Evening.

In the northwest, there were no clouds, so a red sun hung abruptly above the earth, appearing exceptionally magnificent and solitary.

On the official road, a strong wind swept yellow sand into the sky.

Everyone leaned forward on their horses, covering their mouths and noses with their arms, almost unable to open their eyes due to the wind and sand. Chen Ji looked up, squinting, and saw the outline of the county town appear on the horizon.

Upon reaching the city gate, they found Tianshui County’s gates tightly shut. The guards were still unaware of the battle’s conclusion in Guyuan. Seeing Chen Ji and his group approach, the armored soldiers on the city wall immediately drew their bowstrings and demanded, “Who goes there?”

Chen Ji called back from afar, “The Heavenly Strategists Army has been defeated; we escaped from Guyuan!”

The armored soldier on the city wall said coldly, “How can you prove that? Escaping from Guyuan and still riding horses? Who are you trying to fool? Loose arrows!”

In an instant, arrows rained down from the city tower. If Chen Ji hadn’t been alert and kept his distance, he would likely have been shot full of holes by then.

Li Xuan was about to reveal his identity, but Chen Ji held him back, saying, “Don’t speak!”

Li Xuan paused, “Why?”

Chen Ji didn’t answer. He turned and beckoned to Qi Zhenzhuo.

Qi Zhenzhuo led his horse closer, asking, “What is it, Master?”

Chen Ji glanced at him and whispered, “Pass the order: we are now traveling merchants who fled from Guyuan, lost our goods, and are heading to Taiyuan Prefecture for refuge. Until we reach the capital, everyone must refer to His Highness as ‘Young Master.’ Anyone who reveals His Highness’s identity will be dealt with by military law.”

“Yes,” Qi Zhenzhuo acknowledged the order and turned to inform everyone.

Chen Ji frowned as he looked at the tightly shut city gates from a distance. The Crown Prince, standing nearby, asked, “Are you worried someone might attempt an assassination again on the way back to the capital?”

Chen Ji cupped his hands and replied, “There might not be, but it’s always better to be safe than sorry. I hope Young Master understands.”

The Crown Prince smiled, “Right Officer Guard, you are considering my safety, there’s no need to be so polite. Now that we can’t enter the city, what should we do?”

“Wait,” Chen Ji said, glancing at the sky. “With the great victory in Guyuan, the border army will certainly send someone to deliver the news, and the city gates will open then.”

Qi Zhenzhuo mumbled from the side, “The Tianshui County garrison is quite alert, but what if the border army arrives and they still don’t recognize them?”

Zhang Xia explained from the side, “Deceiving open city gates has always been an important siege tactic, so Tianshui County must be on guard. However, there’s no need to worry; border garrisons have always had a three-fold verification method. The first involves twelve ‘shadow portraits’ hung inside the city gate tower, depicting the appearances of the border general, deputy general, military advisor, and nine other military strategists; one of these twelve must present themselves. The second is the tiger tally and seal. The third is a pre-arranged set of three questions and three answers. Two of these three methods must match for the gates to open. Otherwise, the city guard will be immediately executed, and their three clans exiled three thousand li.”

The Crown Prince praised, “Miss Zhang Er’s extensive knowledge and strong memory truly live up to her reputation.”

Chen Ji sat down outside the arrow’s range. “Let’s wait,” he said. “The border army won’t wait too long.”

Everyone sat wearily on the ground, watching the sun set in the west. Then, a fast horse arrived from the direction of Guyuan. The armored rider passed by Chen Ji and his group, drew his bow, and shot an arrow towards the Tianshui County city gate tower, shouting, “Great victory in Guyuan! The Heavenly Strategists Army has been annihilated! Six hundred li urgent dispatch! Verify quickly!”

The city guard on the tower, holding a torch, quickly retrieved the arrow and unfurled the white paper wrapped around it. He was astonished to see the Grand Seal of the Guyuan General stamped on the paper!

“Quick, bring the shadow portraits!” the city guard urgently ordered.

The guards brought the shadow portraits and compared them to the official seal, confirming that every notch matched perfectly. Only then did he shout down to the ground, “The daytime watch is over, how many drumbeats mark the closing of the gates?”

The border army below the city wall answered loudly, “Six hundred eighty-nine beats!”

The city guard asked again, “What if there is no night pass?”

The border army replied, “Twenty-seven lashes!”

The city guard asked once more, “What did you eat last night?”

The border army answered, “Elm flour!”

Qi Zhenzhuo’s eyes widened. “What is all this nonsense?” he muttered.

Zhang Xia explained, “The three questions and three answers are naturally designed to be questions that outsiders could never answer.”

No sooner had she spoken than a burst of cheers erupted from the city wall: “Guyuan won! The Heavenly Strategists Army has been annihilated!”

“Guyuan won!”

“Long live our dynasty!”

A creaking sound was heard as the Tianshui County gates opened. The city guard, holding up his official robe, ran down from the city wall. He excitedly rushed to the border soldier’s warhorse, pulling on its reins and asking, “Did we really win?”

The border soldier impatiently retorted, “Get out of the way! I’m waiting to change horses to deliver this six hundred li urgent dispatch!”

The city guard quickly responded, “Quick, quick, quick! Prepare two jin of mutton and two jin of flatbread for the hero from Guyuan, for him to eat on the way!”

Chen Ji asked from a distance, “Can we enter the city now?”

The city guard’s enthusiasm vanished, and his face turned cold. “Where are your travel permits?” he demanded.

Chen Ji replied, “They were lost in Guyuan, burned completely in a great fire.”

The city guard sneered, “Then wait outside the gate.”

At this moment, the border soldier rode back and said to the city guard, “I know these people. They escaped from Guyuan this morning. Let them pass.”

Chen Ji was momentarily stunned. He then saw the border soldier cup his hands in a distant salute to him and Li Xuan, before galloping off into the city.

Chen Ji finally entered Tianshui County, where the wind and sand had somewhat subsided.

Zhang Xia rode her horse through Tianshui City. She looked back at Tianshui City Gate and curiously asked Chen Ji, “You had everyone hide their identities. Is it because, as Official Chen said, you’re worried someone might use this opportunity to seize the throne?”

Chen Ji nodded, and after ensuring no one was nearby, he recalled, “I never understood one thing before: why Hu Junxian suddenly called me up to the city gate tower to talk about recruiting me and surrendering the city? It made no sense.”

Zhang Xia lowered her head in thought. “Mr. Wang’s letter arrived before us, but he didn’t see you earlier or later; he specifically chose to see you the day before the city’s surrender… Furthermore, he never actually intended to recruit you.”

Chen Ji hummed in affirmation. “Exactly. He was actually using me to send a message to Dragon Gate Inn: ‘You can act now.'”

Zhang Xia suddenly understood. “But you never revealed it to the innkeeper… Was it through Dragon Gate Inn’s listening jar?”

Chen Ji nodded. “This time, it’s not just the Directorate of Ceremonials that wants the Crown Prince dead; even the border army wants him dead.”

Zhang Xia whispered, “Prince Fu.”

Chen Ji looked at the Crown Prince’s back.

He had only known before that succession struggles were dangerous, but he hadn’t known where the danger lay.

He had heard of the Xuanwu Gate Incident, the Witchcraft Disaster, Hu Hai’s usurpation, and the Rebellion of the Eight Princes. He was very clear about the dangers of succession struggles, but those stories from old papers were far less real than facing it directly.

For a crown prince to die almost inexplicably in a border town was truly impossible to guard against. If the Crown Prince were to die here, historical records would only state that he died for his country, never connecting it to a succession struggle.

Perhaps this was the difference between history and truth.

At this moment, Li Xuan reined in his horse in front of an inn. He looked back at the Crown Prince and asked, “Young Master, shall we stay here tonight?”

The Crown Prince casually said, “This place is too close to the city gate; it will be noisy when the guards change shifts. Let’s go a bit further.”

Li Xuan remained silent.

The group traveled another li further. Li Xuan pointed to another inn and asked, “Young Master, what about this place?”

The Crown Prince looked straight ahead, as if distracted and hadn’t heard.

It wasn’t until Chen Ji pointed to an inn and asked the Crown Prince, “Young Master, how about this place?”

The Crown Prince said gently, “Good.”

Chen Ji signaled the Imperial Guards to lead the horses into the stable. He then instructed Li Xuan, “Official Li, take some men to buy water skins and food. We’ll continue our journey early tomorrow morning… Remember to arrange night watches. If any unauthorized persons approach the inn, kill them first.”

“Understood,” Li Xuan quietly asked, “Should we hire a carriage for His Highness?”

“No,” Chen Ji shook his head. “We can only switch to a carriage once we leave Shanzhou territory. If attackers come, a carriage won’t be fast enough.”

Li Xuan asked no more questions.

Chen Liqin saw the two quietly discussing something and approached them. Just as he was about to ask a question, Li Xuan had already hurried away with his men.

He then looked at Chen Ji, wanting to ask about his next plans. But Chen Ji didn’t spare him a glance, turning and entering the inn to rent the entire establishment with the silver given by the Crown Prince.

Madam Liang quietly observed from the end of the procession. She watched as, in less than an hour, the Crown Prince’s subordinates completed a power transition.

Wang Gui whispered, “Madam, Official Chen is clearly the highest-ranking official. How can you tolerate Chen Ji usurping his authority?”

Madam Liang calmly said, “This is the rule of the imperial family. Regardless of official rank or social status, power rests with whoever holds the emperor’s favor.”

She stepped over the threshold and waited for her room in the inn’s main hall.

When the innkeeper was assigning rooms, Chen Ji had initially intended for several people to share a room. But the Crown Prince suddenly said, “Right Officer Guard has been working hard these past few days. He should rest well, so let him have a room to himself.”

Chen Ji thought for a moment, then cupped his hands and assented, “Yes.”

Madam Liang’s eyes subtly shifted. She looked at the Crown Prince, and then her gaze unexpectedly turned to Zhang Xia.

Late at night.

Chen Ji sat alone in the Tianzi Yi room, quietly reviewing the events in Guyuan and recalling if there were any oversights.

With a creak, the door opened.

Xiaoman, with her sleeves rolled up, entered carrying a wooden basin. “What are you thinking about, Young Master?” she asked.

Chen Ji snapped out of his thoughts. “Nothing in particular,” he said.

Xiaoman made a sound of understanding. “Young Master, let me wash your feet to relieve your fatigue,” she offered.

As she spoke, she knelt in front of Chen Ji and reached out to help him remove his boots.

Chen Ji quickly withdrew his feet. “No need, I’ll do it myself,” he said.

Xiaoman asked, puzzled, “Young Master, did I do something wrong?”

Chen Ji said softly, “You didn’t do anything wrong; it’s just that you won’t have to do these things anymore.”

Xiaoman’s eyes widened. “What nonsense are you talking, Young Master? What else would a maid do if not these things… Are you sending me away?”

Chen Ji smiled. “Xiaoman, if you hadn’t been sold as a maid from childhood, what would you most want to do?” he asked.

Xiaoman knelt in front of the wooden basin, propping her chin on her hands and pondering for a long time. Then she lowered her head and whispered, “If I hadn’t become a maid at nine, I’d probably be at home waiting to marry. My parents would find me a family, either a butcher’s, a tenant farmer’s, or sell me as a concubine to someone. It wouldn’t make much difference anyway.”

Chen Ji’s smile slowly faded. He was silent for a moment before asking again, “Putting the past aside, what would you most want to do if it were now?”

Xiaoman thought for a moment. “I want to help Young Master marry a legitimate daughter from a prominent family… Young Master, what do you think of Miss Zhang Er? She’s beautiful, intelligent, and besides…”

Chen Ji interrupted, “Not what you want to do for me, but what you yourself want to do.”

Xiaoman was stunned for a long time. Then she whispered, “Why think about such things? Only officials think about these things. We maids don’t need to think about them. Sister Liqiu said maids shouldn’t think about these things; if you think too much, life feels bitter, but if you don’t, it’s fine.”

Chen Ji said seriously, “Now you can think about it.”

The next moment, he pulled a yellow paper from his sleeve. “I promised you that if we left Guyuan alive, I would help you get your indenture back. Xiaoman, you are no longer a maid. You no longer have to live humbly and can have a life of your own.”

Xiaoman was startled at first. “A life of my own?” she thought. Young Master’s words were strange; he had never spoken like this before.

Then, she happily took the indenture. “Oh, when did Young Master get this back?” she asked.

Chen Ji explained, “I returned to Dragon Gate Inn to retrieve luggage before you all, specifically to take this from Madam Liang’s belongings.”

Xiaoman was overjoyed. “I didn’t expect Young Master to still remember,” she said.

Chen Ji shook his head. “I didn’t specifically retrieve your indenture for you. I was worried that after Chen Wenxiao died, Madam Liang would go back on her word, so I went to look for the property deeds and land deeds left by my aunt. I just didn’t expect her not to have them on her.”

Xiaoman mumbled, “Those things are locked up in the capital; she certainly wouldn’t carry them with her. Besides, land and property deeds require family elders and village heads as witnesses to be transferred at the yamen, so getting them back here would be useless… But, but where will I go now?”

She had yearned for this for many years. Now that she was truly free, she suddenly felt lost.

Chen Ji thought for a moment. “When we return to the capital, and once I reclaim my aunt’s properties, you can become an innkeeper. If you want to go to Gufu Tower, go to Gufu Tower. If you want to go to Yujing Garden, go to Yujing Garden.”

Xiaoman pretended to be annoyed. “Young Master truly jokes! Yujing Garden is a pleasure quarter in the Eight Great Hutongs. What would a young girl like me do managing such a place? If I were to go anywhere, it would be Gufu Tower!”

Chen Ji said sincerely, “Then become the innkeeper of Gufu Tower.”

Xiaoman looked at him, and then lowered her head again. “If I go, who will serve you? Then you won’t eat well or dress warmly, and you’ll blame me.”

Chen Ji teased, “If you don’t want it, then give it back to me.”

Xiaoman quickly said, “No, no!”

At this moment, Zhang Xia and Zhang Zheng pushed the door open and entered.

Xiaoman hurriedly carried the wooden basin and rushed out, almost bumping into Zhang Zheng.

Zhang Zheng turned back and said, “Why are you rushing out so frantically?”

Xiaoman stepped out, carrying the wooden basin and pacing in the corridor. For a moment, she didn’t know where she should go.

She put down the wooden basin and unfolded her indenture again, examining it carefully.

She saw written on it: “This indenture is established by Yao Man, who pledges allegiance to serve. Her body and descendants shall serve the Chen family masters for generations upon their call, without delay or defiance. Should there be any resistance to service, the master shall deal with it, and this document shall remain the standard.”

Yao Man.

She had almost forgotten her original name.

Xiaoman looked at the indenture and suddenly wanted to just leave, to be free from all constraints, with the sky and sea as her limit. She was an official courier, and she had saved some silver over the years; she could surely live well anywhere she went!

But…

Xiaoman looked back at Chen Ji’s closed room door. She couldn’t just leave like that; it would be too heartless.

A moment later, her eyes darted. “If I do something for Young Master before I leave, it won’t be heartless!” she thought.

She silently crept towards Wang Gui’s room. Reaching the door of Diziding Room, she took a dagger from her sleeve and inserted it into the door crack, trying to pick open the latch from the gap.

Strangely, the door was not closed.

Xiaoman sensed something was wrong and immediately pushed the door open. Wang Gui was nowhere to be found inside.

Holding the dagger in a reverse grip, she menacingly circled the room. The bed was undisturbed, the cups on the table untouched; it didn’t look like anyone had stayed there at all!

Xiaoman frowned as she went downstairs. She found Qi Zhenzhuo, who was on duty, and called out, “Hey!”

Qi Zhenzhuo turned to see Xiaoman and quickly smiled, “Miss Xiaoman, is Master calling for me?”

Xiaoman said grumpily, “I already told you, my Young Master doesn’t acknowledge you as his disciple! I’m asking you, have you seen Wang Gui?”

Qi Zhenzhuo recalled, “Yes, I saw him. As soon as we settled in, he took a horse out, saying he needed to buy some items for Madam Chen.”

Xiaoman asked in a deep voice, “When did he leave!”

Qi Zhenzhuo replied, “It’s probably been over an hour.”

Xiaoman cursed inwardly. “This scoundrel is so cunning; he ran away early!”

“A scourge lives a thousand years!” Xiaoman muttered, puffing with anger as she returned to her room.

Chen Ji saw her like this and asked, puzzled, “Where did you go for a stroll? Who upset you?”

Xiaoman sat on a small stool, sulking, and said grumpily, “I’m fine.”

After saying that, she shifted her position, turning her back to Chen Ji and the others, and pondered how to get rid of Wang Gui once they returned to the capital.

As she thought, Xiaoman suddenly stood up and placed the indenture back into Chen Ji’s hand. “Please keep this for me for now. When I want it, you can give it back to me,” she said.

Chen Ji was bewildered and could only put the indenture away again. “What on earth is wrong with you?” he asked.

Xiaoman mumbled, “Why is Wang Gui so hard to kill? So many people died in Guyuan, but he didn’t. I just tried to kill him, but he got away.”

Chen Ji was startled. “He ran?” he asked.

Xiaoman hummed in agreement. “Too cunning,” she added.

After Xiaoman mentioned this, Zhang Xia also frowned and said, “All the servants in the Chen household died, leaving only him. He does have some exceptional qualities. Even when he was captured by the Heavenly Strategists Army earlier, he didn’t die.”

Chen Ji’s heart stirred. He suddenly asked, “After you were captured while hiding in the cellar, did the Heavenly Strategists Army separate you individually to try and turn you?”

Zhang Xia shook her head. “No… wait, Wang Gui was the first to be taken up. It was about several tens of breaths before the second person was taken up, and those tens of breaths aren’t enough to do anything significant.”

Chen Ji hummed. “Let’s not think about that for now. Let’s return to our previous topic,” he said.

Zhang Xia said to Chen Ji, “From Guyuan to the capital, passing through Qingyang, Tongchuan, Yuncheng, Taiyuan, and Huolu, it’s a total of two thousand six hundred li. It’s currently the first month of the year; we’ll likely reach the capital in the second month. Official Chen urged the Crown Prince to leave quickly, actually fearing that further delays would make Chen Wenzong miss the imperial examination.”

Chen Ji calculated the time and was startled.

Zhang Xia continued, “All along the way, I’ve seen Madam Liang and Wang Gui constantly conspiring about something. When we get back, you might as well move out of the Chen residence. Either move into my Zhang family’s residence, or buy a small house; it would be better than staying with the Chen family…”

She saw Chen Ji was distracted and asked curiously, “What are you thinking about?”

Chen Ji snapped back to reality and said with some disappointment, “I just realized that Master should have reached Lushun by now. I wonder how they are doing.”

In the dark night outside Lushun Port, a large, two-masted ship was moving through the waves, approaching the harbor.

An old man stood at the bow of the ship, his hands clasped behind his back, letting the sea wind howl around him.

The sailors on the ship were furling the sails, shouting work chants.

Amidst the commotion, the old man quietly watched the dark sea and the approaching harbor, then turned and went back into the cabin.

Inside the cabin, Liang Gou’er was sound asleep on his bunk. Liang Mao’er watched Zhu Yunxi repeatedly swing his wooden saber in the cramped cabin, sweating profusely.

Old Man Yao glanced sideways at the three. “Get ready to disembark. People from the Military Strategy Bureau are waiting on shore to escort us to Jing Dynasty’s capital. Young Master,” he continued, “I, an old man, will ask you one last time: do you have any regrets? If you regret it, never mind the floods in this world, never mind the great cause of a dynasty; just be selfish and stay on the ship. It’s still not too late.”

Upon hearing this, Zhu Yunxi slowly put down the wooden saber in his hand and wiped the sweat from his forehead. “No regrets,” he said.

Old Man Yao no longer tried to persuade him. “Then remember why you came to the Jing Dynasty: only through endurance can you succeed,” he said. “Let’s go. There’s no turning back now.”