Xu Xinnian exchanged thirty taels of silver for his cousin's item, the jade small mirror, and put it in his sleeve. He walked out of the dungeon and met Song Tingfeng and Zhu Guangxiao, who had been waiting for him at the door.
Song Tingfeng said, "We have already arranged the entry and exit permit for the imperial city. You haven't been there before, so let us guide you."
Xu Xinnian bowed and thanked him.
Song Tingfeng waved his hand. "As long as you can save him, everything is fine."
The three rode fast horses and arrived at the nearest gate of the imperial city. Song Tingfeng took out the permit from the Nightwatcher's yamen and easily entered the imperial city.
Along the way, they were questioned by the patrolling Jinwuwei and Yulinwei.
Finally, they arrived outside the palace walls and were stopped again.
The Nightwatcher's permit could only take them this far. Beyond this point was the palace, which was the emperor's home in name, although it was very large.
Xu Xinnian said, "I am a student of Yunlu Academy and an old acquaintance of Princess Chang. I have a request and hope you can pass it on."
Everyone knew about Princess Chang's experience studying at Yunlu Academy, and the guards did not make things difficult for them. They asked them to wait for a moment and then let them in.
After fifteen minutes, the guard returned and said, "Follow me."
He led the three into the palace and warned them, "Don't look around, don't talk nonsense, and pay attention to your words and deeds."
Xu Xinnian lowered his head slightly, while Song Tingfeng and Zhu Guangxiao knew the rules well and hurriedly walked with their heads down.
Even if they entered the palace, they could only walk on certain paths. If they went the wrong way and were questioned by the Forbidden Army and could not produce the corresponding permit, they would be killed.
After walking for a long time, they finally arrived at the Lanyue Palace, where Princess Chang lived. Two palace maids were already waiting in front of the red gate.
The maids bowed, and after Xu Xinnian returned the gesture, they led the three into the palace.
Through the corridor and garden, Xu Xinnian and his companions were taken to a reception room for guests.
A beautiful woman in palace dress sat at a table facing the door, holding a scroll of book and sipping tea elegantly and leisurely.
"Your Highness, guests are here," the maid said and then turned and left.
Xu Xinnian bowed and said loudly, "Xu Xinnian from Yunlu Academy, I have seen Princess Chang."
Princess Chang smiled lightly, "What brings you here, Cijiu?"
She did know Xu Xinnian. They had met a few times when he was studying at Yunlu Academy. It wasn't until the day they sent someone to investigate Xu Qi'an that she had a more profound impression of Xu Xinnian.
"Cijiu"... Xu Xinnian was a little surprised. He wasn't surprised that Princess Chang remembered him. This imperial princess was talented, intelligent, and had a good memory. She knew how to win over talents.
What surprised him was that Princess Chang actually remembered his "zi", but he had never formally interacted with her.
Calling him "Cijiu" was actually a bit impolite, but it undoubtedly brought the two closer together and made Xu Xinnian very pleased.
Xu Xinnian was not a simple person. His emotions quickly settled down, and he said sincerely, "My cousin Cijiu is in great danger. I ask Princess Chang to lend a hand."
Princess Chang's expression paused, and a look of surprise appeared on her beautiful face. "What happened?"Xu Xinnian reported the situation to the princess, while Song Tingfeng and Zhu Guangxiao made up for any deficiencies.
After speaking, Xu Xinnian bowed again: "Although my cousin acted impulsively, his intentions were pure. If he didn't take action, that poor child would have suffered the humiliation of Zhu Yinluo."
"Where there is righteousness, there is no concern for power or personal gain. My cousin may not be a scholar, but his sincerity commands respect from us scholars."
He quoted classic phrases to resonate with the princess, who was also considered a half-scholar.
The princess pondered for a moment before asking, "What was Wei Gong's punishment?"
"Zhu Yinluo was dismissed and will never be employed again. My cousin...will be executed by waist chopping in seven days," Xu Cijiu said solemnly.
The princess fell silent, her cold face giving nothing away about her thoughts.
Xu Xinnian sighed inwardly. This princess was not a soft-hearted woman; she was decisive and sometimes even domineering. Such a person had her own principles when it came to handling matters.
"This is a letter from my teacher and the great scholars Mu Bai and You Ping. Please help us, Your Highness." Xu Cijiu planned to use his trump card.
He pulled out the letter with the signatures of the three great scholars from his sleeve.
"Clang..."
As the letter fell, so did a small jade mirror.
Xu Xinnian calmly picked it up and put it away before handing the letter to the princess.
The princess took it and read it before saying, "I understand, but the Nightwatcher's Office belongs to the imperial family and only obeys the emperor. I can only do my best."
"Thank you, Your Highness," Xu Xinnian said, taking a deep breath.
The palace maid escorted Xu Xinnian and his companions out, and the princess ordered, "Send someone to the Nightwatcher's Office to inquire about Wei Gong and investigate the conflict between Xu Qi'an and Zhu Chengzhuo."
"Yes!" The palace maid obeyed.
...
Leaving the palace, Xu Xinnian bid farewell to the two Nightwatchers.
He rode his horse slowly towards the outer city, his brow furrowed with worry.
"I can't put all my chips on the princess. She agreed to help, but how much she can do remains to be seen."
"Father went to the Astronomical Observatory. I don't know if those sorcerers can save my eldest brother..."
"I must pass the imperial examination next year. I want to climb higher and wield more power, or else I won't be able to accomplish anything."
Xu Xinnian took a sip from his water bag, moistening his dry lips, and touched the jade mirror in his sleeve.
By the time he reached the East City, it was already dusk.
The East City's health clinic was located in the slums, where the poorest people in the capital gathered, including peddlers, thieves, and bandits.
The residents he passed wore tattered winter clothes, with gaunt faces and hungry eyes fixed on him like wolves eyeing their prey.
But Xu Xinnian's scholar's robe kept them at bay, reminding them of their place on the edge of subsistence.
The houses in this area were made of yellow earth and were dilapidated, with no order to their arrangement. Trash littered the streets, and the air was filled with the faint smell of excrement and urine.
It was clear that in the summer, flies would be everywhere.A thin and yellow-faced child bravely approached and stopped Xu Xinnian's horse.
"Sir, please give me some money...I haven't eaten for seven days," the child said.
"You would have died if you really hadn't eaten for seven days..." Xu Xinnian instinctively wanted to mock the child, but held back.
He pinched out a broken silver from his purse and threw it over.
The child was thin and yellow-faced, with lifeless eyes. Although exaggerating by saying he hadn't eaten for seven days, it was true that he hadn't eaten for a long time.
Seeing this scene, not only the child who stopped them, but also the poor people and children around them, their eyes lit up with greed and desire.
Seven or eight children followed suit and surrounded Xu Xinnian's horse, while the poor people quietly approached.
"Sir, please give me some silver."
"I haven't eaten for ten days."
Adults and children surrounded the horse, making it clear that they wouldn't let it go without money.
Xu Xinnian's sharp gaze forced a man who reached for his purse to back off, and he shouted, "Quiet!"
The noise immediately stopped, and everyone consciously remained silent.
"Get lost!" Xu Xinnian shouted again, his anger rising.
The children and adults around the horse felt a strong fear, and their instincts made them stay away from the horse and not approach it.
As an eighth-grade Confucian scholar, Xu Xinnian could regulate the speech and behavior of others and apply the most basic rules of speech and action.
Helplessly shaking his head, Xu Xinnian rode away from the area and soon arrived at the health center.
He dismounted and led his horse into the gate, afraid that it would be stolen if left outside.
In the courtyard, an old clerk was sweeping the courtyard. He lifted his old face and asked, "What brings you here, young master?"
Xu Xinnian asked, "Is there a monk in the hall?"
The old clerk replied, "Are you referring to Master Heng Yuan? He left two days ago...and said he had news of his junior brother and would be leaving for a few days."
Xu Xinnian left the health center and the east city, disappointed.
...
In the evening, after having dinner, the princess summoned the captain of the guards to her study, who brought back the intelligence collected by the Nightwatcher's office.
The princess, dressed in gorgeous palace attire, stood by the window, leaving the guard with an infinitely beautiful back.
After listening quietly, she asked, "Does Xu Qi'an have any grievances with Zhu Yinluo on weekdays?"
The captain shook his head and replied, "I have specially inquired about it. The two should not know each other. However, Yinluo has expressed jealousy and disgust towards Xu Qi'an in private."
"Have the family members of Master Cheng been implicated and sent to the Official Brothel Sector?" the princess asked again.
"No, they have not," the captain replied.
The princess fell silent for a moment and then said casually, "What do you think of this matter?"The young captain hesitated and said, "I have inquired about it. Xu Qi'an, the Nightwatcher with the copper gong, did not arrive late during the assembly, but he was beaten by Zhu Chengzhu. It is evident that he intentionally provoked the incident... Over the years, the Nightwatcher has repeatedly humiliated officials and their families. Some incidents involve the Official Brothel Sector, but it doesn't matter. However, those who should not be involved are often caught in the claws of the Nightwatcher. Similar incidents are not uncommon, but no one is willing to stand up for those who offend officials. Offending officials is already a crime, and when the wall falls, everyone pushes it."
The captain continued, "I also found out that Zhu Yinluo had the intention of forcing Xu Qi'an to take action, and he succeeded, but..."
The princess chuckled lightly and said, "But he didn't expect that a small copper gong would unleash such a powerful force."
The princess said, "I understand. You may leave now."
The captain left the study.
The princess stood by the window, gazing at the quiet garden, her eyes calm.
...
Late at night.
The moon cast a cold light, and the calm Sangpo reflected its shadow.
The sound of armor clashing and the orderly footsteps of the patrol echoed near Sangpo. It was the Forbidden Army on patrol.
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The cold night wind blew, causing ripples in Sangpo and creating silver fragments.
A delicately crafted paper figure, the size of a palm, floated on the wind and drifted to the center of the lake on the high platform.
It remained motionless for a few seconds before standing up, wobbling on its short legs, and walking to the temple gate. It squeezed through the crack in the door.
A faint light shone from the crack, and then, with a loud bang like thunder, the temple of Yongzhen Mountain and River was engulfed in flames.
The violent shockwave caused waves, and shattered tiles, bricks, and beams were thrown dozens of meters away, landing on Sangpo.
The explosion was heard hundreds of miles away, and the Forbidden Army patrolling near Sangpo felt the ground shake and saw the red flames in the sky.
PS: No update in the early morning, but there will be one or two chapters in the evening. Hmm, one chapter is a declarative sentence, and two chapters are interrogative sentences.