Zhuyang Tower.
Old Wu was speaking with Pei Su when he suddenly stopped.
"What is it?"
"Xiao Lin is dead."
"Oh?" A flicker of interest appeared in Pei Su's eyes. "And Zhao Lan?"
The poison seal Old Wu had left didn't just mark a person's body; it also emanated a toxic aura. Zhao Lan had been in contact with Xiao Lin for so long that he was naturally tainted by the mark, allowing Old Wu to track his movements.
"He's in the mountains of Qindi to the southeast. He's not moving fast, likely prioritizing concealment."
"With Xiao Lin dead, the Dragon Sparrow should be on Zhao Lan. It is a treasure of the Imperial Court, and it is time we recovered it."
Pei Su gazed into the distance, a smile in his eyes, as if his sight could pierce through space and see the young man, far away, trekking on foot with an old blade on his back.
Old Wu's expression was also grim.
"It's also time we found out just how many drops of imperial blood that Xiao Lin hid back then. If he didn't even tell his adopted son before he died, then our search is fruitless. We might as well let the secret follow him to the underworld."
When Old Wu turned his head again, he found Pei Su looking down, as if deep in thought.
"Young Master?"
Pei Su looked up, his gaze drifting pensively to the green grass and red flowers outside the window.
"Let's set out in a little while. It's time to end this."
Pei Su left the room and walked towards the courtyard outside the tower.
The courtyard outside Zhuyang Tower was planted with many rare flowers and exotic plants, all of which Liu Gongyun had sent people to transplant from thousands of miles away.
Take the Lantian Jade Lotus, for example. Its petals were as lustrous as fine jade, emitting a faint, cool fragrance. It was said to be a unique species cultivated by the southern tribes and was quite rare in the Central Plains, making it incredibly valuable.
Beside the jade lotus, a young woman was half-crouched, her eyes filled with pleasant surprise.
"Do you like flowers?"
Jiang Suining was startled and immediately stood up to find Pei Su standing right behind her.
"The Lantian Jade Lotus is indeed a marvel. And the Golden Witch Hazel in the corner is its equal in rarity. Aside from these two, the other flowers are rather common."
Jiang Suining followed Pei Su's gaze to the pale gold plum blossoms in the corner, and her eyes lit up again.
"Die Meng Valley has many rare flowers and plants, but it's not a large place. The variety isn't as great as it is out here," she explained to Pei Su.
"Although Uncle Liu put his heart into creating this small courtyard, it is, after all, just the courtyard of a provincial manor. If you were to see the Imperial Garden in the Imperial Capital, you would be even more astonished."
"It covers a vast expanse and houses seventy-three thousand varieties of rare flowers from across the land. Among them are many species that are rarely seen in the world, some long thought to be extinct. The current Empress also loves admiring flowers. Every year, when spring is in full bloom, she holds a grand flower assembly in the Imperial Garden. At that time, nearly half of the noble ladies, young misses from prominent families, and talented young men of the Imperial Capital will attend in their finest attire..."
Listening to Pei Su's description, a look of yearning appeared on Jiang Suining's pure face.
A garden that contained all the rare flowers in the world!
Seeing her expression, Pei Su smiled faintly. "Do you want to go?"
"I do, but... no matter how precious or beautiful the flowers in the Imperial Garden are, they grow in a bustling place, to be praised and viewed by all the world. I still prefer the few stalks of Yellow Chrysanthemum I raised in Die Meng Valley. At least they are in a quiet place, and they don't feel so distant..."
As she spoke, Jiang Suining crouched down again, playfully touching the jade lotus by her feet.
"I wonder if Spirit Granny has been watering them every day..."
Pei Su raised an eyebrow, the smile on his face unwavering.
"Get up and get ready. We're going to the governor's mansion to bid farewell to the Bingzhou Governor..."
Jiang Suining paused for a moment, then asked softly, "Where... are we going?"
"To catch a thief."
Jiang Suining opened her mouth, but as she watched Pei Su's retreating back, she didn't make a sound.
"Oh, right!"
Pei Su, having reached the courtyard gate, suddenly turned back.
"There are actually quite a few ladies and young misses in the Imperial Capital who don't want to attend the flower assembly. It's troublesome and tiring, after all... But every year, no one is absent."
A faint, enigmatic smile touched Pei Su's lips. "In this life, one is often not the master of one's own fate. She is the Empress. Who would dare to go against her wishes?"
After Pei Su left, Jiang Suining held a chrysanthemum in one hand, a bewildered look in her eyes.
Finally, she slowly rose and left, letting out a barely audible sigh.
******
Pei Su went to Liu Gongyun's residence accompanied only by Banxia and Jiang Suining.
He met with Liu Gongyun again in the study.
When Pei Su stated his intention to leave, Liu Gongyun looked surprised but did not try to make him stay.
He knew that Pei Su and his companions had come bearing a secret decree from the Imperial Court.
"Before we part, Jiumu has one last gift for Uncle Liu."
Pei Su clapped his hands, and Banxia slowly entered from outside, cradling an ancient bow of yellow brass.
Its curve was like a long rainbow. The body was thick, the ends thin, and its surface was carved with mysterious patterns.
Even a commoner who knew nothing of weapons would have no doubt that this was an absolutely fine and superior bow.
"Your Highness, this...?"
"Before coming to Bingzhou, His Highness made a special trip to the Armory in Qingzhou. He suppressed all the prodigies of Qingzhou with three fingers and, with a single sword strike, broke through the nine-fold gates of the Armory to obtain this incomparably mighty divine bow, which he wishes to present to Lord Liu..."
After Banxia had finished the important parts, Pei Su frowned and said sharply, "Banxia."
Then he smiled faintly. "Uncle Liu, please don't mind her. It's just a small token."
Liu Gongyun looked dazed. His hands trembled slightly as he reached out and took the ancient bow.
"This bow... does it have a name?"
"Dujun."
Pei Su smiled. "If Uncle Liu doesn't like it, feel free to change it."
"No!" Liu Gongyun looked at Pei Su, his expression deeply moved.
"The name is perfect! I... I will not fail the expectations of Your Highness and the Marquis..."
At this point, Liu Gongyun seemed to recall something, and the eyes on his stern face grew slightly red.
After Pei Su had left, Liu Gongyun's fingers caressed the body of the bow. He stared at the wall for a long time, his body trembling more and more violently.
No one knew how many times this dignified Bingzhou Governor had, on nights when the wind cut like a knife, swung his one arm to smash against the wall, oblivious to the blood that flowed freely.
******
"Your Highness, did you go to all this trouble just to make Lord Liu pick up a bow again?" Banxia asked curiously after they left the residence.
"Soon, the Damujin Eagle Festival will be held in North Mongolia. Within the Great Jin, there is no one other than Liu Gongyun who can defeat those barbarians in archery."
Banxia nodded, recalling the Damujin Eagle Festival, which was famous even in the Central Plains.
Its three most prestigious events were horse racing, archery, and wrestling.
To the north of the Great Jin lay the royal court of the North Mongolian steppe, home to many nomadic clans renowned throughout the land for their archery and horsemanship.
In recent years, the Northland had grown increasingly cold and harsh. Every winter, large numbers of cattle, sheep, and horses would freeze to death, leading North Mongolia to harass the Great Jin with growing frequency.
After the battle at Tianque Pass all those years ago, it was hard to say who had truly won or lost. The Chen Army retreated north of the Kunlun Mountains. Although they continued to guard the northeastern border, any discerning eye could see that King Chen and the Imperial Court were already estranged.
At that same time, the royal court of the steppes fractured. Seventeen clans, led by the Darhan Bateer Uliji, settled in the northwestern grasslands, and they too eyed the Great Jin with predatory intent.
Thus, the North Guard Marquis remained stationed at Tianque Pass, guarding the northwestern grasslands that King Chen could no longer protect, while also keeping a wary eye on King Chen to prevent any secret dealings with the steppe court.
Although King Chen and the North Guard Marquis were at odds, at least on the surface, the Great Jin had two marquises guarding its northern borders. The steppe court dared not act rashly for the time being and maintained friendly relations with the Great Jin.
They would even extend a grand invitation to the people of the Central Plains to participate in their Golden Eagle Festival.
It was just that the results, every single time, brought nothing but shame to the Great Jin.