The Prime Minister’s Daughter and the Marquis’s Fool – Chapter 183
by Little PandaYou need not thank me; this old man is not a good person.
Aunt Jin did not actually need Jin Yunfei’s agreement today. Agreement or not, save for Jin Yunfei, no one from the Qu family would be left alive.
The 800,000 troops marching north should have already taken Qu Sheng down by now.
The south was still continuously recruiting soldiers and buying horses. Almost every checkpoint was heavily guarded by troops; for the Shoulin army to cross over would be harder than ascending to the heavens.
Hearing Aunt Jin’s words—”you also don’t want the Qu Residence to flow with rivers of blood”—Jin Yunfei turned pale with shock.
Earlier, when they heard the news brought by Lin Xikuan, Qu Jixian had informed them that if Qu Sheng was captured or killed at the Northern Frontier, Jin Mingjun would very likely exterminate the Qu family by the roots.
Hearing it from her sister-in-law’s own mouth today, fear seized Jin Yunfei’s heart. In this entire residence, apart from Zhao Jiayu, everyone lacked the strength to truss a chicken. Only these guards could protect them for a moment.
But they were birds in a cage, prisoners in a cell. Even if they held out for a while, there was no hope of walking out alive.
“If you’re going to kill us, then kill us. Cut the nonsense! Look at your newly rich face—even if a pheasant flies up Phoenix Mountain1, it can never become a phoenix!” Zhao Jiayu’s mouth had absolutely no filter. Whatever ugly words came to mind, she spat them out with satisfaction.
Hearing this, Aunt Jin snapped her head around, her eyes widening. She wanted to lash out right then and there, but as soon as she puffed out her chest, she remembered her status. Reining in her temper, she shot Zhao Jiayu a glare and said, “Hmph, say what you will. This widow came today to tell you that tomorrow is my son’s Empress investiture ceremony, and today we are taking that girl from King Wenze’s Residence into the palace. If you readily agree to hand her over, everyone will be happy. If not—whoever blocks the way, dies!”
After Aunt Jin finished speaking, she turned and gracefully took a few steps back. The guards behind her stepped forward and drew the long sabers at their waists.
At that exact moment, the guards of the Qu Residence also drew their swords, stepping forward to shield their masters.
Aunt Jin stood in the distance, holding a handkerchief over her nose and mouth, looking at the Qu family out of the corner of her eye.
She wanted to see just how ruthless Lin Xizhao could be, to see how many people she could watch die before she finally came out.
Jin Mingjun would not harm Lin Xizhao, but as for the rest, he didn’t care. If he didn’t want bloodshed on such a joyous occasion, he wouldn’t have tried diplomacy before resorting to force.
“This widow will give you one last chance—”
“Cut the nonsense! If you want to fight, then fight,” Zhao Jiayu choked off Aunt Jin’s words.
Aunt Jin had long found Zhao Jiayu an eyesore. During her previous visits, Zhao Jiayu had repeatedly offended her superiors, showing no mercy and publicly rebuking her several times. Today, she would absolutely make Zhao Jiayu her first victim.
“Very well.” Aunt Jin’s expression morphed into something vicious. The look she leveled at Zhao Jiayu was terrifying.
The guard captain glanced at the men beside him, signaling them to advance. They immediately charged forward, but before the blades of the two sides could clash, a shout rang out from afar: “Stop!”
Lin Xizhao approached from a distance. Her gentle yet absolutely commanding voice brought the impending bloodshed to a halt.
Seeing Lin Xizhao walk out, Zhao Jiayu, Qu Yu, and the others instantly grew anxious.
“Xizhao, why did you come out?” Zhao Jiayu hurried forward, sword in hand, to meet her.
Lin Xizhao gave her a look and whispered, “Don’t fight them head-on.”
Hearing this, Zhao Jiayu was a bit confused. If they didn’t fight, were they supposed to just hand Lin Xizhao over?
After speaking, Lin Xizhao walked forward, arriving at Jin Yunfei’s side. She took her hand and called softly, “Mother.”
Jin Yunfei looked at Lin Xizhao, her trembling gaze full of worry.
“Let me go,” Lin Xizhao finally said.
The Qu family members were stunned for a moment. Third Aunt of the Qu family hurriedly said, “Zhao’er, you cannot go.”
Lin Xizhao looked at her. Naturally, she didn’t want to go. But if she didn’t, the Jin family’s posture made it clear they would take her by force.
Since they dared to initiate a slaughter, it proved the Jin family was already prepared to go to war against Qu Sheng and Shoulin. Right now, no one could protect them, but she could try.
“Third Aunt,” Lin Xizhao turned around, her eyes brimming with reluctance.
“Zhao’er.”
“Xizhao-meimei.”
Fourth Aunt of the Qu family and Qu Yu both stepped forward, seemingly unwilling to let her leave.
“Fourth Brother, take care of everyone in the residence.” Lin Xizhao looked up at Qu Yu. There was neither sorrow nor cowardice in her eyes.
Qu Yu stared at her, his throat tight. To think a day would come when the Qu family had to rely on a frail girl for protection.
Lowering her eyes, Lin Xizhao stopped looking at anyone. Her mind was made up. She quickened her pace and walked toward the residence gates.
The guards on her side looked completely bewildered, while the opposing guards parted to make way.
Seeing Lin Xizhao approach, Aunt Jin’s eyes flashed with annoyance. When she first met Lin Xizhao, she had actually liked her. But later, Lin Xizhao had repeatedly failed to appreciate favors. Especially after learning about her sordid affairs with Qu Sheng, Aunt Jin looked at her with a certain degree of disdain.
But a parent could rarely out-stubborn a child. She also had to win her son’s favor, and making Lin Xizhao Empress was something she had promised Jin Mingjun from the start.
As Lin Xizhao walked outside, Zhao Jiayu tried to chase after her, but the guards blocked her with their long sabers.
“Xizhao! Xizhao! Come back, I forbid you from going!” Zhao Jiayu’s voice shouted from behind, but Lin Xizhao only walked faster.
Qu Yu held back Zhao Jiayu, who was trying to fight the guards. The resentment in his eyes etched today’s humiliation from the Jin family deeply into his memory.
As the Qu family watched Lin Xizhao’s silhouette disappear around the corner of the gate, Jin Yunfei lowered her head in agony and turned back, weeping. The two aunts gazed at the spot, their eyes filled with indescribable sorrow.
Only Qu Jixian stood to the side, his hands clasped behind his back. His expression showed neither anger nor grief. He turned sideways to look at Qu Yu and called, “Ah Yu, take everyone back inside.”
Hearing this, Qu Yu reined in the emotions in his eyes. He walked over to Jin Yunfei and the others, saying, “Eldest Aunt, Mother, Aunt, the wind is picking up. Let us return inside first.”
Jin Yunfei sobbed for a moment before helplessly turning around, walking back into the courtyard with her two sisters-in-law.
At that moment, Qu Jixian also returned to his own courtyard. Zhao Jiayu was still standing in place, looking at Qu Yu with eyes full of indignation.
The couple exchanged a glance. Qu Yu reached out, took Zhao Jiayu’s hand, and led her inside.
Once Lin Xizhao exited the residence, the people outside guided her toward a palanquin.
Tomorrow was the Empress investiture ceremony. Lin Xizhao needed to enter the palace and wait. The Empress’s auspicious robes for the grand wedding were all prepared. They were only waiting for tomorrow when the Empress’s procession would arrive to escort her and the Emperor to Yuanfu Hall for the conferring ceremony.
Lin Xizhao entered the palanquin. She lowered her eyes to the floorboards and raised her hand to touch the jade bracelet on her wrist.
This was something she had specifically put on before leaving the residence, to prepare for unexpected needs.
Lin Xizhao’s palanquin was carried into the palace without any obstruction. Jin Mingjun could not come to see her, so he sent Lin Xikuan. However, Jin Mingjun accompanied him to the courtyard of the great hall.
“Your Majesty.” Lin Xikuan followed Jin Mingjun off the dragon palanquin, lowering his head to ask for instructions on whether he should go over.
Jin Mingjun glanced at the room where Lin Xizhao was staying. He lowered his eyes to Lin Xikuan, struggling with whether he should go over personally.
The Ministry of Rites had said that seeing each other today would be unlucky.
After a long silence, Lin Xikuan looked up at Jin Mingjun. Jin Mingjun’s gaze was currently fixed tightly on the room where Lin Xizhao resided.
“Go. Give her my regards. This Emperor will certainly not let her suffer any grievances.” Jin Mingjun had a myriad of things he wanted to say to Lin Xizhao, but passing them through someone else always changed the flavor. He would just tell her himself tomorrow.
Lin Xikuan nodded, gave an acknowledgment, straightened up, and walked toward Lin Xizhao’s room.
Arriving at the door, Lin Xikuan intentionally looked back at Jin Mingjun. Seeing Jin Mingjun staring eagerly at the place, he lowered his head and bowed again.
Standing in the distance, Jin Mingjun nodded, signaling him to enter.
Having received the order, Lin Xikuan entered the room. Lin Xizhao was sitting in a daze by the brazier. The nearby palace maids seemed to be monitoring her, making her extremely uncomfortable.
“Ajie.” Lin Xikuan stepped inside. Seeing Lin Xizhao’s thin figure, his lips pressed into a tight line.
“What’s the matter with you all? My Ajie is dressed so lightly—are you not going to fetch her an outer garment?” Lin Xikuan’s usually gentle and refined face suddenly turned fierce, startling the nearby maids into a flinch. They hurriedly scurried off to find an outer garment for Lin Xizhao.
Lin Xizhao watched the two maids leave, then looked up at Lin Xikuan.
Lin Xikuan’s gaze tracked the silhouettes of the two maids. Once they were out of the room, he glanced around the interior. Still uneasy, he walked a few steps to inspect any place where a person could hide.
“There were only two maids. You don’t need to look.” Lin Xizhao stood up, looking at Lin Xikuan’s anxious back.
Hearing this, Lin Xikuan turned around and quickly walked to her side. “Tomorrow, at the Empress investiture ceremony, after Ajie gets on the phoenix palanquin, you must stop in front of Wanzhang Hall and go inside.”
“Why?” Lin Xizhao asked softly.
Just as Lin Xikuan was about to answer, the maids returned.
Lin Xizhao glanced over, and Lin Xikuan also turned his head. Raising his previously hushed voice slightly, he said, “Tomorrow, Ajie will be the Empress. Our Lin family not only has a king’s title but will gain an Empress. In the future, when Ajie has a child, I will personally teach him to read. I will ensure he stands out among his peers and becomes an excellent candidate for the Crown Prince.”
Lin Xikuan did not conceal his ambition in the slightest. The maids listening to this subconsciously looked up but didn’t dare make a sound. One of the maids holding the garment approached Lin Xizhao and draped it over her shoulders.
Lin Xizhao had always been a gentle person. Arriving here, she neither argued nor threw tantrums, so the maids had grown somewhat relaxed in serving her.
Accepting the maid’s garment, Lin Xizhao finally spoke her first sentence since entering the palace, as far as outsiders were concerned.
“If you have no other business, you should go back.”
Lin Xizhao’s gentle voice caused the two maids to raise their heads, take another look at her, and then glance at Lin Xikuan standing to the side.
“If Ajie lacks anything, just say the word. His Majesty will definitely satisfy your needs.”
Hearing this, Lin Xizhao lowered her eyes and stopped looking at him. Lin Xikuan wanted to say more, but Lin Xizhao had already sat down, turning her back to ignore him.
Feigning helplessness, Lin Xikuan said, “Then Ajie rest here first. Xikuan will take his leave.”
Lin Xizhao sat there unmoving. Lin Xikuan stared at her for a moment before stepping back, turning, and leaving.
As soon as Lin Xikuan stepped out the door, Jin Mingjun hurriedly walked a few steps forward. Seeing this, Lin Xikuan quickly advanced to spare Jin Mingjun the wait.
“Your Majesty.”
“How is Xizhao-meimei?” Jin Mingjun reached out to support Lin Xikuan, who was about to bow.
Standing straight, Lin Xikuan lowered his head and replied, “Ajie is doing perfectly fine. Your Majesty will have your wish fulfilled tomorrow.”
“Did she have any words for you to bring to This Emperor?”
“No,” Lin Xikuan said with his head bowed.
The anticipation on Jin Mingjun’s face fell through. He had already guessed as much; how could Lin Xizhao possibly have anything to say to him?
Standing in place with his head lowered, a wave of dejection washed over him for a moment before he turned back to the dragon palanquin.
Lin Xikuan stood there with cupped hands. He looked up, watching Jin Mingjun’s dragon palanquin pass by him, before slowly straightening his back. He lowered his eyes, pondered for a moment, and then headed out of the courtyard.
The schedule for tomorrow’s Empress investiture had already been properly arranged. Jin Mingjun sat in the Imperial Study, resting his forehead on his hand. For some unknown reason lately, his eyelids were twitching fiercely2.
“Has there been any battle report from the Northern Frontier?” Jin Mingjun asked, his eyes lowered toward the imperial desk.
Hearing this, the inner court attendant stepped closer, bowed his head, and said, “Replying to Your Majesty, no.”
Jin Mingjun looked up, frowning. “Go and summon Jiang Pingchao.”
“Yes.” The inner court attendant bowed, his flywhisk draped over his arm, and hurriedly left.
Jiang Pingchao was a general of the Jin family. He had previously been ordered to lead a large army to the capital for a handover, but was recalled while on the road back to Lingyi.
At that time, Jin Mingjun had already laid out his plans to attack the capital, and Jiang Pingchao only learned of it midway.
Now that the world had already changed hands, even if he wanted to persuade Jin Mingjun not to do this, it was too late.
Receiving the summons, Jiang Pingchao descended from the city gate tower where he was arranging defenses and hurriedly rode to the palace gates.
“Does Your Excellency know why His Majesty summoned me?” Jiang Pingchao asked as he walked briskly through the palace with the inner court attendant.
The inner court attendant glanced sideways at him and said, “His Majesty has not been sleeping well lately and occasionally suffers from headaches. Presumably, matters in the court are vexing him.”
Hearing this, Jiang Pingchao understood the situation.
The Jin family had seized the empire. The former Tiansheng seemed peaceful but buried no small number of hidden dangers. Now that Jin Mingjun had issued edicts ordering the kingdoms to come pay homage, very few actually arrived.
In the north, Qu Sheng, the legitimate daughter of the Qu Residence, led an army. Although she was resisting the Bei’an army, her strength could not be underestimated. In the south, there was the Shoulin army, as well as surrounding kingdoms of various sizes, all watching like tigers eyeing their prey…
Jiang Pingchao watched the inner court attendant open the door to the Imperial Study, gesture for him to enter, and only then returned the bow before stepping inside.
Entering, Jiang Pingchao saw Jin Mingjun slumped over the imperial desk, seemingly asleep. He called out softly, “Your Majesty.”
Although Jiang Pingchao was a military general, he was not heavily built.
Startled from his drowsy state, Jin Mingjun raised his head, blinked, and said, “Beloved Subject Jiang is here.”
“May I ask why Your Majesty summoned this humble subject, and what instructions you have?” Jiang Pingchao asked directly.
Jin Mingjun shook off his sleepiness and sat up straight. “Lately, This Emperor keeps dreaming that there are breaches in the city walls. This Emperor wants to ask, have the capital’s defenses been properly reinforced?”
“Rest assured, Your Majesty. With the defenses this humble subordinate has set up, unless Your Majesty permits it, not even a bird could fly in,” Jiang Pingchao replied with utmost confidence.
Looking at this young general who wasn’t much older than himself, Jin Mingjun smiled. “This Emperor trusts you.”
Early the next morning, just as the sky grew bright, the Imperial Procession Guards arrived in front of Taixiao Palace Hall with the Emperor’s ceremonial carriage to pick up Jin Mingjun, Emperor of the Jin Kingdom. The Empress’s procession picked up Lin Xizhao from her designated palace hall, and the two parties headed toward Yuanfu Hall to hold the Empress investiture ceremony.
Dressed in her red auspicious robes, Lin Xizhao sat in the phoenix palanquin. Relying on her memories of entering the palace as a child, she roughly estimated the location of Wanzhang Hall.
When they were almost there, Lin Xizhao called for the honor guard to stop.
Hearing the Empress’s voice, the people outside dared not be negligent. A woman who seemed to be the head palace maid hurriedly asked, “What orders does Your Majesty have?”
Lin Xizhao’s head was still covered by the red bridal veil. Hearing the voice, she leaned sideways and whispered a few words to the head maid. The maid looked a bit troubled and lowered her voice, “This servant will go find a chamber pot for you.”
“No,” Lin Xizhao flatly refused. “If I do it on here, I fear it will bring bad luck. Let’s find a nearby place.”
That made sense. Who would use the toilet on the phoenix palanquin during their grand wedding?
The head maid looked around and said, “Your Majesty, Wanzhang Hall is just ahead. How about we go there?”
Lin Xizhao hummed as if considering it for a moment, then said, “Very well.”
The phoenix palanquin soon arrived in front of Wanzhang Hall. The palanquin stopped, and Lin Xizhao was helped down, walking forward carefully.
“Be careful, Your Majesty.” The head maid beside her reminded Lin Xizhao as she stepped over the stairs.
Lin Xizhao didn’t reply. She lifted her foot slightly higher and stepped over the threshold.
After Lin Xizhao went in, she didn’t come out for a long time. The head maid outside began to grow anxious. Seeing that the auspicious hour was approaching, she knocked on the door and urged, “Your Majesty, are you ready?”
There was no sound inside. The maid waited a bit longer. When she knocked again, there was still no response. Just as she was worriedly preparing to go in and check, the door opened from the inside.
Wearing the red auspicious robes, Lin Xizhao stepped out, her head still covered by the red bridal veil.
Seeing this, the maid hurriedly went to support her, only to notice that the Empress’s fingers were much warmer than before.
The maid looked her up and down. Seeing that her demeanor and movements closely resembled those from earlier, she dismissed her misgivings and led the Empress onto the phoenix palanquin.
When the auspicious hour arrived, Lin Xizhao was helped into Yuanfu Hall. Jin Mingjun, dressed in his grand red emperor’s ceremonial robes, stood rooted in excitement the moment she appeared. For a long while, he made no movement, merely staring at Lin Xizhao as she walked toward him step by step.
Meanwhile, at the Meridian Gate of the imperial palace, Marquis Feng was radiating hostility, cursing at the palace gate guards.
“You blind dogs! You dare block this Marquis’s palanquin? Are you tired of living?” Marquis Feng, Feng Sugao, had been granted special permission by Jin Mingjun to ride a palanquin within the palace. However, today the guards were much stricter than usual and insisted he step down for an inspection.
“Marquis Feng, this humble subordinate is only following orders. I hope you can be understanding,” the guard captain came over personally to negotiate with him.
Hearing this, Feng Sugao remained angry. Grinding his molars, he said, “You want to search, right? Fine. This old man will let you search.”
Marquis Feng stepped out of the palanquin. Standing straight, he impatiently told the guard captain, “Search. Go ahead and search.”
“Thank you for your understanding, My Lord.” Just as the guard captain walked over and bent down to personally conduct the search, before he could even lift the palanquin curtain, Marquis Feng kicked him hard in the hip from the side, sending him sprawling to the ground. Following that, Marquis Feng raised his fists. Showing completely none of the magnanimity expected of a Marquis, he unleashed a furious barrage of punches and kicks. The guard captain fell to the ground, shielding his head, not daring to fight back.
The people nearby wanted to pull him away but didn’t dare casually lay a hand on Marquis Feng.
By the time Marquis Feng had beaten the man black and blue, with blood pouring from his nose and mouth, he had worked up a sweat despite the winter cold. He spat, “Pah! No matter what new Empress His Majesty marries, this Marquis is still his father-in-law, the National Father-in-law of the Jin Kingdom!”
Lately in the court, many had been gossiping about Marquis Feng. Jin Mingjun had never mentioned his original wife, nor had he bestowed a posthumous Empress title upon her. Even though the two princes’ statuses were acknowledged, every civil and military official knew exactly what Jin Mingjun was plotting.
Marquis Feng had been secretly mocked countless times, and resentment had long been festering in his heart. Today, having been ordered to attend the Empress investiture ceremony, he had heard the whispers and sneers below him perfectly clear.
Furious, he had ridden his palanquin out of the palace. Even though he had beaten a man, the anger in his heart remained unquelled.
Panting out rapid puffs of white breath, Marquis Feng glared at the surrounding gate guards and got into his palanquin.
This time, no one dared to stop him.
Once the palanquin exited the imperial palace, a gentle voice sounded from behind Feng Sugao. “Thank you for your help, Marquis Feng.”
“You need not thank me. This old man is not a good person.” Resting both hands on his knees, Marquis Feng lifted his arms, took off his official hat, smoothed his white hair, and put it back on. From beginning to end, he never looked back.
Inside the imperial city, the Empress investiture ceremony was still ongoing. The Imperial Procession Guards called out praises and cracked the ceremonial whips. When the whip-cracking ended, the palace band began to play music.
Once the rituals finished and the music ceased, the ministers bowed to the Emperor, after which Jin Mingjun announced the start of the conferring ceremony.
The envoy beside the Empress received the investiture document and the Empress’s seal from the envoy beside the Emperor.
Everything proceeded in an orderly manner. When someone in the hall shouted, “Rituals complete!” Jin Mingjun took the hand of his newly invested Empress to receive the homage of the hundred officials.
As he held the hand of the person beside him, Jin Mingjun wore a face full of happiness.
But all the beauty abruptly halted the moment the Empress’s veil was lifted.
A woman Jin Mingjun had never seen before, wearing the Empress’s auspicious robes meant for Lin Xizhao, had just been invested as Empress.
Above the great hall, Jin Mingjun stared viciously at the strange woman before him, holding his tongue. Several officials in the court who had seen Lin Xizhao before also noticed something was amiss.
It wasn’t until the ceremony concluded that Jin Mingjun took the newly invested Empress to the Empress Dowager. Aunt Jin was immediately startled upon seeing the woman, but Jin Mingjun signaled with his eyes for her not to expose the fraud right there.
Once the civil and military officials finished their kneeling bows, Jin Mingjun hurled the woman beside him to the ground.
“Speak! Where did you hide the Empress?!” To think the monarch of a nation had been played for a fool. Jin Mingjun had already flown into a violent rage.
The woman lay prostrate on the ground, saying nothing. Jin Mingjun glared at her coldly and issued an order to quietly search the palace for Lin Xizhao’s whereabouts.
But by afternoon, they had turned the imperial palace upside down and still couldn’t find a trace of her.
No one knew where she went. The suspicious people Jin Mingjun ordered to be investigated were all brought before him.
Jin Mingjun personally used torture to force them to speak, but not a single person could reveal Lin Xizhao’s whereabouts. Lin Xikuan had also vanished without a trace.
“Your Majesty, today only one person’s palanquin was not searched,” the returning inner court attendant reported.
“Who?” Jin Mingjun, still wearing his emperor’s ceremonial robes, had bloodshot eyes and was on the verge of explosive fury.
“It was Marquis Feng.”
Upon hearing it was Feng Sugao, Jin Mingjun was stunned for a moment before fear quickly began to set in. Feng Sugao wished for nothing more than Lin Xizhao’s death.
“Where is King Wenze?”
“Unknown. During the Empress investiture ceremony today, someone came to summon him. After leaving the palace, he never returned.”
Sitting on the dragon throne, Jin Mingjun thought long and hard before deciding to personally lead troops out of the palace to search.
Changing his clothes, Jin Mingjun ordered the entire city to be put on high alert. He first went to Marquis Feng’s residence, only for the servants to inform him that Marquis Feng had not returned home at all.
Jin Mingjun ordered Marquis Feng’s residence surrounded and then headed to the Lin Residence.
Aside from the servants, Lin Xikuan was nowhere to be seen in the Lin Residence. The servants said that after leaving the residence in the morning, he had not returned.
Jin Mingjun had no choice but to lead his guards and gallop toward the Qu Residence. Upon arriving, he immediately demanded the person.
“Hand over This Emperor’s Empress!” Jin Mingjun was like a madman, pointing his sword at the Qu family members, the blue veins bulging on his pale face.
The Qu family was completely baffled by his words. Zhao Jiayu shouted, “What are you yelling about?! Wasn’t Xizhao taken away by your mother? Now you come asking us for her? We were just about to ask you for her!”
“What’s going on?” Hearing their words, it seemed Lin Xizhao had gone missing. Jin Yunfei hurriedly questioned Jin Mingjun.
Hearing Zhao Jiayu’s interrogation, Jin Mingjun also realized that the Qu family was trapped here. How could they possibly have taken Lin Xizhao away?
“Aunt, Xizhao is missing. I’ve searched the entire palace and there’s no trace of her.” The sword in Jin Mingjun’s hand lowered, his expression crestfallen.
“Zhao’er… Zhao’er, where did you take my Zhao’er?!” Jin Yunfei instantly panicked. She tried to step forward but was blocked by the drawn sabers of the guards behind Jin Mingjun.
Seeing this, Zhao Jiayu immediately went over and pulled Jin Yunfei back. “Careful, Eldest Aunt.”
By this point, Jin Mingjun was completely out of his wits. He had already ordered a city-wide search for Feng Sugao, terrified that Feng Sugao wanted to murder Lin Xizhao.
“Your Majesty, Marquis Feng has been found!” A guard vaulted off his horse at breakneck speed and ran into the Qu Residence.
Hearing this, Jin Mingjun’s eyes lit up. He urgently asked, “Where?”
“At Chunxiang Pavilion. But Marquis Feng is currently dead drunk.”
Hearing this, a flash of ruthlessness crossed Jin Mingjun’s eyes. He led his men out of the Qu Residence.
Jin Mingjun quickly arrived at Chunxiang Pavilion.
“Wake him up.” Jin Mingjun looked at the dead-drunk Marquis Feng with absolute disgust.
At first, the guards merely called out to him. Later, they sprayed tea water on him. Eventually, unable to wait any longer, Jin Mingjun ordered someone to fetch a basin of cold water and personally splashed it all over him.
But Marquis Feng still did not wake up.
Without any evidence, Jin Mingjun couldn’t just casually execute someone, let alone a Marquis who was the maternal grandfather of his two sons.
Jin Mingjun severely tortured the palanquin bearers, but they all insisted that Marquis Feng had come straight here after leaving the palace. The madam of the pavilion could prove it.
The city-wide search continued. Jin Mingjun was still riding his horse through the sealed capital, searching for the whereabouts of Lin Xizhao and Lin Xikuan.
Lin Xizhao and Lin Xikuan seemed to have vanished from the face of the earth.
As Jin Mingjun rode down the main street, he passed a manor gate. Seeing the darkness inside, he asked, “What place is this?”
An escorting guard took a look and replied, “It is Prince Zhongping’s Residence, but it was abandoned years ago.”
Hearing this, Jin Mingjun’s eyes shifted. He lifted his right leg and dismounted.
Walking up the steps of the residence gate, Jin Mingjun told a guard holding a torch, “Open the door.”
Receiving the order, the guard drew the dagger strapped to his leg and was about to pry the lock open. But just as he stepped closer with the light, they heard someone galloping furiously toward them on a fast horse.
“800-li expedited! Make way immediately!”
Hearing ‘800-li expedited’, Jin Mingjun hurriedly ordered someone to summon the rider over.
Following the order, a guard ran over and blocked the approaching rider’s path. The man yanked back his reins and roared, “Do you have a death wish?! Northern Frontier 800-li expedited3! Make way immediately! If you delay military intelligence, your head will roll!”
“His Majesty is right here.” The guard directly and loudly cut off whatever the man was going to say next.
Hearing this, the messenger soldier glanced toward the torches ahead. The city had been chaotic today, but he had heard at the city gates earlier that the Emperor was personally leading men to search for someone.
As for who he was searching for, it hadn’t been stated explicitly.
The soldier dismounted, the small pennant on his back swaying as he walked. He went to Jin Mingjun’s side, knelt on the ground, and presented the letter with both hands. “Your Majesty, an 800-li expedited report.”
Jin Mingjun cast a sideways glance at him. The guard beside him took the letter and handed it to Jin Mingjun.
As he opened the letter, a smile quickly broke out on Jin Mingjun’s face. “A great victory at the Northern Frontier! General Tu has not only defeated the army led by Qu Sheng, but he’s also routed the Bei’an army. He is requesting an edict to return to the capital in triumph!”
Having finally stumbled upon a shred of good mood today, Jin Mingjun actually disclosed the contents of the letter to the nearby guards.
After carefully reading the letter once more, Jin Mingjun ordered, “Someone come! Transmit the edict! Reward the three armies and have General Tu lead his troops back to the capital!”
All the civil and military officials gathered in the great hall upon hearing the news. But by daybreak, Jin Mingjun would regret issuing this imperial edict of passage with all his heart.
Footnotes
- A common idiom (shān jī fēi shàng fèng huáng shān) used to mock someone of low status attempting to elevate themselves to a high, noble position they do not deserve.
- In traditional Chinese superstition, a twitching eyelid is viewed as an omen. While the specific meaning varies by region, it generally indicates impending good or bad fortune.
- The highest tier of emergency military courier delivery, requiring riders to change horses at post stations and ride continuously day and night.
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