Chapter 140: Sudden Change

After passing Xinfeng, Chang’an City was now within arm’s reach.

Though the Six Steeds were exceptional, and the retainers who had followed him back were handpicked by the Cui family—each skilled in horsemanship and martial arts—Du Shiyi and the five of them had ridden hard day and night to arrive here, leaving everyone fatigued. It was already near the evening of the twelfth day of the eighth lunar month. If they could spur their horses and enter the city before curfew, they could rest overnight and face the Jingzhao Prefecture examination on the thirteenth in their best state. Even Du Shiyi could not help but lean forward to quicken his pace. However, upon crossing Ba Bridge, they were met with chaos ahead.

The Cui retainers were well-trained; their leader, Chibi, signaled, and immediately one rider dashed forward while the others gathered around Du Shiyi, slowing their horses. Seeing this, Du Shiyi couldn’t help but recall the incident when he left Luoyang for Mount Song. Jiang Du had “accidentally” fallen from his horse and was saved by him and Cui Jianxuan. The two of them had easily returned to Mount Song to continue their studies, but Jiang Du had a fierce fight with Liu Ximing, ending with Jiang Du firmly pressing Liu Ximing down and causing him to fail the Jingzhao Prefecture’s preliminary examination. Still dissatisfied, Jiang Du warned him to continue bearing the burden of this blockade.

Since the start of this second life, whenever he encountered Liu Ximing, the man seemed to make life difficult for him repeatedly—truly like an unshakeable piece of gum stuck to his shoe.

“Master Du!”

The rider who had sped ahead suddenly returned. Du Shiyi snapped back to attention, expecting a dispute or accident, but the Cui retainer came to a halt before him, urgently reporting, “Master Du, something’s happened! There’s said to be a madman on Zhuque Street in Chang’an, self-harming openly, leaving the entire street drenched in blood. He even scrawled some chaotic patterns on the ground. The Astronomical Bureau says these are reckless prophetic diagrams. The city has been placed under martial law, gates closed early, and the commotion ahead is caused by some unable to enter in time!”

“The Jingzhao Prefecture office is at the southeast corner of Guangde Lane, east of the West Market. When the city gates open at dawn, entering from Anhua Gate and reaching the office will take at least half an hour. What if something else happens?”

Home was within sight, yet such an unexpected event had occurred. Du Shiyi frowned deeply. As he pondered, Chibi spoke, “Master Du, no need to worry. The prefectural exam never locks its courtyards. It spans three days with three sessions. Even if late, as long as there’s a reason, they will likely admit you. Moreover, your calligraphy is top-tier! But tonight, you’ll need to find somewhere else to stay. Master Du, I heard you’re from Fan Chuan in Duqu. Would you want to find a household there to lodge?”

Chang’an was a strategic city, and martial law or early gate closures were justified. Du Shiyi sighed, thinking his path to the exam was fraught with obstacles. Yet, hearing Chibi’s suggestion to seek shelter in Duqu, he hesitated briefly. Though Du Shihan—the thirteenth son of the Du family—was straightforward and loyal, and his father had once shed his snobbish airs upon hearing Du Shiyi topped the county exam, Duqu was still twenty miles from Chang’an, and Du Shihan’s home was cramped. The Zhu Po Du Siwen family was even farther away. Rather than rise early tomorrow, it was better to stay nearby. After considering this, he shook his head.

“No need to trouble anyone. Just for one night, let’s find a guesthouse nearby and make do.”

Chang’an was vast, especially before curfew when entering the city could be rushed, and city gates required official permits or passes, making matters complicated. Along the main roads, inns, taverns, and eateries catered to travelers. Officials heading to the capital had post stations to stay in. Yet, whether due to today’s disturbance or the sheer number of travelers these days, when Du Shiyi and his five retainers found a seemingly clean inn, it was full.

Chibi tried to bribe the innkeeper, even invoking the Cui family name, but the owner repeatedly apologized, helpless. Du Shiyi’s doubts grew. Back in the peach grove, inns were full because of a theft case and the Treasure Contest attracting merchants carrying valuables. He hadn’t flaunted the names of the Qinghe Cui or Jingzhao Du families then, yet now, with the contest nearing its end, how could no one be willing to make room for money?

“Master Du,” Chibi’s face darkened after repeated refusals. Glancing at the innkeeper, he returned and said gravely, “Let’s try elsewhere. He says all guests are settled, no rooms available.”

The innkeeper suddenly seemed to remember something, slapped his head, smiled broadly, and hurried forward with a deep bow. “Master, though this inn is full, less than a quarter of an hour away is another guesthouse by the Ba River. Though a bit out of the way, the rooms and bedding are quiet and elegant. If you don’t mind, why not stay there for the night?”

“Hmm, let’s go.”

Though he agreed, shortly after leaving, when someone asked if they were headed to the guesthouse the innkeeper recommended, Chibi cut in coldly, “From his manner, it doesn’t seem like a sincere offer. Let’s just find another place. What do you think, Master Du?”

When Du Shiyi was with the Cui family, Chibi had always accompanied him in martial training. Seeing the subtle look in Chibi’s eyes, Du Shiyi smiled after a moment’s thought. “No need to look further. Sleeping outside for one night at this season isn’t a big deal. We can find a sheltered spot.”

The inn by the Ba River was secluded, but who knew if it was a shady place? Even if not, there was no need to waste energy traveling farther.

Chibi had been appointed as Du Shiyi’s attendant by Lady Zhao because of his meticulous and careful nature. After a moment, he nodded. “In that case, on the way here, we passed a small earth temple, abandoned and without a caretaker. It’s sheltered and should suffice for one night. I’ll have someone gather dry wood. Our rations should be enough.”

Remembering the clean earth temple, Du Shiyi readily agreed. “Very well, let’s do that.”

As the Mid-Autumn Festival approached and the sun fully set, the chill deepened. Du Shiyi and two retainers wrapped themselves tightly in cloaks inside the earth temple. Judging by the scorched marks on the ground, travelers had stayed here before. The roof beams were sturdy, and, most importantly, it was only a short gallop from Chang’an, which comforted him greatly. Soon, two retainers returned with firewood and lit a fire, bringing a touch of warmth to the desolate temple.

“Master Du, Brother Chibi went hunting. If he can catch mountain pheasants or wild rabbits, it’ll add some flavor to our dry rations,” one retainer said.

“Dry rations aren’t the only way to eat them,” another chimed in with a smile. He pulled out several flatbreads and set them on an iron rack over the fire. Soon, the cold, hard bread gave off a delicious aroma. Du Shiyi took a steaming flatbread, bit into it, and laughed, praising its taste. “Delicious! Here and now, better than any delicacy.”

Lodging in the earth temple, the retainers made no complaints. Seeing Du Shiyi sit calmly on the ground as if he were in the Cui mansion’s luxurious chambers, and hearing the flatbread praised above fine food, they relaxed. These men were lifelong servants of the Qinghe Cui family, loyal and devoted. Chibi had secretly warned them that Du Shiyi might become the Cui family’s ideal son-in-law, so no one dared to neglect him.

After they finished one and a half flatbreads, with no sign of Chibi’s return, the four remaining men exchanged uneasy glances. Even if Chibi had gone hunting with good intentions, why had he been gone so long? With night fully fallen, even the best archers would have difficulty finding game.

Some pretended to remain silent but kept glancing outside; one even found an excuse to stroll beyond the earth temple. Du Shiyi’s suspicions grew. When they had all eaten, one retainer finally decided to look for Chibi’s whereabouts, but before he could move, the man hurried back in, eyes twitching at the sight of the fire.

“Master Du, I sneaked back to that inn, climbed the wall, and overheard the innkeeper ordering someone to send a message to the other guesthouse he mentioned. I planned to intercept them but thought your exam tomorrow is more important, so I didn’t. I also checked the rooms—only half are occupied. Clearly, it’s not full, which is suspicious. And…”

He hesitated, then looked Du Shiyi in the eye. “I’m not being paranoid; someone is plotting against us. We may have dodged it for now, but I have a bad feeling. The earth temple provides shelter but if trouble arises, we won’t have time to respond. We should prepare just in case.”

Seeing all the retainers nod in agreement, Du Shiyi squinted, deeply grateful for the well-trained servants chosen by the Cui family. He took a deep breath and said, “Very well. Including myself, we’ll follow your lead. Even if it’s a false alarm, it’s better to be safe than sorry.”