The imperial capital faces the Central Plains to the south, and the imperial aura surges from Jì mén for a thousand autumns. The eastern waves of Bóhǎi connect with Sùshèn, and the western ridge of Tàiháng leads to Kūnlún.
The Heavenly Mandate of the Nine Emperors is established in the坤维, and the Ten Thousand Nations are like stars around the North Star. Yao and Shun’s peaceful reign is seen today; examining the auspicious geography, no further discussion is needed.
The carriage slowly passed the inspection at the city gate before entering the city. Through the curtain, one could clearly hear the hustle and bustle of the market, even though the winter month in the capital was already bone-chillingly cold.
“Miss, aren't we going to the Scholar's Mansion?” Hé Nuǎn looked in surprise at the young girl wrapped in white fox fur. Against the backdrop of the flawless white fox fur collar, the girl’s skin was as white as snow, her dark eyes were moist, and with her delicate and round face, she was truly fair-skinned, red-lipped, and exuded an imposing nobility.
Unlike her soft, childish voice from childhood, Zhàn Fēiyú’s voice was clear and melodious when she spoke, like jade beads falling onto a plate, “Since we are going for the examination, we naturally must go to an inn.”
Hé Nuǎn looked speechlessly at her young lady, whose eyes flickered. Well, others grew more sensible and steady as they grew older, but their young lady was the opposite; when she was young…
…But Zhàn Fēiyú, a young girl, had to study for the imperial examinations and could travel to various places with her maids and servants. Qiú Huáixìn suddenly felt less uneasy.
“Young Master, there is no need to worry. The Lord is in good health. Even if you have to shoulder the family business in the future, the eldest and second young masters will provide their full support,” Shí Sōng said in a deep voice. They had reached this point, and there was no room for the young master to retreat.
Qiú Huáixìn nodded in agreement and nimbly got into the carriage. As the carriage slowly continued along the official road towards the southeast fork, he couldn't help but smile and say, “This year will have to do. If I get married next year, have a son the year after, and my father is in good health, then in twenty years, the position of family head can be handed over.”
Qiú Huáixìn did not expect his son to be as intelligent as Zhàn Fēiyú. As long as this brat was stronger than his father in the future, he himself, although the head of the Qiú clan, had his elderly father providing protection and his two elder brothers offering support, making his position as family head merely nominal.
After twenty years, when the brat was trained by his grandfather, he would be free. Thinking this, Qiú Huáixìn felt completely relaxed.
Shí Zhú was somewhat bewildered. He had seen prodigal sons who harmed or implicated their fathers, but this was the first time he had seen someone who wanted to harm his son. What's more, the young master was not even betrothed yet, and he was already arranging his son’s future.
Zhàn Fēiyú, also on the carriage, warming her hands with a hand warmer, was completely unaware that Qiú Huáixìn had the idea of getting married as soon as possible, and was even eager to have a son, then hand the son over to Lord Qiú, his grandfather, for guidance. As long as the child became talented early, he, the father, could escape the sea of suffering sooner.
Hé Nuǎn handed the scalding ginger and jujube tea, which had a faint sweet taste, to Zhàn Fēiyú. Traveling in winter, the greatest fear was catching a cold. “Miss, have a cup of hot tea.”
“Pour a cup of tea for Āshēng too.” Zhàn Fēiyú put down the hand warmer and took the teacup. The rich scent of ginger and jujube wafted towards her, dispelling the winter chill. “Ānuǎn, do you think Big Brother is still in Qiánzhōng Prefecture?”
Hé Nuǎn looked at Zhàn Fēiyú, who was holding the teacup with both hands and sipping it. The young lady seemed not to care about Seventh Master's departure, but ever since Seventh Master left the Qiú family villa, the young lady would often lose herself in thought.
“The situation in Qiánzhōng Road has not truly stabilized yet. Seventh Master will leave at the earliest by the end of the year,” Hé Nuǎn thought of Madam Wu, who had committed suicide in prison. She had taken all the blame with her life, protecting the Wu family and temporarily bringing peace to the situation in Qiánzhōng Prefecture.
But in secret, the Qiú family would not let go of the mastermind, the Wu family. Madam Wu, having married into the Qiú family, was considered part of the Qiú family. Madam Wu’s wish to end her life to quell the Qiú family’s anger was absolutely impossible.
As for the Wu family, they would inevitably guard against the Qiú family’s retaliation, as well as the Wu family’s in-laws and old acquaintances. A single move would affect the whole situation. The current peace was merely an illusion, put on display for the Emperor in the capital.
Zhàn Fēiyú sighed. Such was the way of the world. The tree desired stillness, but the wind would not cease. One wished to live a peaceful life but would be passively drawn into these right and wrong matters. Without the ability to protect oneself, one might not even know how they died.
Yīn Wúyǎn, who was being thought of by Zhàn Fēiyú, was indeed still in Qiánzhōng Prefecture, but had moved from the open to the covert. Besides the Dark Dragon Guards sent by the Emperor, there were also spies from various families. Ordinary people could absolutely not ascertain the whereabouts of the Commander of the Forbidden Dragon Guards.
“Seventh Master, everything has been arranged. Aunt Huang had already passed away when she was sent to the medical clinic,” Chóng Guāng said as he quickly walked in from the wind and snow. They had been deploying this matter for the past few days, ensuring there were no loopholes and no one would suspect anything.
Standing with his back to the window, Yīn Wúyǎn thought of Zhàn Fēiyú, who had already left the city. He said in a deep voice, “Make Jiāo Liányù fall seriously ill, then bring him out.”
With the death of Aunt Huang, Jiāo Liányù fell seriously ill due to his mother's death. After recovering, even if his actions were different, it would not arouse suspicion. After all, he was a concubine’s son, and without Aunt Huang’s support, he would act discreetly, whether in the Jiāo mansion or later when he went to study at the official school.
This was the effect the Forbidden Dragon Guards wanted. Their people would become Jiāo Liányù, while the real Jiāo Liányù would likely spend his life in a dark and gloomy prison.