Chapter Fifteen: The Burden of Bearing a Precious Jewel

Just after Jiang Zhuo’s carriage had left the Marquis of Wuwei’s residence, it was flanked and intercepted by two large horses on either side.

It was common in the capital for wealthy, spoiled youths to enjoy racing their mounts wildly through the streets at night.

At first, Jiang Zhuo assumed they were just drunken rakes horsing around, so he instructed the coachman to yield slightly, prioritizing safety.

But he soon realized that when Jiang Zhuo went slow, they also went slow; when Jiang Zhuo sped up, they sped up as well.

They were coming straight for him.

A cold unease settled in Jiang Zhuo’s heart.

“Master Sile, what should we do now?” asked the coachman, an elderly man of over fifty, apparently encountering such a situation for the first time.

“Oh? Master Sile? A female court official? Seems our young master guessed wrong this time!”

A servant riding alongside, emboldened by the thrill, laughed and dared more.

“So what! Just a common girl. I’ll just make it a done deal first, then have my father petition for the imperial edict to marry her later!”

Seeing Jiang Zhuo’s face peering through the carriage window, Qian Yunyi’s desire flared even higher.

“Finally, the young master plans to marry. Looks like he’s turning over a new leaf.”

“With such a beauty as wife, so be it!”

The jolting carriage tossed Jiang Zhuo about, making him stagger.

There was no time to heed their jeers; Jiang Zhuo rapidly assessed the situation.

Two men on the right, one on the left, and three behind — six strong young men in total. Alone with only the coachman, resistance was hopeless. Jiang Zhuo clenched his teeth silently.

“Don’t stop! Try to head for a wider street with more people!”

Passing several streets, Jiang Zhuo noticed the others deliberately blocking wider roads at intersections, seemingly intent on driving him into narrower lanes.

“Help! Help—”

Jiang Zhuo shouted hoarsely.

Tonight’s banquet at the Marquis’s residence had drawn many guests; the city’s night patrols should be stricter. Now, he could only hope to encounter someone familiar.

“Hahaha, don’t waste your breath. Call for help now, and soon you won’t have the strength!” one mocked.

“Miss, you’d suffer less if you just went with my young master!”

Jiang Zhuo’s desperate cries echoed through the capital streets, only drawing out more brazen ridicule.

The coachman grew anxious; one misstep could cause the carriage to stop.

Surrounded on all sides by five steeds blocking the way, the horse pulling Jiang Zhuo’s carriage stubbornly refused to move forward, and his face went pale instantly.

A flash of steel struck the horse’s neck; blood splattered from its dark coat as it collapsed, whinnying sadly before going still.

“Little beauty, why don’t you run now?” Qian Yunyi dismounted, leering as he approached the carriage. “Have you been moved by this young master’s sincerity?”

Just as Jiang Zhuo’s hope drained, a clear, steady sound of hooves approached.

“Capital patrol! Who is causing a disturbance here—”

A firm, indifferent male voice, familiar as a memory, made Jiang Zhuo’s eyes light up. He pulled back the carriage curtain and looked out.

It was indeed Xie Guanlan!

Half a month ago, when Jiang Zhuo had met Xie Guanlan, he had no official title and had to lodge at a temple; now clad in armor, he cut an imposing figure.

In this dynasty, civil officials were prized above military ones. The top civil scholar’s achievements were celebrated loudly, while the martial champion maintained a quieter presence.

In his previous life, before becoming involved with Xie Guanlan, Jiang Zhuo had not paid him much attention. Now he realized that when they first met at the temple, Xie Guanlan had likely already passed the final imperial exam and was awaiting his appointment.

“Nothing wrong here. A concubine at home is sulking; I’m just trying to soothe her. General, please don’t disturb the domestic affairs,” Qian Yunyi, sensing trouble, stepped forward and tried to curry favor by smoothing his sleeves.

Just as he was about to shove a wad of silver at Xie Guanlan, an impatient Jiang Zhuo got out of the carriage and accused him loudly.

“He’s lying! I’m a Sixth Rank Sile of the Department of Etiquette, and I don’t even know him. Tonight, he forced my carriage to stop, killed my horse, and intended to assault me!”

Xie Guanlan had no intention of accepting the silver. Recognizing the woman as Jiang Zhuo, his gaze froze momentarily before turning coldly toward Qian Yunyi.

“How dare you! Do you know who my father is?”

Sensing the situation turning against him, Qian Yunyi pointed at his companions and threatened.

“A prince who commits a crime is subject to the same law as commoners,” Xie Guanlan said coldly. “Guards! This rabble roused a disturbance at night and attempted to assault a female official. Lock them up and await judgment!”

Watching the six men being led away by the guards, Jiang Zhuo finally breathed a sigh of relief.

The horse pulling his carriage was dead, and the coachman had been knocked unconscious at some point.

Just as Jiang Zhuo was at a loss on how to return to the palace, Xie Guanlan rode over.

“Master Sile Jiang, if you need to return to the palace, I can escort you since I’m headed that way.”

Having encountered two kind souls in one evening, Jiang Zhuo was moved to tears and made a slight bow in gratitude.

“Thank you for your help tonight, General Xie.”

“Why are you dressed like that?”

Xie Guanlan glanced at Jiang Zhuo, then quickly turned his head away, his expression stern.

Jiang Zhuo blushed deeply.

The garment belonged to Lin Rou’er, a concubine who lived deep within the Marquis’s inner court. Her attire was designed to captivate her lord, naturally alluring and seductive.

Xie Guanlan had not dismounted, watching from above, and Jiang Zhuo’s crouching bow only accentuated her exposed elegance.

“Possessing a treasure brings guilt,” Xie Guanlan said coldly, his presence chilling further. “If you lack the ability to protect yourself, don’t flaunt your beauty in the streets.”

“Yes, General Xie, your lesson is well taken.”

Tonight had been fraught with trouble, and Jiang Zhuo was too exhausted to argue.

Xie Guanlan’s soldiers quickly harnessed fresh horses to Jiang Zhuo’s carriage.

Only then did Jiang Zhuo climb back inside.

Late at night, the capital’s streets had returned to quiet. Jiang Zhuo leaned inside the carriage, lost in thought. Xie Guanlan rode silently nearby; the two said nothing.

“…Why return to the palace?”

Perhaps bored by the silence, Xie Guanlan broke it first.

“My father resigned and returned home some days ago. The Empress Dowager favored me, so I was temporarily appointed as a female Sile official of the Department of Etiquette,” Jiang Zhuo paused, feeling the need to explain clearly. “I went out today because the Emperor granted music to the Marquis of Wuwei’s residence, and I was assisting. But I accidentally fell into the water. Thanks to the Marquis’s noble concubine, Lady Lin, who lent me her clothes, I didn’t expect—”

“Continue.”

A silver flash slipped through the carriage curtain, landing in Jiang Zhuo’s lap.

Looking down, Jiang Zhuo saw a small, finely crafted dagger.

“Protect yourself.”

Xie Guanlan, still on horseback, kept his gaze forward, never once looking at Jiang Zhuo.

“Weapons are forbidden in the palace,” Jiang Zhuo smiled gently. “Also, General Xie, do you know that this could be considered a private exchange between a man and a woman?”

“Return it to me.”

Jiang Zhuo instead tucked the dagger into her bosom.

“Once given, gifts need not be returned,” she smiled warmly. “General Xie, are you being petty?”

“Suit yourself.”