“Left Huangzhou and traveled all the way north?” After the morning court session, Shen Lang kept the key ministers behind to discuss matters. But just then, an urgent report suddenly came from outside. After listening carefully, his already sinister face became even more gloomy. He only said: “Have they found out where he’s heading?”

Wang Xinyi, the Director of Ceremonies, broke out in cold sweat on his forehead, stammering as he replied: “According to what people below said, looking at the route, it seems, it seems to be heading toward the frontier…”

The frontier?!

All the court advisors and important officials from the Six Ministries present couldn’t help but gasp in shock, looking at each other in dismay.

Zhang Zhe had been about to report on this year’s autumn execution matters from the Ministry of Justice. Hearing these words, his eyelids jumped. That silent, taciturn face rarely showed some loosening due to astonishment.

But then it immediately calmed again.

He was even in a trance for a moment. When his gaze fell, seeing the intricate cloud and thunder patterns climbing up his official robe sleeves, he remembered that this life was different from the previous one.

In the previous life, she had antagonized Grand Princess Leyang Shen Zhiyi and had no power to rescue the Marquis of Yongyi’s household from disaster. But in this life, Her Highness the Grand Princess treated her well in the palace. Although the Marquis of Yongyi’s household was raided, they preserved most of their strength and were only exiled to Huangzhou. She had even become Xie Ju’an’s true student, and under her command was You Fangying, who in the previous life had wealth rivaling nations. If she was in the south, she would surely encounter Wei Liang…

So many people had their fates altered because of her.

Then at this time and day, it was not surprising that the Prince Yan had unusual movements earlier than in the previous life.

However, this matter greatly exceeded Shen Lang’s expectations.

He sat high on the imperial throne, yet the area of his temples throbbed somewhat. He felt a surge of blood rushing to his head. Raising his hand to slowly press it down, he asked through gritted teeth: “Only he alone left Huangzhou without permission? What about the rest of the Yan clan?!”

Wang Xinyi knelt on the ground: “After discovering that Yan Lin left Huangzhou, the local prefecture officials immediately searched, but, but…”

Shen Lang suddenly slammed the imperial desk, shouting sternly: “Speak!”

With that “bang,” all the brushes and ink on the desk trembled.

Wang Xinyi’s entire body immediately prostrated completely, his forehead against the cold, smooth floor, his voice full of panic: “Your Majesty, they’re gone! The Yan clan is missing—they’ve all escaped!”

“Nonsense!”

Shen Lang’s face was nearly contorted. He swept almost everything on the imperial desk to the ground—memorials, brushes, ink, a complete mess.

“The Yan clan has over a hundred people. One Yan Lin escaping wouldn’t be surprising, but how could the entire clan vanish without a trace?! Where would they get the ability to escape through my countless eyes and ears, escape through the prefecture’s numerous checkpoints?!”

At this, all the ministers knelt down together, crying out in unison “Your Majesty, please calm your anger.”

After all, in these two years, the Emperor had become increasingly negligent of government affairs, believing in the path to immortality, frequently taking Five Minerals Powder, his temperament becoming more and more unpredictable. Court officials being punished at every turn was no longer a rare occurrence.

Even if everyone was willing to part with their official robes and black gauze caps, they still had to consider the head on their shoulders.

Only Zhang Zhe was half a beat slower.

The elderly Minister of Justice Gu Chunfang sighed inwardly and knelt first. Turning his head to see his prized student still standing with the memorial concerning this year’s autumn execution list, he reached out and pulled him down.

Zhang Zhe’s fingers gripping the memorial tightened somewhat, revealing several stiff, cold, severe lines.

In the end, he didn’t refuse Gu Chunfang’s kind intention.

Only before kneeling, he glanced at the tribute pine-soot ink that had rolled from the imperial desk to his feet. As if disdaining it blocking the floor, he lightly kicked it aside.

Gu Chunfang noticed and couldn’t help but glance at him.

The entire court of civil and military officials trembled with fear, yet only a monk standing to the side was conspicuously out of place.

He had a square face and broad ears, somewhat fierce-looking.

Wearing bright red monk’s robes, yet affecting the manner of a high monk. Upon hearing the news of the Yan clan’s escape, he only frowned slightly.

This person was none other than the current Imperial Preceptor, Monk Yuanji.

These days, there had been no good news throughout the court and countryside.

Internally, the Heavenly Teachings caused chaos, stirring up misery among the people. Externally, barbarians watched covetously. The originally top-secret news that Grand Princess Leyang was trapped in the Tatar royal court and seeking help from the court had somehow leaked, spreading throughout the city like a storm. The common people discussed it endlessly, all speculating that the court would send troops to rescue her.

But who in the court didn’t understand?

Even if they were to go to war with the Tatars, they wouldn’t choose this time. A married princess was like water poured out—when she went to the Tatar royal court, she was already as good as dead. How would an emperor rashly start a war over a dead person?

The problem was precisely that the news had leaked!

Some things could be done but not spoken of. Shen Lang’s original plan was to conceal it, wait for news of Shen Zhiyi’s misfortune to emerge, then raise mourning troops under the pretext of avenging the Princess to start the war. But now it was different. If they knew of the Princess’s predicament but didn’t send troops, and the common people found out, they would surely lose popular support! The Heavenly Teachings were already causing internal chaos and couldn’t wait to smear the court. Once this matter had any slip-ups, it would inevitably create opportunities for the enemy.

At this critical juncture, the Yan clan had disappeared!

Shen Lang couldn’t help but laugh coldly: “Good, good, I see they’re conspiring together to make me miserable!”

No one dared to speak.

Shen Lang felt extremely irritable. He stood up and paced, sweeping his gaze below but didn’t see Xie Wei. He couldn’t help but say: “Imperial Tutor Xie went home to worship his ancestors—hasn’t he returned yet?”

Wang Xinyi felt utterly unlucky, not knowing why every day brought so much bad news that all had to be reported by him. With his head pressed to the ground, not daring to lift it at all, he said: “Your Majesty, you forgot—Shandong sent an urgent report that Imperial Tutor was ambushed on his way back to the capital. However, news came yesterday saying he had been rescued and was recuperating in Jinan Prefecture. It’s expected he’ll set out for the capital shortly.”

Shen Lang frowned: “Who attacked him—has it been investigated?”

The Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, kneeling below, didn’t dare to speak.

Gu Chunfang glanced at him before answering on his behalf: “Your Majesty, the incident was sudden. The Ministry of Justice and the Court of Judicial Review have just sent people to supervise the investigation. There should be leads soon. In this old minister’s opinion, Imperial Tutor is a court official. Those who dare to assassinate him on his return journey either have chaotic hearts or rebellious intentions. I fear they have some connection with those Heavenly Teachings bandits.”

Indeed.

Besides the Heavenly Teachings, who would be so bold as to dare assassinate Xie Wei?

Gu Chunfang’s words were not without reason.

Monk Yuanji beside them smiled slightly, putting his palms together and chanting: “Amitabha, Imperial Tutor Xie is blessed by heaven and fortunately unharmed. Those Heavenly Teachings bandits who rebel against authority truly deserve death. However, I must congratulate Your Majesty.”

The Emperor was in a state of irritation—where was there any hint of “joy”?

Everyone felt puzzled.

Shen Lang also couldn’t help but look at him. He trusted him considerably, and his expression improved somewhat: “The Imperial Preceptor speaks strangely—where does this joy come from?”

Monk Yuanji actually said: “First joy that Imperial Tutor is safe and the bandits didn’t succeed. Second joy that the Yan clan’s unusual movements have revealed their tracks. At the frontier, the Tatars eye us hungrily. Bandit Yan Lin is heading precisely toward the frontier, surely with intentions of coordinating from within and without. Therefore, handling of frontier matters now must be extremely cautious. Imperial Tutor is Your Majesty’s right hand, far-sighted and strategic, deeply trusted by Your Majesty. This old monk has a plan—why not take this opportunity to have Imperial Tutor go to the frontier? First, to avoid the Heavenly Teachings bandits’ assassination attempts. Second, to supervise military intelligence and strictly prevent changes. Third, to wait for the enemy by the tree stump—if the Yan clan harbors rebellious intentions, with Imperial Tutor’s abilities, he will surely ensure they never return!”

It was well known that although Xie Wei didn’t have the title of Imperial Tutor, he had the reality of one.

Although Monk Yuanji had used his title as Imperial Preceptor these two years to vigorously promote Buddhism among the people to counter the Heavenly Teachings, and was quite famous among believers, here in the court, the ministers still recognized Xie Wei more.

After all, those who could serve as officials in the court, even if not outright evil, weren’t many who were good.

Who could truly believe in and revere Buddhism?

They were just polite to him on the surface.

After all, everyone in court and countryside knew that when truly difficult matters arose, they still needed to discuss with Master Xie to reach decisions.

Now hearing Monk Yuanji’s words, no one doubted them at all.

Shen Lang also considered it.

The situation at the frontier was truly more urgent than internal affairs. He certainly couldn’t personally supervise the troops. Sending Xie Wei was indeed the best choice. So he made a decisive decision: “Draft the edict! Order Imperial Tutor Xie not to return to the capital. After brief recuperation in Jinan, proceed immediately to the frontier to supervise the troops and maintain strict vigilance. Anyone showing unusual behavior should be executed on the spot without mercy!”

“Your Majesty is wise!”

All the ministers prostrated themselves in praise.

Only Zhang Zhe raised his eyes, looking at the smile hanging at the corner of Monk Yuanji’s lips, feeling that matters were probably not so simple.

“So, who exactly was trying to attack us—has it been investigated?”

Jiang Xuening watched as Xie Wei placed the sliced fish into a beautiful white porcelain plate, sprinkled a little ginger strips to remove the fishy smell, and placed it in the steamer. She seemed able to see what a delicious appearance it would have when brought out. She couldn’t help but swallow and then asked this.

She didn’t dare to guess too deeply.

At the time of the attack, she had clearly heard Daoqin say the words “from the Teachings,” making her recall Xie Wei’s previous life methods of uprooting and completely exterminating the Heavenly Teachings. She couldn’t help but feel cold in her heart.

Xie Wei covered the steamer, took a cloth from the side, and wiped away the stains on his hands. Yet his eyes flickered with strange colors as he replied calmly and unperturbed: “Heavenly Teachings rebels, utterly audacious—who else could it be?”

Jiang Xuening couldn’t help but be choked by him.

But Xie Wei looked up at her, seeing her delicate features covered by a layer of flickering warm color from the stove fire. He couldn’t help but smile with considerable profound meaning: “Who do you think it was?”

Jiang Xuening resentfully added a piece of firewood to the stove, but said: “How would I know? I’m afraid of dying—can’t I even ask?”

Xie Wei only said: “Rest assured.”

He had pondered it afterward. There were two groups of people who came to assassinate him. Those who followed Jianshu’s group were skilled fighters from the Teachings—probably because Wan Xiuzi’s uprising was imminent, they feared he wouldn’t be controllable and wanted to eliminate him first. Those who followed him and Jiang Xuening came from the capital. If the Emperor had already begun to suspect him, he wouldn’t act secretly. Those who acted in secret were all afraid of being discovered. Looking back on these two years, the only ones who could be counted as “opponents” or “enemies” was Monk Yuanji alone.

This person, though called a monk, had deep scheming and was definitely not a good sort.

Shen Lang was negligent of state affairs, yet very heavy-handed with imperial tactics.

These two years, using Monk Yuanji to check and balance him, and using him to suppress Monk Yuanji, never letting either side truly overpower the other—this way the emperor could sit securely and profit from the middle.

As for now…

Xie Wei lowered his eyelids, glancing at the discarded fish head beside the cutting board. He casually tossed the hand-wiping cloth aside, took two small bowls to prepare the dipping sauce, and asked Jiang Xuening: “Eat spicy food?”

Jiang Xuening immediately forgot all about the serious matters discussed earlier, nodding like a pecking chicken: “Yes, yes.”

Xie Wei then added a spoonful of chili to her dipping dish.

When the fish was steamed and brought out, each slice was white and tender, wafting with fresh fragrance. The two didn’t move to another place but set up a small table in the corner of the kitchen, wiped it clean, sat down beside it, and began eating with the dipping dishes and small half-bowls of rice.

These days, no one else dared to approach the kitchen.

The two ate a meal in complete peace and quiet. After a few bites, Jiang Xuening lost all sense of direction, momentarily feeling that Xie Ju’an was truly an immortal or bodhisattva, a great sage of great mercy and compassion—ordinary mortals couldn’t possibly make food this delicious!

Originally, after the long journey by boat and carriage with poor food along the way, then being attacked and recuperating in Jinan, when she first woke she looked considerably thinner. But after being fed several meals by Xie Wei, her complexion recovered and her face became slightly rounder.

Jiang Xuening even began worrying about getting fat if she continued eating.

However, such days didn’t continue much longer. Only two days had passed when an imperial edict actually came from the capital, ordering Xie Wei to go to the frontier to supervise the troops!

Jiang Xuening was dumbstruck.

At that instant, she even felt a creeping horror. She couldn’t help but recall Xie Wei’s words that day: “No rush.” She only suspected this matter was within his expectations. Otherwise, why would he linger in Jinan after being attacked?

Xie Wei was the real rebel!

Now the Emperor was still being deceived by him, issuing an order commanding him to go to the frontier! It was practically as if he couldn’t die fast enough and was busy digging his own grave!

Needless to say, with this imperial edict, their party naturally traveled legitimately on the official roads.

They didn’t need to avoid attention and had the Emperor’s order to clear the way.

Gates opened at every pass, passages cleared at every route.

No prefecture along the way dared show any negligence. From Jinan to the frontier, they traveled unobstructed, and in merely ten days, they had already reached the frontier!

Yanmen Pass was at Mount Goose Gate in Shanxi, located on the west side of Mount Heng range. It defended against the northern lands externally and guarded the Central Plains internally. Its position was strategically important, easy to defend and difficult to attack. Throughout history, it had always been “the unparalleled strategic point of the three borders, the most revered of the nine fortresses.”

All of Great Qian’s soldiers were stationed within the pass, troops garrisoned outside Xinzhou City.

When Xie Wei and Jiang Xuening’s party arrived at Xinzhou, looking out they could see on that desolate plain the general’s platform standing tall, banners flying so thick they obscured the sun. Soldiers in armor and holding halberds moved about with strict discipline!

On the road, they had already received news from the frontier. They knew that after Yan Lin obtained that so-called “imperial edict,” he had already legitimately controlled the frontier’s one hundred thousand troops!

After all, the one who delivered the imperial edict to Yan Lin was the current Imperial Tutor.

Who would dare question the authenticity of the imperial edict?

And afterward, the court issued a genuine imperial edict to Xie Wei, dispatching him to supervise the troops, which directly fell into Xie Wei’s trap, making this excellent scheme even more flawless!

Their carriage was still far from the city gate when someone had already rushed ahead to report.

When they approached the city gate, they saw a rider galloping out from within the city.

Jiang Xuening had just emerged from the carriage and hadn’t yet stood steady on the carriage shaft when she heard a hearty laugh. She was embraced fully.

The youth of old days, rarely shedding the composure honed by years of wind and frost, his sword-like brows and starry eyes brilliant, hugged her tightly and called out joyfully: “Ningning!”

It was a mature and resolute presence.

He had grown taller, his features sharper, yet that completely genuine delight softened somewhat the sharpness at the corners of his eyes and brows. Jiang Xuening stood there in a daze, not knowing what to say.

The soldiers within the city all looked at this scene in astonishment.

After all, this young general had been deploying troops and issuing commands these days with steady composure, quite able to control the situation. Even several generals who originally didn’t submit to him had been disciplined by him into complete obedience. Though they might harbor resentment, they didn’t dare show half a bit of disrespect.

But now, in full view of everyone!

He actually directly embraced that beautiful young lady like this?

Xie Wei then walked out of the carriage, quietly watching this scene without speaking.