Chapter 280 - 77: Falling Rock (3)

Chapter 280: Chapter 77: Falling Rock (3)

CRACKLE POP. Laughter and shouts filled the air, lending a festive New Year’s atmosphere to the village entrance.

An old man suddenly looked down at his feet. "Why do I feel the ground shaking?"

’Are the children jumping around too much, or is it just my aged body trembling?’

No other old men answered him. The children stopped their rowdy play, and everyone looked up toward the road ahead. Outside the village, a large contingent of men and horses had appeared—not just on the main road, but on the smaller paths and even in the fields.

These men and horses were clad in armor and carried weapons. Banners fluttered like a forest of clouds among their ranks.

’Who are these people?’

’Although this place was far from the Border County, it was understandable for troops to be mobilized and pass through.’

’But these troops are heading in the wrong direction.’

In addition to the main assembled force, Scouts galloped back and forth, flanking the army. A few Scouts approached the village. One of the old men gathered his courage and asked, "Which army are you from? Are you heading to the Border County to provide reinforcements?"

The Scout looked at them and waved the banner on his back.

"We are the Household Soldiers of the King of Zhongshan," he said. "Old man, the situation at the Border County is critical. We are on our way to protect the Capital City. You should all stay in your homes and not wander about, lest you run into danger."

With that, he galloped away.

The old men and children stood dumbfounded. ’The Border County... critical? The army has to go protect the Capital City? Is it that dire? Could it be that as soon as General Chu died, the Western Liang Soldiers just marched straight in?’

Oh, heavens—

The children, who knew nothing of the world’s sorrows, no longer dared to play. Wailing, they ran back into the village. "Papa— Mama—"

The old men, who had seen much of the world’s sorrows, trembled in body and soul, forgetting to add wood to the dying bonfire.

Oh, heavens—

’The late Emperor is dead, and now Chu Ling is dead too. Is the sky over the Great Xia finally about to fall?’

’Who is left to hold up the sky for the Great Xia?’

’Wait, what did that soldier say just now?’

’Household Soldiers of the King of Zhongshan?’

’That’s right. The late Emperor is dead, Chu Ling is dead, but the late Emperor still has a brother—the King of Zhongshan.’

They watched the endless stream of soldiers outside the village, a force that seemed to blot out the sky like a swarm of dark clouds.

...

...

Late at night, the Imperial City was even more silent than during the day.

There was no celebratory New Year’s atmosphere in the palace, let alone the sound of firecrackers. A few extra, ornate palace lanterns had been hung, but after receiving the news about Chu Ling, Xiao Yu had them taken down.

When Eunuch Qi entered, Xiao Yu was writing something, his small brow furrowed and letting out a sigh from time to time.

"What homework is this, to be troubling Your Majesty so?" Eunuch Qi asked with a smile.

Xiao Yu said, "Homework is hardly a challenge for me. I’m writing a letter to Sister Chu." He looked up. "How do you think I should console Sister Chu? I know that no amount of consoling helps with this kind of thing—"

As he spoke, the child’s voice trailed off, and a shadow fell over his eyes.

For he, too, was someone who had lost his parents.

’And his loss had been a brutal one.’ Eunuch Qi’s heart trembled. He didn’t dare touch upon the subject. Kneeling on one knee, he said, "Your Majesty, Miss Chu already knows all those platitudes. You don’t need to console her. You just need to tell her that you will always be there for her. Let her know that even though she has lost her father, she still has you. You are her family, too."

The shadow in Xiao Yu’s eyes dissipated, replaced by a smile. "You’re right. Sister Chu still has me."

’And I still have Sister Chu.’

’She’s the only one I have left.’

Eunuch Qi let out a breath of relief and personally ground the ink. Just as Xiao Yu was about to lift his brush to write, hurried footsteps sounded from outside, and a eunuch ran in.

"Mr. Xie requests an audience," he announced.

Both Xiao Yu and Eunuch Qi froze. But Xiao Yu quickly resumed writing and simply said, "Tell Mr. Xie that I have retired for the night. I will see him tomorrow."

Eunuch Qi looked at the eunuch, gesturing for him to hurry and deliver the message. But the eunuch didn’t move, stammering as he pointed outside, "M-Mr. Xie is already coming in."

Eunuch Qi started and looked toward the entrance. Sure enough, he saw Xie Yanfang walking in, cloaked and carrying a sword in his hand.

"Mr. Xie," he said, startled. He quickly moved to stand in front of Xiao Yu, his eyes fixed on the sword in Xie Yanfang’s hand. "What is the meaning of this?"

’Eunuch Qi knew that the Imperial Palace today, while nominally the Emperor’s home, was in reality the domain of Deng Yi and Xie Yanfang. They called the shots. However, the Imperial Guard here in the rear palace belonged to Chu Zhao; they did not take orders from either Deng Yi or Xie Yanfang.’

’Of course, Deng Yi could enter with the Jade Seal.’

’How did Xie Yanfang get in? Did he force his way in with his sword?’

’This—’

Xie Yanfang knew what he was thinking. He returned the sword to his side and said, "I didn’t force my way in with a sword. I snuck in over the wall."

’Over the wall?’ Eunuch Qi was aghast. ’Th-this is even more frightening than forcing his way in with a sword.’

’The Imperial Guard didn’t even notice.’

’Xie Yanfang is that skilled—’

Xie Yanfang said no more on the matter. "Eunuch Qi, I have urgent business to discuss with His Majesty in private. Please take the others and withdraw for a moment."

Before Eunuch Qi could speak, Xiao Yu spoke up from behind him.

"Everyone else may leave. Mr. Xie is family," Xiao Yu said, then added, "Eunuch Qi, serve tea."

Eunuch Qi acknowledged with a "Yes," and turned to pour tea from a nearby table. The other eunuchs in the hall bowed their heads and retreated.

Xie Yanfang looked at Xiao Yu, who was standing before the desk. He didn’t insist on Eunuch Qi leaving as well and strode forward. "Yu, don’t be afraid of what I’m about to tell you."

Xiao Yu looked at him and said, "Mr. Xie, speak freely. I am afraid of nothing."

Xie Yanfang said, "The King of Zhongshan has gathered his troops eight hundred li from the Capital City."

Eunuch Qi, who had just turned around with the tea, was so shocked that his hand went slack. With a CRASH, the teacup shattered on the floor.

The other shoe had finally dropped.