The light of the full moon casts its gaze upon the legendary Azure Lightning Palace, but to the average commoner, they know it is as the royal palace of the Qin Empire. Many in this grand place are already fast asleep, but the palace guards and a few key officials continue to work hard throughout the night.
"Hawwwwwwwww!!"
In a lavishly decorated office, the one official that stands above all others….. Wang Cao, the young emperor of the Qin Empire, reviews one pile of documents while a nearby eunuch passes another pile of documents among other materials. Thankfully, there were several candles to ensure the room was properly lit.
"Perhaps it would be best for you to turn in for the evening your majesty." the eunuch suggested.
"No Eunuch Bai, I have to finish this batch of documents tonight or I'll be forced to push back the meeting with the Minister of Agriculture and his subordinates tomorrow."
"Then at least take a break, for now, your majesty. Your health is a resource of the nation."
"I wouldn't have bothered overthrowing my father if I didn't have the resolve to risk my health a bit while I cleaned up his mess."
"But even so…"
"Then do you regret following me, Eunuch Bai…. I considered you a loyal subordinate of my father before he assigned you to me as a child."
"The previous emperor began walking down a path of corruption, so I have no regrets. If you didn't act fast…. The people would have had to endure even suffering from those stringent taxes, and I'm sure the people would kowtow in thanks if they knew what arrow they had dodged."
"I see….. well… you need not speak so formally since it's just the two of us here." Wang Cao pointed out as he continued to review documents, "Hehe… you're like the older brother I never had."
"Then your majesty….. as your 'older brother,' may I please speak informally for a moment?"
"Granted."
"Thank you." Eunuch Bai said as he took a deep breath, "Ahem….. you gigantic idiot…. since you will kill yourself by overworking this much. Now if you will keep working… at least take a damn walk for a little and get some fresh air."
"Haha…. Yes… I suppose the night air will do me some good." Wang Cao lightly chuckled before turning serious, "Azure 1, are you still here?"
A gust of wind travels through the room causing a few things in the emperor's office to shake, but that aside…. a lone figure dressed in all black save an opening for his eyes with a sword strapped on his back appears out of nowhere on one knee before the emperor.
"If not me…. then one of the other Azures are ready to do your will, your majesty."
"Azure 1…. You are to head to the barracks within the palace for the Royal Guard, select a few volunteers there amongst those not on duty, and bring them back here. As you heard from Eunuch Bai…. I wish to take a walk."
"Your will be done, your majesty."
The hidden guard known as Azure 1 disappears in a blur as though he were a spirit of wind momentarily granted human form.
"Why not ask one of the patrolling guards to come with you, your majesty?" Eunuch Bai asked, "No doubt they'd drop what they're doing for the honor of escorting you."
"That may be, however, I don't wish to create an opening for any snoopers by breaking the normal patrol route." Wang Cao answered, "Besides… it gives me a little more time to get some work done while I wait for Azure 1 to return."
"Of course you'll do that." Eunuch Bai sighed as he mentally buried his face in the palm of his hand, "Then…. have you at least decided where you would like to take a walk, your majesty?"
"The Jade Wind courtyard within the palace."
"Oh, I see… the Ja… wait did you say the Jade Wind courtyard, your majesty?" Eunuch Bai asked as he became momentarily surprised, "Forgive me, your majesty….. I don't mean to seem rude, but the children and the caretaker are likely to be asleep."
"I don't intend to wake them, but…. I believe being near one reason as to why I did what I did will ease my heart."
"Truly your kindness knows no bounds your majes-"
"My apologies for interrupting Eunuch Bai, but I am out of ink."
"You need not offer an apology to me, your majesty. I like any other patriotic citizen of Qin will always feel honored to help the emperor in his duties."
"You can quit it with the ass-kissing." Wang Cao said with a bemused expression, "I believe I said many times that you need not worry about such formalities when it is the two of us."
"Hehe…. As you wish your majesty." Eunuch Bai said as he got started on grinding another batch of ink.
After Eunuch Bai finished preparing the latest batch of ink, the emperor himself would spend the next 10-15 stamping, signing, and reading several more documents. This monotonous chain of events would have continued for even longer if it wasn't for...
"This lowly servant has accomplished his assigned task, your majesty." Azure 1 declared after having once again appeared in the emperor's office out of nowhere, "Your escort awaits your will outside your office."
"That was much faster than I expected."
"Reporting to your majesty, this servant was fortunate enough to encounter a small Royal Guard squad on their way back to the barracks upon completion of their shift." Azure 1 answered.
"Very well…. let us go for a walk Eunuch Bai." Wang Cao declared as he got up from his seat.
The emperor emerged from his office as he put on a coat only to find (as expected) three fully armored figures to his left and his right. All six figures were wearing polished to a shine azure blue and gold-colored armor as they are the colors otherwise worn only by members of the Royal Family. This is a privilege, and an honor granted only to the Royal Guard since the founding of the Qin Dynasty. Anyone else within the lands of Qin that dares to wear that color combination would be executed immediately whether they're commoner or foreign nobility.
"Greetings your majesty!" the Royal Guard squad yelled as they got on one knee and pressed their left fists against their hearts in salute of their liege.
"We grant you permission to rise."
"Yes, your majesty!"
And so rise to their feet the royal guard does.
"We wish to know, who amongst you is the captain of this squad?" The Emperor asked.
"That would be me, your majesty." a Royal Guardsman said as his eyes continued to look at the ground, "This lowly guardsman's name is Zhao Lin."
This guardsman's azure and gold-colored armor were even more ornately designed than the others, of which should make his rank obvious... but no one would dare point this out to the emperor without fear of punishment.
"Then Captain Zhao Lin, we shall grant you 20% more cultivation resources next month for the inconvenience. We will also give your men an additional 10% resources next month." Wang Cao ordered, "Eunuch Bai, we ask that you record their names when we are done with our walk."
"We need no additional reward, your majesty, for doing our duty." the guardsman retorts, "It already honors us enough to spend time with our liege."
"Nonsense…. it is only normal that we reward you for doing additional work outside your normal duties. If you truly value your loyalty to us…. then we highly suggest you accept our generosity." The emperor declared, "Now then Zhao Lin, lead the way to Jade Wind courtyard and protect your emperor and Eunuch Bai well."
"Yes your majesty!" the Royal Guardsmen said in unison.
The emperor and his small group walked at a casual pace. Thankfully, the Jade Wind courtyard is a scant distance away from the emperor's office as it only takes around 25 minutes to get there. It would have been less time, but they spent 5 of those minutes acknowledging any palace servant or guardsmen that had by chance crossed the emperor's path.
"Do you suppose they've done it yet?"
"Death is the rightful fate of anyone who offends the crown prince."
Two ordinary palace guardsmen stood before the primary entrance to the Jade Wind courtyard with their only light source coming from a pair of brightly lit torches right next to them.
"Be quiet you fool!" one palace guardsman yelled at the other, "You should already know that the palace walls are both thin and possess many ears."
"Yeah that's my ba….. hmmm." the other guardsman said as he notices something odd in the distance.
That other guardsman then draws his sword and points it directly forward.
"HALT!! Who dares come before the entrance to Jade Wind courtyard so late at night?!!"
"IMPUDENT!!! A pair of lowly palace guardsmen dares to draw point a weapon in his majesty's direction!! Are you trying to rebel?!!!" Zhao Lin barked as a small sliver of killing intent escapes his body.
As Zhao Lin walks under the light of the torches, so does the emperor Wang Cao himself shortly thereafter and sending an immense wave of fear through that impudent palace guard.
"Forgive this lowly slave for not recognizing your presence your majesty." the impudent guardsman said as he drops his sword and begins kowtowing, "I was just heavily scrutinizing anyone other than you that approaches Jade Wind courtyard per your orders!!"
"You dare talk back to his majesty!!" Zhao Lin yelled as he already considers crushing this fool under the weight of his power.
"Guardsman Zhao, you're overreacting." Wang Cao pointed out.
"Yes, your majesty,"
"We gave the palace guardsmen in charge of Jade Wind courtyard these orders, so you need not fear punishment." Wang Cao said in a reassuring tone, "Besides... we came here unannounced, so get up already."
"Thank you for your kindness your grace!!" the impudent guardsman said as he breathed a sigh of relief as though he had received amnesty from execution, "How can we help your majesty?"
Wang Cao doesn't answer the palace guardsman's question, but he momentarily glances in Zhao Lin's direction as he expects him to answer instead.
"His majesty wishes to take a momentary respite from his hard work of maintaining the prosperity of our nation by taking a quick stroll through Jade Wind courtyard."
The two palace guardsmen were both surprised and for some strange reason became somewhat nervous upon hearing this explanation.
"Is something a matter? Or are you going to say something like that we don't have the authority to go where we wish in the palace?" Wang Cao said more seriously.
"Your majesty…. we…. we wouldn't dare do such a thing even if we had a thousand times the guts." The impudent guardsman explained as both he and his compatriot's back became drenched in sweat.
"It's just that… the courtyard is dirty in a few obvious places at the moment, and… we wouldn't want to blemish your majesty's sight with such a thing." the other guardsman said.
"Oh? Every person who works in the palace in any form are the most dedicated and loyal of workers." Wang Cao calmly pointed out as everyone around him could feel the tension in the air thickening.
"Uhh.."
"As one of the guard we have assigned to protect this courtyard, you know why we value it so. What you have just told us is that there were people not dedicated enough to keep the courtyard clean, and that you weren't loyal enough to report it to this emperor."
"Cough… cough.. ahem, this servant feels you're overreacting your majesty." Eunuch Bai interjects before heads literally roll, "You came here without sending word, and…. you also wished the courtyard be a warm yet relaxed place."
"Very fell." Wang Cao sighs while the tension eases at the same time.
"That being said…. this servant suggests that your majesty have these two wake Madam Ye so there aren't any further misunderstandings."
"You heard him…. now scram." Wang Cao ordered.
"Yes, your majesty!"
"Your lowly slaves will get Madam Ye at once!"
The emperor walks into the courtyard, with Eunuch Bai in the middle and Zhao Lin bringing up the rear after leaving 2 Royal Guards to act as temporary sentries for the courtyard's primary entrance. Still, the emperor could only walk 30 steps in the courtyard when Zhao Lin suddenly signals everyone to come to a stop.
"What is it?" Wang Cao asks.
"The sound of trained footsteps quietly running through the courtyard."
The other three members of the Royal Guard present take that explanation as a cue to take position around the emperor with their hands on their weapons as a precaution.
"Heeeeellllp!!!! A bad man is chasing me!!!" a young child yelled.
The emperor and his men turned to face west and saw a 4-year-old boy dressed in servant's clothes slide on the wooden floor around the corner and sprint towards them. Perhaps because of initially having expected to encounter some spy or assassin, the Royal Guard failed to react to the oncoming child until he is literally hugging the emperor's thigh.
"Impudent…. a dirty servant boy dares to dirty his majesty's clothes." Zhao Lin said as he reaches his hand towards the boy intending to rip him off the emperor's thigh, "Your majesty…. allow me to save you the trouble of punishing him."
"Waaaait!!!" Eunuch Bai yelled as he suddenly becomes frightened to near death.
"What is it?"
"Look around his neck, Captain Zhao."
"Hmmm…. what the.." Zhao Lin mumbled as he noticed and became shocked the boy's necklace, "Im-impossible…. How could someone of his status dress like the servant of a less wealthy family?"
Wang Cao ignored the words of his subjects and pulled the adolescent boy off his thigh only to have him sit on one of his arms while his other hand supports his back. If one didn't know any better, the scene would be that of a caring father holding their child.
"Wang Bing Long, what are you doing up so late?" Wang Cao asked.
The boy doesn't respond and instead fearfully looks all around him despite being in the emperor's arms.
"Rich uncle, you know the name of the dangerous guy trying to hurt me?" the boy asks.
"We…. I mean… I'm referring to you. How could I possibly not recognize the little 8th prince?" Wang Cao said in a consoling tone.
"How does the boy not reco-" Zhao Lin tried to say before Eunuch Bai placed his hand in front of his mouth to signal him to be quiet.
"Sir… I'm just a servant boy… I've always been once since the day I was born…. can't you tell from these clothes?" the boy said in denial as he suddenly started looking around him, "Oh but sir… we should leave or the dangerous man will hurt you too."
"Don't worry…. now that I'm here…. no one can hurt you." Wang Cao said as he gently patted the boy's hair.
Although the emperor seemed perfectly normal to anyone looking around, any observers from a distance could tell that he's emitting a powerful surge of qi and killing intent. The former made the surrounding area look as though a powerful wind was blowing while the emperor was at the eye of the storm. Even the biggest of idiots could tell that the emperor is angry. The emperor was so angry, such that it made the men he brought with him step back in fright. Meanwhile, this entire conversation might seem long, but it actually only took a little more time than it would take to light some incense.
"LITTLE BRAT, I'LL KILL YOU WHEN I GET MY HANDS ON YOU!!!" an older man screamed.
The older man's screams draws the attention of the emperor and those around him to look west where they see a well-groomed man dressed in all black save for his face run around the same corner the little boy had.
"You're lucky I can't use my qi for fear of bringing the emperor wra-"
This bad man… or rather this assassin as we should properly call him became shocked speechless at the sight of the emperor and the members of the royal guard. What's worse is that they can see his face right now.
"I…. I can explain….. I was force-"
"Azure 1, keep him alive and cripple his cultivation." Wang Cao ordered, "You already know what to do for the rest."
The figure known as Azure 1 emerges from the shadows behind this unmasked assassin as though it were a doorway instead.
"Yes, your majesty."
"Wait... I said I can exp-"
Azure 1 quickly knocks out the unmasked assassin and tosses him over his shoulder before almost instantly disappearing from the area, and with the only proof of his presence being a few rustled leaves.
"Eunuch Bai…."
"You only need to state your will and this servant will make it happen." Eunuch Bai said as the assassination attempt within the palace angered him.
"You will 'invite' Madam Ye, Supreme General Ye, and his sons if they're in the capital to the throne room immediately." Wang Cao ordered.
"How should I word the invitation, your majesty?"
"Tell them…" Wang Cao pauses as if lost in thought before yelling, "Tell them that if they decline this invitation, they will be invited again without having to worry about the need of walking on their three legs! As for the rest…. Like with Azure 1, you know what we must do next!"
"Y-you're the emperor?" the boy asked with a stunned expression, "Ah… then I'm so sorry for being so rude…. Please… please don't hurt me, your majesty.
"Silly little boy… you've done nothing wrong. You, Wang Bing Long, are truly my son and the 8th prince of our proud Qin Empire. I thought Madam Ye was someone I could trust, but rest assured father will get justice for all the grievances you must have suffered."