Qin Li had not yet fully regained his composure from the shock of Xie Linchuan risking his life to save him. He gripped Xie Linchuan’s wrist with such force that it nearly left a red mark.
He carefully inspected the wound. Seeing the blood was bright red and confirming the short bolt was not poisoned, he finally let out a silent sigh of relief.
The moment Xie Linchuan had lunged to shield him, Qin Li’s mind had gone blank for a split second, and his heart had constricted uncontrollably.
Why did Xie Linchuan come to save him?
Qin Li’s eyes were dark as he stared directly at the man. “Why did you dare to take such a risk to save me? Do you have any idea how close that was?”
Had the arrow been just a few inches to the side, he might have died on the spot.
Xie Linchuan’s brow was tightly knit, and a layer of fine sweat beaded on his forehead. Waves of pain radiated from his shoulder, and his face was somewhat pale. He shook his head gently. “It is no matter. A small wound will not kill me. Today was cold and the wind at the altar was strong, so I made sure to dress thickly before coming out.”
“Nonsense! Do you think a few layers of clothing are golden silk soft armor? What if the bolt had been poisoned?” Qin Li barked, his brow furrowed and his palms slick with cold sweat.
Qin Li himself was wearing golden silk soft armor; he had not actually needed anyone to shield him with their life. But Xie Linchuan had no way of knowing that secret.
Qin Li looked deeply at Xie Linchuan. He was a man accustomed to suspicion and defensiveness. But right now, at the critical moment of life and death, Xie Linchuan had acted as his shield, taking the injury for him. Facing a pale man in silent pain, bleeding without stop, he found it impossible to attribute any ulterior motive to him.
He recalled their first meeting; this person was exactly like this, willing to step in to save a stranger.
Having a heart too soft is not a good thing in this world.
Body heat was transmitted through their clothing, and along with it, the vibration of a powerful heartbeat. Qin Li’s arm around the man’s waist tightened further. He suddenly remembered the unreadable look in Xie Linchuan’s eyes when he had let go of his hand earlier. Was he hurt by my suspicion?
The man had unhesitatingly tested the wine for him just moments ago, yet he was still on guard.
“Your Majesty, the Imperial Physician has arrived! Are you injured anywhere?” Li Sanbao rushed over, dragging the physician behind him.
“I am fine. Look at him.”
Only then did Qin Li reluctantly release his grip and hand Xie Linchuan over to the physician.
The assassination attempt triggered a wave of chaos. Li Xuehong hid behind a pillar, dodging assassins while searching for Xie Linchuan and Qin Li in the fray.
How he wished Qin Li would die right here at the hands of these death warriors. This was the first time he hoped his other rival, his “dear” third brother, would actually succeed in something big.
Alas, the heavens did not grant his wish. Not only did Qin Li remain unscathed, but Xie Linchuan ended up injured.
Li Xuehong could hardly believe his eyes. Xie Linchuan, who usually only cared for him, had not come to protect him in such a dangerous moment. Instead, he had blocked an arrow for Qin Li, their greatest enemy!
Surrounded by the physician and a crowd of panicked officials, Li Xuehong could not see clearly and did not know the extent of the injury. Anxious yet unable to approach, he could only stand behind the pillar and let his thoughts spiral.
“Is Linchuan insane?” Li Xuehong murmured. “No, he would never betray me. He must have his reasons.”
Not only Li Xuehong, but the surrounding officials were also profoundly shocked. Even Qin Yongyi, Qin Li’s sworn brother, privately admired Xie Linchuan’s decisiveness and courage. His own limbs felt numb, and cold sweat dripped down his back.
Qin Yongyi felt a sense of poignancy; had it been him just now, despite being a sworn brother, he might not have had the courage to trade his life for another. At the very least, he would have hesitated. But Xie Linchuan had truly shown no hesitation; his movements were faster than everyone else’s.
Yan Yu was also extremely surprised, even feeling a faint sense of shame. He had been so guarded against the man, yet the person who saved the Emperor’s life in the end was the very same Xie Linchuan who had been repeatedly slandered and doubted.
But why did Xie Linchuan risk his life for the Emperor?
The world knew the Chixiao General was fiercely loyal to the Jing Dynasty and Prince Xuehong; the rumors of their ambiguous relationship had spread throughout the capital. The Emperor had threatened Li Xuehong’s life to force him into the palace. Did Xie Linchuan not harbor any hatred? Instead of seeking revenge, he chose to save a life?
Is this Chixiao General simply too upright and kind?
Yan Yu frowned, unable to make sense of it. He felt something was off, but seeing Qin Li visibly shaken and unable to hear reason, he chose to remain silent.
The atmosphere at the temple entrance was grim, with a faint scent of blood lingering in the air. Nie Dong led the Yulin Guards in handling the assassins’ corpses. Even though all the assassins had been eliminated, the officials remained terrified.
Nie Dong presented Qin Li’s dragon headed sword with both hands and asked, “Your Majesty, shall we return to the palace now?”
Qin Li took the sword and stood, his features sharp as a blade. He suddenly gave a cold, low laugh. “Tell them: the Heaven Worshiping Ceremony is not yet complete. It continues!”
The officials broke into an uproar. Qin Yongyi frowned. “Your Majesty, we just suffered an assassination attempt. It is not safe here. It is better to withdraw and hold the ceremony another day.”
“No.” Qin Li narrowed his eyes, one hand behind his back. He sneered, “Those rebels wanted to disrupt the ceremony; therefore, I insist that the ceremony is finished in full. What are a few assassins worth? Do they think they are worthy of stopping me from announcing my rule to the heavens?”
Seeing the Emperor’s stubbornness, the officials could only return to their positions and proceed with the ceremony, trembling all the while. This time, Li Sanbao brought the sacrificial wine, having personally tested it for poison. Once confirmed safe, it was presented to Qin Li.
Qin Li followed the ritual, reading the prayers for favorable weather and national prosperity. As the final offerings were being presented, he suddenly spoke: “Select a portion of those assassins’ corpses and burn them at the altar along with the sacrificial animals.”
The officials were aghast. Such a request was unheard of; no Emperor in history had ever done such a thing. Who would use corpses as a sacrifice to the heavens?
Yan Yu’s scalp went numb. He advised with a dry throat, “Your Majesty, do not let a moment of rage provoke the heavens!”
But Qin Li ignored him, remaining headstrong. “I want the heavens and the entire world to see what it means to oppose me!”
Qin Li drew his sword and struck it into the ground with a clang, the cold blade shimmering with the luster of iron and blood. “If the heavens believe I am unworthy of this seat, they may strike me down with a divine punishment right here. I will accept it!”
“This… this…”
The officials looked at each other in terror, faces full of despair. But facing such a tyrannical, absolute monarch, what could they do? Try to commit suicide by ramming their heads into a pillar as a protest? Save it; they would likely just be dragged out.
Though the ceremony was marred by the attack, Qin Li was unhurt. He forced the ritual to its conclusion and even burned the assassins’ bodies in a display of vengeance.
When the news spread, it caused a sensation among the people of the capital. For days, the streets were filled with gossip. Some said the new Emperor was too violent and lacked the benevolence of a ruler; others said the assassins had injured the Emperor’s new favorite, the Chixiao General, provoking a royal rage that left no survivors and turned the attackers into burnt offerings.
Since no divine punishment had fallen for such a bold act, perhaps the new Emperor really was the true Son of Heaven. After all, shouldn’t those who rebel against heaven deserve to have their bodies burned?
Zichen Palace
Spring had arrived, and the branches were dotted with fresh green buds. Xie Linchuan had returned to the palace. The wound on his shoulder had been treated; it was not deep and had not damaged bone or muscle, merely a flesh wound.
Qin Li had already sent a mountain of tonics, amusements to ward off boredom, and a vast amount of gold, silver, and jewels. Xie Linchuan rested on a soft couch, leaning on his uninjured side. Just then, Jingzhou, a eunuch from the flower room, brought in a fresh pot of camellias.
Xie Linchuan beckoned to him. “You have come at the right time. The plant from a few days ago has withered. I do not know if it is pests; help me check.”
Jingzhou lowered his head and complied.
Xie Linchuan waved away the other young eunuchs. “There is no need for so many people in the room; it is stifling. You all go out.”
The others, not daring to talk back to the current favorite who had saved the Emperor, hurried out. Soon, only Xie Linchuan and Jingzhou remained. Jingzhou checked the doors and windows, and after ensuring the outsiders were far away, he scurried to the couch. He saw Xie Linchuan wrapped in a blanket, lazily sipping tea.
Xie Linchuan set down the cup and whispered, “Did anyone notice you at the ceremony?”
Jingzhou shook his head. “Do not worry, General. I was hiding under the table used for incense offerings. I had makeup on my face, and the scene was so chaotic no one noticed me.”
Xie Linchuan felt relieved. “Good.”
Jingzhou wiped away a non existent cold sweat and whispered, “General, today was too dangerous. Even though you taught me my archery skills yourself, what if that short crossbow bolt had missed?”
Xie Linchuan smiled and opened the blood stained outer garment he had changed out of. On the chest area, two hidden pockets had been sewn into the lining. He pulled out two copper plates and waved them in front of Jingzhou.
“You are a personal guard who has followed me for years. I trust your skills. Finding the right angle to shoot a bolt without too much force should not be hard for you.”
“Besides, not only did I wear heart protecting copper plates, but I also wore a thick layer of cotton clothing underneath. It would not have mattered if it missed slightly.”
Jingzhou scratched his head. “I am still a bit afraid. The situation today was so messy. What if it had hit the Emperor? Would that not have ruined the plan?”
Xie Linchuan laughed. “Then you would have even less to worry about. Qin Li wears golden silk soft armor; unless it was a large bow at close range, a regular sleeve arrow would hardly hurt him.”
Just like the arrow Xie Linchuan had “missed” at the city gate; it had only grazed the skin.
With the massive advantage of rebirth, Xie Linchuan knew early on that there would be a large scale assassination attempt at the ceremony, but he could not simply warn Qin Li. Saying anything would only increase the suspicion toward him as a traitor. Since the event was unavoidable, he might as well use it to his advantage to gain the maximum benefit.
Logically, Qin Li’s martial skill was quite high; ordinary assassins could hardly get near him. Xie Linchuan guessed that Qin Li being injured in the past life was likely because he had been poisoned beforehand. The only way to poison him at a ceremony would be through incense or the sacrificial wine. If the incense were poisoned, the timing of the attack could not be controlled, as someone would succumb to the poison first and alert others. The most suspicious part was the final ritual of drinking the wine.
Such a small sip of wine would be hard to guarantee a direct kill, but it could slow Qin Li’s reactions, making a close range ambush successful.
Xie Linchuan commanded, “Bring the charcoal brazier over.”
Jingzhou immediately brought the brazier and added more coal. Xie Linchuan reached into hidden pockets sewn into his wide sleeves and pulled out two small bamboo tubes the size of a finger and a paper packet half the size of a palm.
The two miniature tubes contained a bit of rice wine and a bit of oil, respectively. He had hidden them in his palms beforehand. When the young eunuch carrying the wine passed by, Xie Linchuan had secretly dripped the oil on the floor. When the eunuch slipped, Xie Linchuan used the moment of steadying him to spill the wine in the cup and, under the cover of his wide ceremonial sleeves, poured the rice wine from the tube, ensuring the wine in the cup was safe.
In such a solemn setting, all the ministers were strictly following etiquette, heads lowered, not daring to look around. Xie Linchuan’s movements were clean and efficient; they would not have drawn much attention, except from Yang Qiong.
If Yang Qiong had not suddenly made a scene, Qin Li would not have noticed anything even if he had drunk the wine. That young eunuch was not a professional death warrior; he left too many traces. Not only was Xie Linchuan prepared, but Qin Li himself would have noticed something was wrong.
Yet, Yang Qiong had to interfere. Xie Linchuan nearly laughed out loud; heaven knew how hard he had tried to keep a straight face. Not only did it give him a perfect opportunity to show his devotion by testing the wine for the Emperor, but it also gave him a legitimate excuse to have a direct confrontation with Yang Qiong and plant evidence.
Xie Linchuan shook the small tubes, poured the remaining rice wine and oil into the brazier, and threw the tubes in to burn them, destroying all evidence. As long as there was no proof, Qin Li could not do anything even if he suspected something.
He pinched the last paper packet with two fingers and sniffed it; a long lasting, clear honey scent drifted into his nose. “How long can this scent remain on a person?” he asked Jingzhou.
Jingzhou smiled. “Do not worry, General. My father was the gardener at the Xie residence; I learned a lot about flowers from my parents. This is made from pollen extracted from the Honey King Flower. The scent is not strong, but it is very persistent.”
“Today, General smashed a whole mess of spices onto Yang Qiong. Even if he bathes every day, the scent will last at least three days. Besides, in this cold weather, his wounds from the military strokes have not healed yet; how could he touch water?”
At this, Jingzhou could not help but giggle.
Xie Linchuan nodded with a faint smile. “I need you to find a way to get the news out to my vice general, Di Yong. Is there a way?”
Jingzhou thought about it and nodded. “I have already made connections with the eunuch in the Internal Affairs Department who buys seeds and seedlings. I can go out with him. I will find a way to contact Vice General Di today.”
Xie Linchuan casually picked out a small box from Qin Li’s rewards. It contained several round, snowy white pearls and small gold beans. The white and gold light was dazzling. He weighed it in his hand; it was quite heavy. He did not give it all to Jingzhou but picked out a few pearls and gold beans.
“Take these for your expenses. There will be many places where silver is needed later.”
Jingzhou understood the weight of the situation and did not refuse, carefully tucking them into his robe. Then, Xie Linchuan’s low, steady voice came again: “It might be noticed if you keep a whole box; it is not safe. Next time, I will have someone send it to the Xie residence to be given to Di Yong. When you have the chance to contact him, have him pass it to you.”
“Buy some property and land for yourself outside the palace. Even if you cannot marry and have children, you must leave a way out for yourself.”
“Huh? All… all for me?” Jingzhou’s eyes widened. He had never seen so much money in his life. He opened his mouth to speak, but Xie Linchuan cut him off with, “No refusing. This is a military order.”
Jingzhou finally nodded heavily, his face turning red with both happiness and excitement.
The Imperial Study
The assassination case at the ceremony caused an uproar, and Qin Li ordered a thorough investigation. Most of the assassins either died by the Yulin Guards’ blades or committed suicide by poison; there were no survivors. Ultimately, clues to their identity had to be found on the unburned corpses.
“They are the Hidden Guard death warriors raised by the Li family. We cannot confirm who their leader is yet, but it must be linked to Li Fenghao. However, this assassination attempt was massive in scale; I suspect they likely used their entire force,” Nie Dong said, presenting a list of the deceased to Qin Li with a solemn face. “With their entire force wiped out, they must be severely weakened. They will not be able to act against Your Majesty again for a short while.”
“Mm.” Qin Li casually flipped through the registry and sneered. “Truly, a centipede dies but never falls down. The remnants of the Li family are quite numerous.”
He rested his right hand on his dragon headed sword, his fingers tapping the cold dragon head. The Li Dynasty had existed for over two hundred years, while his rule was a newly built structure only a month old. Who knew how many supporters were still lurking in the capital, the court, or even the palace? He would have to be more cautious in the future.
The master of ceremonies knelt on the ground, reporting tremulously, “Your Majesty, according to the investigation, the father of the young eunuch who served the wine was once a trusted guard for the old Emperor of Jing. He entered the palace to seek revenge for his father and his old master.”
“Furthermore, there were traces of oil on the soles of his boots.”
“Oil?”
Nie Dong, Yan Yu, and the other ministers exchanged looks, all frowning. Logically, the temple was cleaned several times a day; it was impossible for oil to remain on the floor during such an important ceremony.
Unless…
Qin Li’s finger tapping the sword hilt stopped. He rested his chin on his hand, his brow slowly arching.
As expected, it is still related to Xie Linchuan.
At the ceremony, he had been stunned by Xie Linchuan’s unexpected actions, testing the poison and then saving his life. Coupled with the chaos and the danger, he had not had time to think clearly. Now that he thought about it, Xie Linchuan was always cautious and calm; why would he suddenly down the wine without confirming it was safe?
“This matter is too coincidental. Yang Qiong’s words might seem forced, but they are not without reason when it comes to General… General Xie.”
Yan Yu had intended to call him by name, but seeing Qin Li’s displeased gaze, he quickly corrected himself.
Qin Yongyi nodded. “Even if Xie Linchuan did not poison the wine, what if there really was a problem? Would he not have gone to see the King of Hell for no reason? This General Xie is not stupid.”
He wore several gemstone rings on his hands, including a precious agate thumb ring, which he fiddled with as he thought hard. “He must have been certain the wine was safe!”
Could Xie Linchuan be in league with the assassins? One group in the light, one person in the dark? It is hard to guard against.
The same suspicion swirled in their minds as they turned to look at Qin Li, who sat silently on the dragon throne. The study went quiet. The master of ceremonies dared not lift his head. Could the hero who saved the Emperor suddenly become a suspect again?
Just as everyone thought the Emperor was about to fly into a rage, Qin Li suddenly gave a low laugh, breaking the silence.
“I know what you are suspecting. I disagree. Xie Linchuan is certainly not with those assassins. Otherwise, how could he have prevented the assassination multiple times at the critical moment?”
And even risked his life by taking an arrow for him, resulting in a serious injury.
Qin Li lazily scanned their faces, his index finger tapping his temple. He smiled. “I suspect he took the chance to switch the poisoned wine.”
Yan Yu stroked his beard and followed the thought: “And then this scene was noticed by Yang Qiong, causing his suspicion, leading him to recklessly accuse him on the spot. That makes sense, but,” Yan Yu’s expression turned grave, “how could General Xie have known in advance that the wine was poisoned and prepared a switch?”
“Could it be that he truly has links with the rebels at Qingyue Tower? He obtained information there and deliberately used it to gain Your Majesty’s trust.”
“As they say, no merit is greater than saving the sovereign. He could use this to escape his house arrest in the palace, or even gain an official post and power to rejoin the court.”
“Your Majesty, General Xie did indeed save you, but with such a mind and such resolve…”
One still cannot help but be on guard.
Yan Yu hesitated, watching Qin Li’s face, and swallowed the last half of his sentence.
If Xie Linchuan were here, he would surely give Prime Minister Yan a big thumbs up. This was indeed the man who had been wary of him for three years in his past life.
Qin Li raised a hand to cut off their advice and rose from the dragon throne, walking out with one hand behind his back. After reflecting for a moment, his brow cleared and he gave a hearty laugh. “You all doubt his intentions. I also will not easily believe that he has suddenly changed his nature and abandoned his old master to serve me with his life.”
“If he were truly the type of person to sell his master for glory and wealth, why would I have kept him?”
“As the ancients said, judge a man by his actions, not his heart. Xie Linchuan saved my life today before everyone’s eyes. If I do not reward him, who will risk their life for me in the future?”
“Besides, in all the world, who does not want something from me? In the court, how many do not chase fame, profit, and power?” Qin Li’s smile widened. “I am not afraid of him wanting something.”
To want something meant having a weakness. Those who wanted nothing were only rigid and easily broken.
Yan Yu and the others looked at each other, unable to say more. They could only say, “Your Majesty’s magnanimity is beyond our reach.”
Zichen Palace
The next day, at the morning court, the ministers argued endlessly about the assassination. Qin Li dismissed a few officials to continue hunting the rebels, and after finishing his work on the imperial scrolls, he made his way to the side hall.
Upon entering, he saw Xie Linchuan at a flower stand, using his uninjured left hand to tend to a camellia. He was not left handed, and the small pruning shears were awkward in his grip.
“Why are you not resting? How is the injury? Has the physician cared for you properly?” Qin Li frowned as he watched him use his left hand, feeling a strange sense of irritation and discomfort in his heart.
Xie Linchuan set down the shears. He was surprised to hear Qin Li express concern so directly. In the past life, it was not that Qin Li did not care for him, but the man’s tongue always felt like a blade, constantly prodding him even if he did not mean it in his heart. Back then, Xie Linchuan had neither the patience nor the interest to listen to Qin Li’s heart.
Xie Linchuan sat back on the couch. His right hand was fixed in bandages. He used his left hand to pick up a steaming bowl of osmanthus lotus root starch soup and held it out to Qin Li.
Qin Li took the porcelain bowl and smiled. “General Xie is injured; leave such minor tasks to the attendants.” He caught the fresh scent of osmanthus and was about to take a spoonful when he heard Xie Linchuan give a light laugh.
“Your Majesty, my hand is injured; would Your Majesty trouble yourself to feed me?”
Qin Li: “…”
Behind him, Li Sanbao was about to leave the room. Hearing this, he nearly tripped. This General Xie is certainly bold. Is he already starting to act proud and spoiled based on his merit?
Qin Li narrowed his eyes. Surprisingly, he was not angry. He actually scooped a spoonful and brought it to Xie Linchuan’s lips, saying lazily: “General Xie, those who dare to order me to serve them are usually either dead or not yet born.”
Xie Linchuan saw that he was in a good mood and felt he had a handle on things. He leaned in and took the sweet soup from Qin Li’s hand. This was the first time he had ever been fed by Qin Li. In the past life, Qin Li would never have done such a thing, and even if he had wanted to, Xie Linchuan would have knocked the bowl away.
He looked at Qin Li with a smile and said slowly, “Your Majesty came here because you surely have things you want to ask me, right?”
Qin Li set down the spoon and stared at Xie Linchuan’s composed face for a while, slowly arching his brow. He had thought he had already seen through the man’s little tricks and had the upper hand. But at this moment, he felt those bright black eyes were too deep, and the thoughts within them were truly difficult to grasp.