The city under daylight was engulfed in smoke and flames, with panicked crowds fleeing in all directions, stumbling and staggering as various items lay scattered on the ground.
However, the clothing, appearance, and faces of the common people were not those of the familiar Great Xia citizens.
A galloping horse cut through the chaos, its rider suddenly leaning down to scoop up an object from the ground—a slender bottle.
"Western Liang is truly peculiar. Why use such an ugly bottle?" he examined it, puzzled.
Another rider swiftly approached from the side, snatching it away. "Who cares if it's ugly? The gemstones on it are valuable. If you don’t want it, it’s mine now."
The first man angrily gave chase. "The boss said whoever grabs it first gets to keep it."
"Well, now I’ve grabbed it from you," the one ahead sneered strangely.
The two raced through the streets in pursuit, but they did not storm into shops or houses to plunder, nor did they pay any attention to the terrified civilians fleeing in panic. Instead, they sped swiftly toward the city gates.
Outside the gates stood a dense crowd of people and horses, all dressed in ordinary, even somewhat tattered robes. At this moment, every person and horse was laden with gold, silver, and jewels.
"What’s that thing you’ve got? Looks worthless."
"What do you know? This is spice—more valuable than gold and jewels. I scooped it out of an incense burner."
"You’re such an embarrassment. Didn’t any of you raid the palace treasury?"
"We weren’t as lucky as you. The boss assigned you the prime eastern sector, while we got the western side—the women’s quarters. We nearly choked on the perfume when we went in—"
"Serves you right for failing the training last time. The boss said you’re not fit to be bandits, only fit to be Prince Zhongshan’s useless soldiers."
"Who are you insulting? You’re no better!"
"I’m different. I’ve been different for a long time. I passed the first round of training—I’ve been the boss’s man from the start."
As the two joined the crowd, they blended into the clamor of laughter, arguments, and noise. Suddenly, a piercing bird cry cut through the air from above. At the sound, everyone—whether laughing, quarreling, or even fighting—instantly fell silent. The next moment, they mounted their horses and galloped toward the direction of the bird’s call.
From a distant hill outside the royal city, the surging crowd of riders was clearly visible. Their jewels glittered in the sunlight like scattered stars. Mu Mianhong, her face veiled, watched with eyes curved in a faint smile.
"It seems everyone has struck it rich this time," she said.
"Following the boss brings wealth and a good life," the men beside her laughed.
And the fact that they had plundered Western Liang made it all the more glorious—a tale to boast of for a lifetime.
"Boss," one man spoke up, gazing at the smoke rising from the royal city, "since we’ve already killed the First Prince, why don’t we just occupy the city?"
Mu Mianhong gently adjusted her veil. "Occupy what city? We’re bandits and mountain thieves, not an army."
The men exchanged glances. If they were truly just bandits and thieves, how could they have ventured so far and risked such a dangerous raid on Western Liang’s royal city?
Was it really just for loot?
When the great battle had first erupted, they had asked if they should go to assist, but Mu Mianhong had firmly refused.
"That’s Zhong Changrong’s affair. It has nothing to do with me," she said.
But in the next breath, she ordered them to keep an eye on Xie Yanlai.
And then they discovered that Xie Yanlai had launched a surprise attack on the royal tent.
Without a moment’s delay, Mu Mianhong mobilized her forces—not to support Xie Yanlai, but to charge deep into Western Liang territory—They traveled day and night, moving covertly in scattered groups before converging at the royal city. Some infiltrated while others laid siege, coordinating from within and without to strike directly at the palace. Their leader even whipped the First Prince to death when he charged out to confront them.
Then they escorted an official seized from the Western Liang palace to see Xie Yanlai.
All of this was not for plunder, but to support Xie Yanlai.
"Boss," one man couldn't help saying, "Zhong Changrong has nothing to do with you, so isn't Xie Yanlai even less connected?"
Mu Mianhong's eyes sparkled as she smiled. "This," she said, "you wouldn't understand."
With that, she spurred her horse and galloped away.
Why wouldn't they understand? The men exchanged glances, baffled. Boss, if you explained it, then we'd understand!
They whooped and hollered as they urged their horses to chase after her.
Behind them, streams of riders converged like tributaries flowing into a great river, thundering and roaring.
......
......
Meanwhile, in Zhongshan Commandery city, far from Yunzhong Commandery and the capital, the entire city was also filled with jubilation.
But here, the celebration wasn't for the Border Army's victory bulletin.
Prince Zhongshan had intercepted the courier messages - the flying victory bulletins from the Border Army couldn't reach this place. Of course, when the Border Army suffered defeats, such as the fall of Stone Slope City, even if the court didn't announce it, Prince Zhongshan would ensure the news spread throughout his territory, making the people lament the Great Xia's misfortunes and resent the incompetence of the emperor and his officials.
However, today the city wasn't gathering to hear unfortunate news - this was Prince Zhongshan's actual birthday. Compared to the continuous stream of gifts during the previous period, today brought a continuous flow of people to the commandery city.
Officials and generals from within Zhongshan Commandery, prominent families and great clans, famous scholars and reclusive gentlemen, and even many people from beyond Zhongshan Commandery had come.
Among those celebrating Prince Zhongshan's birthday, some came to demonstrate their friendship with the prince, while others were inclined toward friendship but still hesitant. They hadn't expected such a grand spectacle upon entering the commandery city - Prince Zhongshan's palace attendants were loudly announcing name cards at the city gates.
This made it impossible to maintain any pretense of secrecy.
With drums and music filling the commandery city, commoners crowded the streets. Even carriage curtains couldn't block the outside view. An old man sitting in one carriage looked somewhat uneasy.
"This is rather rash," he murmured. "Perhaps we should have just sent gifts."
Beside him sat his son, still vigorous in middle age. "Father, you're overthinking it. What's there to hide? The court itself has enfeoffed Prince Zhongshan as the King Who Pacifies the Country. If they dare grant him the title, how can we dare not show respect?"
If even the court didn't dare break openly with Prince Zhongshan, why should they curry favor with the court?
"Besides," the son added, "even Deng Yi accepts Prince Zhongshan's gifts."
Was receiving gifts the same as giving them? The old man wanted to mutter this, but it was too late to turn back now.
"The court is in complete disarray - a child emperor, a general's daughter as Empress, a petty official as Grand Tutor," the middle-aged man grew more impassioned as he spoke. "The Border Army fights back and forth for over a year, only to lose Stone Slope City. The late emperor shouldn't have been so foolish back then. If his son died, he still had brothers. Even if physically impaired, surely that's better than a mere child. Prince Zhongshan is the one who should rightfully be emperor."
The old man moved his lips and said quietly, "Don't speak like that. It's ultimately improper according to ritual—"
After all, the late emperor had already made his grandson emperor - it was settled matter. Unless that Little Emperor abdicated, Prince Zhongshan could only become emperor through rebellion.
No matter how fitting it might seem, he would still be a treacherous minister and usurper.Although they showed goodwill toward Prince Zhongshan, they preferred to leave the dangerous tasks of charging into battle and rallying cries to others.
The middle-aged man felt somewhat dissatisfied but reconsidered—after all, they were not part of Prince Zhongshan’s inner circle, so it was indeed better not to take the lead for now. He said nothing more. Just then, the carriage came to a halt at the Zhongshan Prince’s Mansion. The father and son alighted and followed the bustling crowd into the mansion.
However, when they reached the main hall, Prince Zhongshan was not present. Only his sons were receiving the guests.
“It seems there’s a victory bulletin,” someone whispered, spreading the rumor.
A victory bulletin from the court? For the prince, that would hardly be good news. Everyone in the hall understood this clearly.
...
...
“Xie Yanlai.”
Prince Zhongshan read the name on the dispatch, as if committing it to memory, then tossed the letter onto the table.
“Aside from Xie Yanfang, the Xie family has another formidable figure.”
An official beside him looked annoyed. “The Xie family truly knows how to conceal their strengths. Who knows how many more underhanded tricks they have up their sleeves?”
Though Prince Zhongshan felt some regret, he was not particularly angered. “If their true capabilities were common knowledge, they wouldn’t be considered formidable.”
“With the King of Xiliang captured, the court’s crisis is temporarily resolved,” another person sighed. “What a pity.”
Prince Zhongshan smiled faintly. “It may ease the immediate danger, but the future remains uncertain.” He then asked, “Any new news from the capital?”
“Nothing yet,” an official replied, then added with a slight smile, “But we can guess—the news of the defeat will surely cause an uproar in the court. At the very least, the Grand Tutor and the Empress will make a scene.”
Prince Zhongshan glanced at the dispatch on the table and chuckled. “With this victory bulletin, the Empress will have the upper hand.”
The officials sneered coldly. “Both of them are petty individuals who have gained power, causing chaos and disrupting the peace of our Great Xia.” They then bowed in unison to Prince Zhongshan, their voices choked with emotion. “Your Highness, we implore you to restore order swiftly. Otherwise, Great Xia will surely fall into disarray.”
Prince Zhongshan laughed heartily. “Today is a day of celebration. Let’s not dwell on such matters.” With that, he stood and walked outward. “We mustn’t keep our guests waiting.The officials acknowledged his words and surrounded him as he made his way out.
“Keep an eye on the capital,” Prince Zhongshan quietly instructed those beside him.
He had a premonition—trouble was brewing in the capital.
Perhaps it would present a favorable opportunity.
His attendants acknowledged the order.
A short while later, they arrived at the main hall. The guests, who had been chatting and laughing, immediately erupted into cries of “We greet Your Highness!”
The main hall of the Zhongshan Prince’s Mansion was vast, now filled to capacity with guests. Even the steps outside were crowded with people, all bowing and shouting in unison, creating a roar like crashing waves.
Prince Zhongshan momentarily lost himself in thought, imagining what it would feel like to ascend the throne and hold court—it would surely be like this.
His gaze swept over the crowd, lingering briefly in the distance before he smiled faintly and withdrew his gaze. He took his seat first, then addressed the assembly. “There is no need for such formalities.”
The guests rose one by one to pay their respects. Prince Zhongshan engaged in light conversation and laughter with them, filling the hall with a joyous atmosphere.
“Announcement—” a eunuch called out loudly, entering the hall and bowing. “Your Highness, a gift from His Majesty the Emperor has arrived.”
The hall fell into instant silence.
Prince Zhongshan sat in his spacious white jade chair, gently smoothing his sleeves. A faint smile played on his lips, but he remained silent, as if he had not just heard news of an imperial gift but rather something as mundane as the day’s weather.
Just as the tension in the hall became unbearable, Prince Zhongshan finally spoke."It's the thought that counts from my junior nephew-grandson," he said with a smile. "Since the commoners have gathered in the streets today to spontaneously celebrate my birthday, distribute these gifts among them so everyone can share in the joy."
Not only did he fail to respectfully receive the imperial gifts, but he directly distributed them to the people, referring to the Emperor merely as "nephew-grandson." The hall was filled with a mix of chilling apprehension, timid unease, and mostly exhilaration—the Prince was openly disregarding the Emperor!
Though this had long been the case.
But now, by declaring it publicly, he was making his stance clear.
Ning Kun, standing at Prince Zhongshan's side, whispered, "Your Highness, the Heir Apparent's gift arrived along with the court's—"
Reminded, Prince Zhongshan immediately understood and instructed the attendant, "Bring in A Xun's gift first."
The attendant hurried to comply, also conveying the Prince's intentions regarding the Emperor's congratulatory gifts. Moments later, those in the hall could hear cursing and commotion from outside.
The attendant returned holding a scroll.
"The court officials were disrespectful," he said indifferently with a laugh. "This servant has already ordered them taken away to cool off."
Prince Zhongshan, of course, paid no mind. Seeing the scroll in the attendant's hands, he rose from his chair and personally accepted it.
"Let's see what gift A Xun has for me," he said, then chuckled. "I hope he isn't going to startle me again."
Most people in the hall were aware of how Xiao Xun had once leaped from a high pole to celebrate Prince Zhongshan's birthday and joined in the laughter.
"What a pity the Heir Apparent cannot attend in person," they remarked one after another.
Prince Zhongshan unrolled the scroll and laughed heartily. "It's the character for 'longevity'."
Hundreds of tiny "longevity" characters densely formed one large "longevity" character.
He examined it carefully, scrutinizing each character almost as if pressing his face against it.
"The characters for 'longevity' are so varied," he said with a smile, then turned the scroll to show everyone. "Such small writing—A Xun must have strained his eyes terribly."
Just as those in the hall were about to agree, a sudden uproar erupted outside—shouts and confusion. Was it so troublesome to escort one court official away?
Unable to resist, the people in the hall turned to look. Prince Zhongshan also glanced over, and his eyes suddenly fell upon a young man. His hair was disheveled, his robes covered in dust, resembling a beggar. Yet, even so, at first sight, Prince Zhongshan recognized him instantly.
"A Xun—" he exclaimed in astonishment.
The Heir Apparent? The people in the hall were shocked—was it really him? They stared at the beggar-like young man—
The young man rushed toward the hall.
"Father—" he shouted.
Prince Zhongshan laughed heartily. "A Xun, your birthday gift has descended from the heavens again—you've startled me once more!"
But there was no joy on the young man's face, only terror—
"Father, throw it away quickly—" he yelled, reaching out as if to grab something.
Throw it away? Throw what away? The people in the hall stared blankly, instinctively following Xiao Xun's outstretched hand to look at Prince Zhongshan.
Prince Zhongshan held the longevity scroll, his face still beaming with laughter, but slowly, blood began to trickle from his nose, mouth, and eyes.
Blood.
Blood?
Blood!
Screams instantly erupted in the hall, surging like a roaring tide.
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