Chapter Twenty: Are You the Monkey’s Reinforcements?
These brothers from the Hundred Riders Division truly uphold their honor. Although Wu An was well aware that many present were likely older than himself, when it came to the experience of warfare, few could match him here.
On the battlefield, it wasn’t about flaunting weapons or showing off ranks to intimidate the enemy into submission; it was about genuine assaults, charges, breaking formations, and seizing camps. Every maneuver, every mistake, could cost countless lives.
In comparison, Wu An suddenly found today’s dispute somewhat absurd.
Prince Han, Li Yuanjia, was perhaps following some unspoken official protocol—making a show of his status, expecting everyone to behave accordingly. But he hadn’t anticipated one thing: if Wu An didn’t bring down Hao Chujun, he couldn’t implicate Li Jingxuan in the blame. If Li Jingxuan wasn’t eliminated, then the one who would die would be Wu An.
Moreover, Wu An was a fierce soldier who had fought his way out of enemy lines; his nature was far from mild.
“Anyone who dares block me clearly wants me dead…” Wu An exhaled softly, then defiantly raised his long blade. Around him, a chorus of shouts and pleas erupted.
Anyone with a shred of insight could see that this black-armored youth and the Hundred Riders behind him were madmen—once that blade swung down, who knew if they would truly charge forward to kill?
Li Yuanjia’s expression froze, disbelief mixed with a surge of impotent rage flooding his heart. He was the brother of Emperor Taizong! During the Xuanwu Gate incident, Emperor Taizong had quashed a rebellion by killing two of his own brothers, thereafter showing great favor to the remaining royal kin—a practice the current emperor had inherited, maintaining a respectable stance toward the imperial clan.
“Your Majesty…” he stammered.
“I respect you as a prince of the royal blood, but now I carry the imperial decree,” Wu An declared loudly, “Before the Empress Dowager’s edict is read, who dares to block me?”
The surrounding ministers and clerks were stunned, but the soldiers of the Jinwu Guard, gazing at the tall, resolute figure of the black-armored youth, felt a profound reverence rise within them. As fellow warriors, they naturally admired such bold and unyielding souls.
“Step back!” Li Yuanjia pressed his dry lips together, unwilling to retreat—not just out of anger, but for the dignity of the imperial family. If he yielded to a mere commoner’s scolding before so many, where would his pride go?
Without hesitation, Wu An swung his long blade down. The Hundred Riders behind him, fueled by bloodlust, barely considered the consequences; their eyes gleamed with fanatic fervor as many prepared to rush forward.
Many among them were usually rational, but at this moment, every move of the black-armored youth frenzied their nerves.
Wu An was a seasoned battlefield commander; his mere posture and presence were enough to command respect from any warrior.
“A bunch of commoners!” Li Yuanjia roared inwardly. He glanced back involuntarily, only to see those peers and junior officials who had accompanied him standing shoulder to shoulder had already melted into the crowd.
Li Yuanjia: “…”
He cast one last cold glance at Wu An, snorted, and slowly withdrew into the crowd.
The conflict dissolved in an instant.
“What are you all standing there for? Continue detaining the prisoners and take headcounts…”
Wu An sheathed his blade and barked at the Jinwu Guard soldiers behind him: “If anyone goes missing, report it to the court as caused by Prince Han’s obstruction!”
Seeing their admiring, almost starstruck faces, Wu An grew impatient and turned his gaze toward a middle-aged man who looked like their leader.
“This is the Empress Dowager’s command. Did you hear me?”
The middle-aged general, who had been idly observing, blinked in surprise and quickly nodded, responding reflexively, “Understood.”
This damn youth was a mad dog.
Li Yuanjia stood amidst the crowd, his face twitching violently at Wu An’s shout. He turned around angrily. “I’m going to see the emperor!”
...
---
“Emperor has a headache, no visitors... Oh, Captain Wu, come in quickly.”
The old eunuch’s face blossomed like a chrysanthemum upon seeing Wu An, his smile warm and cordial. He took Wu An’s arm, speaking as they walked: “I always thought the palace needed someone like you, Captain Wu. Seems my judgment was right; you truly are a great talent.”
Hmm?
Though Wu An found this flattery somewhat excessive, he still sensed something beneath the old eunuch’s tone.
Before he could speak, the eunuch volunteered, “The Empress Dowager has heard how you drove off Prince Han in the street and praised you as a fierce scion of the Wu family—a future general who will surely capture enemy chiefs and slay princes on the battlefield. Such talent!”
“The Empress Dowager overestimates me,” Wu An thought, recalling that while his aunt might feign warmth, she would never publicly say such things.
If he had appeared twenty years later, when the Empress Dowager had become emperor and the Wu family were legitimate imperial kin, she might have said anything.
Unless this was a deliberate signal sent through the old eunuch’s mouth.
The eunuch stopped walking. Wu An looked up at the palace before him, a sudden insight flickering in his eyes.
At the palace gate, Shangguan Wan’er stood there. The old eunuch smiled as he passed her, and she gave Wu An several subtle glances.
They weren’t true political allies, nor did they have any proper relationship. Their brief acquaintance had mostly been Wu An freeloading news and favors from her.
Yet, the girl’s heart still bore a touch of naïve innocence; at moments like this, she dared to warn him.
The eunuch’s footsteps resumed. Shangguan Wan’er’s expression instantly returned to cold indifference, her hands folded before her, resuming the previously lofty and icy demeanor.
Wu An raised his head to see the eunuch’s face now devoid of smiles.
“The Empress Dowager says: unfilial Wu An, get in here at once.”
Wu An had seen before how some so-called ministers, upon hearing a single “get out,” truly fled the palace. But what caught his attention now were the three words “unfilial son.”
The tone was like a scolding mother exasperated with her mischievous child.
Leaving was impossible.
Wu An adjusted his expression to one of shock and fear, calming himself before following them into the hall.
“Clatter!”
A vase smashed at his feet, shattering into pieces.
The Empress Dowager wore red, looking less dignified and solemn than usual, but her heaving chest made her seem far less tender.
“I sent you out to learn responsibility. What the hell have you done, you beast?”
She stared at Wu An, each word squeezed through clenched teeth:
“Prince Han Li Yuanjia is a prince of the Tang royal clan, and you dared to humiliate him publicly. Where do you place the dignity of the court and the royal family?”
Wu An knelt down carefully, avoiding the shards, settling among the shattered vase remains.
“Please forgive me, Aunt.”
Seeing the youth kneeling so straightforwardly amidst the fragments, the Empress Dowager paused, her anger slightly abated, but her voice remained cold:
“Prince Han’s intrusion alarmed His Majesty, and inquiries have already been made! By tomorrow at the latest, a reply will come. Tell me, how do you expect me to save you?”
If on the street it was the Empress Dowager intimidating Prince Han, who might then complain to the emperor, the emperor might side with her and rebuke him again.
But who exactly was Wu An? If the emperor investigated, he would uncover everything. Even if Wu An truly were a member of the Wu family, this time he would not escape unscathed.
Shangguan Wan’er listened intently, her eyes widening at the mention of the emperor, glancing at Wu An once more.
If she didn’t look now, she might never see him again.
“I admit my fault!” Wu An declared unexpectedly. “It was my first time carrying out your orders. When Prince Han suddenly appeared to block me, I feared offending him less than failing to complete your instructions. That is why I acted rashly!”
He kept calling himself “child,” which caused the Empress Dowager’s furrowed brows to subtly soften.
“Stop lying there in the debris acting pitiful. Stand and speak.”
She resumed her seat behind the desk, disdainfully: “Enough with the smooth talk. Tell me, how am I to explain this to His Majesty? Shall I say I failed to guide my junior, allowing him to offend a royal prince?”
“I don’t know,” Wu An said. Recalling the old eunuch’s words before, and now the Empress Dowager’s starkly different attitude, he suspected there was more beneath the surface.
Best not to appear too “clever” now.
When a child errs, a normal parent covers for them in public but scolds or punishes them at home.
The Empress Dowager took a deep breath and slammed her palm on the desk.
“Bastard!”
Shangguan Wan’er watched the sudden flare of anger with alarm, thinking if looks could slap, she would have already beaten Wu An’s face to a pulp.
Brother, you better stop talking!
“I really don’t know. What’s wrong with obeying you? Does Prince Han mean I shouldn’t listen to you?” Wu An asked.
“Fine, I’ll give you a chance this time.”
The Empress Dowager took a deep breath and lightly tapped the desk.
“I’ve prepared some gifts for you. Before nightfall, go visit Left Jinwu Guard General Pei Judao and ask for his help.”
Who was this person?
Wu An hesitated but immediately nodded respectfully.
“Please, Aunt, don’t upset yourself. I shall go at once.”
“Hurry up,” the Empress Dowager waved dismissively, but Shangguan Wan’er noticed a faint smile tugging at the corner of her mouth.
Hadn’t she just been shouting threats moments ago?
For a moment, Shangguan Wan’er glanced between her and Wu An, her mind reeling.
After leaving the hall, Shangguan Wan’er followed, saying it was by the Empress Dowager’s order.
They boarded a carriage in turn. Inside, Wu An asked, “Sister, could you hint who Pei Judao is?”
Now she was more polite...
Shangguan Wan’er snorted lightly and replied, “Left Jinwu Guard General Pei Judao’s daughter is the rightful wife of the late Crown Prince.”
...
Somewhere in the Dali Temple dungeon.
The bed was neat, the desk stocked with books, and the environment was clean—though by Hao Chujun’s accustomed standards of comfort, it was rather simple.
Still, he sat cross-legged on the floor, quietly reading a scroll by candlelight.
After a while, footsteps approached the door. Hao Chujun looked up and recognized the elderly visitor.
“Your guilty servant Hao Chujun pays respects to the prince.”
“Sit first,” Prince Han Li Yuanjia said, somewhat compassionately. Then he reassured him, “Don’t worry. By tomorrow at the latest, that villain will surely face the emperor’s death sentence. Then you shall be released.”
“Sigh…” Hao Chujun sighed softly, meeting the prince’s puzzled gaze.
“I know your kindness, my lord, but that villain is undoubtedly backed by the Empress Dowager. I understand your good intentions, but…”
“She is only an empress,” Li Yuanjia said coldly. “Take this chance to humble her, remind her of her place. Besides, on this matter, not even her face as an empress can outweigh my dignity.”
After all, he was the emperor’s own uncle!