The carriage glided slowly into Chang'an City, still shrouded in lingering night mist, bathed in the soft glow of countless lanterns. In the capital of the Great Tang, the earliest risers were not only the food stall attendants and common vendors but also the officials heading to court. They wore traveling or merit crowns, donned white gauze inner robes beneath scarlet outer robes, their black boots treading softly. Leather belts girded their waists, and ornate accessories swung gently over their intricately embroidered garments, reflecting the faint morning light.
Inside the carriage, a man adjusted his crown, straightened his sleeves, rekindled the candlelight, carefully checked the inscription on his wooden tablet for any errors, then lifted the curtain to ask, "Do you have savory tofu pudding?"
"Yes! Yes!" the vendor replied, lifting the steaming wooden lid to scoop out a full bowl, garnishing it with condiments before respectfully handing it over.
Nearby, another carriage was parked by the roadside. Familiar officials lifted its curtain as one said, "After all these years, you still refuse to try the sweet tofu pudding?"
"You too," came the reply, savoring a mouthful of the delicious treat, "Eating sweet all these years, your teeth must be ruined by now?"
"Thanks to you," his colleague smiled, "Eating lamb hasn't lodged anything in my teeth."
He took back his bowl and asked the vendor, "Has anyone ordered a mix of sweet and savory today?"
"How do you know?" the vendor grinned. "A fresh face."
The two officials exchanged glances and smiled. "Seems some people have spent over a decade on Jiannan Circuit, yet their tastes remain unchanged."
"Perhaps," one murmured as the curtain dropped, "their temper remains unchanged as well."
At court stood Bai Fanxi. His broad shoulders and tall stature shielded the two men behind him. His eyebrows flared wide and arched sharply like steel blades cleaving the air. Even when smiling, he often inspired unease. Though his posture was not rigidly straight, his imposing presence naturally commanded respect.
The Crown Prince Li Zhang sat sideways on the throne, first inquiring about the situation on Jiannan Circuit from Bai Fanxi, then issuing an edict appointing him as Protector General, Commander of the Imperial Guards, and Tutor to the Crown Prince. The title of Protector General, second rank, was a remarkable promotion. Yet Bai Fanxi was currently responsible only for the Imperial Guards, making the commander role his true post. As Tutor, he was charged with instructing the Crown Prince in martial arts—publicly marking him as part of the Crown Prince's faction.
Unexpectedly, Bai Fanxi accepted the appointment without objection. After expressing gratitude, he inquired, "May I ask which noble will take command of Jiannan's troops so I may hand over affairs properly?"
"Not yet decreed," Li Zhang replied, "Today's court session will allow ministers to nominate a suitable candidate."
Upon hearing this, court ministers burst into lively discussion. Soon, several raised their wooden tablets to propose military officials.
"I nominate Pei Jian, Military Governor of Shannan Circuit, to serve as Jiannan Protector General."
"I nominate Lu Yicheng, Prefect of Chenzhou, Jiangnan Circuit."
"I nominate Zheng Feng'an, Military Governor of Hedong Circuit."
The nominations poured forth. Among the sea of scarlet-robed ministers, some remained silent observers, such as Liu Yan, Prefect of Jingzhao. Though feigning ignorance, he murmured, "Why are they all from the Lu family?"
"Naturally, all kin of Lady Shu," whispered a colleague, nudging him, "The Lu family occupies nearly half the Tang military."
Lady Shu, the birth mother of Prince Wei Li Chen, descended from Duke Lu Xi's lineage—a prestigious clan with generations of talent.
"Isn't Zheng Feng'an an exception?" Liu Yan asked.
"Though not a Lu by name," his companion smiled meaningfully, "he married into the Lu family, making him practically one of them."
Liu Yan, reticent by nature, fell silent once his confusion cleared. Yet his colleague, who had labored alongside him for years kneeling in court, seized the moment to reveal more gossip.
"Zheng Feng'an was once impoverished. After passing the martial examination, he collected a basket of wild duck eggs by the river to thank his mentor. Marrying into the Lu family brought him great joy. His wife is said to be as dark as coal, and after over a decade of marriage, he dared not take concubines."
Liu Yan cared little for such rumors. Amidst the unceasing nominations, he sensed something unusual. If he found it strange, what might the current Emperor think?
Following custom, after court, the Crown Prince and Chancellor, along with several ministers, gathered in the Administrative Hall to discuss state affairs. The day's paramount matter was to finalize candidates for Jiannan Protector General to submit for the Emperor's decree.
Li Zhang glanced over the list, exchanged a look with Chancellor Fu Qian, then handed it to Lu Yi, Dean of the National University. Although a third-rank official, Lu Yi's position at the highest imperial academy and role as chief examiner granted him widespread influence. Many ministers across the Six Ministries were his students, earning him special imperial favor.
Lu Yi, over fifty but vigorous, with a sharply curled moustache and a plump figure that suggested a genial temperament, respectfully received the list. Seeing several Lu family names, his brow furrowed, and he shook his head.
"This is nonsense," he declared. "Either burdened by heavy responsibilities or lacking ability, how can these men all be nominated as Jiannan Protector General?"
Li Zhang's expression shifted slightly but remained silent. The push for the Lu candidates was his own orchestration. Li Chen could not expect to nurse his wounds in peace.
Fu Qian asked, "What does Dean Lu mean?"
"Cross them out, cross them all out," Lu Yi said, brandishing a brush to strike several names. When he reached Zheng Feng'an's, he hesitated, but Fu Qian snatched the brush away.
"Meritocracy knows no kinship," Fu Qian smiled. "If you keep crossing out names, the list will be empty."
"Brother Yiyan," Lu Yi addressed Fu Qian by his courtesy name, "That's not appropriate."
Fu Qian refused, and others urged him on, so Lu Yi relented.
"My concern is the arms incident in Jinzhou," Lu Yi explained. "Zheng Feng'an, as Military Governor of Hedong, bears responsibility. Now is not the time to transfer him."
When the list reached the Emperor, all Lu family candidates had been removed. Next to Zheng Feng'an's name, a small note referenced the Jinzhou arms affair.
"That's Dean Lu's annotation," Li Zhang reported, observing the Emperor's expression, "He also struck out several nominated Lu generals."
The Emperor laid down the memorial, his clear, bright eyes fixed on Li Zhang as he slowly spoke, "I have heard the court's discussion. Lu Yi's crossing out those names shows he does not wish for the Lu family to stand at the eye of the storm."
A shrewd old fox. Once eager to promote his kin, now practicing restraint.
Li Zhang continued his report, "I have already read out the imperial edict. Effective immediately, Bai Fanxi is promoted Protector General, Commander of the Imperial Guards, and Tutor to the Crown Prince. General Bai waits outside the gate; shall Your Majesty see him?"
"Let him first complete the handover," the Emperor closed his eyes. "Yan Congzheng is likely waiting as well."
Though a simple statement, Li Zhang's heart tightened. The Emperor had never before bestowed such a high office without granting an audience. Had his trust in Bai Fanxi waned? No. The Commander of the Imperial Guards, stationed in the capital, must be the Emperor's most trusted confidant.
Li Zhang masked his unease and watched Bai Fanxi depart, then walked back to the Administrative Hall. For some reason, he had lingered here these past two days, as if an invisible thread lightly tugged him back.
The side hall doors stood open, with several officials from the Ministry of War's Armory Department bustling in and out in orderly haste.
Li Zhang paused, noticing Ye Jiao stepping out, accompanied by a man. Tall and handsome, clad in the Imperial Guards' uniform, stern yet exuding an aura of scholarly refinement—an intriguing juxtaposition, like ice hardened within a glass furnace, delicate and fragile.
This man was Yan Congzheng, Deputy Commander of the Imperial Guards. Taking advantage of his new superior's audience with the Emperor, he had come to deliver a token to Ye Jiao.
"I heard sometimes you work late and cannot leave the palace," Yan Congzheng said lightly, easing her burden with casual words. It was not mere inconvenience but a strict curfew forbidding her departure after a certain hour.
"Take this token," he hurried, fearing refusal, "Show it to the Imperial Guards, and they will escort you out."
Ye Jiao accepted without hesitation.
"Many thanks!" she smiled, her peach-blossom eyes shining with gratitude.
As Yan Congzheng left, Crown Prince Li Zhang deliberately returned to the Administrative Hall without greeting her. He despised unnecessary formalities.
Having reviewed all memorials and tidied his desk, Li Zhang prepared to leave. His gaze swept the side hall, where Ye Jiao's superior, Minister of War Song Shoujie, had arrived.
Song was raging, seemingly reprimanding Ye Jiao. Li Zhang smiled with interest. Others' misfortunes held no appeal, but Ye Jiao's scolding was worth hearing.
Song's rebuke rang clear: "Officer Ye, your stubbornness is arrogance born of favoritism! You disregard the Ministry's rules!"
Favoritism and arrogance—apt words for her.
Li Zhang looked through the window to see Ye Jiao standing straight, retorting, "Sir, if you act thus, you confuse public and private interests and disrespect the laws of the Great Tang."
Song gasped, nearly fainting. Angrily he shouted, "Ye Xi is your father! I merely asked you to request a favor of him. How is that abusing public office? Officer Ye, your attitude borders on unfilial conduct!"
Fuming, Song stormed out, nearly stumbling at the threshold. Though Li Zhang stood outside, he offered no aid.
Song cast a brief uneasy glance and hurried away.
The side hall
fell silent.
Ye Jiao's eyes glistened, but she did not weep.
The city outside slowly brightened as dawn approached.