The past grievances between Prince Zhongshan and the imperial court were branded deep in the heart of every member of the Prince Zhongshan’s manor.
However, at this moment, Tie Ying was more concerned with what lay before him.
“Who arranged for this person?” he said in a low voice, watching the scholar who was still eloquently explaining the layout and spouting nonsense, his eyes flashing with cold light. “Deng Yi or Xie San?”
Xiao Xun didn’t seem to care: “We can spread rumors, and so can others. Whether it’s Deng Yi or Xie San, they’re both our adversaries now.”
There were never so many idle rumors in the world, especially at a time like this. Stirring people’s hearts or soothing them were naturally all arranged by someone.
Tie Ying said bitterly: “Xie San is one thing, but Deng Yi is truly a shameless scoundrel. He took our money yet went back on his word. It’s a pity Your Highness destroyed that imperial edict, otherwise we could produce it and tell the world that Deng Yi wrote it. Let’s see if he could still hold his position as Grand Tutor!”
That imperial edict… Xiao Xun lightly pressed his chest and smiled: “Since we know he’s a scoundrel, there’s no need to be surprised by anything a scoundrel does, and no need to be angry either. In the future—” He stood up. “We’ll just collect what’s owed to us.”
Tie Ying hurried to follow, walking out together with Xiao Xun.
People came and went in the teahouse, and no one paid attention to these two young men.
One young man boarded a carriage while the other drove the horses, slowly heading toward a city ahead.
This was the most important checkpoint in Zhongshan Commandery. Compared to before, there were even more troops stationed here, layer upon layer like a forest, scrutinizing every person who passed through. Even the chickens and ducks in baskets were pulled out for inspection.
Many people were stopped here. When asked for reasons, no explanation was given. When pressed further, soldiers would draw their swords: “Are you a Xi Liang spy or a remnant of the Zhao clan?” They looked ready to execute people on the spot.
The atmosphere at the city gate checkpoint was tense.
In this tense atmosphere, Tie Ying drove the carriage slowly forward, getting closer and closer to the city gate. His expression showed not the slightest tension, until he was stopped by guards.
“Get down from the carriage,” several guards said coldly.
Before Tie Ying could speak, an officer standing nearby stepped forward and glanced at the insignia hanging from the carriage.
“This belongs to the Commandery Governor’s household,” he told the guards. “The young master has a weak constitution and frequent illnesses. He’s just returning from seeking medical treatment and cannot be exposed to wind.”
The guards looked troubled as they glanced at the officer. Another officer walked over and greeted Tie Ying: “Back so soon this time? The Commandery Governor was still asking about you yesterday.”
Tie Ying said in a deep voice: “It’s not peaceful outside. The physician fled and we couldn’t find him.”
What a shame—the officer looked regretful: “You’ll have to seek out another renowned physician then.” He extended his hand in invitation. “Young master, please return quickly.”
Since both officers said so, and they appeared quite familiar with the person in the carriage, the guards no longer obstructed or conducted their inspection. When it came to inspections, how could there be absolute thoroughness? There were always one or two local powers whose face had to be given.
Besides, a single carriage couldn’t hide many people anyway.
The guards cleared the path, and amidst the forest of armor and weapons, Tie Ying drove the carriage slowly through.
So what if the imperial troops surrounded them? Zhongshan Commandery had belonged to Prince Zhongshan for decades—he was the master here. As long as these outsiders didn’t dare declare they were replacing the master, they remained just outsiders.
When Xiao Xun returned to Prince Zhongshan’s manor and went to see Prince Zhongshan, the prince was entertaining a guest at the hot spring pool.
Steam rose from the hot spring pool. Serving girls wore summer dresses that had been soaked through by the pool’s steam, clinging to their bodies like thin gauze as if they were naked. However, neither of the two men in the pool was looking at the beauties.
One man sat with eyes closed, focused on gently stroking his goatee with his hand.
On the other side, a maid applied warm towels soaked in the hot spring to Prince Zhongshan’s eyes. The prince leaned against a jade pillow and made a comfortable sound: “This prince will rest for a moment—”
“Father King,” Xiao Xun’s voice came from nearby.
Prince Zhongshan sighed helplessly: “Couldn’t you wait a bit before calling me?”
Xiao Xun smiled as he crouched down by the pool: “Father King, this invasion by Xi Liang has given the court an excellent opportunity to deal with us. They keep saying they’re searching for Xi Liang spies. Before long, we’ll all be arrested as Xi Liang spies.”
Before Prince Zhongshan could speak, the goateed man across from him spoke first.
“Your Highness the Crown Prince, we of Great Liang are not invading,” he said, his tone carrying an accent. Actually, the accent wasn’t necessary—the term “Great Liang” was sufficient to prove his identity.
“We merely came to pay respects to the Great Xia Emperor,” he continued, then sighed. “Ever since the legitimate line was lost, the imperial dynasties of the Central Plains have become increasingly barbaric, increasingly lacking in propriety.”
Xiao Xun laughed heartily: “Sir, if not for us, where would you be able to soak in warm pool water right now? You’d only be suffering a fate worse than death in the government’s iron prison. One must be grateful when receiving help—that’s the first rule of being a respectable person.”
The goateed man opened his eyes, his expression displeased: “You—”
Prince Zhongshan interrupted them: “Enough. Hot springs are for health and wellness. Getting angry while soaking in the spring pool is not good.”
The goateed man clearly didn’t want to anger Prince Zhongshan. He reined in his temper and stopped arguing with that dimpled, smiling young man. Looking at Prince Zhongshan, he said: “Besides, we’re also seeking justice for Your Highness. By all rights, either you or your son should be emperor. That six-year-old child isn’t even the late emperor’s son—he’s just a grandson. How could it be his turn?”
Prince Zhongshan removed the towel covering his eyes, without the slightest modesty or courtesy, and bowed in salute: “Many thanks to the Great Liang King.” He smiled slightly. “I wonder what gift the Great Liang King desires in return?”
The goateed man stood up from the pool, his expression full of grief and indignation: “My king only wants Chu Ling’s head!”
Back when Great Xia had enjoyed long peace and failed to prepare for danger in times of stability, the ambitious Great Liang had launched a campaign of conquest.
The sickly Great Xia Emperor died, and Great Xia retreated step by step, losing a large territory before reaching a stalemate with Great Liang. This continued until over a decade later, when the new Great Xia Emperor suddenly promoted a young military officer.
That young officer not only recaptured the lost territory and drove Great Liang back across the border, but also launched a surprise attack on the Great Liang royal court, killing the Great Liang King’s most beloved prince.
The prince’s head was hung at the border. Every batch of Great Liang soldiers who came was killed by Chu Ling. Finally, the Great Liang King himself came to the border commandery, stripped to the waist, hair disheveled, kneeling and begging for mercy, submitting as a vassal. Only after the Great Xia Emperor issued an edict did Chu Ling return the prince’s head to the Great Liang King.
This was Great Liang’s most painful memory. More than a decade had passed, yet the hatred remained deep.
“Before his death, the former king clutched our great king’s hand, his eyes refusing to close, until our great king promised he would take Chu Ling’s head to offer as sacrifice to the former king and elder brother. Only then did the former king close his eyes.” The goateed man beat his chest and stamped his feet, tears streaming down. “I know that in warfare between nations, life and death are fated, but that Chu Ling—”
The goateed man pointed at the sky.
“Not only did he kill our prince, he subjected him to such humiliation and torture—brutal and merciless, inhuman!”
“Our great king’s action is to avenge his father and brother. He only wants Chu Ling’s head.”
Prince Zhongshan looked at him with sympathy and called to the serving girls standing with lowered heads all around: “Quickly help the honored guest to rest. After soaking in the hot spring, such great sorrow and anger will cause exhaustion.”