The hour of chou.

When Zhu Nanxian reached the post station twenty li outside Yingtian City, he looked up at the sky.

He had rushed back from Suzhou, traveling day and night without rest, riding hard with urgent whip, not delaying even a moment. He had even arrived a day earlier than the originally planned ten days. Yet now, looking at the hundreds and thousands of Imperial Forest Guards and Seventh Prince’s Manor hidden guards blocking the way before the post station, he thought to himself that he was still somewhat late.

Zhu Min’er had arrived one step earlier than Zhu Nanxian with three thousand Nanchang vanguard troops.

But he had seen too little bloodshed in his life. Even though the number of soldiers and generals in his hands was three times that of the opposing side, he still hesitated about whether to order an assault.

“Thirteenth Brother.” Seeing Zhu Nanxian arrive, Zhu Min’er called out timidly.

Zhu Nanxian imperceptibly frowned, dismounted, walked to the front of the two opposing armies, and asked: “What’s going on?”

No one on the Nanchang army’s side answered. Instead, the leader of the Seventh Prince’s Manor hidden guards and Imperial Forest Guards on the opposite side said: “Reporting to the Thirteenth Prince, bandits have been roaming within Yingtian City recently. The Seventh Prince ordered the city sealed to capture them. We are following orders to guard the south gate. For the safety of the Thirteenth Prince, Your Highness might rest outside the city with the Seventeenth Prince for a while, and return to the palace later.”

Zhu Nanxian recognized that this speaker was surnamed Qi, a Vice Commissioner of the Central Military Commission, holding the official rank of Second Rank.

Now that Qi Wujiu had gone to the East Sea, all these people in the Commissions Office who had secretly aligned with Zhu Zhaowei had all jumped out. Truly, when the tiger is away from the mountain, the monkey claims to be king.

However, Zhu Nanxian showed neither anger nor irritation. His expression remained peaceful as he stepped forward: “May I ask Vice Commissioner Qi, who are these bandits, how many are there, and have they harmed any civilian households?”

Vice Commissioner Qi had originally thought Zhu Nanxian would order his troops to attack. He hadn’t expected him to have such an attitude.

That was fine. After all, Zhu Zhaowei’s task for him was to detain the Thirteenth Prince. Since the Thirteenth Prince was unwilling to tear off the veneer of civility, he would debate principles with him until full daylight, when their great enterprise would be accomplished.

So Vice Commissioner Qi also dismounted, stepped forward, and respectfully bowed to Zhu Nanxian: “In response to the Thirteenth Prince, the rioting bandits are—”

Before he could finish, with a “shing” sound, as a blade’s shadow flashed before his eyes, the coolness at his throat had already taken his consciousness.

The next moment, Vice Commissioner Qi’s head slowly slid from his neck and rolled to the ground with a thud.

Zhu Nanxian sheathed his blade and looked back: “What are you standing there for? Those who block the way—kill without mercy!”

The Nanchang army reacted first. In the darkness, a horse’s neigh rang out, and shouts of battle instantly shattered the sky.

Before the two armies could even clash, the enemy commander was already dead.

Zhu Nanxian had just stood alone before the enemy formation to deceive Vice Commissioner Qi into coming out. Though it was a risky military move, he knew this was the fastest way to break through the enemy lines.

He could not delay even a moment now, because every minute, every second, people were sacrificing themselves for him.

Having lost their commander, the enemy army’s morale collapsed completely. Soon, Zhu Zhaowei’s men were utterly routed.

Zhu Nanxian mounted his horse and, together with Qin Sang and Zhu Min’er, led the way in cutting a path through the chaotic formation. Before they could reach Zhengyang Gate, they saw the city gate open. In the night, a figure could faintly be seen carrying a wind lantern, hurrying toward them.

It was Zhai Di, a censor from the Imperial Censorate—one of Su Jin’s people.

As soon as Zhai Di saw Zhu Nanxian, he didn’t even bother with formalities and said directly: “I hope Your Highness, after entering the city, will not return to the palace first, but rush to the direction of the Northern Camp to rescue Lord Su, Lord Liu, and Lord Shen.” He had walked very urgently and could barely catch his breath. Supporting himself on his knee, he caught his breath before explaining further: “The Seventh Prince has murderous intent toward Lords Shen and Su. Several lords left the city together heading toward the Northern Camp to temporarily take refuge, but were apparently intercepted by Imperial Forest Guards halfway. This subject left the palace at the hour of zi. At that time, the Twelfth Prince was leading the Eagle Soaring Guards and went toward the Northern Camp together with the Seventh Prince.”

If Su Jin and Shen Xi had reached the Northern Camp, that would be good. But if they hadn’t arrived, only the Golden Martial Guards could protect them, while facing Imperial Forest Guards, Eagle Soaring Guards, and even people from the Commissions Office. Outnumbered with vastly disparate forces—it was extremely dangerous.

Zhu Nanxian looked at Zhai Di’s anxious expression, his brows also knitting deeply.

But the more urgent the situation, the more one needed to respond calmly.

His hand gripping the reins clenched into a fist as he thought carefully and said: “Since they left from within the city, right now they’re most likely blocked outside the Commissions Office in the northern suburbs.”

Then he asked: “Which imperial guard units are on duty in the palace today?”

Zhai Di said: “The Embroidered Guards and the Banner Guards. The Imperial Forest Guards who should have been on duty were withdrawn by the Seventh Prince.”

Then at the Northern Camp, the forces still available to fight were the Tiger Infantry Guards, Capital Guards, and Phoenix Guards.

“Zhu Min’er,” Zhu Nanxian said.

This address using both name and surname made Zhu Min’er’s heart tighten. He instantly put away his bewildered expression and responded solemnly: “Present.”

“You and Censor Zhai take a hundred Nanchang troops and immediately rush from the city outskirts to the Northern Camp. Convey this prince’s order: command Tiger Infantry Guard Commander Shi Fei, Capital Guard Commander Liang Tian, and Phoenix Guard Commander Zhao Qidong to each bring three thousand elite troops down the mountain to quell the rebellion!”

“Yes.”

Zhu Min’er hesitated for a moment, then asked: “But Thirteenth Brother, I don’t have a military order or tiger tally. Will they… listen to me?”

“Just say,” Zhu Nanxian paused, his gaze looking straight ahead, “this palace has an imperial edict from Father Emperor to proclaim. Have them lead troops out of camp to receive the edict.”

“This palace” meant the Crown Prince of the Eastern Palace.

Hearing the words “this palace,” Zhu Min’er suddenly understood.

In the deep night, he looked at Zhu Nanxian’s resolute profile and suddenly realized that his Thirteenth Brother was no longer the spirited, unrestrained, willful person who had basked in the favor of Father Emperor and Mother Empress, who never looked before or after—the Thirteenth Legitimate Imperial Prince of Great Sui.

This composure, calmness, and determination without looking back—was it all accumulated after the Zhaojue Temple incident, enduring ordeal after ordeal while gritting his teeth alone, bearing too much?

Zhu Min’er looked at Zhu Nanxian.

His Thirteenth Imperial Brother had, at some point, completely taken on the appearance that Great Sui’s heir apparent should have.

“Yes,” Zhu Min’er cupped his hands, performing a minister’s bow. “This subject-brother receives your command.”

“Enter the city!” Zhu Nanxian waved his hand. Leading the three thousand Nanchang troops, fully equipped and ready like a sharp blade about to pierce through this night, they rode toward Yingtian City.

The darkness outside the Commissions Office remained boundless and still.

Not long after Zuo Qian ordered the Golden Martial Guards to form ranks, Zhu Zhaowei and Zhu Qiyue arrived with the Eagle Soaring Guards.

Zhu Zhaowei sat mounted on his horse. Sweeping his gaze around, he smiled slightly: “Today this prince received envoys from Annan in the palace, so busy I couldn’t even warm my seat. I didn’t expect that Lords Su and Liu, having nothing better to do, would bring the Golden Martial Guards to attack the Commissions Office.” He asked again: “Lord Su, don’t you know that Minister Luo from the Ministry of Rites has been looking for you all day?”

“What does Minister Luo want with this official?” Su Jin’s brows furrowed.

But as soon as she asked this, she realized.

She hadn’t attended today’s court deliberation. She’d heard they decided on the envoy to be sent to Annan. Since people from the Ministry of Rites were busy looking for her, then presumably this envoy had been decided to be her.

Su Jin felt that being an envoy was acceptable. The Annan issue originally needed urgent resolution, and comparing several court ministers, she was indeed one of the most suitable candidates.

What worried her was only that this person Zhu Zhaowei was sinister and cunning—who knew what scheme lay behind this diplomatic mission.

“Before having this official serve as envoy, did the Seventh Prince not think to consult with this official?” Su Jin asked coolly.

Zhu Zhaowei smiled: “Minister Su was stricken with a sudden illness today and didn’t attend the deliberation. Didn’t you only inform Lord Liu and not notify this prince?” He looked toward Liu Chaoming. “What’s this, Lord Liu? You were with Minister Su all day today—didn’t you mention this matter to Minister Su?”

This entire day they’d been hanging by a thread at every moment—where was there time to mention this matter?

Liu Chaoming said methodically: “When envoys visit, they should be received by the Ministry of Rites, lodge in the palace or traveling palace, then meet with the emperor or crown prince. When sending envoys in return, nominations should be made by the Ministry of Rites, first decided in morning court, informed to both our envoy and the visiting envoy, recorded and confirmed in both nations’ registers—only then can the envoy personnel be considered determined. How many steps the Seventh Prince has omitted in having Minister Su serve as envoy, this official need not elaborate. Just the matter of delivering the register to Minister Su alone—must this official handle that for you as well?”

Hearing these words, Zhu Zhaowei’s expression turned ugly.

What did Liu Yun mean by this—saying that he, as a prince, was conducting himself improperly?

Su Jin said: “Actually, there’s no harm in the Seventh Prince having this official serve as envoy. I wonder if you’ve brought the register? Have the terms of the diplomatic mission been decided?”

Zhu Zhaowei wore a gloomy expression and didn’t answer. But Zhu Qiyue, thinking that this was state business after all and couldn’t be handled carelessly, responded: “This prince already ordered the Eagle Soaring Guards to deliver the register to the Ministry of Justice earlier. After Minister Su returns to the palace, you may review it.”

But Su Jin laughed: “This doesn’t follow protocol, does it? Relations between two nations are matters of state importance. The register should be personally delivered by His Majesty or the heir apparent to the envoy minister. Now His Majesty is gravely ill, and Great Sui has no heir apparent. Even if the Twelfth Prince, as an imperial heir, is to handle it on his behalf, he should personally deliver it to this official.”

“And it should be done in the presence of the Annan envoys,” Liu Chaoming said. Censors governed protocol and placed the greatest emphasis on propriety and discipline. “Fortunately, the Annan envoys haven’t gone far. We must trouble the Twelfth Prince to pursue and bring them back, so Minister Su can compare registers with them. Otherwise, it would damage the dignity of our great nation.”

Zhu Qiyue said: “Since the envoys have already departed on their return journey, what logic is there in pursuing them? If Lords Liu and Su feel this doesn’t follow protocol, they can wait until Minister Su undertakes the diplomatic mission—”

At this moment, five clapper sounds suddenly came from not far away. The hour of yin had arrived.

Before Zhu Qiyue could finish speaking, Zhu Zhaowei raised his hand to stop him.

All the smile had vanished from Zhu Zhaowei’s face. The cinnabar mark between his brows was so gloomy it seemed water could be wrung from it: “Stop wasting words with these two. They’re deliberately using this diplomatic mission business to stall for time.”

Hearing this, Zhu Qiyue froze, then his expression also darkened.

This desolate long street had been specially built for the Commissions Office. It actually wasn’t narrow, but now that it was filled with people, it appeared congested and impassable.

At the end of the long street was the Commissions Office. Further north, the Golden Martial Guards and Imperial Forest Guards were arrayed. Their route back had already been blocked by Zhu Qiyue leading the Eagle Soaring Guards.

Zuo Qian and Shen Jun exchanged glances.

Both of them could smell the scent of weapons and warfare in the night air. Battle was imminent.

Zuo Qian lowered his voice: “Princess Consort, take your people and protect the lords heading north. This general will lead the Golden Martial Guards to cover you.”

“Good.” Shen Jun nodded. “General Zuo must also be careful. Zhu Qiyue is not easy to deal with.”

“Imperial Forest Guards, Eagle Soaring Guards, hear my command—”

The next moment, Zhu Qiyue called out.

“Present!” The response was like a mountain calling to the sea.

But after this shout came a breath-holding silence. Only the surrounding firelight burned vigorously, the rolling flames like beasts about to devour flesh and blood.

Su Jin looked out through the firelight and saw Zhu Qiyue slowly raise his hand, then suddenly swing it down.

In that instant, battle cries shattered the sky. Weapons clashed, everywhere was the sound of close combat. Gleaming blade shadows and sword light reflected the blazing fire, nearly piercing the eyes.

Zuo Qian mounted his horse and, leading the Golden Martial Guards who had broken through, shouted: “Golden Martial Guards forward army, follow me to block the Eagle Soaring Guards—”

At the other end, Wu Yusheng saw the Golden Martial Guards charging unstoppably and simultaneously shouted: “Imperial Forest Guards, follow me—”

Thanks to the Golden Martial Guards’ temporary cover, Su Jin’s group was still relatively safe for now. But if they wanted to break through to the vast area ahead where the Golden Martial Guards were arrayed and head north to the Northern Camp, there was still some distance.

Shen Jun swung her red-tasseled spear and struck down an attacking hidden guard. Su Jin looked over but saw that Gu Yunjian was heedlessly trying to walk toward their route of arrival. She couldn’t help but block him: “Censor Gu, rest assured. When Lord Liu and I came, we already had the Zhao manor’s coachman take Second Miss Zhao away.”

Hearing this, Gu Yunjian’s expression relaxed slightly: “Thank you, Lord Su.” He added: “Thank you, Lord Liu.”

But Liu Chaoming didn’t respond. He looked up and saw Imperial Forest Guards and Eagle Soaring Guards constantly attacking from front and back. With Shen Jun leading only a few dozen people, he didn’t know how long they could hold.

Thinking this, he glanced at both Shen Xi and Su Jin, then decisively said: “Move.”

First toward the end of the long street, then toward the Northern Camp.

Not far away, Xu Mo from the Central Military Commission watched Su Jin and Shen Xi make their move and ordered: “Central Military Commission guards, hear my command.”

“Your subordinate is here.”

“According to military order, detain Shen Xi of the Court of Imperial Stud. If anyone violates the order, kill without mercy.”

“Yes!”

With the Central Military Commission’s garrison troops joining the battle, even though the guards led by Shen Jun were formidable warriors, they were ultimately breached.

A garrison soldier killed his way to Su Jin. The guard Qin Ruo at her side was stabbed through the chest. On the other side, an Imperial Forest Guard raised his blade to strike. Shen Jun’s long spear slashed diagonally, piercing straight into his back knee and forcing him to kneel.

But the previously maintained safe circle had shrunk smaller and smaller. With Imperial Forest Guards, Eagle Soaring Guards, and Commissions Office garrison troops attacking from three sides, their steps north were almost completely immobilized.

Shen Xi looked up. The Commissions Office was just several zhang away. After pondering, he was about to speak when he suddenly heard Su Jin say: “Qingyue, watch out!” A long spear pierced through gaps in the crowd straight toward his chest.

The spear was severed by a sharp sword one inch from his chest. The next moment, a familiar voice beside him asked: “Is Lord Shen all right?”

It turned out to be Yao Jiang and A’shan who had arrived with several Golden Martial Guards and Tan Zhaolin.

Earlier today, after Yao Jiang parted ways with Su Jin while driving the carriage, his heart guessed that Su Jin might be in danger. He went with A’shan, another Golden Martial Guard commander, to Su Manor to pick up Tan Zhaolin and rush to the Northern Camp.

Breaking through all the way here, covered in blood on body and face, they had already lost half their brothers.

Shen Xi shook his head: “I’m fine.”

Tan Zhaolin beside him said: “Lord Su, look how bad the fighting is here—why didn’t you bring me along earlier?”

Su Jin pushed aside the corpse of an Imperial Forest Guard falling toward her and said: “What use would bringing you be? Look how many people they have and how many we have. Bringing you would be a drop in the bucket.”

“If you’d brought me earlier, I could’ve called some brothers,” Tan Zhaolin continued.

Su Jin was too lazy to deal with him. She pulled the Nine Dragon Dagger from her waist pouch, gripped it in her hand, and followed Liu Chaoming forward.

Yao Jiang’s arrival didn’t change the dangerous situation much. The Golden Martial Guards were already at a numerical disadvantage, and they had to face enemies from front and back simultaneously. Imperial Forest Guards and Eagle Soaring Guards constantly had people breaking through to their side. Especially nearing the Commissions Office at the end of the long street, progress became nearly impossible.

Shen Jun gritted her teeth and ordered: “Qin Ruo, follow me at the rear to block the Eagle Soaring Guards. Yao Jiang, you, A’shan, and Zhaolin escort the lords together!”

As she spoke, she swept her horizontal spear to block several charging Eagle Soaring Guards, then charged forward.

Shen Xi glanced at Shen Jun’s retreating figure, knowing that she was, after all, the Fourth Princess Consort. Those Eagle Soaring Guards, without Zhu Qiyue’s direct order, would show her some mercy.

But he was the target under military order to be beheaded. Ahead were countless weapons and slaughter. How long could Shen Jun’s blocking actually last?

Less than one hour remained until dawn.

But though one hour sounded quick, for them at this moment, every minute, every second was torment. It was truly too long.

Several people were trapped before the Commissions Office, caught in a dilemma.

At this moment, Shen Xi suddenly said: “Split up.”

Su Jin was startled and hadn’t yet spoken when she heard Shen Xi continue: “These Commissions Office garrison troops received military orders targeting me. I’ll return the way we came; you all go to the Northern Camp.”

Su Jin said stunned: “Have you lost your mind? If you return the way we came, how could you possibly survive?!”

“Staying trapped here, we’ll all die,” Shen Xi said. Pausing, he added: “If there were no Commissions Office garrison troops, you could reach the Northern Camp.”

Su Jin immediately said: “No. If we go, we go together. You and I struggled so hard to get to today—”

“Precisely because you and I escaped death so many times and struggled so hard to reach today,” Shen Xi said, “we can’t all perish here together.”

“The road ahead is still very long, but the road back is already distant and dim. Over this past half year, I’ve thought much. Through self-reflection and self-examination, I realized I was truly self-righteous before. Actually, I’m just an ordinary person who didn’t even understand the simplest principles. After learning my lesson, I only learned two words: making choices.”

Actually, this moment was no longer night.

At dawn, the morning wind blew, carrying thick bloody scent that lingered around the nose.

Shen Xi glanced at Liu Chaoming and said: “Protect her well.”

Then he looked into Su Jin’s eyes and finally said: “Having one true friend in a lifetime is enough. There’s something I’ve kept in my heart and never said—Su Shiyu, thank you for accompanying me at the risk of your life all this way.”