Fang Linyuan met him in the side hall of the Hongyou Emperor's palace.

Incense burned gently from the bronze beast-shaped censer, golden curtains hung low, and the palace outside was aglow with lights.

At this hour, the Hongyou Emperor should have already retired to bed, draped in his dragon robe open on his inner garments. An attendant by his side offered him tea, but he frowned and only took a few sips before setting it aside.

"I just met with the General of the City Defense and the Commander of the Sixteenth Guard. They both claimed they had no prior knowledge of these insurgents' activities," the Hongyou Emperor said with a troubled expression. "Just now, someone reported that you were on the scene, so I urgently summoned you to the palace. I had no other choice."

"The situation unfolded suddenly, and I'm afraid neither of the esteemed gentlemen anticipated it," Fang Linyuan said respectfully, bowing. "Your Majesty, please take care of your health and try to relax."

The Hongyou Emperor shook his head.

"Fortunately, you were present at the time, so I was able to ease my worries somewhat," he said. "But did you manage to gather any clues about these people?"

"They were all masked Hu people, setting fires and killing people in the market, yet they didn't seem interested in robbing," Fang Linyuan replied. "I must admit my negligence; I couldn't arrive in time, and approximately five or six commoners had already perished."

The Hongyou Emperor shook his head again. "I know you did your best. If it weren't for you, who knows how chaotic tonight might have been."

Fang Linyuan pondered for a moment. "Your Majesty, these people were well-prepared, and the mastermind behind the scenes is certainly not simple. But I can't shake the feeling that something is amiss. If this incident is indeed related to the Turks..."

The Hongyou Emperor furrowed his brow in thought.

"It must be connected to the Turkic court. But Naren Temüjin has only recently entered the capital, and the peace talks went exceptionally smoothly. I can't fathom the purpose of his actions."

He inquired, "Could there be internal conflicts?"

Fang Linyuan honestly replied, "I cannot confidently assert that."

 

The Hongyou Emperor fell into silence.

After a while, he sighed deeply, leaning back on his dragon throne.

"Last year's drought, the insufficient funds in the court, and the frequent banditry and famine among the people. Just when we thought we had settled these issues, a group of rebels with lotus neck tattoos emerged in Jiangnan. Now that the conflicts in the north have been resolved, we have Turkic bandits causing chaos in the capital," he said.

"...Could it be that my virtues are lacking, and I have offended the heavens?"

Fang Linyuan immediately knelt down, "Your Majesty, please do not belittle yourself."

"Please rise," the Hongyou Emperor weakly waved his hand. "Sit down."

Getting up, Fang Linyuan took a seat on the chair brought by the eunuch.

As he looked up, he saw the emperor sitting high on the dragon throne, his expression tired, leaning against the throne with lowered brows, and tiredly rubbing the wrinkles between his brows.

He had indeed aged; there were silver strands on his temples and between his brows. Looking at him like this, he seemed nothing more than an ordinary person supporting a dynasty with his body.

Fang Linyuan felt a bit uncomfortable in his heart for a while.

Then he saw the Hongyou Emperor raise his eyes, with a last glimmer of hope in them.

"Minister, now I can only rely on you," he said.

"Your Majesty...?" Fang Linyuan was puzzled.

Then the Hongyou Emperor, leaning on the armrest, sat up, picked up the tea on the table, took a few sips, and suppressed his fatigue.

"I have strengthened the patrol of the city guards to prevent such incidents from happening again," the Hongyou Emperor said. "But, as you know, if this matter is not resolved, I cannot justify it to the people of the capital, and the Great Daxuan Dynasty cannot continue to fulfill the contract with the Turks in silence."

Fang Linyuan nodded in agreement, "So, Your Majesty's intention is..."

"The Brocade guard is overwhelmed with tasks, and the Eastern Factory is not suitable for major use," the Hongyou Emperor said. "The current commander of the Sixteen Guards is just a worthless fellow. Moreover, they are stationed in the capital all year round and know nothing about the Turks."

With that, he looked up at Fang Linyuan.

"Minister, today I will appoint you as the commander of the Sixteen Guards, in charge of the Sixteen Guard Garrisons in the capital, to investigate the details of tonight's case on behalf of me, to defend the peace of our Great Daxuan Dynasty for a hundred years."

*

When Fang Linyuan left the imperial city, he felt a bit dazed.

Just now, the emperor issued an imperial decree on the spot, appointing him as the commander of the Sixteen Guards and temporarily handing over the position of the defender of Yumen Pass to Zuo Fangyou.

His horse was ready, but he couldn't leave.

But he couldn't think about this right now. The events of tonight were too strange, and now that the emperor had entrusted him with such an important task, if he couldn't find out the truth, how would the Daxuan Dynasty deal with the Turkic tribute and peace making next year?

This matter could not be left unresolved; otherwise, with the temperament of Naren Temujin, even if he didn't do it this time, he would become even more audacious. Refusing to pay tribute and invading again would only be a matter of time for him.

He remained silent all the way.

The little eunuch who escorted him out of the imperial city was very attentive.

The Sixteen Guards stationed in the capital usually only had one commander, and the position of the Sixteen Guards Commander only existed in legends. The last commander of the Sixteen Guards was Lou Shu, a famous general who accompanied Taizu in founding the dynasty. It had been over two hundred years, and he was the second one.

This was such an honoured imperial favour!

But Fang Linyuan had things on his mind and hadn't spoken much. It wasn't until he got on the carriage that he remembered something and asked the little eunuch, "What did His Majesty mean by the 'rebels with neck lotus flowers' in Jiangnan?"

The little eunuch knew everything and had no reservations, "The general may not know. Two months ago, a Sacred Lotus Sect emerged in Jiangnan. It is said that the disciples of the sect all have a lotus flower tattooed here to identify each other."

He pointed to the space between his two collarbones.

"Their influence is significant?" Fang Linyuan asked.

"They have been getting stronger over the past two months. It is said that they have already raised their flags south of Huzhou, claiming to establish a new dynasty," the little eunuch lowered his voice. "But it's nothing to worry about. His Majesty has already sent Lord Chuyu of the Ministry of War to suppress the rebellion. I believe we'll have good news in another month or two."

Fang Linyuan nodded, thanked him, and sat back in the carriage.

The carriage turned and drove onto the wide Zhuque Avenue. The lights outside the curtain swayed in the evening breeze, but Fang Linyuan looked up and saw the reddish sky in the dark night.

It was gloomy, as if it was going to rain.

*

A servant from the Huaiyu Pavilion came to report that the Marquis had gone into the study as soon as he returned home and hadn't come out since.

The envoys for the appointment were to come to the mansion early tomorrow morning to proclaim the decree, and Zhao Chu had already known the news just now. Hearing the message from the servant, he fell silent for a moment, lost in thought.

A servant placed the tranquilizing soup by his side.

Zhao Chu usually drank tranquilizing soup to sleep at the hour of the Pig (NT: 9-11 pm), so he could get up and groom himself before dawn. But it was almost three in the morning now, and he showed no signs of wanting to rest.

Zhao Chu glanced sideways at the tranquilizing soup and said, "Prepare some midnight snacks."

The servant was taken aback, "Your Highness, do you need midnight snacks at this hour?"

Zhao Chu just looked at her faintly.

Realizing her slip of the tongue, she quickly bowed and retreated. Not long after, she brought snacks made in the small kitchen.

As soon as the food box was placed on the table, Zhao Chu stood up and picked it up.

"Your Highness..."

"No need to follow," Zhao Chu ordered calmly.

The servant could only wait in place, watching as Zhao Chu picked up the food box and left the Huaiyu Pavilion alone, not knowing where he was going.

However, there was no need to guess.

There were not many people in the mansion, and in the late night dew, it couldn't be for the elder madam, could it?

The servant picked up the tranquilizing soup from the table again, preparing to reheat and serve it when the Fifth Princess returned.

As she turned around, her eyes happened to sweep over the basket of gardenias on the table.

The princess never liked such fragrant flowers, but tonight, for some reason, such a large basket was brought back. It was still sitting on the table in the bedroom, filling the entire room with its fragrance.

Things were unusual, and she couldn't help but take a closer look.

Then she saw two dark red objects among the clustered flowers, bowing their heads, not knowing what they were.

She fixed her gaze.

Then she saw a pair of silk knots lying quietly between the lush green flower leaves. Looking at the intertwined pattern of the knots, they were clearly double knots. (NT: the double knot symbolizes the union of two individuals in marriage, representing the binding of their destinies together.)

Juansu's pupils shook.

The princess brought a basket of flowers home today, and also brought a pair of double knots. In the middle of the night, she went to Fu Guang Pavilion to bring midnight snacks to Marquis Anping.

Could it be that the princess...

Juansu turned her head in shock towards the direction of Fu Guang Pavilion.

Was this a real action rather than a pretence?

*

When Yan Ting came to report that the princess had arrived, the candlelight on Fang Linyuan's desk was quietly flickering.

He placed a page of freshly written letter paper on the edge of the table and said, "Let her in."

Before long, the sound of Zhao Chu's footsteps was heard in front of his door.

Without him having to say, Zhao Chu must have known what decree the emperor had issued. Fang Linyuan didn't actively bring it up with him, his mind was focused on checking the content of the letter he had just written.

"Have a seat," he casually said.

But he saw Zhao Chu placing a box on his desk and asking, "What are you writing?"

Fang Linyuan handed the letter paper to Zhao Chu and turned to look at the box he had brought: "What's this?"

Without a word, Zhao Chu lowered his eyes to the letter in his hand.

"Thirteen Strategies for fixing the Border," he read.

Fang Linyuan nodded and opened the box.

Zhao Chu, who came mysteriously in the middle of the night and was still alone, brought several plates of pastries and fruits, as well as two plates of side dishes that smelled good.

Fang Linyuan looked at him puzzled.

Zhao Chu, while slowly flipping through the letter paper, asked, "Who are you writing this for?"

"In a couple of days, Zhuo Fangyou will leave the capital, and I plan to hand him my father's letters along with this." Fang Linyuan replied. "What about this...?"

He pointed to the food box Zhao Chu had brought.

"It's nearly three in the morning, aren't you hungry?" Zhao Chu looked up, his expression calm.

"...Is this just food?" Fang Linyuan asked again.

Then, he met Zhao Chu's plain gaze, as if asking what else it could be.

Fang Linyuan awkwardly averted his gaze and casually took a pastry, biting into it.

"You came here in the middle of the night, could it be just to bring me a midnight snack?" he asked. "Zhao Chu, if you have something to say, just say it."

At his words, Zhao Chu's hand, flipping through the letter, paused slightly.

The letter wasn't yet complete, and the "Thirteen Strategies for fixing the Border " were only written up to the fourth strategy. But even with just these, it already included detailed regulations for the defence of Yumen Pass, the current situation of various military officers inside the pass, and the military preferences and weaknesses of several generals under Naren Temüjin's command.

Zhao Chu hadn't expected Fang Linyuan to be doing this now.

He had been eager to leave the capital. The sudden change that kept him detained here probably wasn't making him very happy. But thinking about how Fang Linyuan always regarded the soldiers and civilians of Yumen Pass as extremely important, it was understandable for him to write letters even late at night.

However...

Although he hadn't specifically come to bring Fang Linyuan midnight snacks, when Fang Linyuan asked like this, he found himself momentarily at a loss for words.

"Did the emperor say for you to finish dealing with this matter before going to the border?" Zhao Chu paused and continued, "If so, you probably don't need to write this letter."

Fang Linyuan shook his head, "It's better to be prepared. Zhuo Fangyou is very good at defending the city. As long as the Turks don't make major moves, he can handle it easily. But just after recovering the eighteen cities in Longxi, there's a lot of work to be done. The garrison commander must be busy with various matters. He can't possibly send messages asking for my advice on everything when the time comes, right?"

Pausing here, a look of concern gradually crept onto his brow. "The 'Thirteen Strategies for fixing the Border’ had already been conceived before I returned to the capital. Writing them now isn't difficult. But..."

He sighed slowly, "Tonight's events, I've only sorted out a bit of my thoughts."

"Go on," Zhao Chu urged.

"They not only had dozens of people today, but also had sabres and horses. With such a large number and the need for unified deployment, they must have been secretly stockpiling and require a base of operations," Fang Linyuan said.

He continued: "If we want to investigate, this is where we can start. They planned meticulously but fled hastily. If they wanted to erase all traces from the capital, either they have accomplices left behind, or it's simply impossible."

"You're right," Zhao Chu agreed.

"But, His Majesty tasked me with uncovering the truth of the matter. Just having these isn't enough; we need to identify the mastermind behind it all," Fang Linyuan explained. "However, with the laxity of the capital's defences, they have likely already succeeded, and it may be difficult to find the mastermind in the short term."

"Are you prepared to stay in the capital for a long time?"

Fang Linyuan lowered his eyes, looking at the unfinished letter on the table.

"I truly can't imagine what benefit the Turks could gain from such actions," he said. "But for now, what I can do is ensure that the border remains secure while I'm away from Yumen Pass. If Longxi's eighteen cities fall into their hands again..."

Zhao Chu looked up at him.

He saw the flickering candlelight, casting reflections in Fang Linyuan's dark, determined eyes.

"Then it will be a rebellion. I will lead troops to confront them, even if it means going against the imperial decree," Fang Linyuan said firmly.

For a moment, Zhao Chu didn't speak.

He could only hear his own heartbeat, seemingly echoing in his ears, one beat after another, somewhat tumultuous, like the roaring sea under the midnight crescent moon.

Perhaps he shone too brightly, so even in this filthy and despicable capital, it couldn't bear to see him leave.

Yes, in this dirty and dark land, unrealistic fantasies sometimes arose.

Zhao Chu thought.

The sound of the tide made him momentarily speechless. It wasn't until a moment later that he slowly reached into his sleeve and took out something.

"The Sixteenth Guard may not be of much use. If you need anything in the future, just find me," he said, placing the item on the table.

Fang Linyuan turned to look and saw a small item wrapped in silk placed on the table.

He reached out and picked up the item. "What is this, a token?"

But Zhao Chu looked at him faintly, his lips moving slightly, but he remained silent.

Fang Linyuan unwrapped the object and found a bronze bell inside. The handle of the bell was carved with a design of welcoming spring flowers, with vines and blossoms entwining down, giving it an exquisite appearance.

With a slight shake, a melodious and crisp sound rang out, gently entering his ears.

It seemed like the bell he had seen at the market just now, the one he almost forgot about in the urgency of the situation.

A hint of surprise flashed in Fang Linyuan's eyes. "This was meant for me? How did you know I liked this?"

But Zhao Chu's gaze paused briefly, then averted.

"It's a token," Zhao Chu said.

"Huh?"

Fang Linyuan was taken aback, then he saw Zhao Chu, with an indifferent expression, turning away and leaving on his own.

"A bronze bell can be worth twenty Eastern Factory’s guards." As he left, Zhao Chu said indifferently.

It really was a token...

But didn't he just see it at the market? Could it be that Zhao Chu even bought the token on the spot? That seemed too hasty.

Fang Linyuan turned the bell over and over again but couldn't find any indication of it being a token.

He looked up in confusion, gazing at Zhao Chu's retreating figure.

However, Zhao Chu had turned away, and Fang Linyuan couldn't see any signs of nervousness in his eyes.

Moreover, his cloud-like hair provided a cover, preventing Fang Linyuan from seeing any signs of someone hastily finding excuses and concealing their inexplicable actions. Even if he were a cunning old fox who had practiced for thousands of years, he would still quietly blush.

 

--

The author has something to say:

Fang Linyuan: I'm tired of saying that Zhao Chu can accomplish great things.

Zhao Chu: ...

 

Translator : DarNan