{"id":4013,"date":"2026-06-15T03:00:53","date_gmt":"2026-06-15T03:00:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/velvetink.xyz\/pursuit-of-jade-130\/"},"modified":"2026-06-15T03:01:00","modified_gmt":"2026-06-15T03:01:00","slug":"pursuit-of-jade-130","status":"publish","type":"chapter","link":"https:\/\/velvetink.xyz\/ko\/chapter\/pursuit-of-jade-130\/","title":{"rendered":"Pursuit of Jade 130"},"content":{"rendered":"

Chapter 130

After the army passed through Zhengyang Gate, they waited outside Meridian Gate for the imperial summons.

The three connected gate towers rose nearly a hundred feet into the air. Above them stood the eastern and western wing towers and watch pavilions. The main hall’s double-eaved yellow-tiled roof gleamed brilliantly. Within the white marble balustrades stood rows of fully armored Imperial Guards with sabers at their waists, stern and imposing.

Compared to these towering platforms and palaces, even the vast square below, capable of holding nearly ten thousand people, seemed cramped.

Seated atop her horse, Fan Changyu gazed up at the palace complex, which resembled a colossal beast. Yet what occupied her mind was something else entirely.

If one lived high above on those lofty terraces for too long, would they eventually become unable to see the suffering of ordinary people? Would human lives come to seem no more significant than ants?

Otherwise, when she had been risking her life killing enemies on the front lines, why had the emperor upon the Dragon Throne decided to eliminate her merely because he feared she might interfere with a marriage decree?

When floods and droughts struck two years ago, in order to elevate the Li family and suppress Wei Yan, he had acted no differently from Qi Min. Together with the Li family, he had allowed the corrupt officials under Wei Yan to embezzle disaster relief funds and grain at every level. Only after enough people had died did he finally turn around and hold Wei Yan accountable.

The people suffered endlessly. They cursed corrupt officials and prayed for Heaven to open its eyes and bring justice.

Little did they know that the “Heaven” they looked to had been watching all along\u2014merely watching coldly from above.

The emperor’s heart was devoted to political maneuvering. Those seated in the halls of power did not concern themselves with the hardships of the common folk, but with how to defeat political rivals and preserve their families’ prosperity and influence.

Suddenly, even the glazed yellow tiles beneath the flying eaves seemed painfully glaring to Fan Changyu. Lowering her eyes, she clenched her fists tightly.

Once through Meridian Gate, civil officials were forbidden from riding in sedan chairs, and military officials could no longer remain mounted. While they waited, palace attendants had already come to lead their horses away.

Noticing something unusual in Fan Changyu’s expression, Tang Peiyi assumed she was nervous because this was her first audience with the emperor. Looking back at the majestic imperial city, he said:

“An ancient poem says, ‘In Heaven stands the White Jade Capital, with twelve towers and five cities.’ The White Jade Capital described in that poem probably looks no grander than this. Countless scholars and warriors spend their entire lives without ever qualifying to enter and see it. Yet Lieutenant Fan, at such a young age, is already able to stand before the emperor in the Golden Throne Hall. Truly, the younger generation is formidable. We were summoned to the capital to receive rewards for our merits. There’s no need to worry. Simply enter the hall and accept your honors.”

Fan Changyu did not explain herself. She merely cupped her fists and replied,

“Thank you for your guidance, General.”

Tang Peiyi patted her shoulder and said nothing more.

After waiting another quarter of an hour, the summons finally traveled through multiple palace gates and thick layers of walls before reaching Meridian Gate.

“By imperial decree, General Yunhui Tang Peiyi and his officers are summoned to an audience\u2014”

The eunuch outside the Golden Throne Hall announced it in a sharp, drawn-out voice.

“By imperial decree, General Yunhui Tang Peiyi and his officers are summoned to an audience\u2014”

The Imperial Guards standing at the foot of the white marble steps repeated it in deep, booming voices.

“By imperial decree, General Yunhui Tang Peiyi and his officers are summoned to an audience\u2014”

The final proclamation echoed between the towering eastern and western gate towers, producing countless reverberations that sounded majestic and awe-inspiring.

Even the battle-hardened generals who had recently returned from the bloody northwestern front felt their hearts tremble. Only now did they truly understand what it meant to “face the Son of Heaven.”

The eastern gate slowly opened.

Tang Peiyi led the way, with the military officers lined up neatly behind him. They entered through Meridian Gate, crossed Golden Water Bridge, passed through the Gate of Supreme Harmony, and finally arrived before the Golden Throne Hall, where the civil and military officials attended court.

Everywhere they looked were vermilion walls and yellow tiles. Even the paving stones were made of white marble.

It truly deserved the title of the “White Jade Capital in Heaven.”

Many of the accompanying officers were appearing before the emperor for the first time. The solemn grandeur of the palace left them scarcely daring to breathe.

Following behind Tang Peiyi, Fan Changyu walked alongside He Jingyuan’s eldest son. Her mind was burdened with too many heavy thoughts for the magnificent, gold-and-jade splendor around her to stir much interest.

The white marble steps before the Golden Throne Hall were also lined with Imperial Guards. Each was tall and powerfully built, yet their eyes carried mostly arrogance rather than the murderous aura forged on battlefields.

Upon entering the hall, Fan Changyu did not even need to look around to sense its overwhelming magnificence.

Civil and military officials stood in ranks on either side, leaving a passage down the center for the returning officers.

However, the foremost positions among both the civil and military officials were empty.

Xie Zheng had specifically requested permission to return to the capital several days later, while Wei Yan had reportedly been absent from court for many days due to illness.

Fan Changyu guessed those empty places belonged to Wei Yan and Xie Zheng.

Tang Peiyi led the military officers in kneeling on one knee with clasped fists.

“Long live Your Majesty! Long live Your Majesty! Long live Your Majesty forever!”

Fan Changyu bowed with them.

Originally, she had intended to reveal her identity as a descendant of the Meng family in the Golden Throne Hall and force the emperor to investigate Wei Yan. But too many things had happened afterward. Both the Li family and Wei Yan seemed to have hidden cards remaining, and Xie Zheng appeared to be arranging something as well. He had told her to remain patient for the time being.

From the enormous gilded dragon throne above came the emperor’s pleasant voice.

“Rise.”

Standing behind Tang Peiyi, Fan Changyu raised her eyes as she stood and finally saw the Son of Heaven seated upon the Dragon Throne.

He appeared far younger than she had imagined.

Wearing the imperial crown with hanging jade beads, he looked unexpectedly approachable when he smiled, almost like a young man rather than the supreme ruler who commanded the realm.

Qi Sheng naturally noticed Fan Changyu as well.

When his gaze swept over her, he continued smiling, yet the feeling he gave her was identical to that imperial eunuch who had delivered the decree outside Chongzhou City. It made her profoundly uncomfortable.

Pointing toward them, Qi Sheng smiled at the gathered officials.

“All of you, take a look. These are the pillar officials of Great Yin!”

The civil and military officials exchanged glances.

A low murmur spread throughout the hall.

Yet no one echoed the emperor’s praise.

The civil officials managed to maintain their composure, but many military officials openly displayed their dissatisfaction. Only because this was the Golden Throne Hall did they refrain from contradicting the emperor directly.

The title “pillar officials” was simply too excessive.

Such praise might appropriately be bestowed upon the Three Excellencies and Nine Ministers. Yet among those standing before the emperor, the lowest-ranked official was Fan Changyu herself, merely a fifth-rank Cavalry Commandant.

Meanwhile, among capital officials, one generally needed to hold at least a significant fifth-rank position merely to attend court\u2014and even then lacked the right to offer advice. Provincial officials required at least fourth-rank status to appear before the emperor.

Qi Sheng’s words had effectively made enemies for the meritorious generals throughout the court.

Even Fan Changyu, who had only recently entered officialdom, sensed something was wrong.

When Tang Peiyi heard the emperor’s praise, cold sweat immediately formed on his forehead. He quickly cupped his fists and said:

“We dare not accept such praise. Serving Your Majesty loyally is the duty of every subject. Moreover, those who achieved the greatest merits in suppressing the rebellion were Lord He and the Marquis of Wuan.”

He Jingyuan had devoted his entire life to the empire and was now deceased.

As for Xie Zheng’s tremendous military achievements, no one in the court dared dispute them.

Only by attributing the emperor’s praise to those two could the title truly be justified.

The smile on Qi Sheng’s face did not diminish in the slightest, as though his earlier attempt at excessive praise had not been deliberate.

“Lord He and the Marquis of Wuan are indeed pillars of Great Yin. Winter is approaching in the north. The Marquis of Wuan has memorialized that he wishes to inspect the defenses at Jinzhou before returning to the capital. With the Marquis of Wuan guarding the realm, both I and my ministers may sleep soundly.”

At those words, the entire court voiced its agreement.

Qi Sheng continued smiling.

“When Xie arrives in the capital, I shall bestow upon him the Nine Bestowments.”

The moment those words were spoken, the ministers exchanged uneasy glances.

No one dared speak.

The entire court fell into dead silence.

Standing below with her head lowered, Fan Changyu wondered whether the Nine Bestowments were some kind of taboo. Otherwise, why would all the officials react with such caution?

Fortunately, Qi Sheng soon changed the subject himself.

“Lord He died in battle at Lu City. It grieves me deeply. For many days I could scarcely eat. Today, I posthumously confer upon him the title Duke Jingguo and grant him a place in the Imperial Ancestral Temple. Is his son, He Xiuyun, present?”

Standing beside Fan Changyu, He Xiuyun immediately stepped forward and bowed.

“Your servant is present.”

He Jingyuan had been a scholarly general, and his eldest son had inherited much of that scholarly temperament.

Though capable of martial arts, He Xiuyun excelled more in classical learning.

During the period when He Jingyuan had gone to Chongzhou, all affairs in Jizhou had been managed by He Xiuyun, with Zheng Wenchang remaining behind as his deputy.

Qi Sheng said,

“You earned the jinshi degree through the imperial examinations and have trained under your father in Jizhou for many years. Henceforth, the position of Governor of Jizhou shall be yours.”

He Xiuyun bowed again.

“I thank Your Majesty for this great grace. I shall not disappoint Your Majesty’s expectations.”

After ordering him to return to his place, Qi Sheng shifted his gaze toward Tang Peiyi.

Perhaps the eunuch who had delivered the imperial decree to Chongzhou had reported something after returning, for although Qi Sheng still smiled, there was an unmistakable malice hidden beneath it.

“Tang, your strategic foresight and skill in employing men during the rebellion suppression campaign have earned you distinction. I hereby promote you to Great General Pacifying the West, and reward you with one thousand taels of gold and one hundred bolts of fine silk.”

Tang Peiyi stepped forward and thanked the emperor.

Then Qi Sheng’s gaze settled upon Fan Changyu.

“I have long heard that Great Yin has produced a female general from among the common people. Step forward and let me have a look.”

Fan Changyu stepped out and cupped her fists.

“General Fan Changyu greets Your Majesty.”

“Raise your head.”

Those words immediately stirred another wave of unrest among the officials.

Fan Changyu was a decorated military officer.

Yet Qi Sheng’s tone sounded less like he was addressing a general and more like he was selecting a consort for his harem.

Fan Changyu’s brows furrowed unconsciously.

She raised her head steadily, her gaze resolute.

There was none of a young maiden’s shyness on her face\u2014only the sharp, heroic bearing of someone long tested by war.

The corners of Qi Sheng’s lips curved upward.

“What a splendid peony of war.”

As soon as he said it, the expressions of the officials became even more complicated.

Even Tang Peiyi broke out in a cold sweat for her.

Rather than praising her achievements, the emperor was complimenting her appearance.

The whole thing felt strange no matter how one looked at it.

Fan Changyu felt the same.

Especially because she knew the emperor seated upon the Dragon Throne had once intended to kill her.

Under his smiling gaze, she felt as though needles were pressing against her back.

Sure enough, the next moment he asked:

“Do you have a husband?”

A chill instantly ran through Fan Changyu’s entire body.

Her clasped hands tightened unconsciously.

A powerful sense of humiliation and contempt surged within her.

Pressing her lips together, she answered firmly:

“Reporting to Your Majesty, I am already married.”

Although Xie Zheng had used a false name when he married into her family, their marriage was genuinely recorded in the official government registers.

Therefore, her answer did not constitute deceiving the emperor.

Qi Sheng appeared rather disappointed.

“Where is your husband now?”

Without either arrogance or servility, Fan Changyu replied:

“At the beginning of this year, when troops were being recruited, my husband went to Chongzhou. Worried for his safety, I set out to find him and unexpectedly joined the army along the way. The rebellion suppression campaign was brutal. To this day, my husband’s fate remains unknown.”

In wartime, soldiers frequently went missing.

Some deserted.

Some were trampled into unrecognizable flesh beneath thousands of horses and men.

Others died unnoticed in the wilderness.

Such cases were countless.

There had indeed once been a soldier named Yan Zheng on the military rolls, but no such person could now be found within the army.

What Fan Changyu said was, in a sense, entirely true.

Having spoken so far, her story of traveling a thousand miles in search of her husband could only be praised as loyal and devoted.

Moreover, her husband had become missing during the Battle of Chongzhou.

That effectively made her the widow of a fallen hero.

If Qi Sheng continued speaking frivolously after this, it would amount to coveting another man’s wife\u2014a truly disgraceful act for an emperor.

Qi Sheng already knew the relationship between Fan Changyu and Xie Zheng.

His attempt to embarrass her in the Golden Throne Hall was merely revenge for the humiliation Xie Zheng had inflicted when he cut off one of the imperial eunuch’s ears.

Now, however, Fan Changyu had calmly blocked his attack.

Worse, he had lost face before all his ministers.

He was nearly angered into losing control.

Barely maintaining his smile, he said:

“In the seventeen years of my reign, this is the first time I have encountered a woman of such military talent. In the Battle of Chongzhou, you slew the Prince of Changxin and later defended Lu City single-handedly until reinforcements arrived. Your contributions cannot be overlooked. Therefore, I appoint you General Yunhui and additionally confer upon you the title of Second-Rank Imperial Lady.”

General Yunhui was a third-rank military office carrying real authority.

The title of Imperial Lady, on the other hand, was purely honorary.

Fan Changyu was probably the first person in Great Yin’s history to earn such a noble title entirely through her own achievements.

Ordinarily, only the wives of powerful officials, such as the prime minister’s wife, received such honors through their husbands.

Lowering her head, Fan Changyu thanked him.

“Your servant thanks Your Majesty for this great grace.”

Once rewards had been distributed according to merit, it was naturally time to discuss punishment.

After Fan Changyu returned to her place, the emperor asked in a somewhat weary tone:

“Do any ministers have further matters to present?”

An elderly man with white hair and beard, standing at the very front of the civil officials, stepped forward holding his court tablet.

“This old minister has a matter to report.”

Qi Sheng replied,

“What does Grand Tutor Li wish to present?”

The moment Fan Changyu heard the title Grand Tutor, she knew the old man must be Grand Tutor Li.

Remembering everything the Li family had done together with Qi Min, she looked toward the elderly figure standing diagonally ahead of her.

She could not clearly see his face, but beneath the crimson official robes embroidered with cranes, his frame appeared remarkably thin and gaunt, like an ancient pine tree weathered by countless storms.

A man who treated the lives of common people and soldiers as worthless grass yet somehow appeared every inch the loyal statesman who had exhausted himself for the realm.

Fan Changyu found it deeply ironic.

Then Grand Tutor Li’s forceful, indignant voice rang through the hall:

“Lu City nearly fell. Tens of thousands of soldiers died. He Jingyuan sacrificed his life. All because Wei Yan colluded with the rebels. This old minister respectfully requests that Your Majesty punish Wei Yan and bring justice to the countless fallen soldiers and to Duke Jingguo!”

With that, he lifted his robes and knelt.

The members of the Li faction immediately followed suit.

Almost instantly, a vast portion of the civil officials knelt as well.

Some minor officials who had hoped to remain neutral looked up and saw nearly everyone in front of them kneeling. Fearing exclusion and retaliation at court, they too stepped forward with their court tablets and knelt.

In unison, they shouted:

“Your Majesty, we implore you to punish Wei Yan and bring justice to the countless fallen soldiers and to Duke Jingguo!”<\/p>","protected":false},"parent":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}}},"novel":[],"class_list":["post-4013","chapter","type-chapter","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/velvetink.xyz\/ko\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/chapter\/4013","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/velvetink.xyz\/ko\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/chapter"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/velvetink.xyz\/ko\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/chapter"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/velvetink.xyz\/ko\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4013"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/velvetink.xyz\/ko\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/chapter\/4013\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4014,"href":"https:\/\/velvetink.xyz\/ko\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/chapter\/4013\/revisions\/4014"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/velvetink.xyz\/ko\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4013"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"novel","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/velvetink.xyz\/ko\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/novel?post=4013"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}