In the distance, a soldier came jogging over, approached the man, and whispered a few words. The man's expression shifted slightly as he waved the soldier away and said to her, "This way."
Meng Tinghui turned and followed him into a narrow alley. After walking over a hundred steps, the gruesome scene from earlier still lingered in her mind, as if it would reappear the moment she lifted her gaze.
The man walked swiftly, taking only winding, secluded paths that twisted and turned left and right. It didn’t seem like a shortcut but rather an intentional effort to avoid the main inner-city roads, as if to prevent her from memorizing the route to Shen Zhishu’s location.
After walking for roughly the time it takes to finish a meal, the man finally led her out of the maze of alleys. The street scene was desolate, with a few ordinary-looking houses standing in a quiet corner. There weren’t even armed guards stationed at the doors.
The man strode straight ahead, and she quickened her pace to keep up.
Entering and turning left, two soldiers stood under the corridor. Upon seeing the man, they said quietly, "General Huo is waiting in that room and ordered us to bring the person directly. The General also instructed Captain Huang to return to the city walls immediately to prevent any openings for the court’s people."
The man frowned but said nothing, simply handing her over to the two soldiers before turning and leaving promptly.
Since ascending the city walls, Meng Tinghui had heard the soldiers mention "General Huo" several times and knew this must be Huo Dewei, the deputy commander of the Willow Banner Camp. She found it puzzling. Earlier, while in the capital, military reports clearly stated that rebel troops had killed their commanders and occupied the city. Zhao Bang, the commander of the Willow Banner Camp, and Hu Kexiao, the supervising army officer, had both been speared to death by the rebels. Although the urgent dispatches hadn’t mentioned Huo Dewei, the important officials of the two ministries had assumed he too had met his end. Yet, to her surprise, Huo Dewei was not only alive but also highly respected by these rebel soldiers, appearing very much like their leader.
The two soldiers flanked her, one in front and one behind, escorting her to the innermost room. They remained silent the entire way, refusing to answer any of her questions. At the door, one of them knocked heavily twice, then pulled it open and pushed her inside before closing the door and waiting outside.
Meng Tinghui stumbled slightly, nearly falling as she entered. Lifting her head and glancing sideways, she saw two people in the room, both staring intently at her.
"Meng Tinghui?" One of them stood up, his handsome face turning slightly, his long eyes as striking as ever. His blue robe was clean and tidy, showing no signs of the distress of being held captive.
She looked over, nodded, and bowed slightly. "Lord Shen."
Shen Zhishu’s expression of surprise eased slightly as he hurried over. "My apologies. Why would the court send you here, Lord Meng?"
Meng Tinghui had no inclination for small talk. Her gaze fixed directly on the middle-aged man in the corner of the room, and she narrowed her eyes. "General Huo?"
Huo Dewei stood up, his face dark and weathered, but his tone was respectful. "I have long heard of Lord Meng’s reputation."
Only then did she confirm that Huo Dewei was indeed alive. Her expression shifted, but she restrained herself from speaking. Instead, she turned to carefully examine Shen Zhishu from head to toe and asked softly, "Are you well, Lord Shen?"
Shen Zhishu looked at her, his expression slightly anxious, as if he had much to say. Yet, in the end, he only nodded, the corners of his mouth curling into an indistinct smile. "I am unharmed."
Meng Tinghui lowered her eyes, raised her hand to adjust the wide sleeves of her official robe, and unhurriedly walked to the high-backed chair in the center of the room. She sat down gracefully before lifting her gaze to Huo Dewei again, her expression calm and composed.Though she was a woman, her few steps were steady and imposing, her presence in no way inferior to those high-ranking ministers, momentarily stunning the two men in the room.
Huo Dewei stared at her for a long while before snapping back to reality. "Commissioner Meng," he said, "you have traveled a thousand li with the Imperial Edict to reach this place. Now that you have seen Prefect Shen safe and sound, might you allow Huo a look at His Majesty's edict?"
"Not so hasty." Meng Tinghui's expression remained impassive, her voice still soft. "The Imperial Edict should naturally be proclaimed aloud before the entire camp's officers and soldiers, to display the Son of Heaven's majestic authority. Since I am already here, there is absolutely no possibility that I would deceive you, General Huo, with a single word."
Huo Dewei's face changed abruptly. "Commissioner Meng!"
Meng Tinghui lifted her gaze to glance at him. "The Pacification Commissioner of Chaoan North Circuit, Dong Yicheng, has reported that the commander of Willow Banner Camp, Zhao Bang, and the supervising army inspector, Hu Kexiao, have both been executed by the rebel troops. Might I ask what brilliant strategy you employed, General Huo, that enabled you to preserve your own life amidst the chaos and command the obedience of the entire rebel army?"
Her words were utterly sarcastic; even a fool could detect the heavy tone of accusation within them. Even Shen Zhishu, standing to the side, felt his expression darken abruptly upon hearing them.
Huo Dewei grew even more furious, stepping forward to shout at her, "How dare you! Just because you hold the Imperial Edict, do you truly believe I wouldn't dare lay a finger on you?"
She replied calmly, "Naturally, General Huo would dare. But does General Huo still wish to preserve the lives of this camp's officers and soldiers?"
The veins on Huo Dewei's temples bulged. He restrained himself for a moment, finally reining in his anger and letting out several cold laughs. "Fine, I shall tell you how I preserved my life! That day, Magistrate Gao Hai of Willow Banner County publicly caned two soldiers to death, provoking the entire camp's arrogant troops into furious resentment. Even after cutting off his head, they were not satisfied. They also claimed that General Zhao, who had not long held the commander's seal, did not protect the soldiers' lives and was colluding with the Chaoan North Circuit Transportation Office to reduce the military provisions. Before General Zhao could even react, he was stabbed to death with a spear, and the camp's great chaos began! Supervising Army Inspector Hu Bang tried to stop the soldiers from rebelling, but someone pressed a spear to his heart, threatening him to lead the troops in occupying the city and plundering the people, to show the court a lesson. Inspector Hu naturally refused to yield and was immediately stabbed through the heart by the blood-crazed rebel troops in public! With both the commander and the supervising inspector dead, the rebel troops naturally came to force me, Huo, to become the leader of this crime. I, Huo, rose from the ranks, and after many years of receiving the Imperial Family's glorious favor, have attained my current position. How could I be willing to become such a traitor! But with a camp of rebel soldiers occupying the city, plundering the people, and committing acts of burning, killing, and looting that no one could stop—if I, too, had stubbornly resisted and shed my blood in death, the city you entered today, Commissioner Meng, would certainly not be in its current state!"
His words surged with emotion, and by the end, his eyes were bloodshot, his entire body trembling uncontrollably.
Meng Tinghui listened, her expression unchanged from beginning to end. Only after a long while did she slightly lower her gaze and extend her sleeve. "General Huo, please take a seat."
Huo Dewei gritted his teeth, snorted coldly, and then walked back to his original seat.
Shen Zhishu slowly paced over and sat down in the chair beside her, his brow heavy with gloom, yet he remained silent.
She knew that most of what Huo Dewei said was likely true. Just from observing Shen Zhishu's unharmed state and recalling the quiet, though tense, atmosphere in the city without signs of major chaos, she could deduce that this was due to Huo Dewei's efforts in restraining the troops. But how could such acts of rebellion be offset merely by this?For a long time, she finally drew the gilded imperial edict from her bosom and addressed Huo Dewei, "His Majesty is well aware of the hardships faced by the border troops. I have come by decree to proclaim the edict of pacification. I hope General Huo can appreciate His Majesty's benevolent heart and refrain from further opposing the court."
Huo Dewei eyed her sideways, his face still dark and sullen.
Meng Tinghui met his gaze calmly and said, "The intention of the Transport Commissioner of Chaoan North Circuit to reduce the military provisions for the Willow Banner Camp was not reported to the two central government offices. It was an act of his own initiative. Upon learning of this, His Majesty was greatly angered. The garrison soldiers' drunken disturbance due to dissatisfaction with the provisions office's proposal is understandable. However, Magistrate Gao Hai, without consulting the generals, publicly caned two soldiers to death—an act of overstepping authority. His Majesty has stated that court-appointed officials have treated you unjustly, leading to your grievances and collective unrest. Yet this unrest was not born of your desire but forced by circumstances. Once you show willingness to submit, the court will certainly not hold your offenses against you. Military provisions and equipment will be restored to their previous standards and henceforth only increased, never reduced."
Huo Dewei listened as she spoke slowly, his furrowed brow gradually easing, yet the suspicion on his face grew heavier. By the end, his gaze turned fierce, and he snorted, "Does Lord Meng take me for a three-year-old child, spouting lies to deceive me?"
Upon hearing this, Meng Tinghui abruptly slammed the table and stood up, sharply rebuking, "How dare you!"
Huo Dewei had been skeptical, but her reprimand stunned him, leaving him cowed by her imposing presence. For a long moment, he remained silent.
She unfolded the edict with both hands, her cold eyes fixed on Huo Dewei, and continued sternly, "The Emperor's grace is vast. As a close minister of His Majesty, I have traveled thousands of miles to this rebellious army in the borderlands. How could a crimson-robed official bearing the Fish Pouch deceive you with empty words? To pacify the hearts of the rebellious troops, His Majesty has been unable to eat or sleep, personally grinding ink to write this edict, each word imbued with grace. How could the Son of Heaven's own handwritten edict deceive you?"
Huo Dewei was utterly stunned and stammered, "This..."
Meng Tinghui sneered, "I have conveyed His Majesty's benevolent decree in full. If General Huo appreciates the sovereign's heart, he should lead his troops in surrender, open the city gates, and lay down arms. The court will richly reward General Huo for his allegiance. However, if General Huo insists on believing my words to be false, then remain entrenched here without moving, and await the court's troops to purge the city of rebels!"
Huo Dewei's face shifted between dark and pale as he stared at her, silent.
"General Huo." Shen Zhishu suddenly spoke from the side, his voice cool yet firm. "Lord Meng has risen to the fourth-rank position in less than two years at court. In terms of official rank, she outranks me. In terms of His Majesty's favor, she is among the most trusted officials in the capital. How can you not believe her words?"
Huo Dewei narrowed his eyes and asked her again, "Is everything you said truly the words of His Majesty?"
But she rolled up the edict, slowly sat down, and did not look at Huo Dewei again.
Huo Dewei glanced at Shen Zhishu, frowned in thought for a moment, then stood up and said, "Allow me to summon the officers and soldiers in the city to hear the proclamation of this edict!"
Meng Tinghui lifted her eyelids, watching as he pulled the door open with a clatter and strode out. The door slammed shut, shaking loose a cloud of dust from the walls.
Then she let out a soft sigh, her shoulders slumping slightly as she curled into the chair, closing her eyes briefly.
Shen Zhishu glanced at her sideways, his gaze turning somewhat cold, and said, "Was there a single word of truth in what you just said?"She didn't open her eyes, her voice so soft it was almost inaudible: "...Of course it's all true."
A shadow of gloom flickered in Shen Zhishu's eyes as he stood up, clasped his hands behind his back, and paced a couple of steps before turning to look at her again, his brow tightly furrowed. "I grew up with His Majesty since childhood—how could I not know his temperament?!"
Meng Tinghui twitched her eyelids slightly but remained silent.
He stared intently at her for a long moment before speaking again: "Even to me, you won't tell the truth?"
Only then did she slowly open her eyes, glanced at him, and still spoke softly: "...What I just said is precisely His Majesty's intention."
After a long pause, Shen Zhishu averted his gaze, walked over to pour himself a cup of tea, picked it up, and drank slowly.
The northern climate was dry, her lips were somewhat chapped, and the back of her hand still bore the marks of scrapes from the brick wall when she had climbed the city earlier. Yet she sat there upright, calm and composed when silent, showing no trace of the tension one would expect amidst chaotic troops.
It had been over a year since they last met. When he left the capital earlier, she was still the newly crowned female top scholar, Meng Tinghui, who had just entered the Imperial Academy and was cautious in every way. Now, upon seeing her again, this woman before him had become the treacherous favorite official spoken of by the court ministers. And from Qing Province, a thousand miles away, he had heard much about the turbulent events in the capital's court.
While in the Imperial Academy, she dared to admonish the Crown Prince at night; after entering the Chancellery, she dared to accept petitions to impeach Wang Qi. In the Censorate Prison, she privately tortured court-appointed officials and secretly colluded with the Censorate's attending censors to force Wei Mingxian out of the court. Though her rank was only Deputy Fourth Grade, she enjoyed the imperial bestowal of a carriage and residence. Even someone as slick as Liao Congkuan was willing to be close to her. When the Emperor ascended the throne, he appointed her as the Leading Official for the grand ceremony and, because of her, openly demoted four Important Officials at court. Though she was demoted, which court official in the capital still dared to look down on her?
Even he, who had shared a bond of ruler and subject with the Emperor for over twenty years, had to address her as—Lord Meng.
That spring day when he saw her at Yan Family Tavern, how could he have imagined that this woman would one day achieve such favor and glory? Yet, this overwhelming imperial favor she enjoyed... His brows tightened slightly, and as he thought of that person on the dragon throne a thousand miles away, he found it utterly incomprehensible.
He knew that person's temperament all too well—they would never disregard court principles merely for a woman. And what virtue or ability did Meng Tinghui possess to make that person so exceptionally fond of her? In terms of appearance, there were many female officials in the court more beautiful than her; in terms of scholarship, she was not necessarily the most well-versed in historical classics among the female officials; in terms of political skill, was his sister Shen Zhili not also a master of social finesse? Look as he might, it seemed only her fearless demeanor set her apart, making her more prideful than other women.
The clear tea in the cup had gradually turned cold.
He set down the cup, but unexpectedly, Meng Tinghui spoke from behind: "His Majesty has decreed that Qing Province be elevated to Qingzhou Prefecture, with Lord Shen appointed as the prefect. Additionally, the Pacification Commissioner's Office of Chaoan North Circuit is to be relocated from Chongzhou Prefecture to Qingzhou Prefecture. The appointment for the new Pacification Commissioner has not yet been decided."
Shen Zhishu was astonished, "So suddenly?"
Her gaze was indifferent, still looking as if she were resting. "It's not sudden. Lord Shen himself said it—having grown up with His Majesty, how could you not know His Majesty's temperament? As for how His Majesty is planning matters in the northern border, Lord Shen must understand it far better than I do."His gaze towards her shifted subtly, then he lowered his eyes. "Lord Meng truly lives up to His Majesty's favor." Only then did he realize how deeply she understood that person and how willingly she devoted herself to serving them.
In this regard, no other woman in the court could surpass her.
Meng Tinghui lifted her eyes to glance at him. "Lord Shen has been governing Qing Province for over a year now, not even summoned back to the capital for His Majesty's enthronement ceremony. Do you hold no resentment towards the Emperor?"
Shen Zhishu shook his head. "His Majesty has his own considerations in all matters."
She smiled faintly. "The court officials are well aware of the implications behind His Majesty's relocation of the Chao'an military command to Qingzhou. As for the vacancy of Pacification Commissioner, does Lord Shen have no desire for it?"
He never expected her to speak so bluntly and unrestrainedly, immediately growing cautious. "My qualifications are still shallow—how could I dare aspire to oversee an entire military command? The position of Pacification Commissioner should be filled by Important Officials selected by His Majesty, as this would stabilize the northern army's morale."
Meng Tinghui pressed her lips together, her expression hovering between a smile and something else as she watched him without speaking.
Shen Zhishu grew uneasy under her stare, involuntarily turning his gaze toward the window. Softly, he murmured, "...I've thought that staying in Chao'an permanently might not be unacceptable."
She asked quietly, "Is it because of Yan Fuzhi?"
Shen Zhishu started, looking back at her in surprise. "You..."
The corners of Meng Tinghui's mouth lifted slightly. "The Yan family is immensely wealthy. With the support of their eldest daughter, serving as an official in Chao'an would surely bring Lord Shen considerable convenience."
His face instantly darkened as he stared at her. "In Lord Meng's eyes, am I truly so despicable?"
Yet she only continued watching him, remaining silent for a long while.
When she first met him on that beautiful spring day years ago, his roguish charm paired with those striking eyes had undoubtedly captivated countless young maidens. After entering the capital, she further witnessed firsthand how he was adored by female officials and noble daughters throughout the court. His illustrious family background was unmatched among court officials, and his harmonious relationship with the Emperor was unparalleled in the realm. How could such a man form a sincere attachment with a merchant's daughter without ulterior motives?
It wasn't that she was overly suspicious—she simply couldn't comprehend how he and Yan Fuzhi had developed mutual affection.
Shen Zhishu coldly flicked his sleeve. "Lord Meng has always excelled at cunning maneuvers, but do not apply your methods to me. My matters with Miss Yan are none of your concern!"
She knew he was genuinely angered and didn't take offense at his sarcasm. After a long pause, she spoke softly again, "Lord Shen should know that I have no parents or relatives in this life. The only person I can truly call a friend is Yan Fuzhi."
Shen Zhishu stood rigidly silent, his expression stormy.
The door suddenly swung open as someone summoned them outside, announcing that Huo Dewei had gathered all Military Academy officers of the ninth rank and above in the camp, awaiting Meng Tinghui to proclaim His Majesty's edict of appeasement.
Meng Tinghui immediately composed herself and followed Shen Zhishu out.
Retracing their original path, they returned to the towering wooden post that made her tremble with dread. Gao Hai's head remained mounted high above, clusters of broken arrows dangling precariously. Over a hundred low-ranking military officers gathered in armor, listening as she articulated each word of the Emperor's pardon. They noisily passed around the gilded imperial decree for inspection.
Meng Tinghui observed them with a cold gaze.Utterly lawless. That imperial edict personally inscribed by the Emperor—this mob of rebellious soldiers snatched it without even bothering to kneel in reverence, as if seizing that yellow silk granted them immunity from death. Yet, how many among them truly recognized the bold, vigorous characters inked upon it?
Her official sleeves hung wide, concealing her tightly clenched hands.
Initially, she had been furious—furious that these men could consume the nation’s military provisions while ruthlessly harming officials and civilians. But now, genuine hatred surged within her. How dare they show such contempt for the Emperor’s divine authority? Neither cherishing the people nor remaining loyal to the sovereign—how had these soldiers been indulged into such arrogance?
Huo Dewei waited until the clamor subsided before retrieving the edict, tucking it into his robe, and stepping forward to address her. "I will now order the city gates opened, instruct each squad to surrender their weapons, and return to camp outside the city!"
Meng Tinghui glanced up at Gao Hai’s severed head, its eyes still wide with unresolved grievance, her voice cold as frost. "Do not rush. Before ascending the city walls, I made an agreement with Deputy Envoy Di Nian: if General Huo agrees to open the gates and surrender arms, we must coordinate in advance to facilitate the Imperial Guards’ entry for disarmament and reorganization. Your soldiers are currently scattered and undisciplined—gathering them to surrender their weapons will take considerable time. Why not first release Lord Shen from the city? I will remain here with you, General Huo."
Before Huo Dewei could respond, Shen Zhishu erupted, "Absolutely not!"
Huo Dewei frowned in thought, then said, "As long as you stay, releasing him is acceptable—it will show those outside our sincere submission to the court! But if we are to coordinate the gate opening with the Imperial Guards outside, set the time for half an hour from now! Any later, and I fear you might attempt some trickery."
Meng Tinghui lowered her gaze. "Then let it be half an hour. I request that General Huo order the guards on the walls to inform the Imperial Guards waiting outside."
Huo Dewei snorted coldly twice before turning to arrange matters.
Shen Zhishu grabbed her official sleeve, whispering urgently, "What exactly are you planning?"
Meng Tinghui pushed his hand away. Seeing the junior officer approaching to escort him out, she nudged him from behind, hiding her face as she murmured, "Go tell Colonel Di: the rebels are willing to surrender, but guard against sudden changes. General Song’s troops must be summoned immediately."
Shen Zhishu’s expression shifted sharply. He turned to speak, but the junior officer cut him off, forcing him to follow toward the city walls.
Watching him depart, Meng Tinghui finally relaxed her brow and sighed. She then surveyed the chaotic, unruly clamor of the nearby rebels before finding a spot to sit and wait.
Half an hour was not short. Even if Shen Zhishu exited the city and Di Nian dispatched a swift rider to report to Song Zhirui’s troops, covering fifteen li there and back, the army could not arrive so quickly.
Yet this was for the best. If Song Zhirui’s forces arrived too early, their ten thousand troops would be exposed. Would the rebels in the city still comply and open the gates to surrender their weapons?
She would exhaust her stratagems and leave the rest to fate.
Her thoughts drifted back to that night in the Hall of Profound Thought.
His upturned lips were so captivating, his brows sharp, eyes bright as he gazed at her, promising to take her to Western Mountain to admire the snow.
Recalling this, she unconsciously closed her eyes slightly.
He had instructed her to have Di Nian execute this camp of rebels after their surrender, unafraid of court officials’ or the people’s censure. Yet she alone could not bear to see his benevolent and sage reputation tarnished even slightly.
She had to do better.
Only then would it suffice.
The sun shifted westward, an autumn wind arose, and the city gradually grew colder.Meng Tinghui sat motionless in a corner of the street, head slightly lowered and eyes lightly closed, so still she seemed to have fallen asleep leaning against the wall.
The wind stirred her hair, billowed the wide sleeves hanging loosely at her sides, swept past the hem of her official skirt already soiled with dust, and rushed straight toward the crimson clouds in the distant sky, scattering the fluffy clouds.
Suddenly, a sharp whistling arrow sound cut through the air.
Her eyes snapped open.
It had been half an hour since Shen Zhishu left the city, and the rebel troops within the walls had gradually gathered at the northern gate tower. This arrow signal must be Huo Dewei ordering the gates opened and weapons surrendered.
A soldier came jogging over, calling out loudly: "Lady Meng!" Seeing her look up, he shouted again: "General Huo requests Lady Meng's presence at the northern gate to jointly supervise the surrender of weapons and opening of the gates!"
Finally, it had come.
Meng Tinghui rose and gazed toward the inner city, spotting residents cautiously cracking their doors open to peer outside upon hearing the commotion. Her expression softened slightly as she turned to follow the soldier toward the northern gate.
Before drawing near, she saw the gates already secured with heavy chains, while guards atop the wall scrambled down in disarray. The scene was a chaotic tapestry of Iron Armor and Spear Shadows, with Broken Feather Arrowheads littering the ground.
Having slaughtered officers, seized the city, and terrorized civilians for over a month, these soldiers—despite their arrogant swagger—couldn't escape gnawing fears for their lives. Today, with the imperial Pardon Edict finally in hand, most cast aside their anxieties, eagerly rushing to discard weapons and surrender.
Scanning the crowd, her eyes eventually caught the swaying Red Tassel on Huo Dewei's helmet. Weaving through the throng, she approached and called, "General Huo."
Noting her arrival, Huo Dewei stepped aside, directing several men to fully open the city gates.
Streaks of fiery clouds blazed across the horizon as grey dust shivered from the high walls. With thunderous groans, the massive double doors of the inner gate—their stamped lacquer peeling—were hauled open by a dozen soldiers.
Meng Tinghui's chest tightened as she looked out: the Barbican beyond stood packed with rows of Iron-Clad Soldiers, and at the center of the front line gleamed Di Nian's distinctive Silver Bright Armor.
Only then did her tension ease.
Turning to Huo Dewei, she said, "General Huo has proven true to his word. I shall report your merit in restraining the rebels to His Majesty."
Huo Dewei murmured low, "Escaping imperial punishment is fortune enough—how dare I claim merit?"
A subtle flicker passed through Meng Tinghui's eyes, her lips pressing thin as she fell silent. Her crimson official robes stood in stark contrast to the disorderly sea of Iron Armor and sharp spears.
Mounted with spear in hand, Di Nian spotted her behind the crowd and finally released a held breath. He ordered the Imperial Guards to enter through the gate, collecting surrendered weapons—spears, arrows, bows, and swords—to be stored in the city Armory. Dozens of Military Academy officers were dispatched to verify the Military Registry with rebel Squad Leaders. He remained mounted outside the Barbican with his troops, watching rebels discard arms and remove armor for registration.
Meng Tinghui stayed beside Huo Dewei at the rear. Her eyes swept over the Imperial Guards as she mentally tallied their numbers—hundreds more than when she'd entered the city earlier. She deduced Di Nian had recalled the troops previously dispersed five li apart, which meant Song Zhirui's main force must be nearing the city. The thought brought another wave of relief.
Everything appeared to proceed with methodical order.
By the time most rebels had surrendered their armor, dusk had fallen. A hazy crescent moon cast pale light along the high walls, while lanterns glowed in civilian homes throughout the city.
Observing the remaining soldiers who hadn't yet removed their armor, Meng Tinghui turned to Huo Dewei. "Night has fallen. To prevent unrest, we should close the inner gate and have the Garrison Soldiers join the Imperial Guards outside the Barbican to continue weapon collection and registration."
Huo Dewei frowned, glancing at the mere few hundred Imperial Guards outside. After a hesitant pause, he replied, "As Advisor Meng suggests." He immediately ordered all unregistered soldiers still in armor driven outside the Barbican, while disarmed officers were sent into the Barbican to monitor the process.
Only when everyone had exited the inner city did Meng Tinghui walk out with Huo Dewei. They passed through two layers of towering gate tunnels, bypassing soldiers in the Barbican, and halted only upon reaching the outer city gate.The inner city's double gates were heavily shut from within by the Imperial Guards responsible for the Armory. Seeing her emerge, Di Nian couldn't help but smile, about to urge his horse forward when he noticed riders galloping from the west, seemingly bearing reports.
Meng Tinghui also noticed them but remained silent, only casting a discreet glance westward. In the vast darkness, faint banners could be seen fluttering against the wind, a mass of shadowy troops advancing slowly and silently toward them.
Beside her, Huo Dewei was still berating the slower-moving soldiers, while the chaotic rebel officers remained oblivious to the western anomaly, jostling and laughing among themselves.
She watched Di Nian turn his horse to meet the messenger. From afar, details were unclear, but in the dim twilight, she saw Di Nian gesture several times, prompting the rider to rein in and gallop back to the western formation.
...It must undoubtedly be Song Zhirui's troops.
After dismissing the messenger, Di Nian swiftly wheeled his horse back toward the city gate, weaving through several Imperial Guards straight toward her as if needing to speak.
Meng Tinghui had been standing at the outer gate entrance. Catching Di Nian's approach in her periphery, she sidestepped toward a cluster of bantering soldiers.
Unaware of her presence behind them, one soldier turned abruptly and collided with her. The impact was slight, yet she winced as if in pain, stumbling backward.
"Minister Meng!" The soldier who bumped into her froze on the spot, while others panicked and cried out.
Hearing the commotion, Huo Dewei turned and saw Meng Tinghui fallen. Striding over, he helped her up, harshly scolding the soldiers before asking concernedly, "Are you unharmed, Minister Meng?"
Her face contorted in pain, she remained bent over, unable to stand straight. Huo Dewei dared not hold her, so he gripped her arm and pulled her outward, attempting to move her to a quieter spot beyond the gate.
But she mumbled incoherently, collapsing fully to the ground under his tug.
Spotting this from afar, Di Nian's brow furrowed sharply. "Minister Meng!" he shouted, whipping his horse into a leap toward the city wall.
Meng Tinghui looked up to see his silver armor and long spear. Shrinking back, she urgently pleaded, "Colonel Di, save me!"
Huo Dewei's hand still hung stiffly mid-air, bewildered.
Di Nian's mission to lead the Imperial Guards far from the capital and pacify the rebels was weighty enough, but ensuring Meng Tinghui's safety had heightened his vigilance exponentially. With rebel weapons in the Barbican not fully confiscated and Song Zhirui's ten-thousand-strong force approaching from the west, his nerves were stretched taut—every rustle drew his scrutiny.
Now seeing her collapsed among the chaotic troops, being dragged roughly while crying for help, Di Nian's entire body tensed. Without a second thought, he charged forward on horseback, sweeping his spear sideways—
The spear's cold edge struck Huo Dewei's chest armor with full force, slamming him to the ground.
The screech of shattered metal links pierced the air as the tip penetrated.
Huo Dewei gasped deeply, his large hand clamping around the spearhead. "Colonel Di!" he roared.
Gritting his teeth, Di Nian twisted his wrist, pressing the shaft against Huo Dewei's shoulder and aiming the blade at his throat. Turning urgently to Meng Tinghui, he barked, "Minister Meng, get out now!"Within the barbican, both the Imperial Guards and the rebel soldiers stood stunned, completely unaware of what had transpired ahead. Before they could react, they saw Meng Tinghui clutching her chest, staggering out of the outer gate tunnel.
The Imperial Guards who had remained outside the city, waiting for a long time, immediately surged forward upon seeing this, encircling her protectively as they awaited Di Nian’s orders.
Meng Tinghui’s face was deathly pale, her temples trembling with pain. Peering between the two men in front of her, she furiously rebuked Huo Dewei: "I have disregarded honor and disgrace, carrying the Emperor’s Edict across a thousand miles to demonstrate His Majesty’s boundless grace and virtue. Yet you, showing no regard for the Emperor’s benevolent heart, have dared to inflict such harm upon me! What are your true intentions? And where does this leave His Majesty?!"
Huo Dewei remained dazed for a long moment before his expression shifted, a dawning realization making him anxious. He shouted urgently, "You...!"
She then looked up at Di Nian and declared sharply, "Huo Dewei, seeing our Imperial Guards are few in number, feigned surrender and allegiance to the court, but in truth harbors treasonous intentions! Such treacherous rebels must be executed first and reported later!"
Some of the soldiers in the barbican began to grasp the situation, and chaos instantly erupted. The Imperial Guards responsible for confiscating armor and weapons swiftly retreated from the gate tunnel, gathering around Di Nian.
Huo Dewei, his hand gripping the spearhead now bleeding from a split tiger’s mouth, roared at Di Nian, "We genuinely laid down our arms and surrendered to the court! Colonel Di, do not listen to her nonsense!"
Meng Tinghui sneered coldly, "The head of Willow Banner’s magistrate, Gao Hai, still hangs high on a pole—are those clusters of sharp arrows fake? Who’s to say that you won’t behead and impale Colonel Di and me next? Among the numerous military strongholds in the northern border, the Chao’an route alone holds eight! If Willow Banner Camp’s rebellion today goes unpunished, the other strongholds will surely follow suit!" She turned and shouted again to Di Nian, "Since the rebels dared to harm me today, they will surely turn their swords against the Emperor tomorrow! Colonel Di, you must not show any mercy!"
Veins bulged on Di Nian’s forehead as he hesitated, but then he heard the rebel soldiers in the barbican shouting curses. Those who had already discarded their weapons and armor rushed to reclaim the spears and swords that had been collected, while those still armed gathered their weapons, yelling that since things had come to this, they might as well fight the Imperial Guards to the death—at least they could save their lives!
Huo Dewei gasped heavily, urgently turning to shout, "Do not act recklessly! Do not raise arms against the Emperor’s Imperial Guards! You must not—"
But the enraged rebels paid no heed. The clashing of spears and armor was deafening as they prepared to surge out of the barbican.
Di Nian’s eyes suddenly reddened, his face dark and terrifying. He said in a low, grim voice, "So they truly intend to rebel!" He glared furiously at Huo Dewei on the ground. "You thought the few hundred Imperial Guards sent by the Emperor could do nothing to you? You were gravely mistaken!"
Huo Dewei had no time to speak, his eyes fixed viciously on Meng Tinghui, who was shielded by the Imperial Guards, his gaze so fierce it seemed he wanted to devour her flesh and blood.
She lowered her eyes lightly, her hand over her chest twitching as she frowned and let out another pained sound. Immediately, two men stepped forward, helped her onto a horse, and swiftly escorted her far outside the city.
Only after seeing her depart did Di Nian glare at the rebels in the barbican, now armed and ready to charge out. He bellowed to the Imperial Guards on both sides of the outer wall, "Close the gates!"
With a sudden, forceful twist of his wrist, his long spear swept across Huo Dewei’s throat, blood spraying everywhere.The Imperial Guards swiftly moved to secure the outer city gates, but the rebel troops surged outward in chaos. In the commotion, someone accidentally knocked over a lantern, its flames igniting the stacked spears left on the ground. The Barbican was instantly engulfed in fire. Unable to withstand the blaze, the Imperial Guards outside abandoned the gates and retreated, while many rebels burst through, clashing with the guards in a fierce melee.
The ground trembled faintly underfoot, and the thunderous sound of galloping warhorses grew from behind—swift and relentless, like roaring river waves crashing endlessly.
Di Nian swung his sword, cutting down one man, then wiped the scalding blood from his face with his sleeve. He glanced back quickly: under the night sky and firelight, armor gleamed brilliantly amid the horses and soldiers. A massive "Song" character on the Command Flag, stained with blood, seared into his eyes.
·
So far from the outer city, the thick scent of blood seemed to linger in the air.
Meng Tinghui had long dismounted. She stood outside the makeshift tent Cao Zixiong and others had set up two miles from the city, half-bent over, retching dryly.
Having consumed neither food nor water all day, her heart churned with nausea, acid rising in her stomach, yet nothing came up.
Her hands braced on her knees, she bowed her head. Her disheveled hair cascaded over her face, obscuring the sky, the earth, and her own vision.
Her shoulders trembled.
Though she knew it was impossible to hear, the heart-rending screams of slaughter seemed to echo in her ears—unceasing, piercing her eardrums.
With the inner city gates sealed, how could the rebels trapped in the Barbican hope to escape? Outside, the Emperor’s Imperial Guards led by Di Nian were all elite, fierce warriors, supplemented by the ten thousand troops Song Zhirui had brought from the Qing Province military camp. Annihilating these rebels would be effortless.
The starless night was pitch black, as if soaked in ink.
A cold wind swept over her shoulders, seeping into the collar of her official robes, chilling her to the bone.
They deserved to die.
She thought of Gao Hai’s unseeing eyes, the rebels’ defiance of imperial authority, and the dozens of Military Strongholds along the northern border…
How could they not be killed!
Yet she didn’t understand why her heart ached so deeply.
She had believed that doing everything she could for him would bring her joy and satisfaction.
But now, she felt neither joy nor fulfillment.
What else could she do?
Even if she followed his orders to execute all rebels outright, would it be any better? Lives were still lives.
Thousands of lives.
In her first involvement in military affairs, she had overseen the disappearance of thousands of lives.
Eyes shut, she dug her nails deep into her palms.
If he saw her like this, would he laugh at her incompetence, her cowardice, her inability to achieve great deeds?
His mother, the Empress, had once donned soft armor and galloped across battlefields shrouded in war smoke, taking far more than thousands of lives.
But she wondered: had that legendary, exalted, peerlessly elegant woman ever felt fear, dread, or regret for the blood on her hands?
…
Suddenly, heavy footsteps sounded behind her.
Meng Tinghui jerked upright and turned to meet a pair of striking eyes, dark and somber in the night, faintly reflecting distant flames.
Shen Zhishu halted, studying her for a long moment before speaking. "Go rest for a while. At dawn, I’ll escort you back to Qing Province."She raised her hand to smooth her hair, her expression calm, but her voice trembled slightly as she spoke, "If I return to Qing Province, how will matters in this city be concluded?"
His expression shifted slightly, and after a long pause, he replied, "You came to proclaim the imperial decree. The remaining matters are none of your concern. Cao Zixiong will stay behind and handle the city affairs properly."
Meng Tinghui nodded and stepped toward the tent. Just before entering, she turned back and looked at him, asking, "Will Lord Shen draft a memorial to the Emperor tonight?"
Shen Zhishu looked at her and slowly nodded.
She lowered her eyes. "How does Lord Shen intend to write about today's events?"
He raised his brows slightly, his expression growing solemn. After a long silence, he said, "I did not witness the events at the city gates firsthand, so I dare not report recklessly. It depends on how you, Lord Meng, intend to draft your memorial."
Meng Tinghui gave a faint smile and softly said, "Thank you." Without waiting for further words from him, she turned and entered the tent.
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