As the guard turned to leave, Li Qin took his cue to follow him. They wound through the narrow alleyways between the buildings, away from the sight of patrolling guards and the palace maids. Soon, they reached the stables at the rear of the Western Palace.
Li Qin was met with the back of a man in a regal stance, one hand tucked behind his back and the other stroking the muzzle of a well-groomed stallion. The guard bowed. "Your Highness."
Prince Yan Xian turned to meet Li Qin and placed a consoling hand on his shoulder. "The Imperial Minister has already left for the Zhang Manor. You must go quickly. Take my fastest horse, Dong Feng. You may be able to reach there in time."
"Thank you, Your Highness," Li Qin responded sincerely, a bow distancing him from Prince Yan Xian's touch.
Li Qin mounted the stallion and broke into a swift gallop. His white robes picked up in the wind, brushing against Dong Feng's black velvet coat. Prince Yan Xian almost raised a hand to catch his vanishing figure. "No wonder, he is a child of the Zhang household indeed."
Li Qin burst into the main hall of the Zhang Manor. His eyes darted to those kneeling on the floor. General and Lady Zhang did not dare look up. Only Zhang Jun Feng raised his head; his cold gaze resting upon Li Qin's wind-swept figure. The Imperial Minister frowned at Li Qin's sudden entrance, and Li Qin quickly fell to the ground, waiting for the minister's decree.
Unfurling a golden scroll, the minister began to read, "General Zhang Ming has committed a severe crime in embezzling funds designated for the Imperial Army. His heedless and greedy behavior will not be tolerated by His Majesty, the great benevolent Emperor. Zhang Ming is to be stripped of his title and sentenced to execution in two days time."
Zhang Jun Feng sprung from the floor and drew his sword. "Blasphemy! My father has been loyal to His Majesty for decades and would do no such thing. You are trying to soil his good name!"
Imperial guards pointed their swords at Zhang Jun Feng's throat. In their midst were soldiers that he had trained with at the military academy, those he had commanded during his latest expedition in Lumin.
"It seems you are even incapable of raising a chivalrous son, Zhang Ming," the minister sneered.
"Zhang Jun Feng!" General Zhang admonished.
He stared at his father in disbelief but slumped back to the floor.
The silence after the Imperial Minister's departure was torturous. Lady Zhang lifted a dainty hand to her brow and almost fell faint. Li Qin rushed to her side, taking her willowy body in his arms. General Zhang remained still, his battle-hardened face revealing little to his feelings.
Finally, Zhang Jun Feng spoke. "Are you just going to stay here and wait for your death?"
"Perhaps the Imperial Minister was right. I did not raise you well," General Zhang replied with a bitter laugh. "His Majesty was already generous in saving face for the Zhang household and not ordering for my arrest. I will not break his trust by defying his orders."
Zhang Jun Feng looked at his father with outrage and stormed out of the main hall. Li Qin gestured to a nearby servant and left Lady Zhang in her care. He followed Zhang Jun Feng, calling his name. "Zhang Jun Feng! Zhang Jun Feng!"
But, he did not turn around. Li Qin reached a hand out to seize his arm, and Zhang Jun Feng turned on his heel. "Do not tell me you too are a coward. Screw His Majesty! I will not allow my father to fall like this!"
"I do not intend to stop you," Li Qin responded calmly. "But, we must first devise a plan to prove General Zhang's innocence. Do you plan to storm into the Imperial Palace and kill His Majesty yourself?"
Zhang Jun Feng threw aside Li Qin's arm aggressively. "Remember that you are not his son, Li Qin. I do not need your help."
"I do not intend to help you. It is your father I am indebted to." Li Qin held out a hand. "I have been instated in the Court of Musicians. I can find evidence within the Imperial Palace."
Zhang Jun Feng looked down at his outstretched hand but did not take it. He turned his back to Li Qin and began to walk away. "Very well."
Li Qin sat in his study, analyzing the ledgers of the Imperial Army. Zhang Jun Feng paced restlessly around the room, a finger tapping with a flying tempo against his chin.
He leaned over Li Qin's desk, staring at the upside-down numbers. "Have you found anything yet?"
"There are some inconsistencies in the records from late last year. The number in the composite records do not match the one from the Lumin region." Li Qin paused for a moment. "You were in Lumin at this time, correct? Do you know what could have happened?"
Zhang Jun Feng grabbed the book, leafing through its pages. His furrowed brow suddenly relaxed in realization. "The border patrol demanded an increase in salary due to the more frequent attacks from neighboring regions. The Imperial Army's budget was increased in Lumin to appease the soldiers."
"Do you have a record of the transaction?"
"His Majesty approved of the change." Zhang Jun Feng's face fell. "But, the document is kept in Lumin's military office. It will take at least a day and a night to reach the border."
Li Qin rose from his seat and gently held Zhang Jun Feng's shoulders. Zhang Jun Feng did not shift away from his touch, instead meeting Li Qin's eyes. "Go as fast as you can. I will return to the Imperial Palace to attempt to stall the execution."
Zhang Jun Feng nodded, an unspoken promise passing between them.
Li Qin marched into the Imperial Palace, a tall stack of ledgers in his arms. As he reached the Emperor's Hall, guards blocked his advances with intertwined spears.
"I seek an audience with His Majesty," Li Qin explained.
"His Majesty is not meeting civilians at this time of day. Return tomorrow in the morning," a guard answered gruffly.
Li Qin urged him desperately, "Please, I must see His Majesty today. It is an urgent matter."
As the guard was about to refute them, Prince Yan Xian strode by the Emperor's Hall. "What is with the commotion out here? My father would not condone such discourtesy to visitors in front of his working quarters."
The guards bowed in unison, addressing him, "Your Highness."
Waving for them to rise, Prince Yan Xian turned to Li Qin, feigning surprise. "Court Musician Li Qin, a pleasure to meet you again. Would you mind playing your pipa as I have tea in the Western Courtyard?"
Taking his hint, Li Qin bowed. "Yes, Your Highness."
Prince Yan Xian poured tea in the cup before Li Qin. "You would like to talk with my father?"
"Yes, Your Highness." Li Qin could not bring himself to drink from the steaming cup. "I would like to discuss the evidence regarding General Zhang's sentencing."
"Ah, so I have heard." Prince Yan Xian pushed the cup to Li Qin. "Not to worry, I will speak to my father on your behalf tonight. We may be able to postpone his execution until all of the appropriate documents have been collected."
"Thank you, Your Highness."
Prince Yan Xian hummed with disapproval. "Could I ask for something in return?"
Li Qin looked up to meet his amused gaze. "I will strive to give anything I can offer you."
"Call me Xian-ge. I do not like being addressed as a prince." He paused for a moment. "And let me call you QinQin. I find it more suitable for you."
Li Qin was stunned by the name, one he had not heard since his mother's passing. He lifted the now cooled teacup to his lips. The normally bitter liquid tasted as sweet as honey water. "Of course, Xian-ge."