SEC Chapter 38 Departure from Qinglan Sword Sect
Chapter 38 Departure from Qinglan Sword Sect
July 4th, early morning.
The torrential rain last night quietly stopped before dawn, leaving only a damp and refreshing feeling throughout the city.
Sunlight pierced through the thin mist and shone on the imperial city. Water droplets on the glazed tiles refracted into seven colors, and the ridge beasts on the palace eaves looked as if they had just been bathed, full of vitality.
The air was filled with the fragrance of earth and grass, mixed with the unique coolness of an early summer morning, which was refreshing and invigorating.
The main gate of the imperial city.
Outside Chengtian Gate, banners fluttered and armor stood in neat rows.
Three thousand elite Imperial Guards have been lined up.
They were all clad in uniform jet-black armor, with the breastplate gleaming coldly in the morning light.
The red tassels on their helmets fluttered in the wind, swords were drawn at their waists, powerful bows were carried on their backs, and quivers hung beside their saddles. Every soldier stood as straight as a spear, with eyes as sharp as an eagle.
This is one of the most elite troops of the Qin Dynasty, guarding the imperial city year-round. Each soldier is a veteran of countless battles and can take on ten men.
At the front of the procession, eighteen golden-armored guards surrounded a huge gilded carriage.
The carriage had a frame made of rosewood covered with red gold. At each of the four corners of the roof stood a gilded bronze phoenix with its head held high and a string of pearls in its beak. The curtains were made of bright yellow brocade embroidered with five-clawed golden dragons, which shone brightly in the morning light.
The eight magnificent horses pulling the cart were pure white, without a single stray hair, tall and spirited, and were none other than the "Jade Lions Shining at Night" presented as tribute from the Western Regions.
Behind the main carriage were a dozen or so smaller carriages, loaded with luggage, gifts, and accompanying palace maids.
Civil and military officials, led by Prime Minister Li Si, lined up outside Chengtian Gate to see him off.
Today, Li Si wore a purple robe embroidered with cranes, held a jade tablet in his hand, and his white beard trembled slightly in the morning breeze.
Behind him, the six ministers and vice ministers, along with officials from various departments, stood in complete silence, arranged according to their ranks.
All eyes were focused on the gilded carriage.
They are waiting for someone.
Emperor of the Great Qin Dynasty, Qin Mu.
At the exact hour of Chen (7-9 AM), the palace gates were opened wide.
Two teams of golden-armored guards filed out and lined up on either side.
Immediately afterwards, a figure in black appeared at the palace gate.
Qin Mu was not wearing the twelve-symbol imperial robe today, but rather a black riding and archery uniform embroidered with golden dragons.
The fabric was brocade from Jiangnan, embroidered with a five-clawed golden dragon in gold thread, and she wore a jade belt around her waist and black soft boots.
Her long hair was tied up with a golden crown, revealing her full forehead and deep eyes.
Perhaps due to overwork last night, he had faint dark circles under his eyes, but he was in excellent spirits, with his usual lazy smile on his lips.
He was accompanied by three people.
On the left is Consort Su Wanqing.
She had dressed up specially for today, wearing a crimson palace dress embroidered with gold peonies, with a matching thin gauze shawl over it.
Her hair was piled high in a bun, adorned with a golden phoenix hairpin, and a fresh peony was pinned to each side.
Her makeup was exquisite, and her eyes sparkled with joy; she was clearly looking forward to the trip.
On the right is Consort Wan, Lu Wanning.
She wore a pale yellow dress embroidered with white magnolias. The style was much more conservative than Su Wanqing's, but the fabric was of excellent quality, gleaming with a warm luster in the morning light.
Her long hair was half-tied up, adorned only with a jade hairpin, and her makeup was light, but the excitement shining in her almond-shaped eyes could not be concealed.
Half a step behind Qin Mu was a cold and aloof figure.
Xue Cairen Jiang Qingxue.
Today she wore a moon-white flowing dress with a trailing hem, and a light blue silk sash around her waist.
Her long hair was simply tied up with a white jade hairpin, and she wore no makeup, exuding an extremely elegant and simple beauty.
But that exquisitely beautiful face, in the morning light, was more captivating than any heavily made-up face.
However, her eyes were cold, like ice and snow that never melts, a stark contrast to the joy of Su Wanqing and Lu Wanning.
The officials reacted with varying expressions upon seeing this lineup.
Taking concubines out of the palace is against etiquette.
But His Majesty has always acted as he pleased, and they were already used to it.
Just... bring three?
Moreover, one of them was Xue Cairen, who was presented by Xu Longxiang.
Li Si frowned slightly, but quickly regained his composure and bowed first: "Your Majesty, we respectfully see you off! We wish Your Majesty a safe journey and a swift return!"
"May Your Majesty have good fortune and return in triumph soon!" the officials shouted in unison.
Qin Mu waved his hand in response.
He walked up to the gilded carriage, but did not get on immediately. Instead, he stopped and glanced at the officials who had come to see him off.
Ultimately, the task fell to a middle-aged general dressed in silver armor with a sword at his waist.
Commander of the Imperial Guard, Meng Fang.
Meng Fang was about forty years old, with a square face, thick eyebrows, piercing eyes, a high nose bridge, tightly pursed lips, and a short beard on his chin.
He was tall and strong, and his silver armor did not make him look bulky at all; on the contrary, it made him look even more heroic and upright.
At this moment, he stood in the ranks of officials, head bowed, in a respectful posture, but his back was straight as a javelin.
Qin Mu's gaze lingered on him for a moment.
Then he spoke, his voice not loud, but clearly reaching everyone's ears:
"General Meng."
Meng Fang trembled and immediately stepped forward, kneeling on one knee: "Your subordinate is here!"
Qin Mu walked up to him and looked down at the Imperial Guard commander kneeling on the ground.
The morning light shone from the side, casting a half-light, half-shadow on Qin Mu's face, making the expression in his deep eyes unfathomable.
"During my absence from the palace," Qin Mu said slowly, each word like a heavy hammer blow to Meng Xin's heart, "I entrust the safety of the capital to the general."
Fine beads of sweat appeared on Meng Fang's forehead, but his voice was firm and resolute: "This humble general swears to defend the imperial city to the death! As long as I live, the city will stand!"
"What a fine 'the city stands as long as the people are here' statement." Qin Mu smiled, then suddenly leaned down, close to Meng Fang's ear, and whispered in a voice only the two of them could hear:
"General Meng, I heard... your son Meng Yi got into some trouble at Zuixianlou three months ago?"
The moment the words left his mouth, Meng Fang's pupils contracted sharply, and his face turned deathly pale!
He suddenly looked up and met Qin Mu's eyes, which seemed to be smiling but weren't.
His gaze was calm, even somewhat languid, but Meng Fang saw a bottomless chill in it.
he knows!
His Majesty actually knew!
He clearly covered that up! Everyone who knew about it either paid him off to keep quiet or had their stories suppressed by his power! How could this be...?
Cold sweat instantly soaked through his inner shirt.
Meng Fang's lips trembled; he wanted to say something, but couldn't utter a single word.
Qin Mu straightened up, patted Meng Fang on the shoulder, and his voice returned to normal:
"General Meng, there's no need to be nervous. Young people are bound to be hot-blooded and act impulsively. I was young once too, so I understand."
He paused, his tone turning serious: "However, while I understand, the rules must still be followed. The laws of Qin are strict; even a prince is subject to the same punishment as a commoner. General Meng, don't you agree?"
This last sentence, though seemingly light, carries immense weight.
Meng Fang froze, only able to nod mechanically: "Yes... Your Majesty is right..."
"Good to know."
Qin Mu withdrew his hand, turned and walked towards the carriage, as if the conversation had never happened. "Do your duty well. I'm back and hope to see the capital city as usual."
"This humble general... obeys the imperial decree!" Meng Fang said through gritted teeth.
Qin Mu stopped looking at him and, with the help of palace maids, boarded the gilded carriage.
Su Wanqing and Lu Wanning also got into the cars behind them.
Jiang Qingxue was the last to board the bus.
As she turned around, her gaze inadvertently swept over Meng Fang, who was still kneeling on the ground.
The once imposing commander of the Imperial Guards was now deathly pale, trembling all over, and covered in cold sweat, as if he had just escaped from the jaws of death.
Jiang Qingxue's heart stirred.
What did His Majesty just say to him?
What could possibly frighten a first-rank military general like this?
She had no time to think and had already boarded the carriage.
The carriage curtain was drawn, blocking out the view from the outside world.
"Let's set off!"
The official in charge of ceremonies announced the news in a long, drawn-out voice.
Three thousand imperial guards led the way, and the gilded carriage slowly started moving, its wheels rumbling over the wet bluestone slabs.
Officials bowed to see the procession off until it disappeared at the end of the long street.
Li Si straightened up, gazing in the direction the caravan had gone, his brow furrowed.
He walked to Meng Fang, who was still kneeling on the ground: "General Meng, His Majesty just now..."
Meng Fang snapped out of his daze, hurriedly stood up, and forced a smile: "N-nothing. His Majesty just entrusted me with the task of protecting the imperial city."
His voice was dry and his eyes were darting around; he was clearly trying to cover something up.
Li Si gave him a deep look, asked no more questions, and simply patted him on the shoulder: "General Meng, you've worked hard."
After saying that, he turned and left.
The officials gradually dispersed.
Outside Chengtian Gate, only Meng Fang remained.
He stood there, gazing in the direction the convoy had disappeared, motionless for a long time.