Chapter 16

Chapter 16: A Storm Descends

As the evening progressed, a wind arose, and the rain followed.

Xiao Chiye galloped through the downpour, arriving at the Imperial Academy just in time to hear Gao Zhongxiong cry out, "If the traitor is not executed, the people's anger will not be assuaged!"

The students behind him bowed their heads and echoed in unison, "If the traitor is not executed, the people's anger will not be assuaged!"

Dust and rain splashed, soaking the students' clothing and hair.

Xiao Chiye reined in his horse, its hooves stomping on the spot. He watched for a moment before calling out, "Why didn't you do this earlier? If you had knelt like this back when the remnants first entered the capital, he would never have survived."

Gao Zhongxiong's chest heaved as he said, "It's never too late to mend a fence. The remnant's power has yet to reach its peak. As long as His Majesty withdraws his pardon and punishes him severely, it will serve as solace to the souls of Central Bohai's loyalists!"

"There's no reason for the Son of Heaven's edict to change overnight," Xiao Chiye replied. "Your kneeling isn't to beg the Emperor to rescind his order but to force him to do so. All of you are filial, fraternal, loyal, and trustworthy men. There are a hundred ways to appeal; why must you resort to the most desperate measure?"

"Governor," Gao Zhongxiong raised his head, "Scholars die for the sake of their counsel, while warriors die in battle! If we are to stand by and watch as His Majesty is deceived and acts blindly, it would be better for us to spill our blood on the imperial stage tonight, demonstrating our resolve with our deaths!"

Xiao Chiye said, "Is threatening suicide the only skill that scholars have ever possessed?"

The rain grew heavier, yet the students remained steadfast.

Xiao Chiye dismounted and squatted in front of Gao Zhongxiong. Amidst the downpour, he leaned closer and asked, "Who incited all this?"

Gao Zhongxiong’s face was resolute as he declared, "It was my loyalty to the sovereign!"

Xiao Chiye's expression turned mischievous. "I think not. If you want to protect outsiders, you can do so. But your actions tonight have implicated the three thousand fellow students behind you. If the Emperor were to fly into a rage and order a bloodbath tonight, you would be no different from the remnant traitors of the Shen family, both being eternal sinners. But that is not the worst-case scenario. The worst would be if your head rolls, and the Emperor still refuses to retract his command. You studied diligently for twelve years only to become a pawn or tool for others?"

Gao Zhongxiong wiped the rain from his face and said, "What I'm doing is a matter of loyalty and righteousness, entirely different from the Shen family's betrayal of the country! Even if the three thousand of us lose our lives tonight, our blood will soak the imperial platform for the sake of the Emperor!"

Xiao Chiye replied, "In the current situation, the palace neither withdraws Shen Zechuan's appointment nor sends an imperial edict to pacify the students. Don't you understand the Emperor's intentions?"

"We won't eat, sleep, or retreat," Gao Zhongxiong vowed, "until the Emperor retracts his order!"

Thunder rumbled, and Xiao Chiye stood up. Chen Yang tried to hold an umbrella for him, but Xiao Chiye waved him off. Rain seeped through his robe, and water dripped from the badge at his waist.

"Governor," Chen Yang whispered suddenly, "the Imperial Guards are here!"

Xiao Chiye turned around in the rain to see Qiao Tianya arriving on horseback. He dismounted and bowed in salute from a distance.

The students stirred upon seeing the imperial guards, causing a commotion.

Qiao Tianya sheathed his sword with a smile. "This matter is tricky, and it wouldn't be right to bother the governor. Since they're close to our Jinyiwei, it's naturally up to us to handle it."

"Handle it." Xiao Chiye nonchalantly raised his arm and placed it on Qiao Tianya's shoulder. "How does the Commander intend to resolve this? A group of unarmed students hardly warrant the Jinyiwei's involvement."

"In this capital, the Emperor is supreme," Qiao Tianya replied, glancing sideways. "Anyone who defies the Imperial Mandate becomes an enemy of the Jinyiwei."

Xiao Chiye met his gaze, and after a moment, they both burst into laughter.

"Good brothers," Xiao Chiye said. "True loyalty."

"The rain is heavy, and the cold biting," Qiao Tianya said, gripping his sword tightly. "I'll send someone to escort the governor back to his residence."

"I've only just arrived," Xiao Chiye's hand remained on Qiao Tianya's shoulder, making it impossible for him to move his sword hand, all while he maintained a smile. "Staying a little longer won't hurt."

Qiao Tianya said, "This matter isn't simple. There's no need for the governor to muddy the waters."

Xiao Chiye replied, "It's precisely because it's not simple that we can't deal with them all at once. These students are the pillars of the nation; no one can afford to bear the responsibility if any were to be lost."

Behind them, the man who dismounted wore thin clothes with loose sleeves and no sword, making him stand out starkly among the group of Imperial Guards in their fine attire.

Qiao Tianya released his grip on his saber and called out, "Lan Zhou, come over here."

Shen Zechuan turned around and exchanged a glance with Xiao Chiye.

Qiao Tianya casually moved Xiao Chiye's arm aside and said, "The Governor is worried that our Imperial Guards don't merely act recklessly. I have some arrangements in place, and the imperial order will arrive soon… Ah, you two are old acquaintances, aren't you? Lan Zhou, accompany the Governor here for a while; he's rather fearful right now."

Shen Zechuan folded his sleeves and observed the students in the rain.

Xiao Chiye glanced at him and said, "Your identification badge was issued quickly."

Shen Zechuan replied, "Second Young Master's was returned just as swiftly."

Xiao Chiye's brows furrowed coldly, but he forced a smile and said, "Although this matter seems to be aimed at you, it's actually directed at the palace. So, because you gained too little yesterday, you're stirring up trouble after breaking free from your cage?"

Shen Zechuan tilted his head slightly and looked at him with an innocent expression. "Second Young Master overestimates me. I don't possess such power to manipulate events. Since it's aimed at the palace, Second Young Master must know better than I do who would wish for the Emperor and the Huas to become enemies."

Xiao Chiye said, "I don't understand such twisted matters. They're the most confusing to me."

Shen Zechuan smiled at him and said, "We're old acquaintances. There's no need to be formal with me."

Xiao Chiye didn't respond to that. He casually flicked Shen Zechuan's badge with his finger and said, "The Elephant Training Institute is a great place, isn't it? You must be having fun."

"I am," Shen Zechuan replied. "I happen to have some experience taming fierce beasts."

"That's not called experience," Xiao Chiye corrected. "That's called a deep conversation with one's own kind."

"How dare I claim to have had a deep conversation," Shen Zechuan coughed lightly. "If our talk goes south and I get another kick, wouldn't all my efforts be in vain?"

"Use your teeth," Xiao Chiye said as he took the umbrella from Chen Yang and held it over his head, shading Shen Zechuan as well. "You're sharp-tongued; what are you afraid of?"

"I cherish my life," Shen Zechuan sighed dramatically. "They say one should repay even a small kindness with a great one. I still owe Second Young Master quite a bit."

"You've got the wrong person," Xiao Chiye scoffed.

"No, I haven't," Shen Zechuan said, turning his gaze slightly towards Xiao Chiye. He spoke calmly, "I know who I'm dealing with."

"Alright then," Xiao Chiye also turned his eyes. "I'd like to see just how much I owe you."

Beyond the umbrella, voices were muffled, and their proximity emphasized the difference in their heights.

"You're not really an outsider either," Xiao Chiye observed as he gazed at the rain-soaked students. "If someone dies tonight, they'll blame it on you."

"Four thousand innocent souls, if not more," Shen Zechuan said nonchalantly. "If they're afraid of death, why become a tool in others' hands? Even if someone tries to pin this on me, should I just accept it?"

They fell into another bout of silence.

Qiao Tianya sat beneath the shelter, cracking sunflower seeds. When he judged that the time was ripe, he straightened his robe and stood up. True enough, a sedan chair emerged from the darkness.

Upon lifting the curtain, it turned out to be Pan Rugui inside.

A young eunuch supported Pan Rugui while Ji Lei held an umbrella beside him. Dressed in a robe adorned with a five-poison toad applique and wearing a smoked hat, Pan Rugui allowed Qiao Tianya to lead him towards the students.

"It's pouring so heavily," Qiao Tianya said, suppressing his smile. "You've bothered the Lord Director of the East Factory to come."

Pan Rugui glanced at Gao Zhongxiong and asked Qiao Tianya, "He's still not backing down?"

Qiao Tianya replied, "Scholars are stubborn. They won't budge, no matter how you cajole or threaten them."

"Even that isn't enough," Pan Rugui, who had lost an arm the day before, was seething with repressed anger and needed an outlet. Assisted by others, he approached Gao Zhongxiong. "We are all learned men, so how can you not understand the meaning of 'usurpation'? Matters of the court should be discussed within the court – not by unseasoned youths like yourselves!"

Gao Zhongxiong, upon seeing this notorious 'Flower Faction' enforcer, couldn't help but stand up for himself. "Every citizen has a responsibility for the prosperity or decline of the nation. As students of the Imperial Academy, we have a duty to serve the Emperor! Now that His Majesty's court is filled with villains, if we don't..."

"Villains!" Pan Rugui sneered. "What a fine word! Who instructed you to slander the court and the Emperor?!"

"I am acting out of loyalty..."

"Enough nonsense." Pan Rugui abruptly gave the order. "You have been misled by sinister influences, defied imperial commands, incited unrest, and slandered the court. If such a person is not punished, what remains of our laws? Bring him to me!"

Gao Zhongxiong never expected Pan Rugui to act so recklessly and immediately, so he stood firm in the rain, shouting at the top of his lungs, "Who dares? I am an appointed student of the Imperial Academy, chosen by the Emperor himself! The cowards are in front, while eunuchs are ruining the country! It is you traitors who should be seized!"

"Drag him away!" Ji Lei ordered, noticing Pan Rugui's fury.

The Imperial Guards stepped forward to apprehend Gao Zhongxiong, who tried to rise but was held back. He raised his arms towards the palace and cried out, "My death today is a protest! If the eunuchs wish to kill me, let them! Emperor...

Qiao Tianya tightened his grip around Gao Zhongxiong's neck, preventing him from breathing properly. Struggling, he managed to gasp out his words in fragments.

"Emperor... villains dominate, where is justice?!"

Xiao Chiye inwardly cursed.

Sure enough, he saw the three thousand students seething with righteous anger. In that instant, life and death were pushed aside by their passionate cries. Amidst the downpour, they leaped to their feet and charged towards the Imperial Guards.

"Eunuchs are destroying the nation!" A scholar yanked off his writing case and hurled it at Pan Rugui, spitting out, "Traitors are in power!"

Ji Lei hastily shielded Pan Rugui, pushing him back while yelling, "What are you doing? Are you trying to rebel?"

"This is the real traitor to the country!" The students collided with the Imperial Guards, their fingers almost poking Ji Lei's face as they spat, "Traitor! Traitor!"

Xiao Chiye suddenly tossed his umbrella to Shen Zechuan and strode down the steps.

Shen Zechuan stood alone on high ground, watching the chaos unfold with cold eyes as Pan Rugui was shoved back into his sedan chair and Ji Lei's shoes were even trampled off.

"Rivers and lakes are full of storms," Shen Zechuan murmured to Ji Lei from afar. "Governor Ji, how glorious."

A soft chuckle emerged from under the umbrella as he casually twirled the handle. He then gazed at Xiao Chiye's retreating figure.

Qi Taifu and Ji Gang were drinking wine and tea under the eaves.

Ji Gang sipped his tea and said, "Is killing Xiao Fuzi solely to ensure Chuan'er's escape?"

Qi Taifu took small sips of his wine, as if cherishing every drop, holding onto his gourd and replying, "Who knows? You'll have to guess for yourself."

Ji Gang turned to face him and declared, "In any case, his safety must come first."

Qi Taifu shook his gourd and advised, "To catch your enemy off guard, you must take risky moves. You taught him martial arts so he could remain calm in perilous situations. Sometimes, one must put their safety aside and risk it all to find new life."

With a worried frown, Ji Gang watched the rain intensify and stated, "The task you entrusted me with is already settled."

"This is called playing the long game," Qi Taifu commented, picking at his toenails. "If we don't wait a few years before reeling in our catch, we'll only end up with rotten fish and shrimp. Should misfortune befall us one day, this arrangement will serve as his life-saving trump card."