Emperor Chongzhao was displeased, but he wouldn't go so far as to summon Grand Tutor Fang specifically to reprimand him over such a minor matter.
If he did, how would the imperial princes be disciplined in the future?
However, he had already prepared a plan for when Qu Dubian returned later, reaching out to show him his hands—he would give him some jade and jewelry.
That should keep him from damaging the bedposts in the Zichen Hall again.
Yet, Emperor Chongzhao waited and waited, but never heard the sound of the little dog cart happily speeding along outside. He couldn't help but wonder, "It should be past dinnertime at the Shunning Palace by now. Why hasn't he returned?"
Not long after, a palace attendant came to report: "Your Majesty, a message has come from the Xiuxiang Palace. The Seventh Prince is with the Sixth Prince today and will not be returning for the night."
Emperor Chongzhao: "..."
He, who had been waiting for his youngest son to return so he could placate him, felt like a fool.
The next day, a palace attendant reported that the Seventh Prince had stayed at the Fu'an Palace, sharing quarters with the Fourth Prince.
On the third day, the attendant reported that the Seventh Prince had stayed at the Xiuxiang Palace, but the Fourth Prince had cried out from a nightmare, so the Seventh Prince rushed from the Xiuxiang Palace to the Fu'an Palace to stay with him.
On the fourth day, the attendant reported that the Seventh Prince had stayed at the Changxin Palace, sharing quarters with the Fifth Prince.
On the fifth day, the attendant reported that the Seventh Prince had stayed at the Xiuxiang Palace, the Fourth Prince had another nightmare, and the Seventh Prince once again hurried to the Fu'an Palace.
For seven days in a row, he did not return to the Zichen Hall. He didn't come back, and Emperor Chongzhao stubbornly refused to send for him. Father and son had inexplicably entered a standoff.
The palace attendants grew increasingly apprehensive.
Finally, on this day, Emperor Chongzhao snorted coldly:
"He's quite popular. Let him sleep wherever he wants!"
"If the Fourth Prince is having nightmares, find a royal physician to examine him. The Xiuxiang Palace and the Fu'an Palace are on opposite ends, east and west. He must find it tiresome running back and forth."
He then flicked his sleeve and left.
Three days later was the New Year's Eve. Tomorrow night would be the grand banquet to feast all officials, including those who had already arrived in the capital to report on their duties—a major celebration.
At noon today, he needed to accompany the Empress, the imperial consorts, and the princes and princesses over six years old to personally clean and sweep the Fengxian Hall, offering heavy incense that would burn for three days without extinguishing.
When the incense burned out three days later, it would be time for the grand New Year's sacrifice, where new incense for the new year would be offered.
-
Fu'an Palace.
Elegant incense mist permeated the small prayer hall.
Today, half the rear palace was empty, having all gone to the Fengxian Hall.
Qu Dubian had stayed at the Fourth Prince's quarters for several days but had hardly spoken with Consort Yi. This consort, after paying her morning respects at the Fengwu Palace, often stayed in the small prayer hall adjacent to the main hall.
Otherwise, she would be blending fragrances and making incense.
Just like Emperor Chongzhao.
But his cheap father made incense as a hobby, creating all kinds of scents, while this Consort Yi only made stick incense for offerings. The fragrances varied but were all very elegant and light, not causing headaches.
Since his arrival at Fu'an Palace, Consort Yi had only spoken three sentences to him:
"Hmm?"
"Have the attendants prepare."
"Do not make loud noises to disturb me. Other than that, do as you please."
She was so terse it made striking up a conversation impossible.
Based on Qu Dubian's observation, even with her own son, Consort Yi didn't speak much to him, at most inquiring if he had slept well.
He wondered if the Fourth Prince's sleepy nature was cultivated this way.
Noon.
Qu Dubian sat on the threshold, looking back idly and calling out, "Fourth Brother, are you ready? We promised Sixth Brother we'd go out."
After a moment, the Fourth Prince's figure emerged from the small prayer hall where light mist drifted. He held a delicate little box in his hand.
"Mother went to the Fengxian Hall. Before leaving, she asked me to give you this welcoming gift. It's a few days late, please forgive the delay."
"A welcoming gift?"
Qu Dubian curiously opened the box. Inside was a set of exquisite paper slips, or rather decorative stationery, similar to square bookmarks of later times.
There were twelve in total, corresponding to the twelve months. Each one featured the seasonal flower of that month, with patterns outlined in gold powder.
Upon closer sniff, there was also a faint, blended floral scent.
"Your mother is so skilled. Did she make these herself? I like them very much."
The Fourth Prince yawned: "Mother makes them for fun. If you like them, I'll get more for you in the future."
"Alright, let's go, let's go."
He pulled Qu Dubian along, and they headed to the kennels.
The Sixth Prince and Fifth Prince had been waiting at the kennels for a long time.
The Sixth Prince had long coveted his younger brother's little dog cart and had long begged Consort Lan to have craftsmen make him a small cart just like the Seventh Prince's.
Thus, when Qu Dubian stayed at the Xiuxiang Palace, Consort Lan, rather awkwardly facing this prince she had schemed against once and a half, gently made the request to examine the structure of the little dog cart.
And then, after the cart was made, the Sixth Prince invited them all to the kennels to pick out dogs.
He didn't like big, all-black, older dogs like Da Hei. He was eager to pick the very best one for himself.
Fourth Prince: "Little Six."
The Sixth Prince's smile stiffened, and he reluctantly extended his hand to help the Fourth Prince down from the cart.
Qu Dubian walked over to the Fifth Prince's side and whispered, "Is Sixth Brother still bullying you?"
The Fifth Prince also whispered back, "Fourth Brother keeps him in check, so it's better than before."
Good, as long as it's effective.
Qu Dubian: "Fifth Brother, aren't you going to make a little dog cart?"
The Fifth Prince smiled shyly and shook his head: "I've ridden in your little dog cart. No other little dog cart could make me happier than that time."
He wanted to preserve that feeling.
Qu Dubian patted him: "Whenever you want to ride it in the future, just come find your younger brother."
The Fifth Prince nodded.
Ahead, the wildly dashing Sixth Prince was going crazy with his selection.
He ran from outside one cage to another, and finally shifted his gaze beyond the kennels. With a turn of his head, he charged resolutely inside.
Qu Dubian's eyes widened in shock, and he quickly called for people to chase after him: "Sixth Brother! You mustn't go over there!"
Tigers, leopards, black bears... The Sixth Prince's eyes sparkled, imagining how dashing his mount would be if it were one of them.
Separated by cages, these beasts were occasionally starved to retain their wildness to the greatest extent. Now, watching the few little ones outside the cages, they slowly approached.
Sixth Prince: "I'm not going inside."
A tiger suddenly lunged close, separated only by the cage, "ROAR—!"
The Sixth Prince was fine, but behind him, a large wooden cage with loose chains, housing four docile, crouching large birds [1], suddenly became agitated!
In their panic, they actually broke free from the wooden cage and, under the horrified gazes of the palace attendants, kicked their long legs and ran straight out!
The Great Zhou's "large birds" are what later generations call ostriches.
They can grow up to about two and a half meters tall. They are gentle in nature and generally do not attack humans. They can run up to seventy kilometers per hour. With their long legs striding, ordinary people really can't catch up.
"Be careful! Everyone, be careful! Protect the young princes!"
The palace attendants each shielded their own masters.
Amidst the chaos, Yi Shier flashed into view, beating Wen Xiaochun to it, and placed Qu Dubian in a safe, open area.
Wen Xiaochun was slightly taken aback.
Yi Shier glanced at him, gave a slight nod, handed the child over to him, and disappeared again.
Wen Xiaochun immediately snapped back to attention, worried: "Your Highness, are you alright?"
"I'm fine," Qu Dubian looked to check on the others. There had just been a moment of panic; the palace attendants' shouts were loud, but actually, as long as the ostriches didn't attack, they were quite safe.
Besides him, the other three princes were also unharmed.
The Sixth Prince watched the panicked, fleeing back of the ostrich as it scurried away, patted his chest, and said with lingering fear, "The cage for locking the big birds was way too loose. But the way they ran off was so funny."
The Fifth Prince, however, paled. "We're done for."
Qu Dubian asked, "Fifth Brother, what did you say?"
The Fifth Prince pointed a trembling finger in the direction the ostrich had sped off. "Th-that way... that's the direction of the Ancestral Temple. Father, the Empress, and the imperial consorts are all over there..."
The Sixth Prince's smile froze on his face.
The Fourth Prince quietly hugged his small pillow tighter and whispered, "Do we chase them?"
The Sixth Prince clutched his face and shrieked, "Why are you just standing there? Everyone, chase them, now!"
He and Qu Dubian quickly hopped onto their little dog cart. The two of them charged ahead, while the Fourth and Fifth Princes, each carried by palace attendants, could barely keep up with their speed.
Along with the eunuchs and maids from the kennels, the whole crowd surged after them in a noisy rush.
-
Ancestral Temple.
To demonstrate filial piety, the cleaning before the New Year festival was always done by the Emperor, Empress, and imperial consorts together.
Emperor Chongzhao had just finished wiping a pillar. He glanced at the Empress, who was sweating profusely, walked over, and took the broom from her hands. "I'll do it."
The Empress was touched for just a second before Emperor Chongzhao added, "Don't rest. Put your back into it. Go wipe that pillar over there."
The Empress: "..."
She took a deep breath to calm herself and looked around at the First, Second, and Third Princes, who were huffing and puffing from exhaustion, not even having time for a sip of water. The Emperor drove his own sons even harder than he did the consorts.
That made her feel slightly better.
One wonders whether the ancestors who set down such torturous rituals received more respect or more resentment.
The three princes were scrubbing the floor in a corner, having temporarily set aside their usual rivalry. For a moment, they looked like a family of close brothers.
Third Prince: "Even after doing this for four years, it's still exhausting."
First Prince snorted with a laugh. "I started when I was six. You two weren't even here yet. You have no idea how envious I was, working while watching you two play."
Second Prince: "Let's just finish quickly. We can rest once it's done before dark."
The three brothers muttered among themselves.
Meanwhile, Emperor Chongzhao, broom in hand, walked over to Imperial Consort Xuan.
Imperial Consort Xuan was standing on a high step, and the dust she swept out drifted down in puffs.
"Your Majesty, is there something you need?"
Emperor Chongzhao coughed a few times, waving his hand. "Come down and talk."
Imperial Consort Xuan jumped down.
"These past few days, I've noticed that Little Seven goes to your place to eat, but where he sleeps isn't fixed," Emperor Chongzhao said. "However, he always sleeps with his brothers. You're the only childless consort he seeks out. I reckon he's decided on you."
He swept the floor a few times. "I wanted to ask your thoughts on the matter."
Just as Imperial Consort Xuan was about to speak, a series of ga-ga cries suddenly came from the distance.
Everyone in the Ancestral Temple stopped their work. Emperor Chongzhao also looked towards the sound.
They saw several large birds charging forward. In the depths of winter, they stretched out their long necks, flapping their wings, and a few shed feathers drifted down onto the path they had just finished cleaning.
The large birds raced past.
Everyone: "?"
Emperor Chongzhao was dazed: "..."
Not long after, the sound of rapidly turning wheels and the hurried footsteps of palace attendants approached. The Sixth Prince and the Seventh Prince, wearing a hat, sat on a small cart, waving their arms and shouting:
"Grab them!"
The palace attendants cried out in alarm, "Your Highnesses, be careful!"
The Fourth and Fifth Princes, carried by their personal eunuchs in pursuit: "Little brothers, wait for us—"
They came in a noisy rush.
They went past in a noisy rush.
Leaving only scattered bird feathers to drift leisurely to the ground.
Emperor Chongzhao took a deep breath. His knuckles turned white as he gripped the broom, making cracking sounds.
"Bring. Them. Back. To me!!"
-
A few minutes later.
In front of the prayer mats in the Ancestral Temple.
Four princes knelt in a neat row.
The fourth, fifth, sixth, and seventh in order, hanging their heads in dejection.
Consort Yi, Noble Lady Rong, and Consort Lan stood behind their own children's prayer mats to apologize. Imperial Consort Xuan glanced over and stood beside Consort Lan, behind Qu Dubian.
Her position at this moment silently answered the question Emperor Chongzhao had just asked—
'I wanted to ask your thoughts on the matter.'
I am willing.
The imperial consorts immediately began whispering among themselves.
They looked anxiously at the Emperor, only to see His Majesty give a slight nod towards Imperial Consort Xuan.
He had clearly given his tacit approval!
Imperial Consort Xuan said, "The Seventh Prince is the youngest, and the other princes are also not very old. Chasing the large birds was only to avoid disturbing the ancestors; their intention was good. Please do not blame them, Your Majesty."
Qu Dubian had initially glanced back; he knew there was no one behind him.
Hearing the voice now, he couldn't help but freeze. Then he turned his head and met Imperial Consort Xuan's gaze.
Imperial Consort Xuan curved her eyes into a smile at him.
Qu Dubian looked at the mothers standing behind his brothers, then at Imperial Consort Xuan. He couldn't help but grin.
After turning back, he blinked hard, feeling a slight sting in his nose.
Heh, he had someone standing behind him too.
Emperor Chongzhao clasped his hands behind his back and cleared his throat. "Young as they are, they ultimately disrupted the cleaning of the Ancestral Temple and must be punished."
With a wave of his hand, he declared, "Since you've dirtied the outer palace path, you lot won't be idle either. You will join me, your mothers, and your elder brothers in cleaning the Ancestral Temple!"
The First Prince, who was scrubbing the floor tiles, chuckled with glee.
"No more feeling sour watching them play. Now everyone has to work."
Qu Dubian went to fetch a cleaned rag. Emperor Chongzhao picked him up, carried him outside, and set him down.
"The rags are ice-cold. Don't touch cold things."
"Then what should I do?"
Emperor Chongzhao lifted his chin. "The feathers that fell outside. Go pick them all up."
"Oh." Qu Dubian turned to leave.
Emperor Chongzhao grabbed his arm and asked, "Why haven't you come back these past few days? Sleeping comfortably outside?"
Qu Dubian covered his little face.
Emperor Chongzhao: "Out with it."
"Aiyo!" Qu Dubian said with a worried frown, "My stomach always goes gurgle-gurgle. You'd dislike me."
"So you went to stink up your brothers instead?"
The little rascal grinned.
Emperor Chongzhao was both amused and exasperated. "So that's the reason. Why didn't you tell me? I am your father. Would I really dislike you? I didn't even hold the bedpost-scraping incident against you."
Of course, if it were his other sons, he probably wouldn't want to get too close. But when this little one had a fever, he had to take care of everything himself. How could he mind this?
He gave Qu Dubian a light pat on the back. "Go work. You still have to attend the New Year's banquet tomorrow evening. Don't go bothering your brothers tonight."
Qu Dubian nodded to show he understood.
He turned and called Da Hei to help him pick up the large bird feathers nearby.
He thought to himself that this wasn't the reason he hadn't been going to the Purple Dawn Palace. When he spent too much time close to his imperial father, feelings could sprout uncontrollably, even if just a little. The heart is made of flesh, after all.
These past few days of keeping his distance were also a cooling-off period for his own mind.
Emperor Chongzhao washed a handkerchief.
Eunuch Bao hurried to his side and whispered in his ear:
"Your Majesty, the Sword-Holding Marquis is about to enter the capital."
Emperor Chongzhao's expression remained unchanged. "Continue watching. Report any news to me. Has Commander Zuo gone out to greet him?"
"Rest assured, Your Majesty. He is with Eunuch Yu, stationed just inside the city gates."
-
Zhang Residence.
Zhang Fanming was still lying prone on his bed.
After all this time, his wounds hadn't healed. A faint foul odor emanated from his body, and the muscles in his useless legs were gradually beginning to atrophy.
A steward stood before him.
Zhang Fanming pleaded earnestly, "Today, you absolutely must keep Shi Ming at home. Do not let him go out. No matter how lively it is outside, he cannot go to see. Understand?"
The steward said, "Master, you've been saying this for several days now. It's just the arrival of the Sword-Bearing Marquis, isn't it? I don't quite understand why we must stop the young master from going out."
Zhang Fanming: "There's no need for so many 'whys'. What has he been up to lately? He hasn't gone out today, has he?"
Steward: "The young master became infatuated with the new courtesan at the brothel, but lost interest after buying her. That courtesan was also unlucky. She was just carried out a few days ago, and then her family actually came to demand compensation from the young master." He frowned and said, "They should have thought better of selling their own daughter into a brothel in the first place. After she died, they kept pestering the young master relentlessly. We had to beat them up and throw them out before they finally behaved."
"Tell him to behave himself recently. His cousin isn't someone reliable. I asked someone to find her, hoping to get Shi Ming into the palace to lay low for a while, but she actually refused. Really..."
Steward: "Master, please don't be angry."
Zhang Fanming: "Go check on him again. Remember, don't let him leave the house!"
The steward hesitated for a moment before replying, "Yes."
-
Xie Residence.
Grand Tutor Xie stood still in the courtyard.
"Father, should we go to welcome the old Marquis or not?" Xie Jingshan sat on a stone stool, frowning as he analyzed, "The Sword-Bearing Marquis is about to arrive in the capital, but His Majesty has not issued an explicit decree ordering the officials or the Ministry of Rites to welcome him."
"Is His Majesty trying to see which side the civil and military officials will take?"
"So, welcoming him means siding with the Sword-Bearing Marquis, and not welcoming him means siding with His Majesty?" Grand Tutor Xie snorted with a laugh. "Taking sides isn't that simple. Truth and falsehood, who can tell them apart?"
"Let me ask you, do you think the Xie family should go to welcome him?"
Xie Jingshan thought for a moment and said, "Yes, we should."
"Reason?"
"His Majesty sent Commander Zuo out of the city to welcome him. Commander Zuo is the leader of the Imperial Guards, and he is accompanied by Eunuch Yu with an explicit decree, which is tantamount to the Emperor's personal presence. As his subjects, we should go."
Grand Tutor Xie was satisfied inwardly but didn't show it on his face, saying dismissively, "Then why aren't you going? What are you waiting for!"
Xie Jingshan hurried out.
Grand Tutor Xie stood with his hands behind his back, rubbing his fingertips lightly. There was another reason he didn't mention, just a speculation, and it wasn't appropriate to voice it now.
-
Outside the capital city.
A troop of about a hundred men, riding warhorses from the Northern Frontier, sped along like the wind.
Dust flew, and a dark red banner was particularly eye-catching, bearing a single character: Xu!
The ink-black character resembled deep, sedimented bloodstains, bold and unrestrained, exuding an aura of slaughter. In the lower right corner of the 'Xu' character was a designation: Nine.
This was the battle standard of the Ninth Battalion of the Xu Family Army from the Northern Frontier.
"Hyah! Hyah!!"
The sound of hoofbeats came from afar.
The capital city gates were wide open. Imperial Guards stood in attendance on both sides, having waited here for a long time.
Both Commander Zuo and Eunuch Yu were on horseback, awaiting this imminent meeting.
The hoofbeats grew closer and closer.
Commander Zuo gave a light command: "Hyah."
His horse took two steps forward.
The Sword-Bearing Marquis was clad in armor. He gave a "Whoa," reining in his horse and stopping just five meters away from Commander Zuo. Dust and sand billowed up, forcing Commander Zuo to narrow his eyes—
Any later, and they would have collided directly.
The soldiers of the Ninth Battalion also stopped behind the Sword-Bearing Marquis.
The warhorses snorted lightly, hooves pawing the ground. Not a single person laughed or spoke casually; an aura of blood and slaughter washed over them.
Xu Jin: "Who goes there?"
Commander Zuo dismounted, cupped his hands, and said, "Commander of the Imperial Guards, Zuo Tianlang, pays his respects to the old Marquis."
Xu Jin glanced at him, then suddenly laughed heartily, "When this Marquis last rushed to the Northern Frontier battlefield, I didn't see you. You must be a rising star!"
His voice was like a great bell.
He stood over 190 centimeters tall, with an exceptionally burly build. Two ferocious scars crossed the wrinkles etched by time on his face, and his bronze skin was extremely rough.
His hair and beard were both streaked with black and white, more white than black. His eyes were as sharp as an eagle's, making one instinctively overlook his somewhat aged face and not dare to underestimate him.
Commander Zuo: "Thanks to His Majesty's promotion, this junior indeed rose to this position only in recent years."
Xu Jin: "This Marquis has grown old, but Eunuch Yu hasn't changed a bit."
Eunuch Yu smiled and said, "What are you saying, Marquis? You are still in the prime of your life. This old servant has a decree from His Majesty here. Would you prefer to..."
Xu Jin: "Read it."
Eunuch Yu directly unrolled the imperial decree: "The Sword-Bearing Marquis has labored hard on his journey. He may first return to his residence to rest and need not enter the palace immediately. At tomorrow's New Year's banquet, the Sword-Bearing Marquis must attend. We shall personally offer a toast of welcome."
It wasn't a formal imperial decree; the wording read more like an oral edict.
Xu Jin urged his horse forward, took the decree, and said, "Your subject respectfully obeys the imperial command."
He turned his head and said, "Er Sen and Lang Qing, follow me. The rest of you, set up camp outside the capital. Do not enter without permission."
"Yes!"
Two generals followed behind Xu Jin, urging their horses into the city.
Inside the city, on both sides of the road, many officials cupped their hands in welcome. Commoners were held back by guards on both sides, shouting, "Good health to the Marquis!"
"Good health to the Marquis! The Marquis is mighty and powerful!"
The two generals behind Xu Jin, surrounded by such enthusiastic commoners for the first time, revealed silly, hearty smiles and waved at them.
Commander Zuo and Eunuch Yu trailed behind.
Commander Zuo said in a low voice, "Why didn't the Marquis dismount to receive the decree earlier?"
Eunuch Yu: "Would you dare ask him to get down?"
Commander Zuo: "..."
Eunuch Yu: "His Majesty has granted him special permission. In informal settings, he does not kneel upon receiving an imperial decree."
By the roadside, Xie Jingshan watched Xu Jin on horseback, feeling a wave of emotion. Compared to their last meeting, this Marquis... had aged far too much.
Perhaps sensing his gaze, Xu Jin looked over. Seeing Xie Jingshan, he actually gave him a slight nod.
Xie Jingshan was taken aback.
A young man beside him lowered his head, turned, and walked away.
Xu Jin's eyes focused sharply. He leaped from his horse, his palm forming a claw, and snatched this young man from the crowd, then flung him heavily onto the official road!
The young man, namely Zhang Shiming, immediately cried out in pain, "Why grab me!"
Xu Jin stared at this face. "This Marquis thinks you bear some resemblance to an assassin from the Northern Frontier."
Commander Zuo's expression turned stern. He dismounted and approached, drawing his sword to press against the young man's neck. "Is what the Marquis says true? Is this person an assassin?"
But he looked completely devoid of martial skills.
The young man said angrily, "What's true about that! My name is Zhang Shiming, from the Zhang family of Spring River Lane!"
Eunuch Yu pondered, "Son of Official Zhang Fanming?"
His heart sank.
Although this young man held no official rank, he was practically a member of the Astrological Bureau.
"Can a Marquis just throw people on the street? I'm not afraid to take this to the magistrate's office!" Zhang Shiming had originally bribed the steward, curious to see why his father had been instructing him these past few days not to go out and to avoid the Sword-Bearing Marquis.
He actually understood a little. The Sword-Bearing Marquis was the Seventh Prince's maternal grandfather, and his father said the Seventh Prince was an ill-omened, monstrous fetus, so they might easily incur the Marquis's wrath.
But no matter what, the Sword-Bearing Marquis was still the Emperor's subject. Could he really cause any serious trouble?
Wouldn't that mean he was dissatisfied with the Emperor?
He just had to come and see for himself.
Sure enough, he was like a man who fathered an ill-omened daughter who then bore an ill-omened grandson—coarse and vulgar like a black bear spirit! If he ever fell into his hands, he'd make sure he looked good!
Xu Jin suddenly grinned, giving Eunuch Yu's shoulder a warm, hearty pat. "This Marquis recognizes the faces of every single member of the Zhang family. All one hundred and forty-five of them, from the main line to the side branches and distant relatives. I remember each one clearly."
The hairs on Eunuch Yu's back stood on end at that moment.
Xu Jin laughed heartily. "Relax, it's nothing more than this: we're all officials serving the court, aren't we? Remembering a few more people makes for smoother dealings in the future."
"..." Eunuch Yu's mouth twitched.
Even he, the Chief Eunuch of the Inner Palace, didn't have the spare time to memorize which noble house had how many in their main or branch lines. Did the Marquis actually believe his own words?
Eunuch Yu seized the opportunity to back down, hurriedly smiling. "It was just an unfortunate encounter. Young and ignorant. Since the Marquis recognizes him, then—"
Swish!!
A streak of crimson light flashed before his eyes.
Blood spattered on Eunuch Yu's cheek. His pupils constricted as he slowly turned his head.
Everything around him seemed to move in slow motion.
Commander Zuo stared in shock at his own empty hand. The blade that had been in it was now held by the Marquis, drops of blood sliding down the steel and pattering onto the ground.
Shocked cries rose and fell around them.
Zhang Shiming's eyes widened. Clutching his throat, he slowly collapsed to the ground, his face still wearing a look of utter bewilderment.
Eunuch Yu's heart began to pound violently. He snapped his gaze toward the Marquis.
The latter's expression was placid. He flicked the blade, then reversed his grip and slid it back into the scabbard at Commander Zuo's waist.
Xu Jin: "This Marquis remembers that one hundred and forty-five people. But I don't remember him. Therefore, he is a Northern Frontier assassin."
He patted Commander Zuo's shoulder, chuckling amiably. "To protect His Majesty's safety, this Marquis acted to seize the blade just now. I hope Commander Zuo will understand."
Zuo Tianlang did not smile.
He was silent for a moment. "And the body...?"
Xu Jin waved a hand.
Lang Qing immediately stepped forward, dragging the corpse away to dispose of it. Er Sen cupped his hands respectfully. "Commander Zuo, Eunuch Yu, please rest assured. Northern Frontier assassins naturally fall under the Marquis's jurisdiction. We who have fought on the battlefield are most familiar with handling remains. Not a single trace will be left to pollute the air and offend the sensibilities of the capital's esteemed officials."
In the heavy silence, Xu Jin scratched his head, offering a simple, honest smile. "Alright, alright. Everyone mount up. This Marquis hasn't seen his wife for many years and misses her dearly. If we return too late, I might earn myself a scolding."
He swung himself onto his horse and sighed with feeling.
"I've long heard the Zhang family's star-gazing arts are quite marvelous. I wonder if they could have divined that one of their own clansmen would be replaced by a Northern Frontier assassin. Ah, this Marquis hasn't seen much of the world. I'm already getting curious."
With that, he offered an apologetic look to the frightened commoners around them, then spurred his horse forward, heading straight for the Marquis's estate.
Xie Jingshan, standing within the crowd, was utterly stunned.
