Chapter 155

Because of the snowfall, darkness fell earlier than usual.

By the time Xie Zheng brought Fan Changyu into the study, the light outside had already dimmed considerably. Only after the lamps were lit could the furnishings inside be seen clearly.

Xie Zheng took a map from a bookshelf and spread it across the desk.

Pointing to it, he explained,

“The Li family failed to trap Wei Yan and instead fell into Wei Yan’s snare. At this point, their only chance of survival is to seize control of the capital and enthrone the Imperial Grandson.”

“The watchtower at Meridian Gate is no lower than the capital’s city walls. Even if the Li family launches a direct assault, they won’t capture it quickly. But the Li family has spent years cultivating influence in the capital. It’s impossible to say whether they have informants inside the Imperial Guard.”

“Since Wei Yan has forced them into this corner, he undoubtedly has contingencies prepared. However, as long as I’m still in the capital, neither the Li family nor Wei Yan will allow me to sit back and reap the benefits. They’ll do everything possible to drag me into the conflict first.”

The more Fan Changyu listened to his analysis, the tighter her grip became on the edge of the desk.

Looking up, she asked,

“So the Li family made the first move against you and ordered the Five Armies Camp to surround the Xie residence?”

Xie Zheng’s lips curved slightly, though no warmth reached his eyes.

“This is only the opening act.”

At that moment, a guard outside the study reported,

“Master, the Five Armies Camp is demanding to search the residence. They claim someone saw a fugitive from the Court of Judicial Review enter the Marquis’s estate last night.”

Fan Changyu looked at Xie Zheng worriedly.

Without changing expression, he replied toward the door,

“Then tell them this: if they have the courage to break down the gates of the Xie residence, they’re welcome to come in and search.”

After the guard withdrew, Fan Changyu asked,

“Did we really leave evidence behind?”

The candlelight danced in Xie Zheng’s eyes but brought no warmth.

“It’s simply Wei Yan’s scheme to drag me into the mess.”

“When you and I broke prisoners out before, the Li family became convinced that Wei Yan had done it. That’s probably when Wei Yan began laying this trap.”

“Last night, the Blood-Clad Riders rescued the steward from the Sui residence and interrupted the Li family’s attempt to kill the strategist who changed his testimony. They also discovered where the correspondence between the Li family and Qi Min was hidden.”

“Now that I possess such leverage, how could the Li family possibly sit still?”

“Whether they have witnesses or not, they’ll find some excuse to surround my estate.”

Fan Changyu understood perfectly that the Li family had committed themselves completely.

Suddenly, her heart skipped a beat.

“Qi Min knows Bao’er is still with us. Could the Couriers’ Lodge also be surrounded?”

Xie Zheng nodded.

“With the manpower of the Five Armies Camp, surrounding a single Couriers’ Lodge is effortless.”

Fan Changyu immediately frowned.

“General Tang, Aunt Zhao, and the others are still there…”

Xie Zheng looked at her.

“And that’s precisely what I need you to do next.”

Her expression immediately turned serious.

Xie Zheng extended a finger and pointed to the palace gates on the map.

“The Five Armies Camp consists of five divisions and seventy-two guard units, totaling more than twenty thousand men.”

“Four divisions may be willing to follow the Li family.”

“But Shen Shen, commander of the Left Division, is on good terms with me. The Shen family has always been loyal and honorable.”

“Xie Thirteen will take my token and find him. His task is to prevent Wei Yan from mobilizing the Divine Machine Battalion.”

“However, we also need bait—something to draw both the Li family and Wei Yan’s attention elsewhere.”

“I already gave you the token to command the Blood-Clad Riders.”

“When the time comes, take every Blood-Clad Rider in the estate and charge back to the Couriers’ Lodge.”

“Bring Tang Peiyi and the others out.”

Fan Changyu immediately raised her head.

“If I take all the Blood-Clad Riders away, what about you?”

Xie Zheng looked toward the snow-filled darkness beyond the window.

There was a casual confidence in him, as though he had waited a long time for this day.

“They won’t believe I actually gave all the Blood-Clad Riders to you.”

“They’ll assume I still have hidden forces somewhere in the capital.”

A faint smile touched his lips.

“When falsehood becomes truth, truth also becomes false.”

“Who would dare gamble everything on something uncertain?”

Fan Changyu still looked worried.

“Even if the Li family can only command four divisions, that’s still more than fifteen thousand troops.”

“How will you deal with that?”

Xie Zheng replied calmly,

“Both the Li family and Wei Yan are holding reserves. Neither side will commit all its forces against me.”

“And even in the worst-case scenario, if it truly becomes a fight to the death, the several hundred Xie family soldiers I brought into the capital can still make them pay dearly.”

Fan Changyu slowly processed everything he had said.

Then another question occurred to her.

“Why is your ally the one stopping the Divine Machine Battalion?”

“Why wouldn’t the Li family do it?”

Xie Zheng reached out and lightly touched her cheek.

“The Imperial Guard answers directly to the young emperor.”

“Since Wei Yan and the emperor are currently tied together, the Imperial Guard will undoubtedly support him.”

“Combined with the elite Three Thousand Battalion, he can hold the palace against the Li family for a time.”

“But if the Divine Machine Battalion’s artillery and siege weapons enter the battle, then no matter how many troops the Five Armies Camp has, they’ll eventually become nothing more than piles of mangled corpses beneath cannon fire.”

He paused briefly.

“When I send Shen Shen, he’s not merely stopping the Divine Machine Battalion.”

“All sides are racing to seize its weapons.”

“Do you understand now?”

Only then did Fan Changyu realize how critical this deployment was.

“After I rescue General Tang and the others, I’ll temporarily place all remaining available troops in the capital under his command.”

“I’ll personally go to the Western Park.”

“If General Shen fails to stop the Divine Machine Battalion, I will.”

The Divine Machine Battalion’s weapons depot was located at the Western Park outside the palace.

Xie Zheng stared at her for a long moment.

Fan Changyu frowned.

“You don’t think I can stop them?”

Suddenly, Xie Zheng pulled her firmly into his embrace.

“If you can’t stop them, then don’t.”

“Just come back alive.”

Fan Changyu looked up.

“That’s not something you should be saying to a general.”

Xie Zheng lowered his head slightly.

Loose strands of hair cast shadows over his eyes, concealing the tenderness hidden within them.

“You are a general to tens of thousands.”

“But you’re also my wife.”

“What I’m saying is for my wife.”

Even knowing how dire the situation was, Fan Changyu’s heart still skipped a beat at those words.

She pressed her lips together and stared at him.

Then she said,

“I’m leaving.”

She had already reached the doorway when she suddenly turned back.

In a few quick strides, she grabbed his collar and pulled him down.

Then she kissed him hard on the lips.

Lowering her fan-like lashes, she muttered,

“I know what you’re planning to do.”

With that, she pulled open the door and strode away.

Xie Zheng remained where he stood, watching her retreating figure.

Dark emotions churned deep within his black eyes.

“If anything happens to her…”

“…there’s no need for any of you to return.”

A shadow seemed to slip silently from the room.

—

With the Blood-Clad Riders clearing the way, the contingent of Five Armies Camp troops surrounding the Xie residence posed little threat.

Fan Changyu quickly tore through their ranks and galloped straight toward the Couriers’ Lodge.

It was New Year’s Day.

Most shops along the streets were shuttered.

Whether the owners had gone home to celebrate or had closed in fear of the military activity, it was impossible to tell.

The homes of ordinary citizens were equally shut tight.

Because Fan Changyu’s group formed such an obvious moving target, part of the force besieging the Xie residence split off to pursue them.

As a result, the scouts riding in the opposite direction went completely unnoticed.

—

The gates of the Couriers’ Lodge had already been smashed open.

The commanding officer stood in the courtyard with one hand resting on the sword at his waist.

“Search everything!”

“Any male child found is to be killed immediately!”

Hearing the commotion, Tang Peiyi, He Xiuyun, and several other officers emerged.

Recognizing the intruders as soldiers from the Five Armies Camp, they refrained from acting rashly.

Tang Peiyi cupped his fists.

“May I ask why General has suddenly brought troops to the Couriers’ Lodge?”

The officer’s rank was several levels below Tang Peiyi’s.

Yet he merely sneered.

“The joint tribunal has discovered that the rebel mother and son who escaped from the Court of Judicial Review are being hidden here.”

“I’ve been ordered to search the premises.”

Tang Peiyi was straightforward by nature.

The officer’s contemptuous attitude had already angered him.

He Xiuyun, however, was far more observant.

He immediately smiled and said,

“If you’re conducting an official search, please present the warrant.”

“It would prevent misunderstandings and preserve harmony.”

The officer had no warrant to show.

He simply said,

“When we find the evidence, you can inspect the warrant at the Court of Judicial Review.”

He Xiuyun exchanged a glance with Tang Peiyi and Zheng Wenchang.

All three understood immediately.

Still smiling politely, He Xiuyun replied,

“General, that’s a strange thing to say.”

“Since arriving in the capital under imperial summons, none of us have left this compound except when summoned by His Majesty.”

“How could escaped prisoners possibly be hiding here?”

“There must be some misunderstanding.”

“The weather is cold. Let your men conduct the search.”

“Why not come inside and warm yourself by the fire with a cup of tea?”

As he spoke, he stepped forward as though to support the officer’s arm.

The officer’s eyes flickered.

He was just about to decline when He Xiuyun suddenly struck.

Twisting the man’s arm behind his back and sweeping his legs out from under him, he slammed the officer to his knees.

At the same time, Zheng Wenchang drew his sword and pressed it against the man’s throat.

“Back off!”

he shouted to the surrounding soldiers.

Realizing his mistake, the officer gritted his teeth.

“If you let me take the person I’m searching for, everyone can walk away peacefully.”

“But if you insist on getting involved, you won’t get out of this so easily.”

Tang Peiyi stared at him for a long moment.

Then he simply said,

“Tie him up.”

The guards immediately stepped forward and bound him tightly.

Tang Peiyi, He Xiuyun, and Zheng Wenchang lived in the same section of the compound.

Tang Peiyi knew perfectly well there were no children hidden there.

Fan Changyu, as a female general, occupied a separate courtyard.

He couldn’t determine whether she had actually rescued prisoners or whether the soldiers had simply fabricated an excuse to capture Yu Bao’er.

Taking the officer hostage, they headed toward Fan Changyu’s courtyard.

The soldiers who had been searching everywhere no longer dared act recklessly after seeing their commander captured.

They merely kept their weapons trained on Tang Peiyi’s group, waiting for an opportunity.

Upon arriving, they found Xie Five standing with a single saber, shielding an elderly couple behind him.

With only one arm capable of wielding a weapon while protecting two elderly people, he was clearly at a disadvantage.

Blood stained his body.

The doors of several rooms stood wide open, obviously searched already.

“Stop!”

Tang Peiyi shouted.

The soldiers surrounding Xie Five hesitated after seeing their commander captured.

Their assault immediately eased.

After signaling to He Xiuyun, the latter quickly led two guards forward to help the elderly Zhao couple.

He personally supported Xie Five and asked quietly,

“Where’s the young master?”

“General took him away secretly.”

Relief immediately flashed across He Xiuyun’s face.

Turning toward the commander, he said coldly,

“We reside here under imperial orders.”

“You searched without authorization.”

“I’d very much like to see who the Court of Judicial Review sides with.”

The commander remained stubborn.

“The rebel child from the Court of Judicial Review is hidden here.”

“If you’re sheltering rebels, does that mean you’ve become traitors as well?”

Tang Peiyi’s expression darkened considerably.

After He Xiuyun subtly nodded to him, confirming Bao’er was no longer there, Tang Peiyi slapped the commander’s face lightly and sneered.

“Then let your men search.”

“But if they find nothing, you’ll leave one arm and one leg behind.”

The commander’s eyes darted around.

Failing to spot Fan Changyu, he suddenly shouted,

“The rebel child was taken away by General Yunhui, wasn’t he?”

At that exact moment, the sound of galloping horses erupted outside the compound.

The clash of weapons followed immediately afterward.

Tang Peiyi and the others dragged the captive commander toward the front courtyard.

As soon as they passed through the ornamental gate, they saw a soldier kicked clear off the stone steps and crashing into a flowerbed before coughing up blood.

Fan Changyu, dressed in fitted battle attire with a long saber on her back, charged through the gates.

Only after seeing Tang Peiyi’s group holding the enemy commander hostage did she finally relax.

“General Tang!”

Through the gates, Tang Peiyi could see the Blood-Clad Riders fighting the Five Armies Camp outside.

“Changyu, what’s going on?”

Fan Changyu split open a soldier attempting to ambush her and answered succinctly,

“The Li family is rebelling.”

The faces of Tang Peiyi, He Xiuyun, and the others changed instantly.

Without bothering to wipe the blood splattered across her face, she strode forward.

“The heavens of Great Yin are about to change.”

She looked directly at Tang Peiyi.

“General Tang, what will you do?”

Tang Peiyi’s rugged face grew unusually serious.

After a moment of silence, he asked,

“What does the Marquis intend to do?”

Blood from a cut at Fan Changyu’s temple trickled down to her jaw.

Her eyes were cold and resolute.

“The man on the throne is an immoral tyrant.”

“The person the Li family intends to support may be Crown Prince Chengde’s descendant, but he lived for seventeen years as Prince Changxin’s eldest son.”

“The person who helped the Li family scheme against Wei Yan was him.”

“The siege of Lucheng.”

“Lord He’s death.”

“All of it traces back to him.”

“If he ascends the throne, he will not be a benevolent ruler.”

Only now did Tang Peiyi and the others learn the full truth.

Shock quickly gave way to anger.

So the vicious plan to abandon Chongzhou and instead surround Lucheng had been devised by the Li family and the Imperial Grandson.

Tang Peiyi looked at her.

“The child you’ve always kept by your side…”

“Isn’t he Crown Prince Chengde’s descendant?”

“He is.”

Fan Changyu nodded.

“He’s the Imperial Grandson’s son.”

He Xiuyun glanced at the captured commander.

A cold smile appeared on his usually refined face.

“So the Five Armies Camp surrounded the Couriers’ Lodge because the Imperial Grandson ordered the child’s death?”

Fan Changyu nodded grimly.

Before Tang Peiyi could answer, He Xiuyun stepped forward.

Because of his father’s death, he hated the Imperial Grandson deeply.

“I stand with the Marquis.”

“I support enthroning the Imperial Great-Grandson.”

Tang Peiyi turned toward him.

Among the younger officers, He Xiuyun was the eldest and most steady.

He cupped his fists.

“My decision isn’t driven by personal vengeance.”

“The Imperial Grandson seeks the throne, yet has no compassion for the people.”

“Just like the Li family, he was willing to sacrifice countless soldiers to fabricate crimes for Wei Yan.”

“As a ruler, he lacks benevolence.”

“As a father, he can even murder his own son for the throne.”

“Even wolves aren’t that cruel.”

“If Great Yin falls into the hands of such a man, how is that any different from Wei Yan controlling the government?”

“And how could we ever face the soldiers who died outside Lucheng?”

Zheng Wenchang immediately moved to Fan Changyu’s side.

One by one, other Jizhou officers followed.

The horrors of the Battle of Lucheng remained thorns embedded in all their hearts.

Tang Peiyi let out a deep sigh.

Looking at Fan Changyu, he said,

“I don’t know whether I’ll regret today’s decision.”

“But neither Wei Yan’s candidate nor the Li family’s candidate deserves the throne.”

“Whether we succeed or fail, I, Tang Peiyi, will follow the Marquis and change the fate of Great Yin.”

Only after Tang Peiyi agreed did Fan Changyu finally feel relieved.

With his support, Xie Zheng’s chances of stabilizing the capital tonight increased by at least thirty percent.

—

Outside the Couriers’ Lodge, the Blood-Clad Riders continued fighting the Five Armies Camp.

A bloody head suddenly flew out through the gates.

It rolled several times across the stone pavement before stopping.

Blood still dripped from Fan Changyu’s unfamiliar saber.

Under the flickering lights, a savage fierceness shone in her eyes like a tiger descending from the mountains.

Her cold voice tore through the winter night.

“Deputy Commander Zhou Tong of the Right Flank Division is dead!”

“Surrender now, and tonight’s crimes will be forgiven!”

The Five Armies Camp stationed in the capital was divided into five divisions: the Central Division, Left Flank, Right Flank, Left Vanguard, and Right Vanguard.

The Central Division was the largest.

The fighting gradually stopped.

All eyes turned toward the severed head.

Tang Peiyi immediately stepped forward.

“I am about to assist Marquis Wu’an in suppressing treason.”

“Any who refuse to surrender will be charged with rebellion.”

Without their commander and faced with such threats, the soldiers of the Right Flank Division quickly lost their nerve.

After exchanging uncertain glances, they laid down their weapons.

Seeing the situation stabilized, Fan Changyu turned to Tang Peiyi.

“General Tang, I’ll leave this place to you.”

He frowned.

“You’re not coming with us to the palace?”

Fan Changyu swung herself onto her horse.

The wind lifted the loose strands of hair around her forehead.

“I’m going to stop the Divine Machine Battalion from reinforcing the palace.”

Those words alone told Tang Peiyi everything he needed to know.

“Take more men with you!”

He immediately assigned several officers to accompany her, including Zheng Wenchang.

Fan Changyu didn’t refuse.

From horseback, she cupped her fists.

“My thanks, General.”

Then she rode off toward the Western Park with Zheng Wenchang and the Blood-Clad Riders.

Watching them disappear into the distance, Tang Peiyi turned to the surrendered soldiers.

“Follow me!”

“We’re going to rescue His Majesty!”

—

Dusk deepened.

The snowstorm grew heavier.

A thin layer of snow had accumulated atop the lanterns hanging beneath the eaves.

The yellow light cast swaying bamboo shadows onto the paper windows of a brightly lit room.

Through the windows, two silhouettes could be seen seated across from one another at a low table, playing chess.

One figure was thin and almost ethereal.

Sparse hair was tied into a small knot at the back of his head with a long hairpin.

From time to time, he stroked the equally sparse beard on his chin.

The other figure was powerfully built.

Even seated on a cushion, his back remained as straight as a pine tree.

Each move carried decisive killing intent.

Both men resembled mountains.

One possessed the serene elegance of flowing waters and lofty peaks.

The other stood like a towering sacred mountain.

The elderly, bony man placed another white stone onto the board.

Looking at his opponent, Grand Tutor Tao sighed softly.

“Yigui.”

“This game has entered a dead end.”

Yigui was Wei Yan’s courtesy name.

Across the entire court, only the old man sitting opposite him still dared address him that way.

Outside, the wind howled and bamboo shadows danced.

Wei Yan returned the black stone in his hand to the bowl.

Then he said calmly,

“Not necessarily.”

“By dawn, perhaps a way out will reveal itself.”