Chapter 105 – Zhou Quan

This hunting went on for several days, and Feng Xiang Wei’s Pei Dongyan gradually became accustomed to Xu Chun, and discovered that Xu Chun was easygoing and amiable to get along with. As for Dinghai, apart from his bold provocation on the first day, he remained silent and calm the rest of the time, completely like an inconspicuous dark guard. Chunxi served Xu Chun like a loyal servant, yet Xu Chun treated him differently, intimately and casually.

Qi Luan privately asked Pei Dongyan in a low voice, “What do you think His Majesty meant by sending over two dark guards? Is there risk involved in this mission? Otherwise, why would we specifically come here to train for hunting—could it be that we’re going to exterminate pirates?” His eyes sparkled. “Even the knives are prepared.”

Pei Dongyan replied somewhat speechlessly, “Are you so eager for battle? Isn’t peace good?”

Qi Luan said, “Who among us doesn’t crave military merit? The only way for guards to advance is through military achievements. Now that the world is at peace, where can we find military merit? During this time at the Naval Academy, if it weren’t for my fear of reading and writing, I would have given it a try. In the end, it’s still those who passed the martial exams who benefit the most.”

Pei Dongyan pondered, “It’s hard to say. We’ll only know when we arrive at Jin Port. For now, let’s focus on training. The Emperor’s intention is clear—he wants us to become familiar with Prince Xu.”

Qi Luan said, “Who can blame us for not having a Duke for a father? The title of Duke Jingguo is a first-class dukedom, but Duke Jingguo himself isn’t particularly impressive. The Emperor intends to promote his trusted generals, after all, there’s a shortage of capable military leaders.”

“I’ve also heard that this Prince Xu ranked seventh in the Imperial Academy. And I discreetly asked Chunxi; indeed, his mother’s family are maritime merchants, which is why this prince is so wealthy. This is well-known in the capital. He was previously close friends with Prince Shun’an, and they say that anyone close to him in the capital values his generosity and righteousness.”

Pei Dongyan contemplated this information.

By the tenth day, their small team had become increasingly familiar with each other, working together with clear division of labor and close coordination. Their trophies began to include wolves, tigers, and bears. Although it was dangerous, they had hunting dogs and leopards to assist them, and armed with firelock muskets, they managed to handle the situation safely.

That day, they ventured further than usual and encountered a heavy downpour, forcing them to take shelter in a cave temporarily. They lit a fire to dry their clothes. Seeing the strong flames and approaching afternoon, Xu Chun, feeling hungry, ordered the rabbits and pheasants they caught to be skinned and roasted for consumption.

Dinghai, who had been quiet all along, took out a precious container of cloves, cinnamon, and pepper salt he had specially obtained from the Sheng family. When the meat was cooked to perfection, he sprinkled the spices on it, causing an enticing aroma to fill the air.

Everyone’s spirits lifted instantly, and they all gathered around, praising Dinghai. “Brother Dinghai, what kind of seasoning is this? It smells amazing!”

Dinghai explained, “It’s salt, cloves, cinnamon, pepper powder, dried seaweed flakes, and roasted sesame seeds. No matter how unpalatable the food and drink are outside, just sprinkle some of this, and it becomes incredibly delicious.”

Everyone marveled at this revelation.

With a smug look on his face, Dinghai tore off the tenderest rabbit leg and handed it to Xu Chun. Xu Chun, still wearing his inner robe, grabbed the leg with a smile. “Thank you, Brother Dinghai.”

Suddenly, Dinghai’s expression changed. He pulled out his sword and shouted, “Cover your mouths and noses! Use wet clothes! Leave the cave entrance!”

Chunxi quickly rushed forward with a damp cloth to cover Xu Chun’s mouth and nose, holding a sword in his hand.

All the imperial guards drew their swords, and Pei Dongyan and Qi Luan led the charge toward the cave entrance. However, they saw white smoke rising, indicating that the exit had been blocked. They could only cover their mouths and noses and retreat, their faces pale. They were trapped!

Dinghai held his breath and prepared to rush out, but then a group of imperial guards entered the cave, wearing orange-yellow tung oil raincoats. The leader was tall, with a square face and flashing eyes. Coldly, he said, “There are no sentries or guards inside or outside the cave, no defenses at the entrance, and the cave has no other exits. It’s too easy to be trapped here. Such lax defenses are unbelievable for the Emperor’s personal army. If you were accompanying the Emperor, how many of your heads would remain?”

He glanced at the prey roasting over the fire. “Have you tested the food for poison? Is the water clean?”

Everyone was stunned, and Pei Dongyan and Dinghai felt ashamed. Xu Chun, who had been tense, relaxed and greeted the newcomer with a smile. “Brother Fang!”

Seeing him, Fang Zixing’s expression softened slightly as he bowed politely. “Is the prince safe? His Majesty sent me to escort you due to the heavy rain.”

The white smoke inside the cave gradually dissipated, leaving behind a pleasant scent. It seemed that Fang Zixing had merely tested everyone with some incense.

Xu Chun hurriedly returned the bow and smiled. “I’m fine. The rain came suddenly, so we found a place to shelter. After all, we’re within the hunting grounds, surrounded by troops. Commander Pei had arranged sentries outside, but I let them in due to the heavy rain. Brother Fang, please don’t blame them.”

Fang Zixing’s face was stern. “I have already instructed that the defenses around Duke Jingguo’s heir must follow the same standards as the imperial protocol! Does a little rain matter? If they can’t follow the rules, they should be replaced sooner rather than later!”

Pei Dongyan and Qi Luan led the way, kneeling on one knee. “This is our fault, Commander-in-Chief. Please punish us!” Dinghai followed suit, lowering his head, and Chunxi knelt behind him. All the Feng Xiang Wei guards knelt down as well.

Xu Chun quickly interjected, “I ordered them to listen to me. If punishment is necessary, it should start with me.”

Fang Zixing looked at Xu Chun, his gaze carrying reproach. “The prince also bears the fault of failing to discipline them strictly. However, that’s not my place to comment—it’s up to His Majesty to decide. I, too, bear the guilt of poor supervision and neglecting military training. I will have to plead guilty to His Majesty upon returning.”

Hearing that the matter would be reported to his Ninth Brother, Xu Chun’s face fell. He looked at Fang Zixing pitifully, but Fang Zixing was unmoved. Glancing at the fragrant roasted deer leg, he said, “The rain hasn’t stopped. Let’s eat before heading back. Once we finish, we’ll deal with the punishment accordingly.”

Everyone quickly tidied up the cave and invited Fang Zixing to sit down. He removed his raincoat and sat opposite Xu Chun.

Realizing that the two important figures wanted to talk, the other guards discreetly moved to the cave entrance, leaving only Dinghai and Chunxi guarding a few dozen feet away.

Xu Chun hurriedly tore off a rabbit leg and offered it to Fang Zixing. Accepting it, he whispered, “From afar, through the pouring rain, I could hear your laughter inside the cave. Your Highness is too lenient; don’t indulge them in their lack of respect. If you don’t discipline them occasionally, they might bear resentment in the future.”

Xu Chun felt a bit embarrassed. “Thank you, Brother Fang. They have indeed worked hard these past few days. Besides, when we reach Jin Port, I’ll need their support. It’s better to become familiar with them first. Moreover, with the troops surrounding the hunting grounds, there was truly no danger, so I allowed them to come in. It’s not their fault.”

Fang Zixing advised, “You should only issue orders and leave the defense arrangements to the commander. Do not personally interfere with security measures. The entire process of protecting the imperial entourage is a set of rules established through countless lives lost. Do not break them easily.”

Xu Chun whispered, “I understand, thank you, Brother Fang. Weren’t you supposed to be guarding the princess? How did you find the time to come here?”

Fang Zixing took a few bites of the rabbit meat and said, “My brother returned, so I came over.”

Xu Chun was delighted. “How did Marquis Wuying return?”

Fang Zixing glanced at him. “Isn’t it to attend your coming-of-age ceremony? I heard he’s the guest of honor. When I left, your family had already sent gifts to our door, and Duke Jingguo personally came to express gratitude. I also heard that your maternal uncles and cousins from Minzhou have arrived in the capital, waiting for your coming-of-age ceremony.”

Xu Chun felt elated, unable to hide his smile. “Thank you, Your Excellency.”

Fang Zixing said, “Thank His Majesty. Everything has been arranged specifically for your coming-of-age ceremony before heading to Jin Port.”

Xu Chun smiled brightly, but Fang Zixing continued, “Fortunately, thanks to your event, my brother can return to the capital to spend time with my sister-in-law, and I can catch a break. I’m not good at such things; following the Emperor is much easier, as I don’t have to think about anything.”

Xu Chun recalled the shocking night of the palace coup he overheard the previous night and expressed admiration. “Brother Fang, when you were by the Emperor’s side during the palace coup, you were probably just a teenager, right? Yet, you led the guards to turn the tide, killing the palace guards general and seizing control of the city gates. I’ve only recently heard about this. I truly admire you, Brother Fang. You are a true young hero. I didn’t recognize your greatness before.”

Fang Zixing was taken aback. “Did His Majesty tell you that I killed Fan Richang?”

Xu Chun was surprised. “Wasn’t it you?”

Fang Zixing shook his head. “That night was extremely dangerous. I was just the Emperor’s study companion and a hostage prince in the capital. Even if I had killed Fan Richang, I only had a few capable family guards at home. I couldn’t command the garrison troops and would have been overwhelmed and killed by the superior numbers of the guards.”

“In fact, it was His Majesty who personally disguised himself as a palace guard. Su Hua brought wine, claiming it was a gift for Fan Richang. Seeing the Emperor’s face, Fan Richang was alarmed. Being a member of the Empress Dowager’s clan and with the regent prince having died not long ago, he suspected that the Emperor wanted to poison him with the wine. However, with his subordinates present, he couldn’t refuse the imperial decree. What if it was poisoned?”

Xu Chun asked, “Did he drink it?”

Fang Zixing shook his head. “No, he said he had to patrol the palace guards and couldn’t drink. He left the wine on the table. Su Hua mocked him for defying the imperial decree, disrespecting the emperor, and rejecting the emperor’s kindness by not drinking the wine.”

“Faced with such humiliation, Fan Richang’s face turned black, and he rushed forward, shouting at Su Hua. But just as he approached, His Majesty, standing behind him, immediately drew his sword and struck with one swift blow.”

Fang Zixing waved his saber, his expression filled with reminiscence. Clearly, that night was still vivid in his mind. “He severed Fan Richang’s head from his body.”

At that time, His Majesty was only fourteen years old. I had always thought he was elegant and dignified, quietly composed, never punishing others for trivial matters. I never expected him to be so ruthless in killing. All the guards were stunned. His trusted aides drew their swords and angrily shouted, ready to kill him.

His Majesty removed his helmet and bellowed, “I am the Son of Heaven. Who dares to defy the emperor and commit treason!”

Seeing that it was indeed the Emperor, everyone was shocked. His Majesty continued to shout, “Fan Richang plotted rebellion. I personally executed him. If you wish to assist me in quelling the chaos tonight, you will be promoted three ranks tomorrow, receive a thousand taels of silver, and be granted a noble title! This title can be inherited!”

“At that moment, all the officers looked at each other and knelt down. Only two of Fan Richang’s closest confidants roared and tried to charge forward. Immediately, my men and I killed them on the spot.”

“Afterward, we controlled the tiger tokens and several key subordinates. That night, His Majesty truly put himself in harm’s way. He rode around the palace gates, personally conferred military merits and titles, and summoned several generals. Then, he ordered the troops from the Five Military Directorates to surround Cian Palace. Only then did the situation stabilize.”

“Recalling the night of the palace coup, my heart still races. I was just a handful of capable family guards and the eunuchs led by Su Hua. If any of the palace guards commanders had refused to comply, we wouldn’t have been able to resist. He was too bold!”

“Afterward, when I discussed the matter with my grandfather and my brother, my grandfather murmured that it was destiny and the emperor’s divine aura. If there had been any flaw in any area, you wouldn’t see His Majesty today. Perhaps this is truly the will of heaven.”

Xu Chun murmured, “Ninth Brother is so amazing, why doesn’t he mention it?”

Fang Zixing thought for a moment. “Maybe he was afraid of scaring you. At that time, he was only fourteen and had killed so many people. That night, many lives were taken—it was likely the first time His Majesty had engaged in mass slaughter. Afterward, he observed a prolonged period of mourning, probably feeling uneasy about it.”

Xu Chun felt sympathy in his heart. Seeing that the rain had stopped outside, Fang Zixing instructed everyone, “Prepare to leave.”

All the guards busied themselves with preparations.

Fang Zixing told Xu Chun, “Return early. His Majesty must be worried about you.”

Xu Chun whispered, “Don’t tell His Majesty about our conversation. Pretend I know nothing.”

Fang Zixing’s expression was indescribable, but he still said, “Suit yourselves.”

Xu Chun agreed, and indeed, he followed Fang Zixing back to the hunting palace.

Upon returning, all the Feng Xiang Wei guards knelt in front of the hunting palace, awaiting the Emperor’s decree for punishment. Xu Chun went inside to plead for mercy on their behalf with Xie Yi.

Xie Yi raised his head and simply said, “Your hair is wet. There’s no need to discuss irrelevant matters. First, go take a bath, change into dry clothes, and drink some ginger soup.”

Xu Chun pleaded earnestly, “Ninth Brother, with the troops surrounding the hunting grounds, I believed it was impossible for assassins to be present. That’s why I didn’t insist on strict defensive protocols. It was my mistake. Please spare them, Ninth Brother.”

Xie Yi helped him undress while saying, “It’s not your fault. You’ve only just met them, and you haven’t achieved any significant accomplishments. It’s normal for you to primarily show kindness and build connections with them. These past few days, you’ve cooperated well and become familiar with each other, meeting my expectations.”

“Fang Zixing’s arrival was planned by me. I wanted him to point out their mistakes to remind them that when we venture outside, it won’t be as safe as when we’re surrounded by troops in the hunting grounds. They shouldn’t relax their guard because you’re young and friendly. Your protective protocol is the same as Mine.”

“Secondly, since you haven’t established any notable achievements and hold a minor position, it’s not ideal for you to exert authority. Therefore, I’ll handle everything for you. I’ll establish rules for them so they understand their boundaries.”

“Now that you’re pleading for them, I’ll temporarily show leniency, but punishment is still necessary. Although I suspect they were negligent in their defenses, the extent of their negligence seems quite severe. Without considering assassins, even if a fierce beast sought shelter from the rain and attacked, how would they escape from a dead-end? Without proper punishment, how can they remember the rules? It’s their fault for not following procedures.”

“I’ll play the role of the bad guy alongside Fang Zixing. They won’t dare to harbor resentment, but they’ll be grateful that you spoke on their behalf. This way, when we venture outside, even if I and Fang Zixing aren’t present, you’ll be able to command them effectively.”

Xu Chun listened to Xie Yi’s meticulous planning, solely for his sake. Concerned that his rank was too low to command the imperial guards, Xie Yi had gone to great lengths to ensure Xu Chun’s influence. Xu Chun whispered, “Thank you, Ninth Brother, for looking out for me.” He was also deeply touched by the imminent coronation ceremony, which Xie Yi had meticulously organized.

Xie Yi leaned in and kissed Xu Chun’s lips, slowly savoring them. Their tongues intertwined as they shared a long kiss. When they finally parted, Xie Yi looked at Xu Chun’s flushed face, feeling reluctant to let him go. In a few days, after the coronation ceremony, he would have to release this lively fish back into the ocean, allowing him to explore on his own.

Xie Yi gently stroked his hair. “Quickly soak in hot water. I’ll take care of everything with Feng Xiang Wei.”

His possessiveness and desire for control grew stronger with each passing day. The sweeter their days, the more he wanted to keep this vibrant individual who brought life to him.

After all, once this child left, he would return to a monotonous existence day after day. Being a virtuous ruler wasn’t easy, and falling into decadence was all too simple. Restraint had exhausted all the saintly virtues and morality he had learned throughout his life.

Xie Yi sighed deeply.