The second hall of the three grand halls along the central axis is the Hall of Central Harmony. When the Emperor was to proclaim the Crown Prince, he would first come to this hall to don the dragon robe and ceremonial crown before proceeding to the front hall to ascend the throne. The current Emperor cast a gentle smile towards Empress Zhao Zhi, who stood nearby, their understanding unspoken. Originally, it was against etiquette for the Empress to share the same surname as the Emperor, but even when he was a prince who had not yet gained favor, he had always treated this woman—who later ruled over the harem—with deep respect and affection, regarding her as a close confidante. In secret, he had vowed that should he ascend the throne, he would make her son the Crown Prince. Empress Zhao favored her younger son, Zhao Zhuan, and the Emperor even went so far as to defy the ancestral decree that the eldest legitimate son should inherit the throne, revealing just how deeply he cherished Empress Zhao in his heart, despite being known throughout the empire as a wise and mighty sovereign.
Such a decision was met with no opposition from the censors or upright officials, an unprecedented occurrence. Clearly, the Zhao family’s grip over the empire had reached an unprecedented level of strength. The consorts who had borne grown princes all maintained composed expressions, careful not to betray any unusual emotions. Among the six princes, only the youngest, Prince Zhao Chun at the age of twelve, was allowed to remain in the capital until he came of age. The other four princes, having no hope of becoming Crown Prince, were to be enfeoffed as kings today and would leave the capital in three days to take up their fiefs. Before their departure, they were required to bid farewell to the new Crown Prince, bowing three times in deep reverence to emphasize the Crown Prince’s exalted status.
Within the Hall of Martial Splendor, where the six princes awaited the imperial audience, they subtly divided themselves into two groups. The eldest, the fourth, and the sixth princes gathered together. Zhao Wu was about to be enfeoffed as the King of Liao and appointed General of the Northern Garrison, making him the only prince to wield military authority. The second prince, Zhao Wen, was to be enfeoffed as the King of Tang. His mother, Noble Consort Nie Yuanzhen, hailed from the southern province of Jiangnan and was not born of a powerful aristocratic family. She had always been courteous and non-contentious within the harem, known for her strictness and gentle demeanor. Likewise, Prince Zhao Wen was known for his mild and humble nature, his literary talent elegant and refined. He was often praised for his calligraphic brilliance, likened to possessing divine brushwork, and frequently discussed Daoist philosophy with Chancellor Zhao Danping, living up to his title of “Wen” (literary).
The third prince, Zhao Xiong, was to be enfeoffed as the King of Han and would soon take up his post at the border city of Ji Zhou. His mother, Noble Consort Peng Yuanqing, was from the Peng family of Liaodong, one of the leading northern aristocratic clans. Prince Zhao Xiong was considered the most troublesome among the princes, with rumors circulating that he had often harassed Prince Zhao Kai. The fifth prince, Zhao Hong, was enfeoffed as the King of Yue. His mother was not even a noble consort but merely a concubine, Consort Xue Quan, from a modest background.
Among the princess-consorts, Yan Dongwu remained holding the hand of the fourth prince, Zhao Zhuan. Her hand was cold as ice, her delicate face showing slight restraint, while Zhao Zhuan, smiling warmly, had palms damp with sweat—perfectly complementing each other. While quietly chatting with his eldest brother, Zhao Wu, Zhao Zhuan kept glancing toward her with gentle smiles. Strangely, when she first came to the capital to wed into the imperial family, despite marrying a fourth prince who was generally looked down upon, she had lived contentedly and harmoniously with her husband. However, as she gradually realized that things were not as simple and tranquil as she had imagined, Yan Dongwu became increasingly cautious, walking as if on thin ice. Especially after visiting her family six months ago, she had seen her father’s aged face, filled with suppressed excitement that could not be hidden no matter how hard he tried. Witnessing his joy to the point of tears, yet saying nothing, she began to sense that events were spiraling beyond control. Since then, she had grown more silent and careful in her words and actions. Each time she and her husband went to pay respects to Empress Zhao, it felt like an invisible battle, leaving her confused and uncertain. Yet she felt no trace of secret delight at the thought of becoming a Crown Princess. This attitude only deepened Empress Zhao’s inner approval, though she never voiced it aloud to her daughter-in-law.
Empress Zhao approached her two sons, carefully adjusting the collars and sleeves of Zhao Wu and Zhao Zhuan. She was meticulous, showing no sign of carelessness. The eldest prince, Zhao Wu, grinned broadly, while Zhao Zhuan, soon to be proclaimed Crown Prince, still wore the same mischievous and unruly expression. He took his mother’s hand and gently rubbed it against his face, making the young sixth prince think that his fourth brother was even more childish than himself, prompting a crooked smile. Empress Zhao pulled her hand back and tapped Zhao Zhuan lightly on the forehead, feigning anger: “How old are you now, still acting so shamelessly!”
Zhao Wu wrapped an arm around his younger brother’s shoulders, defending him: “Even if he grows older, he’ll always be your son, Mother.”
Zhao Zhuan softly said: “Mother, why don’t you let Brother leave a little later?”
Empress Zhao glared furiously: “Nonsense!”
Unfazed, Zhao Zhuan stuck out his tongue, ruffled the young Zhao Chun’s hair, and said, “Good thing little Chun is staying in the capital to keep me company.”
The young prince tugged at Zhao Zhuan’s sleeve, his face full of anticipation: “Fourth Brother, when will you give me that undefeated fighting cricket?”
Yan Dongwu gave the fourth prince a gentle pinch, having heard his empty promises about giving up cricket fighting. She smiled gently at Zhao Chun: “Little Chun, I’ll give them all to you. If your fourth brother dares to hide even one, you can come tell me.”
The young prince gave his fourth brother a bright, mischievous grin, then exaggeratedly bowed deeply to the appointed Crown Princess: “Little Chun thanks you, dear sister-in-law!”
Empress Zhao’s eyes sparkled with warmth.
For some reason, the Emperor had already donned his imperial yellow dragon robe and arrived beside them. Seeing the warm, harmonious scene, he felt deeply pleased. Facing Yan Dongwu, he spoke with both majesty and paternal kindness: “Dongwu, from now on, treat Zhuan as you see fit. If he dares to give you any trouble, I shall support you and discipline him. Zhuan is a lazy rascal who only moves when struck, but one thing he inherited from me is that while he might let his wife struggle, he will never let her suffer.”
Before Yan Dongwu could kneel in gratitude, Empress Zhao held her arms: “We are family. There’s no need for such formalities except in front of outsiders.”
Zhao Zhuan complained: “Father, Mother, I finally found a good wife who speaks for me, and you two are going to spoil her! Then I’ll have no choice but to keep nagging you every day!”
The Emperor of the Zhao dynasty smiled silently, while Empress Zhao raised her hand as if to strike him: “Don’t get too smug.”
The eldest prince, Zhao Wu, teased: “Fourth Brother, you’ve got it rough. I won’t be here to drink with you anymore. Go find the sixth prince.”
The sixth prince, Zhao Chun, waved his hands frantically: “No, no, no! I get drunk just smelling wine!”
The Emperor laughed heartily, scanning the crowd before solemnly addressing all the princes: “This enfeoffment is to send you to guard different regions and support the imperial house. Once you leave the capital, do not allow any laziness or negligence!”
All the princes, except Zhao Zhuan, bowed deeply in unison.
Two consorts and a concubine simultaneously turned their gazes toward the Crown Prince. For years, he had always been gentle and courteous, even to them, treating their maids with kindness. Everyone had assumed he was a carefree scholar destined to live quietly in his fief. Now, as they looked at him, Zhao Zhuan met their gazes with calm eyes, nodding slightly, showing no sign of arrogance or impatience despite his recent rise. Some among the consorts, who had secretly hoped their own sons might have a chance, now felt a reluctant resignation. Facing such a composed and likable opponent, they could not even find the will to resent their own sons for failing to rise.
During today’s imperial audience, perhaps buoyed by nearly two decades of military and civil achievements, the Emperor of Liyang specially permitted the Grand Secretaries and senior ministers to bend certain court protocols. Several veteran generals, bearing the titles of the Four Garrisons and Four Expeditions, were even allowed to enter the court with swords. Among the generals, Gu Jiantang carried the rare Nan Hua sword, while Chen Zhibao stood out with his plum wine spear. The heir of Beiliang, Xu Fengnian, remained as always, his simple Beiliang sword hanging at his waist.
But today was unlike any other. The officials could not enter the hall until the Emperor, Empress, and princes had all arrived. Thus, nearly a thousand officials patiently waited on the white jade plaza outside the grand hall and within the city gates. Unlike the newly enfeoffed princes, who still had three days in the capital, the five royal dukes would depart immediately after the audience to take up their fiefs.
If the Emperor of Liyang were seated on the dragon throne now, gazing upon the gathering of heroes, he would surely feel a surge of pride, as if all the heroes of the world had fallen into his grasp.
Prince Jiaodong, Zhao Sui, took a few steps toward Xu Fengnian, both gazing toward the southern city gate. Beyond it lay the outer city, nearly eighteen miles long, with eighteen grand gates standing in a row.
Zhao Sui did not seem to be speaking to anyone in particular, merely murmuring: “Thirty years have passed in a flash. The young men who once drank and joked together have all grown old.”
Xu Fengnian said calmly: “Xu Xiao said he always felt deep guilt toward Uncle Zhao.”
Zhao Sui laughed: “Guilt? It was just a few missed drinking sessions. When you all settle down and build your lives, and we old men close our eyes forever, we’ll have all the time in the world to drink together again.”
Xu Fengnian nodded.
Zhao Sui turned to him: “If you ever get the chance, visit the two Liaos. Remember to find Zhao Yi. This kid used to admire flying martial heroes, but now he only admires you. He has only two words for you: respect and admiration.”
Xu Fengnian looked puzzled.
Zhao Sui smiled: “It’s genuine, not just polite flattery. A few years ago, when he heard about what you said to the Celestial Master Sect of Longhu Mountain at the Snowy Peak, he kept saying ‘nonsense’ in front of me, and it’s become his catchphrase. Whenever anyone asks him for money, he just says, ‘Pay? Pay what?’”
Xu Fengnian looked awkward.
Not far away, Zhao Sui’s heir, Zhao Yi, roughly guessed the topic of their conversation. He gave Xu Fengnian a reserved smile.
Zhao Sui gazed southward: “This time, with the Crown Prince’s proclamation and the enfeoffment of the princes, we must be wary of Cao Changqing of Western Chu coming to the capital to provoke trouble. I wonder whether the ‘Second Under Heaven’ from Wudi City will station at one of the eighteen gates.”
Knowing that the old swordsman, Master Sui, had gone to the East Sea (East Sea) Wudi City, Xu Fengnian shook his head: “Probably not.”
Zhao Sui did not ask why, trusting him completely. He merely chuckled: “But I heard that the ancestor of the Wu family, the ‘Sovereign of Simplicity,’ will bring eight hundred swords to guard one of the gates. Other gates will also be guarded by masters. I wonder if they can stop the Confucian Saint, Master Cao.”
A sudden uproar echoed through the air.
Xu Fengnian looked up toward the sound.
He bit his lip, a faint trickle of blood escaping unnoticed.
At one of the city gates along the central imperial avenue, nearly a thousand flying swords shot into the sky.
A figure in green robes, sleeves wrapped, leapt gracefully through the sword formation, ignoring the pursuing blades behind.
The entire city of Taian erupted in shock.
Cao Changqing surged forward like a breaking wave from the gate.
Even more astonishing was a young woman of unparalleled grace, soaring on a sword straight through the eighteen gates.
Her sword hovered above the crowd.
Standing upon it was the legendary blade from twenty-three years ago—the Great Liang Longque.
Princess Sui Zhu, idly hopping on the steps of the Wuying Hall beside the Zhonghe Hall, nearly dropped her jaw in disbelief.
That exquisitely beautiful woman—wasn’t she the poor servant girl from Wudang Mountain who had once cherished a humble vegetable garden?
Her?
Could she truly wield the sword immortal’s art of flying thirty thousand miles?
Cao Changqing leapt onto the city wall outside the gate, standing beside the sword-riding woman, and proclaimed loudly: “Cao Changqing of Western Chu, here with Princess Jiang Si to attend the ceremony in Taian City!”
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