The long night and storm gradually passed, the sky faintly brightening.
Heavy footsteps startled the sleeping child awake. Two hands swiftly retracted, and before her eyes even opened, they blocked the previously pried-open hole. Black velvet boots stepped across the dusty floor of the imperial prison, accompanied by the crisp jangling of keys with each step.
With a sharp "click," soldiers in pale blue armor and earth-yellow cloaks entered. At least fifty of them filled the small prison inside and out. The prison guards cautiously followed behind, bowing and scraping with obsequious deference. Chu Qiao sat in the corner, coldly watching these imperial guards, her heart gradually sinking.
Yan Xun sat on the ground with his back to the door, eyes still closed. Shedding his usual gentleness, he armored himself layer by layer with sharp-edged brilliance. Like an old monk in deep meditation, he paid no attention to the newcomers.
The guard captain glanced at the Heir of Yanbei who carried the golden blood of Daxia's imperial family, yet his stern face showed no trace of flattery or respect. He took out the imperial edict from his robe and read mechanically: "By order of Shengjin Palace, bring Yan Xun, Heir of Yanbei, to Nine Nether Platform to await judgment."
Another guard stepped forward, a scornful sneer curling his lips. "Young Master Yan, if you please."
The youth slowly opened his eyes, sharpness swirling within them. With just a sidelong glance, he made the guard involuntarily shiver down his spine. He seemed to understand something, yet maintained his haughty expression, stubbornly rising to his feet and leading the way toward the prison door. The imperial guards held prepared shackles, but after a moment's hesitation, kept them behind their backs instead. Exchanging glances, they closed in around him.
His snow-white fur cloak swept across the imperial prison floor that hadn't been cleaned for who knew how many years. Filthy dust lightly rose, settling on the youth's white deerskin boots. Embroidered there were the imperial five-clawed golden dragons in subtle thread patterns, appearing even more brilliant and dazzling under the morning sunlight. Even in such destitute circumstances, he remained exceptionally distinguished, as if reminding everyone through this display that the Yanbei lineage had once been part of Daxia's imperial family.
Wind blew slowly through the long, dark corridor, bringing fresh air from outside along with its biting cold.
Suddenly, a hand reached out from between the prison bars - pale and slender like fine porcelain, giving the illusion that it might break with the slightest pressure. Yet it was this delicate hand that blocked their path, firmly grasping Yan Xun's leg and clutching stubbornly at his trouser hem, refusing to let go.
"What are you doing? Tired of living?" an imperial guard shouted angrily, stepping forward with a furious roar.
Yan Xun's eyebrows arched slightly as he turned to cast a cold glance at the guard's face. His icy gaze immediately silenced whatever the soldier had been about to say next. The youth crouched down, holding the child's thin fingers, trying to gently pry them open. But his fingertips immediately met with stubborn resistance. Momentarily taken aback, he frowned at the slender child and said quietly, "A Chu, don't make trouble.""You broke your promise!" The child's eyes were bright as she stubbornly lifted her head, enunciating each word clearly: "You said you wouldn't abandon me."
Yan Xun frowned. The moment he saw the imperial guards, the young man who had long been immersed in the capital's power center keenly sensed that things wouldn't simply develop according to his expectations. Something beyond his control must have happened without his knowledge. Whether this journey would bring fortune or disaster was unpredictable—how could he bring her along to share the risks? The youth's brows remained tightly knit as he scolded in a low voice: "I won't abandon you. Wait here obediently for my return."
"I don't believe you," the child insisted stubbornly, her grip never loosening: "Take me with you."
A guard immediately flew into a rage, shouting sharply: "How dare you, lowly slave!"
"Who gave you the right to call anyone a slave?"
Yan Xun whirled around, his sharp eyes glaring at the soldier as he said coldly: "When did imperial law permit scum like you to shout before me?"
The man's face instantly flushed crimson. Guards on either side quickly restrained him, fearing he might commit some outrageous act in his fury. Yan Xun paid him no further mind, turning back to look at the child's pale little face. Frowning, he said: "A Chu, be good. I'm doing this for your sake."
"If it's for my sake, then take me with you," Chu Qiao lifted her head, clutching tightly to the youth's pant leg with unyielding stubbornness, repeating softly: "Take me with you."
Time raced by as a low wind scattered between them. The youth silently gazed into the child's eyes, where sharp, resolute sparks flickered faintly. He knew that with her intelligence, she couldn't be unaware of the dangers of this journey. His lips moved slightly as if to say something, but ultimately stilled under the child's stubborn gaze. After a long moment, Yan Xun stood up and said somberly to the imperial guards behind him: "Open the door."
"Young Master Yan, the imperial decree only summons you alone..."
Before the man could finish speaking, Yan Xun abruptly turned and strode back toward his cell, saying coldly as he walked: "Then carry my corpse to Shengjin Palace to deliver your message."
"Young Master Yan!" The imperial guards were instantly alarmed. After some discussion, they finally opened Chu Qiao's prison door.
After all, she was just a small slave.
Outside the window, daylight had long since brightened. Yan Xun stepped forward, taking the child's hand before anyone else could, preventing any ropes from binding her small body. The youth's eyes were sharp and resolute as he looked down at the child who stood a head shorter, asking in a deep voice: "Are you afraid?"
Chu Qiao lifted her head, suddenly breaking into a radiant smile: "How do you write the word 'afraid'?"
"Haha!" Yan Xun laughed heartily, taking Chu Qiao's hand as he led the way out.
Outside the prison gates, soldiers stood in full armor, their swords gleaming coldly. The frigid battle armor reflected the pristine white snow covering the ground, making eyes ache even more. The troops stood in formation, their expressions grave as if facing a formidable enemy. Commoners watched from afar on tiptoe, their eyes filled with unconcealed curiosity and fear.
What kind of person could warrant being guarded personally by the Golden Guards of Shengjin Palace?However, when a tall and a short child emerged from the dark corridor of the prison, everyone’s eyes widened in momentary astonishment. The north wind swept the snow from the eaves, scattering it like a fresh snowfall.
That morning, the people of Zhenhuang City would never forget. When future historians opened that dusty volume of history, they could only suppress their gasps of awe and let out a long sigh.
No one knew why two seemingly harmless lambs, when pushed to the brink, would suddenly transform into ferocious tigers, sinking their sharp claws and fangs deep into the heart of the empire. From that moment on, the course of history shifted. A magnificent scroll unfurled, as children who had fallen into the mud joined hands, destined to carve a bloody path through the nine layers of hell’s fire, fighting shoulder to shoulder.
A strong wind rose, and the wings of a soaring eagle cut across the sky above Zhenhuang City. From the thick, gathering clouds came a sharp cry. The people looked up in unison, and in that moment, they seemed to hear the first crack of the empire’s collapse.
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