The night was already very deep, yet the skies above the Sacred Gold Palace were still immersed in a symphony of string and wind instruments. The cold distant moon hung high in the sky, emitting a pale and misty radiance. Though Zhen Huang City never imposed a curfew, beyond Ziwei Square lay the imperial city area, heavily guarded and deathly quiet. Especially at this hour, there were rarely people walking about, and those who could move around at this time were certainly not ordinary individuals.
A cavalry of over a hundred riders formed a shuttle formation, narrow at the front and back. On the silent long street, only the clip-clop of hooves could be heard, sounding particularly crisp in the dead of night. Their iron armor was cold and grim. After walking for half an incense stick’s time, they did not enter the main road of the imperial city, but turned into the patrol path near the city wall, moving along it.
The cavalry in the center was numerous, with guards on both flanks holding high shields. Two lanterns at the front and back provided illumination, while the center of the formation was completely shrouded in darkness, making it impossible to see clearly. But one glance at such an arrangement revealed that important figures were being protected at the core.
The vanguard officers in the front row all held sharp weapons, with battle knives, long spears, and armor ready, capable of both instant attack and defense.
On the left and right sides, twenty cavalrymen each, like two walls, guarded the center of the formation. Each held a battle knife, facing outward, wearing heavy armor that gleamed with silver-white light. One could tell at a glance that it was forged from Western heavy armor. Even if someone ambushed or shot arrows from high walls or roadsides, unless they used heavy crossbows, there would be nothing to fear.
Such tight protection could almost be described as impenetrable. Since the mysterious death of Mu He Xi Feng of the Mu He clan, the life-cherishing nobles of the capital city immediately became fearful, falling into a round of panic. And Wei Shuyou, after being promoted to the imperial armed escort, seemed to cherish his life even more.
The cold wind was sharp, and snow swirled on the ground, adding to the solemn and stern atmosphere.
“Young Master,” a house servant rode forward and said solemnly to the man on horseback: “If we go further ahead, we’ll reach the north side of Yuan An Gate. We can enter quietly without being discovered by the family head. Eunuch Tai is already waiting for us at the palace gate. As long as we submit the memorial, neither the Yan Prince nor that little girl will be able to escape.”
Wei Shuyou nodded coldly, his gaze like a fierce wolf, cruel and bloodthirsty, with hard curves at the corners of his mouth, gloomy and predatory.
In the sky, clouds piled up in layers, and stars and moon were without light.
A man in black night-walking clothes stood in the darkness, his eyes slightly narrowed, standing on the high palace wall. A cold wind blew, sweeping over his slender body, making him appear even more aloof and sharp, standing out from the crowd.
Thirty black-clothed subordinates surrounded him on both sides, either crouching or lying hidden in layers of shadows, silently waiting for the moment to arrive.
Suddenly, music erupted from the direction of the palace, faintly accompanied by the sound of drums and bell chimes. The man knew the time had come; the musicians had begun to provide cover for their operation. They had only the time of one incense stick.
A sharp whistle suddenly broke the silence of the long night, startling the rhythmically advancing hoofbeats.
The Wei faction’s military officers were immediately terrified, looking up in panic towards the pitch-black sides.
At this moment, a whooshing sound arose, and thirty crossbows on the high wall fired simultaneously. Arrow light flickered, hungering for human hearts and lungs, targeting the horses rather than the people.
The battle horses neighed in pain, rearing up vigorously. The soldiers on horseback fell to the ground, with cries of pain ringing out continuously. Wei Shuyou, protected in the center, was both shocked and angry, shouting: “Who goes there?”
The man in the darkness laughed coldly, raising the golden crossbow in his hand. With a swoosh, the arrow left the string. However, before the arrow arrived, his figure had already leaped down from the high wall like a leopard, descending like a heavenly soldier for several feet, then tossing out a grappling hook in his hand, soaring through the air, and landing steadily on the ground in an instant.
With a muffled “swoosh,” the man’s long sword was fiercely thrust into the armor of the soldier opposite him. Another soldier rushed forward with a raised knife, but after taking just one step, the golden arrow, which had arrived late, had already pierced through his throat!
Screams immediately echoed throughout the entire Ziwei Street!
Closely following, the hidden death gods on the high wall jumped down one after another, boldly raising their knives and attacking.
By this time, most of Wei Shuyou’s followers had fallen. Battle horses screamed and moaned, hooves flailing wildly. Many people were wounded by crossbow arrows, falling to the ground, only to be trampled to death by the horses. The formation had long been disrupted, and the escort team of over a hundred people immediately fell into disarray.
“Wei faction traitors! Framing loyal officials, eliminating dissidents, usurping state power, evil hawks! Mu He Xi Ke today carries out heaven’s justice to take your life! Die!”
From a distance suddenly came a chaotic sound of hoofbeats. Wei Shuyou knew that the imperial guards in the palace city must have heard the noise and were coming. His spirit immediately stabilized, and he boldly shouted: “Mu He dog traitor, struggling in your death throes! If you have the ability, then come!”
Just then, a large net suddenly descended from the sky, completely entangling Wei Shuyou. Four black-clothed warriors nimbly exchanged positions, tightened the giant net, then fiercely tossed grappling hooks, leaped onto the high wall, and boldly departed.
A light whistle was immediately sent out, and the black-clothed warriors received the summons. Despite having the absolute upper hand, they still withdrew without any attachment to the battle. Scattered swords and knives were thrown down, and two black-clothed men held two wooden barrels, pouring out the contents with a splash, then tossed down a torch. Without looking back, they made several flying leaps and disappeared among the many buildings, heading towards the outer city, vanishing without a trace in just a moment.
The entire operation took no more than half an incense stick’s time. Everything returned to silence in an instant, while from the direction of the Sacred Gold Palace, the massive music had not ceased, still in a state of peace and prosperity with song and dance.
After the efficient attack and explosive methods, all that was left for the imperial guards was a sea of fire and a pool of blood where the Wei soldiers struggled and moaned.
The imperial guard commander, General Lu, looked panic-stricken, hastily saying: “Young Master Wei has been kidnapped. Quick! To report to the Council of Elders! The rest of you, follow me to the outer city to pursue the killers!”
While the imperial guards were rushing to the outer city to chase the assassins, a team of black-clothed men galloped into the imperial city without any concern. In the pine and cypress forest by the official road, more than ten blue-clothed guards were quietly standing by a carriage. Several people quickly rushed over, throwing the netted Wei Shuyou harshly to the ground.
“You…”
With a muffled “bang,” just as Wei Shuyou was about to speak, he was kicked hard in the mouth by someone. His mouthful of teeth immediately shattered, and Wei Shuyou groaned, unable to speak anymore.
Two blue-clothed guards quickly came forward, tightly bound Wei Shuyou, sealed his hands, feet, and mouth, then opened the lower layer of the carriage, actually placing him in the compartment normally used for storing charcoal fire.
The leading black-clothed man got into the carriage, removed the outer black night-walking clothes, revealing a white robe underneath, and pulled down his face cover, showing handsome features and eyes as sharp as stars.
“Young Master,” the black-clothed men, now dressed in blue guard uniforms, respectfully held a brazier and said, “Warm your hands and body.”
Yan Xun nodded lightly, took the brazier, lowered the curtain, then picked up the black clothes placed aside, threw them in, and extended his hand, lightly waving to the people outside. The carriage immediately got onto the official road, slowly heading towards the palace.
Intense hoofbeats suddenly sounded behind, and a guard immediately stepped forward, shouting sternly: “Who goes there? Galloping horses in the palace at night, do you not want to live?”
The person was stunned, but after recognizing the newcomers, he immediately responded: “Oh, it’s Young Master Yan. Master Wei was ambushed on Ziwei Road. We are ordered to rush to the palace to report to His Majesty.”
“Ambushed?” The carriage curtain was abruptly lifted, and Yan Xun frowned slightly: “Have the perpetrators been caught? Where is Master Wei now? Is he injured?”
“Reporting to Young Master Yan, the perpetrators escaped, already fleeing towards the outer city. General Lu has led men to pursue them. Master Wei has been abducted, and his fate is unknown.”
Yan Xun nodded and said solemnly: “Then go quickly to report.”
“Yes.”
The warhorse immediately galloped away. Yan Xun returned to the carriage and said solemnly to those outside: “Continue, go to Lu Hua Palace.”
Just as he got out of the carriage, he saw Wei Guang leading several officials of the Wei faction hurriedly walking out of Lu Hua Palace. After mounting their horses, they sped towards the outside of the palace.
Yan Xun, wearing a white fur coat, with extremely handsome features, watched the Wei faction members leave before slowly entering the Lu Hua Palace.
The Emperor had already retired, leaving only Zhao Qi, who was dazed by the abduction of Wei Shuyou, to manage the situation. Colorfully dressed palace maids moved among the guests, serving dishes. The huge imperial musician group surrounded one side of the hall, with melodious string and wind music flowing like spring water. One could tell at a glance who they were trying to please.
Crown Prince Li Ce of Bian Tang wore a deep purple brocade robe embroidered with dragons, talking and laughing with everyone around, draining each cup without hesitation, and occasionally reaching out to tease the dancing girls. He was a picture of a cultured gentleman, and if not for the overly magnificent landscape on his face, it would undoubtedly have been a scene of elegant debauchery.
The atmosphere at the banquet was lively, with officials all quite drunk, emotions high, constant laughter, and a scene of cups and chopsticks crossing.
Yan Xun entered his seat silently, raising his eyes to lightly look at Li Ce’s black and blue face, the corner of his mouth twitching as he raised his wine cup, shaking his head with a light laugh.
“Why are you so late?”
Zhao Chun’er wore a colorful butterfly and tender pink jacket, with a gold-purple long skirt, her head full of pearls and emeralds, her brow crimson, her cheeks powdered, her cherry-small mouth, her pearl, and jade flowing, her emerald light, uniquely radiant and dazzling.
Yan Xun raised his head, looking at the young girl who walked gracefully to sit beside him, slightly curving his mouth, saying lightly: “I took a short nap.”
“I thought you weren’t coming again,” Zhao Chun’er’s gaze was like water, glancing towards the Tang Crown Prince Li Ce sitting at the head, pouting, “That fellow just asked for my private name, truly without manners.”
Yan Xun laughed casually, tilted his head to drink, and did not answer.
Zhao Chun’er stared up at him, not minding his ignoring her at all. After a long time, she suddenly came to her senses, her small face flushing red, pulling at her clothes and asking: “Look, this is the tribute silk from the newly submitted territory. Is it beautiful?”
Yan Xun was slightly startled, but remembered the Red Water Lake just now, the girl’s bright eyes, urgently calling his name, then somewhat flustered saying: Be careful on the road.
Yan Xun’s expression immediately softened, sighing sincerely: “Very beautiful.”
Zhao Chun’er thought he was talking about her and immediately became happy, sitting contentedly beside him, constantly serving him food and pouring wine.
Soldiers continuously entered quietly through the side door to report to Zhao Qi, whose face was turning blue, looking increasingly unsightly. The officials around all cautiously noticed this, gradually restraining themselves. The momentum at the banquet diminished, yet only the Bian Tang Crown Prince Li Ce remained drunkenly tugging at Zhao Qi’s sleeve, constantly talking, swaying unsteadily, almost spilling his wine on Zhao Qi.
It wasn’t until the second watch that the banquet dispersed. Li Ce was completely drunk, actually falling asleep on the table, with food stains all over him.
Zhao Qi ordered people to carry him to Xie Fang Palace, but he did not return to the palace but directly left the hall, mounted his horse, and left the city.
Yan Xun stood in the pitch-black square, wearing a white fox fur coat, his features hard and handsome, his eyebrows flying into his temples, watching Zhao Qi’s departing figure, lightly curving his lips.
The sky was desolate and black, with ravens flying past, making a cacophony of cries.
“Brother Xun,” Zhao Chun’er carefully pulled at his sleeve, softly saying: “It’s so cold here. Please escort Chun’er back to the palace.”
Yan Xun respectfully stepped back, bowed, immediately creating a sense of distance, and politely said in a deep voice: “Yan Xun cannot hold his liquor and dare not disturb the princess. The princess should return on her own.”
Having said that, he turned and got into his carriage.
As the carriage gradually moved away, Zhao Chun’er still stood in place. Palace attendants came forward to drape a large fur coat over her but accidentally dropped it on the ground. The deep red fur coat on the snow was particularly eye-catching, like a pool of fresh blood.
Zhao Chun’er bit her lip stubbornly, tears welling in her eyes, yet she tried hard not to let them fall.
“Princess?”
Jade Nanny sighed, stepped forward to hold the little princess’s hand, and said: “Let’s go back.”
Zhao Chun’er pursed her lips, nodded obediently, and followed behind Jade Nanny without a word toward the carriage. The cold wind blew, and a tear immediately fell, sliding down her cheek and dropping onto the pale snow.
“Nanny,” the little princess’s voice was tiny, with an undisguised crying tone: “Did Chun’er do something wrong?”
Jade Nanny sighed, gently stroking Zhao Chun’er’s hair, but couldn’t say a word.
If there was a mistake, it would only be that you were born to the wrong person and loved the wrong person. This poor child, how should she walk her future path?
The carriage slowly moved forward, disappearing into a patch of cold moonlight.
In the secret room of the Oriole Song House, A Jing yanked off the man’s blindfold.
Wei Shuyou frowned tightly, taking a good while to adjust to the bright light before raising his head, only to suddenly see the man’s indifferent, light smile.
“Yan Xun?” Wei Shuyou’s eyes immediately widened, shouting in disbelief.
Yan Xun sat in a chair, tasting tea. Hearing this, he slightly raised his eyes, smiling lightly in greeting: “Master Wei has been busy with important matters lately. It’s been many days since we met. How have you been?”
“You are very audacious!” Wei Shuyou immediately became furious, speaking sternly.
“My audacity has always been considerable. Master Wei should understand.”
“Yan Xun, the Wei faction won’t let you go. You will die without a burial place!”
Yan Xun chuckled, as if hearing a joke, and slowly said: “Whether I will die without a burial place, I don’t know, but I dare guarantee you will die without a burial place.”
“Remember?” Yan Xun leaned slightly forward, his smile bewitching, his voice smooth as he slowly said: “I once said, the day you didn’t kill me, someday you would die by my knife. You cut off one of my fingers, I will cut off your head.”
“Ah!”
A huge scream immediately sounded. Under the sharp blade, a severed hand instantly fell to the ground, blood everywhere.
Several drops of blood splashed onto Yan Xun’s wrist. The man frowned slightly, distastefully taking out a white silk cloth and wiping vigorously. He coldly said to his subordinates: “Drag him away, cut him down.”
Wei Shuyou struggled in his death throes, angrily shouting: “Yan Bei dog! My uncle won’t let you go!”
“Wei Guang?” Yan Xun laughed coldly: “He’s too old, his brain is no longer sufficient. Only your Wei faction still worships him like a god. Right now, that decayed head of his is probably still suspecting who knows who.”
“Wei Shuyou, you fool!”
Yan Xun suddenly turned his head, coldly looking at him, distastefully saying in a deep voice: “Originally, you still had some time to live, but unfortunately, you shouldn’t have provoked me, especially not by threatening the person I care about most. You thought you could bring me down? Naive. You have always been a useless waste. You were before, you are now, and originally would have been in the future, but unfortunately, you won’t have that chance anymore.”
Throwing the blood-stained white silk cloth on the ground, Yan Xun turned around imposingly, striding out, coldly saying as he walked: “Drag him away!”
Vengeful curses and terrified screams immediately sounded. Yan Xun’s back was straight, deaf to it all.
He had already set foot on the path of revenge, and those who had humiliated and hurt him would pay a painful price. From now on, he would never allow anyone to take away what he loved, never again!
The cold moon was like frost, the night wind icy. Tonight was another sleepless night.
The next day, the entire Zhen Huang City was alarmed. Wei Shuyou, the eldest son of the Wei faction, had been ambushed in the palace city last night. His hundred soldiers were completely wiped out, and he was abducted. By the time the imperial guards arrived, they couldn’t even see the shadow of the killers. After searching all night without results, it was feared that he was already dead.
Because at that time, imperial guards had distantly heard the bandits self-report as Mu He Xi Ke of the Mu He clan, another series of large-scale searches and slaughters of remnants of the Mu He clan began again.
However, at this moment, in the main room of the Wei mansion, Wei Guang handed a letter to his most trusted lieutenant, Wei Nu, saying solemnly: “You must tell Ye’er that the life and death of the Wei faction hangs in the balance. His Majesty has already moved against the Wei faction. If he doesn’t return, the Wei faction will be the next Mu He clan.”
Five fast horsemen quickly galloped out of the Zhen Huang City gate, heading north, leaving only dust behind.
When A Jing came to report, Yan Xun was tasting tea under the corridor. Hearing this, he laughed coldly, saying lightly: “The more lively, the better.”
Just a few short words, yet it immediately made A Jing feel cold all over. He had followed Yan Xun for three years, yet found himself gradually unable to see through this master.
On the training ground of the Xiao Qi Camp, wave after wave of thunderous cheers erupted. The bright-smiled young girl stood in the center of the field, shooting seven arrows in rapid succession, one after another, into the center of the target a hundred paces away.
“Instructor Chu!”
From a distance, a warhorse quickly galloped over. A young soldier wearing a gray-brown short martial uniform jumped down from his horse, panting, saying: “Someone is looking for you.”
“Looking for me?” Chu Qiao was startled, putting down her crossbow, jumping down from the arrow platform, and asking: “Who?”
“Instructor Chu!” A man with a hearty smile waved his bow and arrow, shouting: “Are we still competing?”
“You’ve already lost your coat to me and still haven’t learned your lesson. Sooner or later, I’ll have you losing your pants!” The girl turned her head, calling out in a crisp tone. The surrounding Xiao Qi Camp soldiers suddenly burst into laughter, all jeering at the man who was clamoring for an archery competition.
The messenger also followed the crowd with a chuckle, revealing a set of white teeth, saying: “I’m not sure either. They seem to be from the Imperial Ceremonial Office, quite a lot of people.”
Chu Qiao’s brow gradually furrowed. Who could be looking for her? Didn’t Yan Xun say that the matter of hitting the Tang Crown Prince was settled? What other people would come looking for a small archery instructor like her?
“Let’s go see.”
Chu Qiao jumped onto another warhorse, following behind the messenger, heading towards the central military camp.
Looking from afar, today’s Xiao Qi Camp was unusually lively. Golden dragon banners, brocade ceremonial officials, uniformly graceful women holding huge golden trays, the managers of the Imperial Ceremonial Office wearing formal attire only worn for grand ceremonies, respectfully following behind, rows of golden splendid boxes placed in front of the tent, containing unknown world-class treasures.
Zhao Qi frowned tightly, saying solemnly to Vice Commander Cheng: “Where is the Seventh Prince? Why hasn’t he returned yet?”
Vice Commander Cheng’s forehead was streaming with cold sweat. Even now, he didn’t know what exactly had happened. Lowering his voice, he replied: “Soon, I have already sent someone to inform him.”
“Indeed, it seems that even within the military camp, there are unique scenes to behold.”
An indolent voice sounded from the side. Hearing this, Zhao Qi immediately felt a headache, turning with a bitter smile: “Crown Prince, what exactly brings you to my seventh brother’s place?”
“You’ll know soon enough.” Li Ce wore a bright red brocade robe, his clothes like fire, with the hem embroidered with several phoenix dragons, dazzlingly golden, his belt fragrant, draped in a fiery red fox fur coat, his eyes bewitching like peach blossoms. Despite the cold weather, he insisted on fanning himself with a folding fan, with a deliberately mysterious appearance that set one’s teeth on edge.
Zhao Qi swore he was truly at the end of his patience.
For two full days, he had been running around with this person. First, Li Ce complained that his sleeping quarters in the Sacred Gold Palace weren’t well-ventilated. After bustling about for half the night to ventilate it, he then complained that the room was cold after ventilation. Early in the morning, he refused to eat because the palace maids were ugly. After finding some exceptionally beautiful ones, he complained that they couldn’t recite poetry. Eating a meal was also full of picky complaints, sometimes saying the tea leaves weren’t from the past three days, sometimes saying the guards outside didn’t have soft cotton padding on their boot soles, and walking outside the city would wake him up while he was sleeping inside. In short, the variations were endless.
Zhao Qi had nearly lost half his life, feeling that even years of contention with his many brothers hadn’t been as exhausting as accompanying him these two days. Now, he didn’t know what novel idea had come up, bringing a group of people to the military camp.
If before this, he had still suspected that this fellow was hiding his true capabilities, then now, he could be a hundred percent certain that this fellow was just a lunatic, completely devoid of reason.
“Oh! Here they come!”
Li Ce’s eyes suddenly lit up. Before Zhao Qi could look carefully, he was pulled aside by Li Ce. With a swoosh, he closed his fan, nervously saying: “How do I look today? Is my scent strong enough? Not vulgar, right? Look at these boots, they’re the finest flower marten tribute from the Northwestern Mohan King. Are they classy enough?”
Zhao Qi sighed helplessly, nodding repeatedly: “Yes, beautiful.”
Just as she entered the camp, Chu Qiao saw Zhao Qi’s green camp army. Her brows slightly furrowed, and she secretly remained cautious.
What exactly had happened? Why would Zhao Qi personally come to find her? Could Yan Xun have made some mistake?
By now, she had approached the crowd, seeing the officials of the Imperial Ceremonial Office each frowning at her as if they also didn’t understand what was happening. She was slightly reassured. If Yan Xun had failed, Zhao Qi would only need to bring the green camp army, why bring the Imperial Ceremonial Office? Things must not be as bad as she thought.
“This humble officer Chu Qiao pays respects to the Third…”
“Haha! See where you can run to this time!”
A fiery red figure suddenly darted out from behind, arms extending to tightly embrace her. Everyone was instantly dumbfounded. However, before they could recover, they saw the girl suddenly react like a small beast under attack, leaping up like thunder, using a complex hand technique to break free from the other’s control. With a small grappling move following, two crisp sounds of “crack” were heard, and she turned from passive to active, firmly pressing the ambushing man to the ground!
“Who are you?”
Chu Qiao coldly shouted, saying solemnly.
Then, she saw the beloved treasure of the Bian Tang Emperor desperately raises his head from the ground, still maintaining a smiling lecher expression, saying in an indolent tone: “How rude. It’s me, don’t you recognize me?”
The officials of Great Xia were immediately bewildered. They looked at the Tang Crown Prince lying on the ground, then turned to look at the black-faced Third Prince Zhao Qi, and then at the somewhat stunned girl Chu Qiao. Everyone was dumbfounded, not knowing what to say.
In contrast, the Bian Tang envoys all wore mournful expressions, as if they had long known that things would not develop according to normal logic.
Zhao Qi was the first to react, immediately stepping forward, sternly saying to Chu Qiao: “How dare you! To be so disrespectful to the Tang Crown Prince, what crime do you deserve!”
Chu Qiao was startled, quickly letting go, about to apologize. Suddenly, she saw Li Ce nimbly flip over and stand up from the ground, very imposingly shouting at Zhao Qi: “You are the daring one! This Crown Prince wants to marry her. I’ve brought the betrothal gifts. Come, bring them up!”
Several hundred huge boxes were brought forward, and as soon as they were opened, a scene of golden splendor appeared, dazzlingly brilliant. The crowd couldn’t help but exclaim in surprise.
Chu Qiao stood in place, looking at the dumbfounded Great Xia officials, the wide-eyed Prince Zhao Qi, and the complacent Tang Crown Prince Li Ce, and finally wrinkled her brow on the verge of tears.
Could someone please tell her, what on earth was going on?