The arrival of Jing Pings’ sole child had caused the capital to become wary. While the former Prime Minister was considered one of the best in history, increasing spending on public projects and reducing corruption, few in the court wanted a successor to take his place. He was simply too much of a hardliner and, as one of the three pillars responsible for founding the new dynasty, held power over the entirety of the civil branch of the Zhu Dynasty, had enough authority to exert his uncompromising reforms. The position of Prime Minister, typically split into two, was consolidated in his hands into an all-powerful position.


    Thus, when the Prime Minister was assassinated, the hearts of all the courtiers breathed a collective sigh of relief. The position of Prime Minister was split into the Prime Minister of the Left and the Prime Minister of the Right, as it had been throughout history.


    In truth, it was impossible for someone to possess the same amount of power as Jing Ping had once held, but the imagination of these officials still brought them fear. That was enough for them to petition the Emperor to use Mo Xi to break Jing Wen’s will once he entered the capital.


    However, in light of this, many had forgotten another person had arrived with Jing Wen.


    Zhou Aimin.


    Prince of Qiao was the final of the three pillars deemed responsible for the ascension of Emperor Gaozu onto the Dragon Throne. However, he has maintained a far quieter life than Jing Ping after the unification of the Empire, choosing to instead guard the Northern frontiers against barbarian invasions, leaving him little influence in court politics. Even less was known regarding his sole child, aside from that he had entered a Taoist temple to study under Guo Xiling at the age of twelve. Many in the capital did not even know if Zhou Aimin was male or female.


    For one to choose between the two successors, who would have known that the first storm of the capital would be stirred by Zhou Aimin?


    ---


    After the youthful vibrancy of the capital lingered into the night, the alleys were swallowed by darkness. The crowd, like moths to light, left for the brightly lit boulevard, leaving places like the Jing manor in drunken silence.


    In this tranquillity, Zhou Aimin walked into a room in the servant’s quarter. He arrived before Yang’er, and gently patted her face to force her awake. Yang’er was in deep sleep, tired from escorting Jing Wen through the capital, so Zhou Aimin’s response from her was only incoherent mumblings as the nucai rubbed her sore eyes.


    Zhou Aimin laughed and handed his nucai a cup of black tea to revitalize. As Yang’er drank with absent-mindedness, he quickly explained Jing Wen’s situation and his plan to expose Mo Xi.


    “People like Mo Xi are a part of the old order that is preventing the Great Zhu from reforming itself. I’m inclined to believe that he must also be rid off to spare the people of the world from future sufferings,” Zhou Aimin said as he changed into a new set of formal robes. His eyes were unmoving and serene, like the surface of a vast lake.


    Yang’er knew that Zhou Aimin was completely determined, but still couldn''t help but feel anxious. She placed down the teacup, feeling it was too hot. She said, “That sounds reasonable. The horses are rested by now, so our carriage can be used once more. Gao Shu can hide in there.”


    “But…” Yang’er frowned, “Under what pretext will we visit the Imperial Palace?”


    “Consort Ru should be familiar with my master. I can visit her.” Zhou Aimin looked at Yang’er and said in a low voice, “I may be able to also persuade her to ruin Mo Xi.”


    Yang’er nodded, and soon the two left the manor. Gao Shu was already in the carriage, attaching himself to the underside of its interior, his posture unchanged as the carriage began to move, itself very conspicuous in the cover of darkness.


    Jing Manor was not far remarkably far from the Imperial Palace, and the horses pulling the carriage were elite stock bred by the Northern Sea Barbarians. They quickly reached the side entrance to the Inner Court of the Imperial Palace. It was still busy, but midnight was soon approaching. At that time, the servants would return to their quarters, leaving the inner court silent. Support the creativity of authors by visiting the original site for this novel and more.


    Zhou Aimin retrieved a crossbow from a hidden compartment in the carriage and hid it within his sleeves. It was impossible to openly carry weapons in the Imperial Palace, so Zhou Aimin could only bring a concealed crossbow.


    He looked at Yang’er, saying in a comforting manner, “The fighting will be left to Gao Shu. The crossbow is only cautionary.”


    Leaving the carriage, Zhou Aimin held his father’s jade badge in one hand and the other clutching his sleeves. The guards overlooking the entrance dared not inspect Zhou Aimin for weapons, for Prince of Qiao was one of the few that could enter the Inner Court without the Emperor’s permission.


    With a deep bow, one of the guards asked, “May I ask why Reverence Qiao chose to visit the Inner Court at this time?”


    Zhou Aimin pursed his lips into a smile, “Venerable Zhang Yunru (张云茹) is sworn brothers with my master. I have come to visit his daughter.”


    The guard was confused for a moment, but quickly remembered who Zhang Yunru’s daughter is. “So it’s to visit Consort Ru. But…”


    It’s inappropriate to visit one of the Emperor’s concubines in the dead of night. How could he say that to the heir to the current Emperor’s most trusted general? The choice between permitting entrance for Prince of Qiao’s sole descendant and following the rules of the Inner Court hung over the guard like a dagger ready to kill.


    The guard hesitated for a long time but realised that it was forcing Zhou Aimin to wait outside in the cold. In the end, he sucked in a breath of cold air and said, “Consort Ru’s palace is at the westernmost part of Kunning Hall. The servants will sleep soon, so I must trouble Reverence Qiao to rely on one of the eunuchs to lead the path.”


    Zhou Aimin had memorized the layout of the Imperial Palace before he had met Jing Wen. He shook his head and said, “There’s no need. The eunuchs need sleep as well.”


    The guard did not attempt to rebuke Zhou Aimin. Walking aside to expose the entrance, he watched as Zhou Aimin calmly strolled into the Inner Court, his silhouette highlighted by the mid-night moon.


    Long after Zhou Aimin had disappeared, the guard realised his entire body was soaked in a cold sweat. He waited in his spot uncomfortably in the wet clothes, and once he finally saw the guard replacing him, he almost cried out in tears.


    ---


    Consort Ru’s room bore many swords, and though all their edges were dulled to ensure they weren’t used to harm His Majesty, the suppressive aura these blades gave off remained. Consort Ru wore only a nightgown, under which the outlines of her body could be seen. There was an obvious presence of power within her slender frame. Any hot-blooded youth would certainly feel the urge to throw themself onto her body.


    Of course, as the Emperor’s concubine, anyone would resist the urge. Besides, she was once a prominent martial artist on the Xinqingnian list. She could easily cut the assailant in two.


    Zhou Aimin looked around at the ‘decorative’ swords on the wall and said calmly, “Does Martial Cousin Zhang wish to help me expose Mo Xi?”


    These words were very abrupt and completely unambiguous. However, those in Jianghu (江湖) were straightforward people by nature and respected such frankness.


    Consort Ru had entered the Imperial Harem quite some time ago, and undoubtedly possessed a strong desire to return to the frank manner in which those in Jianghu communicate. In addition, Zhou Aimin and her have been martial cousins for over three years and held a close bond.


    She played around with one of the swords, her expression remaining relaxed as she said, “Sure. What is needed of me?”


    Zhou Aimin beamed a huge smile, appearing more charming than a girl. “Martial Cousin, I want you to distract the entire palace. Can you do that?”


    Consort Ru sighed, “Martial Cousin Zhou, your ambition is too great. How can the whole palace be distracted? It’s not as though I am the Emperor or the Empress, able to summon countless people at the wave of a hand - I’m just a lowly concubine. Even if I kill a servant, it’s impossible for the whole palace to notice.”


    Consort Ru slid her feet along a cushion. She lifted up her lips and suddenly joked, “Would I have to kill a prince?”


    Zhou Aimin shook his head. “It’s best not to involve the lives of bystanders.”


    Consort Ru said quietly, “That is reasonable. But I truly don’t know how I can attract the attention of the Imperial Palace.”


    “Martial Cousin, has your mind become stale by the court intrigue of the palace?”


    Amused, Consort Ru asked, “Then does my genius martial cousin have a solution?”


    Zhou Aimin thought it seemed to truly be the case that not only was his martial cousins’ swords dulled, but her mind too. With a nod, he said, “Naturally.”


    Consort Ru placed down the sword in her hand. She smiled and said, “Pray tell.”


    ---


    It has been quite some time since the deep quivering of the palace bell signalling the beginning to midnight had been heard. Gao Shu slipped out of the carriage like a ghost in his uniform made for movement in the dark. It was impossible to detect the presence of his being, to such a degree that Yang’er, who was close to falling asleep, did not notice him brushing past her shoulder in the slightest.


    Gao Shu had spent even less time in the Imperial Guard compared to Jing Wen, being a mere few months before the division was disbanded. However, to be chosen to join it at such a tender age must mean that he is truly someone exceptional.


    Gao Shu sidled along the tall walls of the palace, his body dissolved into the dim light of night. With an obscure technique, his heartbeat and breathing slowed down significantly, becoming like the inanimate wall behind him as he walked in harmony with the wind. As if having a stroll, he walked past the guards changing position, entering the Inner Court with ease.


    Gao Shu’s most notable ability was that under the cover of darkness, he could walk freely, even in the most guarded of places. This was why he managed to evade the full force of the Imperial Guards for over a month.


    Mo Xi was located in Hongtian (洪天) Palace, still dimly lit. It was different from other Palaces in the complex, for it possessed a wall of its own, as though to separate it from the authority of the Emperor, or to hide the inhuman things occurring behind those walls.