The Estate of the Prince of Qin

Although it was early autumn, the climate in Yin Commandery was far less pleasant than that of Shangdu. Here, biting cold winds blew frequently morning and evening, and every dawn the ground was covered with a layer of white frost, bone-chilling and dry.

Last night brought yet another fierce gale that blew off eleven roof tiles from the Chengyun Hall of the Prince of Qin's Estate.

The sound of the falling tiles startled old Lao Qin out of his doze. A widower who had just passed his sixtieth year, Lao Qin was still in robust health, with his hearing and eyesight unimpaired. His son served as a junior military officer under the command of veteran General Shen. It was precisely through his son's recommendation that Lao Qin managed to secure this leisurely job as a caretaker, though the estate happened to belong to the Prince of Qin.

The Prince of Qin's Estate had been converted from the old Bureau of Administration offices. It covered a vast area, yet most of its buildings were aged and dilapidated. The northern winds were fierce and had destroyed the thatched roofs of countless commoners' homes, so a few fallen tiles from the Chengyun Hall were hardly worth mentioning.

Carrying a lantern, Lao Qin stepped outside to inspect the grounds. Seeing that no intruders had broken in, he woke the few young servants in the estate. After clearing away the fallen tiles, they all went back to sleep.

The next day, Lao Qin reported the loss to the accounting office. He stood alone on the steps in front of the accountant's room, staring blankly at the spacious courtyard. With fewer than twenty people in the entire royal household, it could hardly be called a thriving establishment, let alone when night fell and the surroundings plunged into dead silence, save for the old wind howling through the window cracks.

Before coming here, Lao Qin had heard that the Emperor was not particularly fond of the Prince of Qin. He had thought that, being of royal blood after all, the place would at least be better than the homes of ordinary commoners. Yet, when he laid eyes on the dilapidated estate with his own eyes, he was still somewhat dumbfounded; the august Prince of Qin's Mansion was inferior in grandeur to a prefect's manor.

Lao Qin let out a long sigh, silently cursing himself for "borrowing trouble," and slowly paced his way back to his quarters.

Speaking of the Prince of Qin, Lao Qin had seen him once. He was a very young man who wore plain cloth garments, yet an aura of nobility radiated from his entire being, surpassing that of ordinary mortals. His eyes concealed stern authority, yet he treated others with gentleness. Seeing the courtyard falling into ruin, the Prince simply chose to live in the military camp on regular days and rarely returned to the estate. This saved the household servants a great deal of trouble; though none spoke of it aloud, they genuinely adored this master who demanded little and possessed such a benevolent temperament.

Another reason the Prince of Qin stayed at the military camp was to avoid Prefect Mi.

The Prefect's manor was not far from the Prince's Estate. Every few days, Prefect Mi would send men bearing gifts of gold and silver. Anyone with eyes could see Prefect Mi's intent to ingratiate himself. The Prince, however, merely glanced briefly at the delivered goods and laughingly sent men to purchase gifts of twice the value to return to Prefect Mi.

Ever since then, Prefect Mi's visits had grown much fewer...

Lao Qin rubbed his eyes, pulled his thoughts back, sighed, and muttered, "A household of princes and nobles—how poor could they possibly get?"

Just as he was about to step across the corner gate, Lao Qin bumped head-on into Little Wu.

Lao Qin chided, "Look at you, all flustered. What kind of manner is that?"

Little Wu was not afraid of Lao Qin and grinned in response, "I was just coming to look for you, Elder Qin. The Prefect's manor has sent another calling card over, saying it's a welcome banquet for Magistrate Xia and Magistrate Qu." With that, he handed the invitation card to Lao Qin.

Lao Qin took the invitation and chuckled, "In the past, whenever Prefect Mi sent cards, I never saw our Highness give them a second thought. I reckon this time will be no different."

Despite saying that, Lao Qin still dutifully placed the card in the study and was just about to urge someone to report it to the Prince of Qin when he ran right into the Prince returning to the estate.

Lao Qin was taken aback, finding it rather odd that the Prince had returned without giving any advance notice.

He saw the young man accompanied by two personal guards, looking straight ahead the entire way. Brushing past the servants, the Prince headed straight for the study.

Lao Qin asked Little Wu for the reason, and Little Wu replied, "You didn't know? Day before yesterday, Imperial Eunuch Qian came back, and he even brought along an unfamiliar outsider. His Highness coming back now probably has something to do with that."

Understanding what was going on, Lao Qin stroked his sparse beard and hummed a little tune as he walked over to the base of the wall to bask in the sun.

Back to the matter at hand: two days earlier, after seeing off Xia Yunhe, Xie Yi had kept on his mind the need to deal with Qian He'er. Stationed in a border town, he urgently needed to understand the recent situation in Shangdu through Qian He'er. Therefore, he had ridden back to the military camp to request leave from veteran General Shen, only to be detained by the old general. Anxious that the general might discover his deception regarding Shen Fujian, Xie Yi spent half the day on tenterhooks. By dusk, he sent someone to inquire with General Shen, only to learn that the general had gone out on business and had explicitly instructed him not to wander about casually.

Xie Yi's heart skipped a beat, and he silently wondered if some major event had occurred.

Two days later.

Veteran General Shen came to see Xie Yi alone, bringing a piece of news.

There was finally news of Qu Diaowei, the former assistant magistrate of Yin Commandery who had been missing for over two months.

With a solemn expression, General Shen said, "During border patrols a few days ago, a blood-stained jade pendant and half a sleeve were found outside the pass. That jade pendant belonged to Qu Diaowei. There were wolf paw prints and wolf dung all around; the man was likely devoured by wolves." After finishing, the old general stared at Xie Yi, asking for his opinion.

As far as Xie Yi was concerned, he could not remember all the various officials of Yin Commandery. It was only because Qian He'er had sent word that Xia Yunhe had been demoted to Yin Commandery that he had paid attention to the reshuffling of officials there and memorized the name of the missing Qu Diaowei.

Pondering for a moment, he replied, "Regarding the disappearance of Qu Diaowei, everyone says that his corruption was exposed and he fled in fear of punishment. Now there are no surviving witnesses to confront. Even if there are hidden circumstances within it, how could irrelevant people like us possibly know?"

"Then what is Your Highness's meaning?"

Xie Yi smiled and said, "I have been in Yin Commandery for less than a year, spending my usual days in the military camp. How could I possibly be clear on such matters? The old general has resided in the northern lands for a long time, is familiar with the local customs of Yin Commandery, and can certainly speak a few more words before Prefect Mi."

Understanding Xie Yi's intent, veteran General Shen smiled and agreed, then granted Xie Yi his leave. This matter thus came to a temporary close.

Having obtained permission from General Shen, Xie Yi could finally breathe a sigh of relief. He changed into casual attire, took two personal guards, and whipped his horse into a gallop back to the Prince of Qin's Estate.

Upon entering the estate, he rushed to the study and sent someone to summon Qian He'er to bring that person over. Not knowing Lin Cang's name, Xie Yi simply used the phrase "that person."

While waiting for them to arrive, he noticed the new invitation card on the desk and casually opened it. After grasping the meaning of the card, Xie Yi let out a cold snort, a layer of gloom staining the depths of his eyes as he cursed inwardly, "Well played, Mi Su. I've avoided you for so long, yet your evil heart dies hard, and you even dare to scheme against my teacher. Thinking you can threaten me with the bond between teacher and student—you truly believe this prince is someone you can manipulate at will."

If Xie Yi failed to attend, the matter would reach the ears of the other imperial princes, who would undoubtedly impeach him for "arrogance and haughtiness, showing contempt for the Dao of teachers." Of course he had to go, but he would not go simply by playing along with their wishes.

Outside the window, tree leaves rustled, carrying a touch of weariness. Inside the room, Xie Yi sat with his eyes closed in deep thought.

Footsteps drew closer outside the door, and soon someone announced, "Master, Eunuch Qian has arrived."

Xie Yi opened his eyes and waved a hand to dismiss the servant. Looking at Qian He'er, he let out a cold chuckle. Before he could speak, Qian He'er dropped heavily to his knees, trembling with fear and daring not utter a single word. He knew very well that without his master's permission, acting arbitrarily to bring the commander of the secret guards into Yin Commandery was usurping authority and committing a grave taboo... Qian He'er kept his head bowed, not daring to speak. He knew he had done wrong; every extra word he uttered could potentially become his death warrant.

Lin Cang was startled by Qian He'er's action, raising an eyebrow in astonishment as he thought to himself: *Everyone says the Prince of Qin has a gentle disposition and a loyal, honest character. Does Eunuch Qian really need to be this terrified? Still, none of the imperial princes born of the old emperor are fuel-efficient lamps...*

Just as these thoughts crossed his mind, Xie Yi's gaze abruptly fell upon him. Lin Cang paused, cupped his fists in salute, and introduced himself, "This humble subordinate is Lin Cang, the newly appointed commander of the secret guards in the capital. Because I spoke a few words on behalf of Magistrate Xia while in the imperial prison, I incurred the hatred of the Grand Commandant and almost died in Li Family Lane. Thanks to Eunuch Qian extending a helping hand, this humble subordinate narrowly escaped with his life."

"Commander of the secret guards?" Xie Yi narrowed his eyes, sizing up the young man before him. Dressed in a wide, bead-grey, round-collared cotton robe, the man indeed possessed some vitality in his complexion, no longer deathly pale and devoid of color. Xie Yi tapped his fingertip rhythmically against the invitation card on the table, lifting his chin slightly. His gaze was chillingly frosty, yet the corners of his mouth curled upward into an arc carrying a hint of playful amusement. "What proof do you have to prove you are His Majesty's man? Do you have an imperial tally, or an official seal, or shall I directly memorialize the Emperor and wait for someone from the capital to come and verify your identity?"

Lin Cang let out a soft laugh and said neither servilely nor overbearingly, "Your Highness, you must have heard about the massacre of the jailers in Shangdu. If you send word into the capital that I am still alive, the first person to arrive probably won't be His Majesty's man."

"What do you mean?"

"While in the imperial prison, I happened to inform Magistrate Xia that the Grand Commandant had someone forge a petition of resignation unto death. That faction already holds a grudge against me; how could they possibly allow me to remain alive in this world? Furthermore, in His Majesty's eyes, I am already a dead man. Since I am a dead man, I have even less reason to live."

Xie Yi tapped his fingertips rhythmically against the invitation card. "By your logic, once you step out of Yin Commandery, you are on a path to certain death. But why should this prince believe you—believe someone of unknown origin?" With that, he lowered his gaze to look at Qian He'er kneeling on the floor. "They all say that a servant with a rebellious bone cannot be kept around. Pack your things; starting today, I have no need for you to wait upon me."

Startled, Qian He'er hurriedly crawled on his knees toward Xie Yi, kowtowing so hard that his head thudded loudly against the floor. "Master! This humble servant acted arbitrarily in bringing Commander Lin along on the journey, first because the Northern Rong death squads were biting at our heels so closely that this humble servant simply had no time to settle Lord Lin elsewhere, and second... Commander Lin helped us extensively along the way. This humble servant thought that if we saved Commander Lin, it would also count as a meritorious service for Your Highness before His Majesty."

"Meritorious service?" Xie Yi's face darkened, his eyes turning grim and piercing as he pointed at Lin Cang. "Leaving aside the truth of his identity for the moment, if the Emperor learns of this, His very first question will be why I, a vassal prince, dispatched men to Shangdu. Are you trying to get me killed?"

Qian He'er suddenly felt his whole body go limp, a creeping sense of dread surging upward from the bottom of his heart. He raised a hand and slapped himself fiercely across the face several times, begging incessantly, "Master, Master! This lowly servant truly had good intentions but messed things up. I beg Your Highness not to drive me away..."

The young palace attendant's voice carried a trace of tremor. Finished striking himself, he went back to kowtowing frantically before Xie Yi, banging his head against the ground. "I beg Your Highness not to drive me away, please don't drive me away..."

Xie Yi lowered his head, watching with cold eyes as Qian He'er battered his forehead until it bled, his amber-colored eyes devoid of the slightest trace of pity.

Witnessing everything unfolding before him, Lin Cang felt a layer of cold sweat soak his back. He carefully scrutinized the Prince of Qin—a mere youth of fifteen summers, yet possessed of such chilling detachment and composure, resembling Emperor Hehui even more closely than the Crown Prince, the Prince of Ding, or the Prince of Fu.

Should the Prince of Qin ascend the throne one day, if he were not an enlightened monarch, he would undoubtedly be a tyrant.

He was suddenly startled by his own thought. Presently, the position of the Crown Prince was secure; as long as the Crown Prince committed no major faults, the Prince of Qin would forever remain merely a vassal prince. How could he possibly ever step foot onto that supreme throne?

Xie Yi cast a sharp glance at Lin Cang before turning his gaze back to Qian He'er. "How is Li Fushun?"

Lowering his head and gasping softly, Qian He'er replied, "Not too well. He has become somewhat unhinged and deranged."

Xie Yi let out a cold huff. "I told him plum wine could not be consumed in excess, but he did not remember a single word, let alone going behind my back to present green plum wine to Noble Consort Wan to curry favor. Did he truly think the Consort lacked that little bit of wine? Every step in the palace must be trodden with caution—Chief Eunuch Li was the one who taught me that. To think three or five steps ahead with every move one makes—that too was taught to me by Chief Eunuch Li. He explained it clearly enough, yet his own actions were the most muddled."

"And you?"

Qian He'er froze, lifting his eyes to look at Xie Yi, his lips trembling without the ability to speak.

Xie Yi continued, "You are a year younger than me, not yet at the age where you grow senile and forget things, yet you muddle-headedly led this Commander Lin here. If I didn't know you were Chief Eunuch Li's most trusted confidant, I would genuinely suspect you were a spy sent by one of my imperial brothers!"

With that, Xie Yi looked toward Lin Cang. "Master Lin, regardless of who you might be, my temple here is too small, so I must ask Your Excellency, this great Buddha, to seek your fortunes elsewhere."

Lin Cang remained silent for a moment, weighing matters in his mind. Then, his gaze turning resolute, he smiled, lifted the hem of his robes, and knelt down. Drawing a finely wrought iron dagger from his bosom, he offered it respectfully to Xie Yi. "Your Highness, this dagger manufactured by the Directorate of Celestial Guards can serve as this humble servant's token of trust. Your Highness may rest completely assured of my identity; whom I ought to pledge my allegiance to, this humble servant knows clearly in his heart. The commander of the Shangdu secret guards is already dead; from this day onward, your subject Lin Cang pledges allegiance to Your Highness alone, and will follow wherever Your Highness's horse leads."

Xie Yi took the dagger, turning it over to examine it closely before letting out a scoff. "Interesting. Instead of returning to the capital, you come rushing here."

Without paying further heed to Lin Cang, Xie Yi picked up the invitation card. Speaking outwardly as if to himself, though actually meant for Qian He'er's ears, he said, "Prefect Mi is inviting so many people to welcome the new assistant magistrate and the magistrate of Ruizé. Clean yourselves up—let's go prop up our teacher!"