Chapter 24: Departure

However, Yan Chen’s joy was short-lived.

On the sixth day of the second month, Yan Qing submitted a document requesting military supplies for the Qilin Guards, including soldiers’ salaries, armor, horses, and weapons, totaling two hundred thousand taels of silver to be allocated from the Ministry of Revenue.

This document was promptly rejected by the Ministry of Revenue’s chief secretary, citing an empty treasury and the Princess’s exorbitant demands at an inappropriate time.

Since the Qilin Guards did not engage in combat, there was no need for elaborate supplies of horses, armor, and weapons. They only required monthly salaries, which were not excessive for the eight thousand Qilin Guards, and the Princess could cover these expenses herself.

They were all well aware of the state of the treasury, but the rejection of the document clearly reflected the Emperor’s intentions, and the chief secretary of the Ministry of Revenue was merely following orders.

The Emperor was already wary of the Qilin Guards and disapproved of Yan Qing. How could he fulfill her extravagant demands and provide such high-quality equipment for the Qilin Guards?

Yet, Yan Qing did not care whose decision it was. Upon receiving the rejected document, she calmly remarked, “The eldest son of the chief secretary of the Ministry of Revenue is handsome, virtuous, knowledgeable, and proud. I am very interested in him. Bring him to the residence as a servant.”

“Yes.”

With a single command from Shen Mo, the Qilin Guards rushed towards the residence of Chief Secretary Ji, like bandits rampaging. Despite the fierce resistance from Ji’s household servants and guards, and the desperate pleas of Ji’s wife, the only legitimate son of the chief secretary, Ji Chiyu, was forcibly taken to the Princess’s residence.

This incident quickly stirred up a storm in the imperial city.

The chief secretary of the Ministry of Revenue, Ji Lin’an, was shocked and furious, “This is simply outrageous! Is Princess Chang a bandit or a robber?”

Just because she didn’t receive the two hundred thousand taels of silver she wanted, she dared to kidnap the chief secretary’s legitimate son and make him a servant in her residence?

Absurd!

Utterly preposterous!

If everyone acts so domineeringly, how can there be any rules and regulations in this world?

The chief secretary of the Ministry of Revenue gathered a group of people and marched towards the Princess Chang’s residence to demand the release of the individual. However, they were met by the Qilin Guards standing outside the main gate, each with a sword at their waist, exuding a fierce and imposing aura, resembling guardians blocking the way.

“I demand to see Princess Chang,” he said angrily. “If she refuses to see me, don’t blame me for impeaching her in the palace!”

Exiled for ten years by the late Emperor and the Empress Dowager, it was expected that the Princess would return to the imperial city and behave meekly, keeping a low profile. But her actions were so audacious and rebellious, engaging in such unconventional behavior.

Bringing two sons of court officials into the residence as servants consecutively was simply outrageous!

Shen Mo’s expression was stern, “Chief Secretary Ji, please proceed.”

As the chief secretary of the Ministry of Revenue, Ji Lin’an didn’t just hold immense power in the court, but was also an official whom many sought to please. When had he ever encountered such a situation?

Furious and with a face ashen, he stormed off, entering his sedan chair, “To the palace!”

Shen Mo watched Ji Lin’an leave without a trace of emotion, then turned and entered the residence.

At that moment, Yan Qing was in the study reading a report.

After Shen Mo entered and respectfully reported the situation, he heard Yan Qing calmly instruct, “Select five hundred Qilin Guards. After dark tonight and before the city gates close, send Hu Yunfei and Ji Chiyu to Zhuque City.”

“Yes,” Shen Mo nodded. “Does Your Highness have any plans to return to Zhuque City soon?”

“No,” Yan Qing tossed the report into the censer, then walked to the window, gazing at the evening sky with a calm and unwavering voice. “Wei Yu was ambushed. I need to make a trip to Chu Kingdom.”

“What about Lord Wen…”

“No need to inform him.”

“Understood,” Shen Mo complied with any of her arrangements without question. “I will escort Your Highness.”

“No need,” Yan Qing declined. “I have another task for you.”

“Of course,” Shen Mo nodded respectfully. “What is it?”

…..

That night, after dark, five hundred Qilin Guards escorted a carriage out of the imperial city. When stopped for inspection, they presented their Qilin Guards insignia. Despite the city guards saying it didn’t comply with the regulations for passage, they forcefully broke through the city gates.

Their speed was so swift that the city guards had no chance to stop them.

While the Qilin Guards were the iron cavalry under Princess Chang’s command, without official orders, they had no authority to enter or leave the imperial city at will, as it could be seen as suspicious behavior.

The commander of the imperial city defense decided to report the matter to the Emperor. Unfortunately, Yan Qing chose a time that overlapped with a critical point.

The curfew in Dayong had always been that the city gates closed half an hour earlier than the palace gates. The Qilin Guards left the city less than a moment before the gates were to be closed.

The commander rode swiftly towards the direction of the palace but encountered a minor incident along the way, delaying him. By the time he reached the palace gates, it was precisely the time for the gates to be locked, and he couldn’t get the message through.

Helpless, he had to change his plan and headed to the Regent’s residence. Outside the main gate, he knelt down and said, “I am Jiang Huai, the commander of the imperial city defense. I have urgent matters to discuss with the Prince Regent!”

The gates of the Regent’s residence were tightly shut. After calling out three times, footsteps were faintly heard, and someone eventually opened a side door, peering out at the kneeling Jiang Huai, asking, “Who goes there?”

“I am Jiang Huai, the commander of the imperial city defense, with urgent matters to discuss with the Prince Regent. Please inform him of my presence.”

“Wait a moment.”

The side door closed, and the messenger hurried inside to report to the Regent. Soon after, the door opened again, and the messenger said, “The Prince Regent will see you.”

“Thank you.” Jiang Huai quickly ascended the stone steps leading to the entrance, crossed the threshold, and, guided by the attendant, went to meet the Regent, Yan Cang.

At that moment, Yan Cang was seated in the study, listening to the report from his subordinate: “There was no one to receive the invitation at the Princess Chang’s residence. They said that the Princess has already left the imperial city.”

Yan Cang sat in silence behind the desk, pondering over the news.

Half an hour ago, he had sent an invitation to the Princess’s residence, only to learn that Yan Qing had left the capital. The residence was deserted, with all the Qilin Guards taken away, leaving only some maids and servants to maintain the household and carry out routine cleaning tasks.

“Please instruct, Your Highness,” his trusted subordinate stood respectfully by the side, awaiting further orders.

Footsteps were heard outside, and soon the steward ushered Jiang Huai inside.

Jiang Huai entered the study and knelt down, “I am Jiang Huai, seeking an audience with the Prince Regent.”

“What is the matter?” Yan Cang inquired.

“Approximately an hour ago, the Qilin Guards forcefully broke through the city gates and left. My men were unable to stop them. I intended to report to the Emperor in the palace, but the gates were already locked. Concerned about the urgency of the situation, I had no choice but to report to the Prince Regent first and seek his decision.”

Yan Cang raised his gaze slightly, “How many Qilin Guards broke out?”

“About five hundred.”

Yan Cang remained silent, his calm and noble demeanor unfazed. After a moment, he made an ambiguous sound, “You may return. I will visit the Princess Chang’s residence to assess the situation before making any decisions.”

“Understood.”