Insolent! I am a proper Rank three official… The Minister of State Ceremony cursed inwardly. He took a deep breath and said loudly,
“This official is the Minister of State Ceremony, Liu Da, here to receive the Yunzhou delegation.”
He shouted several times, but there was no response from the Wind-riding Boat.
The Minister of State Ceremony waited another quarter of an hour in the cold wind, under the curious gaze of the common people passing by on the main road, before leaving helplessly.
The people on the vessel could afford to wait, but he could not. Failing to welcome the Yunzhou delegation into the capital was dereliction of duty, all the officials and His Majesty would blame him.
“Sir, please enter.”
His subordinate lifted the carriage curtain for him.
“Get in the carriage? Prepare a horse for me!”
The Minister of State Ceremony snapped, venting his anger. How long would it take to reach the Imperial City from the outer capital, sitting in a carriage?
Galloping hooves thundered as the Minister of State Ceremony rushed towards the Ministry of Rites.
The Department of State Ceremony was under the Ministry of Rites. Since the brat from Yunzhou deemed his rank insufficient, he could only find someone of higher rank.
Inside the Ministry of Rites main hall.
The Minister of Rites frowned deeply.
“Insolent!
“This is clearly meant to give the Imperial Court a show of strength…”
He cursed, but then said in a low voice,
“Let… Never mind, this official shall go with you.”
He had initially wanted to send a Vice Minister, but considering that the Vice Minister was only half a rank above Liu Da, the Minister of State Ceremony, he decided to go himself.
The Minister of State Ceremony breathed a sigh of relief. As he walked out with the Minister of Rites, he said,
“Thank you for your trouble, Minister Sir.”
The Minister of Rites was elderly and could not ride a horse, so the two changed to a carriage and sped towards the city gate.
Half an hour later, the carriage passed through the city gate. The Minister of Rites lifted the curtain and saw the huge wooden vessel by the roadside.
The carriage stopped beside the vessel. The Minister of Rites shouted loudly:
“This official is the Minister of Rites, here to receive the Yunzhou delegation.”
Soon, a guard poked his head out from the side of the ship, looking exceedingly arrogant.
“My young master says your rank is not high enough.”
The Minister of Rites’ face darkened. Suppressing his anger, he said calmly,
“Go and ask your young master exactly who would be sufficient to bring him into the capital.”
The guard did not move and snorted, lifting his chin.
“Ninth Young Master said: an imperial prince must welcome him, the Prime Minister must accompany, and none of the rites must be omitted. If you cannot do this, say so now, so he can return and tell the 150,000 Yunzhou soldiers that the Great Feng is unwilling to negotiate for peace.”
“This is against protocol, tell your Ninth Young Master to come out and speak.” The Minister of Rites called loudly.
The guard ignored him and pulled his head back in.
A vein twitched on the Minister of Rites’ forehead. He took a deep breath to steady himself.
He immediately turned to the Minister of State Ceremony and said,
“Send someone to seek an audience with His Majesty.”
In a simple cabin aboard the Wind-riding Boat, Ji Yuan sat at the table, peeling an orange with his long, pale hands. His silver-boned fan lay by his side.
“Is Ninth Brother trying to give the Great Feng court a show of strength?”
Xu Yuanhuai stood by the window and had heard the previous exchange loud and clear.
“Smart!” Ji Yuan praised, then shook his head.
“But not smart enough.”
Xu Yuanhuai frowned.
Ji Yuan glanced sideways at Xu Yuanshuang, who sat quietly reading in her chair, and said with a smile,
“Yuanshuang, what do you think?”
Xu Yuanshuang did not even look up and replied coldly,
“It is merely to test their bottom line.”
“You see, you see…” Ji Yuan smiled amiably.
“Yuanshuang is cleverer, Yuanhuai, from the moment we landed outside the capital, the negotiation began. It is not necessary to be seated at the negotiating table. Do you understand?”
Seeing that Xu Yuanhuai did not seem convinced, Ji Yuan, eating orange slices, continued,
“You must know where the little emperor’s bottom line lies. Only then can you grasp him by the throat in the Golden Throne Hall tomorrow.”
Xu Yuanshuang frowned,
“Emperor Yongxing might not fall for your tricks.”
Ji Yuan picked up his silver-boned folding fan, flicked it open with a snap, placed it to his chest, and smiled,
“That, too, is a form of testing, to gauge the little emperor’s skill.”
Though he was not yet as old as Emperor Yongxing, he spoke with a condescending tone.
After waiting for nearly half an hour, they suddenly heard a loud voice outside:
“King Yan and Prime Minister Qian have come to greet the Yunzhou delegation!”
Ji Yuan snapped open his silver-boned fan, held it flat against his chest, and shook his head with a wry smile,
“With an emperor like this, how could the Great Feng not perish?”
…
The grand “welcoming procession” entered the city. Along the way, local citizens pointed and whispered.
“That’s the Yunzhou banner, so Qingzhou has really fallen? Then it’s true what they said the other day, that the court is to negotiate peace?”
Among the people, those who could read recognised the Yunzhou banners in the delegation: yellow background, embroidered with white clouds, and a large red-stitched ‘Yun’ character.
Rumours in the capital were tightly controlled. Normally, ordinary folk only whispered in private, never daring to discuss openly in tea houses or brothels the fall of Qingzhou, the death of the Jianzheng, or the court’s decision to seek peace.
Now, seeing the Yunzhou delegation enter, the repressed feelings in their hearts immediately erupted, and they began to argue loudly on the roadside.
“Just a bunch of traitors from Yunzhou, yet they’ve come flaunting their power in the capital!”
“Even Silver Gong Xu couldn’t hold Qingzhou?”
Inside the carriage, Ji Yuan heard this and lifted the curtain.
“Everyone says Xu Qi’an single-handedly held off eight thousand rebels in Yunzhou, and at Yuyang Pass, with just one sabre, routed two hundred thousand troops from the Church of the Warlock God. The greater the hope, the greater the disappointment.”
Ji Yuan clicked his tongue repeatedly. “Back then, we siblings kept hearing about Xu Qi’an’s feats in the Central Plains, which made us indignant, thinking he’d just snatched away fortune that should have belonged to our own bloodline.
“But now, the wheel of fate has indeed turned. Tell me, now that news of the peace negotiations is out, how do you think the common people will speak of the court, and of their beloved Silver Gong Xu?”
Xu Yuanshuang was silent for a moment, staring at him.
“No wonder you insisted on making such a show.”
Ji Yuan flicked open his fan, gently fanned himself, and smiled without a word.
…
The Imperial Palace.
In the imperial study, Emperor Yongxing, after hearing the eunuch’s report that the Yunzhou delegation were now settled at the courier house, finally breathed a sigh of relief.
He stopped pacing and sat back on his gilded throne.
Not long after, Zhao Xuanzhen rushed in and spoke loudly:
“Your Majesty, Silver Gong Xu and Princess Lin’an request an audience.”
What is he doing here… Emperor Yongxing frowned.
“Let them in,” he said.
Zhao Xuanzhen withdrew. A few minutes later, he led in Xu Qi’an, dressed in azure, and Lin’an in a crimson dress.
A match made in heaven.
Seeing the faint smile on Lin’an’s face, Emperor Yongxing’s heavy mood eased slightly.
He then looked at Xu Qi’an and smiled,
“Silver Gong Xu has finally returned to the capital. Someone, bring seats and tea.”
Xu Qi’an waved a hand.
“No need.
“Your Majesty, do you truly intend to negotiate peace? The Yunzhou rebels are riding high, why choose this moment to parley?
“They only want to pressurise the court and squeeze out its last breath. If we seek peace now, then truly, there is no hope of victory left.”
The smile faded slowly from Emperor Yongxing’s face. He spoke coolly,
“Then what does Silver Gong Xu propose we do? Appoint you as Chief Commander of Yongzhou and have you fight the Yunzhou rebels to the death?
“Does Silver Gong Xu have confidence in victory? I know full well your abilities are high, a proper third rank martial artist. But even the Jianzheng died at their hands. What can you possibly do?”
Xu Qi’an said,
“If Your Majesty trusts me, I will personally go to the battlefield and perish together with the Yunzhou army.”
“But We do not wish that!” Emperor Yongxing seemed to lose patience and suddenly raised his voice:
“Negotiation is our only hope. As long as we survive the harsh winter and wait for the Spring Sacrifice, the Great Feng will naturally improve. Why be so adamant to perish together with the Yunzhou rebels at this time?”
Xu Qi’an did not say another word and turned to leave.
Emperor Yongxing was now determined to seek peace and bring an end to conflict. Persuasion was futile, so there was no need to say more.
“Running dog…”
Lin’an chased after him for a few steps, then stamped her foot, striding back in front of Emperor Yongxing and saying loudly,
“Brother Emperor, why can’t you try trusting him?”
Emperor Yongxing shook his head and sneered,
“Trust him? Trust Xu Qi’an, and the Great Feng will be saved?
“An enemy even the Jianzheng could not deal with, and Xu Qi’an is expected to turn the tide?”
Lin’an said angrily,
“You are just timid and afraid of death.”
“You…” Emperor Yongxing flew into a rage, raising his hand as if to strike.
Lin’an, eyes reddened, glared at him.
“Get out, get out of Our sight!”
Emperor Yongxing pointed at the door and shouted.
…
【ONE: The Yunzhou delegation entered the capital today, making a great show of it.】
In the Earth Book chat group, Huaiqing gave a detailed account of how the Yunzhou delegation entered the capital that day.
【FOUR: He is testing Emperor Yongxing’s bottom line. Sigh, he has not even met them, yet his stance has already been fully exposed. To invite them into the city in such a panic, does this not plainly show the intent to negotiate peace?】
With sharp insight, Chu Yuanzhen guessed the motives of Yunzhou’s delegation with near precision.
【TWO: Emperor Yongxing, that dog of an emperer, is not even as good as Yuanjing. Who is leading their team?】
Li Miaozhen was so angry she gnashed her teeth.
She was furious at both the Yunzhou delegation and Emperor Yongxing’s weakness and cowardice.
【ONE: The ninth son of the Lord of Qianlong City, named Ji Yuan, is currently staying at the inner city courier station, heavily guarded inside and out, with two Gold Gongs as well.】
【TWO: Is this out of fear that Xu Qi’an will go to kill him? He should be back in the capital by now, right?】
【ONE: He is with me.】
Go to hell… Li Miaozhen ground her teeth.
Imperial City, Huaiqing Manor.
In the spacious and elegant inner hall, the princess, dressed in a plum-coloured palace dress, put down the Earth Book fragment in her hand, a corner of her lips lifting slightly.
She gazed at the man opposite and said softly,
“The current situation is different from when we called for donations. Even if you held a sabre to Yongxing’s neck, he most likely would not yield.
“The ministers are the same. At present, over seventy per cent of the capital officials support negotiating peace. Such is the trend.”
Xu Qi’an, who had just come from the Imperial Palace, nodded slowly:
“Zhao Shou once said that to break the current deadlock, the Great Feng’s problem with money and grain must be resolved.
“But what he really meant was that if I am to fight Xu Pingfeng and the Yunzhou rebels to the death, then the court must support me unconditionally and not hold me back.”
Now, Yongxing was just holding him back.
Huaiqing was silent for a while and then said,
“He is indeed a bit soft.”
Xu Qi’an waved his hand dismissively,
“Enough about him. Why did you ask for me?”
He had only just left the palace when Huaiqing’s chief guard invited him over, waiting outside the palace gates.
Huaiqing pondered for a while and said,
“Previously, you said that there are only three ways to pull the Great Feng out of its decline: First, we must match the number of beyond-mortal experts; second, solve the problem of money and provisions; third, revive Duke Wei.”
Xu Qi’an listened quietly and nodded.
Huaiqing took a deep breath,
“You are already working to revive Duke Wei, and the outcome will be seen at the Spring Sacrifice.
“The economic problem is difficult to solve, but as you just said, what you need more is a monarch willing to stand and fight to the death with you, and a court that dares to bet the country’s fortune.”
Xu Qi’an said slowly,
“So?”
Huaiqing, her eyes limpid as autumn waters, stared at him and enunciated each word,
“Force Yongxing to abdicate!”
Xu Qi’an had already anticipated this and was not surprised. He shook his head:
“This would only hasten the court’s downfall. I know you want to support King Yan’s rise, but he lacks the experience, status, and especially the power.
“In times of peace, perhaps it could be done, but now the people are unsettled. If I act as a tyrant, it will push people towards Yunzhou and force them to defect.”
If at this moment he tried to subdue everything by force, he could, but people would simply turn and defect to Yunzhou.
Never forget, the Yunzhou line were also of the Great Feng imperial family.
Huaiqing murmured,
“Sixth brother lacks both experience and power, but I don’t.”
Xu Qi’an was taken aback.
He examined the beauty in front of him carefully and repeatedly.
Huaiqing met his gaze unflinchingly,
“All of the former Wei Clique are my people. Furthermore, I have drawn in many officials myself. If united, they form the largest clique within the court.
“As for the Wang Clique, We will need Silver Gong Xu’s help.”
Xu Qi’an stared at her for a while and sighed:
“Your Highness, I always sensed you were not an ordinary woman, but I still did not expect that you had, without anyone noticing, built a power base of this scale.
“Is there more?”
Since the cards were on the table, Huaiqing did not hide anything:
“Within the five battalions of the Forbidden Army and the twelve capital city guards, I have my people.”
No wonder she could dispatch experts and gather refugees, the power she holds is far more terrifying than I imagined… Xu Qi’an pondered and asked,
“What other trump cards do you hold?”
Huaiqing picked up her tea and took a sip,
“Sir Xu has gathered five crucial strands of Dragon Qi. The Yunzhou rebels also have one, but as for the remaining three, I have them all.”
“Eh?” Xu Qi’an dug at his ears, suspecting he had misheard.
“How did you manage that?”
Huaiqing answered calmly,
“All of Duke Wei’s undercover agents are in my hands. Before he set out on campaign, he personally handed the Nightwatchers’ undercover network to me.”
No wonder, no wonder, Left Censor-in-Chief Liu Hong said he didn’t take over Duke Wei’s assets, and all Nightwatcher records about the agents had long since vanished… turns out Duke Wei handed them to Huaiqing… With this mystery solved, Xu Qi’an closed his eyes for a moment and sighed inwardly:
So in the end, not a true son.
No, even a son found on the street can’t compare to a first love’s daughter.
Huaiqing, unaware of his introspection, continued,
“To harbour Dragon Qi is to possess great fortune.
“With the Dragon Qi, it becomes much easier for me to win over both court ministers and military experts.”
Xu Qi’an revealed a complicated smile,
“Your Highness had planned all this from the start, yes? After Yuanjing’s death, you saw hope and began laying out your groundwork, step by step, waiting for a chance to force Yongxing off the throne.”
Huaiqing nodded slightly:
“When you revealed your origins in the Heaven and Earth Society and hinted at the existence of Yunzhou’s rebel clique, when the late emperor died and the Dragon Qi scattered, I Knew Yongxing would not last long on the throne.
“With such a mess, troubles within and without, anyone who wants to hold the throne firmly and reform must have great boldness.
“But Yongxing is too mediocre. In times of peace, perhaps he would make a good ruler, but born to a turbulent age, he will only bring disaster to the nation.”
You are the true master of subtle manoeuvres, compared to you, I am hopelessly reckless… Xu Qi’an thought silently, but he could not disagree with Huaiqing.
“So, how can you guarantee that King Yan will do better than Yongxing?”
“We have our methods.”
“Very well… tell me your detailed plan.”
It was not until dusk that Xu Qi’an finally left Huaiqing’s residence.
…
When he returned to the Sitianjian and visited Sun Xuanji, who was recovering from his injuries, Xu Qi’an went to the guest room on the fourth floor. Pushing the door open and entering, he saw that inside the warmly lit room, Mu Nanzhi was sitting before a mirror, dressing her hair.
Baiji was curled up on the bed, fast asleep.
She seemed to have just bathed, her hair still damp, and carried a subtle fragrance.
“I bought you some peach blossom pastries. I remember you like these.”
Xu Qi’an placed a bag of pastries, wrapped in butter paper, by the dressing table.
Mu Nanzhi paid it little mind and pursed her lips, asking, “Where have you been?”
She discreetly sniffed and caught a faint, almost imperceptible scent of another woman on him.
Did he think he could fob her off with a bag of pastries?
Xu Qi’an sat on the edge of the bed, taking off his boots as he spoke. “The delegation from Yunzhou arrived in the capital today. I went to the palace to see Emperor Yongxing. He would not listen to reason. Then I went to Huaiqing Manor to discuss matters with Her Highness.”
He massaged his brow and sighed, “Once peace is agreed, the Great Feng may really be beyond salvation.”
And you, with the fate of the nation upon you, would be left with no way out… Mu Nanzhi glanced again at the bag of pastries.
She bit her lip.
A man who, even when things were at their worst, still remembered to bring you some of your favourite sweet treats, this gesture, worth only a handful of coins, meant much more than a storm of sweet words or the extravagant gifts that could buy a fleeting smile.
Having taken off his boots, Xu Qi’an sprawled across the bed, both arms tucked behind his head.
If all went to plan, two of the four key points suggested by Zhao Shou would be fulfilled, reviving Wei Yuan and securing the rear.
Becoming a player in the game was just a suggestion, there was no set progress to be made there.
“As long as the Sixth Prince ascends and guarantees his support to me and a willingness to fight Yunzhou to the end, then, although the issue of funds and supplies would still be unresolved, we could just barely manage to squeeze out enough of the Great Feng’s strength to continue.
“The only problem now is that my cultivation is too weak. Even though I can clash with second ranks, facing a first rank would be certain death. And the thing holding me back is the demon-sealing nail.”
The demon-sealing nail could not be broken by brute force; he would, like al-Asura, need to understand the unsealing incantations and secret arts.
If only one nail remained in his body, it would still be possible to remove it by himself.
Xu Pingfeng, you really are devious… As these thoughts circled in his mind, he suddenly became aware of a subtle fragrance approaching. He opened his eyes and turned his head to look.
Mu Nanzhi was seated at his bedside, presenting him with a beautifully curved back, along with half of her full, satin trousers-clad buttocks.
At some point, she had removed her outer clothing, wearing only white undergarments.
No wonder they say a maiden’s charm is surpassed only by a young wife’s waist, and a young wife’s by an auntie’s hips.
“I was sent here by my parents when I was thirteen, exchanged for untold wealth and fortune. I thought I’d spend the rest of my life in the palace. But then I was given to King Huai by Emperor Yuanjing. I spent years resenting my fate, convinced I was nothing but cargo, to be sold and traded as people pleased.”
Still with her back to him, Mu Nanzhi went on quietly, “Later, I met that wretched woman, Luo Yuheng. She told me I was the reincarnation of the Flower God, that I carried spiritual essence and was King Huai’s cauldron, waiting for the day when he would come to snatch my essence away.
“I asked her, terrified, what would happen if my essence was taken. She told me that, of course, I would die.
“So I felt that I was less than cargo, nothing more than livestock kept in King Huai’s residence, waiting for slaughter.”
So all along, her dread of her identity being exposed, her fear of me learning she was the Flower God’s reincarnation, was instilled by the National Teacher’s threats… Xu Qi’an was struck by sudden realisation.
“That’s why I’ve always been afraid of my identity being revealed, always wary of everyone, you included.”
Mu Nanzhi did not look back, but Xu Qi’an could sense her smiling slightly.
“But these past few days, I kept asking myself: if Xu wanted to take away my essence, would I agree? Would I be willing to die for you? Even when you walked in, I still didn’t have an answer.”
She paused for a moment, her gaze involuntarily drawn to the package of pastries on the table.
“But just now, I suddenly knew the answer. I’m willing.”
With that, Mu Nanzhi tensed up, sitting rigidly, as if something terrifying might leap up and bite her at any moment.
She waited for some time, but Xu Qi’an did not pounce like a hungry tiger. Unable to resist, she turned back for a look.
Xu Qi’an was lying on his side, his head propped up on his hand, grinning as he looked at her.
Baiji was imitating Xu Qi’an’s pose, lying on her side, one paw tucked under her head, silently watching her too.
Mu Nanzhi’s face flushed bright red, as if illusory dark smoke was rising from her head.
“You two…”
Fuming with embarrassment, she snatched up Baiji and hurled her at Xu Qi’an’s face. Xu Qi’an was unharmed, but Baiji yelped in pain.
“Just teasing you! Don’t be angry, don’t be angry.”
Xu Qi’an moved Baiji aside and, before Mu Nanzhi could slip away in embarrassment, pulled her onto the bed.
This woman was prideful to the point of madness and never wanted to lose face. Now, having finally summoned the courage to confess and offer him a chance to advance to second rank, if he missed this opportunity, who knew when the next would come.
“You are the immortal tree, I can’t take your spiritual essence, only absorb a little at most. It won’t kill you. Besides, with the demon-sealing nail in my body, even should we sleep together, I wouldn’t be able to advance to second rank.
“I’ll be your loyal devotee for now, and matters of absorbing essence can wait till the future.”
Xu Qi’an, taking advantage of the moment, buried his head in her soft chest, preparing to have a playful rub, when suddenly, it felt like someone knocked him on the head.
This was not the usual messaging, this was a request for a private chat.
Normally, Xu Qi’an would have tossed the Earth Book fragment aside and happily played the loyal devotee’s part.
But these were tense times. If a Heaven and Earth Society member was requesting a private chat, something must be up.
Unwillingly lifting his head from Mu Nanzhi’s chest, he glanced at her face, now completely flushed…
I was too rash, I should’ve pulled off the prayer beads first, otherwise looking at that face, easily puts me into “sage mode” early… While muttering to himself, he reached for the Earth Book fragment and accepted the private chat.
【EIGHT: I am fifteen li west of the capital’s west gate. Could you come out to meet me?】
Number Eight?
Xu Qi’an frowned. Daoist Jinlian had told him a few days ago that Number Eight had left seclusion and might be coming to the capital soon.
Why does he want to meet me alone?
In the Heaven and Earth Society, Number Eight had always been the silent type, and he had never interacted with either him or the other members before.
I’d better ask Daoist Jinlian and see if this Number Eight is trustworthy… Xu Qi’an did not reply, ending the private chat, and instead sent a private chat request to Daoist Jinlian.
【NINE: What’s the matter?】
Daoist Jinlian replied swiftly.
【THREE: Number Eight is here in the capital and wants to meet me.】
Xu Qi’an told Daoist Jinlian the situation bluntly.
【NINE: My advice, why not go see him?】
Xu Qi’an was aware of Heaven and Earth Society’s rules, without the person’s consent, Daoist Jinlian would never reveal the identity of another fragment holder.
Ending the exchange, he quickly reconnected with Number Eight and replied, “Alright!”
Left with no choice, he got up, casting one last, lingering look at Mu Nanzhi’s respectfully presented chest as she lay flat on her back. “I need to step out for a bit. Don’t wait for me, just go to sleep.”
With that, his body melted into the shadows and disappeared from the room.
Mu Nanzhi let out a deep breath, unsure whether she felt disappointed or relieved.
“Auntie, I want to be your loyal devotee too.”
Baiji pounced onto Mu Nanzhi’s chest, but the Flower God slapped her away, frowning and saying, “Have you spent too much time with that lecher and become like a degenerate yourself?”
As she spoke, she grabbed one of Baiji’s hind legs, gave it a glance, and spat, “You’re a girl.”
…
Xu Qi’an moved swiftly through the shadows. Within a few minutes he had reached the West Gate of the city.
By now, it was deep into the night. All was quiet, the torchlight along the city walls flickering like fireflies.
Once outside the gates, he became like a shadow-black fish, slipping into the velvet darkness as though swimming through the sea, following the main road straight ahead.
The agreed meeting point was fifteen li from the west gate. With no further direction given, it could only mean the main road.
Fifteen li was not far, and quickly Xu Qi’an reached his destination, where he saw a tall, imposing figure standing alone in the darkness.
He wore a red and yellow kasaya and stood nearly nine feet tall, a veritable giant among men.
His features were ugly, his brow-ridge hairless and slightly raised, with eyes as sharp as sabres below, lending him a singularly heroic air.
Handsome in a rugged, ugly way.
He was playing with a small jade mirror in his hand.
Comments for this chapter. You will need a GitHub account. Please follow all terms and conditions of GitHub issues and maintain etiquette in the comments. Cookies are required for this functionality.
If you want to talk with other readers about Nightwatchers (or other cultivation type books) you can join our cultivation groupreading discord server!
I also have a Kofi, which for legal reasons is definitely for supporting my digital art only (promise!): ko-fi.com/yanxin ... plus I guess server space isn't free, and I don't want to put ads/trackers... ever, so thank you if you do!