Chapter 213: Secret Edict

Chapter 213: Secret Imperial Edict

All the words of refusal died in Cheng Ge's throat. He opened his mouth, but not a single syllable came out.

He gazed at Lin Nanshu's quietly waiting silhouette, and finally swallowed all his discomfort.

Carefully, almost clumsily, he clambered onto that seemingly slender yet rock-steady back.

Lin Nanshu gripped his thighs, gave him a little bounce to settle him, and easily carried him.

Cheng Ge's left hand instinctively opened the oil-paper umbrella Lin Nanshu had brought earlier, holding it over both of their heads, while his right hand still gripped the now-lukewarm hand warmer.

His feet dangled in the air, swinging a little from the pins-and-needles as circulation came back.

The snow continued to fall, yet it no longer felt cold.

Lin Nanshu carried him, step by step, steadily stepping through the accumulating snow on the palace path, heading toward the towering palace gates.

The oil-paper umbrella isolated a small, quiet world, where only their soft breathing and the crunch of boots on snow could be heard.

Cheng Ge pressed his burning cheek quietly against Lin Nanshu's cool neck.

Unwittingly, he caught a faint, chilly scent like cedar.

The palace walls stretched far into the distance, vermillion silently stretching through the vast whiteness.

It was as if the entire world had shrunk to this slowly moving umbrella and the two people nestled together beneath it.

The palace gates were solemn, the guards on duty stood as still as pines in the snow.

It was only when they saw Lin Nanshu carrying someone step by step from the deep inner court that they allowed a trace of surprise to flicker in their eyes.

The person being carried was wrapped in an unusually large fiery red fox-fur cloak, almost completely hidden.

Only a pair of feet in official boots and a hand clutching a hand warmer were barely visible.

The guard stepped forward as usual, about to start his inspection, when suddenly the red hood stirred, and a head popped out.

Cheng Ge's eyes were amazingly bright, like they had caught the gleam of the snow. He grinned and handed over a token.

The guard, taken aback at the sight of Cheng Ge's face, paused in his movements.

Cheng Ge's eyes crinkled when he saw him, his tone carrying the delighted surprise of meeting an old acquaintance: "Hey, man, it's you again? They transferred you again?"

The guard took the token from him to inspect it, his cheeks a little red—maybe from the snow. He mumbled a vague reply.

After checking, the guard returned the token to Cheng Ge, who took it with a smile and said, "Appreciate it. I'll buy you a drink next time."

The guard was speechless. This guy had no idea how many drinks he already owed him. Same old, same old—every day a new excuse, and every excuse the same.

Hearing this, the guard was about to say something when Cheng Ge, out of nowhere, let out a huge yawn, tears even welling up at the corners of his eyes from the reflex.

It was like all his energy drained out of him in an instant, mumbling lazily, "So sleepy..."

Then he pulled the red hood back down, and his whole body went limp and flopped onto Lin Nanshu's back.

He even nuzzled it unconsciously, seeking a more comfortable position, as if he had fallen asleep instantly.

The guard's open mouth hung frozen in midair, all the words he had yet to speak stuck in his throat.

Watching the retreating figure, the guard couldn't help yawning big himself.

————

After the snow let up, the sky cleared. Dusk bathed the pavilions and towers of the prince's mansion in a warm golden glow.

Cheng Ge, bundled in a thick blanket, lounged on a cushioned couch in the warm pavilion. The tip of his nose was slightly red, and he sniffled from time to time.

True enough, after kneeling so long in the snow, he had caught a mild chill—nothing serious, but it had thrown the household into a flurry of activity, forcing him to down several bowls of ginger soup.

He was listlessly poking at the embers in the brazier, listening to the drip of melting snow outside the window, when suddenly he heard clear footsteps from the front courtyard and a somewhat hurried announcement.

"Master, an imperial decree has arrived from the palace!"

Cheng Ge jolted upright, the blanket slipping off unnoticed, his heart suddenly hammering like a drum.

He fought the tickle in his throat, straightened his slightly rumpled robes, and hurried out to meet the messenger.

The incense table had already been set up. The eunuch delivering the decree was pale-faced and beardless, with a solemn expression, holding a bright yellow scroll as he stood in the courtyard.

A cold wind swept by, lifting the hem of his official robe. The air was thick with a dignified yet tense atmosphere.

Cheng Ge knelt down, his robe spread beneath him, and bowed his head to listen respectfully, his fingertips curling slightly from anticipation and unease.

The eunuch unrolled the imperial decree, and his sharp, clear voice rang through the silent courtyard.

"By the decree of the Emperor: We, who hold the great mandate and govern all lands, have observed that Censor Cheng Ge is consistently loyal and pure in purpose. Although previously wounded and ill, his concern for the state has never diminished. Concerning the longstanding abuses in Yuanzhou, he has repeatedly submitted memorials, earnestly requesting an inspection. His ambition is commendable, his courage praiseworthy. We are deeply gratified.

We hereby appoint you as Imperial Inspector, to tour the realm for Us, proceeding to Yuanzhou to audit official governance, investigate tax levies, console the people, and impeach misconduct. You shall carry out Our will, perform your duties devotedly, enforce the law impartially, and purge corruption, ensuring Yuanzhou's government is clean and its people live in peace.

Set out on an auspicious day; you are allotted six months to fully investigate the abuses and submit a detailed report. Should you succeed, We shall not stint on rewards; should you betray Our trust, you will face severe punishment. Let this be known. Respect this decree."

The decree was read, and silence fell in the hall.

Cheng Ge listened in a trance, every word striking his heart like a hammer.

Only when the eunuch rolled up the decree and said with a smile, "Censor Cheng, receive the decree," did he snap out of it.

Cheng Ge raised his hands high above his head, his voice trembling a little with emotion yet crystal clear:

"Your subject—Cheng Ge—receives the decree and thanks Your Majesty! Long live the Emperor! Ten thousand years!"

Cheng Ge held the heavy, bright yellow silk scroll in his hands, his heart still swelling with excitement. He was about to rise and respectfully see off the imperial envoy.

But he saw that the eunuch who had read the decree had not moved. Instead, the stock smile on his face had completely vanished, replaced by a strange solemnity.

He stepped forward, lowering his voice even further, almost to a whisper: "Censor Cheng, wait. His Majesty... also has a secret edict."

Cheng Ge's body stiffened. He knelt again, his heart clenching. "Another one?"

Seeing this, the steward immediately dismissed the surrounding attendants, sending all the palace staff away.

The eunuch glanced around with extreme caution, confirming the courtyard was empty.

Only the lingering chill of wind and snow swirled. Then, from his other voluminous sleeve, he solemnly produced an object—

It was a black ironwood box, no more than a foot long.

The box bore no ornamentation; its color was as dark and deep as the cold water of an ancient well—a chilling sight.

Across its lid was tightly affixed a strip of imperial yellow sealing paper, upon which the character “Secret” was written in cinnabar ink in the Emperor’s own hand.

Beneath it was impressed the vermilion imperial jade seal, radiating an aura of stern authority.

“This is His Majesty’s oral decree,” the eunuch intoned in a low, grave voice, each word heavy as a thousand pounds.

“This is a state treasure, entrusted to you. On your journey to Yuanzhou, you must neither open it nor show it to anyone—unless you reach an absolute impasse and the survival of the dynasty hangs in the balance. Upon seeing this object… it shall be as if I, the Emperor, stand before you in person.”