The army passed through Zhengyang Gate and waited silently before the Meridian Gate for the imperial summons.
The towering triple-tiered city platforms connected seamlessly, crowned by the east and west Yanchi Towers and Que Pavilions. The main hall, with its double-eaved yellow glazed tiles, was flanked by Golden Guards clad in armor and swords behind white marble railings—solemn and imposing.
Before these towering platforms and palaces, even the vast square below, capable of holding nearly ten thousand people, seemed cramped.
Fan Changyu gazed up at the palace, monstrous in its grandeur, and wondered whether those who dwelled atop such heights for too long would cease to see the suffering of the common folk, instead viewing their lives as mere ants.
Otherwise, why would the emperor on his dragon throne, while she fought on the frontlines, worry only that she might disrupt his arranged marriage—enough to decide to eliminate her?
Two years ago, during droughts and floods, in his bid to promote the Li family and suppress Wei Yan, he had acted no differently from Qi Min—colluding with the Li family to turn a blind eye as corrupt officials under Wei Yan embezzled layer after layer of disaster relief funds. Only after enough people had died did he turn around and condemn Wei Yan.
The people suffered bitterly, cursing the corrupt officials, praying for their "Heaven" to open its eyes—unaware that their "Heaven" had been watching all along, merely observing with cold indifference.
The emperor was obsessed with political maneuvering, and those seated high in the court halls neither pondered nor worried about the people's hardships—only how to topple their rivals and perpetuate their family's prosperity.
Suddenly, the glazed yellow tiles on the upturned eaves seemed unbearably glaring. Changyu lowered her eyes and clenched her fists.
Once past the Meridian Gate, civil officials could no longer ride in sedan chairs, nor military officers on horseback. While they waited, palace attendants had already come to lead away their warhorses.
Tang Peiyi noticed Changyu's unusual expression and assumed it was nerves from her first audience with the emperor. Glancing back at the majestic palace complex, he said, "The ancients wrote of the 'Jade Capital in the heavens, twelve towers and five cities.' The Jade Capital described in those poems could hardly surpass this. Countless scholars and warriors spend their entire lives without ever earning the right to glimpse such a sight. For Subordinate General Fan to be granted an audience in the Golden Hall at such a young age is already remarkable. We have been summoned to the capital for rewards—there is no need for apprehension. Simply enter the hall and receive your honors."
Changyu offered no explanation, merely clasping her fists in acknowledgment. "Thank you for your guidance, General."
Tang Peiyi patted her shoulder and said nothing more.
After another quarter-hour, the summons finally pierced through the layers of palace walls, reaching beyond the Meridian Gate.
"By decree, General of the Cloud Banner Tang Peiyi and his subordinate generals are summoned to audience—"
The eunuch's voice outside the Golden Hall was shrill and drawn-out.
"By decree, General of the Cloud Banner Tang Peiyi and his subordinate generals are summoned to audience—"
The Golden Guards standing with swords at the foot of the white marble steps boomed with deep, resonant voices.
"By decree, General of the Cloud Banner Tang Peiyi and his subordinate generals are summoned to audience—"
The final proclamation echoed between the ten-zhang-high city platforms flanking the Yanchi Towers, majestic and awe-inspiring.
Even the battle-hardened generals fresh from the blood-soaked northwest couldn't help but feel their hearts tremble, truly understanding what it meant to "face the Son of Heaven."
The eastern gate slowly swung open. With Tang Peiyi at the lead, the military officers filed in orderly ranks behind him. They passed through the Meridian Gate, crossed the Golden Water Bridge, traversed the Gate of Supreme Harmony, and finally arrived at the Golden Hall where civil and military officials attended court.
Everywhere they looked, vermilion walls and yellow tiles stretched endlessly, the ground paved entirely with white marble—truly worthy of the name "Jade Capital in the heavens."
Many of the accompanying officers were visiting the capital for the first time to see the emperor. The solemnity of the palace pressed down on them so heavily they scarcely dared to breathe.Fan Changyu followed behind Tang Peiyi, walking side by side with He Jingyuan's eldest son. Burdened by the weight of too many heavy thoughts, she found little interest in the grand palace adorned with gold and jade carvings at every turn.
The white marble steps before the Hall of Golden Chimes were also lined with Golden Guards, each towering and imposing. Yet their eyes held an air of arrogance rather than the blood-soaked ferocity honed on the battlefield.
Upon entering the grand hall, even without looking around, Fan Changyu could sense its resplendent opulence. Civil and military officials stood in two rows along the sides, clearing a path for their audience with the emperor.
However, the positions at the head of both the civil and military officials were empty. Xie Zheng had deliberately requested a delay in returning to the capital, while Wei Yan had claimed illness and had not attended court for many days. Fan Changyu guessed those were likely Wei Yan and Xie Zheng's places.
Tang Peiyi led the military officials in kneeling on one knee, fists clasped in salute. "Long live Your Majesty, ten thousand years!"
Fan Changyu followed suit with a bow. Originally, she had planned to reveal her identity as a descendant of the Meng family right in the Hall of Golden Chimes, forcing the emperor to investigate Wei Yan. But too much had happened since then—the Li family and Wei Yan seemed to have contingencies in place, and Xie Zheng was orchestrating something, advising her to hold back for now.
From atop the massive gilded dragon throne carved with reliefs came the emperor's pleased voice: "Rise—"
Fan Changyu stood behind Tang Peiyi. As she straightened and lifted her gaze, she saw the emperor seated on the throne, clad in bright yellow imperial robes.
He appeared far younger than she had imagined an emperor would be. Wearing the ceremonial crown with hanging beads, his smile unexpectedly gave him an approachable air, more like a young man than the supreme ruler of the realm.
Qi Sheng naturally noticed Fan Changyu as well. Though his expression remained smiling, the way his gaze swept over her made her skin crawl, much like the imperial eunuch who had delivered the decree outside Chongzhou.
Pointing at them, Qi Sheng addressed the assembled courtiers with a laugh. "My esteemed ministers, behold—these are the very pillars of our Great Yin!"
The civil and military officials on either side exchanged glances, murmuring in hushed tones. None echoed the emperor's words. While the civil officials maintained their composure, many among the military ranks wore their discontent openly—though none dared openly refute the emperor in the Hall of Golden Chimes.
The issue lay in the undeserved title of "pillars of the realm."
Such praise might suit the Three Excellencies and Nine Ministers, but among those accompanying Tang Peiyi to the audience, the lowest-ranking was Fan Changyu, a mere fifth-rank Swift Cavalry Commandant.
In the capital, only officials of at least fifth rank holding critical posts were permitted to attend court—and even then, only to observe, not to speak. Local officials had to be of fourth rank or higher to have an audience.
Qi Sheng's words had, unwittingly, made enemies for the military officers who had distinguished themselves in quelling the rebellion.
Even Fan Changyu, new to the officialdom, sensed something amiss. Tang Peiyi, upon hearing the emperor's praise, broke into a cold sweat and hastily clasped his fists. "This humble general and the others are unworthy of such praise. Loyalty to Your Majesty is our duty. Moreover, the true merits in suppressing the rebellion belong to Lord He and the Wu'an Marquis."
He Jingyuan had served with utter devotion his entire life and was now deceased, while Xie Zheng's illustrious military achievements left no room for dispute among the court.
By attributing the emperor's praise to these two, Tang Peiyi made it truly deserved.Qi Sheng maintained his smile, as if the earlier words of flattery had not been intentional: "Minister He and the Wu'an Marquis are indeed the pillars of Great Yin. With the harsh winter approaching in the north, the Wu'an Marquis has requested to return to Jizhou to inspect the defenses before coming back to the capital. With him guarding our borders, both I and all my ministers can rest easy!"
At these words, the civil and military officials all echoed their agreement.
Qi Sheng then added with a smile, "When Minister Xie arrives in the capital, I shall bestow upon him the Nine Bestowments."
The moment these words were spoken, the ministers exchanged uneasy glances, none daring to speak. The entire court fell into a deathly silence.
Fan Changyu stood with her head bowed below the hall, wondering if the Nine Bestowments were some kind of taboo, given how the officials seemed to avoid the topic.
Fortunately, Qi Sheng quickly moved on: "The death of Minister He at Lucheng grieves me deeply. I have been unable to eat for days. Today, I posthumously confer upon him the title of Duke Jing, to be honored in the Imperial Ancestral Temple. Is his son, He Xiujun, present?"
He Xiujun, who stood beside Fan Changyu, immediately stepped forward, clasping his fists and bowing: "Your humble servant is here."
He Jingyuan had been a scholar-general in life, and his eldest son had inherited his scholarly nature. Though skilled in martial arts, he was more versed in Confucian studies. During He Jingyuan's time in Chongzhou, He Xiujun had managed all affairs in Jizhou, with Zheng Wenchang remaining as his deputy.
Qi Sheng said, "You are a scholar who passed the imperial examinations, and you have trained under your father in Jizhou for many years. Henceforth, you shall take up the position of Governor of Jizhou."
He Xiujun bowed in gratitude: "Your humble servant thanks Your Majesty for this great honor and will strive not to disappoint Your Majesty's expectations."
Qi Sheng motioned for him to return to his place. When his gaze fell upon Tang Peiyi, perhaps having heard something from the eunuch who had gone to Chongzhou to deliver the edict, his smile carried an undercurrent of malice: "Minister Tang displayed great foresight and judiciousness in the campaign to suppress the rebellion. I hereby confer upon you the title of General Who Pacifies the West, along with a thousand taels of gold and a hundred bolts of silk."
After Tang Peiyi stepped forward to express his gratitude, Qi Sheng's attention turned to Fan Changyu.
He said, "I have long heard that Great Yin has produced a female general from among the common people. Step forward and let me see you."
Fan Changyu stepped out and clasped her fists: "General Fan Changyu pays respects to Your Majesty."
Qi Sheng said, "Raise your head."
This caused another stir among the officials. Fan Changyu was a decorated military officer, yet Qi Sheng's frivolous tone made it sound as though he were selecting a concubine.
Fan Changyu's brow furrowed involuntarily. She lifted her head with unwavering determination, her expression devoid of any maidenly shyness, only the hardened demeanor of a seasoned warrior.
Qi Sheng smiled approvingly and praised, "What a splendid war-blossom!"
At this, the ministers' expressions grew even more strained. Even Tang Peiyi broke into a cold sweat for Fan Changyu.
Instead of commending her achievements, the emperor had praised her appearance—an odd remark by any measure. Fan Changyu herself felt an inexplicable unease.
Especially since she knew the emperor on the throne had once harbored thoughts of killing her. Now, under his ambiguous gaze, she felt as though needles pricked her back.
Sure enough, Qi Sheng soon asked, "Are you married, General?"
A wave of revulsion washed over Fan Changyu. Her fists clenched involuntarily, and a surge of anger at being insulted and belittled rose within her. Pressing her lips together, she answered firmly, "Your Majesty, this general already has a husband."
Though Xie Zheng had used a false name when he married into her family, their marriage was officially recorded in the government registers. This was no lie to the emperor.Qi Sheng seemed rather disappointed and continued asking, "Where is your husband now?"
Fan Changyu replied with neither humility nor arrogance, "During the conscription at the beginning of the year, my husband went to Chongzhou. Worried for his safety, I set out to find him but unexpectedly ended up joining the army myself. The rebellion suppression was brutal, and my husband's fate remains unknown to this day."
In wartime, it was common for soldiers to go missing—some deserted, others were trampled beyond recognition amidst the chaos of battle, and some perished in the wilderness. Such cases were countless.
There was indeed a military register listing "Yan Zheng" as a recruit, but no such person could be found in the army now. Fan Changyu's words were essentially the truth.
Having spoken thus, her journey of a thousand li to find her husband would be seen by anyone as a testament to her deep devotion. Her husband was a soldier who had disappeared during the Battle of Chongzhou, making her the widow of a war hero. If Qi Sheng still spoke flippantly, it would be tantamount to coveting a subject's wife—a clear mark of a tyrant.
Qi Sheng was already well aware of the relationship between Fan Changyu and Xie Zheng. His provocation in the Golden Hall was merely an attempt to vent his anger over Xie Zheng's humiliation of the imperial eunuch who had lost an ear. Now, having been firmly rebutted by Fan Changyu's dignified response and having lost face before the court, he was on the verge of fury.
Forcing a smile, he said, "In my seventeen years on the throne, this is the first time I've seen such a female military talent. Fan Aiqing beheaded Changxin Wang during the Battle of Chongzhou and single-handedly defended Lucheng until reinforcements arrived. Your contributions are undeniable. I hereby confer upon you the title of General of the Cloud Banner and grant you the honorary rank of Second-Grade Imperial Decree of Honor."
The General of the Cloud Banner was a third-grade military position with real authority, while the Imperial Decree of Honor was a nominal title.
Fan Changyu was likely the first woman in the history of Great Yin to earn such an honor through her own merits. Even the wives of chancellors received theirs by virtue of their husbands' achievements.
Fan Changyu bowed her head in gratitude. "This humble general thanks Your Majesty for your boundless grace."
With rewards concluded, it was time for punishment.
After Fan Changyu returned to her position, the emperor asked wearily, "Do any of my ministers have further matters to report?"
An elderly man with graying hair, who had been standing silently at the forefront of the civil officials, stepped forward holding his ceremonial tablet. "This old servant has a report."
Qi Sheng said, "What does the Grand Tutor wish to report?"
Hearing the title "Grand Tutor," Fan Changyu guessed the old man must be Grand Tutor Li.
Recalling the schemes the Li family had orchestrated with Qi Min, she studied the elderly figure stepping forward. Though she couldn't see his face clearly, his frail frame beneath the crimson crane-patterned official robes resembled a gnarled old pine tree.
He treated the lives of commoners and soldiers as worthless, yet presented himself as a loyal servant who had exhausted himself for the people.
Fan Changyu found it bitterly ironic.
Grand Tutor Li's impassioned voice rang out: "The near-loss of Lucheng, the tragic deaths of countless soldiers, and He Jingyuan's sacrifice—all were due to Wei Yan's collusion with the rebels. This old servant implores Your Majesty to hold Wei Yan accountable and deliver justice for the fallen soldiers and the Duke of Jing!"
With that, he knelt in his robes.
Members of the Li faction immediately followed suit, and soon nearly all the civil officials were kneeling. Even minor officials who wished to remain neutral, seeing the front rows empty, stepped forward and knelt to avoid being ostracized, echoing the cry: "We implore Your Majesty to hold Wei Yan accountable and deliver justice for the fallen soldiers and the Duke of Jing!"
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