Rain fell on this winter day as the north wind blew.

There hadn’t been many pedestrians on the streets to begin with, and now they became even more desolate.

Marketplaces throughout the capital saw few customers, and shopkeepers and their assistants could only gaze at the sky and sigh in vain.

However, not long after, the sound of horse hooves came clattering from the end of the quiet street, connecting heavily into a continuous sound. Mixed with shouts and calls, soon a general with graying hair and beard, clad in armor, rode high upon his horse, leading a contingent of cavalry swiftly past along the street, heading straight for where the Imperial Guards were stationed at the city gates.

Everyone who saw them felt their hearts tremble with fear.

Only after this solemn and forbidding group had left the street did the shopkeepers and assistants dare to peek out, each one terrified: “What’s happened now?”

The north wind grew fiercer, crimson clouds densely covering the horizon.

The falling rain quickly turned to snow. This winter’s first snow had finally arrived.

Sometimes Jiang Xuening thought that heaven had ultimately left her a few threads of mercy.

At least it had let her meet Zhang Zhe again.

She came around from beside the waterside pavilion and soon reached the front hall. Fine snow drifted down from the sky. Seeing it, she felt somewhat regretful: what Zhang Zhe loved most was rain, but now it had turned to snow—he probably wouldn’t be very happy about that.

The front hall was already filled with guests.

She had intended to take her seat directly.

However, when she walked to the corner of the corridor ahead, she unexpectedly saw Jiang Boyou, who seemed to be talking with colleagues from the court.

Today was Yan Lin’s coming-of-age ceremony, and some court officials had taken the risk to attend.

Jiang Boyou was naturally one of them.

He wore a stone-blue robe with hundred-blessings pattern and a round collar, standing with another person beneath a sturdy pine tree planted in the courtyard. His brow was tightly furrowed as he listened to the other person speak, shaking his head repeatedly: “Offending other families would be one thing, but offending this Young Master Xiao is rather difficult to handle. This Zheng family is truly pitiful.”

The other person sighed: “Who says otherwise? Everyone around West Market knows the Zheng family. I heard they even have a son who was sent to serve in the palace. Though they’re not a prominent household, they were common folk living quite well. But encountering the Xiao clan, who seized their land and forced them to relocate their ancestral graves—that would have been one thing, but they even want to send the whole family to prison. It’s truly tragic.”

As soon as he finished speaking, he looked up and saw Jiang Xuening.

He swallowed the rest of his words and smiled at Jiang Boyou: “The Vice Minister was mentioning her for a while, and now your daughter has arrived.”

Jiang Boyou turned and saw Jiang Xuening. His previously furrowed brow relaxed somewhat. He cupped his hands toward his colleague with a slight apology. The colleague didn’t mind and also cupped his hands toward Jiang Xuening before entering the hall.

Jiang Xuening had caught fragments of their conversation as she approached.

She came forward and paid her respects to Jiang Boyou, but couldn’t help asking, “Father, was the Zheng family you mentioned just now the one from the alley at West Market entrance?”

Jiang Boyou said, “Exactly so. Why, do you know them?”

He recalled that the Zheng family did have someone serving in the palace. His mind stirred, and he asked further.

What Jiang Xuening thought of, however, was Zheng Bao. In her previous life, Zheng Bao had been the Chief Eunuch of the Directorate of Ceremonial, so naturally everyone in court and beyond knew where he lived. She hadn’t forgotten these words “West Market entrance alley.”

Hearing Jiang Boyou’s confirmation, she kept it in mind.

In the last incident at Yangzhi Studio, without Zheng Bao it would have been difficult to escape. She told Jiang Boyou, “This family is most likely related to Manager Eunuch Zheng Bao who serves in Kunning Palace. Father may not know, but when your daughter escaped danger during the raid on Yangzhi Studio, she owed much to this person’s quick thinking—he has a benevolent, loyal, and righteous heart. Moreover, Master Xie told your daughter afterward that Eunuch Wang Xingjia of the Directorate of Ceremonial intends to take him as a disciple and will soon promote him to serve by His Majesty’s side…”

As she spoke the latter half, though there was no one nearby, her voice dropped considerably so that only Jiang Boyou could hear.

Of course, Jiang Xuening hadn’t learned from Xie Wei that Zheng Bao would be taken as a disciple by Wang Xingjia to serve in the Directorate of Ceremonial. Xie Wei hadn’t specifically intended to tell her this either, but that didn’t prevent her from temporarily invoking Xie Wei’s name.

Indeed, once she explained the situation, Jiang Boyou’s expression changed slightly.

Those who had mixed long in official circles always “understood the meaning behind the music”—no need to speak deeply to comprehend what lay hidden behind the words.

The Zheng family had offended Young Master Xiao Ye of the Xiao clan, who was certain to inherit the family business. It truly wasn’t the Zheng family’s fault—it was only because when Xiao Ye traveled outside the capital, he took a liking to a mountaintop and the land below it, wanting to enclose it as his hunting ground and build a summer villa. So he drove out all the nearby households.

The Zheng family’s ancestral graves and land happened to be there.

They had thought they could reason with the Xiao clan, but when they brought it to the authorities, it instead provoked Xiao Ye’s great fury, and he wanted to send this Zheng family to prison instead.

The person who had just been speaking with Jiang Boyou was precisely the Prefect of Shuntian.

Having such a matter fall into his hands was truly a hot potato, which was why he was complaining to Jiang Boyou.

At present, these were troubled times. For civil and military officials, it was better to have one less matter than one more. The same was true for Jiang Boyou. But if this Zheng Bao had shown kindness to daughter Ning in the palace, and if young friend Xie Ju’an said this person had great prospects, the matter was different.

He furrowed his brow in deep thought.

Finally, he said to Jiang Xuening, “I understand this matter. Set your mind at ease.”

The coming-of-age ceremony was imminent, and everyone had entered.

Jiang Boyou said, “You came together with Her Highness the Grand Princess, didn’t you? Come, let’s go in quickly as well.”

Jiang Xuening knew Jiang Boyou must have formed a plan but didn’t ask further. She simply said “Yes” and then followed Jiang Boyou into the hall.

Even though Marquis Yongyi’s estate was no longer at its peak, the hall was still filled with guests in formal attire. At a glance inside, one could see Xie Wei sitting in the honored guest position, with the praiser who would perform today’s crowning ceremony for Yan Lin seated beside him.

Jiang Xuening glanced hurriedly—quite a few were familiar faces.

In her previous life, many aristocratic families that had maintained fairly close relations with Marquis Yongyi’s estate had not come after receiving invitations. Later, when Yan Lin returned to court and Xie Wei committed treason, these families were either purged and eliminated together or withdrew from the strife and scattered to the margins of power. Those who disregarded the precarious situation and still came to celebrate Yan Lin’s coming-of-age ceremony at the Marquis’s estate—most of them became the core of the new power structure. Even if a few people, receiving the emperor’s salary and loyal to the emperor’s affairs, condemned Yan Lin for assisting Xie Wei’s rebellion, they suffered no retaliation. Even if they didn’t obtain high office, at least they remained safe and sound.

Worldly affairs sometimes played such tricks: sometimes wanting to avoid calamity, not knowing that avoiding it would bring true disaster; sometimes wanting to gain, not knowing that gaining was a deeper loss.

After Shen Zhiyi and the others arrived and looked left and right without seeing Jiang Xuening, they became somewhat anxious. As soon as they saw her enter, they quickly beckoned: “Ningning, over here.”

Jiang Xuening walked over.

Though the Great Qian Dynasty’s separation between men and women wasn’t that severe, generally for a man’s coming-of-age ceremony, aside from elders, basically no female guests came to watch. However, Grand Princess Leyang Shen Zhiyi’s status was noble after all, and she counted as a good friend who had grown up together with Yan Lin, so naturally she could be seated in the hall, and in a very forward position at that.

These study companions from the palace all benefited from her influence, with seats nearby.

Jiang Xuening was even pulled by Shen Zhiyi to sit directly beside her.

Someone lightly struck a small bronze bell in the hall, and the surroundings immediately fell silent.

Everyone’s gaze converged upon the hall.

Marquis Yongyi Yan Mu, dressed in heavy formal robes, emerged from the rear hall supported by the old steward. Seeing him, everyone quickly paid their respects. Though Yan Mu’s face showed signs of illness, on such a joyous day he couldn’t help but rally his spirits, displaying quite a bit of the commanding presence from his younger years. After returning the courtesy, he even smiled.

“I’m grateful that all you guests think so highly of us and have honored us with your presence. Our Marquis’s estate is truly brightened by your presence.” His gaze fell upon the mass of people filling the hall, and though his sharp eyes showed emotion and gratification, “Yan Mu has rushed about in vain for forty-five years, walking battlefields, going to distant frontiers. I never expected that as I grew somewhat older, I’d be plagued by illness, making everyone laugh at me. Today the wind is cold and snow falls, yet you all have not forsaken us, giving this half-old man ample face, and giving my unworthy son ample face. This Yan Mu will remember it forever in his heart. I thank you all here!”

Having spoken, he actually bowed deeply.

He spoke of today’s “cold wind and falling snow” without mentioning half a word about the current court situation or the difficulties facing the Marquis’s estate, yet everyone easily heard the implied meaning.

To think that Marquis Yongyi’s household was full of loyal martyrs, and Yan Mu in his prime had also led troops in battle, driving out barbarians. Now, however, on His Majesty’s orders, heavy troops still surrounded the estate without withdrawing, swords hanging at their throats with lives uncertain—truly lamentable.

How could everyone accept such a grand gesture?

For a moment they all hurriedly said “Your Lordship gives too much credit” and “Your Lordship cannot,” returning the gesture with deep bows.

Only then did the coming-of-age ceremony officially begin.

The entire front hall was arranged much like an ancestral hall or temple.

Yan Lin wore a brand-new plain-colored cross-collar robe. Following ancient rites, he entered from outside the hall, first kowtowing to heaven and earth, then paying respects at the ancestral temple, then bowing to his parents. The praiser came forth to read the祷 祝辞, and only then was the crowning ceremony performed.

The three additions for the scholar class.

Yan Lin spread his arms, allowing the heavy dark robe to be draped over his shoulders, heavily enveloping him. A wide leather belt was passed through his waist by the praiser’s hands and tightly bound. A round jade pendant carved with auspicious patterns was fastened to the belt, hanging down to weigh upon his hem.

He bowed again.

The praiser then called out loudly, “Third addition, the crown! Invite the honored guest!”

In the crowning ceremony, the most important part was adding the crown.

The principal guest in the crowning ceremony was also called the “honored guest,” usually a person of high virtue and respect. They would personally crown the recipient and also bestow them with a courtesy name.

As soon as the praiser’s voice rang out, everyone’s gaze fell upon Xie Wei.

According to ritual, the honored guest should wear formal attire.

Yet today Xie Wei not only wasn’t in formal attire, he merely wore a snow-white robe with a white crane and cloud-pattern cloak over it. His wide robes and broad sleeves carried a transcendent, otherworldly bearing, rather out of place with today’s grand ceremony and everyone’s formal dress.

Yet the host family said not a word about it.

Yan Mu also looked toward Xie Wei.

Xie Wei watched silently like this for a long while. At this moment, he finally lowered his eyes, gently rose, and walked forward.

Yan Lin raised his eyes to look at him, turning his body to stand facing him.

A servant from the estate passed over a lacquered tray holding the crown. The praiser received it and stood with bowed head beside Xie Wei.

That hair-binding crown was carved from white jade, three inches long and an inch and a half high. The crown top curved backward, with six ridge seams. It rested quietly in the lacquered tray. When daylight struck it, it appeared simple yet translucent, with an ancient elegance.

A pair of simple wooden pins were placed beside the crown.

Gold crowns were usually paired with jade pins, while jade crowns were paired with wooden pins—the former rich and luxurious, the latter displaying a certain pure elegance.

The family precepts of Marquis Yongyi’s estate were evident at a glance.

Xie Wei said, “The crown is the beginning of ritual. To become an adult is to be a son, to be a younger brother, to be a youth—first practicing the rituals of filial piety, fraternity, and obedience, then one may become a person and further govern others. Today Wei receives your esteemed father’s request to crown you. I sincerely hope the Young Master will firmly remember today’s teachings.”

He lifted that jade crown from the lacquered tray.

Yan Lin then swept aside his robe and knelt tall before him.

Everyone’s attention focused on Xie Wei’s hands, rarely noting what he said, since the祝辞 at crowning ceremonies always followed the same pattern. However, Jiang Xuening, standing below observing the ceremony, felt her heart leap as she listened—

Something was missing.

The祝辞 Xie Wei spoke was incomplete!

The Book of Rites stated that becoming an adult meant “being a son, a younger brother, a subject, a youth,” and one should practice “filial piety, fraternity, loyalty, and obedience.” But Xie Wei had only mentioned being a son, a younger brother, and a youth—he specifically did not mention “being a subject” and didn’t bring up half a word about “loyalty”!

At this moment, Yan Lin also raised his head, his sharp, cold gaze piercing straight into Xie Wei’s face.

But Xie Wei lowered his eyes and placed the jade crown atop Yan Lin’s head, saying flatly, “Lower your head.”

Yan Lin’s heart surged like overturning rivers and seas—shocked, astonished—but at such a moment, he absolutely dared not show half of it. After looking at him for a moment, he finally obeyed and lowered his head.

The praiser thus passed up the wooden pins.

Xie Wei received them.

But just as he was about to insert the wooden pins through the jade crown to bind Yan Lin’s hair, suddenly outside Marquis Yongyi’s estate arose the clamor of weapons. At the gate, it seemed the estate’s guards shouted “What are you doing?” before abruptly falling silent. What followed were screams of terror and pain, along with one person’s cold, stern shout: “By His Majesty’s decree, Marquis Yongyi’s estate has colluded with rebels, plotting insurrection and inciting mutiny among the troops. They are now to be dealt with as traitorous subjects! All persons of the Marquis’s estate are to be arrested. Those who dare resist—execute without mercy!!!”

“What!”

All the guests in the hall were shocked with alarm, most falling into chaos, looking outside.

Marquis Yongyi Yan Mu’s entire body shook as he abruptly stood!

The snow outside had somehow grown heavier. A contingent of soldiers wielding swords, their armor reflecting cold glints, had actually killed the guards blocking them at the gate. They entered through the estate gates with heavy, murderous steps, heading toward the front hall.

The leader’s face was grim—it was none other than Duke Dingguo Xiao Yuan!

Jiang Xuening’s fingers clenched tightly within her sleeves couldn’t help trembling. All the bloody scenes she had witnessed at the Marquis’s gate in her previous life seemed to surge up from the depths of her vision, placing her as if in an icy abyss!

Everyone knew Marquis Yongyi’s estate had an uncertain future, was in imminent danger, and could meet with disaster at any moment.

But today was Yan Lin’s coming-of-age ceremony, and the palace had said nothing—it should have been tacitly approved by His Majesty.

No one had expected that His Majesty would choose precisely today to strike, and that the one leading the troops would be none other than the renowned Duke Dingguo Xiao Yuan of the Xiao clan!

Suddenly encountering such a drastic change, almost everyone lost their composure.

Yan Mu’s aged eyes stared tightly at the approaching Xiao Yuan.

Yan Lin’s pupils contracted sharply, and he was about to rise abruptly in that instant. However, a hand fell heavily at this moment, pressing down forcefully on his shoulder.

He raised his head.

It was Xie Wei’s palm pressing firmly on his shoulder, restraining the hot blood that had suddenly surged to his head. However, from this upward angle, he couldn’t clearly discern the other’s expression—only feeling a calmness deep as the sea, revealing not half a ripple. Yet from his shoulder came a clear sensation: those five fingers pressing him down were tensed with force, the fingertips almost sinking deeply into his flesh!

Xie Wei blinked lightly, seeming completely oblivious to that earth-shaking change, as if he also couldn’t hear that terrifying commotion. His gaze remained on the crown.

After pressing down Yan Lin, he lifted his hand again, steadying the jade crown.

The wooden pin was held between his slender fingers, slowly rotating as it entered the hole at the base of the jade crown. The composure in his features was like green mountains touched by rain—within the reclusive tranquility was added a dignified, weighty solemnity. He said quietly, “A heroic person’s integrity must exceed that of ordinary men. To draw one’s sword and rise, to step forward and fight—this is the courage of a common man seeing insult. To remain unalarmed when suddenly confronted, to feel no anger when provoked without cause—this is called the great courage of one who commands the realm. Young Master, be neither alarmed nor angered.”