Chapter Five: The Silk Pouch

In the dead of night, Gu Yan, clad in black, followed the Third Prince’s subordinate to a post station outside the city. Someone was waiting nearby; the subordinate handed over a box and departed. Once the subordinate was well away, Gu Yan attempted to snatch the box, but the man proved alert. A sword fight immediately ensued.

Gu Yan twisted and drew his blade, his strikes swift and perilous. His opponent employed strange, foreign techniques. Though Gu Yan initially intended to take him alive for interrogation, the man fought with a desperate, aggressive ferocity, clearly intent on killing him. With no time to think, Gu Yan resorted to the "Heart-Locking Technique," a secret skill of the Gu family designed to deliver a fatal blow in close-quarters combat.

After the man fell, Gu Yan retrieved the box. Inside, he found a map of the military camp—though only an approximate layout, likely sketched from the perimeter—along with a token and a sealed letter. Opening the letter, he discovered a map of the Shen residence.

Gu Yan’s expression turned icy as he stared at the map. The Third Prince’s intent was clear: he was hunting for the tiger tally, hoping to drag the Shen family into the fray or force them to pledge allegiance. The Third Prince’s ambition was far too vast; he failed to realize he was trying to swallow a tiger he could not digest.

Gu Yan returned with the items, and Emperor Yongqing summoned him for a secret audience.

When the contents of the box were presented, the Emperor was so infuriated he grew dizzy. The map and the token were enough to cost the Third Prince his life, but his treachery had not yet been fully exposed. It was not just the Third Prince who had to be eradicated, but the entire Zhao clan; the influence of the Empress could no longer be tolerated.

"Gu Yan, continue your investigation. Find an opportunity to warn General Shen. Those rats of the Zhao family have been left unchecked for so long that they truly believe they can cover the sky with one hand!" Though the Emperor’s tone remained steady, his imperial majesty was suffocating; Eunuch Li, standing nearby, dared not even breathe.

Gu Yan accepted the mandate and added, "Your Majesty, I believe the soldiers in the camp must be thoroughly investigated to prevent outsiders from infiltrating. A military token is not something just anyone can forge."

The Emperor agreed and instructed Eunuch Li, "After court tomorrow, have the Empress come to see me. I want to see just how capable she truly is!"

Back at his estate, Gu Yan removed his black tunic to tend to his wounds. A long, gaping gash on his arm was oozing blood, the flesh turned outward. Under his dark clothes, it had been hidden, but the sight was now shocking. He had thought he could avoid the blow, but the foreigner’s blade technique was truly bizarre. Yet, it was that very strike that had revealed the opening he needed to deliver the killing blow.

At dawn, sunlight gradually blanketed the earth, and the sounds of the night vanished without a trace.

Shen Qiuning rose early, and her secret guard, Shen San, delivered a letter.

Shen San was the youngest of three brothers whom her father had saved years ago. Having no family, the brothers had followed her father into the army. With a natural talent for martial arts, Shen San had been assigned by Shen Munian to protect Shen Qiuning. Smart but taciturn, he was kept out of public sight and trained as an undercover shadow guard.

Opening the envelope, she found a blank sheet of paper. Shen Qiuning held it over a flame, and words slowly appeared: "Turmoil in the court; the Emperor seeks to purge the noble families." After reading, she burned the paper, her right hand tapping rhythmically against her teacup—a habitual gesture when she was deep in thought.

She knew the Emperor had long been intolerant of these noble houses, but for years, he had turned a blind eye to maintain a balance of power. Why strike now? Unless these families had harbored treasonous thoughts. Yet, they were deeply rooted and interconnected; uprooting them would not be simple. The Emperor must have long harbored suspicions.

Today, Shen Munian was to attend court, so Shen Qiuning rode with him to the palace. Unable to fathom the Emperor’s sudden shift, she probed, "Father, has the Emperor summoned you alone recently? Or has anyone else said anything to you?"

The current Emperor was inscrutable, his moods hidden; a single slip could lead to catastrophe.

"No. Why do you ask so suddenly? Have you caused trouble in the palace?" Shen Munian was puzzled, finding her behavior strange lately.

Shen Qiuning sighed internally; her father was a brilliant soldier but utterly oblivious to political maneuvering.

"It’s nothing. I just felt the Emperor has been in a bad mood lately. If he summons you, be careful with your words." Still unclear about the situation, she could only offer a vague warning.

In the court, Emperor Yongqing sat on the throne, his bright yellow dragon robe shimmering. He looked down at his ministers and spoke slowly, "Recently, refugees from Yizhou have been constant. Yet, I know Yizhou has a pleasant climate, perfect for farming. Why are there so many refugees, and how should this be resolved? Does anyone know?"

The Emperor’s tone grew severe; the ministers below were soon drenched in sweat.

Shen Munian stepped forward. "Your Majesty, I believe the refugees are likely from Liangzhou, where mountain bandits are rampant. We should open the granaries to stabilize them while we investigate further."

The Minister of the Secretariat stepped out. "Your Majesty, I believe these must be foreign refugees. We should issue an order forbidding them from entering our provinces."

The Emperor scoffed, causing the Minister to tremble, fresh sweat beading on his forehead.

"You only know how to shift the burden! Am I keeping you here to idle away your lives? Gu Yan!" The Emperor was furious at the sight of the bowing ministers.

Gu Yan stepped forward. "I am here!"

The Emperor addressed him: "Go and investigate what is happening in Yizhou! Shen Munian, you shall accompany him!"

Shen Munian glanced at Gu Yan, and they replied in unison, "By your command!"

"Gu Wenting! Since the bandits in Liangzhou are rampant, lead your troops to eliminate them at once!" The Emperor’s voice was laced with rage. These scholars were useless! He swept his sleeves and stormed out.

After court, everyone breathed a sigh of relief. Gu Yan caught up to Shen Munian. "General Shen, do you know why the Emperor designated us to go together?"

Shen Munian certainly did not know what this young man was planning.

"General, are you aware that there is a mole in the army?" Gu Yan lowered his voice.

Shen Munian was shocked. If Gu Yan was so certain, he must have found evidence. If a traitor went undetected, the consequences were unthinkable.

"Thank you for the warning, Zirui. Is this trip to Yizhou intended to root out the traitor?" Shen Munian guessed.

Gu Yan nodded. "Not entirely. The Prefect of Yizhou is also suspicious; I must investigate him."

Just then, Shen Qiuning approached with a food box. "Father, I made you cherry custard. You didn't have breakfast, and I was worried you’d be hungry."

Shen Munian was beaming, his smile reaching his ears. He would have loved to show her off to Gu Wenting had he been there. He started to pull Shen Qiuning away to go home.

"Father, you go on ahead. I have something to ask General Gu," she said, handing him the food box.

Shen Munian gave Gu Yan a warning glare, signaling him to keep his distance from his daughter. Gu Yan smiled lazily. "Safe travels, General."

After Shen Munian left, Shen Qiuning offered a faint smile, her dimples showing, looking both mischievous and clever. "So your courtesy name is Zirui. It’s quite cute, like a child’s name."

Gu Yan’s gaze deepened. He only cared about how much she had overheard, but seeing her expression, he realized she had only heard his name. His eyes softened. "What did you want to ask? If you don't speak, I’m leaving."

As he made to walk away, she caught his arm. "Hey, don't go! I really have something to ask. Let me treat you to lunch at the Yufu Pavilion first."

Before he could respond, she pulled him along. After a few steps, she felt her palm grow wet. She let go and saw it was covered in blood. Startled, she turned to look at him. His expression remained unchanged, as if the blood were not his own.

Shen Qiuning froze. "Gu Yan, I hurt you just now—why didn't you say anything? Come with me to the imperial physician!"

Seeing her anxious expression, he smiled involuntarily. "It doesn't hurt."

"What do you mean it doesn't hurt? Come with me. You don't cherish your own body; I’m the one who made you bleed this time, so I’ll take you to get it bandaged. If you get hurt again and don't treat it, just die out there! Others won't be as kind as I am..." She nagged him all the way to the Imperial Infirmary.

Gu Yan said nothing, letting her lead him.

Having grown up in the army, he considered these wounds trivial. No one had ever cared if he treated them; that was life in the military. He watched her flushed face as they hurried along, the sound of carriage wheels clattering nearby, and his heart was stirred once more.

After the wound was bandaged, Shen Qiuning told Gu Yan to go home and rest, suggesting they reschedule their lunch. Gu Yan agreed; he would be leaving for Yizhou in a few days and had much to attend to.

Back home, Shen Qiuning retrieved the talisman the old man had given her and lit it. By evening, she set off for Inga Temple with Shen San, who followed in the shadows.

At the temple, the abbot approached her. "Amitabha. May I ask if you are the young lady of the Shen family?"

She bowed slightly in acknowledgment.

"Someone has been waiting for you a long time. Please, come this way." The abbot led her inside.

She found the old man again, still wearing his ragged clothes. Shen Qiuning mused that perhaps unconventional people simply had a unique style.

Noticing her stare, the old man laughed heartily. "I assume you have encountered a puzzle, Miss Shen, otherwise you would not have lit the talisman."

"You guessed correctly, sir. I am indeed confused. But I am curious about your identity, and why it had to be me." There were so many people on the streets; why stop her? Why give her the talisman? The talk of "fate" was hard to believe.

Unfazed, the man replied, "You may call me Daoist Yuankong. Your life is different from others, which is why it had to be you. I already know the source of your confusion. Here is a silk pouch; it will provide the answers. Furthermore, General Shen faces a calamity on this journey—a threat to his life. The method to avert it is also within the pouch."

Shen Qiuning felt a chill. First, he claimed her father’s life was in danger; second, she hadn't even asked the question yet, yet he knew it. The pouch must have been prepared in advance.

She wanted to ask more, but the Daoist interrupted, "You may go, young lady. The contents will tell you everything."

Realizing he wouldn't say more, she sighed. "Thank you, Daoist Yuankong."

Outside the temple, she opened the pouch in her carriage. One note read: "Turmoil in the court; the Shen family will surely be implicated. Only by entering the fray first can you break the trap."

The other read: "Go to Yizhou; beware the woman at the General’s side."

Beside the notes, there was another talisman identical to the first.

As the carriage stopped, she tucked the pouch away. Back in her room, she sat at the table, tapping her fingers. She had to figure out how to convince her father to let her go to Yizhou. If she went, she needed to decipher the mechanism of the jade hairpin. A single silver needle might not be fatal, but one coated in poison would be a different story.

Just then, Mingyue brought in a bowl of sweet custard. "Miss, I just made this. Please, have a taste."

Shen Qiuning pushed it away. "With your cooking skills, don't try to poison me! If you want to eat, I’ll cook for you, but you shouldn't eat what you make. I’d hate to lose such a cute, obedient little maid."

Mingyue blushed, stomping her feet. "Miss! I’m never talking to you again! I know I’m not a good cook, but you’re being mean!"

Shen Qiuning looked at her fondly. The girl had followed her since childhood and was two years younger; she was like a little sister. They had no mistress-servant formalities when alone. Mingyue adored her mistress and knew how lucky she was, cherishing her position and willing to lay down her life for Shen Qiuning at any moment.

She knew her mistress had been burdened with heavy thoughts lately. She knew it was for the sake of the Shen family, including the servants. Shen Qiuning was the kindest soul in the world, and Mingyue only wanted her to have her way and live a peaceful life.