Li Xuan was leaving the Forbidden City, holding the reward bestowed upon him by the Jingtai Emperor.
Since Li Xuan had previously submitted his terms, the Emperor’s reward was more of an honorific nature.
It consisted of a bright yellow Feiyu Suit, the rit status of the 4th-rank official of Shangqi Duwei, and a Xiuchun Knife with a vermillion scabbard—worth ntioning is that this is not truly a knife, but rather a tiny, disk-shaped magical instrunt, less than an inch in diater. When attached to any knife handle, it would alter the appearance to that of the Xiuchun Knife. The effect is akin to the ’skin’ of video ga characters and equipnt; a different skin changes the appearance.
In the Great Jin Dynasty, this was an important honor, equivalent to the ancient Qianniu Knife, which could only be worn by the emperors’ close confidants, high-ranking ministers, Xiuyiwei, and top officials of the inner Jishi Bureau.
Besides this, Li Xuan was entitled to have his sword in the royal presence, and was given a goldfish bag, among other honours.
Knowing that he had just arrived in the Capital City, the Emperor also gave him fifty sin slaves and twenty soldiers from the royal camp as guards—all of whom were to be provided for by the court in the future.
Yet, Li Xuan grumbled internally. What use did he have for these things? Wouldn’t it be better if they were simply converted into cash?
However, upon leaving the Wu Gate of the Forbidden City, Li Xuan still gleefully put on his upgraded Feiyu Suit under the admiring gaze of Peng Fulai and Zhang Yue, attaching the small magical instrunt to his Bixue Leique Sword. He looked at himself in a block of ice he had collected as a mirror, and found his new image rather handso.
At this ti, Luo Yan thoughtfully asked, "Li Xuan, do you think the queen mother is behind this case, or is the Crown Prince using a defensive strategy?"
"The Crown Prince likely wouldn’t make such a foolish move, and the likelihood of the queen mother’s involvent isn’t high either," Li Xuan said, drawing his sword and swinging it around. "After all, what Fei Yuan and his crew did also put the Crown Prince in harm’s way. What if the Crown Prince hadn’t resisted eating the food? But I can’t be 100% sure.
"In either case, this case was rather strange. Following this case, the Emperor’s replacent of the heir must be delayed. The Emperor has also gotten the military funds he wanted from Cifu Gao Gu and Minister of Revenue Xiao Ci. Just now, they ntioned that the total value of the resources was about fifteen million yuan. Also, the ng Wu people benefited, and the raws between the two parties in the court deepened, just barely suppressed by the emperor."
After hearing this, Zhang Yue could not help but twitch the corner of his lips, "Listen to you, it seems nobody takes a loss?"
"How can they not?" Peng Fulai shook his head, "What they’re getting isn’t what they really want. Compared to military supplies, I guess His Majesty would have preferred to complete the succession of the state. Although the Crown Prince has bought so ti, he has completely lost the trust of the Emperor. Although the ng Wu people have further alienated the emperor and ministers of the Great Jin, they would inevitably have to fall out over the emperial succession. Now with these military supplies at hand, Shaobao Yu will make the border defences around Xuanfu and Datong even more impregnable."
Seeing that they had arrived at Chengtian Gate, Yue Qianqian asked, "Colonel, where should we go next?"
"Of course, we’ll go to Earl Jingan’s mansion, which was granted to by the court. I haven’t been there yet. The mansion happens to be near the headquarters and Qinglong Hall of our Liudao Division. Tomorrow, we can conveniently report there."
As he was saying this, he heard his stomach grumbling again. He rubbed his stomach, thinking, ’When did I beco so insatiable?’ He thought about the three roasted pigs and an entire cow he had eaten earlier, and he was surprised to find his stomach was flat again.
Zo, his voice took a turn, "But the most tily thing to do now is to find a restaurant and get a good al."
Li Xuan looked up to see Zhang Yue and Peng Fulai grinning sheepishly and laughing nervously.
Seeing their behaviour, Li Xuan already knew what was on their minds. He scoffed, "You want to go to the Eight Hutongs, right? If you want to go, just go. Can I stop you? But be careful, you might get beaten up later."
These two fools, as soon as they left Nanjing City, they were ready to let loose. It seems they hadn’t been taught enough by Jiang Hanyun yet.
No, it’s probably because they’ve left Jiang Hanyun’s territory that they think they’re free as birds.
"Then we’ll go ahead. It’s getting late. If we don’t go now, all the pretty girls will be taken." Peng Fulai, as if pardoned, patted his chest, assuring, "Don’t worry, we’ll just go wild today! Relax, see what’s special about those so-called Eight Hutongs, and whether they can hold a candle to Qinhuai River. Afterwards, we still have to do our duty and practise martial law."
Zhang Yue hesitated. He wanted to invite Li Xuan to co along, thinking how could their trio separate?
But after glancing at Yue Qianqian and Luo Yan in n’s clothes, he wisely swallowed his words. At this point, he deeply realizing that Li Xuan was becoming very different from them.
When Zhang Yue and Peng Fulai rode away, Luo Yan watched their receding figures, aningfully playing with a pair of Hongxiu Knives in his hands.
Li Xuan did not notice Luo Yan’s unusual behaviour. He felt even hungrier, "Now, there are only the three of us left. We still need to find a place to eat—"
Before he finished his sentence, he heard soone shouting behind him, "Hold it, Earl Jingan!"
He looked back in surprise and found that it was the chief eunuch of East Palace, Xi Huaien, who had shouted for him. After rushing over, Xi Huaien reached into his sleeve and took out a scroll, offering it to Li Xuan, "This is a copy of Yan Zhenqing’s ’Proclamation Scroll’, written by the famous scholar Kou Pingzhong from the previous generation. On the Crown Prince’s order, this item is to be gifted to you, Earl Jingan, in gratitude for your rits in unraveling the blood case of the East Palace."
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