Chapter Twenty-One: Sinister Intentions

Lu Qing’s words caused a sudden change in the expressions of Shi Tai and all the members of the Prince’s residence. What did he mean by saying the Prince had always been concerned about the Embroidered Guards? The emperor’s own troops could not possibly be the concern of a prince! Lu Qing’s words struck at the heart. This youth was clearly attempting to accuse the Prince of treason, to place him upon the pyre, to drag the Prince’s residence into utter ruin!

“Outrageous! You wretched officer, how dare you spit slander? When has our prince ever concerned himself with matters of the Embroidered Guards?” Shi Tai, trembling with fury, veins bulging on his neck, pointed at Lu Qing, barely restraining himself from exploding. The prince’s guards glared fiercely at Lu Qing; two even placed hands on the hilts of their swords, clearly ready to cut down the audacious youth at Shi Tai’s command.

With Yang Jun, the commander, and so many others present, Lu Qing had no fear the Prince’s men would dare commit murder. Though he was but a lowly officer, neglected and dispatched to the border by his superiors, unloved by family, however poor his circumstances, he was still a soldier of the emperor’s own army. In this realm, only the emperor could take his life; others would do well to consider the consequences of angering the Son of Heaven.

He remained composed and asked, “If the Prince has never concerned himself with the Embroidered Guards, then how, Sir, do you know that the Guards did not escort Eunuch Guo to the capital to meet the emperor?”

“This...” Shi Tai was struck dumb, unable to respond. He could hardly admit that he still had a few unhappy informants in the palace, and thus knew the emperor had not recently summoned Guo Jing back to the capital.

Seeing Shi Tai unable to speak, Lu Qing sneered inwardly, though his tone remained calm: “Could it be, Sir, that you secretly investigated the Embroidered Guards’ actions without informing the Prince?”

Hearing Lu Qing once again drag the prince into his argument, Shi Tai grew anxious and snapped, “Nonsense! When have I ever investigated the Embroidered Guards behind His Highness’ back?”

“So you haven’t acted in secret? Then the Prince is aware of these matters?” The expression on Lu Qing’s face seemed to assure Shi Tai that he truly believed the prince had ordered the investigation.

“You!...” Shi Tai trembled with rage, yet dared not speak further. He could see now that this little officer of the Embroidered Guards was setting a trap with his words, leading him step by step into the snares of implicating the Prince in clandestine affairs—a crime deserving death.

Remembering what he’d heard in the capital about the Embroidered Guards’ methods, Shi Tai shuddered. He wasn’t afraid the Guards would truly frame his prince; given the emperor’s affection for his brother, such accusations could never shake the prince’s standing in the emperor’s eyes. What he feared was that, should word of this incident reach the prince, his own meddling would anger the prince, whose gentle, conflict-averse nature meant Shi Tai might never set foot in the prince’s residence again.

For a eunuch, cut off from the palace and the prince’s house, he was nothing. Even his own nephews would disdain him, and he would be worse than a beggar; in the capital, beggars were notorious for tormenting eunuchs cast out of the palace. The thought filled Shi Tai with terror; losing control, he turned to Yang Jun and pleaded, “Master Yang, this officer’s intentions are malicious; he seeks to frame my prince, a crime beyond redemption. Please, sir, seize him and send him to the capital for judgement!”

Before Yang Jun could frown, Lu Qing exclaimed, “Does the Prince’s residence wish to have the commander of the emperor’s frontier forces arrest one of the emperor’s own soldiers?”

Yang Jun was already cursing Shi Tai inwardly—how could a prince’s servant expect him, a border general, to arrest the emperor’s personal guards? Was Shi Tai eager to lose his own head, or did he feel Yang Jun’s rank insufficiently grand? Hearing Lu Qing’s words, which implied secret collusion between the prince and himself, Yang Jun dared not act, and stood with a grim face, feigning deafness.

Noticing Yang Jun’s silence, Lu Qing understood he would not order his arrest, and relaxed inwardly. He glanced at the livid Shi Tai but ignored him, instead turning his gaze to the delicate young eunuch standing behind him, and said calmly, “Just now, I heard this young master say the emperor has appointed the prince as regent. With the emperor leading a campaign, every action of the prince as regent will be watched by the nation. Should any rumor arise at such a time, it would tarnish his reputation. As a soldier of the emperor’s own army, investigating rumors is my duty, and I am well aware of their consequences. Thus, I urge you, Sir, to be cautious in your words, lest you give advantage to the wicked and regret it too late.”

“Hmph!” Shi Tai was so angered by Lu Qing’s feigned concern that he clenched his teeth, but dared not speak further. Yang Jun had clearly stated his position and would not help him seize anyone. He dared not order the prince’s guards to arrest Lu Qing—for if he did, the first to die would not be the wretched officer, but himself, the third steward of the prince’s household.

With Shi Tai subdued, the others of the prince’s residence fell silent as well, forced to glare at Lu Qing in impotent fury.

Under their resentful gazes, Lu Qing turned, bowed to Yang Jun, and spoke with measured dignity: “Does Sir still insist on detaining Eunuch Guo? If so, I shall return and report to my superiors to avoid delay; as for other matters, I cannot decide them. At that time, the Embroidered Guards will discuss them with you.”

Yang Jun pondered for a moment, then replied, “Since it is the emperor’s own troops handling this affair, I have no reason to make decisions on my own.”

Hearing this, Lu Qing rejoiced inwardly. He had not expected the identity of the original owner—a minor officer in the emperor’s army—could actually serve to intimidate others. Fearing Yang Jun might change his mind, he asked, “May I now escort Eunuch Guo away, sir?”

“Please do.” Yang Jun nodded expressionlessly and glanced at his soldiers, who immediately stepped aside.

Lu Qing stepped forward to support Eunuch Guo, saying softly, “Let us go, Sir.”

Eunuch Guo was overcome with emotion, looking at Lu Qing in silence.

After walking a few steps with Eunuch Guo, Lu Qing suddenly remembered something and stopped, turning to Yang Jun: “Master Yang, when I received this assignment, the emperor was still in the capital. Now he is to campaign against the Oirat. Might you tell me where the imperial carriage is now, so I may escort Eunuch Guo directly to meet the emperor?”

Yang Jun did not answer, but Shi Tai muttered, “When we left the capital, the emperor had not yet decided to lead the campaign himself. Two days ago, I heard he appointed our prince as regent and ordered the Duke of England to command the three main armies to depart the capital. I suppose the emperor is still in the city and has not set out yet.”

“No,” Yang Jun shook his head. “I just received urgent news—the imperial carriage has already passed through Juyong Pass and is now at Huailai.”

“So fast?!” Shi Tai gaped in disbelief. “The emperor decided to campaign just two days ago, and now the army has already passed Juyong Pass and reached Huailai? That’s only two days—how could it be so quick?”