As expected, no one objected to Sui Yunzhu’s arrangement, and the shift schedule was happily settled. Watching everyone return to their rooms without care, Sui Yunzhu resigned herself to the role of den mother and went to inform Xuan Liu of the assignments.
Being a palace guard offered excellent benefits. Shifts rotated every twelve hours, and during off-duty time, guards could do as they pleased. With Gao Dazhuang’s permission, they could even leave the palace!
Due to their meritorious service at the border, the Emperor granted them a half-month break.
After the break, Lou Mingyue’s team took the first shift, while An Jiu’s team rested in their quarters.
With fewer people around, Sui Yunzhu persuaded An Jiu and Li Qingzhi to go out for a stroll. Li Qingzhi was eager, and An Jiu thought it would be good to get out, so they quickly agreed.
The three went to find Gao Dazhuang.
Gao Dazhuang had been assigned to Gushe Palace, recently awarded to Consort Yu. He worked there as a lowly eunuch. In the palace, all new eunuchs were called “little yellow gates.” If they performed well, they could be promoted to “inner court yellow gates.”
Consort Yu was due to move into Gushe Palace soon, so the place was bustling with preparations. With so many similar-looking eunuchs around, An Jiu’s group struggled to find Gao Dazhuang.
It was their first time seeing Gao Dazhuang’s face. Contrary to their expectations of an otherworldly appearance, he looked quite ordinary—a fresh-faced youth of sixteen or seventeen.
Crouching in the shadows, Li Qingzhi whispered, “The commander must be wearing a mask.”
An Jiu thought to herself, “At his age, of course, he needs a disguise!”
Gao Dazhuang’s ears twitched, catching Li Qingzhi’s words. He swept haphazardly with his broom, moving to a secluded spot. “Come out.”
The three leaped over the wall, landing before him.
“What is it?” he asked.
Seeing Gao Dazhuang working so hard, Sui Yunzhu sensed his frustration and carefully considered her words. Li Qingzhi spoke up, “Commander, we want to go out for a while.”
Gao Dazhuang raised his slender eyebrows. “Go out for what?”
“To take a stroll!”
“To buy some things.”
Li Qingzhi and Sui Yunzhu spoke simultaneously.
Sui Yunzhu looked away, while Li Qingzhi, realizing his mistake, quickly added, “Yes, yes, we’re going to buy things and take a stroll along the way.”
“Get back to your quarters, all of you!” Gao Dazhuang growled softly, slamming his broom to the ground. “Damn it, life just keeps getting worse!”
It wasn’t clear if he meant himself or the three of them.
“We won’t forget to bring you something good to eat,” An Jiu said innocently.
Gao Dazhuang put his hands on his hips, breathing heavily in anger. “You think I’m just after a bite to eat?!”
“Of course, the commander doesn’t lack food and drink,” Sui Yunzhu interrupted as An Jiu was about to speak again. “Mei Shisi means we’d like to show our respect by bringing you something from outside.”
Gao Dazhuang calmed down a bit. After composing himself, he said evenly, “I want fried noodles from Liao’s shop at the West Gate. No green onions. Extra chili.”
He then pulled out a pinky-sized seal from his robes. “Give me your hands!”
The three removed their handguards and held out their palms. Gao Dazhuang stamped each hand. “Keep these safe and don’t lose them. Don’t blame me if you can’t get back in otherwise.”
“Couldn’t you think of a more reliable method?” An Jiu complained. “You’re just making it easy for yourself!”
Each team of Long Wu Guards had different passes, decided by their leader, and reported to superiors.
Gao Dazhuang picked up his broom and swung it at An Jiu.
“Gao Dazhuang!” a shrill voice called angrily from the front hall.
Gao Dazhuang froze, suppressing his temper. He glared fiercely at An Jiu before scurrying to the front hall, broom in hand.
The three troublemakers followed, watching as a eunuch repeatedly struck Gao Dazhuang with a feather duster. “You little wretch! Slacking off the moment I turn my back! Who gave you such audacity? You’ll lick Gushe Palace clean today if you have to!”
Gao Dazhuang played his part well, cowering and hanging his head as the eunuch beat him.
“The commander has it tough,” Li Qingzhi sighed. “We must bring him two bowls of noodles.”
The three slipped away, changed clothes, and disguised themselves before easily leaving the palace using their hand stamps.
Once outside, they split up to handle their affairs.
An Jiu had just reached the Imperial Street when she sensed a familiar presence. Looking up, she saw a young man sitting in a teahouse. He wore a dark blue robe with wide sleeves, one arm resting on the windowsill. The taut silk outlined his broad shoulders and muscular arms. His long fingers held a blue and white porcelain cup, wisps of steam rising from it, blending with the morning light on his handsome face, softening his chiseled features.
He looked down at her, the corners of his eyes crinkling with a smile.
An Jiu stood stunned for a moment before rushing up to the teahouse, appearing before him in an instant.
He set down his cup and smiled. “Don’t recognize me?”
“Chu Dingjiang,” An Jiu said softly.
Chu Dingjiang’s smile deepened. “Come, sit.”
An Jiu finally believed he had once been a noble young master. Though courteous, his every movement differed from the weak, rule-bound scholars of the Song Dynasty. Instead, he exuded an air of nobility mixed with unrestrained freedom, drawing many glances.
“Haven’t had breakfast?” Chu Dingjiang called a waiter, ordering her a basket of buns, some side dishes, and a bowl of plain congee.
When the food arrived, Chu Dingjiang picked up chopsticks and offered them to her.
An Jiu raised her hand, but instead of taking the chopsticks, she pinched his face and tugged hard, muttering as she saw the red mark left behind, “It’s you?”
Mo Sigui’s skills were indeed impressive, healing such a large scar so quickly.
Chu Dingjiang placed the chopsticks in her hand. “Are you that surprised?”