The mist rose at dawn, shrouding the ancient city of Hangzhou, blurring the lines between waterways and city walls. In the fields, visibility was limited to mere yards, obscuring movement. Occasionally, carriages would rumble past, their forms emerging from the white void like beasts, only to vanish again into the swirling mist. Remember 【End of Book God Station】Input address for mobile users:

This pervasive fog, after the night’s grim events, temporarily diffused the city's oppressive atmosphere, isolating it into small, visible pockets. More soldiers stood guard on the city walls, but the mist and heavy morning dew prompted them to huddle around braziers, chatting about the previous night's disturbances and their families. Only the occasional passing officer could rouse them to attention.

Within the city's layered courtyards, the sounds of roosters and dogs had yet to fully awaken. People were in no rush to leave their homes, lighting stoves and lamps as they cautiously awaited further developments. Whispers and rustling sounds were soon swallowed by the dense fog.

In a small courtyard behind the Wen Lie Academy on Willow Street, a faint light shone. The bedroom door opened, and a young girl, hastily dressed, stepped out. Looking back, a young scholar with a bandage wrapped around his head rubbed his eyes, attempting to follow. Although possessing a mature and steady demeanor, he was still young, and his injury made him appear sleepy. The girl turned back, muttered something with a pout, and then pushed him back inside to sleep.

The warm light flickered slightly as the two lingered at the doorway. The girl, formerly a servant but now also a concubine, waved her hands assertively, yet her expression conveyed a sense of grievance. The scholar gestured to indicate that he was fine, but his reasoning was evidently unconvincing. After a moment, he reluctantly grabbed her sleeve and pulled her back into the room. She paused, her previous arrogance fading as she meekly said, "Ah..."

The door closed.

"M-Master... It's... It's almost dawn... Uh..."

No matter how strong her occasional bursts of confidence, she was still a lamb. The experiences of a lamb falling into the clutches of a wolf are beyond detailed recounting. Clothes, presumably, would have to be put on again. At this point, our view shifts from the courtyard below. The mist thickened once more. In the Black Feather Guard's official residence, a young man named An Xifu sat at his desk, poring over documents. It was unclear if he had been up all night or had just risen, but upon seeing the names "Tyrant Saber Camp" and "Ning Liheng," he reached out to trim the lamp's wick. A moment later, he set the documents aside.

In another courtyard across the city, Chen Fan, having completed his exercises, poured a bucket of icy well water over his bare torso, steam rising from his skin. He exhaled deeply. As the "unemployed vagrant" in Ning Yi's words, his days consisted mostly of exercising and visiting friends, with little else to occupy him. He had recently been keeping a close eye on the children at Wen Lie Academy. Soon after, biting into a pancake, he left his house. As he passed the entrance to the neighboring courtyard, he noticed through the mist that the gate was wide open, with people bustling in and out in what seemed like anxious activity. He vaguely recalled someone from that house asking about something in the middle of the night, most likely a family member who had gone missing the previous night. Hangzhou's security was not ideal, he rolled his eyes, but that was An Xifu's business, not his.

The view shifts again to the northern city wall. Blood splashed in the white mist as a sweeping blade severed a soldier's neck. Nearby, a spear flew past with a whoosh, leaving a trail of blood, disappearing beyond the city walls in an instant.

Figures appeared suddenly, their speed like locusts swarming across the land. Charging forward, they wielded swords and spears, the front ranks of soldiers not even having time to cry out before their lives were taken. One of the attackers, after striking with his blade, maintained his speed, embracing the falling corpse of the soldier whose throat he had just cut as he passed. He gently leaned the body against the ramparts as his companions secured and lowered ropes. The group quickly descended from the city.

On the other side of the city, in the temporary imperial palace of the Yongle Dynasty, the imperial court session had been underway for some time. In fact, court sessions were not held frequently after the establishment of the Yongle Dynasty. The rebel army was not particular about such things, and the various leaders could meet and hold discussions at any time. However, given the rebellion of the previous night, this morning's court session was clearly necessary. How to fill Qi Yuankang's vacancy and how to divide the spoils had already been decided, but there were still many matters to discuss and confirm. The not-too-lengthy deliberation was now coming to an end. After the court adjourned, Fang La kept several high-ranking officials for breakfast. Empress Shao Xianying also came to join them, which was the equivalent of a family banquet.

"Talents of our generation emerge from the world, once entering the Jianghu, time urges... I...朕 (I, the Emperor) heard that when capturing Qi Yuankang last night,茜茜 (Qian Qian) wrote this poem? It's truly a good poem..."

Having ascended the throne some time ago, Fang La had not yet grown accustomed to addressing himself as 朕 (I, the Emperor) when facing some of his old comrades. Mentioning the poem *Xiao Ao Jiang Hu*, his smile held a hint of surprise. Empress Shao, beside him, smiled, "I also find it strange. This child is usually most skilled at wielding knives and spears. I never expected her to produce such poetry. I do know that she admires talented people... Two Prime Ministers, you are both learned men and familiar with茜茜 (Qian Qian). Do you think she wrote this poem?"

Among those present, Lou Minzhong and Zu Shiyuan were both learned scholars. After a moment's contemplation, Lou Minzhong said, "The Way of Poetry is vast and profound. It is difficult to determine at a glance who authored a piece or did not. However,茜茜 (Qian Qian), though seemingly playful, is actually a person of great wisdom. I believe she would not fabricate such a thing."

Shao Xianying was not a literary person and only regarded Liu Xigua as a junior, so her question was casual. But Lou Minzhong was a cautious man, and scholars took this matter very seriously. In this circle, if someone's reputation was damaged by plagiarism, it would be difficult for them to thrive in the future. Although Liu Xigua was not in this field, he only gave an ambiguous answer. However, Zu Shiyuan, who was beside him, smiled after he finished speaking.

"Prime Minister Lou's statement about great wisdom is, in my opinion, indeed accurate. Frankly speaking, the poem is actually simple and straightforward, without excessive allusions or obscure vocabulary. However, the ambition and spirit within it are quite astonishing. It is unlikely that someone who is not bold and unrestrained could create it. To be honest, I think this poem perfectly matches the style of our Ms. Da Biao. Although the Tyrant Saber Camp has recruited some learned people, precisely because they are learned, they probably could not produce such a poem. It is unlikely that someone wrote it for her..."

After Zu Shiyuan finished speaking, others discussed it. A man sitting a little further away frowned. "However, the line 'discussing grand plans and hegemony in jest'... Isn't that a bit presumptuous..." This man was named Gao Yu, held the official title of Vice Minister, and was quite capable. However, although he was retained at this time, he was not considered to have much seniority among this group. After he spoke, Fang La waved his hand dismissively.

"Haha, what's wrong with it? Discussing grand plans and hegemony in jest. Haven't the things the Tyrant Saber Camp has done in recent years been grand plans and hegemony? Look, Xianying, thinking back to the beginning, that little girl was quite ambitious, wanting to be a female emperor. I allowed her to do so. Although she doesn't have the Fang surname, I treat her like my own daughter. In the future, I will have to grant her a city and a piece of land. Officer Gao, don't let her hear you say that, or she'll chase you down with her knife. I won't be able to protect you then..."

Gao Yu responded submissively. Empress Shao Xianying smiled, then frowned, and said softly, "If this poem was really written by Little Xigua, it sounds... a bit decadent, doesn't it? What 'discussing grand plans and hegemony in jest', 'not as good as a drunken life', 'the world is like a tide, people are like water'..."

Fang La paused. "These past few years, maybe... this child also feels a little tired..."

As he said this, he couldn't help but recall the various events that had occurred along the way since the uprising, from Liu Dabiao's death to Qi Yuankang's rebellion last night, and the various people he had seen and who had died by his side. Naturally, the girl named Xigua had also watched all of this pass and slowly grown up. However, men's thoughts on some things were naturally different from women's. The others in the hall who were familiar with Liu Xigua considered it for a moment and then sighed, "茜茜 (Qian Qian) has also grown up."

Then, Zu Shiyuan said, "Speaking of which, our Liu family girl is already past the age for marriage, isn't she?" As he said this, he looked at Lou Minzhong beside him.

Fang La also sighed, "Always fighting, fighting back and forth, delaying it... I haven't seen anyone suitable either."

Shao Xianying said, "It's not that you haven't seen anyone suitable, it's just that this child has high aspirations and hasn't seen anyone she fancies... Speaking of which, we elders haven't paid much attention to it. Dabiao entrusted the child to us before his death... Husband, what do you say... shouldn't we find someone for the child too?"

Shao Xianying herself was a heroine, having been in charge of military affairs alongside Fang Baihua in the past. Although she had become the Empress, she still addressed Fang La by his original title. In her view, a girl approaching twenty would naturally feel tired because she was so old but still had no family. Fang La nodded. "But who should we find? In all these years, have you ever seen her give a man the slightest attention, especially in this kind of matter? If we bring someone, and she stabs him with a knife, how will we explain it?"

He vividly remembered the time when Lou Jingzhi was almost stabbed to death. It wasn't that stabbing a few people was a big deal, but a girl still needed her reputation. If she really stabbed the man she was supposed to be marrying, how would she find a husband in the future? As he spoke, Fang La couldn't help but lower his voice. Shao Xianying said softly, "How about Chen Fan?"

"They fight every time they meet, they're not on the same wavelength. You say they're quarreling lovers, but if they keep fighting even after they get married, who can stand it..."

Just as they were speaking, Zu Shiyuan interjected with a smile, "How about Gongzi Lou?" (Gongzi is a polite way to refer to a young man of noble birth).

"Who?"

"Which Gongzi Lou?"

"Prime Minister Lou's eldest son."

The occasion was not too formal, and Lou Minzhong and Zu Shiyuan were on good terms, so Lou Minzhong simply sighed and glanced at him. "Prime Minister Zu, although the Lou and Liu families are hereditary friends, and I also favor茜茜 (Qian Qian) as my daughter-in-law, you know that my son was almost stabbed to death. Why bring it up to make fun of it..."

"This is not a joke." Zu Shiyuan smiled, "The two of them didn't interact much at the beginning, and茜茜 (Qian Qian) has that kind of temper, so it was quite awkward when things happened. But since these interactions recently, perhaps there has been a turning point? I heard that茜茜 (Qian Qian) was attacked last night, and Jingzhi was on the scene at the time, offering assistance..."

Lou Minzhong frowned. "Is this true?"

"Didn't Jingzhi explain in detail when he returned?"

The information reported from various places about the assassination of Liu Dabiao by the three Qi brothers the previous night was actually somewhat vague, but the main point was still conveyed. Liu Dabiao and Lou Jingzhi worked together, fighting against the assassins led by Qi Xinyong, Qi Xinyi, and Qi Xinhan. It was also explained that the matter was deliberately arranged by Liu Dabiao to settle the grievances according to Jianghu rules, and Lou Jingzhi happened to be there. In any case, Ning Liheng was naturally omitted.

Lou Minzhong learned last night about his son being assassinated, but the sources of information were different. Lou Jingzhi returned home, feeling ashamed, so he naturally did not mention Liu Xigua at all. Lou Minzhong had a lot of things to deal with, so he was naturally relieved to know that his son was safe and temporarily ignored it. However, Zu Shiyuan saw it this morning and developed a series of speculations in his mind. Whether it was a hero saving a beauty or a beauty saving a hero, or a secret meeting on the street and fighting side by side, there was of course something going on between young people. He intentionally wanted to do a good deed, so he said it at this time, which also startled Lou Minzhong. After all, he quite favored the girl who had single-handedly built the Tyrant Saber Camp. If his son really had a chance, he would of course be happy to see it happen.

Lou Minzhong's attitude was ambiguous, Zu Shiyuan smiled happily, and everyone began to gossip. After Zu Shiyuan added fuel to the fire and told his own speculations about what happened last night, everyone felt that there was something going on, and they discussed it one after another.

After all, the children were grown up and really had to consider marriage, didn't they... (To be continued.) Vote for recommendations and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation.)

Support (End of Book God Station) Share this site with those little friends who need it! Please leave a message if you can't find the book!