Half a month later, on the Wei River.
In the winter, frost covering the ground everywhere, snow falling rustlingly.
A small boat wandering around the river, breezily heading towards Chang’an City.
On the boat, a young man standing at the helm, steering the small boat upstream. The girl beside him hugging a bundle wrapped in white linen, sitting by the side of the boat, looking at the snow accumulated on the trees by the bank.
“We can arrive in Chang’an by dusk,” the young man says.
He yawns a little, taking out a wine flask from his overcoat, tilting his head for a drink.
The girl glances at him. She stands up to make him sit down, then takes over the helm, “You rest for a while, I’ll steer.”
He nods, leaning against the side of the boat, propping up his head, lightly closing his eyes. “Xie Chenbi’s side should have made most of the preparations. We’ll take action as soon as we reach Chang’an.”
He yawns again. “We were able to rush back secretly before the troops return to the capital. Thanks to your father and brothers helping to conceal our whereabouts.”
“This way, those people from the Northern Branch won’t be on high alert,” he says softly. “And Father seems to still be quite wary of the General’s Estate. I’ve discussed it with your father before. With a victory when the troops return this time, he has to be even more careful at court.”
Jiang Kui turns to look at him. “Actually, I’ve always been very curious…why is your Father so wary of the General’s Estate?”
“I’ve only heard about it,” Xie Wuyang lowers his voice. “I heard that when he competed for the throne, your mother stood by the side of the Imperial Aunt. It was only at the very last moment that they decided to support my father.”
“There has always been an implicit saying at court…” he says softly, “That there could have been a female ruler that year.”
“But those are all old stories now.”
He sounds a little drowsy. “The Imperial Aunt didn’t make that choice in the end. Now she also has no intention of doing anything else. To this day she remains one of the most powerful figures in Chang’an City. But she’s almost completely retired from court affairs.”
Right after he finishes this sentence, he lowers his head to sleep.
Jiang Kui stops the helm and walks over to him, putting an overcoat over him, then fiddles with the warming stove in his hands to let the silver charcoal inside burn more vigorously.
He sleeps very soundly. He doesn’t stir at all as she fusses over him, long downcast lashes covered in sunlight.
She slowly leans down, kissing his forehead. Then she turns around, gripping the helm again, steering the small boat to breezily glide forward.
Until the river is flooded by dusk glow, the chanting of boatmen can be heard from the misty waters. The small boat gently docks at the bank on the outskirts.
Xie Wuyang is woken up by the girl beside him, half-sleepily opening his eyes. He yawns while getting up, bending down to take a conical hat to put on his head, slightly lowering the brim to cover his face. “Let’s go, into the city. Go directly to Xie Chenbi.”
The two follow the bustling stream of people towards the city. Passing through a few quiet, secluded alleyways, they finally knock on the side door of the Eastern Princess Estate, handing in a secret note on mulberry bark paper inside.
After a while, an attendant from inside comes out, bowing to lead the two towards the study.
It has just snowed in the morning. The yard still covered in white frost that makes soft sounds when stepped on.
Though the estate changed from Prince’s Estate to Princess Estate, everything is still the same as before. On the tall Chinese parasol tree, filled with chirping birds, crisp sounds ringing.
Walking on this path, Xie Wuyang’s mood notably dampens. Jiang Kui stuffs her hand into his sleeve, gently grasping his cold fingers. He lightly holds her fingertips in return.
The two push open the door entering the study. The girl in palace dress by the window turns around.
Xie Ying’s face is still bright and striking. Coral earrings swaying. But her brows already hold lots of mature steadiness. The plain hairstyle instead complements an imposing manner of nobility.
“Wuyang, I received your message three days ago,” she goes straight to business without pleasantries. “We’ll take action tomorrow after you arrived in Chang’an today.”
“Alright.” Xie Wuyang nods, accepting a pile of documents she hands over. Leaning by the window slowly going over them, asking while reading, “Did you contact everyone?”
“For the officials involved in this, I’ve spoken to all of them, obtained quite a lot of support. This is an absolute secret. Apart from a few people, no one knows the full plan.”
Xie Ying pulls the window curtains. “Academician Bo Yang has obtained authority over a thousand Feathered Forest Guards. They’ll be lying in ambush along the route tomorrow afternoon.”
“What about the Heavenly Observatory side?”
“The Grand Astrologer will announce tomorrow morning that white deer have appeared in the Forbidden Gardens. Then he’ll invite Father to go observe at night.” Xie Ying says slowly. “The eunuchs from the Northern Branch will accompany the imperial entourage. We’ll take action against these people in the Forbidden Gardens.”
Her tone turns cold. “Kill them all.”
“The Feathered Forest Guards only number a thousand. The Imperial Guards of the Golden Fish have six thousand men. We only have one chance. We must act swiftly before they notice anything amiss.” Xie Wuyang mutters.
“Did you speak to Father about it?”
“Father is surrounded by the Northern Branch’s people. I’ve only had the chance to talk to him secretly once,” Xie Ying answers. “He secretly supports us in this.”
“He’s also been fettered by the Northern Branch all these years. Every action monitored under their eyes,” Xie Wuyang nods. “I’ve vaguely sensed his intentions before this.”
He finishes reading the pile of documents. “I have no other opinions. We’ll go over the plans again tonight. My lady and I will both lie in ambush in the Forbidden Gardens tomorrow with the Feathered Forest Guards.”
Xie Ying nods. “I’ll keep an eye on the Imperial Guards’ movements from the palace side tomorrow. Will send message if anything comes up.”
“Alright.” Xie Wuyang hugs the pile of documents and turns to leave. At the door he adds, “Chenbi, send someone to Chang’an Distillery at the Chang Le Business District. To fetch a jug of wine from the Medicine Master Shen.”
“There are people in your estate who know him. They know what to do.”
Xie Ying’s lips slightly press together. “Wuyang, are you okay?”
“I’m fine,” Xie Wuyang smiles. “It’s easier to feel tired during winter. That kind of wine helps invigorate. With much weighing on this, there’s no time to sleep.”
He steps out pulling the girl with him.
The two enter an inner chamber. Xie Wuyang lights up an oil lamp and places the pile of documents on the table. Then he takes a brush from the sandalwood container and sits down, carefully going over annotations.
“I’m a little worried about your condition,” Jiang Kui says.
“I really am fine, just feeling a bit sleepy,” Xie Wuyang answers. “It’s normal to feel more lethargic in the cold.”
He pulls her to sit down, hugging her in his arms, ruffling her hair. “I promised you. If I feel tired, I will definitely tell you.”
She mumbles acquiescence buried in his embrace.
Hearing her tone, he chuckles softly. Lowering his head to kiss her. “Don’t be unhappy.”
Those kisses descend like fine rain, thoroughly melting her inside out. She murmurs contentedly. Even her hair seems to faintly tremble.
He laughs softly below. One hand catching her wrist. Letting her lie back on the carpet on impulse. Then leaning down. Kissing her more deeply.
After a while, the two stop. Sitting back at the table side by side going over the pile of documents.
Xie Wuyang ponders for a bit. Turning to say, “Yue Xiao’en of the Embroidered Uniform Guard has too strong martial arts. You have to be the one to make a move.”
“I understand,” Jiang Kui nods at him.
“Just you may not be enough against this person. He was able to injure Master years ago.” He contemplates. “Must have the Feathered Forest Guards surround so he has no way out. Then you go in for the kill.”
The two sit together discussing countermeasures at length regarding this matter. Coming up with an encirclement plan.
Until the waterclock rings three rounds in dawn. Xie Wuyang leans on the girl’s shoulder falling asleep. She supports him up to carry to bed. Then lies down by his side, turning her face looking at his profile.
After a long time, she rests her forehead on his. Slowly falling asleep as well.
The next night after, dots of snow dance down from the skies. Covering the entire yard in silence.
Xie Wuyang fixes Jiang Kui’s hair into an elegant and simple updo before a copper mirror. A red jade hairpin faintly quivering amidst her hair. Like a streak of blushing glow under dots of lamplight. Lighting up her features fair as jade.
When she wraps white linen around her spear, he swiftly changes his appearance. Putting on a conical hat and casually dusting off his hands. “Let’s go.”
Two shadows noiselessly leave the Princess Estate. Crossing over continuous palace walls towards the northern side of the Forbidden Gardens.
Crown Prince Tutor Ling Cong already awaits with his troops in the woods. He secretly led a thousand Feathered Forest Guards entering the gardens in batches. At this moment, these soldiers in leather armor hold longbows at their waists, circular knives on their backs. Concealed amidst the rustling leaves.
Xie Wuyang exchanges intel in low voices with his old mentor. Then takes Jiang Kui into the dense forest. Jiang Kui hugs the white bundle, leaning sideways against a tree. Raising her eyes to gaze at the nearby palace path.
The Northern Branch eunuchs accompanying the emperor will turn out from this path.
The moment the carriage sounds, it will be time to take action against the North.
Silent snow keeps falling. The woods only filled with occasional bird cries. The secluded gardens exceptionally tranquil so late into the night. All sounds deeply buried under snow.
A faint trot of hooves gradually approaches…but not the sound of a carriage, merely a lone horse!
“Your Highness!” Someone gallops into the woods on horseback. Dismounting to kneel with one knee on the ground before Xie Wuyang. “Message from the Princess…”
His tone urgent, speaking without stopping. “After leaving the palace, the Northern Branch noticed something amiss. The emperor’s carriage stopped after entering the gardens. Then three thousand Imperial Guards of the Golden Fish were called back into the palace. Another thousand currently charging into the imperial city…”
“The Princess believes…Lord Steward Yue has taken the emperor in control, plotting to dethrone…”
“Where is the emperor’s carriage now?” Xie Wuyang asks lowly.
“Still in the woods,” the messenger hurriedly answers. “His Majesty has not decreed anything. But the Imperial Guards began mobilizing…the Princess suspects currently His Majesty is…”
He lowers his voice. “Unconscious from poisoning.”
“They’re taking action faster than us,” Xie Wuyang swiftly pulls the horse close by. “Teacher, please remain with the Feathered Forest Guards. We are going to Xie Chenbi.”
He leaps and mounts the horse. Taking the reins as Jiang Kui springs up to land in front of him. Still hugging her spear.
The two gallop off. Slipping through the Forbidden Gardens to meet Xie Ying waiting in the palace.
“Wuyang.” Xie Ying speaks extremely fast. “Father is under Northern Branch control right now. Three thousand Imperial Guards have entered the Forbidden Gardens, surrounding the emperor’s carriage. More troops are coming…the six thousand Imperial Guards are about to fully mobilize.”
“How many can we rally?” Xie Wuyang asks.
“A thousand cavalry in the gardens. Only three hundred outside in the secondary city,” Xie Ying mutters.
She clenches her fist. “The North intends to usurp the throne.”
“Previously I’ve been trying to investigate who has been poisoning Father…” she states. “When things came to head tonight, I discovered that Concubine Shu’s people have just paid a visit to the Supreme Palace.”
Concubine Shu is birth mother to the Third Prince Xie Kuan.
“Concubine Shu is skilled at blending fragrances. She slipped poison into the emperor’s coveted ‘Dragon’s Saliva’ incense,” Xie Ying whispers. “When I discovered this, it was already too late. The North wants to take Father hostage and instigate a new ruler.”
Jiang Kui spreads open a map on the table. Pondering for a bit before slowly speaking. “We’ll divide the troops at a few spots and charge into the emperor’s location. If there’s a chance after rescuing, then break out of encirclement.”
“As long as we endure three days,” she mutters. “My father will return with the army in three days. The situation will instantly reverse then.”
“The North must be wary of the Grand General. Hence choosing to make a move now.” Xie Ying grits her teeth lightly, asking again softly, “But…a thousand versus six thousand, is there really a chance?”
“Miniscule.” She stares at the map. “But how will we know without giving it a shot?”
At this moment, a sound comes from outside the door. Someone vowing and bowing leisurely. “Crown Prince, Princess, the Dowager’s messenger handed in a secret letter.”
Xie Ying stills slightly before taking the letter. Using a cloisonné lamp to read under the light. The letter bears lotus-like patterns and the writing style generous. The ink round and full-bodied.
“It’s not one thousand against six thousand anymore,” Xie Ying tightly grips the letter. “The Dowager is lending us three thousand private troops.”
“The Dowager is finally willing to make a move,” Xie Wuyang utters softly.
Jiang Kui silently ponders for a bit. Taking a cinnabar brush to sketch out an emergency escape route on the map before her. “This way, there’s a bigger chance.”
“But how to rescue His Majesty from the encirclement of a thousand guards?” Xie Ying asks. “Breaking through with a carriage from within thousands…not something normal people are capable of.”
“There’s a group who can do it,” Xie Wuyang says.
He puts on the conical hat. “Heroes of the Martial World.”
That night, heavy snow swirls through Chang’an’s roof eaves.
In the desolate snowstorm, a middleman checks the flask at his waist and pulls his conical hat low. Going from lane to lane knocking on one door after another. Greeting the heroes of the martial world in the alleys with a slight smile.
He spreads a bounty never before seen in the world of martial arts: Rescue the Emperor.
That night, those saber-wielding heroes leave their abodes from among the alleys and small paths. Heading into the fluttering snowstorm.
Amongst the alleys are some chivalrous common folk. At this moment when the world might collapse, they give up their lives for righteousness and bravely step forth without second thought to assist generals in adversity.
History books will not record their names.
But they existed.
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