The Jintian Guard poured out in a line and within moments had pinned both riders to the ground. Ye Tingyan rode forward close and called out with concern: “Your Majesty!”

Song Lan had not yet recovered from his shock. He lowered his head — and first caught sight of a wound on the back of Luowei’s hand.

Luowei followed his gaze and found that it was from when she had drawn the blade too hastily just now — in her haste she had carelessly cut a shallow gash along the back of her hand.

Song Lan was moved. He had no time to acknowledge Ye Tingyan. He raised his arms and drew Luowei into his embrace: “Elder Sister, does it hurt?”

Luowei regretfully let go of the blade and allowed it to drop to the ground.

She turned and wrapped her arms around Song Lan’s neck, putting on a look of anxious distress: “It is nothing — did Zi Lan take fright?”

“So long as Elder Sister is unharmed,” Song Lan said with emotion.

The intimate exchange between the Emperor and Empress naturally could not be heard by those standing farther away. But the nearby Ye Tingyan heard every word with perfect clarity.

In that moment he could barely suppress the violent emotion surging up inside him. He had no choice but to grip his bow tightly, take a step back, and kneel before the two of them.

Only then did Song Lan remember him, and said promptly: “Tingyan, rise. If not for that arrow of yours just now, this Emperor and the Empress would likely not have escaped harm.”

Ye Tingyan hung his head. His lips trembled twice before he was finally able to bite out coherent words: “…This servant was derelict in protecting Your Majesty. His Majesty and Her Ladyship were given a fright.”

“Lord Ye is not an imperial guard. To rush forward in defense was already an act of loyalty — there is no need for self-reproach,” Luowei said gently.

Ye Tingyan was silent for a moment, then said: “This servant thanks Her Ladyship.”

For some reason, Luowei felt certain that he was trembling.

Yet when he raised his head, all trace of vulnerability had vanished entirely. Ye Tingyan’s expression was as composed as usual, his face showing what appeared to be genuine concern — only his eyes were slightly red.

But Luowei had no attention to spare for his momentary loss of composure, because Song Lan had already risen and walked toward the dead horse.

Liu Xi hurried to follow and barked at the two riders now controlled by the Jintian Guard: “Audacious villains — how dare you attempt to assassinate the Emperor!”

Lin Zhao had fainted from fright when he tumbled down with the horse, leaving only the horse handler. Upon hearing this, the horse handler jerked his head up and called out: “Your Majesty, this humble one has been wrongfully accused!”

“Wrongfully accused how?” Liu Xi said furiously.

“Great official, examine this matter carefully — this humble one is merely an ordinary horse handler of the Muchun Field. What audacity would I have to commit high treason? What is more, how could this humble one have known that the Second Young Master Lin’s horse would suddenly go berserk? Just now before the Emperor, it was clearly the Second Young Master Lin himself who took this humble one’s hand and drew the sword!”

Lin Kuishan, upon hearing this, was so enraged his chest seized, and he shouted: “Nonsense! Why would my son commit treason? Your Majesty, this is a fabrication — a false accusation!”

“And how would this humble one know that the long sword presented by Marquis Feng Ping had already been sharpened?” the horse handler said.

“This matter, this matter…”

Lin Kuishan knocked his head to the ground before Song Lan and wept out his account: “Since ancient times, a precious sword is rarely drawn from its scabbard. The last time this old minister set eyes on it was when the Jintian Guard came to inspect it. If it had been sharpened at that time, how could this old minister have brought the sword before the Emperor?”

“How do we know that Marquis Feng Ping did not hatch an assassination plot after entering the Muchun Field and had someone switch the sword?” the horse handler said.

“Insolent wretch—” Lin Kuishan cursed.

Yu Qiushi suddenly cut him off: “Outrageous! An De — before His Majesty, why must you squabble with a guard?”

Song Lan, whose head was throbbing from the shouting of both men, waved a hand at this: “Zhuque.”

At this single summons, within moments two or three guards in gold and red uniforms appeared soundlessly nearby and knelt before Song Lan with deference: “Your Majesty.”

Luowei had already returned to her seat and was listening at leisure to the two men squabbling before the Emperor. It was only when Song Lan called out the Zhuque Division that she raised her chin slightly and exchanged a glance with Ye Tingyan.

In barely a month, this division had gone from nothing to something. She did not know who Song Lan had privately found to train this group of men loyal unto death. Looking at them now, the results were quite impressive.

Ye Tingyan looked at her only once, then shifted his gaze away. Luowei rested her cheek in her hand and looked over — and saw that Yu Qiushi was also privately observing the close guards before the Emperor, a subtle flicker in his eyes.

Song Lan was entirely unaware, and simply gave his instructions: “Detain these two for now. This Emperor will choose who will preside over the inquiry before proceeding. While the accused are held in custody, no visits, no contact, and no self-harm will be permitted. If anything goes wrong, come before this Emperor with your heads.”

The three Zhuque guards, upon hearing this, showed no change of expression, and only lowered their heads deeply in assent: “Yes.”

After they led away the unconscious Lin Zhao and the still-protesting horse handler, Luowei glanced at the horse lying dying at the foot of the steps and suddenly asked: “Who fired the other arrow just now?”

Liu Xi then dispatched several eunuchs to bring the person who had fired the other arrow before the Emperor.

The man stepped forward and paid his respects with care: “This servant is Chang Zhao, Appointed Gentleman of the Court, Academician-Librarian of the Qiong Ting Academy, and from next month will be serving in the Ministry of Rites. This servant kneels before His Majesty and Her Ladyship, and humbly inquires after Your Majesties’ sacred wellbeing.”

Hearing these official titles, Song Lan was somewhat surprised: “You are a scholar who passed through the imperial examinations? And yet your archery is this good?”

No wonder Song Lan was surprised. Chang Zhao’s official position was the most ordinary of paths — after passing the examinations and gaining the recognition of a superior, one entered the Qiong Ting Academy and worked through the Six Ministries. It was an idle yet prestigious route. With the right patronage one could rise rapidly. It was an even smoother path than the one Ye Tingyan had taken in being appointed to the Censorate.

While Chang Zhao was answering, Yu Qiushi glanced downward — and happened to catch Lin Kuishan making eyes at him.

He was briefly startled, then understood.

This official called Chang Zhao was likely the person who had earlier presented himself at Lin Kuishan’s door.

In the dangerous situation just now, with so many guards and junior officials present and plenty of bows and arrows at hand, those who could have reacted in an instant and trusted their own archery absolutely — counted to the end — numbered no more than these two men.

For an arrow to deviate by even an inch would have startled the imperial procession, and even with the intent to rescue, it would still have been a grave offense.

Yu Qiushi thought to himself: setting Ye Tingyan aside for now — this entire incident was perhaps his manipulation from behind the scenes, staged to earn Song Lan’s trust. But this Chang Zhao had remained composed under pressure. Having come with the intention to serve, he might also be a usable talent.

“This servant placed in the first tier, third rank, of the Jinghe third-year imperial examination, and was afterward appointed to the Qiong Ting Academy,” Chang Zhao replied with neither subservience nor insolence. “This servant studied archery and equestrianism in his youth. The Minister of Rites praised this servant’s archery skill at a banquet, and it is through his recognition that this servant was able to come to the Muchun Field today and broaden his horizons. In the moment of emergency just now, this servant raised the bow and nocked the arrow — fearing to startle Your Majesty — and begs Your Majesty and Her Ladyship to administer punishment.”

“Your loyalty and commitment to your ruler pleases this Emperor greatly. Liu Xi — bring out the gold and silver fish pouches, and present them to both Tingyan and Scholar Chang.”

Chang Zhao wore green robes, and by regulation had no need of a silver fish pouch, while Ye Tingyan already wore a scarlet official’s robe — a gold fish pouch would exceed his rank. Song Lan was being generous with his gifts, which implicitly suggested promotions for both.

Both men thanked the Emperor for his grace and stood separately on either side.

After rewarding the two, Song Lan looked back at Luowei. Luowei rose and stepped forward, raising her voice to instruct: “Liu Xi.”

“This servant is present,” Liu Xi said promptly.

“The hour draws near. See to summoning all the eunuchs in the imperial attendance and prepare to depart. From the Muchun Field to the palace, the matter of this assassination attempt must not leak under any circumstances. If there is gossip spreading among the common people, this Consort will hold you responsible first.”

“Yes.”

Luowei then addressed the newly appointed captain of the Jintian Guard: “Feng Zhong — lead the Jintian Guard ahead and clear the way for His Majesty. Upon returning to the palace, first summon the Chief Supervisors of the Two Administrations to come see this Consort at the Qionghua Hall.”

After the Jintian Guard received their orders and departed, Luowei gave her final instructions to two other attendants nearby: “You two circle the grounds and convey this Consort’s verbal edict — all officials are to proceed with caution, and all discussion is to wait until we return to the palace.”

Once all of this had been set into motion, Yu Qiushi frowned and said: “Does Her Ladyship’s handling of this seem somewhat overly severe?”

Luowei had been waiting for exactly this remark, and replied with composure: “His Majesty’s being subjected to an assassination attempt is a matter of great national consequence. Marquis Feng Ping is implicated in this affair. The Grand Preceptor is related to him by marriage and should remove himself to avoid suspicion. In the subsequent joint inquiry before the Two Administrations and Three Judicial Offices, it would be best for the Grand Preceptor to limit his involvement as well — so as not to damage his reputation.”

“Her Ladyship is wise and holy. My son has always been a wastrel — he truly is innocent…” Lin Kuishan wept on the side.

“Marquis Feng Ping need not grieve. If there is truly nothing amiss, naturally no taint will fall upon you,” Luowei said.

Lin Kuishan still seemed to want to say more, but caught Yu Qiushi giving him a meaningful sideways glance, and immediately fell silent, only answering: “Yes.”

Luowei turned back around and paid her respects to Song Lan with gentle propriety: “This Consort has taken liberties and acted on her own initiative. His Majesty has been through a fright, and should return to the palace early. However, the investigation into the assassination still needs someone to oversee proceedings here. It is hoped that His Majesty will name a chief examiner and make the necessary arrangements before departing.”

Song Lan, upon hearing this, naturally called out: “Tingyan…”

Yu Qiushi cut in abruptly: “Your Majesty, Censor Ye and Scholar Chang have rendered distinguished service today in defending the Emperor. As for presiding over the examination, this minister believes sending both together would be best.”

“This servant has had a brief acquaintance with the Second Young Master Lin, and is willing to give his utmost effort to investigate the matter clearly for Your Majesty and to determine where the responsibility lies,” Chang Zhao also knelt and said.

“Very well. This Emperor will draft the edict upon returning to the palace, granting the two of you access to the Muchun Field and the Forbidden Palace. The Jintian Guard may offer assistance. As for those within the Zhuque Division — once you have gathered your evidence, you may then question them,” Song Lan said after deliberating briefly.

From the moment Song Lan had been subjected to the assassination attempt, Luowei had noticed that Ye Tingyan was in a mildly distracted state.

She had not initially known whether this Chang Zhao was someone Ye Tingyan had arranged. But hearing the Grand Preceptor’s words of recommendation, she understood he likely was not.

If that were the case, given Ye Tingyan’s nature, he ought to have spoken up more — to have Song Lan entrust the matter to him alone.

But today Ye Tingyan had only thanked the Emperor with reddened eyes, and even his steps as he departed were somewhat unsteady.

As the imperial procession was departing the Muchun Field, Yan Luo returned soundlessly. Luowei saw that she had not yet changed out of the guard’s attire, and after a moment’s thought said: “In private, go and pass a message to Lord Ye. Say that tomorrow, when the Qingming holiday ends — at the time when the azure clouds grow still — this Consort invites him to meet at the old place for a conversation.”

Yan Luo received the order and turned to go. Luowei hesitated for a moment, then called her back: “And also… convey this Consort’s inquiry — his eyes are red at the rims; does he suffer from an old ailment?”