Chapter 33: The Thief

The vermillion gate stood more than ten feet tall, flanked by two stone lions with bronze balls in their mouths—majestic and imposing.

Above the gate hung a horizontal plaque inscribed with five gilded characters written in the emperor’s own hand: Residence of the Protector General.

The gate was open, revealing a tall screen wall inside. Ten armored guards holding long spears stood on either side of the red gate.

Pei Yuan rode directly toward the gate without slowing down. The guards were alarmed and tried to stop him, crossing their spears and shouting, “Who goes there?!”

Pei Yuan drew the long sword from his back and held it across his chest, blocking the silver-tipped spears. Metal clashed with a shower of sparks and a loud crackling noise. Seeing that their spears were ineffective, the lead guard raised his weapon to strike Pei Yuan’s face.

Pei Yuan leaned back to dodge and, with a flick of his sleeve, coldly threw out a jade token. Dangling it by the cord with two fingers, he held it before the lead guard’s eyes: “Look closely.”

The pale green jade gleamed, carved with lifelike designs of nine serpentine dragons with five claws each. At its center was a bold character: “Four” (肆-Si).

The lead guard was shocked. Dropping to one knee, he said, “Fourth Prince, forgive me. I failed to recognize your esteemed presence.”

The other guards also withdrew their spears and knelt, apologizing.

Pei Yuan said coolly, “I want to enter. Do I need to be announced?”

The guard quickly responded, “No need! The General gave orders long ago—if the Fourth Prince arrives, he is to proceed directly. The General is waiting in his study.”

Pei Yuan said nothing more. With a firm “Hyah!”, his horse, Saifeng, leaped over the threshold and galloped into the inner courtyard, leaving the guards exchanging glances.

The General’s residence was vast, with winding corridors and a full landscape garden. Qiu Mingshan had many wives and children. The estate was this large to accommodate his numerous descendants.

Pei Yuan had often visited here in his childhood. Starting at age eight, he had been stationed on the frontier with Qiu Mingshan, returning to the capital only two months a year. He seldom stayed in the palace. Most of the time, he lived here.

His mother had died young. Though he had a palace of his own, it never felt like home. The Empress treated him well, with warmth and kindness, but she was not his birth mother. That thin wall of distance between them never disappeared. He was grateful but never fully belonged.

To him, this place was the most comfortable, the most familiar.

If that incident hadn’t happened, Pei Yuan thought, he might have always respected Qiu Mingshan like a father…

“Whoa—” Saifeng stopped at the study entrance. Pei Yuan dismounted and handed the reins to a servant. Another servant, recognizing the jade token on his belt, rushed inside to announce him.

Just as Pei Yuan was about to enter, Qiu Mingshan hurriedly came out. The two met at the doorway and paused.

Pei Yuan furrowed his brow slightly and looked away, saying nothing.

Qiu Mingshan’s eyes were red. The hand that had long wielded a sword trembled slightly, reaching out instinctively before stopping himself. His face, weathered by years in the sun and wind, was bronze in color, his lips tight and solemn. Only he noticed his own emotional shift.

He opened his mouth to speak: “You…”

“I…” Pei Yuan spoke at the same time. They both said a single word, then fell silent together.

After a pause, Qiu Mingshan said, “Let’s talk inside.”

Pei Yuan waved him off. “No time.”

Qiu Mingshan looked slightly embarrassed. “What brings you here now?” Then realizing the implication, he quickly added, “Not that you’re unwelcome—this is your home, always. It’s just, given your situation…”

He carefully asked, “About that incident… you don’t still resent me, do you? Have you forgiven me?”

Pei Yuan replied coldly, “No.”

Qiu Mingshan’s eyes briefly flashed with sorrow, but then Pei Yuan continued: “But the plan you mentioned—I’ll do it with you.”

Qiu Mingshan looked at him in shock.

Pei Yuan narrowed his eyes. “Don’t you want the throne? I’ll help you take it. On two conditions: one, the Emperor has already abdicated; and two, you do me a favor today.”

That alone stunned Qiu Mingshan with joy. “What favor? If it’s within my power, just say the word.”

Pei Yuan said, “Find someone.” He paused. “My wife.”

…

When Bao Ning next woke up, she found her wrists tied behind her back. She was curled up on a bed, with Feng Yongjia sitting nearby, staring straight at her.

Startled, Bao Ning jerked upright and scooted away.

Feng Yongjia gazed at her blankly and murmured, “Bao Ning, you’re so beautiful…”

“Lunatic…” That look and tone made her sick. Her body was still weak, her head dizzy. She closed her eyes briefly and steadied herself before speaking. “Where have you taken me?”

“My home,” Feng Yongjia replied. He pressed his lips together. “Bao Ning, believe me. I won’t hurt you.”

“Then why am I tied up?”

“I was afraid you’d run.” Feng Yongjia leaned closer, almost pleading. “Bao Ning, really. Just wait until this is over—we’ll be safe. I’ll take you somewhere no one knows us. We’ll live a good life, okay?” He still had a red handprint on his face. Once handsome, now he looked pitiful and creepy.

Bao Ning was furious. “I don’t even know you!”

“But I like you,” Feng Yongjia insisted. “I came to save you from your suffering. When this passes, you’ll thank me.”

He really was a lunatic. Bao Ning felt exhausted, frightened, and forced herself to stay sharp. She tried reasoning with him. “That night when someone entered my yard during the rain—was that you?”

“…No,” Feng Yongjia hesitated, eyes avoiding hers. Then he changed his answer, “I was forced to.” That memory frustrated him. The incense had been potent—Pei Yuan wouldn’t have been able to resist. He glanced at Bao Ning, regretting she was no longer a virgin, but was again captivated by her beauty.

“Who forced you?” Bao Ning asked.

“I can’t say…” He hesitated, then gave in. “You wouldn’t know him anyway. A powerful figure—Lord Xu Guang, the favorite of Eunuch Huang Ji. He wants your husband dead.” He quickly corrected himself, “That cripple!”

Bao Ning didn’t know Xu Guang, but she did know Huang Ji. Her heart went cold.

“Why did they choose you? Do you owe them money?” she asked.

“No!” Feng Yongjia avoided her gaze. “How did you know…” Then he looked up with determination. “Lord Xu promised—if I succeed, I won’t have to repay the debt. I can take you away.”

Bao Ning sat straighter, incredulous. “What kind of fantasy are you living in? You owe Xu Guang money and helped him attempt murder—why would he let you go? If it were that easy, why would someone with Huang Ji’s power need you? He’s using you. Once you’re no longer useful, you’re dead.”

Feng Yongjia stared at her in shock, a chill running through him—but he quickly calmed down. “Impossible. Lord Xu promised…”

Then Bao Ning remembered something vital. “Xu Guang wants to kill my husband, but why did he want to take me? How does he plan to kill him?”

She spoke the word husband so naturally, it agitated Feng Yongjia. He stood up abruptly. “He’s not your husband! Fate is cruel—he doesn’t deserve you!”

Bao Ning rarely lost her temper, but she couldn’t hold back this time. She stood up too. “How does Xu Guang plan to kill him?!”

“…” Feng Yongjia was startled. He had assumed Bao Ning was a meek, gentle girl—easily controlled, incapable of anger.

“I don’t know the exact plan,” he muttered. “But… if I take you away, your husband will surely come looking. Lord Xu will lure him to this house and ambush him.”

His eyes lit up with excitement. “Two birds with one stone! The cripple dies, Xu Guang eliminates his enemy, and I get to take you away…”

Bao Ning asked, “Did you ever consider—why here, of all places?”

A flicker of confusion crossed Feng Yongjia’s face.

“You know who he is, right?” she said coldly. “He’s the Fourth Prince, the Emperor’s son. If you fail, it’s bad enough. If you succeed, even wiping out your entire bloodline wouldn’t repay your crime.”

“The… the cripple…” Feng Yongjia’s knees buckled, and he collapsed. “No… the Fourth Prince… why would he live in such a rundown place? I thought…”

He trembled and grabbed at Bao Ning’s sleeve. “What do I do now? I don’t want to kill anyone. I don’t want this. Bao Ning, what should I do?”

Bao Ning stared into his eyes. “Who gave you the guts to call me by name?”

“I—I…” Feng Yongjia was on the verge of tears. “Your Highness, Fourth Prince Consort, I was wrong!”

As he was crying, a sudden banging came from outside. Someone was kicking the door. After a few kicks failed to open it, a voice cursed, “Cry, cry, cry—what, your father died or something? If you don’t shut up, I’ll come in and kill you! Keep it down, you’re disturbing my sleep!”

That voice then turned and yelled at someone else: “Where’s the lock? Got it? Hurry and lock this door up so the brat doesn’t escape. No point keeping watch here all night—we can sleep instead.”

Another person replied, “Here’s the lock. Lord Zhao, Lord Xu should be back soon too. That cripple must’ve gotten word by now. He’ll come for sure.”

There was a pause. Then someone asked, “You locked that pretty boy in with the girl. Are you sure that won’t cause trouble?”

Zhao Li said while locking the door, “What trouble? That little brat surnamed Feng probably can’t even get it up. And besides, our Lord Xu swings both ways. He’ll be pleased with what we’ve prepared for him tonight.”

Outside erupted in vulgar laughter.

Feng Yongjia flushed bright red. Out of nowhere, he found a burst of courage and rushed to the door, shouting, “How could you act like this? Don’t you have a conscience?!”

Zhao Li sneered and kicked the door hard. “Shut it!”

Feng Yongjia immediately fell silent.

Bao Ning leaned against the bed, her eyes lowered, saying nothing. She was terrified. Her palms were slick with cold sweat. If her aunt were here, or Jiyun, or Pei Yuan—she was sure she’d be crying by now. But she couldn’t. There was no one here she could rely on. She had to stay calm.

She had to get out of here.

After a while, the voices outside drifted away as the men scattered.

Feng Yongjia stood dazed like he’d been knocked senseless. Then suddenly, as if inspiration struck him, he slapped his thigh. “A secret passage! I remember now—this room has a secret passage!”

Bao Ning looked up, surprised. “Where?”

“Behind the cupboard door!”

…

Bao Ning never imagined she’d one day have to crawl through a space like this. The tunnel was barely high enough to allow half a person—she had to crouch the whole way. Cobwebs, dust, and the strong scent of mildew surrounded them.

Still, at least she was alive.

Feng Yongjia followed behind, trembling all the way, occasionally shrieking at bugs or rats. Bao Ning ignored him, lips pressed tightly, mentally calculating her next move.

Feng Yongjia had said this compound was in the western suburbs, just five li (about 2.5 km) from the city gates. Bao Ning remembered—her third sister Ji Anlu lived near the west gate. Ji Anlu had married a small-time merchant. Not rich, not poor, but he treated her well. He owned a tavern on that same street, called “Old Well Eatery.”

It was still daylight. The gates hadn’t closed yet. If she could push herself to run five li and blend into the crowd, she’d be much safer.

And if she could find her sister’s tavern, she’d be completely safe.

The drug in her system hadn’t worn off completely. Her legs felt weak, but she forced herself forward on sheer will.

The tunnel exit was just ahead! Like the trapdoor to a cellar, it was covered by a wooden board. Feng Yongjia stuck close behind, still scared out of his wits and silent.

Bao Ning pushed open the lid and climbed out. After being in the darkness so long, the sunlight was blinding. She squinted as her foot hit the ground—then suddenly saw, about five zhang (15 meters) away, two men relieving themselves by a wall.

The two noticed her too, their expressions immediately turning lewd—until Feng Yongjia’s head appeared behind her.

Their faces changed. One shouted, “They escaped! After them!” They yanked up their trousers and charged at her with long knives.

Xu Guang’s men!

Bao Ning’s heart seized. She turned and bolted, having no idea which way to go. Feng Yongjia tumbled along behind her, terrified. The two thugs shouted, “They went east—toward the west gate!” At that, more of Xu Guang’s men came rushing out in pursuit.

Xu Guang had just returned and hadn’t even dismounted yet when he heard the news. Roaring with rage, he grabbed his saber and mounted up.

But Bao Ning was only a girl—no match for trained men or fast horses. Just as they were about to catch up, she suddenly saw a troop of armored soldiers coming from the west, faces grim and fierce.

She made a split-second decision and darted into a narrow alley. Feng Yongjia scrambled after her.

Xu Guang cursed, “Little bitch!” and lashed his horse, preparing to follow—when the armored soldiers arrived. One of them blocked his path with a sword and barked, “Where do you think you’re going?!”

Xu Guang slashed down without hesitation, knocking the sword away. “Do you even know who I am, yelling at your elder like that? Looking to die?!”

The soldier’s hand went numb from the impact. Furious, he snapped, “I’m under direct orders from the Protector General! Who the hell are you to disregard the General’s command?!”

Xu Guang’s heart sank. “What orders?!”

The soldier pulled a scroll from his sleeve and unrolled it. “This girl—have you seen her?!”

A loud buzzing filled Xu Guang’s mind. He never imagined Pei Yuan would go to Qiu Mingshan. The two had long since severed ties—when did they become allies again?!

Panic rose in him, though he kept a fierce expression. “Never seen her! I’m just chasing down a runaway servant. You’re blocking my way—if I don’t find them, will you take responsibility?!”

The soldier hesitated. Just as he was considering letting Xu Guang pass, the sound of hooves galloping drew near. Then—whoosh! An arrow sliced through the air, just grazing the soldier’s head and burying itself deep into Xu Guang’s left eye.

It happened too fast for anyone to react. Xu Guang screamed and clutched his bleeding eye, falling from his horse.

Chaos erupted.

In a single breath, a black horse charged forward. A tall figure in black rode it, sword adorned with jangling iron rings. Pei Yuan’s strong arm swung the blade down, the cold glint stopping just short of Xu Guang’s nose.

His bloodshot eyes locked onto him. Teeth clenched, he roared: “You scum—where have you taken my wife?!”

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