The ledger flew straight toward Li Zhang. The Imperial Guards stationed beneath the colonnade of the Council Hall turned pale, gripping the hilts of their waist swords, yet none dared intervene. Their gazes remained fixed on the pair.They knew full well: to assault the Crown Prince was a crime beyond redemption. But they also knew the assailant was Ye Jiao — an extraordinary woman. She was the only female official within the five major ministries of the Tang Dynasty; the one who had fractured the ribs of Prince Wei without facing punishment; the Emperor's favored future daughter-in-law, both openly and in secret.
Arrest Ye Jiao now? Best not. It wasn't the first time she'd struck the Crown Prince.Besides, there was the increasingly powerful Prince Chu, and their own superior, Yan Congzheng. Best to avoid making enemies where none were needed.
Exchanging glances, the guards silently reached a mutual understanding — they would pretend not to see.
The ledger struck Li Zhang's back with a thud, then fell to the ground with two crisp slaps.Li Zhang did not dodge. He knew his martial prowess was no match for Ye Jiao's. When he heard the sound from behind, it was already too late to react. Fortunately, the distance was considerable, and the ledger, being heavy, had lost some of its force — it didn't hurt much.
Stunned, Li Zhang stood in place and turned around.
Since childhood, he had been closest to the heart of the empire's power, witnessing the shifting tides of the court — the scheming, the betrayals.What he had learned most was: "The hidden arrow is hardest to guard against."Outward flattery often concealed a dagger's point.In the face of overwhelming power, even bonds of father and son, of brothers, were often laced with ill intent.
Only Ye Jiao, every time, chose brazen honesty.If she wanted to fight, she did so to one's face — openly and without hesitation.
Looking at the fury on Ye Jiao's face, Li Zhang found himself oddly curious: how had someone like her survived this long?
"Absurd!" he chided softly, devoid of anger.
The surrounding guards quietly exhaled in relief, though still slightly shocked.The Crown Prince was letting Ye Jiao off so easily?Perhaps this was the perfect moment to demonstrate magnanimity. As for revenge — there would be time.To oppose the heir to the throne would never end well.
"If Your Highness forbids me from leaving," Ye Jiao declared, "then I shall make a scene and tear down the Council Hall!"
Li Zhang gave a light cough, finding this whole affair strangely amusing.He stepped aside, letting her face the council chamber's grand plaque, and said lazily,"You may as well demolish the Eastern Palace while you're at it."
The Eastern Palace — his own residence.
Li Zhang kept his face impassive, though a trace of wry amusement danced in his eyes.Her refusal to bend or yield left Ye Jiao momentarily at a loss.
Tearing down the Council Hall was bluster; she wasn't that unrestrained.As for the Eastern Palace, that vast royal complex was beyond her capabilities alone.
Yet to remain here, humiliated and stranded for the night, was not her style either.
With that, Ye Jiao turned toward the silent guards. She approached and said,"Might I trouble you, good sir, to deliver a message to His Majesty?There is an urgent matter from the Ministry of War that must be reported directly."
The guard shot a cautious glance at Li Zhang, torn between obedience and fear.Normally, seeing the Emperor required authorization from the Secretariat. But if the Secretariat was off duty, it wasn't unheard of for the Imperial Guards to relay messages to the inner court, where Gao Fu would seek instruction.After all, the highest official in the Secretariat… was Gao Fu himself.
"What's this now?" Li Zhang finally spoke."You, a dignified registrar of the Ministry of War, would go crying to the Emperor?Reporting that this Prince's audit of the accounts delayed your departure from court?If that's your complaint, I suggest you resign and return home to become Prince Chu's virtuous wife."
Ye Jiao had always assumed Li Zhang to be taciturn. She hadn't expected him to excel at insults.
"Precisely," she retorted sharply."I shall be both — a dutiful wife and a high-ranking official.If Your Highness finds it intolerable—"
Her voice abruptly halted. From the corner of her eye, she caught a distant palace lantern approaching.Barely making out the figure beneath the glow, she abruptly changed tone:
"—is it because you're unhappy His Majesty granted me this position?"
No one in the empire dared express dissatisfaction with the Emperor.To do so would be lèse-majesté.
"I said no such thing," Li Zhang replied firmly.
"And yet Your Highness will not admit it," Ye Jiao said, grinning mischievously, adopting the stance of an incorrigible troublemaker.
Li Zhang was momentarily speechless with fury. "Silence!" he barked.
"Your Highness is clearly displeased with His Majesty," she pressed."Shall I convey that message on your behalf?"
As she took a step forward, Li Zhang intercepted her with a raised arm, his gesture tinged with an uncontrollable edge of violence.
Ye Jiao seized his wrist and suddenly cried out,"Lord Gao, help! His Highness means to strike me!"
Li Zhang turned sharply.
The Grand Chamberlain, Gao Fu, was striding swiftly in their direction, lanterns bobbing ahead of him.
"Your Highness, please, restrain your anger," he said, breathless as if wolves were at his heels."I come by command — to escort Registrar Ye out of the palace."
He cast a glance at Ye Jiao — one filled with both bewilderment and exasperation.Again?Why must you provoke the Crown Prince at every turn?
Ye Jiao looked innocently at Gao Fu and shrugged.
Gao Fu sighed and bowed toward Li Zhang.
"I heard a dispute had arisen between Your Highness and Registrar Ye, and that it may involve His Majesty.Since His Majesty has yet to retire for the night, perhaps—"
"There's no need," Li Zhang interjected, his anger subdued before Gao Fu."It was a misunderstanding."
Gao Fu exhaled discreetly.
Li Zhang asked, "Father is still awake?"
Gao Fu nodded. "His Majesty is in better spirits today. He reviewed several memorials and has not yet retired."
Li Zhang's gaze shifted slightly."He is unwell. He should not trouble himself with state affairs. It will only tax his body and mind."
Gao Fu murmured agreement.
Li Zhang gave a slight nod and turned to leave. As he passed Ye Jiao, his eyes stayed fixed ahead, not sparing her a glance.
Ye Jiao snorted softly, lifted her foot high, and followed behind Gao Fu with renewed vigor.
"How did His Majesty know I was detained?" she asked, full of delight now that she'd slipped free of Li Zhang.
Gao Fu looked at her, his tone a little stern."Do you think His Majesty has the leisure to personally come extinguish fires for you?It was the Lady Consort Xian who heard of the matter and dispatched me herself."
Personally — meaning, at such a late hour, the mother of Li Ce had crossed the inner palace to the Emperor's quarters in search of Gao Fu.She knew that save for Gao Fu, Li Zhang would heed no one.
Ye Jiao's heart warmed, mingled with guilt.
After a few steps, she asked,"Since it was the Consort's command… when you said 'by order' earlier—"
Before Gao Fu could respond, Ye Jiao murmured, realization dawning,"I see. You followed Lady Xian's order, but merely said 'by command' — letting palace and court alike assume it came from the Emperor."
"Shhh…" Gao Fu hushed her."This tactic mustn't be overused. Now that you understand, do not expose me."
"Of course not," Ye Jiao replied sweetly."You came to save me. I'm far too grateful to even think of betrayal."
"Good," Gao Fu said with a smile.He led her onward. He knew the palace well — within moments, the outer gate was in sight.
He handed Ye Jiao over to the waiting eunuchs.
"I cannot leave His Majesty's side, so I shall not see you out. But I do have a word of advice, if I may."
Ye Jiao straightened and bowed slightly. "Please."
After a pause, Gao Fu said gently,"The capital is not as safe as you might believe.His Majesty admires your courage and loyalty, and has thus gifted you a token.Do not squander it."
He clearly meant for her to open the cloth pouch — to examine carefully what it held.
Ye Jiao's heart clenched.She remembered having already given the gold token to Li Ce.Her palms broke into a cold sweat.Could there truly be some deadly danger, so dire it required the token's use?
Seeing her shifting expression, Gao Fu cast her a meaningful glance, then offered a simple bow and departed.
Ye Jiao walked toward the palace gate, a gust of wind suddenly lifting the hem of her official robes.
Upon the imperial avenue before the gate, two carriages stood waiting.On the frame of one sat Bai Xianyu.
Tonight, vital news would depart from the palace...