Zhai Di nodded and signaled behind him.

A line of soldiers led the Cuiwei Township residents forward. When the inspection reached Shuxiang and Yun Xi, the Governor’s Office officials indeed showed unusual expressions and turned back to quietly consult with Administrator Liang.

Zhai Di took in this entire scene.

Earlier, when he had discussed countermeasures with Su Jin, she had said: “Since the official blocking the road is acting on Liu Yun’s instructions, then the imperial criminals he speaks of certainly won’t be His Majesty, but rather the young prince and Miss Shuxiang.”

Why would a weak woman and a child be imperial criminals? For this, the government documents had only one explanation—matters involving imperial relatives.

“Although Administrator Liang is blocking us at Liu Yun’s behest, the two of them are ultimately just court ministers and cannot interfere with the imperial family’s internal affairs.”

“To untie a bell, one must be the person who tied it. Since this involves imperial relatives, among us, as long as there’s a noble of royal blood—with each mountain higher than the last—we can temporarily suppress Administrator Liang’s doubts.”

Whether passing fish eyes as pearls or secretly crossing to Chencang, at this juncture, as long as they could successfully leave Shu, whatever method it was, they had to try.

The barrier stretched over ten zhang in length, with its end positioned at a mountain bend. The Cuiwei Township residents who had been inspected were led by officials to the other side to wait.

After a short while, only Yun Xi and Shuxiang remained at the starting point.

Administrator Liang stepped forward: “Lord Zhai, this subordinate has verified that these two are court-designated imperial criminals and must be temporarily detained here. After consulting with His Majesty and Lord Liu, we will then act according to orders.”

Who would have thought that upon hearing this, Zhai Di’s brow furrowed, as if surprised and also dissatisfied, and he asked: “You haven’t received His Majesty’s oral decree?”

Administrator Liang was stunned: “What oral decree?”

“Never mind.” Zhai Di said.

He dismounted and walked to the carriage behind him, performing a respectful salute, saying: “Your Highness, Administrator Liang has not yet received His Majesty’s oral decree and refuses to let us pass. Do you think we should wait another half day until His Majesty’s decree arrives before departing?”

Hearing Zhai Di address the person in the carriage as “Your Highness,” Administrator Liang’s heart tightened. He was pondering which prince it could be—since His Majesty’s brothers had nearly all perished—when he saw a hand, slender as jade, lift the carriage curtain. With Su Jin’s support, Zhu Nanxian descended from the carriage.

The spring cold was biting. He had changed into a moon-white robe with a crow-blue outer cloak. His black hair was styled in a topknot secured with a jade hairpin, and the light jade agate embedded in the jade clasp at his waist complemented the verdant mountains all around.

This attire concealed all his martial bearing and instead added three parts scholarly elegance.

“You are Liang Si?” Zhu Nanxian slowed his speech and spoke flatly.

Seeing such a Zhu Nanxian, Administrator Liang already had some speculation. It was said that the Tenth Prince Zhu Yiheng loved fine jade and would not go out without wearing jade. Seeing him today, it truly was so.

“In response, Your Highness, this subject is indeed Left Army Governor’s Office Administrator Liang Si.”

Zhu Nanxian nodded, his gaze sweeping over Yun Xi and Shuxiang, his tone remaining calm: “Since you’ve seen this prince, let us pass.”

Administrator Liang’s gaze also fell on Shuxiang and Yun Xi.

With the Tenth Prince giving orders, he naturally dared not disobey. However, since this involved imperial criminals, it was still better to be cautious.

“Please forgive this subject, Your Highness. This subject has something he would boldly like to ask Your Highness.”

Zhu Nanxian had made as if to board the carriage. Hearing this, he turned back around: “Speak.”

“May this subject ask Your Highness—don’t you currently reside permanently in the capital? How is it that you’ve suddenly appeared in Shu?”

Having long anticipated this question, Zhai Di spoke first: “Bold Administrator Liang! Is the whereabouts of His Highness something you’re qualified to question?”

He then bowed deeply toward Zhu Nanxian, as if to apologize on his behalf.

But Zhu Nanxian said: “It’s of no consequence.”

Then he continued, “Last year, this prince returned to Guilin Prefecture once to handle matters related to returning to my fiefdom. I had originally planned to return that same month, but halfway through encountered heavy snow blocking the roads and was delayed until this spring. Afterward, I received a letter from my imperial elder brother knowing he had achieved victory in Annan and would arrive in Sichuan, so I made a detour to come pay my respects. Do you understand clearly?”

Administrator Liang quickly said: “This subject understands clearly.”

Zhu Nanxian continued: “As for these two imperial criminals, it was precisely after this prince met with my imperial elder brother last night that he ordered this prince to personally escort them to the capital. These two are related to our imperial bloodline. This prince finds it inconvenient and will not explain too much to you. My imperial brother’s oral decree should arrive shortly, and at that time, you will naturally learn the causes and circumstances.”

Hearing the four words “imperial bloodline,” Administrator Liang’s heart trembled again. Not to mention that the whereabouts of the former legitimate Imperial Grandson remained unknown, the deposed Zhu Jiyou who had been demoted to commoner status, and the deposed Fourteenth Prince Zhu Mixiao—both had offspring scattered outside. Each and every one of these matters was not something a mere sixth-rank administrator was qualified to inquire about.

Administrator Liang dared not pursue further questions, but being habitually cautious, he finally said: “Your Highness, forgive this offense. Since this humble subject and Your Highness are meeting for the first time, and this matter involves an imperial commissioner and concerns the imperial bloodline, I wonder if Your Highness has any token of identity—”

“Administrator Liang, how dare you! Are you questioning the identity of the Tenth Prince?!”

Before Liang Si could finish, Zhai Di angrily rebuked him.

Zhu Nanxian raised his hand to stop him, glanced at Su Jin, and ordered: “Show it to him.”

“Yes.” Su Jin responded, then took out the Nine Dragons dagger, held it in her palm, and presented it before Administrator Liang. “Administrator Liang, look carefully. This dagger was bestowed by the Grand Ancestor Emperor to His Majesty and His Majesty’s various brothers.”

The dagger was carved with nine swimming pythons, symbolizing that the dragon has nine sons.

After Zhu Minda, Zhu Zhaowei, and the other imperial princes died one after another, their respective Nine Dragons daggers were also buried with them in the imperial mausoleum. Those still extant in the world numbered only a select few.

Seeing the Nine Dragons dagger, how could Administrator Liang not believe?

Taking a step back, although he had never seen Zhu Yiheng, he had once been a commander on the northern frontier and had seen Zhu Yushen more than once. The person before him was as brilliant as stars and moon, and between his brows—the more he looked, the more he resembled the Yongji Emperor.

He immediately knelt to return the Nine Dragons dagger: “Your Highness the Tenth Prince, forgive this offense. This humble subject had eyes but failed to recognize Mount Tai. Please, Your Highness, punish me.”

Zhu Nanxian said flatly: “It’s of no consequence. You were merely performing your duties impartially.”

He took the dagger, handed it to Su Jin to put away, then took a cloth handkerchief from his sleeve pocket and wiped his hands.

He wasn’t Zhu Yiheng, but he was a close brother who had grown up together with Zhu Yiheng. This Tenth Brother’s tone of speech, manner, and daily habits—if he truly set his mind to learning them, how could he not learn them well?

Seeing Zhu Nanxian wipe his hands with the cloth handkerchief, Administrator Liang recalled that the Tenth Prince was indeed famously fastidious about cleanliness. His heart filled with extreme regret—he only blamed himself for being too cautious on ordinary days, thus giving needless offense to this prince who enjoyed His Majesty’s greatest trust.

Having received Zhu Nanxian’s approval, he quickly rose from the ground and personally escorted the “Tenth Prince” onto the carriage. Just as he was about to order the officials beside him to let them pass, he suddenly heard a commotion from the other side of the barrier.

In a moment, a minor official came running hurriedly from around the mountain bend and whispered a few words in Administrator Liang’s ear.

Administrator Liang was greatly alarmed: “You’re not mistaken? It’s truly that person?”

The minor official kept his voice extremely low: “How could there be any mistake? Back when Lord Shen presided over the embankment construction in Wuchang Prefecture, this subordinate saw him together with you, my lord. Lord Shen’s character and appearance are truly unforgettable. This subordinate would absolutely not be mistaken.”

Administrator Liang glanced at the carriage behind him and muttered: “This is truly strange.”

His Majesty is in Shu, the Tenth Prince is in Shu—Lord Liu being in Shu is one thing, but how is it that even Lord Shen, Shen Xi, has also rushed to Shu?

“Did you let Lord Shen pass?” Administrator Liang asked quietly again.

“Naturally we let him pass.” The minor official answered. “The Duke’s carriage—how would we dare block it? However, when Lord Shen heard that those going to the capital were Cuiwei Township residents, he asked a few more questions.”

Administrator Liang nodded and glanced behind him again.

On this side, the soldiers had also let those two imperial criminals pass. They were truly imperial bloodline—Lord Zhai had even personally escorted them onto the carriage behind the “Tenth Prince’s.”

Ahead, Shen Xi’s carriage was already approaching along the mountain road. Here, Zhu Nanxian’s carriage also began rolling forward.

Administrator Liang wanted to explain but it was already too late. To go forward and obstruct would be even more disrespectful. He had long heard that Lord Shen and the Tenth Prince had friction between them. For them to encounter each other face-to-face here—he truly didn’t know if they could coexist peacefully.

In the verdant mountain wilderness, only the clip-clop of horse hooves and the crisp sound of reins could be heard.

Three carriages passed by alternately, the drivers on both sides not recognizing each other.

However, just at this moment, from around the mountain bend came a person shouting loudly: “Lord Shen, Duke, this subordinate has earth-shattering urgent matters to report—”

It was actually Yao Youcai who had inadvertently learned that sitting in that carriage was none other than his superior, the famous Duke Shen. For a moment, disregarding the officials’ attempts to stop him, he came running and chasing after them.

There were three carriages total on the mountain road. Upon hearing the three words “Lord Shen,” all came to an abrupt halt.

The two heading upward showed no movement. After the one heading downward stopped steadily, its curtain was lifted by a folding fan.

Shen Xi’s voice was as coldly clear as in the past. The tear mole beneath his peach blossom eyes naturally carried three parts of playfulness, yet his tone was brief but meaningful: “Earth-shattering urgent matters?”

Yao Youcai, as if grasping at a life-saving straw, ran extremely fast and crashed into the shaft of Shen Xi’s carriage. He directly knelt down, still out of breath yet pointing at Zhu Nanxian and Su Jin’s carriage: “Lord Shen, sitting inside there are not ordinary common people at all, but rather—but rather the Jin’an Emperor who has returned from the dead!”