Xu Xinnian used thirty taels of silver to exchange for his cousin's items. He put the small jade mirror into his sleeve and walked out of the dungeon. At the entrance, he met Song Tingfeng and Zhu Guangxiao, who had been waiting for a long time.
Song Tingfeng said, "We have already prepared a permit to enter and exit the Imperial City. You have never been there before, so let us lead the way."
Xu Xinnian bowed in thanks.
Song Tingfeng waved his hand, "As long as you can save him, everything is negotiable."
The three rode fast horses and arrived at the nearest gate of the Imperial City. Song Tingfeng took out the permit from the night watchman yamen and easily entered the Imperial City.
Along the way, they were questioned by the patrolling Guards of Imperial Insignia and then the Featherwood Guards.
When they finally arrived outside the Imperial City, they were stopped again.
The permit from the night watchman yamen could only go so far. Further in was the Imperial City. Although the Imperial City was very big, it was nominally the home of the Emperor.
Xu Xinnian said, "I am a student of Yunlu Academy and an old acquaintance of Princess Royal. I have a request, please pass it on."
Everyone knew about Princess Royal's experience studying at Yunlu Academy. The guard did not make things difficult for them and asked the three to wait for a while before entering.
After a quarter of an hour, the guard returned and said, "Follow me."
He led the three into the Imperial City and warned, "Do not look around and speak carelessly. Pay attention to your words and actions."
Xu Xinnian lowered his head slightly. Song Tingfeng and Zhu Guangxiao knew the rules well and walked quickly with their heads down.
Even if they entered the Imperial City, they could only walk on a few roads. If they went the wrong way and were questioned by the Imperial Guards, they would not be able to produce the corresponding permit. Knives would come at any time.
After walking for a long time, they finally arrived at the Moon Pavilion where Princess Royal lived. Two palace maids were already waiting in front of the red lacquered door.
The palace maids bowed and waited for Xu Xinnian to return the greeting before leading the three into the Imperial Palace.
Passing through the corridors and gardens, Xu Xinnian and the others were led to an elegant room for receiving guests.
A beauty dressed in palace attire sat at a table facing the door. She held a book in her hand and sipped on tea, elegant and leisurely.
"Your Highness, the guests are here." The palace maid said and turned to leave.
Xu Xinnian bowed and said, "Yunlu Academy Xu Xinnian greets Princess Royal."
Princess Royal smiled and said, "What business do you have with me?"
She knew Xu Xinnian. She had met him a few times when she was studying at Yunlu Academy. It was only when she sent someone to investigate Xu Qi 'an that she had a deep impression of him.
"Farewell …" Xu Xinnian was stunned. He was not surprised that the Princess Royal remembered him. This princess was naturally intelligent and talented. She had a photographic memory and knew how to win over talents.
He was surprised that the Eldest Princess actually remembered his "character", but he had never officially befriended the Eldest Princess.
It was a little rude for Princess Royal to call him that, but it undoubtedly brought them closer, which made Xu Xinnian feel good.
Xu Xinnian was not easy to deal with. He quickly calmed down and said sincerely, "My cousin is in trouble. Princess Royal, please help."
The Eldest Princess' expression froze. A look of surprise appeared on her beautiful face as she asked, "What happened?"
Xu Xinnian told Princess Royal about the matter. Song Tingfeng and Zhu Guangxiao filled in the gaps.
After that, Xu Xinnian bowed again, "My cousin is impulsive, but he is sincere. If he didn't help, the poor child would have been humiliated by Zhu Yinluo.
"Righteousness doesn't rely on power and doesn't care about benefits. My cousin is not a scholar, but his sincerity makes us scholars respect him. "
His goal in quoting the classics was to arouse the Eldest Princess's sympathy. She could also be considered half a scholar.
Princess Royal pondered. After a while, she said, "What's the result of Duke Wei's punishment?"
"Zhu Yinluo is dismissed and will never be hired again. My cousin … will be executed in seven days, "Xu Xinnian said in a deep voice.
The eldest princess was silent. Her cold face made it hard for people to see through her heart.
Xu Xinnian sighed in his heart. This princess was not a soft-hearted woman. She was very opinionated. Sometimes, she could even be a little overbearing.
Such a person had her own philosophy.
"This is a letter from my teacher, Great Scholar Mu Bai, and Great Scholar Youping. Please help me, Princess Royal." Xu Xinnian planned to use his trump card.
He took out the letter signed by the three great scholars from his sleeve.
"Clang …"
The small jade mirror also fell along with the handwritten book.
Xu Xinnian picked it up calmly. He kept the mirror and handed the letter over.
Princess Royal took it and read it. She said, "I understand. However, the Night Watch Office belongs to the royal family and only listens to your father. I can only do my best."
Xu Xinnian took a deep breath. "Thank you, Princess Royal."
The palace maid sent Xu Xinnian and the others away. When she returned, Princess Royal ordered, "Send someone to the Night Watch Office to ask Duke Wei. Investigate the conflict between Bronze Gong Xu Qi'an and Silver Gong Zhu Chengzhu."
"Yes!" The palace maid accepted the order.
…
After leaving the palace and the Imperial City, Xu Xinnian bid farewell to the two gongs.
He rode on a horse and slowly headed out of the city. His brows were furrowed with worry.
"I can't put all my chips on Princess Royal. She has promised to do this. I don't know how much she can do."
"Father went to the Celestial Commissioner. I don't know if the magicians can save Big Brother …"
"I must pass the Spring Examinations next year. I want to climb higher and gain more power. Otherwise, I can't do anything."
Xu Xinnian took off his waterskin and moistened his dry lips. He touched the small jade mirror in his sleeve through his clothes.
It was almost dusk when he arrived at the Eastern City.
The Eastern City Health Care Hall was located in the slums. People of the lowest class in the capital gathered here. They were peddlers and thieves.
The residents he met along the way were wearing tattered winter clothes. Their cheeks were thin. They stared at him like hungry wolves staring at their prey.
But Xu Xinnian's Confucian robe kept these poor people on the brink of food and clothing awake.
The yellow mud houses in this area were dilapidated and disorderly. There was garbage everywhere on the roadside. The air was filled with the faint smell of feces and urine.
It was obvious that there would be flies flying everywhere in the summer.
A yellow-faced and emaciated child courageously came up and stopped Xu Xinnian's horse.
"Master, give me some money … I haven't eaten for seven days," the child said.
You would have been dead if you hadn't eaten for seven days … Xu Xinnian wanted to mock him, but he swallowed his words.
He took out a piece of silver from his money bag and threw it over.
The child's face was yellow and emaciated. His eyes were lifeless. Seven days was an exaggeration, but it was true that he hadn't eaten for a long time.
Seeing this scene, not only the child's eyes lit up, but the eyes of the surrounding poor people and children suddenly lit up.
Their eyes shone with greed and desire.
Seven or eight children followed suit and surrounded Xu Xinnian's horse. The poor people quietly came over.
"Old Master, please give me some silver."
"I haven't eaten for ten days."
The adults and children surrounded the horse, looking like they wouldn't let it go if it wasn't given money.
Xu Xinnian's sharp eyes forced back a man who was reaching for his money bag. He shouted, "Silence!"
The noise immediately stopped, and everyone consciously stopped talking.
"Scram!" Xu Xinnian gathered his Qi in his dantian and shouted again.
The children and adults surrounding the horse felt a strong fear in their hearts. They instinctively moved away from the horse, not daring to approach it.
An Eighth Stage Confucian scholar could regulate the words and actions of others, grasping the most basic application of the Law of Words.
Xu Xinnian shook his head helplessly and urged his horse to leave the area. Not long after, he arrived at the Hall of Healing.
He dismounted from the horse. Afraid that it would be tied outside and stolen, he led the horse through the gate.
In the courtyard, an old official was cleaning the courtyard. He raised his old face and asked, "Young master, what can I do for you?"
Xu Xinnian said, "Can there be a monk in the hall?"
The old official replied, "You must be referring to Great Master Hengyuan … He has left. He has been gone for two days …"
Xu Xinnian frowned. "When will he come back?"
"I don't know. It was said that he had news about my junior fellow apprentice, so he will leave for a few days." The old official shook his head.
Xu Xinnian left the Hall of Healing in disappointment and left the eastern city.
…
At dusk, after having dinner, the Eldest Princess summoned the head guard of the mansion to the study room. The head guard brought the information collected by the yamen and the night watchman.
Princess Royal, dressed in a gorgeous palace dress, stood by the window, leaving the guard a beautiful view of her back.
She listened quietly and asked, "Does Xu Qi 'an have a grudge against Zhu Yinluo?"
The guard captain shook his head. "I have specially inquired about it. They should not know each other. But Yinluo did express his jealousy and hatred for Xu Qi 'an in private. "
"Are the family members of Manager Cheng implicated and put into the Musical House?" Princess Royal asked again.
"No." The guard captain replied.
Princess Royal did not speak again. She pondered for a moment and said casually, "What do you think about this matter?"
The young guard captain hesitated and said, "I have inquired about it. When the assembly was held, Xu Qi 'an was not late, but he was beaten by Zhu Chengzhu. It can be seen that he deliberately stirred up trouble … Over the years, the night watchman did repeatedly humiliate the female family members of the officials.
"It doesn't matter if some of them should have rushed into the Musical House, but those who should not have been implicated often encounter the devil's claws."
Similar things were not uncommon, but no one was willing to make a decision for the family members of the officials who had committed crimes.
The officials who committed crimes were originally sinners, and people would give them a push when they were down.
The guard captain continued, "I also inquired that at that time, Zhu Yinluo had the intention to force Xu Qi 'an to take action, and he also succeeded, but …"
Princess Royal chuckled and said, "I just did not expect that a small gong could burst out such a powerful force."
Princess Royal said, "I see. You can leave."
The guard captain left the study.
The Eldest Princess stood by the window, gazing at the quiet garden with a serene look in her eyes.
…
Late at night.
The moon sprinkled a cold glow, and the calm Sampo reflected its shadow.
The sound of scales colliding and orderly footsteps echoed near Sampo, which was the patrolling imperial guards.
The cold night wind blew, making the Sampo wrinkle and ripple with silver light.
A finely cut paper man, the size of a palm, drifted over the surface of Sampo Lake with the wind, and landed on the high platform in the middle of the lake.
It was silent for a few seconds, stood up shakily, walked with its short legs, came to the door of the temple, and squeezed in through the crack of the door.
A few seconds later, a faint fire lit up from the crack of the door. Suddenly, with a "boom", like a thunder, the blazing fire engulfed the Yongzhen Temple of Mountains and Rivers.
The violent impact set off waves, sending the broken tiles, bricks, and beams dozens of meters away, smashing on Sampo.
The explosion spread hundreds of miles away. The patrolling imperial guards near Sampo simultaneously felt the tremor of the ground and the fire waves that burned the sky.
