Chapter 54: The Useless One Rises

“Commander, that useless fellow doesn’t even know how to ride a horse—he came here by carriage!” Deputy Captain Ji Qinglin of the Martial Virtue Division stormed angrily into the tent where the officers changed.

Commander Sheng Yanming was tying his sleeve when he heard Ji Qinglin’s words. He was genuinely surprised. “Really? He actually can’t ride a horse?”

Ji Qinglin nodded emphatically. “My subordinates saw it with their own eyes—he got down from a carriage!”

Sheng Yanming narrowed his eyes.

In the Great Yu Dynasty, horsemanship was widespread. Even ordinary families who could not afford horses would buy donkeys or mules for transportation, either riding or driving carts.

Although the people of the Great Yu Dynasty were not a horse-riding nation by nature, any family with some means would have their young son, at the age of seven or eight, select a suitable colt to grow up with. When the young man married, he would ride this horse to fetch his bride—a dignified and manly tradition.

If a young gentleman reached adulthood but still couldn’t mount or ride a horse, he risked being scorned as a “southerner”—a term of derision.

“Could he be from the South Wind Pavilion?” Sheng Yanming sneered, suddenly recalling something. “Have all the participants for the dragon boat race been assembled?”

“All accounted for,” Ji Qinglin replied.

Sheng Yanming sized Ji Qinglin up and suddenly smiled. “Let’s go meet him.”

Sheng Yanming moved swiftly, and within moments, he stood beside Zhao Yizhen. He saluted while discreetly scrutinizing Li Xubai. “I pay homage to Your Majesty.”

Zhao Yizhen smiled warmly. “Yanming, you’ve finally arrived. Come, this is my little cousin.”

Sheng Yanming concealed his disdain perfectly as he bowed to Li Xubai. “On my way back, I’d already heard of you. Now that we meet, Vice Commander Li truly lives up to his reputation. I look forward to your strong support in the future.”

Li Xubai hurriedly returned the salute. “Commander, you flatter me. I vow to serve diligently.”

Zhao Yizhen appraised Sheng Yanming with interest. “Yanming, will you be competing?”

Sheng Yanming nodded. “Last year, the Martial Virtue Division’s Investigation Department lost first place. This year, I will compete personally and reclaim the top prize.”

Zhao Yizhen clapped his hands in approval. “Then I shall watch eagerly.”

Seeing Zhao Yizhen so enthusiastic, Sheng Yanming feigned hesitation. “Your Majesty, I have one more request for Vice Commander Li.”

“Oh? What is it?”

“Just now, I saw Deputy Captain Ji looking pale. When I inquired, I learned he suddenly suffered severe vomiting and diarrhea. He may not be able to compete later. The drummer’s position can only be entrusted to Vice Commander Li. What say you?” Sheng Yanming turned to Li Xubai with a half-smile, effortlessly putting him on the spot.

The accompanying officials fell silent, all eyes turning to Li Xubai.

Most gazes were filled with contempt, many waiting to see a spectacle.

Li Xubai paid no mind to their mockery, nor to Sheng Yanming’s trap. He touched his nose and asked Zhao Yizhen quietly, “Your Majesty, if I take the drummer’s role and win first place, what reward might I receive?”

Zhao Yizhen was momentarily stunned, then burst out laughing. “Er Lang, you speak boldly. If you lose, you’ll be ashamed.”

Li Xubai smiled calmly. “If I lose, I shall jump into the Bian River on the spot.”

These words left the officials exchanging uneasy glances.

Sheng Yanming cast a deep look at Li Xubai, his heart skipping a beat.

Is this man truly foolish or merely pretending?

Did he not realize that the outcome of the dragon boat race depended not on the drummer but on the helmsmen and rowers?

He pondered and decided not to force someone to jump into the river over a race, avoiding needless enmity.

After all, it seemed this man enjoyed the emperor’s special favor.

He declared loudly, “Vice Commander indeed has courage. If you lose, no need for such drastic measures. Just hold a banquet at Fan Tower and treat our Investigation Department brothers to a hearty drink.”

Li Xubai, seizing the opportunity, smiled mysteriously. “Commander’s suggestion is excellent. I shall obey respectfully. Win or lose, I will host a banquet at Fan Tower to get acquainted with the Investigation Department brothers.”

Their witty exchange settled the matter.

Zhao Yizhen watched with great interest.

Each time he saw Li Xubai, he seemed to reassess him anew.

“Now then, I’ll add some extra incentive,” Zhao Yizhen beckoned. Yu Zhong approached carrying a black lacquered tray. The emperor took a dragon pendant from his waist, fondled it briefly, and placed it on the tray. With amusement, he said, “If the Martial Virtue Division’s Investigation Department wins, everyone in the department will be promoted half a rank, and this dragon pendant will be awarded to Li Xubai.”

The officials were stunned.

Had the emperor gone mad?

Why so blatantly favor Li Xubai and curry his favor?

Li Xubai was equally startled.

He realized the greatest obstacle to his path as a wasteful playboy was the emperor himself!

Why force him to strive so hard while also stirring up resentment?

But since the words were out, he could not back down now.

Swallowing his pride, Li Xubai stepped forward to receive the decree, then silently followed Sheng Yanming to prepare.

Sheng Yanming’s face was calm and amiable, but inside, turmoil raged.

Who exactly was Li Xubai, and why did the emperor trust him so deeply, going all out to elevate him?

His background was certainly more than just being related to the late emperor’s consort’s family.

Beyond the southern city gate of Bianliang, there was a road no one wished to take—the thousand-mile exile route to Lingnan.

Today, crowds surged into Bianliang to watch the dragon boat race. The city was packed, and the Patrol Department assigned most of its personnel inside the city to maintain order.

The guards at the southern gate relaxed somewhat, checking only those entering the city, while those leaving were rarely inspected.

Song Shiyu drove the carriage to the gate. The guards glanced at the shabby carriage and carelessly let it pass without routine questioning.

Song Shiyu exhaled quietly and urged the horses onward, racing until he stopped at Ten Mile Pavilion.

“All right, I can only take you this far. Your residence permits and travel passes are genuine. You needn’t worry about being discovered,” Song Shiyu said softly after stepping down from the carriage.

Silence fell inside the carriage.

Suddenly, Gu Shiyan jumped out, hugging Song Shiyu tightly. “Sister, thank you for saving my life. I shall never forget this debt. If we meet again someday, I will surely repay you!”

Song Shiyu stiffened for a moment, pushing Gu Shiyan away gently, suppressing her emotions. “I don’t ask for repayment. Just promise me that if you’re ever exposed, you won’t betray us.”

“...” Gu Shiyan knew well that Song Shiyu was tough on the outside but soft inside. She pursed her lips. “Don’t worry, Sister. I have never seen you, and I do not know anyone from the Li family.”

Song Shiyu turned away without another glance at Gu Shiyan or the small head peeking from behind the curtain, only lightly saying, “Farewell.”

Gu Shiyan stood facing the wind, watching Song Shiyu depart, then silently knelt and bowed deeply.