, Liu Xiang had always harbored respect and gratitude toward his former superior.
As for Jiang Hanyuan, needless to say, he had watched her grow up in the military camp since childhood.
Having recognized her, his expression immediately became extremely warm.
“How did the Young Lady suddenly come to the capital? Is the Grand General well, as always? My goodness, so many years have passed in a flash, and Young Lady has grown so much! Though I’m in the capital, I’ve heard reports of Young Lady’s victories these past two years. Truly, the descendant of a military family, a martial star descended from heaven, putting us idle men who claim to be heroes to shame!”
He stepped forward to pay respects to Jiang Hanyuan, but she stopped him.
“I don’t deserve such praise. Uncle Liu need not be so courteous. To be honest, I came to find Uncle Liu today because I have a matter I’d like to ask Uncle Liu to help with.” She said with a smile.
Liu Xiang immediately nodded: “Whatever Young Lady needs, just tell me. As long as your Uncle Liu can help, I absolutely won’t refuse!”
Jiang Hanyuan glanced toward Huguo Temple.
Hidden among autumn trees, from the depths of the high walls and temple buildings, faint Buddhist chanting drifted on the wind. In the sunlight, the pair of golden glazed roof ornaments standing tall on either side of the majestic main hall’s ridge sparkled with brilliant light.
“Then I thank Uncle Liu. I want to go inside.”
Liu Xiang was stunned.
“This…”
He stammered, suddenly at a loss for words.
Jiang Hanyuan smiled: “I know my request is unreasonable and truly puts you in a difficult position. But please rest assured, I won’t cause trouble for you.”
If it were anyone else, even close relatives, making this request, Liu Xiang would have refused without hesitation.
But now, standing before him was his former master’s daughter…
“May I ask, Young Lady, what is your purpose in entering the temple today? It’s not that Uncle Liu is unwilling to help, but… as Young Lady knows, I have my duties and cannot afford the slightest mistake.”
Finally, he spoke up, carefully probing.
“I want to see the Regent Prince.”
Her tone was quite ordinary.
Liu Xiang was startled again, remembering something.
The Regent Prince was twenty-four years old, yet had never taken a wife, leaving the position of princess consort vacant.
A few months ago, he had heard a rumor of uncertain veracity. The Regent Prince had entered the palace to visit an old imperial concubine from the Martial Emperor’s reign. The concubine felt sorry that he still had no intimate companion to share his joys and sorrows, and urged him to take a wife. He had laughingly replied that he admired the daughter of Jiang Zuowang, and if he could marry her, he would have no regrets.
Jiang Zuowang’s first wife had died early, leaving only one daughter, Jiang Hanyuan, whom he had kept by his side since childhood.
Moreover, last month, Imperial Clansman Minister Virtuous Prince Shu Yun had left the capital heading north. No one knew the purpose of his journey, but that rumor seemed increasingly confirmed—the old prince had gone to propose marriage on behalf of the Regent Prince.
Today, Jiang Hanyuan appeared here. Looking at her attire, she had entered the capital quietly.
It seemed the rumors were true.
Liu Xiang secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
So that was it.
Though Young Lady was fearless on the battlefield, she was still, after all, a young woman. Wanting to see her future husband’s appearance was only natural.
Since the Regent Prince began his regency, he had worked tirelessly day and night, consulting without weariness, often governing until late at night or even through dawn. For convenience, he often slept in the palace. For outsiders to enter the palace and glimpse his appearance would be impossible. Indeed, today presents an extremely rare and convenient opportunity.
Liu Xiang secretly observed his former master’s daughter again. She was calm and composed, with a natural bearing. He was sure she understood the gravity of the situation.
He trusted her on this point.
Taking a step back, even without considering old ties with the Jiang family, if she truly became the princess consort in the future, she would inevitably live in the capital, where they would frequently encounter each other. How could he refuse such a request?
He hesitated no more and said in a low voice: “Very well, today I’ll make an exception for Young Lady. Just now, the mural in the Patron Hall has been viewed, and the Regent Prince is accompanying the Empress Dowager and His Majesty to Luohan Hall to listen to the master’s sermon. You can disguise yourself as my guard and enter. With the password, you can move freely without obstruction. However, Young Lady, remember above all—do not disturb anyone—”
“The Regent Prince’s appearance need not be observed closely. Young Lady, need only look from afar once to know what you need to know.”
Finally, he moved closer and spoke with the teasing affection of an elder.
“Thank you, Uncle Liu. I understand.”
Jiang Hanyuan showed no embarrassment, only bowed slightly and smiled her thanks.
Outside the sermon hall, black tupelo trees stood densely, and bird sounds were completely absent. A large three-legged purple-gold incense burner, taller than a person and positioned in the center of the corridor, opened its mouth skyward, continuously emitting wisps of white incense smoke.
In the hall, toward the front on the north side, Empress Dowager Lan sat on a cushioned seat, intently listening to the clear voice of the master on the elevated seat. She was the daughter of Minister Lan, nearly thirty years old but appearing only twenty-five or twenty-six, with cloud-like hair and a beautiful countenance, dignified and solemn. Fragrant smoke surrounded her, and two female attendants held golden and jade feather fans for her. The thirteen-year-old Young Emperor sat beside her. The many inner and outer court ladies who had come today as companions, starting from the Eldest Princess Nankang, were arranged in order of rank along the western side of the great hall. Sunlight scattered in through the hall entrance, making the golden hairpins and colorful embroidery on the Empress Dowager’s and the noble ladies’ hair ornaments and robes compete in brilliance, emanating a faint, beautiful glow.
On the opposite eastern side of the great hall, the princes and officials who had come today were arranged in rows. Naturally, the Regent Prince was at their head with a special honored seat. Besides him, another seat was set aside, occupied by a robust and imposing man wearing a gold and jade belt.
This person was the current assistant in government, Grand Marshal Prince Gao Shu Hui.
Prince Gao was actually over fifty years old, but having been a military officer who continued practicing archery and horsemanship, his physique remained vigorous. If not for a few wrinkles around his eyes, his appearance was no different from a middle-aged man. His position was also extremely exalted—he was the son of the High Ancestor and brother of the Martial Emperor. In his early years, he had campaigned many times with the Martial Emperor and was a famous, fierce general of Great Wei who had rendered great service. His reputation was well-established. With both factors combined, not only did the current Young Emperor treat him with utmost respect as an imperial grand-uncle, but even the Regent Prince Lord Qi showed this imperial uncle thorough courtesy, not daring the slightest negligence.
The master on the seat was expounding on the Wisdom King depicted in today’s birthday mural for the Empress Dowager. He explained that the Wisdom King was an incarnation of a bodhisattva who manifested an angry and fierce appearance to teach greedy and ignorant beings, striking deluded beings like a wake-up call, and using the light of wisdom to eliminate the karmic obstacles of beings’ ignorance and afflictions, hence called Wisdom King.
The master spoke eloquently, but how could this imperial grand-uncle have any mind to listen to Buddhist teachings? After sitting for a moment, his peripheral vision fell on the young man beside him—his nephew, Regent Prince Lord Qi Shu Shenhui.
Lord Qi’s mother came from the Wu-Yue region. Her grandfather was the King of Wu-Yue, who once commanded a hundred thousand iron-armored troops. During the early years of great turmoil, he never claimed the title of emperor but maintained his kingdom with only the title of king. When the Martial Emperor swept through the south, he led his people to submit to Wei. At that time, the Empress had already passed away. The king’s daughter initially became a consort, with favor crowning the harem. After giving birth to Prince Anle, the Martial Emperor wanted to make her the successor empress, but she refused. Thereafter, the Martial Emperor never established another, and she effectively led the six palaces. After the Martial Emperor’s death, she used devotion to Buddhism as an excuse to return to her homeland, living in seclusion for years, never reemerging.
In her youth, the king’s daughter had the beauty of Xi Shi, and Lord Qi inherited his mother’s looks. Today he wore dark official robes with a tall cap and broad sash, vermilion tassels and jade hairpin. His posture was relaxed, leaning slightly back against the wide chair, his gaze level and focused on the master in the center of the hall, appearing deeply immersed in Buddhist teachings, completely unaware of the scrutiny from beside him.
Prince Gao dared not look long for fear of being noticed. He withdrew his gaze, but his peripheral vision unconsciously lingered on the sash tied around the other’s waist.
According to this dynasty’s crown and clothing system, the emperor wore a nine-ring gold and jade belt, princes wore eight rings, and others were reduced accordingly by rank—the hierarchy was clear and not to be transgressed.
With Prince Gao’s current status, he could only wear an eight-ring gold and jade belt. Yet this nephew, barely in his twenties, because of his regency status, had received the dying Bright Emperor’s gift of removing his sash and granting him equivalent robes. Only Lord Qi himself never wore it, continuing to don his former princely attire in daily life.
But precisely because of this, the gold and jade belt at his waist, equal to his own, appeared even more glaring to Prince Gao’s eyes.
Prince Gao felt agitated, his heart pounding, but being a battle-tested veteran who had weathered many storms, he quickly controlled his emotions, steadied himself, and unconsciously glanced at the sun’s shadow outside the hall.
Suddenly, at this moment, he saw a young attendant who seemed to be called Zhang Bao appear at the great hall entrance. Crouching low, he moved quickly along the hall wall with light steps to his side, bowing to whisper something in his ear.
After listening, the Regent Prince’s expression remained unchanged, but he soon rose and quietly walked out, his figure disappearing beyond the hall entrance.
Prince Gao’s hearing remained as sharp as ever. Though appearing unchanged on the surface, he had been straining to eavesdrop. Unfortunately, Zhang Bao’s voice was extremely low, and he heard nothing. Watching the person leave, the surrounding officials had probably also noticed this scene and turned their gazes toward the direction the Regent Prince had just gone.
Prince Gao was restless. After waiting a moment with Lord Qi still not returned, he could no longer contain himself. Using the excuse of relieving himself, he also rose and walked out.
Crossing the hall threshold, he brought his two attendants who had been waiting outside and followed the corridor his nephew had taken, turning right, slowly probing, until reaching the end.
At the end was a side hall with its door half-closed. Inside, the light was dim, golden Buddha statues were vaguely visible, incense slowly dispersed, and the surroundings were empty without a soul in sight.
Sunlight slanted down, and a cluster of ancient cypress branches extended from a nearby low wall, swaying gently in the wind. Pine needles fell to the ground, and even their rustling sound seemed audible.
Prince Gao stopped and looked around. After a brief moment of confusion, suddenly, a strong sense of foreboding swept through his heart. This feeling told him that disaster was about to strike.
This was his method for escaping death several times in half a lifetime—his intuition, the secret to finding the path to survival, developed through battling wits like a cunning fox against omnipresent traps.
His whole body shivered with dread, and he quickly decided to immediately return and issue orders to cancel the operation.
But it was too late.
Two men dressed as personal guards seemed to emerge silently from underground, appearing like ghosts behind him.
White, silk-like blade light flashed past, and his two attendants fell to the ground.
Their throats had been cut with deep gashes, blood spurting out. Their mouths opened futilely, opening and closing like fish out of water, unable to make any sound, only more bloody foam continuously pouring from their mouths.
Prince Gao was greatly alarmed, but his reaction was also extremely quick. Instinctively, he reached for his waist to draw his sword, but grasped only air.
He realized what had happened.
Today, accompanying the Empress Dowager and Young Emperor to worship Buddha, to show devotion, according to custom, except for imperial guards and personal guards, all princes and officials had removed their weapons.
He had thought this was heaven’s opportunity for him, never imagining it was heaven’s trap to destroy him.
In an instant, those two successful assassins had already moved like swift shadows to his front, trapping him in the middle.
Prince Gao felt a chill at his throat.
At this moment, this imperial grand-uncle and Grand Marshal smelled the terrifying scent of death for the first time.
He froze, slowly raising his eyes.
A dark-robed figure slowly walked out from the deep shadows of the great hall and stopped beneath the shadow of ancient cypress trees before the hall steps.