Yun Xi left the Marquis’s residence, her steps hurried at first, then gradually slowing.
Having just learned that Cheng Chang had come to harm because of her father’s case, she had been so overcome with grief and urgency that she’d nearly lost all composure. Now, calming herself, she realized she was only one person, with limited strength — searching for him this way would be like looking for a needle in the ocean. After some thought, she said to Sun Haiping and Zhang Dahu, who were following her, “Help me find the constables Tian Si and Ke Yong at the Capital Prefecture. Ask them if they can take leave — if so, have them wait for me at the city gate.”
Sun Haiping asked, “Eldest young miss, where are you going?”
Yun Xi said, “I need to go to the palace.”
She was going to report back on her mission, as required.
Though Emperor Zhaoyuan had granted her a day to rest, there was no time to spare now. If she could use the opportunity of reporting back to petition His Majesty for permission to search for Cheng Chang, she might even gain some additional manpower in the process.
Yun Xi presented her token at the palace gate and stated her purpose. Before long, a guard led her to Wende Hall.
Eunuch Wu, the Emperor’s attending scribe, was waiting outside the hall. Seeing Yun Xi, he said with a smile, “His Majesty is currently discussing matters with General Xuan Zhi, the Princess Consort of Prince Yun, and the young prince of the Prince of Nan’an’s household. Hearing that Commandant Yun has arrived, he’s ordered you brought in at once. But you’ve come at an inconvenient time — Prince Cong will also be coming to the palace shortly for an audience. If you have any matters, best keep them brief with His Majesty.”
Xuan Zhi was the Commander of the Palace Front Guard, the Princess Consort of Prince Yun served as Vice Minister of Justice, and Cheng Ye, as commander of the Capital Office, oversaw security patrols throughout Jinling. The three of them meeting with the Emperor at once was almost certainly about the third young master’s disappearance.
Guided by Eunuch Wu’s hint, Yun Xi thanked him and stepped into the hall, bowing before Emperor Zhaoyuan.
It was midafternoon, and Wende Hall was very quiet. Emperor Zhaoyuan looked at Yun Xi and said unhurriedly, “Why didn’t you rest another day, coming to report back so soon?”
Yun Xi said, “The bandit unrest in the outskirts had gone on for some time, and now that they’ve been captured, the matter urgently needs handling. This subject, having returned from suppressing the unrest, dared not delay, and so came at once to report to Your Majesty.”
Emperor Zhaoyuan gave an “Mm.” “I’ve already read the memorial you sent ahead before returning to the capital. You’ve done well.”
“As for those bandits.” Emperor Zhaoyuan paused, turning to the Princess Consort of Prince Yun. “Meng Qing.”
“This subject is here.”
“I recall the list of exile destinations submitted by the Ministry of Justice mentioned several locations still short on manpower?”
“Reporting to Your Majesty, that is correct.”
“Assign these bandits to those locations. Send them off before the autumn equinox.”
“Yes.” The Princess Consort of Prince Yun bowed with clasped sleeves.
“Very well.” Emperor Zhaoyuan valued Yun Xi, and having seen her handle this task so well, his manner toward her was quite gentle. “You must be exhausted, returning from suppressing the unrest. The Marquis’s old subordinates won’t set out from the frontier until early spring next year, and the mobilization of troops in Jinling will still take time. I hear you’ve toiled hard these past years as a constable in the Capital Prefecture — take this opportunity to rest properly at home for half a month, even a full month. Once the troops are mobilized and there’s a task for you, I’ll summon you again.”
Yun Xi bowed and said, “Yes,” thanking him for his grace — but did not leave.
Emperor Zhaoyuan asked, “What is it? Is there something else?”
Yun Xi was silent for a moment, then said, “Your Majesty, this subject has heard that the third young master of Prince Cong’s household has gone missing.”
Emperor Zhaoyuan said nothing.
Yun Xi continued, “This subject has also heard that just before his disappearance, the third young master was investigating this subject’s father’s case — the case of the Marquis of Loyalty and Valor.”
The hall fell silent for a moment. After a long pause, Emperor Zhaoyuan said flatly, “He is a censor. Discerning right from wrong is his duty. You needn’t take it too much to heart.”
“Yes,” Yun Xi said, bowing even deeper. “But this subject feels that, having nothing pressing to attend to these days, I would like to… request permission to go search for the third young master.”
If Yun Xi had looked up at that moment, she would have seen that the pleasant expression Emperor Zhaoyuan had worn earlier had already faded entirely, replaced by an air of leisurely calm — though not quite genuine, as if this calm were merely a mask he’d placed over his eyes, while what lay in the depths of his gaze, no one could tell.
After a long while, Emperor Zhaoyuan said, unhurried, “If you wish to go, then go.”
After a moment, he turned to Cheng Ye, standing in the hall, and instructed, “Jinghuan, you’ve nothing pressing these two days — see if you have any spare men among your ranks, and assign some to her use.”
“Yes.”
“Very well.” Emperor Zhaoyuan waved a hand. “You may all withdraw.”
Everyone bowed together.
Xuan Zhi and the Prince Yun withdrew from the hall and went their separate ways to their respective offices. Cheng Ye and Yun Xi, led by a palace attendant, headed out of the palace. Just past the palace gate, as they reached the moat, they heard the rumble of a carriage.
Yun Xi glanced over and saw a magnificent carriage, its lantern bearing the single character “Cong” — it was Prince Cong’s own carriage.
Yun Xi and Cheng Ye immediately stepped aside to the roadside and bowed to the carriage.
Unexpectedly, the carriage drew to a stop not far ahead of them. The driver glanced at Yun Xi and Cheng Ye, then reported to the person seated within, “It’s Commandant Yun of the Marquis of Loyalty and Valor’s household, and the young prince of the Prince of Nan’an’s household.”
After a moment, Prince Cong gave a flat “Mm,” lifted the carriage curtain, and looked toward Yun Xi in silence.
The distance was too great to make out her features clearly.
But he had met the Marquis’s lone daughter before, and remembered only that she had grown up beautifully.
Looking more closely now, even dressed in a commandant’s uniform, she still stood tall and graceful.
Chang’er came to harm… for the sake of her father’s case?
“Your Highness,” the driver said, seeing this, “shall I summon Commandant Yun over to speak?”
Prince Cong did not answer. After a moment, he lowered the curtain. “Let’s go.”
The attendants serving in Wende Hall, seeing Prince Cong arrive, quietly withdrew from the hall.
“You’ve come?” Emperor Zhaoyuan set down his brush, gesturing to the chair already prepared, and said warmly, “Sit.”
“I dare not,” Prince Cong said instead. “This subject is at fault. I have come to the palace today specifically to confess my guilt to Your Majesty.”
He had received the imperial mandate to lead the clansmen to Baiyun Temple for the heaven-worship rite. Afterward, when Cheng Chang came to harm, he had remained on Baiyun Mountain for seven days. During those seven days, His Majesty had not only mobilized the imperial guards to help him search, but upon his return to Jinling, had specially sent someone to convey his condolences to the household.
Though Prince Cong and Emperor Zhaoyuan were brothers by blood, the distinction between sovereign and subject still held. By rights, having received such profound imperial grace, Prince Cong, however grief-stricken, should have come to the palace immediately upon returning to Jinling to express his gratitude. Instead, he had not only failed to do so, but had claimed illness for several days in a row and refused all visitors.
“Pingxiu,” Emperor Zhaoyuan sighed after a long moment, addressing Prince Cong by his courtesy name. “Are you still angry with your imperial brother?”
“Do you blame me — do you feel that when Chang’er fell into the water at the start of the year and you came to me pleading for a thorough investigation, I should have gotten to the bottom of it then? But it’s only been half a year since Chang’er’s fall into the water, and I thought, in all matters, one must ultimately proceed with caution…”
“This subject would not dare,” Prince Cong said. “Your Majesty is the sovereign of the realm. Facing any matter, you must weigh many considerations. How to act, when to act — all must be carefully deliberated beforehand.”
“Or is it that in your heart, you feel Chang’er’s recent misfortune came about because I indulged and encouraged those responsible?”
Hearing this, Prince Cong could only give a bitter smile. “Why would Your Majesty provoke this subject with such words?”
“Actually, if that’s truly what you think, it would ease my heart somewhat,” Emperor Zhaoyuan said. “In all of Jinling, there are only so many people capable of such deeds. Chang’er… who knows whose path he happened to cross.”
He was the Emperor. If he truly wished to investigate, how could there be anything he couldn’t uncover?
“But my health has already declined a great deal. The succession remains unsettled, and the court’s foundations are fragile as things stand. If I press this case relentlessly, pulling one thread risks unraveling the whole fabric — my own sons, my most trusted ministers, none may come out of it well. If it can be handled carefully, all is well. If not, the consequences would be unthinkable. A hundred years of dynasty could collapse in a single night. Chang’er’s matter can only be handled little by little. I promise you — once the court’s foundations have steadied, I will surely see justice done for Chang’er. Whoever is responsible for this, I will show no mercy, no matter who they are.”
He was the elder brother, the Emperor — and Prince Cong was his prince, his subject.
For a man who had sat so long upon the dragon throne to speak this candidly, in his old age, was already more than enough.
Besides, the position of a prince was inherently delicate — the slightest misstep could easily provoke the sovereign’s jealousy.
Over the years, Prince Cong had always conducted himself well — not exactly groveling, but willing to shoulder some blame, deliberately committing minor, inconsequential errors to disperse the bulk of others’ suspicion, and in this way, living safely and securely.
Even with Cheng Chang, he had raised him to be somewhat less than ideal — a little willful, a little naive — reasoning that as long as he wasn’t truly wicked, he could, once he matured, live out his days comfortably within the princely household, safe regardless of who sat upon the throne.
The authority of a prince was granted by the sovereign. The two brothers had walked together through the storms of imperial power in the previous reign, sharing life and death — their bond was no ordinary one. But that all belonged to the earlier half of their lives. Now, with Emperor Zhaoyuan trusting him, elevating him, treating him with utmost benevolence and duty, and with the succession itself in turmoil at this very moment, it was only right for him to step back and show understanding.
Prince Cong stood in silence for a long while, then clasped his sleeves and bowed deeply to Emperor Zhaoyuan. “This younger brother understands Your Majesty’s difficulties. I beg Your Majesty not to trouble yourself over this to the detriment of your health — please take good care of your dragon body.”
The subject was allowed to rest there.
Emperor Zhaoyuan nodded, then raised another matter. “I hear that over this past half-year or so, Chang’er has grown rather close to the Yun daughter of the Marquis of Loyalty and Valor’s household?”
Prince Cong said nothing.
Emperor Zhaoyuan continued, “I hadn’t quite believed it myself at first — what connection could the two of them possibly have? But who would have thought — she came to the palace just now, insisting on petitioning to lead troops in search of Chang’er. I… granted it.”
Prince Cong said flatly, “Oh? Perhaps the Yun daughter is grateful that Chang’er once cleared the injustice done to General Xuanwei, and wishes to repay the favor.”
Emperor Zhaoyuan smiled. “Matters between the young — you, as his father, seem less attentive to them than I am, as his uncle. Just last month, the Grand Empress Dowager was asking after Chang’er’s marriage prospects. I was thinking he’s not so young anymore — once he’s found…”
He paused slightly, as if only now noticing Prince Cong still standing formally, and gestured to the chair behind him. “Go on, sit.”
Prince Cong clasped his sleeves in a bow and sat as instructed.
Yun Xi and Cheng Ye left the palace grounds. The two agreed to meet again at the Wei hour, and Yun Xi went ahead toward the city gate, while Cheng Ye returned to the Capital Office to arrange manpower.
At the city gate, Yun Xi was mildly surprised — besides Sun Haiping and Zhang Dahu, Tian Si, Ke Yong, and even Tian Si’s younger brother Tian Ze were already there waiting for her.
Tian Si said, “Zh-Zhang, Prefect Zhang heard that Commandant Yun wanted to go, wanted to search for the third young master, and specially granted leave to me and, and Ke Yong, so we could come — help you. As for A-, A’Ze…”
“This one heard about it from my brother, and learned that Commandant Yun would be leaving the capital again. I have free time these days and could go to your residence to help look after things — please don’t worry, Commandant Yun,” Tian Ze said gently, picking up where his brother had trailed off.
Hearing this, Yun Xi thought of the autumn examination results, which had already concluded and were simply awaiting the posting of results, and so didn’t stand on ceremony with him, nodding. “Then I’ll trouble you for that.”
Before long, dusk had arrived, and Cheng Ye arrived with several dozen soldiers.
Seeing Tian Ze, he was mildly surprised and greeted him. “Brother Wang’an.” The two were close friends, often in contact, and recalling the connection between Tian Ze, Tian Si, and the Marquis’s household, Cheng Ye understood at once, adding, “Then I’ll trouble you to look after the residence.”
Then, turning to Yun Xi, he said, “Not all the troops in the Capital Office answer to my command, and some of them still have duties to attend to. Given the urgency today, the most I could pull together is about seventy men — use them for now. Once I’ve gathered more manpower, I’ll send them to you another day.”
Yun Xi nodded. “My thanks to the young prince.”
With that, she swung up onto her horse, ready to set off.
“Commandant Yun.” Cheng Ye, watching her back, couldn’t help but call out.
The dying sun at the horizon was pale, casting a thin, crimson edge along the clouds — not harsh to look at.
He didn’t understand why Yun Xi, having just returned to Jinling, wouldn’t even rest for a moment before rushing off to search for the third young master. He wanted to ask, but didn’t dare.
Just as, at this very moment, he held a safety talisman tightly in his hand, wanting to give it to her, yet hesitating, unable to hand it over.
“What is it?” Yun Xi asked, seeing Cheng Ye stay silent for so long.
“It’s nothing,” Cheng Ye said, after a long moment.
He told himself silently: Wait a little longer.
Then, looking at Yun Xi, he smiled. “Searching for someone won’t be easy. If you run into difficulty, send someone to tell me — I’ll do everything I can to help. In a few days, once I’ve gathered enough troops, I’ll come to Baiyun Mountain to find you. To help you… search for the third young master together.”
Yun Xi nodded, said her thanks, then swung up onto her horse, and rode off, facing the fading light of dusk.
(End of Volume One)