Inside the palace, candlelight flickered, and shadows danced eerily on the walls, like silent ghosts.
The faint rustling sound of the burning candles was like the brushing of a dancer's skirt, and every flicker of the flame stirred the quiet air.
Emperor Wen sat high above, looking down at the young Xia Chen prostrating before him, and nodded slightly, a hint of satisfaction on his face.
“I do not ask you to brave fire and water; it is enough that you can see through the Surveillance Institute's schemes, which tells me you possess some talent.
Today, I order you to join the Lantern Bearers, assist Ma Song, and uproot Lu Li's faction.”
Emperor Wen's gaze was like a torch, fixed tightly on Xia Chen, as if to pierce his skin and probe the depths of his Soul, scrutinizing whether he was truly loyal.
After a long silence, Xia Chen slowly raised his head. “Your Majesty, is that all?”
His voice was calm, yet carried a hint of inquiry.
“What else do you think there should be?”
Emperor Wen's voice was ethereal, as if coming from a distant place, and his rhetorical question carried a hint of playfulness.
“Your Majesty specially summoned this subject to the palace, surely there are other important matters to entrust.”
Xia Chen responded boldly, meeting Emperor Wen's gaze with an open look.
“You are indeed intelligent. I do have one more matter for you to do; rise.”
Emperor Wen's tone softened slightly; at this moment, he seemed like an ordinary old man, yet the majesty emanating from him made one dare not overstep in the slightest.
“Thank you, Your Majesty.” Xia Chen rose and sat down calmly in front of the seat.
“Your primary task upon joining the Lantern Bearers is to uncover the hidden Imperial City Bureau and Surveillance Institute spies within it.”
Emperor Wen's words were calm, yet they were like a giant stone thrown into Xia Chen's heart, stirring up a thousand waves.
“The Lantern Bearers have been infiltrated?” Xia Chen blurted out involuntarily.
“To say infiltrated is too strong, but there are undoubtedly internal moles, and their positions are likely not low. Otherwise, how could Lu Li have made such a low-level mistake, even getting the target for stealing the military defense map wrong?”
Emperor Wen narrowed his eyes slightly, as if recalling the intricate situation.
“This subject will surely uncover the truth within three months.”
Xia Chen cupped his fists, his vow ringing clear.
“Oh? Three months? You are so confident.”
Emperor Wen's eyelids lifted slightly, his gaze like a knife, lightly sweeping over Xia Chen.
“Before the sovereign, there are no idle words.” Xia Chen did not flinch, responding firmly.
“A good saying, 'Before the sovereign, there are no idle words.' In three months, I will await your good news.”
Emperor Wen waved his right hand lightly, and a white-gold token slowly floated in front of Xia Chen.
“You will assume your post tomorrow. The investigation is urgent, so you are specially permitted to select several people from the Imperial Guard to go with you to the Lantern Bearers.”
With that, Emperor Wen waved his hand, signaling Xia Chen to withdraw.
“This humble subject bids farewell.” Xia Chen performed a grand bow, his movements as standard as a textbook example, every posture showing utmost respect.
Emperor Wen couldn't help but glance at him again.
……
……
Inside the carriage, Xia Chen and Li Wenzhong sat opposite each other. “Uncle, do you not wish to know what His Majesty and I discussed?” Xia Chen broke the silence first.
“Since His Majesty asked me to step aside, he naturally had private matters to entrust to you alone, so why should I ask more?”
Li Wenzhong did not raise his eyelids, as if immersed in his own world, resting with his eyes closed.
“His Majesty entrusted me with a heavy responsibility, ordering me to join the Lantern Bearers as a Chief of one of the Nine Divisions.”
Xia Chen's words were like a thunderclap, instantly exploding in Li Wenzhong's ears.
“What?”
Li Wenzhong's eyes snapped open, his gaze like lightning, and that light gradually dimmed after a long time.
“After Lu Li's downfall, two of the Nine Divisions' Chiefs also departed with him.
But Lu Li presided over the Lantern Bearers for over twenty years, and many benefited from his grace, countless people were loyal to him.
His Majesty sending you there is likely to help the new Commander Ma Song with rectification.
Within the Lantern Bearers, a storm of blood and gore is probably inevitable.”
Li Wenzhong's gaze was profound, his tone filled with emotion. For over twenty years, he had witnessed Lu Li's boundless glory, who could have expected that it would now collapse like a grand mansion, fleeting in an instant, how could he not feel a sigh of regret.
“The Lantern Bearers' power was too great, existing outside the court's established order, originally a sharp blade in His Majesty's hands.
However, Lu Li's prominence has been too great in recent years, extensively cultivating his cronies within the Lantern Bearers, causing many to know only Duke Lu and forget His Majesty.
His downfall was by no means solely due to the military defense map incident; he brought it upon himself.”
Xia Chen's gaze was calm, his tone indifferent. Although Lu Li's defeat originated from him, the root cause was Emperor Wen's will; the military defense map was merely the fuse.
Li Wenzhong took a deep look at Xia Chen, secretly sighing that this young man was far more clear-headed and wise than he had anticipated.
“As a subject, accompanying the sovereign is like accompanying a tiger. Although gaining His Majesty's appreciation is a heaven-sent opportunity, it is also fraught with danger, and a slight misstep can lead to an abyss of eternal damnation.
The former Lu Li, the current me, and Ma Song of the Lantern Bearers, and even you, are all in this vortex of power.”
Li Wenzhong's gaze was distant, his head lightly resting against the carriage wall, as if he wanted to see through the illusions of this world and discern the direction of fate.
Xia Chen also gazed at Li Wenzhong, not expecting this general, who had always been cautious and possessed the demeanor of a traditional military officer, to express such heartfelt words to him.
“Uncle is about to assume the post of Dragon Martial Guard General, a trusted and important minister of His Majesty. Yet you utter such words now, are you not afraid I will tell His Majesty?”
Xia Chen's lips curved slightly upward, looking at the reclining Li Wenzhong with a half-smile.
“Although we haven't known each other long, nor do we know each other deeply. But I have always been accurate in judging people; I see no reverence in your eyes, whether looking at me or speaking of His Majesty, it is always so.
I am not as loyal as I appear, and neither are you; we are inherently on the same path.”
Li Wenzhong's gaze remained steady, and after speaking, he looked at Xia Chen again.
“I think highly of you. As long as you don't make big mistakes and perform well, you might break the centuries-old rule that maternal relatives cannot hold power.
By then, perhaps I'll even have to rely on you; consider it my early investment.”
A smile appeared on Li Wenzhong's face. He picked up his teacup, gestured to Xia Chen across the space, and then drank it all.
Xia Chen was silent for a long time, finally raising his teacup to return Li Wenzhong's toast.
“The ancients said, 'Great wisdom seems foolish,' referring to you, Uncle, I presume. They all say that the court officials are the wisest people in the world, and I think if Uncle had pursued a scholarly career, his achievements would be no less than theirs. It's a pity you entered the military.”
Xia Chen praised with a smile.
“Great wisdom seems foolish, I wouldn't dare claim that, just a bit of wisdom in dealing with people. The capital is like a den of dragons and snakes. The Son of Heaven above the clouds, the powerful nobles soaring through the sky, the pawns who bully others by relying on power,
the seemingly reckless and foolish warriors, the insidious and cunning politicians, the schemers hidden in the dark, and the leaders who guide the common people—which of them isn't exceptionally intelligent? Facing these people, how can one not be cautious and tread on thin ice?”
Li Wenzhong shook his head and sighed lightly, his gaze falling on Xia Chen again.
“It's you, though; in these years, you are the most intelligent junior I have seen.”
“Uncle, let us not praise each other anymore.”
Xia Chen quickly stopped him, unwilling to continue the topic.
The carriage slowly moved forward, and the two leaned in their respective corners, both lost in thought.
Suddenly, in the silence, Li Wenzhong's voice sounded again: “If one day I lose power, can you protect my family?”
“Why do you say that, Uncle?”
Xia Chen's gaze became serious as he looked at the calm-faced Li Wenzhong, a heavy sense of sorrow welling up in his heart.
……