In the tumultuous inn, Imperial Guards and border troops simultaneously rushed into the building.

The border troops burst into the common dormitory, and before they could even begin their search, the Imperial Guards squeezed in after them, packing the room to capacity. They covertly nudged each other with their shoulders, causing their armor to clatter.

As one Imperial Guard passed by a border soldier, the latter casually stuck out his foot, tripping the Imperial Guard, who stumbled.

The Imperial Guard glared back furiously and, with a clang, drew his sword from its scabbard.

In an instant, the sound of drawn weapons echoed through the common room. More than ten Imperial Guards and border troops were locked in a tense standoff in the narrow space, like a dozen powder kegs poised to ignite at any moment.

A border soldier sneered, “What, you pampered brats from the capital, you haven’t even killed a single Jing rebel, and you dare to draw your sword on us border troops? Has that fancy sword of yours ever seen real combat?”

The young Imperial Guard, holding his gleaming long sword, calmly surveyed his surroundings. “Don’t waste words. I’ve been seething with rage lately. If the Crown Prince hadn’t forbidden it, I would have already taken you on for practice!”

“What is this? Are you trying to kill each other?!”

Hearing the commotion, General Zhou strode quickly to the doorway and stared coldly at everyone. “Our border troops’ blades are meant for Jing rebels. Sheathe them, all of you!”

Upon hearing this, the border troops immediately sheathed their blades without hesitation. However, one Imperial Guard refused to back down. He stepped forward and kicked the soldier who had just tripped him. “That’s what you get for being so insolent!”

“You’re asking for a fight!” The border soldier’s eyes blazed with fury.

At that moment, the Crown Prince, who had originally departed for the Provincial Commander’s office, returned. Standing at the entrance, he said with irritation, “Qi Zhenzhuo, offer your apologies!”

The Imperial Guard, named Qi Zhenzhuo, protested, “Your Highness, he was the one who tripped me first!”

The Crown Prince scowled. “Apologize!”

After a moment of hesitation, Qi Zhenzhuo grudgingly mumbled, “My apologies!”

In the courtyard, Chen Ji led Zaozao out of the stables. Overhearing the commotion inside the room, he quietly asked Zhang Xia, “The Crown Prince is, after all, the heir to the throne. Aren’t the border troops afraid of being imprisoned for defying him like this?”

Zhang Xia replied, “The Hu family has controlled the border army for many years, and their influence has become unwieldy. However, Elder Hu has always maintained neutrality in court, which is why no one dares to antagonize the Hu family, as doing so would only force them into opposition. Though seemingly navigating a precarious balance, the Hu family is, in fact, the most secure.”

Zhang Xia caressed Zaozao’s face and continued, “The imperial court needs the border army to be as steady as a mountain so that they can rest easy in comfort within the capital. My father always said that no matter who sat in Elder Hu’s position, they likely couldn’t do better.”

Chen Ji mused inwardly: The Hu family seeks no conflict, and the Crown Prince excels at mediation. Yet, the Longevity Emperor, secluded in Renshou Palace in the West Garden, deliberately seeks to bring them into contact?

Approximately an hour later, the soldiers had turned the inn upside down, but found no useful leads.

The Imperial Guards and border troops emerged from the rooms and lined up in the courtyard to receive orders.

Finding no clues, the Crown Prince gently said to Chen Liqin, “My apologies, Minister Chen, but it seems we won’t find the culprit now. You must be exhausted from your journey; please come with me to the Provincial Commander’s Yamen to rest.”

Chen Liqin bowed and replied, “Thank you for your trouble, Your Highness.”

The Crown Prince led the Imperial Guards through the main hall of the inn, their white cloaks billowing in the wind, a truly magnificent sight.

As Chen Ji led Zaozao past the border troops, he heard General Zhou suddenly inquire, “May I ask, which of you is Chen Ji?”

Chen Ji’s grip on Zaozao’s reins tightened. He then politely cupped his hands in greeting and responded, “General Zhou, I am Chen Ji.”

Suddenly, the Crown Prince paused in the inn’s main hall, turning his head slightly. All the Imperial Guards turned to look, their eyes darting between General Zhou and Chen Ji.

General Zhou studied Chen Ji, his weathered face softening as he smiled and asked, “How is your master doing?”

Chen Ji politely replied, “Thank you for your concern, General Zhou. My master is in good health.”

General Zhou patted the sword at his waist. “This very sword was a gift from Master Wang years ago, and I have carried it with me ever since. He did me a great service back then, and now his direct disciple has come to Guyuan and nearly lost his life—I am truly ashamed. Henceforth, if you ever face any trouble in Guyuan, you must come to me. I assure you, I can be of more help than anyone else.”

Chen Ji was silent for a moment before responding, “General Zhou, you’re too kind. With the Crown Prince’s Imperial Guards protecting us, I don’t anticipate any further danger.”

General Zhou seemed taken aback. He glanced at the Crown Prince, then lowered his voice. “My apologies. You should go and settle in. We can speak another time. You can always find me at the Provincial Commander’s Yamen during the day.”

Chen Ji breathed a sigh of relief and promptly led Zaozao away at a brisk pace.

As they exited the inn, they saw the Crown Prince had already mounted his horse.

Seeing him emerge, the Crown Prince, from horseback, asked softly, “Is Young Master Chen an old acquaintance of Vice-Commander Zhou?”

Chen Ji smiled and replied, “Your Highness, my esteemed teacher, Wang Daosheng, is an old acquaintance of General Zhou. However, I myself have never met General Zhou before today.”

The Crown Prince adjusted his fox fur cloak, his smile gentle. “I see… Minister Chen, your family truly boasts three exceptional talents. Your esteemed younger brothers, Wenzong and Wenxiao, achieved top honors in the provincial examinations, and now we discover Master Wang’s direct disciple among you.”

Chen Liqin hastily interjected, “Your Highness, you flatter us too much. My sons are hardly exceptional; they are not worthy of such praise.”

The Crown Prince said earnestly, “Minister Chen, there’s no need for such modesty. The Chen residence is truly home to hidden talents…”

Chen Wenzong suddenly straightened, interrupting the Crown Prince. “Your Highness, I fear this is not the time for pleasantries. I have something to say, if I may be so bold?”

Chen Liqin frowned. “Wenzong, do not be impolite to His Highness…”

The Crown Prince raised a hand to halt Chen Liqin, then looked at Chen Wenzong. “Speak freely, my esteemed brother Wenzong.”

Chen Wenzong bowed deeply and cupped his hands towards the Crown Prince. “Thirty-four members of my Chen family were brutally murdered by villains. This matter cannot be left unaddressed. Though they were but servants indentured to our household, they were still thirty-four living souls, and their deaths cannot be in vain.”

The Crown Prince stated earnestly, “There’s no need to worry, my esteemed brother Wenzong. I will ensure the Chen family receives justice. Before arriving at the inn, I dispatched an Imperial Guard on horseback to Tianshui County. Once there, he will send a memorial to the capital via express post, a 600-li urgent dispatch. At that time, my Imperial Father will surely send the Jie Fan Guards and the Secret Directorate to thoroughly investigate this incident.”

Chen Wenzong visibly relaxed. “Thank you, Your Highness!”

At night, Guyuan’s streets, devoid of bustling vendors, seemed much wider than during the day.

The Imperial Guards escorted the Crown Prince and the Chen family at the front of the procession, while Chen Ji and the others trailed slowly behind.

Xiaoman, on his pony, rode closer and complained, “Young Master, that General Zhou is so tactless. Approaching you for pleasantries at a moment like this, isn’t he trying to bring you trouble?”

Chen Ji calmly replied, “He might simply be straightforward and oblivious to the implications… After all, my status is humble; there would be no benefit in him harming me.”

He surmised that General Zhou’s actions were unintentional, but he couldn’t truly know the general’s motives at this moment. He only hoped he wouldn’t draw the Crown Prince’s unfavorable attention because of it.

As they spoke, an Imperial Guard on horseback reined in his horse and rode back, drawing alongside Zhang Zheng and Zhang Xia with a laugh. “Brother Zhang, A-Xia, it’s been far too long since we last met in the capital.”

Zhang Xia continued riding, not even sparing him a glance, and replied coldly, “Qi Zhenzhuo, ‘A-Xia’ is not for you to use. You will address me as ‘Master.'”

Qi Zhenzhuo chuckled. “You’re no longer a scholar at the Imperial Academy, and I’m no longer a student there, so why be so formal? After all these years, your disposition is still as cold as ever.”

Zhang Zheng retorted testily, “My sister doesn’t want anything to do with you, so clear off!”

Qi Zhenzhuo frowned. “Zhang Zheng, watch your tone. I’m not afraid of you anymore!”

Zhang Zheng sneered, “So, you got into the Imperial Guards on the strength of your ancestors’ name, and now you think you’re hot stuff? Fine by me. When we return to the capital, you gather your men, and I’ll round up Yangyang and the others. We’ll have a real spar on Ping’an Avenue in the West City. Loser swims a lap in Shichahai. Refuse, and you’re a coward!”

Qi Zhenzhuo’s face darkened. “What kind of achievement is it to call upon the Divine Mechanism Camp? Yangyang and his group are formidable, but how does that reflect on *your* abilities?”

Zhang Zheng chuckled. “My ability to rally allies is *my* skill. If you don’t scram, once we’re back in the capital, I’ll have my men waiting for you on your days off. Try never going home if you’re so tough!”

Qi Zhenzhuo’s expression shifted several times before he finally said coldly, “I was merely trying to warn you, out of our past acquaintance, not to get too involved with the border army, lest you get implicated. But it seems you two siblings are ungrateful. I suppose I’ve wasted my breath.”

With that, he spurred his horse and, without a backward glance, galloped off to rejoin the Imperial Guard contingent.

After he departed, Chen Ji eyed Zhang Zheng with amusement. “You seem quite unfamiliar today, Brother Zhang,” he teased.

Zhang Zheng replied bashfully, “In my younger days in the capital, I frequently got into trouble, which is why my mother insisted on keeping me by her side, effectively tethered in Luocheng. I’ve long since turned over a new leaf; I was merely trying to intimidate him just now.”

Chen Ji smiled. “How is it I’ve never heard you mention this, Brother Zhang?”

Zhang Zheng sighed. “I used to take pride in those old exploits, but then I realized, compared to what you all have accomplished, those petty, scandalous incidents are utterly insignificant. That’s why I felt too embarrassed to bring them up, not because I was intentionally concealing anything.”

Chen Ji then shifted the topic. “The Imperial Guards don’t seem particularly formidable, do they?”

Zhang Xia interjected, “The Imperial Guards are primarily used for royal ceremonial duties, and their ranks are mostly filled with the sons of nobles and high officials. As for the most formidable armies, those would be the Longevity Army, the Five Army Camps, and the Divine Mechanism Camp, collectively known as the Three Imperial Garrisons, numbering 170,000 troops in total.”

Zhang Zheng added, “See that fop General Li Xuan by the Crown Prince’s side? He’s actually a son-in-law who married into the Qi family. As for Qi Zhenzhuo, who was just spouting insults at us, he’s from a collateral branch of the Qi family; his father also served in the Imperial Guards.”

Chen Ji understood. “No wonder these Imperial Guards are dressed so splendidly; they’re merely ceremonial troops.”

Just then, on the dirt road behind them, a single set of hoofbeats echoed.

Everyone turned to see a yellowish-brown horse galloping towards them.

The next moment, General Li Xuan of the Imperial Guards blanched. He turned to the Crown Prince and exclaimed urgently, “Your Highness, that’s Wang Guang’s horse!”

By this time, Wang Guang should have been well on his way to Tianshui County.

Yet, the horse had suddenly returned, but its rider was nowhere to be found.