Qiao Chu

After court was dismissed, the Emperor would have his morning meal and then attend lessons.

Today, it was once again the Ministry of Rites official who would be teaching. Seeing the Little Emperor and the Empress approaching, he bowed respectfully.

"Go on, pay attention to the lesson," Chu Zhao said with a smile, then turned to the Ministry of Rites official. "We trouble you, sir."

The Ministry of Rites official invited the Emperor to enter the study first, then followed him in. Before stepping inside, he glanced at the Empress heading in the opposite direction—toward her own study. While the Emperor was in class, the Empress would read, write, and review memorials there.

Although these memorials had already been processed by the Grand Tutor, the Empress would still go through every single one of them before reviewing them again with the Emperor.

The Empress had initially governed from behind a screen, but now she had suddenly begun speaking openly in court. For the past two days, she hadn’t even used the screen. What would happen next?

The Ministry of Rites official couldn’t help but drift into thought, feeling that something was about to change—

Lost in his thoughts, he suddenly noticed three tall, sturdy guards approaching. Their attire was identical to that of the imperial guards in the inner palace.

The reason for emphasizing their similarity to the inner palace guards was that the inner palace guards differed from the Imperial City guards.

The inner palace guards were the Dragon Guard Army left by the late Emperor.

They were not part of the regular military system and were under the Empress’s command, responsible for guarding the inner palace. To distinguish them, a year ago, during a ceremony honoring the late Emperor, the Empress granted them uniforms with pythons embroidered on both sides of their collars. Privately, people jokingly referred to them as the Dragon Cloak Guard.

At that moment, one of the Dragon Cloak Guards was holding a box. What could be inside? The Ministry of Rites official couldn’t help but take a few extra glances. The three Dragon Cloak Guards immediately noticed, their eyes sharp as blades as they turned to look at him.

The Ministry of Rites official quickly averted his gaze and stepped into the Emperor’s study.

……

……

Chu Zhao took a booklet from the box and flipped through it.

"This is the list of attendees at last night’s banquet at the Grand Tutor’s residence," Ding Dachui said. "There were twenty-five people in total."

As he spoke, he took another booklet from the box.

"And this is the list of their attendants, including personal servants, guards, and coachmen—seventy-two people in all."

Chu Zhao took it and nodded, then noticed several more booklets in the box. "What else is there?"

Ding Dachui replied, "There are also records of the household members of the Grand Tutor and these twenty-five individuals." He paused, looking slightly ashamed. "Due to the limited time, the details are not very thorough."

Chu Zhao took out the remaining booklets and skimmed through them. At a glance, she saw entries like "four horses, five carriages," and even the number of trees in the courtyard was recorded. She couldn’t help but laugh. "You call this 'not very thorough'? This is incredibly detailed."

She looked at Ding Dachui with surprise.

"Dachui, I underestimated you. Not only are you skilled in battle, but you’re also remarkably capable in other tasks."

Ding Dachui’s face flushed red, like the crimson pythons embroidered on his collar were writhing.

"Actually, it’s nothing special. Back when I was a mou—hunter, whenever I went down the mountain to sell—hunted game, I made a habit of observing households—" he stammered in explanation.

Chu Zhao understood. When he was a mountain bandit, he would occasionally go down the mountain to raid. Before taking action, he would scout the targets—how many people were in the household, where the doors and windows were, the location of the storerooms, carriages, and horses—everything had to be investigated.

She smiled, stopping Ding Dachui from further explanation, and nodded. "I understand. I initially thought you wouldn’t be able to handle such tasks—I underestimated you."

Ding Dachui breathed a sigh of relief but shook his head. "This humble one doesn’t deserve such praise. It’s the people under me who are capable. Our former brothers taught us a great deal."The Dragon Guard Army was split into two parts. The old Dragon Guard Army, led by Lao Bai, was responsible for guarding the palace, while those like Ding Dachui, who had been brought back from the Border Army, were assigned to the outer perimeter along with a small portion of the Dragon Guard Army. Their duties were to remain on standby and follow orders, tasked with maintaining communication with the Dragon Guard Army units stationed along the routes and in Border Army garrisons.

This was the first time they had received such a command. The Empress had ordered them to monitor the Grand Tutor and the movements of all officials. Fortunately, the previous Dragon Guard Army had spent ten years lying low in the capital, spreading across various sectors with diverse identities, extensive methods, and wide networks. They managed to carry out the task smoothly.

"Most of the conversations overheard at the Grand Tutor's banquet have been recorded," Ding Dachui continued. "But some confidential discussions—we haven't had the chance to get close enough yet."

Chu Zhao said, "No need to rush. We've only just started this work. Take it slowly."

Ding Dachui hurriedly bowed. "This humble one understands."

Chu Zhao said, "Also, from now on, do not refer to yourself as 'this humble one.' Ding Dachui, you are a Captain leading seven hundred men, and what's more, you are a Captain of the Dragon Guard Army left by the late Emperor."

Ding Dachui straightened his posture. "This general understands."

Chu Zhao looked at him. "So, you are carrying out surveillance under my orders. Acting covertly is to avoid alarming everyone and prevent unnecessary trouble. If you are discovered, you need not retreat or evade."

Ding Dachui acknowledged the order once more.

Only then did Chu Zhao nod. "You may go."

Ding Dachui exited the rear palace, passed through the front hall, and arrived at the palace gate. The guards at the gate greeted him as they saw him. Over the past year, Ding Dachui, once an unfamiliar face, had become known to everyone. Even if they didn't recognize him personally, they recognized his uniform.

Ding Dachui walked ahead, followed closely by two others. One was a former bandit brother who had come out with him, and the other was from the old Dragon Guard Army, surnamed Yin, who served as a Canshi in the Dragon Guard Army, assisting Ding Dachui.

"Did the Captain understand what Her Majesty just said?" Yin Canshi asked quietly.

Ding Dachui nodded. "Her Majesty wants us to act freely." He then sighed softly. "I'm just afraid I'll fail to live up to Her Majesty's heavy responsibilities. My background is poor, and I know nothing—"

Yin Canshi said, "Captain, you're overthinking it. Besides you, no one else could handle this task well."

Ding Dachui turned his head. "I know Brother Yin never laughs at our origins, but there's no need to flatter me either."

Yin Canshi smiled. "The Captain's background was forged alongside Her Majesty through battle—who would dare mock it?" He added, "And when I say this task suits the Captain's identity, it's not flattery. What Her Majesty wants us to do is essentially what the Captain has always been doing."

Ding Dachui and the other brother both looked at him.

"Guarding the mountain, spying, and plundering," Yin Canshi gestured with his hand. "We just need to treat the capital as a mountain. Everything and everyone here must be under our control. When Her Majesty gives the order, we strike and seize that person, bundling up and confiscating all they have."

He finished with a laugh.

"See? Isn't it simple?"

The brother beside him thought it over and realized it made perfect sense. Back then, their leader had taken them all over the mountain—they knew exactly when the plants, fruits, pheasants, rabbits, and wild boars were ready to eat, when they could be left to grow, which fruits were sweet, and which could be used as bait to catch prey. Nothing escaped their notice. Whenever there was a need, they could retrieve anything at will. Now, these officials were like the prey on the mountain. Watch them, learn their habits, and wait for Her Majesty's command—He couldn't help but chuckle. "So, after all this, we've come to the capital to be bandits."Advisor Yin laughed heartily. "I suppose you could say we're bandits by imperial decree."

Ding Dachui gave a light cough. "Nonsense."

Although Ding Dachui had bandit origins, when it came to killing, Advisor Yin—who had served over a decade in the Dragon Guard Army—might not match him. A mountain bandit turned soldier, further hardened by fighting alongside the Empress against Western Liang’s siege of Prince Zhongshan, Ding’s stern expression alone carried a chilling solemnity.

Advisor Yin promptly stifled his laughter and acknowledged the rebuke.

Yet Ding Dachui allowed a slight smile. "Rather, we are hunters by imperial decree."

Advisor Yin immediately laughed along. "You speak rightly, Captain."

Ding Dachui added, "Moreover, we act on the late Emperor’s decree."

The current Emperor was still young and had not assumed personal rule, so any recent "imperial decrees" were issued by the Regent Grand Tutor. By invoking the late Emperor, Ding Dachui made it clear their mission had nothing to do with the Grand Tutor. Advisor Yin thought to himself: The mountains may be rustic, but bandits have always been clever—not to be underestimated.

"Understood," he replied gravely.

They passed through the palace gates, where a dozen or so imperial guards stood loosely gathered outside. Seeing Ding Dachui and his two companions emerge, they quickly ceased their banter and stepped forward. "Captain."

Ding Dachui swept a glance over them. The python patterns on their military robes shimmered under the sunlight. Unlike the stern bearing of the palace guards, these men did not appear frivolous—instead, they exuded an added sharpness that made one hesitant to meet their gaze.

"To horse," he commanded.

At his order, the dozen men mounted. Without another word, Ding Dachui spurred his horse sharply. The steed neighed and broke into a gallop.

The guards outside the palace gates were startled. Few were permitted to ride horses near the palace gates, let alone at such speed. Aside from urgent military dispatches, only Imperial Uncle Xie Yanlai had done so a few times.

This Ding Dachui was no imperial uncle—what madness had seized him?

The Dragon Guard soldiers following him gave it no thought. If their leader was reckless, they would be reckless too. In moments, the thunder of neighing horses erupted before the palace gates, sweeping from the entrance down the imperial avenue and roaring into the distance.

The bustling street was swept up as if by a gale. Pedestrians scrambled out of the way. Recognizing the military robes, most held their tongues, but a few could not restrain themselves—though the war with Western Liang was not yet over, its urgency had faded from daily life over the past year.

With the war no longer pressing, should soldiers really be allowed to charge through the streets so recklessly?

"What are these soldiers dashing about for?" someone grumbled angrily. "Even the Border Army warriors who came to the capital for an audience weren’t this arrogant."

"Probably because they’re not ordinary soldiers," another remarked with a laugh from beside the wall.

What did that mean? Curious idlers nearby pressed for an explanation.

"Look closely—the python patterns on their robes," the man said. "That’s no ordinary insignia. The python pattern is granted by the Emperor himself."

Liang Qiang, standing nearby, waved a hand to dispel the stirred-up dust.

"I know who they are—the Dragon Guard Army," his clansman brother said, rising on tiptoe to watch the soldiers vanish into the distance. "They usually guard the inner palace. Rarely seen outside—I had no idea they were so imposing when they emerge."

Liang Qiang glanced silently before turning away. "Don’t meddle in others' affairs. Are our belongings packed?"

His brother’s excitement faded into complaint. "Why must we leave so soon? Let’s stay in the capital a few more days. Unlike Xie Yanlai and his lot, we’re here privately—it’s not as if our schedule is that tight."

Liang Qiang replied, "What’s the point of staying? Our business here is done."Only when matters are settled can one truly enjoy the glory. Invitations were pouring in like snowflakes, burying him with requests. Former friends and relatives all reappeared, offering not just banquets but gifts as well. The Liang family's original residence had been confiscated, but someone had gifted them a new mansion.

In the capital. Brand new. A mansion.

How much must that have cost!

The Liang family had truly risen again!

"That wasn't given to me," Liang Qiang said. "It's out of respect for the Grand Tutor."

With that, he strode forward.

His cousin made a sound of acknowledgment, not seeing much difference, and hurried to catch up, pulling several invitations from his sleeve. "Others we might decline, but you should attend these few banquets, A'Qiang. They're all former close friends, and most importantly, their families are prominent. Regardless, they've shown sincere courtesy—we can't simply ignore them. Otherwise, people will say only the Grand Tutor can summon you."

Liang Qiang glanced at the invitations. "At the Lotus Pond Pavilion—my favorite place back in the day." A trace of melancholy flickered in his eyes. "They've put thought into this."

He nodded.

"Then I'll go."