“Sur… surround, sur—”
“What ‘sur’! You should say ‘Steward Lord’! No sense of propriety at all—are you new here?”
The new gate-servant bobbed his head repeatedly, panting: “No, Steward Lord, it’s sur—surrounded!” He pointed toward the main gate. “Outside—a whole crowd of soldiers! They’ve surrounded our Marquis’s residence! They say it’s the Em… Embroidered Uniform Guard!”
The steward of Marquis Xianan’s household froze for a beat, then sneered: “Where did these mud-legged soldiers crawl out from, bold enough to make trouble at the Marquis’s gate? Our lord is the Empress Dowager’s brother-in-law and His Majesty’s father-in-law, a kinsman of the highest rank. Forget the Embroidered Uniform Guard—even if the Grand Councillors themselves came, they would have to show due deference. Men, come with me and let’s see which witless officer dares lead this rabble.”
The great doors of the Marquis’s residence swung open. The steward, with a squad of guards, strode out proudly and took his stand atop the high steps.
Hands tucked into his sleeves, he surveyed the scene below—and his heart gave a jolt. A dense ring of Embroidered Uniform Guard in cross-collared long armor and tall black hats had encircled Marquis Xianan’s estate, airtight. Not just the front and back gates; even along the walls they stood, a post every three paces, a sentry every five, like hoops on a barrel.
On the open ground opposite the steps stood a wide grand master’s chair. Upon it lounged a Embroidered Uniform Guard commander in a sapphire brocade flying-fish robe.
The steward squinted into the torchlight, studying carefully. His heart thudded—that scourge!
Shen Qi of the Northern Surveillance Bureau, nicknamed “Life-Taking Qilang,” a fearsome figure known throughout the capital. He handled imperial and high-profile cases, as well as every kind of subversive, fugitive, theft, and state secret. Cruel by nature, fond of torture, with countless lives on his hands—ghosts were said to wail nightly in the prison under his charge.
With such a fearsome reputation, even the steward could not help but feel uneasy. He drew one hand from his sleeve, bowed, and forced a smile. “So it is Shen Tongzhi. I did not know Lord Shen would bring troops to surround Marquis Xianan’s residence in the dead of night—may I ask what your purpose is?”
Shen Qi leaned back lazily, long legs stretched out and crossed atop the stool before him. With a thin-bladed wrist-knife he pared the skin from a pomegranate fruit, never even lifting his head as he asked: “And you are?”
The steward seethed at the arrogance but forced himself to answer: “This humble one is the chief steward of the Marquis’s residence. By the Marquis’s favor, I was granted the surname Wei.”
Shen Qi shaved the peel thin as paper, long as a snake, until it dangled all the way to the puddled stone street. He gave no sign of hearing—his question had been idle, the answer beneath his notice.
Steward Wei nearly ground his molars to dust. Dropping his half-bow, he snapped, his face stiffening: “Lord Shen, this is the Marquis’s private domain. To encircle it with troops—what is your intention? Should you disturb the Marquis, can you bear that responsibility?”
Shen Qi lifted the fruit to his lips, bit off a chunk with a crisp crack, and chewed slowly, eyes lowered. In his other hand the knife twirled idly between his fingers.
The sound of chewing—crack, crack, crack—rang cold and hard. In a flash the steward broke into a cold sweat, half-imagining the man was crunching human bones.
He cleared his throat. “Lord Shen, such arrogance and discourtesy—clearly you’ve come to provoke us. I’ll report to the Marquis at once. I only hope Lord Shen is ready to bear the consequences of offending the Emperor’s kin!”
Shen Qi paused his chewing, lifted his lids, and cast him a glance. “Offend? Which eye of yours saw me offend anyone?”
The steward fumed, pointing at the soldiers below. “You bring troops to ring the Marquis’s gates at night, brandishing blades and weapons—if that’s not offending the Marquis, are you here to stand guard for us instead?”
Shen Qi snorted, the sound dripping with mockery. “Daring to demand that the Emperor’s own troops stand guard for you—does Marquis Xianan mean to rebel?”
“Twisting black to white! Slander!” the steward roared, and turned to storm back inside to complain to the Marquis.
But Shen Qi drawled after him: “I do wonder—my men are clearly standing on the street. They haven’t set foot inside your Marquis’s estate, nor even brushed against your walls. Where is the offense? Or does Marquis Xianan claim every street in the capital within his walls, folding the whole city into his household? Did the Ministry of Works and Ministry of Revenue approve such a map? Did His Majesty permit it?”
“You—!” The steward’s hand shook with rage at such bandit logic. He refused to bandy further words, and stalked back inside to fetch reinforcements.
The remaining rows of guards stood lined on the steps, weapons in hand, facing the Embroidered Uniform Guard as if against a deadly foe.
Shen Qi resumed crunching his fruit. Crack. Crack.
—
At the gates of Marquis Fengan’s residence, Steward Xu Yong hurried down the steps with a broad smile. “Oh, Yu Wang! That Your Highness graces us with your presence—our humble house is illuminated! Please, come in, come in! Though our lord’s health is frail, when he heard Your Highness was coming, he was overjoyed, and is already waiting in the hall to receive you.”
He went himself to take Yu Wang’s bridle, his manner all deference and obsequiousness.
But Yu Wang remained seated firmly on horseback, calling out: “No need. We are not here to pay a call on Marquis Fengan.”
“Not here to call?” Xu Yong’s eyes darted uneasily among Yu Wang’s many armored guards. A bad feeling rose in his gut. Could Yu Wang be here to make trouble?
After all, there was old bad blood between his Marquis and Yu Wang—last year at Lingguang Temple, while setting an ambush for assassins, the Marquis had accidentally injured Yu Wang’s hand.
But that was a misunderstanding! Our Marquis had already apologized, offered recompense, paid in silver and gold. So much time had passed—surely the matter was settled?
Just as his mind wavered, Yu Wang gave a cold smile. “We are not here to make trouble either.”
“That’s good, that’s good,” Xu Yong exhaled in relief. “May I be so bold as to ask, then, what brings Your Highness here tonight?”
Yu Wang clapped his hands.
At once, four guards came forward carrying a square low platform, which they set in the open ground opposite the Marquis’s gates. The platform was a full zhang wide, layered with silken cushions. In its center stood a broad desk, above which was erected a tall canopy, like a little pavilion.
Yu Wang gave a light push off his horse’s back, his figure gliding through the air before landing atop the pavilion-like low dais. His guards came forward to remove his boots, adjust the cushions, and set on the table a pot of wine, four cups, and a set of Water Margin playing cards drawn in ink outlines.
Leaning lazily against the cushions, Yu Wang tapped the table with his riding whip: “Bring three with decent skills to sit with me and lose at cards.”
At once, three handsome youths dressed like scholarly gentlemen obeyed, kneeling respectfully around the table. Yu Wang laughed: “This Wangye will be the banker. Whoever loses, three cups as penalty.”
Xu Yong was stunned. “Y–Your Highness, this is the main gate of the Marquis’ residence… If you wish to play cards, why not come inside? The household has fine maids and pretty attendants to properly serve you. But here—pitch dark, rainwater everywhere—this… this isn’t the place for such pastimes!”
“This Wangye has taken a liking to this spot. What, is that not allowed?”
“It’s not that it isn’t allowed, it’s just… the gate is completely blocked this way! And your guards, ringed around the walls with blades and spears flashing—any outsider looking on would think our Marquis’ residence is under siege by heavy troops…”
“Impudent! You dare accuse this Wangye of deploying troops to besiege an official residence? This Wangye merely finds the fengshui here pleasing, and chooses to amuse himself here.” Yu Wang’s brows rose with anger as he lashed Xu Yong’s body with his whip. “Could it be this Wangye must first seek Marquis Fengan’s permission for where I wish to play cards?”
“Never, never such intent!” Xu Yong knew well that Yu Wang was deliberately making things difficult, but he was powerless. He could only wear a bitter expression and bow in apology: “Your Highness, please enjoy your game, for as long as you wish. I shall take my leave.”
Dejected, he slipped back into the residence, closed the gate, and went to complain to his master.
Marquis Fengan, Wei Jun, since his arm was slashed last year, had suffered lingering illness. On top of being reprimanded by the Emperor, his spirits were damaged as well. After more than half a year of recuperation he was still a bedridden invalid, clinging to medicines. Hearing this report, his goat’s-beard trembled furiously, and a wad of phlegm nearly choked him unconscious.
He asked thickly, his words slurred: “Aside from surrounding us, what else?”
“Nothing more. Just encircled. They haven’t broken in, but neither will they leave,” Xu Yong replied.
“Not here with good intent…” Wei Jun wheezed like a bellows, then asked: “Has my elder brother’s side shown any movement?”
“This, let this servant go and find out. Fortunately, the Marquis Xianan’s residence is but a street away—I’ll return quickly.”
Xu Yong, unwilling to climb rooftops himself, ordered two servants to go up and spy toward Xianan Marquis’ compound. Soon they reported back: that estate too was surrounded by soldiers.
Wei Jun pounded his bedframe: “Clearly they target our Wei family… No, this reeks of something strange. I must meet with my elder brother to discuss. Go invite the Grand Marquis here.”
Xu Yong agreed, turned to leave. From behind, Wei Jun added: “Take the tunnel, don’t let those outside see.”
Because the two estates were so near, a secret tunnel had been dug connecting them, as a precaution.
Xu Yong hurried through the tunnel to Xianan Marquis’ mansion, where he found Wei Yan in a fury: “…Just a petty Tongzhi of the Embroidered Guard, yet so brazenly arrogant, daring to pluck hairs from a tiger’s head. Gather all the mansion guards, follow me out, and scatter these curs to the winds!”
The steward Wei Nu urged caution: “My lord, those Embroidered Uniform Guard are each skilled beyond measure. Our household guards may not be their match. In my humble view, since they only surround but do not act, let them surround. When dawn comes, we’ll denounce him before the Emperor and the Empress Dowager, charge this Shen Qi with abusing power and insulting the Imperial kin. Let the censors impeach him—whether or not he loses his head, he won’t keep his post.”
Wei Yan thought it reasonable, stroking his beard and nodding.
Xu Yong entered and saluted: “Grand Marquis, our Marquis too is surrounded. But not by Embroidered Uniform Guard—by Yu Wang. The Second Marquis feels the matter suspicious, and requests you to come to his residence for discussion.”
Wei Yan had little patience to talk with his wheezing younger brother.
Before Wei Jun’s accident, the two brothers had been reasonably close. But since Wei Jun became crippled, losing his voice in court and increasingly becoming a burden on the Wei clan, Wei Yan and his wife’s initial pity and care had worn thin. With time, they grew weary, disinclined to even speak with him.
As the saying goes: a bedridden elder spares no filial children; and siblings are much the same.
Wei Yan waved his hand, already seeking an excuse to send Xu Yong away. But Madam Qin beside him suddenly lit up, realizing the crux of the matter—
She said: “No, even with old grudges, Shen Qi and Yu Wang would not suddenly strike out so strangely—especially Shen Qi. Yu Wang is a libertine, acting on whims, it’s believable for him to stir up trouble. But Shen Qi? He’s not one to let fly without seeing the prey. To openly offend the Wei clan—what benefit is there for him? Something must be amiss!”
Wei Yan’s face paled slightly, glancing at his wife: “Could it be… our enlisting of Mister He to plot against the Eastern Palace has been exposed? Tonight’s encirclement—was it the Crown Prince pulling strings behind the scenes?”
Madam Qin immediately said: “It’s possible the Crown Prince was cornered, forced to act desperately; or perhaps word leaked, and he intends to seize Mister He, hence this preemptive blockade. No, we must transfer Mister He at once, just in case!”
Steward Wei Nu proposed: “My lord, the Embroidered Uniform Guard are many, their encirclement here is airtight. Yu Wang’s guards are fewer—their side may not be so tightly sealed. Why not move Mister He through the tunnel to Fengan Marquis’ estate first, then find an opening to send him to another villa to lie low?”
Xu Yong, hearing this, panicked—he had failed to bring the Grand Marquis, yet fetched back a blazing hot potato. Quickly he said: “But the Second Marquis is still sick; how can he tend to Mister He?”
Wei Yan said coldly: “He is always sick—what has that to do with this? I ask only to borrow one chamber in his house to temporarily host a guest retainer. What, even that cannot be done?”
Xu Yong had no choice but to agree on his master’s behalf.
Moments later, Mister He arrived, white robes fluttering. From the corridor he bowed to Wei Yan and Madam Qin: “I, untalented as I am, have yet to solve my lord’s troubles, and already must take my leave.”
“Think nothing of it, think nothing of it.” Wei Yan still held him in high esteem. “Sir has devised so many stratagems for me. For now, avoid the storm, and when all is calm again, we shall welcome you back.”
Mr. He bowed once more, his wide sleeves billowing in the wind as he departed.
Xu Yong led Mr. He through the secret passage, bringing him back to the Marquis Fengan’s residence. He first settled him in a side chamber, then immediately went to report the matter to Wei Jun.
Wei Jun was furious: “Elder brother made the decision on his own without consulting me—is he treating me as if I don’t exist?!”
Xu Yong tried to soothe him: “My lord, don’t be angry. To deal with that plague god outside the gates, we’ll still have to rely on the elder marquis making his move in court tomorrow.”
Wei Jun thought of how he no longer had a foothold in court, and his anger was so great that it nearly made him cough blood. After a long effort to calm himself, he said: “If this matter is truly a joint effort by the Crown Prince, Yu Wang, and Shen Qi, then Su Yan can’t be innocent either. He’s delayed showing his face, only letting Shen Qi and Yu Wang take the lead—what is his intention?”
Xu Yong, who wasn’t the chief steward for nothing, thought a moment and then said in alarm: “Could it be he has another trick in reserve? Perhaps he has already uncovered Mr. He’s true background, along with our collusion with the Void Sect in plotting against the Crown Prince.”
Wei Jun shuddered: “No, this Mr. He is like a powder keg ready to explode—we must send him out of the manor at once… no, send him out of the capital altogether!”
“But the manor is surrounded by Yu Wang’s guards. How can we send him out?” Xu Yong asked.
—
At Marquis Xianan’s residence, Wei Yan was asking Madam Qin the same thing: “…but second brother’s manor is surrounded by Yu Wang’s guards. How can we send him out?”
Madam Qin pondered for a moment, then decisively said: “If we can’t send him out for the time being, then hide him first. Isn’t there a secret chamber in Second Uncle’s study? Hide him there for now. At daybreak tomorrow, you stir up trouble in court, while I go to Cining Palace and ask the Empress Dowager to intervene, forcing them to withdraw the troops. Then we’ll deal with Shen Qi.”
A soft persimmon is the one you squeeze—since Yu Wang was the Empress Dowager’s dearest, he could not be touched. Better instead to seize this chance to bring Shen Qi down, which would at least clip their wings. Such was Madam Qin’s calculation.
—
In the side chamber of the Marquis Fengan’s residence, Mr. He set out a game of chess, playing his left hand against his right.
The Camp Leader of the Seven Kill Camp, who had followed through the secret passage, emerged like a phantom and said: “Su Yan just led a squad of the Tengxiang Guards and stormed into the Marquis Xianan’s manor with an imperial edict in hand. He says he’s there to search the premises and arrest an imperial criminal.”
Mr. He’s left hand placed down a white piece. Calmly, he said: “With both an imperial edict and the Tengxiang Guards, it seems the emperor has acted. Now that my identity as sect leader has been exposed, the capital has become a deathtrap.”
“Then how do you plan to escape from certain death? Who exactly is this contact of yours?” the camp leader pressed.
Mr. He’s right hand placed a black piece: “Why the rush? When the time comes, he’ll appear naturally.”
The camp leader sneered: “If you don’t leave soon, I will.”
Mr. He chuckled, his fingers flicking the chess piece outward: “Then go. The front gates are there—you can climb the wall if you like. The prince’s guards are few, but Yu Wang himself has formidable martial skill; he alone could stop you. Shen Qi’s sword wound is not yet healed, so you could defeat him, but once his Embroidered Uniform Guard swarm you, two fists cannot fend off a thousand hands.”
The commander’s tone was icy: “So what, are we just going to sit here and wait to be captured?”
Mr. He drew his hand back and placed another stone: “If you trust me, then wait with me until the right moment comes. If you don’t, then go try your luck yourself.”
The camp leader ground his teeth. After much thought, he realized that aside from trusting this so-called mystic one more time, he had no better option. He gave a cold snort and his figure vanished out the window.
