The hazy mist obscured his slender silhouette by the window.
“Stay…behind?” Her bewildered voice drifted out.
“Mm,” he affirmed. “No need to rush back and forth from the Eastern Palace. Storming the execution grounds will be extremely hectic the next few days.”
After a brief pause he appended teasingly, “Besides, Xie Kang’s still sleeping anyway.”
“But I’ve matters requiring my attendance in the palace…” She hesitated uncertainly.
“Anyone trustworthy there who can handle things in your stead?” He asked idly.
“There’s Vice Minister Gu…”
“Then hand it all to him,” Zhu Zi’an suggested casually. “As for your absence simply have him cite illness to explain it away. Pretending frailty wouldn’t be anything new from your time in the general’s estate right?”
“But Xie Wuyan is also still…”
“He can manage on his own,” he said decisively.
The girl behind the door remained silent for a spell seemingly mulling over his words.
Moments later loud splashing sounds followed by rustling clothes could be heard before the lacquered door finally creaked open.
The young mistress lingered at the threshold, head bowed while clutching the damp square of linen. Her loose comfortable robes hung open exposing her slender neck. Dark tresses spilled freely past her shoulders, lightly coiling above slender ankles still adorned in shimmering beads of moisture.
“Zhu Zi’an,” she called softly.
“Hm?”
“Are we really storming the execution grounds?” She asked plainly.
“Absolutely. It wasn’t simply to placate you.” He nodded solemnly.
“At first I assumed you only brought up something so outlandish to distract me from acting rashly at the general’s manor.” Her voice remained low. “Never imagined you to be even more foolish than I…”
“I’m not foolish,” he laughed lightly. “Just listen to me.”
Guiding her upstairs he ushered the young mistress before the low table infused with the soothing scent of tea. Sitting behind her he began gently patting her hair dry while calmly explaining his rationale.
“I’ve deliberated carefully on this. With no possibility of compromise left in court the most fitting recourse lies in the jianghu. As external parties planning a jailbreak naturally won’t implicate any court officials…hence harmless to Xie Kang as well.”
He elaborated further, “Just picture it Jiang Xiaoman – the day of execution itself when we abruptly appear to free the prisoners… Doesn’t it resemble scenes straight out of a fiction story?”
She pondered quietly, head still lowered. “You want to create a sensational gossip piece… A band of chivalrous heroes storming the execution grounds?”
“Indeed,” he nodded. “As long as we secure their release, there will always remain hope of rebuilding another day. Don’t forget the powerful Jiang clan’s ancestral base still lies in distant Bailing, those elders must also be working desperately behind the scenes now.”
“No one has ever dared attempt this in Chang’an before,” she whispered. “It’s tantamount to opposing the emperor himself.”
He gave an amused huff. “Precisely why no one expects it as an option hence exactly why it will succeed.”
“No one could imagine or predict something so drastic.” His tone remained lighthearted while occupied with drying her hair. “What can’t be anticipated has the greatest chance of accomplishing the deed.”
“It will definitely work,” he stated firmly, switching to a solemn vow. “You have my word.”
She twisted around to face him directly. “Alright.”
Amidst the merrily crackling embers they lifted their palms for a resounding high-five.
Some moments later she studied him remarking sincerely, “Zhu Zi’an you really are awfully gutsy… And ingeniously inventive. How do you even think up such outrageous ideas?”
“I got it from fiction stories,” he admitted candidly.
She froze in shock. “Fiction…stories?”
“Are you aware there’s a common saying frequently quoted – ” he paused briefly. “‘A hero commits unlawful deeds through force.’”
Tilting his head he smiled brightly. “I’m extremely fond of that phrase.”
“If a commoner or wandering vigilante travels a thousand miles in the name of justice and brotherhood, laying down their life without regret to rescue a gentleman in distress…” He recited softly, enunciating clearly. “Though the histories forbid their names etched in record, how can the nobility of their conduct be denied?”
Bathed in wispy candlelight she watched him unwaveringly. Another spark exploded from the brazier casting its vivid glow across his features, as if the dancing flames were reflected in his clear eyes.
“You needn’t accompany me actually,” she uttered gently. “Far too hazardous. It’s punishable by death.”
“Jiang Xiaoman, aren’t we bosom friends?” He grinned at her. “Besides technically I’m one of the family now.”
“You most certainly are not,” she scoffed.
Having dried her hair Zhu Zi’an casually shook out the square of linen stifling a yawn. “Best turn in early. We’ll scout out the execution site tomorrow at dawn to examine things closely and draft up a rescue strategy.”
Heading downstairs he efficiently prepared her a makeshift bed and added more heated braziers around the room gradually warming the elegant chamber and lulling its occupant towards sleep.
Just as he was about to leave, exhaustion written over his features, he paused at the doorway. A sly smirk suddenly crossed his lips as if a entertaining notion had flitted through mind.
“What is it?” She asked warily.
“I was just thinking,” he snickered. “You wouldn’t insist on my company tonight would you now?”
“Get out!” She shouted crossly, forcibly propelling him out the door with both hands pressed against his shoulders. “Go sleep downstairs!”
Another spark sizzled from the glowing embers as his muffled laughter echoed attractively along the stairs while she irritably shunted him down step by step.
Midway she abruptly halted, twisting him around to face her directly beneath the enamel lamp overhead illuminating his handsome features clearly, right down to each individual strand of hair.
Standing on tiptoes she gently patted his head murmuring awkwardly, “Thanks…very much.”
He seemed astonished, still gazing speechlessly at her retreating figure making her way upstairs. Scratching his head absently he smiled to himself.
At the first rosy fingers of dawn Jiang Kui was already awake and dressed. Standing pensively by the window she observed the winter breeze stirring her hair accompanied by a biting chill.
A quiet knock sounded against the second floor door of the bookstore.
“Come in,” Jiang Kui called out casually.
Carrying a tray Zhu Zi’an entered mid yawn wearing an ink black round-collared robe partially exposing the pristine white undertunic beneath, bundled up snugly around his neck. An ebony coat was draped across his shoulders, just barely concealing the sword at his waist – the one he occasionally wore without ever drawing.
Setting the tray atop the low table he indolently pulled back his sleeves and began brewing tea. Faint wisps slowly suffused the entire chamber with its delicate fragrance.
“Still not resting well?” Jiang Kui asked, glancing sideways at him.
Yawning once more he explained, “Not the case actually. Ever heard of the common adage? ‘Spring brings somnolence, autumn lassitude. Drowsiness in summer, while three periods of nine days during winter one simply can’t stay awake.’”
“The solar term of Winter Solstice draws close. Feeling weary is only expected.” His tone sounded fatigued. “When can I finally get some proper long-term rest?”
The young mistress beside him had already efficiently finished her morning meal. Grabbing him instantly she steered them out the doorway. “Let’s go to the Administrative Ward!”
The pair clambered into the carriage awaiting them below. With a crack of the whip they were off, the clopping rhythm of hoofs clattering down the streets.
Within the enclosed interior the coal braziers merrily cackled away. Zhu Zi’an sat opposite Jiang Kui debating whether to nap awhile.
He stared at her briefly then seemed to suddenly recall something. Abruptly seizing the greatcoat he promptly buried himself under it entirely.
She eyed him strangely. “What are you up to?”
“Thinking about some things,” he responded vaguely.
“Not sleeping,” he appended.
“No peeking at me,” he further emphasized.
Then he fell asleep still swaddled under the thick fabric.
Accompanied by the swelling dawn drums their carriage smoothly traversed the fallen leaves blanketing the azure brick roads, trundling through streets coming alive towards the northern palace walls as the first suggestion of daylight finally crested over the horizons piercing through the morning mists.
Jiang Kui shook Zhu Zi’an awake.
He pulled back the coat obscuring him and glanced outside. “We’ll walk from here. The carriage itself would draw too much attention.”
Once they alighted he gazed up towards the towering walls of the imperial palace grounds looming ahead.
The palace city’s north entrance was Chengtian Gate of the Inner Court while the south demarcation served as the Outer Court’s Mingde Gate, collectively referred to by locals as the “Administrative Ward”.
This internal city contained the offices of the Three Departments and Six Ministries’ twenty-four bureaus as well as one court of censorate alongside nine ministry departments and five monitoring bureaus. Ordinary common citizens were barred entry.
The pair traversed the spacious main boulevards slipping into narrower back alleys escaping the crowds.
With the fading clamor tranquility prevailed around them. Falling daylight seemed to seep down building tiles as scattering beams illuminated traces of moss tucked between stone crevices.
Zhu Zi’an halted abruptly, grinning over his shoulder. “How about we go up for a look?”
Without warning he lightly snagged the collar of Jiang Kui’s robe and propelled them both straight upwards.
caught off guard Jiang Kui could only dangle speechlessly like a kitten clutched by the scruff.
Their dual silhouettes bounded atop the endless rooftops, skimming across the overlapping eaves until hidden within thick foliage that afforded a generous vantage point below towards the imperial palace.
Zhu Zi’an gestured downwards catching her attention. “Jiang Xiaoman, take a look at that willow tree.” His volume remained soft. “That’s our destination right underneath – the execution grounds.”
Situated at the southeast corner an aged willow stood solitary before the raised execution platform. Its gnarled branches intertwined silently amidst the flowing crowds passing through the square.
Due to this willow locals referred to this area as “Lone Willow Tree”. Officials condemned for treason met their end via decapitation here under its cover.
The entire ritual was highly complex starting from conveyance to the sacrificial altar outside the city walls. Next the prisoner would be paraded through the east and west markets for public spectacle. Finally at Lone Weeping Willow the fatal sword fell.
Jiang Kui stared transfixed at that tree, nearly envisioning the bloody scene that would shortly stain its base. An involuntary shiver ran through her.
Noticing her reaction Zhu Zi’an gently shielded her eyes.
“Don’t dwell on it,” he murmured reassuringly. “It won’t happen.”
He patiently waited for her to slowly blink once before releasing his hold.
Soon after they resumed their original carriage on the way to Changhe Ward eventually pulling up at a small side street filled with trailing smoke and cooking fumes.
Zhu Zi’an brought Jiang Kui to the rear courtyard through a series of narrow alleyways and ebony gates.
The modest space was packed full of figures till hardly any empty space remained. At the forefront a young lass stood on her toes rapping the head of a shorter boy. Catching sight of them she immediately addressed the assembly.
“Chief!”
Her powerful cry thundered loudly.
As one the mass swiveled around in unison, each person solemnly rendered the salute reserved towards martial seniors and superiors. Their synchronized movement resembled the inexorable surging tides.
“Xiaoman!” Bai Ying’s clear voice preceded her enthusiastic appearance as she elbowed through the bodies to grab Jiang Kui’s hands excitedly.
“Xiao Bai… what’s going on here?” Bewildered she could only blink blankly.
“We all came!” Grinning widely Bai Ying declared proudly. “We’ll go together!”
The crisp morning breeze swept up a flurry of dancing flower petals as golden rays descended freely around the courtyard.
Jiang Kui turned questioningly only to catch Zhu Zi’an’s amused look where he lounged casually against the entrance frames.
Notes:
- Chapter 66 of the Records of the Grand Historian “Collective Biographies of Wandering Knights” states: “The Confucian scholar Hanzi remarked: ‘The civil scholar ruins the law through culture while the knight defies prohibitions by force of arms… Meanwhile the multitudes of commoners, for the sake of fairness and integrity, would traverse thousands of miles to spread their beliefs at the cost of personal danger without concern for themselves or greater consequences…’ Based on their deeds and reputations recorded truthfully, how can the nobility of the knights’ conduct be denied?”
- Section 66 of Book of Tang: “(…) first conveyed to the suburban ancestral temple, then paraded through both city markets, and finally executed via waist severing beneath the Weeping Willow at the southwest corner of the administrative ward.”
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