Under the setting sun.

On horseback, Zhang Zhuo repeatedly tried to bump into Wang Daosheng, who calmly dodged him. The former was like a volcano poised to erupt, while the latter resembled a hidden iceberg. Though seemingly unrelated, they were strangely brought together.

Chen Ji wondered, “Is Lord Zhang usually this…” The word “childish” ultimately remained unspoken.

Zhang Xia reached out to stroke Zaobao’s mane and spine, saying with a smile, “Father is usually very dignified in his official capacity, rarely like this. He must be acting this way because it’s Mr. Wang.”

Chen Ji grew even more puzzled: “Why is that?”

Zhang Xia thought for a moment: “My father once said Mr. Wang is a true gentleman. I suppose when facing Mr. Wang, he doesn’t need to be as cautious as usual. Although Mr. Wang may not agree with him, he would never harm him.”

Chen Ji sighed softly: “That’s truly good.”

Zhang Zhuo and Wang Daosheng did not banter for long.

Zhang Zhuo gradually quieted down. Sitting on his horse, he looked at the shimmering light where the setting sun lingered, and remarked with emotion, “The nation is like a painting; how wonderful it would be if there were peace under heaven.”

Wang Daosheng, walking beside him, calmly said, “Those two characters, *sheji*, are not ideal.”

Zhang Zhuo wondered, “Why not ideal?”

Wang Daosheng gazed into the distance: “‘She’ means land, and ‘ji’ means grain. Are the common people included in that?”

Zhang Zhuo suddenly exclaimed, “Wang Daosheng!”

Wang Daosheng glanced at him: “Please speak, Lord Zhang!”

Zhang Zhuo stretched out his red official robe and slowly said, “I don’t think you’ll necessarily be promoted to Minister of War upon your arrival in the capital. So, don’t hold out too much hope. Currently, you seem to be the most suitable candidate. Qi Xiuping is incompetent, and Yang Zhao is reckless. Neither of them compares to you for the position of Minister of War. This is also why Grand Secretary Hu recommended you.”

Wang Daosheng laughed dismissively: “I suppose there’s a ‘but’ coming.”

Zhang Zhuo took a deep breath. “However, for thirty-one years on the throne, His Majesty has most disliked employing those without weaknesses. Nothing in this world is flawless; the only sage can be the one in Renshou Palace, not anyone else.”

Wang Daosheng calmly asked, “So, what should I do?”

Zhang Zhuo lowered his voice: “Here’s an idea: I’ll send you a few women. Take on ten or so concubines before you enter the capital.”

Wang Daosheng chuckled wryly: “I am in mourning. I cannot remarry or take concubines.”

Zhang Zhuo looked up at the sky in thought, then lowered his head and said, “Then take some money. I’ll have someone send you some silver, then I’ll write a few memorials impeaching you and send the evidence to His Majesty’s hands.”

Wang Daosheng was amused: “If that happens, I’m afraid I’ll end up in the imperial prison.”

Zhang Zhuo shook his head, adjusted his official’s cap, and brushed dust from the white crane insignia on his chest. “In terms of literary scholarship and classical texts, I’m not your match, but in terms of being an official, you’re not mine. Taking a few thousand taels of silver is something His Majesty won’t even care about. Does His Majesty not know his subordinates are corrupt? Of course, he knows; he isn’t worried about that.”

“What does His Majesty worry about, then?”

Zhang Zhuo turned to Wang Daosheng: “His Majesty only worries that when he no longer wishes to employ you, he won’t be able to get rid of you.”

Wang Daosheng smiled: “I want nothing to do with any of the things you’re suggesting. All my life, I only wish to live with a clear conscience.”

Zhang Zhuo grumbled, “You scholars who pride yourselves on integrity — I’ve seen plenty like you. You live your entire lives, and all that’s left are the words ‘incorruptible’ and ‘upright,’ yet you accomplish nothing. If you and I joined forces in court, imagine how much we could achieve?”

Wang Daosheng said softly, “Seeking results through flawed processes will never lead to good outcomes. Lord Zhang, it’s too late for me to tarnish my reputation now. I don’t possess your boldness, and our political views do not align. It’s best not to join forces as officials in the same court.”

Zhang Zhuo fell silent, and the atmosphere became dead quiet. The younger members following behind held their breath.

Zhang Zhuo suddenly sighed, “Your official rank will surely never be as high as mine, but you might live longer than me. After I die, don’t let the historians write nonsense about me.”

Wang Daosheng was silent for a long time: “That is not for me to decide.”

Zhang Zhuo gave a carefree laugh: “Oh well, let them do as they please.”

Wang Daosheng calmly asked, “Are you content?”

Zhang Zhuo stroked his beard: “What else can I do?”

He thought for a moment and then added, “By the way, do you remember ‘Slaying the Loyal Official’ sung by Master Xu at that performance hall in the 25th year of Jianing?”

“I remember!”

Zhang Zhuo asked again, “Which part did you like best?”

Wang Daosheng replied, “Fettered by profit and fame, many heroes are ensnared. Morning bells and evening drums awaken countless deluded fools. And you?”

Zhang Zhuo laughed heartily: “A scrap of fame, a thousand mountains of wind and snow – the parts of the opera we like aren’t even the same. Indeed, we are not traveling the same path. So be it.”

At this moment, the sound of a horizontal flute drifted from afar, cutting through the wind and snow like a sword.

Chen Ji’s heart jolted, and he looked up. He saw a man sitting in front of a carriage beneath the Luocheng city gate tower. He resembled a coachman, yet seemed far more detached than one. His muscles tensed, and his hand instinctively went to his whale-blade: “Mr. Feng!”

Everyone looked intently. The carriage stood isolated by the roadside, adorned with carved peacock patterns.

Grand Secretary Liu’s carriage!

Chen Ji instinctively looked at Prince Jing. He saw that the Prince’s expression was calm, his gaze sternly fixed on the carriage.

Seeing them approach, Mr. Feng slowly lowered his flute and said with a smile, “Your Highness, my master invites you to join him in the carriage for a discussion.”

Prince Jing stood unmoving, still coldly staring at him: “Was it you who led the men to ambush and kill Yunxi and Baili?”

Mr. Feng feigned surprise: “Your Highness must be joking. I’ve been in White Robe Lane in Luocheng these past few days, listening to music. I haven’t gone out at all.”

Prince Jing sneered, “Do you need me to present the evidence?”

Mr. Feng laughed heartily: “No, no, even if Your Highness presents evidence, I won’t admit it.”

Prince Jing scoffed, “Presumptuous!”

Mr. Feng looked at the Millennium Army behind Prince Jing and said with a smile, “The Millennium Army left the camp without a military department dispatch. His Majesty might not do anything to Your Highness, but someone in the Millennium Army will certainly bear the consequences! If His Majesty follows his usual practice, General Wang will likely be exiled to perform forced labor in Lingnan… it will probably be difficult to see each other again after this.”

Chen Ji was startled. So, the cost of the Millennium Army besieging Luhan Villa even once was so great.

Prince Jing declared loudly, “General Wang.”

The man holding the royal banner responded, “Your humble subordinate is here.”

Prince Jing said, “Return to camp!”

“Take care, Your Highness!”

With that, General Wang waved the royal banner in his hand, and the Millennium Army solemnly turned their horses and headed south. The black armor worn by thousands of soldiers clanked with a deafening noise, and they moved without the slightest hesitation.

The carriage curtain was drawn open, and Liu Gun, dressed in plain grey cloth, slowly stepped out of the carriage, aided by Mr. Feng.

Zhang Zhuo quickly gestured for everyone to dismount and bow. However, Grand Secretary Liu did not look at Prince Jing. Instead, he first looked at Chen Ji, his gaze scrutinizing: “Are you Chen Ji?”

Everyone abruptly turned to Chen Ji. No one had expected Chen Ji to be singled out by a formidable Grand Secretary.

Zhang Zhuo gave a wry chuckle, pulling Wang Daosheng to stand between Grand Secretary Liu and Chen Ji. He smiled and cupped his hands in a bow: “Grand Secretary, I trust you have been well.”

Liu Gun cast a glance at him: “I am no longer a Grand Secretary. Just an old man in mourning at home. Don’t be afraid, Lord Zhang. I merely wish to speak a few words with this young man; I won’t harm him.”

Zhang Zhuo hesitated for a moment, but ultimately stepped aside.

Liu Gun scrutinized Chen Ji and asked again, “You are Chen Ji?”

Chen Ji stood beside his warhorse, cupped his hands and bowed: “To the Grand Secretary, that is correct!”

Liu Gun chuckled softly, like a kindly old man: “A young talent, unafraid as a newborn calf facing a tiger. Your future prospects are promising.”

Chen Ji did not reply.

Liu Gun then asked, “Are you married?”

Chen Ji shook his head: “No!”

Liu Gun smiled: “My Liu family happens to have a few young women of marriageable age…”

Before he could finish, the Heir stepped forward, bowed, and interrupted: “Grandfather!”

Liu Gun was not offended by the interruption. He turned and smiled at the Heir: “Good child, you haven’t visited the Liu family manor these past few years. Your mother used to bring you back to see us often in earlier years.”

The Heir replied, “Grandfather, I’ve been busy with my studies these past years. I’ll be sure to visit you more often when I have time in the future.”

Liu Gun said contentedly, “Good, good, good!”

Chen Ji frowned. So, Prince Jing’s official consort was also from the Liu family. Could she have been Consort Jing’s sister? At this point, the official consort’s cause of death seemed to be buried in time, unmentioned by anyone. But Chen Ji, recalling the Liu family’s nature and tactics, couldn’t help but wonder if there were hidden secrets involved.

Liu Gun glanced at Chen Ji, and ultimately said nothing more. He looked at Prince Jing with a weary expression: “Your Highness, why must there be such tension when we, father-in-law and son-in-law, meet? It has been a long time. Please, get in the carriage for a talk.”

Prince Jing pondered for a moment, then turned to the Heir and said, “You all go back first!”

The Heir urgently said, “Father…”

Prince Jing reassured him, “Go. Nothing will happen.”

But the Heir was unwilling to leave, and Chen Ji also remained still.

Zhang Zhuo chuckled awkwardly: “We’ve been traveling all day through wind and snow; let’s hurry home for a cup of hot tea. Come, come…” As he spoke, he pulled Chen Ji’s and the Heir’s arms, guiding them towards the city gate, and whispered, “In front of so many eyes, what can he do to His Highness? Do you really want to force the Liu family to drop all pretenses? Are you foolish? Don’t worry, His Highness will be fine.”

Only then did the Heir depart, looking back repeatedly as he went.

Entering the city gate, Chen Ji couldn’t help but look back. He saw Prince Jing lift the carriage curtain and step inside, while Mr. Feng stood beside the carriage, smiling at him.

With a thud, a man inside the city gate bumped into Chen Ji and passed him by. Chen Ji focused his gaze, only to see the man, with his straw hat pulled low, merge into the bustling market crowd. It was clearly the back of Xifeng from the Secret Intelligence Bureau. He subtly lowered his head and unfolded a slip of paper in his hand. It starkly read: “Caution: All messengers carrying secret memorials to the capital have been killed!”

Chen Ji abruptly looked up. Was this Yuzhou already a cage?