The First Contest of Skill
At that moment, the morning sun was just rising, casting golden light upon Xie Yi’s face. A smile lingered at the corner of his eyes as he clasped his hands in salute to Xia Yunhe and softly addressed him, “Sir.”
Turning to Wang Yanyu, a cold glint flashed in Xie Yi’s eyes, his tone laced with mockery. “County Magistrate Wang, you must not mistake my sir for a bandit chief.”
The Prince of Qin’s smile was neither truly joyful nor angry, a single glance sending a prickling sensation down one’s spine.
Wang Yanyu’s expression shifted slightly; he cast a sidelong glance at Xia Yunhe before diverting his gaze. Sweeping his sleeves, he bowed, “Your Highness jokes. This humble official and Yi Zhi were classmates, so naturally I know his character well.”
Before he finished speaking, a soldier entered the hall to report on the bandit suppression. He bluntly stated that all 103 bandits from Luoxia Village had been captured.
Wang Yanyu chuckled lightly, congratulating Xie Yi, “This operation owes much to Your Highness’s capable command, breaking the bandit nest in one fell swoop.”
Xie Yi paid no heed to the flattery, replying to Wang Yanyu, “The remaining matters are none of my concern; County Magistrate Wang may take charge.”
Wang Yanyu’s face broke into a smile as he repeatedly assented, then promptly called for men to search the mountain stronghold. The entire village instantly bustled with activity, noisy shadows flitting across the hills.
Taking advantage of the commotion, Wang Yanyu seized Xia Yunhe, eagerly inquiring, “Yi Zhi, I heard you were also demoted to Yin Prefecture. Are you assigned a post there?”
The question left Xia Yunhe momentarily stunned. Perhaps due to years apart, she found Wang Yanyu somewhat unfamiliar. As she pondered her reply, Wang Yanyu pressed on, “Was your journey smooth?”
Out of courtesy, Xia Yunhe considered for a moment before replying briefly, “Though there were obstacles, it was relatively smooth.”
Wang Yanyu was about to continue questioning when Xie Yi cleared his throat, brushed his robe, and took the seat Wang Yanyu had just vacated. He unsheathed his sword and began polishing the blade.
Xia Yunhe stifled a yawn, confused. Wang Yanyu glanced at her, silently asking what the Prince of Qin meant. She knew nothing and simply shook her head.
Wang Yanyu cautiously clasped his hands and asked, “Your Highness, is there any objection to searching the village?”
“I entrust this to you, so proceed with confidence. Only one matter remains: General Shen’s son, Shen Shouping. Now that the village has been dismantled, he must return with me to report. Once he is found, I shall depart.”
Upon hearing this, Wang Yanyu visibly relaxed, a weight lifted from his heart. Nodding, he dispatched a few men to locate Shen Fujian. Composing himself, he turned back to Xia Yunhe, intending to resume their previous discussion.
Yet again, Xie Yi cleared his throat. Wang Yanyu looked up to find the young lord still engrossed in polishing his sword.
Most believed the Prince of Qin was taciturn and secretive, seldom revealing his thoughts. But now, Wang Yanyu sensed something: this prince seemed reluctant to let him interact with Xia Yunhe. He looked at Xia Yunhe and once more sought her response with his eyes.
After a brief silence, Xia Yunhe lifted her gaze to Xie Yi and asked, “Your Highness, are you feeling unwell?”
Xie Yi smiled and summoned a sharp-faced guard, whispering a few words to a soldier before dismissing him. Then, smiling, he looked toward Wang and Xia, bypassing Wang Yanyu and fixing his gaze on Xia Yunhe. “Sir, when did you arrive at the village?”
“Yesterday,” she bowed in reply.
Suddenly, a commotion erupted outside the hall. Shen Fujian stormed in with a group, his expression furious. Surprisingly, Lin Cang was among them, his calm demeanor starkly contrasting the solemn faces around him.
Qian He’er and Wei Sizhao respectfully saluted the Prince of Qin and took their places on either side.
Xie Yi cast a cool glance at Qian He’er, then turned to Shen Fujian with a smile. “Young General Shen, such fierce determination—what wisdom do you bring?”
Shen Fujian clasped his fists in apology but fixed his gaze on Wang Yanyu, sharply questioning, “County Magistrate Wang, how do you intend to deal with the people of Luoxia Village?”
Wang Yanyu answered, “Detain them for interrogation and execute them publicly.”
At the word “execute,” Shen Fujian snorted lightly and turned to report to Xie Yi, “Your Highness, Luoxia Village is not a den of bandits. Most there are impoverished peasants driven to desperation.” His eyes blazed as he stared at Wang Yanyu. “Magistrate Wang, will you truly execute over a hundred people?”
“This, this… how can that be?” Wang Yanyu inhaled deeply, spreading his hands in confusion. He looked to Xie Yi for guidance.
Xie Yi asked Shen Fujian, “What proof have you that they are civilians?”
Shen Fujian glanced at Xia Yunhe. “Yi Zhi, you heard the truth last night. Explain it quickly to His Highness.”
At that moment, all eyes turned to her.
She calmly performed a salute and began, “Yesterday, I heard from villagers that the Bin River flood devastated fields, leaving no harvest. The people had no land or food, forced into banditry. It was not their will, so to label them as bandits is improper.”
Wang Yanyu had recovered and retorted, “Yi Zhi is new here and cannot rely on one-sided accounts. Yin Prefecture is harsh with frequent bandit troubles. Those villains often deceive; both you and General Shen may have been misled.”
His words were ostensibly for Xia Yunhe and Shen Fujian but clearly aimed at the Prince of Qin. Yet the prince’s expression remained indifferent, unreadable.
“Oh?” Shen Fujian sneered, “What about the flood that breached Qianlangkou and ruined the fields?”
Wang Yanyu responded calmly, “The displaced farmers have been pacified; their taxes waived and food supplied. What further doubts does General Shen have?”
Shen Fujian was momentarily speechless. He hurriedly looked to Xia Yunhe, as if recalling something, gripping her sleeve, muttering, “Evi… evidence…”
Xia Yunhe blinked, deliberating briefly before teasing, “Brother Shouping, why so hesitant?” She shrugged off Shen Fujian’s grasp, smiling at Wang Yanyu. “Brother Sizhao, the fate of these hundred-plus people must be considered carefully. Lives are at stake and cannot be decided hastily. General Shen’s hesitation comes from this concern.”
“General Shen is known for his straightforwardness,” Wang Yanyu smiled back. “What Yi Zhi said is indeed a valid point.”
As the atmosphere softened, a sudden burst of laughter interrupted.
All turned to see a pale young man with a patch of crimson on his left shoulder. Lin Cang’s eyes gleamed with contempt. “If these were real bandits, we’d have been tossed into the mountain ravine long ago, never to be seen by the magistrate.”
His words stirred a ripple of unrest. Wang Yanyu assumed his official posture and shouted fiercely, “Impudent! Who are you to spout nonsense here?”
Lin Cang sneered, raising an eyebrow at Xia Yunhe. “Lady Xia, do you know who I am?”
Feeling the heavy gaze upon her, she looked up to see Xie Yi still smiling, much more relaxed now. His features were striking, though the cold smile at the corner of his mouth was unmistakably that of a rebellious youth.
Xia Yunhe understood then: the Prince of Qin was holding back, unwilling to let her take on trouble. Her eyes fell on the calm Qian He’er standing beside the prince. She straightened and said, “Eunuch Qian, you know well the people you brought back.”
Sure enough, the prince smiled at Qian He’er, who paused before abruptly kneeling before Xie Yi, sweat beading his brow. Secretly cursing Xia Yunhe for putting him in a bind, he dared not speak, fearing exposure of Lin Cang’s secret identity and causing greater trouble.
Seeing Qian He’er silent, Xie Yi said, “Then remain kneeling.”
The assembly hall fell silent. Lin Cang seemed oblivious to the tense air, a playful smile curling at his lips as he spoke leisurely, “I’ve heard some kill the innocent to claim credit. I trust County Magistrate Wang is not such a man.”
“If these people go to prison, innocent or not, they’ll be coerced into false confessions. Delivering over a hundred bandit heads will be a notable achievement,” Lin Cang said casually.
“Prince Qin is present; how dare you be so insolent!” Wang Yanyu growled. “This case will be investigated when the new assistant magistrate arrives! Your repeated slanders against court officials reveal your true intent!”
He bowed to Xie Yi. “Your Highness, I request these rebels be imprisoned and closely guarded to trace their origins.”
Sensing the situation spiraling, Xia Yunhe’s heart tightened. If Lin Cang were jailed, Luoxia County might erupt in chaos. After weighing her options, she reached into her sleeve, produced her official appointment, stepped forward, and bowed. “Prince Qin, the new assistant magistrate for Yin Prefecture is myself. I believe it is better to wait for my arrival before investigating. As for those brought back by Eunuch Qian, that is for Your Highness to decide, not the authorities.”
Wang Yanyu stood frozen, glancing between the prince and Xia Yunhe, a flicker of unease flashing in his eyes.
“What say you, Magistrate Wang?” Xie Yi asked with a smile.
“I… I…” Wang Yanyu stammered, uneasy. “I await Your Highness’s guidance.”
“Sir speaks wisely,” Xie Yi chuckled, rising to re-sheath his sword. He glanced at the kneeling Qian He’er. “Take those you brought back and return to the manor, awaiting further orders.”
Qian He’er kowtowed and quickly rose, dragging Lin Cang down the mountain.
Xie Yi scanned the various expressions in the room, stretched his arms, and said, “County Magistrate Wang, I have many duties. I take my leave.”
Wang Yanyu hurriedly responded.
Xie Yi smiled at Xia Yunhe. “Sir, accompany me down the mountain.” He gestured for the way to be cleared.
Seeing this, everyone stepped aside. Xia Yunhe bowed to Wang Yanyu and followed Xie Yi out of the village.
Wang Yanyu smiled in farewell, but as they disappeared from view, his face darkened abruptly. Squinting, he stared at the rolling sea of clouds among the mountains, rubbing his knuckles as he summoned someone and gave terse orders.
...
When they reached the foot of the mountain, two simple oxhide-covered carts awaited.
The sharp-faced guard reported to Xie Yi, who waved him off. Several officers approached, and Xie Yi invited a few to speak privately.
Mu Xiunian accompanied Xia Yunhe down the mountain. He had heard of the Prince of Qin’s calm heroism at the Longevity Banquet—shooting three arrows in succession to save Lady Xin, earning the emperor’s praise. Today, it was clear the prince was extraordinary. Taking advantage of Xie Yi’s free moment, Mu Xiunian knelt and introduced himself. Xie Yi paused before ordering Wei Sizhao to escort him back to camp and then visit General Shen.
Several came to escort Zhen Niang and Third Lady to the rear carts.
Shen Fujian leaned lazily on his silver spear.
He stood alone. Xia Yunhe approached him. “Last night, you… were…”
Shen Fujian’s cold eyes swept over her. “Lady Xia, you are noble and precious. Why should you care about my fate?”
The young man was headstrong. Xia Yunhe stepped before him and bowed deeply. “Brother, I’m sorry for last night’s distress.”
“Hmph.” Shen Fujian turned away without looking at her.
She moved back in front of him again, smiling and apologizing, “Thank you, brother.”
Shen Fujian turned his back. “Why didn’t you produce those testimonies just now?”
Xia Yunhe circled around to face him. “A few statements don’t prove much.”
He averted his face and awkwardly said, “Thanks for your help earlier.”
Xia Yunhe was about to reply when a jealous voice interrupted from nearby—Xie Yi’s. “Sir, what are you two doing?”
Both hastily saluted Xie Yi.
Xie Yi cleared his throat. “Young General Shen, you have worked hard. This time, Old General Shen specially instructed me to prepare swift horses so you may return to camp early and relay the hardships of farewell.”
Shen Fujian scratched his head, puzzled. “My father… would say that? Has he changed?”
Xie Yi smiled. “Why would I lie to you?”
After seeing Shen Fujian off, Xie Yi cheerfully invited Xia Yunhe into the cart. “Sir is weak and the journey rough. This place is not far from Yin Prefecture. We should arrive by afternoon.”
Seeing her hesitate, Xie Yi frowned slightly, pouting. “Sir, don’t dislike me, do you?”
His handsome face seemed on the verge of tears.
Xia Yunhe was startled but was helped into the cart by Xie Yi, who was deferential, unlike a prince.
Inside, thick tiger skin mats lined the floor, and luxurious brocade curtains kept the carriage warm. She looked back at Xie Yi and clasped his wrist from behind. The young lord visibly flinched. After a moment’s pause, she released his hand and smiled, patting his shoulder.
“Your Highness, don’t deceive Young General Shen next time.”