Located near the capital and along a major thoroughfare, the Qingyuan Post Station was not as luxurious as those in the capital that catered to distinguished guests, but it was nevertheless grandly adorned with carved beams and painted rafters. The upscale rooms in the rear courtyard had already been vacated, with an entire building reserved for Duke Jin’an.
News of the bandit disturbances had spread, causing many who had originally planned to set out early from the post station to delay their departure. At that moment, they were gathered in the courtyard, watching Duke Jin’an’s carriage.
“…Bandits? Of course we know about them,” a guard from Duke Jin’an’s household turned his head upon hearing the discussions around him. “We encountered them on the road.”
His words immediately caused an uproar among the onlookers. Hearing about something was one thing, but meeting someone who had experienced it firsthand was entirely different. In an instant, many people disregarded social decorum and fear, pushing forward to ask questions loudly.
The commotion in the courtyard made Eunuch Jing glance back.
“Find a good doctor for those who are injured,” he said loudly, then lowered his voice, “Make sure it’s someone who won’t be able to tell what kind of arrows caused the wounds.”
If a doctor identified the injuries as being from a Divine Arm Bow, the story of encountering horse bandits might become less credible.
An attendant understood and promptly acknowledged the order.
“You could say they’ve lifted a rock only to drop it on their own feet,” Master Gu remarked with a light laugh, turning his attention away.
“We’ll stay here a few more days,” said Duke Jin’an. “With such unrest and after suffering such a fright, we naturally need some time to recover.”
Recover for a while? One day counts as recovery, two days also count, and even ten days or half a month would still be considered recovery.
Some officials assigned outside the capital often found excuses to delay their departure when they didn’t wish to leave. Now, Duke Jin’an had a perfectly legitimate reason to stay – after such a severe shock, no one would say a word even if he immediately turned back toward the capital.
Moreover, in broad daylight, amid the bustling post station, it wouldn’t be easy for Gao Lingjun to attempt an assassination. Let their anger simmer without any chance to erupt.
Bullying – who doesn’t know how to do that?
Master Gu smiled and acknowledged the order.
The news of Duke Jin’an being attacked reached the capital before sunset, further stirring the already heated atmosphere.
The deceased was none other than Fourteenth Young Master Gao. That Fourteenth Young Master Gao had actually died at the hands of a group of bandits – truly unexpected. The capital seethed with clamor and commotion.
Who could have imagined it wasn’t just Fourteenth Young Master Gao? Even Duke Jin’an had been attacked. Fortunately, no one died in his case, only a few were injured.
Duke Jin’an had brought a considerable number of imperial guards with him. No matter how formidable the bandits were, they couldn’t overpower such a force. Fourteenth Young Master Gao, however, hadn’t been so lucky – his entourage was small. This explanation came naturally to those who heard the news.
Killing the son of a state relative and assaulting a member of the imperial family – these bandits were too arrogant, too terrifying. Before nightfall, as stories passed from person to person, the bandits transformed into rebel bandits, and some even spread rumors that they were spies from Western bandits or the Liao, disguised to prepare for an assault on the capital.
For a time, the streets were filled with panic and chaos. Some began packing their belongings, ready to flee the capital. Government officials and imperial guards had to patrol the streets, beating gongs to dispel the rumors.
“The magistrate of Qingyuan County is finished.”
Watching as a government runner passed by, striking a gong and loudly announcing that there were no bandits attacking the city, a man at a night stall shook his head.
“All of this trouble stems from him.”
“To calm the public’s mind, the first to be dealt with will be this magistrate for failing to maintain order in his jurisdiction,” another man said.
A sizzling plate of grilled meat was brought over, briefly interrupting their conversation. The two men raised a bowl of wine to each other, then began eating.
“Tell me, were they really bandits?” one of them suddenly asked in a low voice, the sound of sizzling meat masking his words.
The man opposite him paused with his chopsticks.
“Whether they were or not isn’t for us to decide,” he replied, smiling again. “The authorities will make the official determination.”
He paused for a moment before continuing.
“As long as the authorities can make a determination.”
But now, it was likely that the authorities would find it difficult to reach a conclusion. If they concluded it was bandits causing harm, Master Gao would certainly not accept it. Yet if they concluded something else…
The man put down his chopsticks and looked toward the street.
“…I saw it with my own eyes. I saw the bandits. I ran fast and hid, otherwise I would have ended up like Young Master Gao – dead…”
“…Exactly, I heard days ago that there were bandits around. But who would’ve thought that, right under the Emperor’s feet, they’d dare be so bold as to actually kill so many…”
Two people by the roadside were deep in eager conversation, with others continuously gathering around, adding embellishments here and there.
“Three people spreading a rumor can make a tiger real,” the man remarked, turning his gaze back and picking up another piece of meat. He shook his head. “It’s going to be difficult.”
In the deep of the night, the palace of the Empress Dowager was still brightly lit. Looking at the memorial from Duke Jin’an requesting to stay and rest for a few days, which had been placed on her desk, she angrily flung it aside.
“Stay and recuperate? Is he recuperating, or is he preparing to kill someone else?” the Empress Dowager shouted in fury.
The palace attendant shifted nervously.
“Your Majesty, the Imperial Archives has already approved it and has even sent someone to ask His Highness to return to the capital…” he reported.
After such a major incident, officials would naturally go to offer condolences.
The Empress Dowager nearly rose from her seat.
“Your Majesty, Duke Jin’an declined. He is not returning to the capital,” the attendant hurriedly added, fearing that a moment’s delay might cause the Empress Dowager distress.
Yet this statement only made her angrier.
“He acts as if he’s been done a favor, while putting on a show of grievance!” she said resentfully, slapping the table. “He’s the one who killed them. Have him arrested!”
The attendant felt somewhat helpless.
Indeed, many people understood this perfectly well in their hearts. But sometimes, understanding in one’s heart is of no use.
“Your Majesty, there is no evidence,” he said.
“Evidence? He killed without needing evidence. Do I need evidence to have him killed?” the Empress Dowager said fiercely. As the thought took hold, it grew stronger in her mind, and the more she considered it, the more suitable the approach seemed.
“He says he’s too frightened to travel? Then let him return. I will personally reassure him and calm his fears.”
The Empress Dowager stood up and paced back and forth several steps, her expression animated.
“If Duke Jin’an is truly frightened, he might act inappropriately, startling me… No, startling the Crown Prince… attempting to harm the Crown Prince. As a member of the imperial family, that would be a capital offense.”
Even if he were beaten to death on the spot within the palace, who could say anything?
Even if people spoke out, let them talk. The man would already be dead – could a dignified Empress Dowager like herself really be talked to death? No, this was exactly right.
Overjoyed, the Empress Dowager raised her hand and pointed outside.
“Quick, do it this way. Go and make the arrangements.”
This was far too reckless. The palace attendant was stunned but dared not say so directly. The longer she had held power, the more the Empress Dowager’s temper had grown.
“Your Majesty, while it may sound simple, arranging it won’t be easy. Perhaps we should consult Master Gao,” he suggested quietly.
Hearing the name “Master Gao,” the Empress Dowager couldn’t help but shed tears.
“At a time like this, he must be grieving deeply yet forcing himself to manage the aftermath – a white-haired man seeing off a black-haired one. This sorrow, I understand all too well,” she wept. “That was Shi’si, poor Shi’si, who never even married or had children…”
Though he hadn’t married, he had fathered several children.
The palace attendant silently corrected her in his mind, though he wouldn’t dare say it even under pain of death. He raised a hand to wipe away tears, joining the Empress Dowager in her weeping.
“Shi’si went for my sake, and now Fourteen has been murdered. Without evidence to arrest the culprit, let me take it upon myself to capture the killer and seek revenge.”
The Empress Dowager’s sobs ceased. She lifted her head, her expression a mix of arrogance and ferocity.
“Some things Master Gao cannot do, but I can. Since we’ve already torn through all pretense, if the ruler demands a subject’s death, the subject cannot refuse to die. I want him dead, and who can stop me?”
…
In the Qingyuan Post Station, the night wind blew, causing the lanterns under the eaves to sway back and forth.
“Your Highness, Your Highness.”
Master Gu hurried out the door.
“Why not also share these updates with Madam? Let’s see if she has any additional arrangements.”
Duke Jin’an nodded.
Master Gu happily followed him out.
“Though we don’t have many people left in the capital, they are positioned in critical places. Amidst the current turmoil, we can place more. This way, even if we are far away, Your Highness will still receive the fastest updates regarding the Crown Prince,” he explained. “Originally, we hadn’t planned to tell Madam about these matters. But now it seems it would be better for her to know a bit more…”
As he spoke, Master Gu suddenly realized he was walking alone. He stopped in surprise and turned to see Duke Jin’an still standing where he had been, his expression shifting between light and shadow under the red lanterns.
“Your Highness?” Master Gu quickly stepped back and asked.
“What are you going to do?” Duke Jin’an asked.
“Go… see Madam,” Master Gu replied. Hadn’t they just discussed it? “To inform Madam about the reactions in the capital and our personnel arrangements.”
Duke Jin’an looked at him.
“In this world, are you the only one who knows how to speak?” he asked.
Master Gu was momentarily stunned. What did he mean by that?
Eunuch Jing, standing nearby, lowered his head briefly before looking up again.
“Your Highness, you should go back and rest now. You’ve been up far too long,” he hurriedly suggested.
Without another word, Duke Jin’an turned and walked away.
“Huh?” Master Gu was about to follow when Eunuch Jing grabbed his sleeve and held him back.
“You’ve been talking for half a day and an entire evening. Haven’t you said enough?” Eunuch Jing chuckled. “Leave some things for His Highness to say himself.”
Master Gu snorted lightly.
“I’m just afraid they won’t talk about proper business,” he said.
