"Second Miss Zhang, I dare not promise you regarding the matter of rescuing Lord Zhang."
"Hm?" Zhang Xia was stunned.
Under the night sky, Chen Ji twisted Zhang Xia's arms behind her back and said in a low voice, "The Liu Family's rebels number in the tens of thousands, while I am all alone. I cannot manage the feat of trying to turn the tide. If I cannot accomplish something, I do not make promises lightly."
Lowering her eyelids, Zhang Xia remained silent for a long time. "Forget it, you are ultimately far more formidable than me. Better yet, if I went to save my father myself, there would be even less hope. Chen Ji, what I am about to say next is very important and might be able to help you: I have seen the person you just killed. He is a tenant farmer from my family's estate named Zhang Yuan. He has always worked diligently and conscientiously. I guess that these private troops of the Liu Family usually hide amongst the common people in the marketplace, which is why they must wear face masks to avoid being recognized..."
Before she finished speaking, the armored soldier who had previously questioned Chen Ji arrived nearby. He appraised Zhang Xia. "Who is this woman?"
Another armored soldier who hurried over said in a low voice, "Milord, this woman is Zhang Zhuo's legitimate second daughter, Zhang Xia."
Looking up, Chen Ji saw that the face mask of this person referred to as "Milord" was different from all the others. The others all wore face masks of 'human faces' that showed neither joy nor sorrow, but the face on this man's mask was a 'tiger face' with glaring, wide-open eyes.
The tiger-faced armored soldier glanced at Zhang Xia, then shot Chen Ji a suspicious look.
After deeply pondering for a moment, he waved his hand at the armored soldier beside him. "The Zhang Family's matriarch still hasn't been found. You continue searching; I will escort Zhang Xia out together with him."
To Chen Ji, the tiger-faced armored soldier said, "Let's go."
Clad in heavy armor and holding his Spear upside down, Chen Ji shoved Zhang Xia, walking out of the residence. The tiger-faced armored soldier tightened his grip on the Spear in his hand and slowly followed along.
Chen Ji remained outwardly composed. The other party must have suspected him, but wasn't in a rush to make a move.
Along the way, the originally Brightly Lit Zhang Residence was already a complete mess. Whenever Zhang Xia passed by the corpses of the residence's maids and young servants, she would slightly turn her face away, unable to bear looking for too long.
The moment they exited the Zhu-lacquered main gate of the Zhang Residence, Emerald Cloud Lane was already filled with crouching Chen Estate domestic servants looking around in a panic. Only Chen Wenzong stood upright and proud within the crowd.
This noble young master of the Chen clan had disheveled and dirty clothes, and the hairpin holding up his hair bun was lost to who knows where.
Behind Chen Ji, the tiger-faced armored soldier secretly signaled to over ten armored soldiers inside Emerald Cloud Lane. The dozen armored soldiers silently approached, seemingly forming a posture to encircle and kill Chen Ji.
Chen Ji's thoughts raced as his gaze continuously patrolled through the crowd.
The next moment, he walked into the crowd holding his Spear upside down, grabbed Chen Wenxiao by the collar, and lifted the other party out.
Having changed into the clothes of a young servant, Chen Wenxiao struggled while speaking in terror. "What are you doing? I'm just a servant of the Chen Estate, why are you grabbing me?"
Chen Ji said in a cold voice, "You are no servant of the Chen Estate."
Chen Wenxiao's face turned the color of dirt, and his body trembled like a sifting sieve. He barely managed to remain standing only by relying on Chen Ji holding him up.
Chen Wenzong glared at him and furiously rebuked, "Stand up straight! You and I are Jingkui Jurens of the thirty-first year of Jianing. How can we be frightened by these scoundrelly crooks? You have completely lost the face of the Chen Family and the dignity of the Imperial Court!"
Turning his head, Chen Ji said to the tiger-faced armored soldier, "Milord, I recognize this person. He is the legitimate second son of the Chen Estate, Chen Wenxiao."
The tiger-faced armored soldier's figure paused, and he slowly relaxed the hand gripping his Spear. "Very good. You'll be credited with a merit."
At this moment, the clattering sound of horse hooves echoed from outside the lane.
Hearing the sound, the black-armored warriors looked over, only to see someone draped in a blue cloak surging their horse forward from the end of the small lane, seeming like a poet arriving while treading on snow, arriving on a whim.
Upon seeing him, the black-armored warriors cupped their hands one after another in greeting. "Mister Feng!"
Chen Ji's heart and mind jolted.
Holding a small, warm copper hand-warmer, Mister Feng smiled and said, "The Tiger Armor Iron Cavalry has been dormant for a long time, and finally, the time has come to start Amazing the World with One Feat. Who is in charge of things right now? Is it still General Zhou?"
Cupping his hands, the tiger-faced armored soldier said in a muffled voice, "Answering Mister Feng: right now it is General Qian. General Zhou is away on other official business."
Mister Feng smiled. "You've worked hard. The Master has personally selected you to serve as his personal army now, so you must be even more diligent and dedicated than in the past. Originally, I thought you all would be assigned under my command. Since you followed General Qian, then do your jobs well."
The tiger-faced armored soldier hurriedly replied, "Please rest assured, Mister Feng."
Mister Feng's gaze swept across the crowd, lightly asking, "Have the family dependents of the Zhang and Chen Residences all been captured?"
The tiger-faced armored soldier reported, "There are only two family dependents from the Chen Estate. Chen Liqin's primary wife coincidentally went to the rural estate outside the city to check the accounts and is not present in the Chen Estate."
Mister Feng nodded. "No matter. Having these two Legitimate Sons here is enough."
The tiger-faced armored soldier continued reporting, "Zhang Zhuo and his Legitimate Son have been besieged and trapped within the government office. Within the residence, only Second Miss Zhang was captured."
Mister Feng asked curiously, "What about Zhang Zhuo's primary wife?"
The tiger-faced armored soldier responded, "According to a young servant in the residence, she went to Tuoluo Temple in the southern part of the city today to burn incense and worship Buddha, and hasn't returned yet."
Mister Feng gave a slight smile. "No matter. Having Second Miss Zhang and that Legitimate Son here is also enough."
At this moment, Chen Wenzong tilted his head up and looked directly at Mister Feng. "You lot privately apprehending the family dependents of the Imperial Court's appointed officials—this crime is tantamount to treason! If you suddenly awaken and repent your errors right now, although it will certainly be hard to escape the death penalty, you will at least be able to preserve the lives of your family members!"
The black-armored warriors remained completely indifferent. The black-lacquered face masks showed no joy, anger, sorrow, or happiness.
Mister Feng said slowly and methodically, "Young Master Chen, you'd better save your strength. These Tiger Armor Iron Cavalry long ago lost their families. If you want to survive, you'd best help me properly persuade Lord Chen later. As long as he is willing to march north with us—clearing the emperor's side and executing the Eunuch Faction to rectify the Imperial Court's laws and disciplines—I guarantee the Chen Family's lives will be completely secure."
Chen Wenzong sneered. "Rebellious Subjects and traitorous thieves! You lot and the Eunuch Faction are merely jackals of the same lair."
A tiger-faced armored soldier delivered a slap across his face. "Sharp teeth and a sharp mouth!"
Slapped so hard his face turned sideways and blood leaked from the corner of his mouth, Chen Wenzong furiously turned his head back, glaring angrily without dodging or yielding.
Mister Feng raised an eyebrow. "Do not injure people; I still have to bring him before Lord Chen completely intact and unblemished! Just in case Lord Chen is willing to Abandon the Dark and Join the Light, from then on we will be one family. How can we let a minor matter like this cause Lord Chen to harbor a grudge?"
The black-armored warrior hurriedly cupped his hands. "Yes, this humble subordinate was reckless. After this matter is concluded, I will go seek out General Qian to receive punishment."
Mister Feng raised an eyebrow and smiled wordlessly. He heard the subtext of this black-armored warrior: The Tiger Armor Iron Cavalry is under General Qian's command. What you say doesn't count.
Looking at Chen Wenxiao, Mister Feng ridiculed, "Why is Young Master Chen dressed up in such an appearance?"
Seeing Mister Feng look over, Chen Wenxiao trembled uncontrollably all over.
Mister Feng gave a light chuckle. "People all say the dragon birthed nine sons, each one with different forms. Lord Chen's family is also quite interesting. The eldest Legitimate Son has strength of character but is overly pedantic, the second Legitimate Son is as timid as a mouse... as timid as a mouse, but that Concubine's Son actually isn't bad. By the way, who brought out the Chen Family's Second Young Master?"
The tiger-faced armored soldier pointed at Chen Ji. "Answering Mister Feng, it was him."
Mister Feng cast a glance at Chen Ji. "Note down a merit. On a day of rest, go to the Council of State to receive a reward... And who captured Second Miss Zhang?"
Stunned, the tiger-faced armored soldier again pointed at Chen Ji. "Answering Mister Feng, it was also him."
"Oh?" Mister Feng carefully sized Chen Ji up.
A moment later, he gave a faint smile. "You are quite the Lucky General."
Having said that, he brought out a Waist Plaque, turned his head, and said to the tiger-faced armored soldier, "Mount your horses. The Master has ordered that the family dependents of the Zhang and Chen Residences be escorted to Prince Jing's Estate."
Amidst the clattering of armor plates rubbing together, the black-armored warriors neatly mounted their horses.
Pulling the reins to turn his horse around, Mister Feng traveled out of Emerald Cloud Lane. Throwing Zhang Xia horizontally over his saddle, Chen Ji also spurred his horse and followed at the very rear.
Suddenly, Mister Feng turned his head and asked him with a smile, "What is your name?"
Tightly gripping the reins, Chen Ji remained outwardly composed and replied, "Answering Mister Feng: this lowly one's name is Zhang Yuan."
Mister Feng smiled and beckoned. "Come to the front. I am short on manpower by my side tonight; you will follow me and run errands."
Chen Ji looked at the tiger-faced armored soldier, who nodded slightly.
...
Prince Jing's Estate was Brightly Lit.
Four highly elevated brazier fire pits were ignited in front of the Zhu-lacquered main gates, the flames burning vigorously.
The Liu Family's Elephant Armor Camp was currently dragging away the corpses of the prince's estate's guards one by one. The bloodstains on Anxi Street had seeped into the crevices of the bluestone-paved road, and the coagulating blood was sticky like paste.
Prince Jing's Estate was already within the Liu Family's control.
Mister Feng dismounted his horse in front of the gate, while attendants from the inside hurriedly came out to welcome him.
He casually tossed the copper hand-warmer in his hand to someone, then unfastened his cloak, revealing a blue robe underneath. "Where is the Master?"
A black-clad attendant said in a low voice, "Currently in the Jing'an Hall playing chess with His Highness."
Mister Feng's steps paused. "Where are Lord Chen and Lord Zhang?"
The attendant reported back, "They were just escorted here from the government office. They are currently locked up in the Flying Cloud Courtyard, along with several people from the Taiping Medical Clinic."
Mister Feng said with surprise, "Where is Madam Consort Yun? Why did you rashly occupy her courtyard? That's far too lacking in proper rules and etiquette."
The attendant said in a low voice, "Consort Yun left the prince's estate after His Highness fell ill and hasn't returned since."
Mister Feng lowered his head and pondered for a moment. "Let us not disturb the Master's refined interest. We'll go to the Flying Cloud Courtyard first."
Having said that, he turned his head and selected Chen Ji along with another armored soldier. "You two escort Young Master Chen and Second Miss Zhang and follow me; the rest of you take a breather first."
Within the prince's estate, row after row of armored soldiers stood solemnly holding torches.
The group hurriedly passed through the prince's estate. Looking out of the corner of his eye, Chen Ji saw the eight large doors of Jing'an Hall wide open. Prince Jing and Elder Liu sat opposite each other, wholly focused and dedicated to exchanging moves in their game of Go.
Bai Li and the Prince Heir stood to the side watching the chess game, as if the fighting and killing today had never happened.
Upon arriving in front of the Flying Cloud Courtyard's gate, Mister Feng walked into the courtyard with a bright laugh. "Lord Zhang, Lord Chen, having the two of you wait for me here... I must apologize for the lack of proper reception. However, take a look for yourselves: who have I brought to you?"
Zhang Xia's eyes brightened. She hadn't expected to actually find her father, but... in a place completely ringed by danger like this, how were they supposed to rescue him?
(End of this chapter)