Chapter 114: A Long Night
The winter night in the Capital City was bitterly cold.
“Get up!”
Patrolling Soldiers’ torches illuminated the huddled figure at the street corner wall, and they shouted sternly.
The huddled figure instantly straightened; it turned out not to be one person, but two half-grown children, dressed in rags, faces filthy, eyes dull.
“No sleeping on the street! Go under the bridge!” the Patrolling Soldiers said irritably.
The two child beggars scrambled up and vanished like smoke into the night, nowhere to be seen.
Running a bit was good too, better than freezing to death on the street; the Patrolling Soldiers paid it no more mind and continued onward.
“But lately, it feels like there are more beggars.” One soldier muttered.
“At year’s end, the city is lively, easy to beg for food.” Another soldier said.
As they spoke, the street ahead seemed to instantly darken, then the sound of steady hoofbeats and carriage wheels came.
It was now curfew; no one was allowed to walk about freely. Hearing the noise, the soldiers ahead immediately started to shout: “Who—”
The sound had just left his mouth when the soldier beside him yanked him back.
“It’s Embroidered Uniform Guard—”
At the same time, in the soldiers’ gaze, thick blackness approached, flickering with dim and bright firelight, reflecting shining golden threads.
Sure enough, it was Embroidered Uniform Guard.
Over a dozen Embroidered Uniform Guard carried only two palace lanterns, nearly swallowed by their black clothes.
Drawing near, they were seen escorting a carriage; the carriage was pitch black like a sealed box, and under the faint swaying lights, gorgeous patterns were faintly visible.
It was Wei Jiao’s carriage!
The Patrolling Soldiers immediately stepped aside to both sides, saying nothing, watching the Embroidered Uniform Guard escort the carriage slowly past and away.
“Wei Jiao is back.”
“This deep into the night, who knows which family is in for it.”
The Patrolling Soldiers muttered a couple phrases in low voices, then were stopped by their leader: continue patrolling and mind your own business.
The soldiers held torches and marched steadily onward.
The leader at the rear couldn’t help turning back for a look.
The carriage moved so slowly it didn’t seem like they were off to raid and annihilate a family; more like a leisurely stroll.
Turning a street, the sealed carriage suddenly had its window opened, Wei Jiao leaning half his body out the window.
“Captain.” An Embroidered Uniform Guard by the carriage hurriedly asked, “Did the noise just now wake you?”
Wei Jiao had his eyes closed, the light illuminating his deathly pale face.
“No.” He said, “I wasn’t asleep.”
The Embroidered Uniform Guard was about to say something when a noise came from ahead, as if someone was approaching; soon, an Embroidered Uniform Guard came near from outside.
“Captain.” That Embroidered Uniform Guard said in a low voice, “Marquis Yichun invites you to his home for a sit.”
……
…….
“Congratulations, Captain, two great merits.”
The night was deep; Marquis Yichun sat behind the desk, looking at Wei Jiao.
Because the room was warm, Wei Jiao had loosened his cloak, revealing the nightclothes he wore inside; compared to the neatly robed Marquis Yichun at this hour, he looked like the host risen at midnight to receive a guest.
“I originally sent congratulatory gifts to your mansion, but they said you couldn’t receive visitors.” Marquis Yichun continued, his expression concerned, “Is your illness better?”
Wei Jiao had gone out, captured the Sun clan remnants, and slain the Qin’an City Ma clan colluding with the Sun clan; with the Yunzhong Army escorting the prisoners into the capital, it had already spread.
Spreading with this news was that His Majesty had sent imperial physicians to Wei’s residence.
Though publicly said to be injured while capturing and slaying the rebels, it hadn’t really been concealed after all, especially with the Yunzhong Army saying Wei Jiao had fallen ill over in Qin’an City.
So although Wei Jiao had returned to the capital, he had not yet entered the palace for rewards; he was to recover from his illness before facing His Majesty.
After all, madness was different from other illnesses; if he went mad and disrespected His Majesty, would His Majesty punish him or not?
Under the dim lamplight, Wei Jiao smiled at Marquis Yichun: “Not better yet; in a bit if I have an episode, Marquis, bear with me.”
Chai Yuan, sitting opposite, stiffened: “Wei Jiao, my father—”
But Wei Jiao interrupted him again, sitting up straight.
“I remember now, I earned this great merit thanks to the Marquis.” He said, “The Marquis is my great benefactor; I absolutely won’t have an episode here.”
Marquis Yichun smiled: “You’re too polite; I just mentioned it in passing. You walked it off and caught them, Captain.”
Wei Jiao waved his hand: “Marquis, you’re too modest; if you wanted to catch them, how could you not? You just…”
These words made it sound like they had deliberately concealed and not reported it; Chai Yuan looked annoyed—this Wei Jiao had better not turn around and bite them; he was about to speak when Wei Jiao’s voice continued.
“…treat me well!”
Wei Jiao looked at Marquis Yichun with emotion.
Chai Yuan swallowed the words on the tip of his tongue.
Wei Jiao’s words continued.
“Better than my father.”
He looked at Marquis Yichun, raised his hand to stroke his heart, his loose nightclothes slipping down.
Chai Yuan’s expression stiffened; he saw under the dim lamp that half of Wei Jiao’s arm looked gnawed by some wild beast.
The bloodied scars were shocking.
Wei Jiao’s voice continued by his ear.
“The Marquis also said he’d send congratulatory gifts; I should be the one giving you a gift of gratitude.”
Marquis Yichun smiled: “No need for thanks…”
“The Marquis is right.” Wei Jiao stood up.
He let his sleeves fall to cover his arms; Chai Yuan came back to himself, his gaze turning to Wei Jiao’s face.
Wei Jiao’s eyes shone brightly.
“Sending money or goods isn’t anything; it can’t express my gratitude.”
“Marquis, how about I recognize you as my righteous father!”
Chai Yuan’s face twisted instantly, nearly choking himself—what nonsense! He slapped the table and stood: “Wei Jiao! Who are you cursing!”
Wei Jiao seemed to just notice him, thought of something, and laughed ha ha, waving his hand: “Lord Chai, don’t be angry; I’m not trying to take advantage of you. I just mean to treat the Marquis as a father, not make you my brother.”
His expression turned serious, thoughtful.
“Indeed not quite right; how about this, I’ll recognize Lord Chai as my righteous father—”
“Wei Jiao!” Chai Yuan pointed at him, “Don’t think I won’t beat you!”
Marquis Yichun spoke to stop it: “Enough, no quarreling.”
Chai Yuan angrily called out to his father.
“Marquis, I really want to express my thanks.” Wei Jiao said with a smile.
Marquis Yichun nodded: “I know the Captain wants to express thanks, but no need for gifts or recognizing kin; last time you helped me too—we’re even.”
Wei Jiao nodded: “True, I was so happy I forgot; alas, I’m the type who only remembers returning favors to others, always forgetting what others owe me.” He raised his hand in salute, “Thanks, Marquis; we’re square now, farewell.”
With that, he wrapped his cloak and turned.
“Captain, wait.” Marquis Yichun said.
Wei Jiao turned back lazily.
“I invited the Captain today because I have something to ask.” Marquis Yichun said.
Wei Jiao raised a brow and smiled, turning back and drawling oh: “So the Marquis needs my help again.”
Marquis Yichun nodded: “Yes, need to ask the Captain’s help again.” Then looking at Wei Jiao, “Does His Majesty know about White Horse Town?”
Wei Jiao looked at him, his gloomy eyes flickering slightly, and smiled.
“This is His Majesty’s under heaven; there’s nothing His Majesty doesn’t know.” He said.
Marquis Yichun’s eyes flickered too, asking: “Has the Captain seen Ji Ying lately?”
Wei Jiao held up one finger: “Marquis, that’s not one matter oh.” Then smiling, he turned and went out.
……
…….
“He’s saying Ji Ying’s disappearance and White Horse Town aren’t the same matter?”
“He’s saying he’ll only answer one thing!”
Marquis Yichun glared at his son, saying irritably.
Chai Yuan was even more irritated, cursing toward the doorway: dog thing! “Asking him is giving him face; he doesn’t know what’s good for him!”
And!
“Mouthing thanks, but saying he’ll recognize father as righteous father!”
“Who doesn’t know his foster father is Zhao Tan! He’s cursing you as like Zhao Tan!”
“This dog thing!”
Marquis Yichun patted the table: “You’ve said he’s a dog thing; why quibble with a dog? Each gets what they need, that’s all.”
Chai Yuan took several deep breaths to suppress his temper, returning to the matter at hand.
“His meaning is His Majesty knows about White Horse Town…” He said lowly, “So, sure enough, it was His Majesty who…”
Marquis Yichun shook his head: “He only said he knows, but not that His Majesty did it; however, since His Majesty knows, we should stop investigating for now.”
His Majesty knew; if there was to be an investigation, His Majesty would do it himself.
If His Majesty didn’t investigate, they certainly couldn’t meddle.
……
…….
Wei Jiao stood outside Marquis Yichun’s Mansion, looking at the deep night on the street, yawning.
The Embroidered Uniform Guard beside him looked joyful: “Not bad, not bad; worth the trip to Marquis Yichun’s Mansion—indeed tired now, quick, get in the carriage and sleep.”
Wei Jiao ummed; the carriage was already stopped, he got in, and it moved slowly as before, accompanied by only two lamps, pitch black like a ghost wandering the street.
Not long after setting off, Wei Jiao poked his head out of the carriage again; under the thick night, his face looked even paler.
He said nothing, and the Embroidered Uniform Guards dared not speak.
Thus they proceeded in silence, turning a street corner; Wei Jiao’s originally scattered gaze focused ahead.
Ahead, a mansion faintly glowed in the night.
“Go…” Wei Jiao said slowly, “Duke Ding’an’s Mansion.”
……
…….
Mo Zheng looked at the bed canopy; her sleep was fair at best, poor at worst.
Because she’d been in danger since childhood, vigilance had become instinct.
In especially safe surroundings, she could fall asleep lying down; at any disturbance around, she could wake instantly.
Now, it wasn’t really danger, since the people outside hadn’t broken in.
But continuing to sleep was truly impossible, because those footsteps were unhurried, now near now far, endless like tides.
Mo Zheng sighed and got up.
Perhaps too lazy to see her, Duke Ding’an’s Wife had arranged this niece’s residence in a courtyard near the garden.
Mo Zheng leaped onto the roof ridge.
No moon tonight, the night thick, Duke Ding’an’s Mansion dotted with spots of lamplight had a unique charm.
On the ridge opposite, Wei Jiao huddled in his cloak, squatting like a ridge beast.
The beast head turned, looking toward her.
“Miss Yang, on this long night, why not go out for a stroll instead of sleeping soundly at home?”
