Chapter Twenty-Five: A Visit in the Night

Gou Jian sat quietly in the darkness, listening clearly to the conversation between Fan Li and Wen Zhong outside the tent, but he had no intention of responding. For so many years, he had led a life of constant evasion and hiding; all his attendants had died, and he himself had been dragged away to become a labor soldier. If he hadn’t met Chen Bo in Yingdu, he wouldn’t have known about his father’s grave illness.

Indeed, Gou Jian was Li. After Consort Tang gave birth, she died not long after, leaving her son unsupported—a child born to a concubine had no way to survive in the palace. Fortunately, Consort Lan, who had been close to Consort Tang in life, took Gou Jian in and cared for him as her own.

Yun Chang spent most of his years waging war outside the capital, so Empress Li, the birth mother of Tan Zhi, ruled over all matters in the palace. After surviving inexplicable dangers—being struck by a collapsing rockery, falling into water for no reason—Consort Lan secretly sent Gou Jian out of the palace, arranging for him to be taken to the State of Chu.

When Yun Chang found out, he flew into a rage. He carried guilt toward Consort Tang and had striven to compensate her in some way, but now he couldn’t even protect her son. Yet the State of Yue was beset with internal and external troubles; as king, he could not offend the powerful family of Empress Li for the sake of a child born to a concubine, and could only send men to rebuke the matter and let it rest.

Unexpectedly, Tan Zhi, acting on his mother’s instructions, continued to send assassins after Gou Jian. Thus, Gou Jian spent his youth running and hiding, but in the process, he grew intimately familiar with Chu’s mountains and rivers.

After Yun Chang fell ill, realizing his days were numbered, his longing for Consort Tang deepened; he wished to see Gou Jian one last time and secretly sent people to Chu to search for him, which only made Tan Zhi even more wary.

Upon Gou Jian’s return to Yue, before he could enter Kuaiji City, Fan Li brought him to Wen Zhong’s camp outside the city. Fan Li, highly trusted by Yun Chang, nominally held the post of North City Guard, actually commanding the troops at all four gates, though his power was gradually being diminished—only the North Gate remained under his control.

Disgusted by Tan Zhi’s character, Fan Li was determined to help Gou Jian ascend.

Recalling all this, Gou Jian’s lips curved in a slight smile; the happiest days were those spent as a cavalryman. Though arduous, exhausting, and dangerous, his heart was light.

Fan Li and Wen Zhong, startled by Gou Jian’s sudden appearance, hurried forward to salute him.

Gou Jian spoke easily, “Young Master, do you have a way to get me into the palace?”

Fan Li, thinking Gou Jian had finally made up his mind, replied joyfully, “The army can enter the city at any time.”

“No, I will go alone. The army will remain here.”

Seeing their puzzled faces, Gou Jian explained, “I wish only to enter the palace to see my father, to fulfill my filial duty, then leave. Brother Meng and the others are still waiting for me.”

A wave of disappointment swept over Fan Li, making him unsteady; he pleaded bitterly, “With five thousand soldiers at your command, all obstacles can be swept aside. Tan Zhi is arrogant and repeatedly threatens the palace; Your Highness could take him down and restore order to the court—how can you give up?”

“My father is gravely ill. If I enter the city with troops to seize the throne, brother would turn against brother—would that not break my father’s heart? Besides, I am not fit to be the King of Yue.”

Wen Zhong nodded in approval, praising, “Your Highness is truly a paragon of filial piety.”

Fan Li glared fiercely at Wen Zhong, then said helplessly, “The city is full of Tan Zhi’s men; sneaking into the palace is nearly impossible—unless…”

“Unless what?”

“Today, envoys from Chu entered the city. The people of Chu are greedy; with enough gold, we can bribe them to bring you into the palace.”

Ordering his men to open the city gate, Fan Li took Gou Jian into the city quietly, not realizing that Tan Zhi’s spies were already aware.

The guards outside the courier lodge dared not stop them; the steward hurried forward to welcome Fan Li.

“What brings the City Guard here?”

“Is the envoy from Chu present? I have come to pay my respects.”

The steward, unsure of the situation, did not dare ask questions, and quickly sent someone to the back courtyard to report.

Hearing that Fan Li had come late at night, Meng Di was puzzled and about to greet him, when a commotion arose outside the lodge—someone seemed to be forcing their way in.

Bringing Xiao Wu and Xiao Liu to the front courtyard, Meng Di saw Fan Li and his party surrounded by several men.

“Gong Bu, what are you doing?” Fan Li shouted angrily.

Gong Bu sneered, “Fan Li enters the city, and immediately comes to see the Chu envoy—what is he planning?”

“What I do as City Guard is not for the Prince’s servants to interfere.”

Meng Di stood in the shadows, watching with interest—could this be related to Gou Jian?

Gong Bu seemed to have thought of this, and began scrutinizing Fan Li’s attendants one by one.

Suddenly, Xiao Liu exclaimed softly, “Brother Meng, isn’t that Li?”

Looking in the direction indicated, Meng Di saw a guard beside Fan Li glancing around nervously—it was the same Li who had been a labor soldier.

Though he didn’t yet understand what was happening, it clearly didn’t bode well for Li. Seeing the urgent situation, Meng Di whispered instructions to Xiao Liu, then strode out of the shadows with Xiao Wu, laughing heartily.

“City Guard Fan truly keeps his word. The envoy has been waiting for some time.”

His words elicited varied reactions. Fan Li was taken aback, a glimmer of confusion in his eyes, but quickly replied, “Ashamed, ashamed, I have kept the esteemed envoy waiting.”

Gong Bu showed half-hearted suspicion, bowing, “Gong Bu from the Prince’s residence greets the esteemed envoy.”

Gou Jian’s eyes flickered; he nearly called out, but caught sight of Xiao Wu’s urgent signal and restrained himself, bowing his head in silence.

“Is Gong Bu here to see the envoy as well? Is this at the Prince’s request?”

“That…” Gong Bu hesitated. Fan Li was a high-ranking official; without proof, even if Tan Zhi himself came, nothing could be done.

Turning his eyes, Gong Bu smiled, “I wouldn’t dare disturb the envoy and City Guard, but among these men there may be spies from Wu; I must take them back for questioning.”

“Gong Bu! How dare you!” Fan Li drew his sword, and Gong Bu responded in kind. Tension mounted as both sides confronted each other.

Suddenly, a commotion erupted from the back courtyard—someone shouted, “Fire!”

Amidst the flames, cries and the sound of gongs filled the air.

Uncertainty gripped everyone as a crowd rushed out from the back, shouting, “Fire! Run for your lives!”

Chaos ensued; Gong Bu was about to speak, but was swept aside by the crowd.

The lodge’s clerks, wailing for their parents, ran for water to extinguish the blaze, and Meng Di ordered his men to help.

Though the fire appeared fierce, it was merely a few burning planks; soon it was doused. Meng Di apologized, “My men did not know their place. Forgive us for the disturbance.”

Gong Bu quickly gathered his men, counted Fan Li’s party, and breathed a sigh of relief when all were accounted for. He realized it would be futile to forcibly take anyone tonight, and signaled his men to unfurl a silk cloth, comparing each person to the image drawn upon it.

Meng Di glanced sideways; the portrait on the silk bore some resemblance to Li.

Fan Li, meanwhile, looked in surprise at the guard beside him—just moments before, Gou Jian had stood there. He looked up to see Meng Di nodding reassuringly.

The inspection was fruitless; Gong Bu checked repeatedly but found nothing. He snorted coldly, bowed slightly to the two men, and departed.