“Clop, clop, clop, clop…”
Outside, the sound of horse hooves woke Shen Yunshu from her daydream.
She leaned against the window frame on the second floor and looked down.
A squad of guards in matching dark blue uniforms rode past below.
At the front, a middle-aged man wore a vermilion-and-blue dragon robe, followed by rows of guards, swords at their waists, posture upright, exuding an air of authority.
“The Jishi Bureau…”
Shen Yunshu stared at the uniformed Jishi Bureau squad below.
According to historical records, during the Yang Dynasty, the Jishi Bureau was known for its strict, swift, and ruthless handling of cases. Their style was domineering, almost above the Three Courts: the Ministry of Justice handled arrests and detentions, the Dali Temple oversaw trials and sentencing, and the Censorate monitored officials and submitted impeachments.
Yet unlike the others, the Jishi Bureau operated solely on imperial orders. If they suspected wrongdoing, they could arrest and interrogate without any approval.
The Jishi Bureau had a fearsome reputation. Every officer was known for being ruthless. The most famous commander in history was Yu Wushuang, the second commander during the Yinghe period.
Legends say Yu Wushuang had outstanding martial skills and a handsome, scholarly appearance, but his actions were merciless. For a time, he wielded power almost unrivaled in the court, even earning respect from the emperor who had killed his brother to claim the throne.
Clad in a four-winged “ming-snake” robe, standing amidst the other dragon-robed guards, he looked like a crane among chickens—completely extraordinary.
Shen Yunshu watched the squad ride off. The man at the front, wearing the dragon robe, appeared middle-aged, certainly not Yu Wushuang, who was born in Yinghe Year Ten and would still be a teenager at this time.
She rested her arms on the window sill, stroking her chin as she observed the squad, her mind spinning with thoughts.
Wen Peihan followed her gaze and lightly skimmed the surface of her tea with the lid of her cup.
“These Jishi Bureau squads always ride out with such precision and presence. Even their horse riding is so orderly, as if practiced a hundred times. My grandfather said that back in the day, the Jishi Bureau was only on par with the Ministry of Justice. Ever since Commander Wang took over, their fame spread far and wide. Nowadays, their officers going on assignments look even more imposing than the Six-Meridian Gate, and their aura rivals even the Imperial Guards.
“Unfortunately, the Bureau always selects people with no family or background. Their interrogation methods are extremely bloody. From commander to officer, each one is as cold and merciless as a block of winter ice. Otherwise, perhaps they’d have been the choice of many young ladies seeking a husband in noble households.”
“Ha, perhaps one day a handsome commander will appear, and those daughters who care only about looks will pay no mind to the cold and ruthless reputation!”
Peihan nodded at this. That made sense.
Shen Yunshu thought of later historical reconstructions and speculations about Yu Wushuang. A four-winged robe, twin swords at his waist, extraordinary appearance, unmatched martial skills, indifferent to women and wealth, merciless to both others and himself.
Legends said that after Li Yuanshen ascended the throne, Yu Wushuang was sent with only a hundred cavalry to suppress Wokou pirates. In three days and nights, he cleared an enemy force of thirty thousand and rescued the captured deputy general, saving Liang City from falling.
Returning, only forty-nine of his hundred cavalry survived, and Yu Wushuang himself was injured in multiple places, unable to continue normal life, affecting his ability to have heirs.
Yet, despite being a ruthless and near-inhuman commander, he remained the romantic ideal of many young girls. Aristocratic daughters might admire heroes but could not marry a partially disabled man. Common daughters, however, thought that precisely because of his injuries and hardships, they might have a chance to be near such a lofty figure.
Thus, throughout history, Yu Wushuang became a unique figure, admired even in half-disabled form.
Shen Yunshu sipped her tea, silently admiring: “During the peak of the Yang Dynasty, the common people lived better than in my previous life. Everyone had enough to eat, scholars wrote poems about flowers and love. Life was truly good.”
It was just a pity it didn’t last.
After a few more casual remarks, the two young ladies got up and returned to their respective residences. Although the Yang Dynasty was open, the capital was not like other places; there was a curfew.
Once the city gates closed, the Imperial Guards patrolled the streets. Being outside at night didn’t mean immediate arrest, but passersby could expect questioning.
“Phew~”
Shen Yunshu squinted, closing her eyes to rest, when the carriage suddenly jolted to a stop. Fortunately, it had been moving slowly and only wobbled slightly.
“What’s going on?”
Linlang lifted part of the curtain, exposing herself while shielding Shen Yunshu inside.
“Report, County Mistress. It’s a palace carriage; we need to yield the road.”
Though Linlang spoke, the guard also knew it was for Shen Yunshu, and so replied directly to her.
“Hmm, then we’ll pull aside.”
They didn’t know which royal person was inside, but according to Yang Dynasty etiquette, any citizen or official had to give way to a palace carriage. Even if it only carried a lady-in-waiting or eunuch carrying a decree, it represented the emperor’s authority and could not be obstructed.
The guard pulled the carriage aside. Shen Yunshu raised her fingers, lifting a small corner of the curtain, peering outside.
A carriage bearing the palace emblem passed by. The light was dim, making it hard to see clearly, but Shen Yunshu, having paid particular attention before, could discern that the emblem belonged roughly to the Eastern Palace.