Escorted by the Imperial Guard, the Goryeo Crown Prince passed through the imperial palace, entering from the left side of Huangji Gate.

The Crown Prince, having traveled a long distance, couldn’t help but gaze at the Forbidden City with an expression of deep fascination.

An official from the Court of State Ceremonials, standing nearby, reminded him, “Your Highness, please refrain from looking around.”

The Goryeo Crown Prince exclaimed, “How can one resist gazing upon such a magnificent imperial palace? I had always believed that Gyeongbokgung Palace in Hancheng was among the most splendid places on earth. But now, seeing this Great Ning Imperial Palace, I truly understand the divine right of kings and the majesty of the imperial house.”

Hearing this, the official from the Court of State Ceremonials immediately beamed and no longer pressed the issue, simply saying, “Of course.”

Bypassing Huangji Hall and Zhongji Hall, everyone waited outside Jianji Hall for the imperial decree, awaiting Emperor Ning’s ascension to the throne.

Chen Ji silently surveyed his surroundings, pondering Wuyun’s disappearance after entering the Forbidden City last night. Where could it be hiding now? Had it encountered some danger, forcing it to hide and lie low?

Just then, another squad of armored soldiers approached from the east. Their helmets were adorned with red pheasant tails, and they carried hand cannons, moving with a powerful, majestic stride. As they passed the Imperial Guard, they merely cast a sideways glance before looking straight ahead again.

Qi Zhenzhuo whispered enviously, “The Shenji Camp!”

Chen Ji turned his head to observe the Shenji Camp’s hand cannons. These were simple devices, composed of a muzzle, powder chamber, pan cover, and a tail socket – far from the appearance of later “firearms.” They more closely resembled large, strange copper flutes.

He pondered that these hand cannons were ultimately inferior to matchlock muskets in range and accuracy. They offered extremely low stability for mounted combat and were inconvenient. However, they were effective enough for defending positions against cavalry; a full volley from a military formation might even be difficult for a high-ranking Seeker-of-Tao to fully evade.

He mused that instead of developing matchlock muskets, it might be better to skip directly to flintlock guns. Who had developed China’s first flintlock? He recalled it was a craftsman named Bi in the late Ming Dynasty, who had named it the “self-igniting firearm.”

From hand cannons to matchlock muskets and then to flintlock guns, Chen Ji’s thoughts drifted far away.

It wasn’t until a series of hand cannon roars brought him back to reality that he saw the armored soldiers of the Shenji Camp standing in two rows in front of Jianji Hall, firing their cannons as a salute.

Immediately, smoke billowed, and the smell of gunpowder filled the air.

Chen Ji then looked at the Goryeo Crown Prince, only to find him utterly captivated by the hand cannons.

The official from the Court of State Ceremonials tugged at the Crown Prince, reminding him, “Your Highness, it’s time for the audience with His Majesty. Remember my instructions: perform the three prostrations and nine kowtows correctly, and absolutely avoid any impropriety before the Emperor.”

The Goryeo Crown Prince smoothed his scarlet silk robe and replied, “Understood.”

The next moment, Wu Xiu strode out from Jianji Hall and announced loudly, “Presenting the Goryeo Crown Prince, Yi Yeok, for audience!”

The Imperial Guard escorted the Goryeo Crown Prince up the grand steps. Jianji Hall stood with its red walls and golden tiles, featuring five open doors and a facade spanning nine bays.

Before the imperial screen, on the golden lacquered throne, the Emperor sat with downcast eyes.

The Crown Prince lifted his robe, stepped over the threshold, then prostrated himself on the ground, performing the three prostrations and nine kowtows. “Your subject, Yi Yeok, humbly begs for Your Majesty’s grace!” he proclaimed.

However, amidst this loud proclamation, Chen Ji, standing outside the hall, suddenly froze, his pupils constricting sharply.

He saw that at the highest point of the resplendent Jianji Hall, Emperor Ning, dressed in a black ceremonial robe, sat upright on the golden lacquered throne, his expression unreadable. Slightly behind him to the east was a phoenix seat, where the Empress, in a phoenix crown and imperial robes, smiled gently.

But strangely, in such a solemn setting, the Empress was holding a scruffy black cat in her arms!

The black cat wore a fitted cloud brocade garment wrapped around its belly, and a small pure gold longevity lock hung from its neck, an image of utter opulence.

Wuyun?

Wuyun!

Chen Ji’s mouth hung slightly agape. If he hadn’t been so familiar with Wuyun, he would barely have recognized its current opulent appearance.

He tried to piece together the cause and effect in his mind, but he couldn’t for the life of him understand why Wuyun was in the Empress’s arms. Numerous questions stuck in his throat.

Is this why you haven’t come home?

Inside Jianji Hall, Wuyun meowed, “Don’t keep staring at me. I’m afraid Her Majesty the Empress will misunderstand.”

Chen Ji was speechless.

Beside him, Qi Zhenzhuo lowered his head, his words squeezed out through clenched teeth: “Are you out of your mind? Quickly lower your head and turn to face away from the hall!”

Chen Ji immediately withdrew his gaze and stood with the other Imperial Guards protecting the hall entrance, his heart filled with mixed emotions.

At this moment, the Goryeo Crown Prince, kneeling before the Emperor, presented his memorial: “This humble foreign subject today has the honor of seeing His Imperial Majesty of the Celestial Dynasty. We respectfully observe that Your Imperial Majesty’s virtue matches heaven and earth, and your benevolence rivals the sun and moon.”

Emperor Ning, seated on the throne, did not acknowledge the flattery. He merely asked casually, “Goryeo is a chief vassal state; there is no need for such pleasantries. Having traveled so far, what is your purpose?”

The Goryeo Crown Prince did not lift his head, prostrating himself as he spoke: “This humble subject’s purpose in coming, firstly, is that our nation has suffered years of famine and plunder by the Jing Dynasty, making it difficult to prepare tribute horses. We humbly request a reduction by half of the regular tribute.”

“Granted.”

The Goryeo Crown Prince rose, then kowtowed again: “Secondly, we humbly request Your Majesty to bestow upon us ‘The Great Compendium of the Four Books,’ ‘The Great Compendium of the Five Classics,’ and ‘Essentials of Agriculture and Sericulture’.”

“Granted.”

The Goryeo Crown Prince kowtowed once more: “Thirdly, for three consecutive years, the Jing Dynasty has arbitrarily provoked border conflicts, leading to the collapse of our nation’s eight provinces… We humbly beg for the swift dispatch of heavenly troops to save our people and preserve our nation’s lineage.”

As his words fell, a red-robed Grand Secretary immediately stepped forward and declared loudly, “Your Majesty, that cannot be. Our navy’s journey to Goryeo would take dozens of days by sea. By the time they arrive, the winds will be fierce and the waves high, making it truly unsuitable for long-distance naval warfare.”

The Goryeo Crown Prince hastily pleaded, “Our small nation has suffered greatly from the Jing Dynasty’s bullying. Those scoundrels Yuan Xiang and Lu Jin have always harbored ambitions of annexing Goryeo. If no heavenly troops come to our aid, we fear our nation will cease to exist!”

Emperor Ning, seated high on his throne, stated, “To be discussed further.”

The Goryeo Crown Prince’s expression fell.

An official from the Ministry of Rites, holding his ceremonial tablet, asked lightly, “Does Your Highness have any other matters to present?”

The Goryeo Crown Prince composed himself and said in a low voice, “This humble subject earnestly begs, if no heavenly troops can be sent, could Your Majesty, in consideration of this humble subject’s utmost sincerity, bestow upon us 500 firearms and 30 cannons to save our small nation from peril?”

Jianji Hall suddenly fell silent, and the gazes of the court officials all turned to the Goryeo Crown Prince.

A moment later, Grand Secretary Hu lightly coughed, and a blue-robed official, holding his ceremonial tablet, stepped forward. “Your Majesty, that cannot be. If firearms are given to Goryeo, how can we be sure they won’t fall into the hands of the Jing Dynasty’s scoundrels? Furthermore, firearms are a double-edged sword; if not used properly, they can harm both friend and foe. Even the Shenji Camp requires years of training; if these firearms were given to them, they wouldn’t know how to use them anyway.”

Chen Ji, standing outside the hall, had been listening. He couldn’t help but marvel that throughout the entire court session, Emperor Ning didn’t need to utter a single word; someone always responded on his behalf for every matter.

Jianji Hall fell silent once more.

At this moment, Wuyun suddenly meowed, “Be careful. I heard Her Majesty the Empress say that this Goryeo Crown Prince’s memorial for an audience was sent to the palace long ago, and his last request in it was for a marriage alliance. Her Majesty also said that his initial request for firearms was just a feint, likely intended to make the Emperor agree to the marriage alliance request.”

Chen Ji’s heart tightened. Emperor Ning had no daughters.

More critically, in the silent Jianji Hall, Wuyun’s meow was truly abrupt, causing even the Goryeo Crown Prince and the court officials to look up in astonishment.

Everyone looked at the Empress, who calmly stroked Wuyun’s head, saying nothing.

Emperor Ning slightly tilted his head and, surprisingly, asked with a smile, “Where did this cat come from? It’s as black as a ball of ink.”

The court officials exchanged glances. Just as the Goryeo Crown Prince was about to bring up the matter of firearms again, the Empress said with a gentle smile, “I don’t know where this little wild cat ran into the palace from, but I found it endearing, so I decided to keep it in Kunning Palace.”

Emperor Ning laughed heartily. “What is its name?” he asked.

The Empress replied, “It hasn’t been named yet. Perhaps Your Majesty could give it one?”

Emperor Ning pondered for a moment. “It seems robust and tiger-like to me,” he said. “How about ‘Mountain Lord’?”

“‘Mountain Lord’? That is a good name,” the Empress said curiously. “But Your Majesty’s own Frosty Brow was bestowed the title ‘True Lord of Loyalty, Filial Piety, Illustrious Dragon, Broad Benevolence, and Holy Protection.’ How is it that when it comes to your subject’s cat, it only gets a name?”

Emperor Ning said with a laugh, “How about bestowing upon it the title ‘Great General for Catching Mice,’ and granting it a suit of armor and an official seal?”

The Empress feigned a pout of annoyance, “What would Your Majesty grant it armor and a seal for? It wouldn’t know how to use them; it would be a waste.”

Emperor Ning looked at the Goryeo Crown Prince with a smile. “Since it wouldn’t know how to use them, then they won’t be granted,” he said.

The Goryeo Crown Prince froze in place.

Without waiting for him to speak, Emperor Ning had already given his orders: “Bestow upon the Crown Prince five sets of ceremonial robes, a jade belt, and a gold seal; two hundred bolts of silk, two hundred bolts of cloud brocade, two thousand taels of silver, two hundred pieces of porcelain, and twenty sets of armor.”

The Goryeo Crown Prince was still distracted. The official from the Court of State Ceremonials beside him prompted, “Express your gratitude!”

The Crown Prince immediately snapped back to reality and could only prostrate himself, saying, “Thank Your Majesty for your divine grace.”

Wu Xiu looked at the official from the Court of State Ceremonials, who immediately understood, stepped forward, and loudly declared, “Audience concluded!”

Only then did Wu Xiu announce loudly, “No more matters; court dismissed!”

The court officials kowtowed and exited in single file, without giving the Goryeo Crown Prince another chance to speak.

Chen Ji, standing outside the hall, couldn’t help but peer in, watching Emperor Ning and the Empress walk towards the back of the hall together, with Wuyun also being carried away with them.

Before disappearing from view, the dignified Wuyun meowed, “Don’t worry about me! I’ll find a way to find the Princess!”

Chen Ji was speechless.

In the back hall, Emperor Ning glanced at Wuyun in the Empress’s arms. “This cat is quite docile and affectionate,” he remarked. “My previous Frosty Brow never let anyone hold it. Perhaps we should keep it in Renshou Palace?”

The Empress glanced at him. “Since Your Majesty has spoken,” she said, “your subject will naturally obey.”

Emperor Ning reached out to embrace Wuyun, but the cat suddenly climbed onto the Empress’s shoulder and tightly hugged her neck.

The Empress’s gaze immediately softened.

She embraced Wuyun in her arms and said softly, “Your Majesty, look, it can’t bear to leave me. Whenever you wish to play with it, please come to Kunning Palace yourself.”

The Goryeo Crown Prince entered the hall filled with expectation but left with eyes full of weariness.

The Imperial Guard escorted him outside the Meridian Gate. Bai Long was already waiting there and instructed, “The matter of military assistance still needs to be discussed by His Majesty with the Grand Secretaries. Your Highness, please return to the Huiguan and await news.”

The Crown Prince sighed deeply. “It can only be so,” he said.

Bai Long waved his hand. The Goryeo envoys brought two sedan chairs, concealing both the Crown Prince and a body double as they boarded. From the outside, it was impossible to tell which sedan chair the Crown Prince had entered.

Bai Long looked at Li Xuan. “Commander Li,” he said, “I’ll trouble you to arrange for two groups to escort the Crown Prince back to the Huiguan.”

Li Xuan cupped his fist and replied, “Understood.”

The two groups exited Chengtian Gate and proceeded separately towards East and West Chang’an Avenue.

Traffic flowed continuously on Chang’an Avenue. As the Imperial Guard cleared the way, bystanders willingly moved aside under the grey-tiled eaves, waiting for the procession to pass.

Chen Ji followed in the procession. Qi Zhenzhuo whispered, “Did you see that cat of Her Majesty the Empress? It looks so much like the one you took to Guyuan.”

Chen Ji casually replied, “Mm, it does look a bit similar.”

At this moment, Li Xuan, while cautiously surveying his surroundings, said to Chen Ji, “The Directorate of Ceremonial’s move to flog Chen Wenren and then hand him over to the Ministry of War is truly vicious. Just yesterday, the Chen, Qi, and Xu families collectively challenged the Hu family, and today, someone from the Chen family has already fallen into the Hu family’s hands.”

Chen Ji asked curiously, “Will he be dismissed from office?”

Li Xuan thought for a moment. “It’s hard to say; it depends on how much the Chen family is willing to pay. The Grand Secretaries never act on emotion; as long as there’s enough profit, they can forget yesterday’s grievances today. Chen Wenren is, after all, the legitimate second son of the second branch, and the first branch has no male heirs, so they will likely move to protect him.”

Chen Ji hummed in acknowledgment.

Li Xuan suddenly said, “It would be good if the Chen family didn’t protect him. From now on, the Imperial Guard would be under my command, and everyone could relax a bit. Don’t worry, I’ll consult with you on matters.”

Chen Ji smiled. “Lord Li, I’m just a mere squad leader,” he said.

Li Xuan shook his head. “There’s no need for such formalities between us. If it weren’t for you that day, I would have died in Guyuan. All of us who returned from Guyuan know your capabilities. Just look at my brother-in-law here; anyone who didn’t know would think you were his brother-in-law.”

Qi Zhenzhuo laughed heartily. “Brother-in-law,” he said, “I’m just being sensible.”

As they spoke, the two processions arrived at the Huiguan and the sedan chairs were lowered. Li Xuan said in a deep voice, “Your Highness, please alight from the sedan chair.”

The Goryeo envoys went to lift the sedan chair curtain. The person on the right side alighted, but the person on the left side didn’t move at all, as if asleep inside the sedan chair.

Li Xuan frowned, stepped forward two paces, and reached out to pat the person inside the sedan chair. “Wake up?” he asked.

As his words fell, the person inside the sedan chair slumped over and fell out.

Li Xuan’s expression changed. He abruptly lifted the veil, only to see that the person’s face was bluish-black, having long since ceased breathing!

“It’s not the Crown Prince,” Chen Ji said, “it’s the body double.”

Li Xuan looked up towards the other side. The Goryeo Crown Prince removed his veil and exclaimed in horror, “Esteemed Ning Dynasty officials, what is going on? Why did he die in the sedan chair?”

Over thirty Imperial Guards instinctively looked at Chen Ji, but Chen Ji also frowned, remaining silent.

Throughout the journey, no one had approached the sedan chairs at all.

Absolutely not.

Li Xuan asked in a low voice, “What should we do? He was escorted by us, killed right under our noses. I’m afraid we can’t escape responsibility!”

Qi Zhenzhuo cursed under his breath, “Damn it! How did we just get back to the capital only to be slapped with this mess? This couldn’t be the treacherous Prime Minister trying to frame my Qi family, could it?”

Chen Ji said in a deep voice, “First, escort the Crown Prince into the Huiguan and guard the front gate and back courtyard. Don’t let anyone touch the body again. Immediately seal off Dongjiangmi Alley. The culprit might be among the Goryeo envoys or the Imperial Guard. No one is allowed to leave until the culprit is found!”

Li Xuan drew his sword. “Imperial Guard, heed my order!” he commanded. “Seal off Dongjiangmi Alley! Not a single person is allowed to escape! Those who disobey will be killed without mercy!”