Chapter 239 – Loyalty and Righteousness

Dinner was had at Bamboo Branch House, and Lady Liu had indeed prepared several exquisite dishes—some of Xie Yi’s old favorites, some new ones—all neatly arranged in the flower hall.

Xu Chun enthusiastically introduced the dishes to Xie Yi. “This is rice broth pot, made from glutinous rice that has been soaked, pounded, and cooked into a paste. The rice slurry is then filtered through a white cloth and combined with clear chicken broth to create the rice broth base. It’s used to cook lamb, beef, and sea shrimp, all of which are delicious! It can also be used to blanch tender vegetable shoots and young goji leaves. This dish is very nourishing; I specifically asked Lady Liu to learn how to make it. Brother Nine, please have a taste.”

After saying this, he personally blanched a thin slice of beef until cooked and fed it to Xie Yi. Xie Yi tasted it and smiled. “The flavor is good.”

Xu Chun’s eyes sparkled. “Clear, fresh, tender, and smooth. The key is this rice oil, which is sweet, neutral, and moisturizing. It replenishes fluids, moistens dryness, benefits qi, and nourishes yin, making it especially healthful.”

Xie Yi laughed, chatting and laughing with him as they ate dinner. But Xu Chun still felt that Xie Yi was eating rather slowly, not really enjoying it, which puzzled him. After all, Brother Nine preferred light flavors, and he had heard from the soldiers about this rice broth pot and tried it himself. It should indeed suit Brother Nine’s taste. Was it because Brother Nine was exhausted from today’s imperial birthday celebration? Seeing Brother Nine move slowly, speaking little, and his face and lips pale, he thought that it must be due to today’s grand ceremony, that left his body somewhat weary.

He felt a pang of concern and urged Xie Yi to rest well after dinner.

The bedroom had been specially tidied up, and today’s garden flower-viewing portrait had already been hung up. The bed canopy and warm blankets were all heated, and upon entering, the air was filled with fragrance. Xu Chun and Xie Yi walked in, and just as Xu Chun was about to point to the portrait and speak to Xie Yi, he turned around and saw Xie Yi frowning, covering his mouth, and suddenly vomiting unexpectedly.

Xu Chun was startled and hurriedly called out while rushing forward, “Quickly call Donghai!”

Wufu and Liushun quickly rushed over, one holding a washbasin, another fetching a handkerchief. They swiftly cleaned up the mess and took a hot handkerchief to wipe Xie Yi’s mouth.

Xie Yi’s complexion was pale, and he covered his mouth. “It’s nothing. The fragrance is just a bit strong. I felt a momentary chest tightness and discomfort when I smelled it.”

His voice lacked strength, sounding weak. Xu Chun immediately ordered everyone to extinguish the incense burner and opened the windows to let in fresh air. He said, “Let’s go to the side room first. Once this place is cleaned up and free of odor, Brother Nine can come back to rest.”

Donghai came forward to take Xie Yi’s pulse. Xie Yi said, “It’s fine, no need to trouble everyone. It seems my digestive system is weak and can’t handle it.”

After taking his pulse, Donghai looked at Xie Yi’s tongue and eyes, feeling his forehead for fever. He asked, “Does His Majesty feel cold?”

Xie Yi replied, “Indeed, I do feel a bit cold, and my body is extremely exhausted.”

Donghai furrowed his brow. “It looks like a cold. Let’s drink some medicine and see how well you sleep tonight.”

Xie Yi followed the advice, watching them boil the medicine and take it before lying down. Xu Chun sat anxiously by the bedside watching him. Xie Yi said, “You should sleep in another room. Don’t catch my illness.”

Xu Chun replied, “It’s just a cold. My body is strong and healthy, so it’s fine. How could I leave you unattended?”

Xie Yi pulled the covers and laughed. “It’s a waste of your affection. You’ve prepared this warm, fragrant, soft, and jade-like environment beside me, how can I possibly sleep soundly?”

Xu Chun looked at him, worried, noticing his long hair loose, pale face, and lack of vitality. Lying next to him, he said, “Brother Nine, even when you can’t manage, you’re still stubborn. Rest properly first. Once your body recovers, we’ll play again… With the current freezing weather, there’s nothing much to enjoy anyway.”

Holding Xie Yi’s hand, he felt it icy cold, and became increasingly concerned.

Due to his worry, Xu Chun didn’t sleep soundly. In the middle of the night, he was startled awake by movements beside him. Getting up, he saw Xie Yi closing his eyes and shivering uncontrollably. Shocked, he hurriedly called for a lamp to be lit and repeatedly called for Donghai.

The lamps were lit, and Xu Chun saw Xie Yi’s face and lips cyanotic, his body shivering slightly. Reaching out to touch his back, he felt a wet, cold sweat, making him feel as though he had fallen into an ice cellar. Holding Xie Yi’s hand tightly, he urgently shouted, “Brother Nine! Brother Nine!”

Xie Yi closed his eyes, unconscious and unresponsive. Xu Chun’s tears fell as he looked up and saw Donghai approaching. Urgently, he said, “Donghai, hurry! Isn’t it just a cold?”

Donghai rushed forward to take his pulse, ordering the attendants to undress Xie Yi. “Open the needle case. I’ll apply emergency acupuncture.”

Xu Chun held his breath, watching Donghai take the pulse. His brows furrowed tighter and tighter. He quickly inserted needles into Xie Yi’s shoulders, neck, wrists, and the tiger’s mouth area of his hands, asking, “How is it? What’s the disease?”

Donghai frowned. “Something’s not right. It seems like malaria, but how can one get malaria in such cold weather? And His Majesty hasn’t left the palace, right? This is usually caused by mosquito bites in summer. There shouldn’t be mosquitoes or fleas in the palace…”

In such cold weather?

Xu Chun suddenly remembered that winter night when Xie Yi was bitten by a snake that should have been hibernating, and he fell at his doorstep alone in the cold night.

And Fang Zixing, who should have been guarding Xie Yi, was at home attending to his sick father, the Duke of Pingsouth… This time, both Duke Wuying and Fang Zixing returned to Guangzhou together! They probably had already left the city by now, eager to return home, traveling by steamship, which would cover a thousand miles a day…

This night was so similar to that one!

Xu Chun suddenly said, “Who said he didn’t leave the palace? He went to the Imperial Temple during the day to pay respects to the Empress Dowager.” Biting his teeth, he spat out each word, almost grinding his teeth in hatred. “His good mother cried to him for a long time today…”

Donghai was frightened by the hatred in his tone. Looking up, he saw Xu Chun’s face ashen, his eyes red with anger. He hurriedly said, “Don’t panic, Marquis. There’s a Western medicine in the West called quinine. This medicine is highly effective against fevers caused by malaria. We just bought some and had people at the Wanguang Academy’s medical hall replicate it. Now, immediately send someone to Tianhaiwei to fetch the quinine overnight. It should arrive tomorrow.”

“For now, I’ll prescribe Baihu Guizhi Decoction and Freshwater Turtle Shell Pills for him to take to stabilize his condition. There’s enough time.”

“There’s no time!” Xu Chun got out of bed, still barefoot, and said coldly, “I’m afraid we may not have a whole night. The other side surely has a follow-up plan. For now, we can only hope they don’t know Brother Nine is here.”

He paced back and forth twice, looking at Xie Yi’s face, and decisively said, “By the time we fetch the medicine and return, it will be too late. Brother Nine can’t stay in the capital; the other side will surely have another move… Protecting Brother Nine means protecting the foundation. Fortunately, the tiger tokens of the Twelve Guards are in my possession.”

Originally frantic, his mind now worked at unprecedented speed. The situation in the capital was unclear; they couldn’t stay here. They had to immediately send Brother Nine to Tianhaiwei. That was where Changyun and Brother Huo were, his old territory, where he had troops and generals. If there were any changes in the capital, they could preserve the foundation and respond in time. Moreover, if they used the fastest carriage and switched to a steamship on the canal to Tianhaiwei, they could reach Tianhaiwei by dawn and use the medicine immediately.

What would happen in the palace? The palace had to remain stable. Su Huai led the Martial Virtue Guard and Divine Martial Guard to guard the four inner palace gates… Su Huai was reliable, needless to say, but they couldn’t alarm the palace now. There must be someone lurking in the shadows.

As he quickly dressed, his brain didn’t stop calculating. He issued a series of orders without hesitation, “Immediately prepare the carriage. Tie soft cushions to the horses’ hooves. No fire. Immediately escort the Emperor to Tianhaiwei. Donghai will accompany him to Wanguang to administer the medicine immediately. Chunxi will accompany him as well.”

“Dinghai, lead all the Tiger Guards secret guards to follow. Send a few people to scout the way to see if there are any suspicious people outside the gate.”

Dinghai said, “Don’t worry. We’ve just conducted a thorough check. This place has always been filled with secret posts, and there are no strangers. The entire Bamboo Branch House is ours. The palace gates are quiet, showing no signs of abnormality.”

Xu Chun said, “They don’t know the Emperor is outside the palace. They’re probably watching the Imperial Medical Institute…”

Cold sweat broke out on his back, his stomach felt like it was contracting into a ball, and his heart pounded like thunder. He had never experienced such a perilous situation in his life, yet his face remained calm as he instructed Dinghai, “All the Tiger Guards secret guards will depart immediately. You and Chunxi lead the team.”

Dinghai asked, “Aren’t the Dragon Guards coming along? Only twelve Tiger Guards are on duty today, which might seem a bit thin.”

“The Dragon Guards are too conspicuous. Anyone seeing them would know the imperial entourage is present,” Xu Chun said. “We can’t make a big fuss. Immediately escort the Emperor to Tianhaiwei using secret guards to secretly leave the city. You and Chunxi will use the tokens of the Soaring Eagle Guards to leave the city. Just say you’re going to investigate smuggling. Who’s the commander guarding Chaoyang Gate? Is he reliable?”

Dinghai said, “They’re all our people. The commander of Chaoyang Gate, Mo Lin, is the leader of the Leopard Strategy Guard, and is reliable. All nine city gates are guarded by the Leopard Strategy Guard and Flying Bear Guard. Only the Zhenwu and Xuanguan Guards have their camps in the outskirts of the capital, usually under the command of Wei Guolin, the general of the capital camp.”

Xu Chun thought that Fang Zixing was originally supposed to hand over the tiger tokens to the capital camp, which would have gone to Commander Wei. At that moment, they couldn’t follow routine and should act counterintuitively. He said decisively, “Wei Guolin might not be trustworthy. We can’t alarm him. Leave immediately from Chaoyang Gate. My ship and the Sheng family’s ship are there. Adjust my steam-powered fast boat to head to Tianhaiwei immediately. We’ll arrive by dawn.”

He changed his clothes and thought for a moment: If the opponent was the Empress Dowager, she had a noble status. Su Huai was only an eunuch, so in terms of position, he was weaker. He might not be able to hold the palace. If they discovered Brother Nine wasn’t in the palace, they would surely pursue him. Brother Nine’s defense was weak, and the journey ahead would be perilous.

But neither Fang Zijing nor Fang Zixing were around. Lei Ming? No, he had his own interests and might not persist in front of the Empress Dowager. Ouyang Shen was a cunning old fox who couldn’t be relied on… Mr. Shen and Li Meiyao were civil officials. They needed someone with status who could steadfastly stand by Brother Nine’s side against the Empress Dowager, and have troops at their disposal.

“It’s sometimes for self-preservation,” Xu Chun suddenly recalled what Brother Nine once said.

Then it’s only me. But if I don’t accompany Brother Nine, defending the palace, I won’t be able to ease my worries about Brother Nine’s side.

He paced back and forth twice and suddenly thought of someone. Making a decision, he ordered, “Is the carriage ready? We’ll set out immediately!” Chunxi came over and wrapped Xie Yi in a fox fur coat, carrying him downstairs and onto the carriage.

Xu Chun came down and saw that all the secret guards and accompanying personnel had changed into black nightclothes, wearing black leather armor. All the horses’ hooves were bound with soft cushions, and the horse’s mouths were muzzled. It had the appearance of night travel.

Outside, snowflakes were falling lightly. In the pitch-black night, something seemed to be lurking, although he knew this place had been repeatedly checked, he still felt a chill.

Xu Chun put on his cloak and got into the carriage. Seeing that Wufu and Liushun had packed the carriage well, the soft couch was padded with thick white tiger mats. Hot water, charcoal stoves, food, snacks, various pills, decoctions, and clothing were all prepared. He stepped out of the carriage and quietly instructed Xia Chao, “Go to General Helan’s residence first. Send someone to secretly inform him that the Marquis of Linhai has urgent military affairs to discuss. Ask him to meet in secret and prepare twenty of his most reliable and valiant household guards.”

Xia Chao acknowledged the order and rushed out immediately.

Helan’s residence was in the east of the city and usually received no visitors. Helan Jingjiang was hastily awakened late at night. He changed his clothes and hurried out of the mansion. Seeing Xu Chun leading a fully armed squad over, he dismounted and, wearing armor and carrying a sword, asked in surprise, “Why has the Marquis of Linhai come at night? Is there an urgent military situation?”

Xu Chun lifted his hood, revealing a pale face. His eyes coldly stared at Helan Jingjiang. “I heard that General Helan is colluding with others, plotting treason. I came here to ask you about it.”

Helan Jingjiang’s face instantly changed. His household guards stood solemnly, pressing their swords against their chests, shouting, “Bold!” “Slander!”

However, the guards behind Xu Chun all loaded their bows, crossbows, and firearms, aiming at them. The atmosphere was tense, on the verge of exploding.

Helan Jingjiang reached out to stop his angry household guards. He unsheathed his sword from his waist and coldly stared at Xu Chun. He threw the sword on the snowy ground, saying, “Your Majesty once saved me, but now he doubts me. Please allow the Marquis of Linhai to kill Helan Jingjiang. Helan Jingjiang is already dead, only leaving behind this broken body to honor my father and brother’s past efforts to protect the country. Just kill me. I have no regrets or grievances. Only my subordinates are innocent; killing me alone is enough!”

His household guards were all anxious and angry. “General! General! Let’s fight him! We will live and die together!”

“Indeed, that letter today was a fraud! The Emperor must have misunderstood! Please, Marquis of Linhai, mediate! The general did not attend the meeting today!”

But Helan Jingjiang waved his hand and coldly ordered, “All step back three steps and discard your swords!”

The household guards all angrily stared at Xu Chun but still followed the order, stepping back three paces and removing their swords from their waists, throwing them on the ground.

However, Xu Chun suddenly stepped forward, picked up the sword, and held it horizontally with both hands, presenting it back to Helan Jingjiang.

Helan Jingjiang took the sword. His face was like ice, and he said coldly, “Has the Marquis of Linhai come in the middle of the night just to test Helan?”

Xu Chun knelt on one knee and paid a solemn bow.

Helan Jingjiang was taken aback and hurriedly supported him. “What is Lord Xu trying to do?” His tone softened slightly.

Xu Chun knelt three times, then said, “General Helan, my mother is seriously ill and needs to be sent out of the city for treatment tonight. I have another imperial mission and cannot leave the city. I implore General Helan to remember my mother’s kindness in the past and escort her out of the city.”

Helan Jingjiang felt a doubt arise in his heart. Why did he need to test him first to send his mother? Or did he use such an obvious method that would make others angry? Moreover, since Lady Sheng was seriously ill, did she need so many people to escort her? Could it be that there was a powerful enemy? But he still said, “Lady Sheng is a benefactor to my brother and sister. Why be polite? Since you have requested it, how can I refuse?”

Xu Chun bowed again and shed a tear. “Please, Brother Helan, do your utmost to escort her all the way. I will definitely express my gratitude later.” After saying this, he led Helan Jingjiang to the carriage and lifted the curtain. “Please, General, get in the carriage and escort us along the way.”

Helan Jingjiang thought of the difference in gender, but this wasn’t the time to talk about propriety. The Marquis of Linhai’s actions tonight were indeed strange. The guards beside the carriage looked very brave, all armored and wielding swords, with muskets on their backs and crossbows hanging at their waists. Their sharp knives were all unsheathed, their eyes alert, and they were well-trained, standing guard around the carriage.

Recalling that when Xu Chun entered and forced the question, this carriage had always been outside the mansion. If he really had treasonous intentions… Would the carriage withdraw immediately?

He didn’t say anything, lifted the curtain, and got into the carriage. Seeing the pale face of the unconscious person on the couch and the eunuchs serving beside him, he drew in a cold breath. Hurriedly leaning out, he stared at Xu Chun. “Lord Xu! If your mother is critically ill, why don’t you go with her?”

Xu Chun looked at him and said, “This person is more precious than my life. I entrust him to Brother Helan. I have another imperial mission to guard the imperial city. Please do your best, Brother Helan. May you have a safe journey.”

Helan Jingjiang stared at Xu Chun’s pale face and tearful eyes, his heart shaken. He solemnly saluted. “Helan Jingjiang will not fail in his mission and will repay the past kindness with his life.”