And why had he left before dawn? What could possibly have been so urgent?
The more Zhao Baozhu thought about it, the more suspicious he became. He immediately got up and began dressing. But just as he was about to leave, he suddenly heard a burst of hurried footsteps outside. Someone came running over, pounded hard on the door several times, then pushed it open.
“Master!” It was Ah Long. His forehead was covered in sweat, and he looked anxiously at Zhao Baozhu. “Master! Someone from the capital has arrived—”
The capital? Zhao Baozhu froze, then frowned. Why would someone from the capital come here? Countless possibilities immediately flashed through his mind. Could the Ye family have discovered their relationship and come to drag Young Master back? And perhaps drag him away too, to skin him alive and tear him apart?
A chill ran through Zhao Baozhu at the thought. He cautiously asked Ah Long, “What kind of person is it? What do they look like?”
Ah Long tried to describe him. “I can’t really say. He’s fair-skinned and has no beard. He’s wearing a dark blue robe with a kui collar and a tall hat…”
Hearing this description, Zhao Baozhu’s eyes widened slightly. Why did that sound like an imperial eunuch from the palace?
His thoughts raced. He hurriedly changed out of his ordinary clothes, put on his official robes, and donned his black gauze hat. Then he said to Ah Long, “Come with me quickly to receive the guest. When I kneel, you kneel too.”
Ah Long hurriedly nodded. The two of them went out from the back courtyard to the main hall, and indeed saw a young palace eunuch standing there. His pale face carried a pair of narrow eyes, faintly smiling. When he saw Zhao Baozhu coming out from the inner hall, he immediately bowed.
“I, your servant, pay respects to Lord Zhao.”
“Please, please rise quickly.” Zhao Baozhu hurried forward and lightly helped him up. “I did not know that you had traveled so far, and failed to welcome you properly. I ask for your forgiveness, Gonggong.”
The eunuch smiled and said, “No matter, no matter. I came in haste myself; please forgive my abruptness as well, Lord Zhao.”
After this exchange of courtesies, both sides remained polite and cordial. Seeing the eunuch’s smiling expression, Zhao Baozhu assumed it was not bad news, and felt a little more at ease, but he was still full of confusion, not understanding why someone from the palace would suddenly come to such a remote place.
He cautiously looked at the eunuch and asked, “May I ask what brings you here, Gonggong?”
The eunuch smiled slightly at this. His gaze swept across Zhao Baozhu’s face, then he drew a bright yellow imperial scroll from his sleeve and announced loudly:
“Magistrate Zhao Baozhu of Wuya County, Qingzhou Prefecture, kneel to receive the imperial decree.”
A buzzing rang in Zhao Baozhu’s ears. His gaze locked onto the scroll being unfolded in the eunuch’s hands and could not move away. It was an imperial decree! His mind shook violently, and he hurriedly knelt down.
This time, without needing Zhao Baozhu to remind him, Ah Long also dropped to his knees with a “thud,” too afraid to look directly at the golden decree, his body trembling slightly.
That was an imperial decree!
Ah Long had followed the previous county magistrate for several years and had rarely even seen the prefect, let alone heard a single word from the Son of Heaven!
He was shaking in fear, staring fixedly at the ground, when he heard the eunuch’s sharp, lilting voice.
“By the Mandate of Heaven, the Emperor decrees:”
“Magistrate Zhao Baozhu of Wuya County, Qingzhou Prefecture, is diligent in his duties, attentive to the people, righteous and outspoken, and has cleared corruption near the throne. He is hereby summoned back to the capital to report on his duties. Those who are capable shall be appointed accordingly.”
As the eunuch’s melodious voice continued, Zhao Baozhu held his breath in secret, his eyes slightly widening.
He is being summoned back to the capital?!
Zhao Baozhu was shaken and unable to speak for a moment. Being recalled to the capital to report was a common practice in the Yuanzhi dynasty, usually reserved for officials with outstanding performance. Generally, once recalled, promotion followed. Thus, local officials longed for such an imperial summons as though it were life-saving rain. Yet Zhao Baozhu had only been in Wuya County for less than a year, and already he had received this decree.
He stood there stunned.
After finishing the proclamation, the eunuch rolled up the decree, then bent down and helped Zhao Baozhu up with a smile: “Lord Zhao, this servant congratulates you.”
Only then did Zhao Baozhu come back to himself. He immediately untied a money pouch from his waist and handed it over with both hands: “It is the New Year; Gonggong must have worked hard traveling here. Please accept this for travel expenses.” He then turned and instructed, “Ah Long, bring hot tea.”
In this freezing winter, the eunuch had indeed endured a long journey from the capital. After weighing the pouch in his hand and feeling satisfied, his expression softened further.
Soon, Ah Long brought hot tea, along with tea snacks.
The eunuch, invited by Zhao Baozhu, sat down and took a sip of tea, sighing, “Good tea.”
Zhao Baozhu said, “If you like it, Gonggong, you may take some with you.”
At this, the eunuch’s eyes flickered slightly. He looked at Zhao Baozhu and said softly, “Today I have only been fortunate enough to taste this tea thanks to Lord Zhao’s kindness, but such a thing is not something someone like me should enjoy.”
Zhao Baozhu froze slightly.
Seeing that although the young man was young, he was courteous and proper, and seemingly honest to a fault, the eunuch spoke again: “Allow me to be a bit talkative. After the New Year, Lord Zhao should go to the capital together with Lord Ye. Do not keep the Son of Heaven waiting too long.”
Hearing this, Zhao Baozhu froze completely: “Y— Lord Ye?”
The eunuch smiled and took a sip of tea. “The decree for Lord Ye was issued on the same day as yours. He should already be receiving the edict as we speak.”
Zhao Baozhu stood stunned.
The eunuch assumed he was simply too shocked with joy to respond and, seeing his courtesy, continued kindly: “Lord Zhao and Lord Ye are evidently close. This is a rare blessing. You should cherish this opportunity and serve well in court so as not to disappoint imperial favor.”
At this, a faint movement flickered in Zhao Baozhu’s brows. He lowered his head and said, “Thank you for your guidance, Gonggong.”
The eunuch smiled, nodded, and stood up. “It is getting late; I should take my leave.”
Zhao Baozhu stood and personally escorted him out. Only when the entourage disappeared did he lower his hand and straighten up, his expression suddenly turning dark.
Ah Long had only understood the words “return to the capital” from the decree and tugged at Zhao Baozhu’s sleeve curiously: “Master, what did the decree say? Are you going back to the capital?”
Zhao Baozhu did not answer. He only stared toward the city gate with darkened eyes, then gave a cold snort and abruptly turned back into the yamen.
Ah Long was confused. Was the decree not good news? But the eunuch clearly spoke words of congratulations. Puzzled, he hurried after him.
***
That afternoon, Ye Jinghua finally returned to Wuya County from the prefectural office.
The moment he dismounted, he asked, “Where is Baozhu?”
Ah Long went forward to take his cloak. “He’s inside. He just had tea and snacks, and has taken his medicine.”
Ye Jinghua nodded and reached up to brush the snow from his shoulders, preparing to go in.
“Ah, wait a moment, my lord.” Ah Long stopped him and lowered his voice. “The Old Master is angry.”
Ye Jinghua paused and looked at him. Ah Long, now experienced as a covert informant against his master, reported everything: “Earlier today a eunuch came to deliver an imperial decree. After that, Old Master’s expression turned off, and he’s been sulking ever since.”
Ye Jinghua frowned slightly, thought for a moment, then stepped inside.
Inside, Zhao Baozhu stood with his hands behind his back, facing away from the door, staring at the four characters “Zheng Da Guang Ming” hanging on the wall. Suddenly hearing footsteps approaching, he turned sharply to look at Ye Jinghua.
“Stop right there.”
He shouted sharply. Ye Jinghua halted, glanced at him, and withdrew the half-step he had taken.
Zhao Baozhu’s face was cold. He slowly sat down, eyes sweeping over Ye Jinghua, chin slightly lifted.
“I have something to ask you.”
Ye Jinghua’s expression did not change, but his hand at his side tightened slightly. He lowered his eyes and said, “Nothing matters right now. Calm down first.”
But this only seemed to make Zhao Baozhu more furious. His brows twitched, cat-like eyes blazing as he stared at him:
“Young Master, first swear that no matter what I ask, you must answer truthfully and not lie! Otherwise…”
Before he could finish, Ye Jinghua said immediately, “I swear on my life that I will not lie to you.”
Zhao Baozhu froze, swallowing the rest of his words. His heart softened for a brief moment, but quickly hardened again. Good. Then he could ask clearly.
“I ask you…”
His gaze locked onto the man’s star-bright eyes.
“Was the imperial decree summoning me back to the capital arranged by you?”
Ye Jinghua froze, seemingly not expecting this question. He hesitated before meeting Zhao Baozhu’s gaze carefully.
Seeing that reaction, Zhao Baozhu immediately exploded in anger and slammed his hand on the table: “Speak the truth!”
Ye Jinghua’s brow twitched. He answered quickly: “Yes.”
From the moment he left the capital, he had made two requests to Emperor Yuanzhi: first, that he be sent to Qingzhou; second, that when he was recalled, Zhao Baozhu must also be transferred back to the capital. At that time, the emperor, still feeling guilty over losing his little imperial relative’s cherished person, had agreed without hesitation.
Zhao Baozhu’s eyes widened instantly, his expression changing sharply.
So it really was like this, no wonder such a “gift from the heavens” existed!
Though young, Zhao Baozhu was not naive. In fact, because of his difficult early life, he understood deeply that “there is no such thing as a free lunch.” He had only been in Wuya County for less than a year and already received an imperial summons, something other county magistrates could only dream of across lifetimes. How could it be such a coincidence?
His suspicions immediately formed. The eunuch’s earlier hints only confirmed them further.
He was upright by nature, raised to be loyal and righteous, and despised those who relied on favoritism and connections. He never expected such a thing would happen to him.
Anger surged up, and his stubborn temper flared. He blurted out, “Who told you to meddle?!”
To Ye Jinghua, this was harsh and cutting. His brows immediately furrowed: “How is this meddling? Can I ignore your affairs?”
But Zhao Baozhu grew even angrier and stood up abruptly: “I don’t need you to interfere!”
Ye Jinghua’s expression darkened. He looked at him for a moment and said, “Baozhu, you’re speaking in anger.”
“Who’s speaking in anger?” Zhao Baozhu paced in fury, then turned back to glare at him. “Young masters like you are used to controlling life and death with a word, turning clouds and rain with a flick of the hand. I never thought you would use the same tricks on me!”
His face was pale with anger, cat-like eyes burning: “You always said you understood my ambitions, so it was all lies! I was wrong about you!”
Ye Jinghua froze, then his expression grew even darker. He suppressed his temper and said quietly, “Calm down first.”
He stepped closer but not too near. “How can I ignore you? You know staying here does nothing for your career. What’s wrong with going back to the capital? With your ability, you’ll make a name for yourself within a year or two. It’s convenient for your ambitions, and I can take care of you as well.”
His words were reasonable and affectionate, but they only struck the wrong nerve. Zhao Baozhu lifted his eyes, full of coldness: “That’s your ambition, not mine.”
Ye Jinghua froze. Zhao Baozhu’s icy expression pierced straight into his heart, leaving a dull ache. The young man’s face was cold as frost as he turned away, leaving Ye Jinghua with only his back to look at. “If Young Master wants to return to the capital, then please go back by yourself. I’m not going anywhere!”
Zhao Baozhu’s tone was resolute. Ye Jinghua stared at his back, his lips pressed into a tight line as his eyes darkened completely.
He was, after all, a young master of an eminent family, accustomed to having his word obeyed. When has anyone ever treated him with such open contempt? The anger he had forcibly suppressed earlier surged back up. Ye Jinghua’s face turned grim as he reached out to grab Zhao Baozhu’s hand.
“Listen to me. If you have something to say, we can talk it out properly.” Ye Jinghua caught hold of him and tried to pull him into his arms. “Think about where this place is. How could you possibly stay here for long? You nearly got hurt earlier fighting those bandits. I absolutely will not allow you to stay here alone—”
But the moment he grabbed Zhao Baozhu’s hand, Zhao Baozhu violently shook him off. “Don’t touch me!”
Zhao Baozhu whipped around and glared at Ye Jinghua. “Do I need your permission? The Emperor himself gave me this official post. Even if I die, I’ll die doing what I’m supposed to do!”
Ye Jinghua could not stand hearing the word “die” more than anything. The instant he heard it, his pupils contracted sharply. A vein bulged at his temple, and his heart clenched so tightly that for a long while he could not utter a word.
