Chapter Thirty-Six: Undercurrents Stirring (II)

Su Yanfeng led Su Nanxing into the study, offering detailed instructions before finally handing over a set of the Ten-Step Killing Formation to Su Nanxing. After Su Nanxing had carefully put away the formation, Su Yanfeng summoned Feng Ying and said, “Feng Ying, this matter is of utmost importance. From now on, follow Seventeenth Young Master’s orders in all things.”

Feng Ying was an assassin personally trained by Su Yanfeng, swift as the wind and always reliable. What Su Yanfeng didn’t know was that Feng Ying and Su Nanxing were close friends in private, often sneaking away together to study formations. Feng Ying resisted the urge to glance at Su Nanxing and replied expressionlessly, “As you command.”

Once outside the study, Feng Ying shot Su Nanxing a look, but Su Nanxing shook his head ever so slightly, and Feng Ying made no further sign. He followed Su Nanxing back to the Zhaixing Courtyard. As they approached the study, they noticed a new name plaque. Feng Ying laughed softly, “You’ve got quite the romantic streak. Missing her again, are you?”

Su Nanxing gazed at the plaque with the words “Tea Appreciation Residence,” and his mood visibly brightened, his voice turning gentle. “I miss her every moment of every day.”

Feng Ying chuckled, “Look at you, wearing that lovesick expression like... well, something out of springtime...”

Su Nanxing shot him a glare, cutting him off. “There’s no reasoning with a blockhead like you.”

The two of them closed the door and double-checked for safety. Feng Ying then asked, “Nanxing, what’s your plan for this affair?”

Su Nanxing grinned cheekily. “With you by my side, how could anything go wrong?”

Ever cautious, Feng Ying glared at him. “Let’s discuss this carefully and see where the best place for an ambush would be.”

Su Nanxing sobered, pulling out a map for serious study. The map was far from detailed, merely sketching out the locations of the various provinces and towns along the Weishui River. Su Nanxing looked at it and thought ruefully how troublesome things were without satellites.

Feng Ying pointed at a spot on the map. “The Qiluo Clan is in a remote part of Yunzhou. To reach the imperial capital quickly, they’ll have to travel first to Yunxian City in Yunzhou by carriage, then take the teleportation array to Tianhua City on the eastern side of Huazhou, and from there, travel by carriage into the capital.”

Su Nanxing added, “The teleportation arrays are always heavily guarded. If we want to strike, our only real chance is during those two carriage journeys.”

The two of them discussed the matter at length before heading together to a secret location where deathsworn soldiers were kept, selecting five hundred of them, disguising themselves, and setting out in silence.

...

Qin Sihao, upon learning that the Seventh Prince and Longlin had set out for Tianhua City with three hundred Imperial Dragon Guards half an hour before, conferred with Qin Youchuan. Ultimately, he led a thousand deathsworn in secret pursuit toward Tianhua City.

Other powerful families in the Holy Heaven Imperial Capital also dispatched spies to follow along the way.

Three hours later, the Seventh Prince had already arrived outside Tianhua City. Night had fallen, and the city gates were long closed. The prince sent a messenger quietly into the city to inform General Xu Yunlei, who guarded the teleportation array.

Xu Yunlei was a new martial general appointed by the Heavenly Emperor five centuries ago, without a prominent family backing him, and wholly loyal to the Emperor. He guarded the array in Tianhua City with utmost care, rarely leaving his residence except to cultivate, never partaking in feasts or revelry.

Upon receiving the prince’s message, Xu Yunlei came personally to the city gate, opened a small side door, and led the prince’s entourage to the teleportation array.

The prince cautioned Xu Yunlei, “There is unrest in the capital. Tomorrow, this place will be bustling. You must not be careless. The guards must inspect every entrant thoroughly—let no suspicious person slip through.”

Xu Yunlei agreed repeatedly, watched as the prince’s party stepped onto the array, and personally activated it. The group vanished.

Outside Tianhua City, the Qin and Su families observed, noting that the number of guards was several times usual. It would be nearly impossible to enter the array without detection, so they diverted to Lingpu City in Puzhou instead.

At nine the next morning, the Seventh Prince and his party arrived in Yunxian City. General Liu Shimu was still resting at his residence, but upon receiving the message, hurriedly went out to greet the prince. After a brief exchange, the prince immediately set off for Qiluo Town.

Once the prince had departed, Liu Shimu quickly increased the city’s guards and sent trusted men out with the news.

Having fallen behind at every step, the Qin and Su families, disguised as a merchant caravan, waited until dawn when the gates of Lingpu City were thrown open, allowing them to slip inside. Luckily, the inspections for merchant convoys using the teleportation array in Lingpu City were not too thorough, and they managed to enter without issue.

...

Tao Ming and her two children overslept and missed breakfast, but fortunately Xia He had kept their food warm on the stove. After washing up and eating, Tao Ming took the children to the Qiluo Courtyard to visit their great-grandmother.

After some hesitation, Tao Ming took out fifty sets of glass teaware and a hundred boxes of glass cups. She considered taking more but stopped herself, piling them up on the floor. “Grandmother, Xia He says that colored glass cups are quite valuable here. Why not use these as gifts?”

The old matriarch was moved. “You should keep them for yourself. They’ll be a form of protection when you get to the capital.”

“Grandmother, these things aren’t worth much in my world, and I have plenty more. There are other interesting things too, but I’m afraid if I bring them out now, they’ll attract too much attention. Once I’m better established, I’ll send some more.”

“Truly, you have more?”

“Really, I do!”

“My dear Mingming, you’re as thoughtful as your mother was. Very well, I’ll accept them.”

The items promptly vanished before Tao Ming’s eyes—clearly, her grandmother had tucked them into her Hundred-Treasure Pouch.

After chatting a while longer, just before lunch, they heard Madam Xu’s voice: “Matriarch, the Seventh Prince has arrived.”

Startled, the old matriarch stood up. “Is it true?”

Madam Xu entered and replied, “Steward Li is at the main gate right now, waiting for you to come greet the prince.”

The old matriarch gave instructions: “Chuncao, go call everyone. Madam Xu, send someone to open the front gate at once.”

Turning to Tao Ming, she said, “I didn’t expect him so soon. I’d hoped you’d have a chance to meet your aunts today.”

Everyone receiving their tasks quickly scattered. The matriarch changed into fresh robes and, with Tao Ming in tow, walked toward the front courtyard.

Upon arrival, they saw the main gates wide open. At the very front stood a man in a purple crown and robe. Tao Ming lowered her head and followed closely behind her grandmother.

The matriarch steadied herself, stepped outside, and knelt, saying, “This humble woman welcomes Your Highness, Seventh Prince.”

Tao Ming, holding her two children, also knelt behind her grandmother, inwardly grumbling about the endless kneeling customs.

The Seventh Prince reached out in a gesture of courtesy. “No need for such formalities, Matriarch. Please rise.”

Tao Ming quickly helped her grandmother up, waiting until she was steady before rising herself and pulling up the two children, all the while keeping her gaze lowered.

Then the prince asked, “These two girls—which one is the Saintess?”

The matriarch drew the softer child to her side. “A blessing for Weishui—here is the Saintess.”

The prince looked the girl up and down, noticing her curious gaze, utterly lacking the usual awe or fear. He couldn’t help but laugh, “Indeed, the Saintess is quite unique.”

Without waiting for a reply, he asked, “Is the Saintess’s mother present?”

Tao Ming raised her head. “That would be me.”

The prince was momentarily taken aback, musing at the strange customs of this foreign world, where such directness was possible. He studied Tao Ming—she was young, with delicate features and a free-spirited air. Not a peerless beauty, perhaps, but with a charm all her own.

Tao Ming, who had always struggled to recognize faces, simply thought the prince looked quite handsome, though she couldn’t guess his age.

Seeing her meet his gaze without flinching, the prince wondered if all women from this world were so bold. The matriarch, noticing Tao Ming staring at the prince, coughed and said, “Your Highness, let us continue this inside.”

The Seventh Prince replied softly, “That won’t be necessary. My father is in a hurry. As soon as I collect the Saintess, we must return at once.”

The matriarch protested, “The Saintess hasn’t even packed her things.”

The prince remained patient. “Everything has been prepared for the journey. The Saintess will want for nothing.”

He added, “By my order, the Qiluo Clan is exempt from all taxes for five hundred years.”

The matriarch knelt again to give thanks.

By now, the principal members of the household had gathered behind her, many in number but all silent.