If the beam failed to bear the weight of the intricately carved eaves with nine dragons converging at the apex, it would inevitably collapse at a critical moment. Perhaps it would be triggered by a gust of wind lifting the wooden canopy, the thunder of galloping hooves shaking the ground, or the synchronized beat of dozens of drums sounding in unison. When that moment came, the grandest and most sacred ritual of the Tang Dynasty would be reduced to a grotesque farce soaked in blood and chaos.
What did they intend to do? Regicide? No, they lacked the courage. And the falling eaves might not even be enough to kill. This was more likely a scheme to implicate the Ministry of Rites, the Ministry of Works, and the two supervisors of the Round Mound—Li Ce and Li Chen.
Inside the Duke of Anguo's residence on New Year's Eve, Li Ce quietly gazed at the worried expression on Ye Jiao's face and said softly, "Jiaojiao, it's so cold tonight."He truly felt the chill—both in his bones and his heart.
Why must brothers turn against each other so cruelly?Had the trap been laid the moment Li Zhang proposed in court that he go out for training and experience?And had Prince Wei, Li Chen, sensed something was amiss and feigned illness to avoid disaster?
Li Ce's mind was in turmoil until Ye Jiao stepped forward and embraced him tightly.Her arms encircled him, her body pressed against his, chin resting on his shoulder, warm breath coiling around his neck. She whispered, her voice low yet resolute, "Sisi, we still have time."
Yes, there was still time. But before anything else, let me warm you.No matter what you've endured out there, the Duke of Anguo's residence will always be your sanctuary—A place that holds warmth for your body, and warmth for your heart.
After an unknown passage of time, Li Ce opened his tightly shut eyes. The agitation in his voice had faded, leaving only calm resolve."Is there paper?""Yes."
Unfolding a large sheet of xuan paper, Li Ce knelt before the desk. He dipped his brush in ink, his strokes swift and sure, sketching out eaves beams, crossbeams, collar ties, ridge posts, purlins, and eave columns.
Soon, a precise architectural drawing of the fan-shaped wooden canopy lay before them.
Ye Jiao looked in quiet awe and pointed to the northernmost eave with the nine dragons. "Is it this one?""Yes," Li Ce said, his gaze fixed on it, calculating silently. "Originally, the Ministry of Works allowed for a margin of safety in the beam's load-bearing capacity. But the blueprint was later altered, weakening it instead."
The blueprint had been revised because the abbot of Daxingshan Temple had claimed he didn't need to stand under the canopy.
"The Round Mound is sealed," Ye Jiao said, biting her lip. "We can't replace the beam, can't remove the eaves, and we certainly can't tell the Ministry of Rites that the structure might collapse."
If the incident caused a commotion, Li Ce, as the Round Mound's supervisor, would be unable to escape blame.It had to be resolved in silence.
Li Ce furrowed his brow and said calmly, "The mortise was carved deep enough. The opening and closing of the beam shouldn't be an issue. We just need to add a brace here," he pointed near the eave column, his tone solemn, "to prevent the eaves from snapping it and falling. Otherwise, I'll have to serve as the human brace myself."
The brace, shaped like an ox-leg, was a short diagonal timber set between the eave column and the overhanging roof.The eaves, eave column, and brace formed a triangle—the brace acting as the hypotenuse—vital to the structure's stability.As long as the brace held, the eaves wouldn't fall, and the canopy would remain intact.
"Good!" Ye Jiao made a decisive call and pointed to the roof of a side hall. "We'll dismantle a beam from there."They were preparing to dismantle their own home.
"No need," said Li Ce. "The size and shape must match the ones used in the canopy. The Ministry of Works has spare timber stored in a temporary depot not far from the Round Mound. The issue now is the Imperial Guards."
Getting past the city gates was easy—they were guarded by the military marquises.But the Round Mound was watched over by the Imperial Guards, and with the ritual drawing near, the place would be ablaze with lights and eyes, alert for the slightest mistake.
"I'll speak with Yan Congzheng," said Ye Jiao. "Time is of the essence. Let's meet at the Round Mound."
No one would question the Deputy Commander of the Imperial Guards inspecting the Round Mound late at night.Li Ce rose as well, though hesitation clouded his face.He looked at Ye Jiao, watched her hastily fasten her cloak. Her bright eyes and stunning face seemed on the verge of being lost to the night.
"Jiaojiao…" Li Ce grabbed her sleeve, words caught in his throat."There's no time to waste," Ye Jiao said urgently. "I know Yan Congzheng's character. Don't worry. He doesn't want anything to go wrong at the ritual either."
The safety of the Emperor was the Imperial Guards' responsibility.If anything happened, Yan Congzheng would be the first to bear the blame.
Li Ce finally let go of her sleeve, his expression complicated. "Be careful.""Don't worry!" Ye Jiao strode out quickly. At the side gate, she mounted her horse and tossed her token to Li Ce."Use this to get through the gate."
Li Ce clenched the still-warm token and vanished into the darkness.Tonight was destined to be a sleepless night.
At the Yan residence, the atmosphere was festive.Bearing his responsibilities, Yan Congzheng refrained from drinking. He sat quietly in a corner of the front hall, sipping tea as he watched his family rejoice.
Now and then, a delicious fruit would stir him into reflection, only to be jolted back by the lively noise around him. He would smile faintly, a hint of weariness in his expression.
The happiest moment for his parents came when Prince Wei and his consort sent their New Year's gifts.The prince's most trusted aide delivered them, and every word he conveyed made Yan's father beam with joy.
Yan Lian invited them to stay and celebrate the night with food and wine.Just then, the gatekeeper brought in Ye Jiao's calling card.
Yan Congzheng rose abruptly—so fast that dizziness clouded his head."Who is it?" asked Yan Lian, smiling at his son."A friend," said Yan Congzheng, pocketing the card. "I'll be back shortly."
He left in haste, unaware that Prince Wei's aide had been watching his departing figure with suspicion.
Yan met Ye Jiao at the side gate. She did not enter, but beckoned him into the quiet alley."There's trouble at the Round Mound," she said. "I need your help."
Startled, Yan Congzheng halted, the wind catching his sleeves.He stood amidst the breeze, heart stirred, while the girl before him stood like a blade in the general's hand—Calm and sharp, even in such perilous times, a fierce light glinting from her eyes.
On New Year's Eve, her young face was solemn, heavy with trust.In that moment, Yan Congzheng felt something weighty entrusted to him.He spoke in a hoarse voice, "What's wrong? What can I do?"
Her voice was low but firm. "The canopy might collapse. We need to install a temporary brace—quietly."
Yan instantly understood—Ye Jiao had come for Li Ce.That sword in the general's hand had just grazed his heart.
He drew a deep breath, asked no questions, and simply nodded. "Very well."
Galloping from the capital to the Round Mound, Yan wore his Imperial Guard armor and entered at a measured pace.Behind him followed Li Ce and Ye Jiao, both in guard attire with helmets concealing their identities.
Yan found an excuse to send the stationed guards on a distant patrol.Standing beneath the eaves, he watched as Li Ce climbed the ladder, tools in hand, hammering steadily as he added a brace beside the original.
A prince of the realm, now appearing as a carpenter.Ye Jiao steadied the ladder, passing up materials. Their coordination was seamless.The esteemed daughter of a marquis, now a carpenter's wife.
"Prince Chu is quite the man of many talents," Yan said coolly, hands clasped behind his back.
Li Ce leapt from the ladder, the furrow in his brow easing. "I did this often back when I was at the imperial tombs."
Yan smiled wryly, emotions churning within.While Li Ce labored at the tombs, he himself had been in the capital.In truth, Li Ce and Ye Jiao had only known each other less than a year.How had he lost her so swiftly?
"We owe you for this," Ye Jiao said, brushing dust from her hands with a smile.
Yan approached. In full view of Li Ce, he reached out and brushed the dust from her helmet...