The night passed without incident.
Early the next morning, just as the sky began to brighten.
Ning and Rong Street was already in complete chaos.
At this hour on ordinary days, it was nothing more than the old maids from the two mansions doing their shopping, peddlers carrying their loads, and common folk rushing to the morning market.
But today, the voices of the crowd were buzzing, gathering in small groups of three or five.
Everyone lowered their voices, speaking with animated expressions about something.
Jia Rui had just pushed open his door when he saw Wangcai, the only servant boy in the household, come running in panic.
"Lord!"
"Something terrible has happened!"
Wangcai was only fifteen or sixteen, thin and clever, with a pair of eyes that darted about restlessly.
At this moment, his face held both terror and an excitement at watching the drama that he could not hide.
Jia Rui poured himself some water and washed his face.
"What is it, that you're in such a panic?"
He already had some guesses in his heart, but showed nothing on his face.
Wangcai hurriedly leaned closer.
Lowering his voice, he said: "Lord Rong of the Eastern Mansion is dead!"
Jia Rui's hand paused slightly as he wiped his face.
"Where did he die?"
"What a coincidence, too."
Wangcai glanced left and right.
With growing mystery, he said: "Before dawn today, an old maid from the West Mansion who collects night soil was passing through the side alley behind Second Mistress Lian's courtyard, when she suddenly saw two people lying on the ground."
"When she went closer to look, it was none other than Lord Rong of the Eastern Mansion, and his personal servant boy beside him."
At this point, his expression grew even more peculiar.
"Only those two... neither was wearing any clothes, and they were stacked on top of each other, in a posture that was simply too obscene to describe."
"Lord didn't see it with your own eyes, but I heard the old maid screamed on the spot from fright, alarming half the street."
Wangcai could not help but smack his lips.
"The coroner from Shuntian Prefecture came too, examined them for half a day, and said there were no knife wounds on the bodies, nor was it poison. It seemed like they had indulged too much in pleasure and suffered some kind of death from overexertion."
He winked and grimaced: "This small one has only ever heard of a man and a woman indulging in pleasure causing such a death. Never heard of two men being able to do the same."
"This Lord Rong usually looked so clean and refined, who would have thought he had such tastes in private? Truly, one cannot judge by appearances."
Jia Rui laughed inwardly as he listened.
The Western Depot's methods were indeed extraordinary.
Last night when he killed Jia Rong, though he had tried his best not to leave traces, it was ultimately death by fists and feet.
If Shuntian Prefecture investigated carefully, they might well have found something suspicious.
But since the Western Depot said they would clean up after him, they had not only covered up all those injuries from fists and feet completely.
They had also bribed or coerced the coroner into fabricating the cause of death in such an absurd and sordid manner.
With this, everyone was busy discussing the filthy scandal between Jia Rong and his servant boy—who would still seriously investigate the cause of death?
Not only had they eliminated the evidence against him, they had also conveniently destroyed Jia Rong's reputation after death.
Truly, killing the body was not enough—they had to kill the heart as well.
Jia Rui asked without betraying any emotion: "How are the East and West Mansions faring now?"
Wangcai immediately perked up again.
"Now that's what you call chaos."
"Lord Zhen of the Eastern Mansion also had trouble last night—they say a flying thief got into Tianxiang Tower. Lord Zhen was beaten badly and is still groggy, can't even get out of bed."
"I heard... the injured area is somewhat embarrassing to mention."
Wangcai chuckled as he spoke, then quickly stifled it.
"Now Lord Rong of the Eastern Mansion is dead, and Lord Zhen is bedridden. There's not a single man in the whole mansion who can truly make decisions."
"Madam You cried until her hands and feet went weak. Madam Rong had only been married half a year before becoming a widow, and she too cried herself half to death."
"It was only after the Old Lady of the West Mansion heard about it that she hurriedly sent Lord Zheng and Second Master Lian to help at the Eastern Mansion. Right now, some are reporting to the authorities, others are buying coffins—it's long been in complete disarray."
Speaking of Rongguo Mansion, Wangcai's face showed a hint of schadenfreude.
"The West Mansion side isn't peaceful either."
"Lord Rong just had to die in the alley behind Second Mistress Lian's courtyard. Now the servants are all saying this matter might have something to do with Second Mistress Lian."
"Some even say Lord Rong often went to Second Mistress Lian's courtyard, and maybe he stumbled onto something, which is why he was killed."
"I heard Second Mistress Lian is right now kneeling before the Old Lady and Second Madam, swearing oaths that she has nothing whatsoever to do with this."
Hearing all this, Jia Rui felt completely at ease.
Jia Zhen was injured, and Ningguo Mansion was in complete chaos.
Wang Xifeng was also implicated by Jia Rong's humiliating manner of death—right now she probably wished she could distance herself from all dealings with Jia Rong.
The matter of her previous conspiracy with Jia Rong to frame him—she naturally would not dare breathe a single word of it.
Add to that the Western Depot's covert cleanup.
Last night's affair could be considered thoroughly closed.
Jia Rui tossed the towel back into the water basin.
He said calmly: "Understood."
"This kind of thing, just listen and let it be. Don't go spreading gossip outside."
"Especially in front of Grandfather—not a single word is to be mentioned."
Wangcai nodded hurriedly.
"This small one understands."
"Go on, keep a good watch on the house."
Jia Rui returned to his room, changed into a set of clean clothes, and tucked the Jade Token bestowed by Yu Huatian close to his body.
Today was the day he truly took his first step.
From now on, he would no longer be that branch-family member of the Jia Clan, bullied by anyone, with no power and no influence.
...
Xizhi Gate, White Tiger Avenue.
The Western Investigation Bureau Office was located at the end of the long street.
Gazing from afar, one saw only towering walls and layer upon layer of roof ridges.
The two vermilion gates stood over a zhang tall, broader and more imposing than an ordinary yamen.
Above the lintel hung a massive plaque with a black background and golden characters.
On it were written eight large characters: "Imperial Envoy and Commander of the Western Investigation Bureau."
The calligraphy was stern and cold, the brushstrokes like blades.
On either side of the stone steps before the gate stood a stone carving of a goshawk with wings spread, about to take flight.
The hawk's eyes were fierce, its talons pressing into the stone, as if at any moment it might swoop down and tear a living person apart.
Four gate-guarding Depot Agents stood on either side.
All wore pure white Flying Fish Robes with cloud patterns, the collars and cuffs embroidered with golden thread.
At their waists hung long, slender snow-white swords.
Each wore a blank expression, eyes sharp, with a killing aura pressing upon those nearby.
In Great Xia, the two Depots and one Bureau each had distinct attire.
The Dragon Guard's Flying Fish Robes were primarily black and red, appearing solemn and heavy.
The Eastern Depot mostly wore blue-gray, gloomy and cold.
Only the Western Depot's Flying Fish Robes were pure white throughout, adorned with golden patterns.
When pedestrians on the street saw the Western Depot Office from afar, every one of them took a detour.
Even the occasional official sedan passing by would lower its curtains and quicken its pace, fearing to provoke these Hounds of the Imperial Court.
But Jia Rui appeared completely at ease, walking straight up the stone steps.
When the Depot Agents at the gate saw him approach, they immediately reached out to block him.
They shouted: "Western Depot restricted area, idlers halt."
Jia Rui said nothing more, only took out the gilded Jade Token from his bosom.
"The Lord Commander ordered me to report here today."
Those Depot Agents had originally worn cold expressions.
But when they clearly saw the flying eagle on the front of the Jade Token and the character "Yu" on the back, their expressions changed in unison.
The leader hurriedly bowed and cupped his fists.
"This small one was blind and failed to recognize someone personally recommended by the Commander."
"Please forgive us, Lord."
The other Depot Agents also bowed in unison.
"This small one pays respects to Lord!"
Jia Rui looked at their haughty-before, humble-after demeanor, and an odd feeling rose in his heart.
In his original life all these years, he had been subservient before the masters of the Ning and Rong Mansions, and in the Clan School he had to endure the bullying of those profligate sons.
Never mind being called "Lord" by anyone.
Even an ordinary steward of some standing would not necessarily give him a second glance.
But now, he had only to produce a single Waist Token of Yu Huatian.
And these Western Depot Agents, who made officials and commoners alike tremble at the mere mention of their name, would bow their heads respectfully to him.
The word "power"—it truly worked better than any principle.
Jia Rui forced himself to stay calm, his expression unchanged.
He only said calmly: "Lead the way."
"Yes, this way please, Lord."
The lead Depot Agent stepped aside in invitation, leading Jia Rui into the Office.
The interior of the Western Depot was even more stern than the outside.
Every layer of courtyard gate had guards, and snow-robed Depot Agents hurried to and fro through the courtyards.
Some had long swords at their waists, others carried heavy crossbows on their backs.
There were also several palace eunuchs with soft, effeminate features, carrying scrolls as they passed through the corridors.
From a side courtyard in the distance, the faint sound of chains dragging on the ground and miserable screams could be heard.
But the Depot Agents guarding the gate acted as if they heard nothing, their expressions wooden.
Jia Rui felt a chill of awe in his heart.
This place was indeed no ordinary yamen.
Though the Western Depot was headed by Inner Court eunuchs, it was not entirely staffed by castrated men.
In order to investigate, pursue, assassinate, and suppress the jianghu, the Depot recruited widely among extraordinary and unusual people.
There were palace experts, as well as desperate outlaws of the jianghu and sons of local strongmen.
There were even Green Forest figures who had been taken in by the Imperial Court.
They only asked whether one was useful, not about one's former origins.
The Depot Agent led Jia Rui through two layers of courtyards, finally arriving at a rather lavishly decorated office.
The room was laid with thick carpets, several works of famous calligraphers and painters hung on the walls, and jade wares and antiques were displayed on a curio shelf.
In the center, on a broad Grand Preceptor Chair, sat an old eunuch in brocade robes.
This man was about sixty or so, with a white face and no beard, his body somewhat portly.
His eyes appeared gentle, but when he occasionally raised them, they revealed a hint of unfathomable depth.
The Depot Agent stepped forward and bowed.
"Reporting to Eunuch Lü, this man is called Jia Rui, and he has come to report with the Commander's personal Waist Token."
With that, he presented the Jade Token with both hands.
The old eunuch took the Jade Token and examined it carefully in his hand for a few moments.
His fingertip gently rubbed the character "Yu" on the back for a moment, then he nodded slightly.
"Not bad, this is indeed the Commander's item."
He raised his eyes and sized up Jia Rui, a gentle smile appearing on his face.
"So you are Jia Rui?"
Jia Rui cupped his fists and said: "That is correct."
The old eunuch placed the Jade Token on the desk.
"This one is Lü Fang, temporarily managing the Western Depot's general affairs, and also bearing the title of Deputy Commander."
"The Commander received an urgent assignment this morning and left the capital with several Chiliarchs. Before departing, he specifically instructed that a young man would come today with his Waist Token to join."
Jia Rui was slightly startled inwardly.
This old eunuch before him looked so amiable, yet he was also a Deputy Commander of the Western Depot.
To reach such a position in the Western Depot—how could he truly be a kind and good-natured person?
He immediately bowed solemnly.
"This humble official Jia Rui, pays respects to Eunuch Lü."
With that, he also presented with both hands the document recording his native place and background.
Lü Fang took it and glanced through it.
"A native of Ning and Rong Street in Shenjing, branch family of the Jia Clan, grandfather Jia Dairu, currently a tutor at the Jia Clan School..."
When he read this, he let out a soft "oh."
"So you are also a branch clan relative of the Ning and Rong Mansions."
"Though the Jia Family is no longer what it was at the founding of the dynasty, it is still a family with two dukes, with deep roots."
He raised his head and glanced at Jia Rui again.
With a half-smile, he said: "With your background, if you were willing to attach yourself to the Rongguo and Ningguo Mansions, finding some minor post would not be difficult. Why have you instead thrown in with our Western Depot?"
Jia Rui's expression was calm.
"Though the Rongguo and Ningguo Mansions are wealthy and noble, that wealth and nobility is not mine."
"Though the Western Depot is dangerous, here I can earn my future by my own ability."
Hearing this, a flicker of approval passed through Lü Fang's eyes.
"Those words are honest enough."
"This one most detests those who want the Western Depot's power on one hand, yet disdain our reputation on the other."
"Since you have entered this door, do not keep longing for those hollow, pretentious reputations outside."
Having said this, he picked up his teacup again and pondered for a moment.
"According to the rules, those newly entering the Western Depot should start as ordinary Depot Agents."
"But since you were personally favored by the Commander, naturally you cannot be treated the same as others."
"I will temporarily grant you the post of Chief Banner of the Xuanwu Bureau."
"Seventh Rank, commanding fifty Agents."
"Whether you can rise further in the future will depend on your own ability."
Jia Rui was immediately delighted.
He had originally thought that entering the Western Depot, he would at most be an ordinary Depot Agent, slowly accumulating merit.
He never expected that a single Waist Token from Yu Huatian would directly earn him the position of Chief Banner.
A Seventh Rank official—in the eyes of the true masters of the Ning and Rong Mansions, perhaps it counted for nothing.
But for Jia Rui, who just yesterday was scraping by in the Clan School, it was truly a single step to the heavens.
From today on, he too was an official of the Imperial Court with rank, with official status, with dozens of men under his command.
"This humble official thanks Eunuch Lü for his cultivation."
Lü Fang waved his hand with a smile.
"You need not thank this one."
"This was the Commander's intention."
"This one merely handled the paperwork for him."
With that, he called out loudly toward the outside: "Huang Jin."
No sooner had the words fallen than a plump, round-faced, simple-looking middle-aged eunuch quickly walked in.
He wore a white-based Flying Fish Robe with golden trim, a Jade Belt cinched tight around his round waist, and as soon as he entered, he smiled with an air of amiability.
"Godfather, you called for your son?"
Huang Jin stepped forward and bowed respectfully.
Lü Fang pointed at Jia Rui.
"This is someone newly recommended by the Commander, named Jia Rui."
"He has now been granted the post of Chief Banner of the Xuanwu Bureau."
"You are precisely the Chiliarch of the Xuanwu Bureau, and the Bureau has been short-handed lately. Take him back and show him the ropes properly."
"Though he is young, since the Commander personally sent him a Waist Token, he must have some ability."
When Huang Jin heard the words "personally recommended by the Commander," a degree of seriousness immediately entered his eyes.
He turned and said to Jia Rui with cupped fists and a smile: "So you are Chief Banner Jia."
"This one is Huang Jin, currently Chiliarch of the Xuanwu Bureau."
"We will be working together from now on. Please do look after me."
Jia Rui hurriedly cupped his fists in return.
"This subordinate Jia Rui, pays respects to Eunuch Huang."
"If there is anything I do not understand in the future, I hope Eunuch Huang will offer more guidance."
Huang Jin smiled even more warmly.
"Not at all, not at all."
"Since we are brothers of the same family, what need is there for such formalities?"
He bowed once more to Lü Fang.
"Godfather, rest assured. Your son will certainly settle Chief Banner Jia in properly."
Lü Fang raised his teacup.
He said calmly: "Go on."
Huang Jin understood, and led Jia Rui out of the office.
Walking along the stern, deep corridors of the Western Depot.
Jia Rui watched the passing Depot Agents bow to Huang Jin, then looked at the empty spot at his own waist where a Waist Token had yet to be hung, and for a moment a surge of heroic spirit welled up in his heart.
Before yesterday, he was still an ant in the eyes of the Ning and Rong Mansions, to be crushed at will.
Today, he was already the Chief Banner of the Western Depot's Xuanwu Bureau.
Jia Rong was dead.
Jia Zhen was ruined.
And his road had only just begun.
...