Before ShangGuanCY could think further, he hurriedly pushed ChengSangJY into the room and covered JY's mouth, signaling him to stay silent. ShangGuanCY couldn't help but think, "Where did the archer come from?"
Peeking through the crack in the door, ShangGuanCY saw numerous heavy footsteps rushing towards the entrance. Before long, the area outside the bedroom was ablaze with light. Leading the group was Liu Ruiquan, a deputy general under Xiao Yongnian, followed by twenty to thirty soldiers, all armed.
"Xiao Yongnian's soldiers? What are they doing here?" ShangGuanCY found it very strange.
Outside the door, Liu Ruiquan knelt on one knee and said, "We have come to protect His Highness. Is the Crown Prince safe?"
ShangGuanCY released his hand from covering ChengSangJY's mouth and signaled him to speak.
"Ah... I accidentally kicked the table just now, causing the noise. Why is Deputy General Liu here at this late hour?" ChengSangJY asked through the door.
Liu Ruiquan, a robust middle-aged man standing nine feet tall, responded with a raised hand, "I am here under orders from Empress Xiao to protect the Crown Prince. We saw a black-clad assassin enter the Prince's residence and came to investigate. Please open the door, Your Highness, so we may check the premises."
ShangGuanCY thought, "These people, backed by the Xiao family, don't even respect the Crown Prince. How dare they think they can just enter the Prince's quarters? Something's fishy about this."
ChengSangJY knew he couldn't let them in and declined, "Deputy General Liu, you must be mistaken. There's no one else here but me. It's late, and you should return."
"Whether there's an assassin or not, we'll see. Please open the door, Your Highness, so I can search and report back to the Empress." Liu Ruiquan insisted.
Hearing the commotion, the chief eunuch arrived, alarmed by the scene. "Oh my heavens, what is this about? Deputy General Liu, I've told you the Crown Prince is resting. Why are you still here?"
It turned out Liu Ruiquan and his men had been blocked earlier by the chief eunuch, claiming the Prince was unwell and already asleep. But instead of leaving, they had waited outside, anticipating something.
"They must be here for me. But how did Xiao Yongnian's men know I brought JY back?" ShangGuanCY was puzzled.
Ignoring the chief eunuch, Liu Ruiquan took two steps forward and said forcefully, "Why won't His Highness open the door? Is there someone else inside? If you don't open it, forgive me for being rude!"
"How dare you! This is the Crown Prince's bedroom! You dare be so insolent?" The chief eunuch scolded.
"I'm just following orders. My apologies," Liu Ruiquan retorted, moving closer to the door.
"This is the Crown Prince's residence, not a place you can search on a whim. How dare you act so boldly?" ChengSangJY's tone became firmer, understanding he couldn't let Liu Ruiquan in.
"We saw someone suspicious enter. If the Crown Prince won't cooperate, we'll have to force our way in. Men, search for the intruder!" Liu Ruiquan commanded, and his men advanced towards the door.
"Stop this insolence! You cannot just force your way in!" The chief eunuch tried to fend them off with his duster, but the guards ignored him.
Inside, ShangGuanCY subtly moved towards the door, and ChengSangJY was visibly tense. Despite trembling, the chief eunuch stood his ground.
"Forgive me!" Just as Liu Ruiquan was about to grab the chief eunuch, a side door creaked open. Everyone turned to see LiLuoning, dressed in dark clothes, dragging a bamboo basket filled with herbs that glowed faintly. Holding up a herb, he asked, "Why are there so many people? Chief eunuch, what's going on?"
Liu Ruiquan was puzzled. Where did he come from?
LiLuoning explained calmly, "I went to gather some herbs. The city gates must be closed by now, so I planned to stay in the room the Crown Prince prepared for me. What happened? Who is this?"
Understanding LiLuoning's implied message, the chief eunuch quickly said, "This is Deputy General Liu. Mr. Li, I told you not to come back so late. Look at you, dressed like this at night, it's easy to misunderstand."
"Gathering herbs at night? Do you take us for fools?" Liu Ruiquan scoffed.
LiLuoning, about to return to his room, turned back, holding the basket steadily as he walked to the door. He held the glowing herb up to Liu Ruiquan and said, "This plant can only be seen at night. If you don't believe me, have your men extinguish their torches."
Liu Ruiquan, suspicious but curious, signaled his men to extinguish their torches. In the darkness, the herbs in LiLuoning's basket glowed like stars, mesmerizing everyone and diverting their attention, allowing a shadow to slip silently out of a side window.
When the torches were relit, the chief eunuch praised, "Mr. Li, you are knowledgeable. I had no idea such plants existed. Today, I have learned something new."
LiLuoning remained composed, explaining, "This is the Crystal Orchid, a plant that only glows at night. I discovered it in an abandoned garden in the palace and collected some tonight. Deputy General Liu, do you believe me now?"
Liu Ruiquan, astonished by the glowing herb, doubted if he had really seen an intruder. He only heard the door move and rushed in. Feeling awkward, he hesitated.
"Deputy General Liu, now that the misunderstanding is cleared, please leave and stop disturbing the Crown Prince," the chief eunuch ordered.
Reluctant but cautious of LiLuoning's favor with the Emperor, Liu Ruiquan knew it was unwise to offend him. But Xiao Yongnian had ordered him to capture someone important tonight. As he hesitated, the Crown Prince's door opened.
ChengSangJY, draped in a dark cloak and looking sleepy, stepped out and said, "Deputy General Liu, you've checked the person and the place. Will you leave or not? If you truly believe there's an intruder, I will let you search." He gestured invitingly.
"Should we search?" a guard whispered.
Realizing the target had escaped, Liu Ruiquan suppressed his anger and said, "No need. I apologize for the disturbance, Your Highness. I'll report back." He saluted and left with his men.
LiLuoning placed the Crystal Orchid on the porch and returned to his room, closing the door softly. "ShangGuanCY, you can come out now."
ShangGuanCY emerged from behind a bookshelf, removing his mask and bowing in thanks, "Thank you for saving me."
LiLuoning lit a candle slowly and said, "No need to thank me. Your father, ShangGuan Jinshuo, was kind to me. I'm merely repaying a debt."
ShangGuanCY sighed, "After tonight's commotion, the palace will be more guarded. It will be difficult to leave."
LiLuoning continued his task, speaking calmly, "I don't mind if you stay, but you must return to your residence. Liu Ruiquan was tipped off, likely assuming you would come tonight. If you don't return, Xiao Yongnian will suspect you."
ShangGuanCY understood but knew escaping would be difficult. He asked, "Do you have a plan?"
LiLuoning nodded, pulling out a necklace with a beast tooth pendant, "This is a Kunlun Snow Leopard tooth, a gift from a friend. It has the power to blend with surroundings when holding your breath. With this, you can avoid detection and return home."
ShangGuanCY marveled at the magical item, understanding why ChengSangJY praised LiLuoning. "Thank you."
The next morning, noise erupted outside the ShangGuan residence. The steward reported that Xiao Yongnian had brought a large contingent of soldiers.
"The Crown Prince's residence was attacked last night, and I am under orders to search the entire capital. I apologize for the intrusion, Lord ShangGuan," said Xiao Yongnian, signaling his soldiers to enter the ShangGuan residence.
ShangGuan Jinshuo, unaware of the previous night's events, stood firm. As the Minister of Revenue, his residence was not to be searched without reason. He loudly rebuked, "Who dares? My ShangGuan family residence is not a place you can search at will. Without an imperial decree, no one steps foot into my house!"
Though unaware of the exact situation, ShangGuan Jinshuo was certain of one thing: Xiao Yongnian's men could not be allowed to enter, regardless of their motives.
"As the Minister of War, it is my duty to protect the imperial city. With the Crown Prince attacked last night, I must ensure his safety. Or do you, Lord ShangGuan, intend to harbor the assassin?" Xiao Yongnian argued, his voice overbearing.
"Are you suggesting that the entire capital should be searched?" ShangGuan Jinshuo knew Xiao Yongnian was deliberately causing trouble, but also understood that Xiao Yongnian wouldn't act without confidence.
"If it leads to capturing the assassin, then yes. I received intelligence that the person who broke into the Crown Prince's residence last night is from your household. If I am not mistaken, your son ShangGuanCY is not at home. If I don't see him today, I will report to the Emperor and charge him with trespassing in the royal palace!" Xiao Yongnian accused.
Furious, ShangGuan Jinshuo shouted, "Outrageous! Though my son ShangGuanCY holds no official position, he is appointed by the Emperor to attend court. Moreover, our family is of imperial kinship. How dare you search our home without evidence! I will write a memorial to the Emperor, accusing you of misconduct!"
"Why is Lord ShangGuan so nervous? Are you indeed harboring the assassin? Let's search and find out! Men, search the premises!" Xiao Yongnian, convinced that ShangGuanCY was not at home, signaled his men to force their way in.
"Who dares! Xiao Yongnian, don't push your luck!" ShangGuan Jinshuo shouted in anger.
Their argument was interrupted by a lazy voice, "Father, what's going on? Why so noisy this early? Oh! Lord Xiao? Here so early? Have you had breakfast?"
ShangGuanCY strolled out, appearing calm and composed in freshly pressed clothes, exuding a light magnolia scent, with no trace of having been out all night.
"CY!" ShangGuan Jinshuo was surprised, knowing his son was not home last night. But seeing him now, he realized the situation had taken a fortunate turn.
ShangGuanCY, never one to respect Xiao Yongnian, walked confidently to his father and bowed, "Good morning, Father."
Seeing ShangGuanCY at home, Xiao Yongnian's face darkened. He shifted uncomfortably, avoiding eye contact with the ShangGuan father and son.
With renewed confidence, ShangGuan Jinshuo sternly asked, "Lord Xiao, do you see now that my son is indeed at home?"
Turning angrily to his deputy, Liu Ruiquan, Xiao Yongnian hissed, "You said he wasn't home. Which eye did you see him with last night?"
Liu Ruiquan, disbelieving, stammered, "My lord, last night we received reports that ShangGuanCY escorted the Crown Prince back to the palace. The figure entering the Prince's quarters resembled ShangGuanCY."
Irritated, ShangGuan Jinshuo retorted, "Lord Xiao, is there anything else?"
Standing beside his father, ShangGuanCY listened silently, frowning as he heard the deputy mention a spy's report. "How did they know I escorted JY back to the palace last night? There shouldn't have been a fourth person aware of this."
Xiao Yongnian, at a loss, was embarrassed, having expected to find evidence. Without an excuse, he struggled to find a way out.
Not wanting to escalate the situation, ShangGuanCY stepped in as a mediator, "Lord Xiao, your concern for the city's safety is commendable. However, this seems to be a misunderstanding. My father is magnanimous. Today, let's chalk it up to your loyalty to the Emperor and not pursue the matter further. In the future, please have solid evidence before searching others' homes."
Signaling his father, ShangGuan Jinshuo understood the unspoken complexities behind the incident. With a sour tone, he said, "My son is right. The ShangGuan family acts honorably. Today is a misunderstanding. If Lord Xiao leaves now, we will let this matter rest."
Defeated, Xiao Yongnian's anger simmered. Without a word, he saluted and left the ShangGuan residence.
Father and son watched Xiao Yongnian's departure. Once he was out of sight, ShangGuan Jinshuo asked in a low voice, "CY, why..."
ShangGuanCY's demeanor turned cold and serious, "Father, this is not the place to talk. Let's discuss in the study."
Inside the Xiao residence, a teacup shattered on the floor. Xiao Yongnian cursed, "Useless! All of you are useless! You let the prey slip away. What's the use of keeping you?"
Liu Ruiquan, head lowered, explained, "We received reports that the Crown Prince and ShangGuanCY were initially detained at Li Sanye's inn but were rescued. Given the rescue timing, the Crown Prince couldn't have made it back to the palace alone. We aimed to implicate LinHuaichu for negligence and accuse the ShangGuan family of leading the Crown Prince astray. But someone managed to get the Prince back to the palace undetected."
Furious, Xiao Yongnian yelled, "You didn't see anyone? You claimed someone was hiding in the Prince's quarters. Did you search?"
Terrified, Liu Ruiquan knelt, "We heard the door but found nothing. LiLuoning claimed the noise was from gathering herbs. The Emperor frequently summons LiLuoning, so I avoided conflict and didn't search the quarters."
Xiao Yongnian was livid, "So you saw no one? Why search today? Now they see him at home, making a scene. Where's my face?"
"Forgive me, my lord," Liu Ruiquan pleaded.
Xiao Yongnian sighed, knowing his sure plan had backfired. He sat down, contemplating the events.
"My lord," the steward announced, "Your nephew is here."
Before he could respond, a voice called from outside, "Uncle, look what I've brought you!"
It was Xiao Shikai, Xiao Yongnian's nephew and the only male heir of the Xiao family. With only a daughter, Xiao Yongnian doted on his nephew, who used the family's influence to secure a minor official position and regularly brought gifts to his uncle.
Waving Liu Ruiquan away, Xiao Yongnian sat brooding. "Uncle, why the long face?" Xiao Shikai asked, noticing his uncle's dark expression.
Xiao Yongnian sighed heavily. "Ah..."
Observing his uncle, Xiao Shikai's narrow eyes gleamed with a sycophantic smile, "Is it about the ShangGuan family again? Uncle, you are the Minister of War. The ShangGuan family is just a civilian official. If they bother you, send troops to raze their house. Why bother with that bookworm?"
Xiao Yongnian didn't bother explaining the complexities, asking instead, "What do you want?"
Smiling, Xiao Shikai replied, "I recently seized some treasures on a western patrol and brought them to honor you."
"You are considerate," Xiao Yongnian noted.
Xiao Shikai's visits always came with requests. "What do you want this time?" Xiao Yongnian asked.