Emperor An laughed. “If you don’t understand the capital’s rules, find someone to teach you. As long as you do your job well and don’t deliberately stir up trouble, if anyone dares to make things difficult for you, come to the palace and seek me out.”
“Really?”
“A ruler does not jest.”
Di Tao hesitated for a moment before finally nodding, no longer refusing. “Then I’ll need to write a letter to my father first. If I don’t return soon, he’ll worry.”
“Naturally,” Emperor An replied.
Seeing Di Tao agree to stay, Emperor An felt pleased and, to ease his concerns, added, “Don’t worry. The capital’s rules are straightforward. You saved Xiao Yan before and seem to get along with him. If you’re unsure about anything, just ask him.”
“Xiao Yan is protective and clear about his debts and grudges. With this life-saving favor, few in the capital would dare cross him to trouble you.”
“But one thing: the matter of the Dragon Jade Order must not be mentioned to anyone, including Xiao Yan.”
Di Tao quickly replied, “I understand, Your Majesty.”
With Di Tao staying, Emperor An felt more secure about the northwest. After giving the young man a few more instructions, as Di Tao prepared to take his leave, Emperor An suddenly asked, “By the way, when your father mentioned the Dragon Jade Order, did he ever describe what it looks like?”
Di Tao shook his head. “No. My father said I shouldn’t even know about it. The Dragon Jade Order hasn’t been used since Emperor Taizu’s passing, and he’s never seen it himself.”
“But he mentioned that he and Shang Qin hold tokens passed down by the previous leaders of the Zhenan Army and Dragon Court Guards. If someone presents the Dragon Jade Order, they can verify its authenticity immediately. I haven’t seen those tokens either—my father wouldn’t let me.”
Emperor An said, “That’s good. It’s about military authority, so your father’s caution is for your own benefit.”
He smiled. “Alright, it’s getting late. Leave the palace for now. Tomorrow, someone will take you to see the residence I’m granting you. Once you’re settled, rest for a few days, then report to the four suburban camps. I’ll send someone to assist you.”
“Is it a deputy?” Di Tao asked curiously.
Emperor An raised an eyebrow. “What, you don’t like that?”
“No, it’s great! I’m unfamiliar with the capital, so having someone to help me is perfect. I won’t be completely lost if I don’t understand something.”
Di Tao seemed oblivious to the fact that Emperor An was placing someone by his side to monitor him, instead appearing genuinely delighted.
“Thank you, Your Majesty.”
As the hall doors opened, Di Tao left with a cheerful spring in his step.
Emperor An smiled at the sight, but moments later, his expression darkened.
The Dragon Jade Order…
How did such a thing suddenly come up?
He had hoped Di Tao might know its appearance so he could forge a replica, but Di Shuangcheng and Shang Qin, despite never seeing it, held tokens to verify its authenticity.
He didn’t dare take the risk. If Di Shuangcheng realized the Dragon Jade Order wasn’t in his possession, the northwest could descend into chaos.
“Your Majesty.”
The sun was setting, casting a dim glow over the hall.
Eunuch Feng lit the lamps and noticed Emperor An’s fluctuating expression. Approaching cautiously, he asked, “Shall I summon any other officials?”
Emperor An rubbed his temples. “No need. Find a residence for Di Tao in the capital, select some jewels and treasures from the treasury, and send him a thousand taels of gold to help him settle. Additionally, appoint him as a fifth-rank Cavalry Commandant. In a few days, he’ll report to the four suburban camps.”
Eunuch Feng’s heart skipped a beat. The four suburban camps? That was Zhao Yuanlang’s former post, now given to Di Tao…
“How large a residence should we prepare for Young General Di?” Feng asked.
Emperor An thought for a moment. “One befitting a third-rank official.”
Feng understood immediately, His Majesty intended for Di Tao to “settle” in the capital. Noting this, he saw Emperor An rise to head to the inner chambers and quickly stepped forward to assist.
“Your Majesty, a message came from Xiangshui Hall. The Empress wishes to see you…”
“See her for what?!” Emperor An’s barely suppressed anger flared at the mention of Empress Lu.
That wretched woman, playing both sides while pretending deep devotion, had made him believe she and the Lu family had sacrificed much to support him. Over the years, despite any dissatisfaction, he had never considered deposing her. Yet, she had secretly colluded with Prince Cheng, bearing an illegitimate child and making him a laughingstock.
She had the audacity to request an audience?
“Lu is shameless, colluding with Prince Cheng and tainting the imperial bloodline. Depose her as empress and confine her to the cold palace. No one is to visit her.”
“Her son, Xie Guangzheng, is stripped of his princely title and granted poisoned wine!”
Eunuch Feng, sensing the murderous intent in Emperor An’s words, bowed lower. “Yes, but what about Minister Cui outside…”
Emperor An then recalled Cui Lin, that detestable old man who, alongside the Second Prince, had humiliated him and dragged the imperial family’s reputation through the mud.
He couldn’t directly take Cui Lin’s life or even flog him, but tormenting him was easy enough.
“I have urgent matters to attend to. Let him wait outside.”
Without a summons, leaving would be defying an imperial decree.
Eunuch Feng, realizing Emperor An meant to punish Cui Lin, silently pitied him but didn’t intercede. He supported Emperor An through the corridor to the inner chambers.
After helping the emperor wash and massaging him to rest, Feng relit the incense, instructed the guards to watch the hall, and left to handle the emperor’s earlier orders.
…
As the last traces of sunset faded, the sky darkened, and the palace grew quiet.
Cui Lin had stood from dawn to dusk. The guards at the Imperial Dragon Terrace had changed shifts twice.
By midnight, with the hall dark and no summons from Emperor An, Cui Lin, who had stood all day without food or water, finally collapsed from hunger, thirst, and dizziness.
Xiao Yan learned of Cui Lin’s fate the next morning.
He was having breakfast with Tang Ning, joined by an uninvited Di Tao, who had shamelessly shown up early. Nearby, Xue Ru clung to her bowl, shrinking away from Di Tao as if he were a plague to avoid.
“Past midnight, Cui Lin fainted in the palace. When he was carried back to the Cui residence, they say he broke an arm and had blood on his head,” Cang Lang reported.
Di Tao, mouth full of steamed buns, mumbled, “Falling that badly on flat ground?”
Cang Lang, straight-faced, said, “Tragic, isn’t it? They say Yu Yanfeng’s men carried him back, but their hands shook, dropping him several times.”
Pfft—
Tang Ning burst out laughing. “Yu Yanfeng’s settling the score for those thirty lashes, isn’t he?”
Yesterday’s court incident had hit Yu Yanfeng hardest. Punished with thirty lashes for no reason, he lost Emperor An’s trust, was berated harshly, and saw his men disciplined as well. It was no surprise he’d take it out on the “culprit,” Cui Lin.
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