After Yan Wushuang dealt with the members of the Song family, he brought a group of his trusted followers to the main gate of the Yan resid...
After Yan Wushuang dealt with the members of the Song family, he brought a group of his trusted followers to the main gate of the Yan residence. This estate had never been granted to anyone else by the late Emperor, and it had remained untouched even under the current Emperor.
Noticing Yan Wushuang's sombre expression, Qiu Dashan said, "Master, once the residence has been repaired, we can move in."
Yan Wushuang strode inside and saw that the floor was covered in dust, with spider webs spread across the eaves. If anyone were to live here, the place would clearly require major renovations. That night, instead of moving into the residence granted to him by Jing Wang, Yan Wushuang stayed overnight at the military camp.
Qiu Dashan could not understand Yan Wushuang's decision and asked, "Master, we command one hundred and fifty thousand troops—why must we bend our knees under another1?" They could simply ki!l Jing Wang and replace him.
Yan Wushuang raised his head and gazed at the silent night sky, replying calmly, "It's not as easy as you think." Killing Jing Wang might feel satisfying now, but it would be impossible to replace him—the two hundred thousand troops in the capital are not there merely for show.
Qiu Dashan couldn't figure it out and decided not to dwell on it. He asked, "Master, are we going to stay in the capital indefinitely then?" He felt that, since Yan Wushuang could not replace Jing Wang, remaining in the capital would be unsafe.
Yan Wushuang, however, was not worried. He replied, "There's no rush." As for the debts owed to the Yan family back then, he would let none of those responsible escape repayment.
Although the night scenery was beautiful, Empress Yu Xiyu could not sleep. Yan Wushuang had slaughtered the Song family so thoroughly that not even the chickens or dogs were spared—how could he possibly let her child live? Yu Xiyu was deeply worried that Jing Wang would hand her son over to Yan Wushuang for punishment.
Hearing movement, the Empress turned pale with shock and demanded, "Who's there?" When she saw it was clearly Jing Wang who had entered, Yu Xiyu began trembling all over.
Jing Wang emerged from the darkness and said to Yu Xiyu, "Huang Sao2, it's me." These past days had not been easy for Jing Wang either.
Holding her son Zhou Xuan tightly, Yu Xiyu asked warily, "Jing Wang, what do you intend to do?" She had always believed him to be as benevolent and upright as he appeared, but she never expected that her eyes had gone wrong3.
Jing Wang replied, "Huang Sao2, I came to send Xuan-er away. If he stays with you any longer, I cannot guarantee his life."
Yu Xiyu's grip tightened as she asked, "Where are you sending Xuan-er?" She wanted to leave with her son, too. She no longer dared to hope for anything else; she just wanted her child to survive.
Jing Wang did not hide anything from Yu Xiyu. "I will have the secret guards escort Xuan-er to a safe place. When the situation improves in the future, you can be reunited with him."
The royal family possessed a mysterious and unfathomable corps of secret guards who obeyed only the Emperor's orders—a fact known to many, including Yu Xiyu. Now that this force was under Jing Wang's control, it was enough to explain everything. Yu Xiyu smiled faintly and said, "We all wronged you." It turned out that Jing Wang was not the scheming man they had imagined, but rather someone acting on her husband's behalf.
Even though she now knew the truth, Yu Xiyu had no intention of telling anyone. Setting aside the fact that the Yu family had always treated her and her son as expendable pawns, she felt no obligation to inform them. Moreover, knowing that her son was in Jing Wang's hands, she did not dare mention it to outsiders.
Jing Wang nodded towards the black-clad man beside him. Having received permission, the man placed the person he had been carrying on his back onto the bed.
Yu Xiyu's eyes suddenly widened. The child that the black-clad man had set down looked remarkably similar to her son, Zhou Xuan. Anyone unaware of the truth would have thought they were twin brothers.
The black-clad man took out a green bottle and let her child inhale it briefly, then picked him up. Yu Xiyu did not try to stop the man.
Jing Wang uttered, "I trust that Huang Sao2 can handle what happens next."
For her son's sake, Yu Xiyu was undoubtedly capable of managing everything around her. However, there was one thing she could not understand: "Even I know that cooperating with Yan Wushuang is no different from negotiating with a tiger for its skin4. Why would you cooperate with him?"
Jing Wang replied, "You don't need to know that." If he had any choice, how could he possibly have cooperated with Yan Wushuang? But he had no other path to take. The Yu family believed that Linlu Pass could keep Yan Wushuang outside the borders, yet they did not realise that Yan Wushuang had already won over many generals stationed there. Although Linlu Pass was treacherous terrain, it would not be enough to halt Yan Wushuang's advance. When that time came, not only would the Song family not survive, but likely not a single member of the imperial clan would either.
Yu Xiyu asked no further questions about that issue. "When will I be reunited with Xuan-er?" There was nothing left in the capital worth her attachment. If she and her son could live safely under an assumed identity, she would be content.
Jing Wang spoke softly, "When the time comes, you will be escorted out of the palace." After saying this, he left Kunning Palace.
After ascending the throne as Emperor, Jing Wang issued two imperial edicts: the first exonerated the Yan family, and the second conferred upon Yan Wushuang the title of Duke Yan.
After gathering intelligence, Xiao Sanzi told Han Jianming, "Master, Jing Wang must have promised to clear the Yan family's name—that's why Yan Wushuang pledged his allegiance." Xiao Sanzi had always wanted Han Jianming to abandon his plan to go to the northwest, but unfortunately, Han Jianming had already made up his mind.
A faint smile curved at the corner of Han Jianming's mouth. "For the annihilation of his entire family, if mere exoneration were enough to make Yan Wushuang sell his life to Jing Wang, only a fool would be that naïve." Although Han Jianming did not know what Yan Wushuang was truly planning, one thing was certain: Yan Wushuang would never genuinely serve Jing Wang. His lack of movement now was likely in preparation for a far greater scheme.
Hearing this, Xiao Sanzi fell silent.
Han Jianming said, "Tomorrow, we leave the city." They could not delay any longer—any further delay, and his mother would begin to worry.
Xiao Sanzi said worriedly, "Master, security outside is extremely tight. Inspections at the city gates are very strict." Not only was the outer city heavily guarded, but even the slum districts had also been searched several times.
Han Jianming stated, "We must leave tomorrow." If they delayed any longer, he would not be able to leave at all, and he had no intention of being trapped in the capital for the rest of his life.
Early the next morning, Han Jianming, Ye Shi, and Xiao Sanzi disguised themselves and headed towards the East Gate. Upon arrival, they saw soldiers lined up on both sides of the gate. Everyone entering or leaving was inspected extremely thoroughly.
After standing in line for quite some time, it was finally Han Jianming's group's turn. The gate guard asked Xiao Sanzi, who was at the front, "Show your travel permit." The permit listed the traveller's name, identity, and destination.
The travel permit had been obtained at great expense, so there was certainly no issue with it. However, Han Jianming, once a duke, stood out even among commoners, no matter how well he was disguised.
The soldier glanced at Han Jianming several times. Ye Shi had never been in such a situation before and was so nervous that she could only cling tightly to Han Jianming's arm.
Seeing that things didn't look good, Xiao Sanzi secretly tried to slip some broken silver to the soldier in the hope that the soldier would make an exception. Unexpectedly, not only did the bribe fail, but he was instead seized by a junior officer guarding the city gate.
Xiao Sanzi shouted, "Why are you arresting us?"
Xiao San had only found out that the inspections were extremely strict. However, he did not know that Yan Wushuang feared there were still survivors from the Song family who had slipped through the net5. To prevent their escape, Yan Wushuang stationed his own men at all four city gates with Jing Wang's approval. If the guards noticed anything suspicious about those leaving the city, they would hand them over to Yan Wushuang's men.
A soldier punched Xiao Sanzi and warned him, "If you dare shout again, I'll rip your mouth off." This warning wasn't just an empty threat—he would really act on it.
Han Jianming said nothing and simply supported Ye Shi.
The junior officer quickly brought the three of them before a very burly man and said, "General Tie, these three are behaving suspiciously. They are probably survivors of the Song family."
Glancing at the way the three were dressed, Tie Kui instructed, "Wash their faces clean." Many disguised people had already been caught over the past few days.
Others are the knife and chopping board, while I am the fish flesh6. At this moment, even if Han Jianming wanted to resist, he could not. Watching the soldier bring over water, he said, "I'll wash myself."
The three of them washed their faces clean, revealing their actual appearances.
Tie Kui's gaze lingered on Han Jianming's face for a few seconds before he turned and instructed someone beside him to bring in an old woman. Her surname was Feng, and she was a servant of the Song family and was familiar with all of them. Tie Kui asked her, "Are these three members of the Song family?"
Old Woman Feng looked carefully and shook her head. "No."
Tie Kui said to Han Jianming, "If you know what's good for you, I'll let you go." Any smart person would know what to do.
Han Jianming was a sensible man. He immediately handed over all the gold, silver, and banknotes that the three of them had hidden, saying, "Officer, this is all we have. If you don't believe me, you may have them search us." When it came to survival, nothing else mattered.
Tie Kui did not waste any time with formalities and had both Han Jianming and Xiao Sanzi searched by the soldiers. As for Ye Shi, since she was a woman, Tie Kui let her off.
After a thorough search confirmed there were no issues, Tie Kui waved his hand and told the junior officer, "Let them go." He had done such things before, so this did not arouse suspicions from others.
The junior officer had no objections and even thought Tie Kui was a decent man. This man was someone who only wanted money, not lives, and he would even share some of it with them.
After leaving the city gate and walking several li7, the three of them realised that no one was chasing them, so they finally sat down to catch their breath. Sitting on the ground, Xiao Sanzi said thankfully, "Luckily, that man was greedy. Otherwise, we really would have been in trouble."
Han Jianming shook his head. "That man recognised me." When the general surnamed Tie looked at him, there had been a trace of surprise in his eyes. It was obvious that the man knew him, even though Han Jianming did not recognise the other in return.
Xiao San shook his head and exclaimed, "That should be impossible. He's one of Yan Wushuang's subordinates." How could one of Yan Wushuang's men possibly know their own Duke?
Han Jianming also found it strange, but now was not the time to dwell on it. Glancing at Ye Shi beside him, he said, "Hang on a little longer. Once we reach the town ahead, we'll hire a carriage."
Xiao San said miserably, "Master, we don't have any money left." Even eating would be a problem, let alone hiring a carriage.
Ye Shi responded, "Don't worry. I sewed some gold leaves🔗 into my clothes." She was extremely grateful that they hadn't searched her; otherwise, they would have had to walk all the way to Wang County. In her current state, how could she manage such a long journey?
Xiao Sanzi glanced at Ye Shi. He had always thought she was a burden, but unexpectedly, she had proved useful at a critical moment. Smiling, Xiao Sanzi said, "That would be perfect."
Footnotes Full List
- 屈膝人之下 (qūxī rén zhī xià): To submit to or serve someone else unwillingly.
- 皇 huáng: imperial, 嫂 sǎo: elder brother's wife, elder sister-in-law
- 走眼了 (zǒu yǎn le): To misjudge someone or something.
- 与虎谋皮 (yǔ hǔ móu pí): idiom. To seek gain through cooperation with someone dangerous or untrustworthy—an act that invites disaster.
- 漏网之鱼 (lòu wǎng zhī yú): Literal meaning: "fish that slipped through the net". Actual meaning: Survivors who escaped capture; fugitives.
- 人为刀俎，我为鱼肉 (Rén wéi dāo zǔ, wǒ wéi yú ròu): One is entirely at the mercy of others, powerless to resist.
- 里 lǐ: a traditional unit of length, equal to 150 zhang (市丈), and equivalent to 0.5 kilometres or 0.311 miles
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