“My lord intends to enter the city. Do you think a mere city gate blockade can stop him?” Ming Yang faced the soldiers without backing down. He had served in the Imperial Guards before, and these petty officers were beneath his notice.
The commanding manner of the newcomers caused the officers to change their expressions, and they immediately drew their swords. Seeing this, the guards escorting the carriage immediately drew their own weapons, confronting the enemy. Their demeanor alone was no match for these men.
Xiao Wang Ye had brought his trusted confidants this time, people largely left to him by the late emperor. He knew this trip to his fiefdom would not be smooth sailing, so he brought most of his elite forces to guard against any unforeseen changes.
As both sides were on the verge of drawing their swords, Ye Qingcheng tugged at his sleeve, asking with her eyes what should be done. Xiao Wang Ye patted her hand, giving her a reassuring look, then took a few steps forward to stand before the officers.
“I am the Regent, enfeoffed in Fengdu. Are you not going to withdraw and open the city gates?” His steady voice spread throughout the city gate. He stood tall, exuding the sharp aura of a supreme ruler.
The group of officers was momentarily stunned, then recovered their senses, suspiciously disbelieving his words. Everyone knew Fengdu was the Regent’s fiefdom, and also that the Regent had always resided in the capital, never setting foot in Fengdu. The decree from the young emperor for him to return to his fiefdom was still only circulating in the capital. Whether it was intentional or not, his arrival at the fiefdom was slower than theirs.
These officers had not received the decree and only believed these people before them were bluffing! “Hmph! If you are the Regent, then I am the Emperor! Are you trying to play games with me here?” The leading officer sneered, completely unconvinced by Xiao Wang Ye’s words. In his view, with the emperor so far away, if the Regent truly intended to come to his fiefdom, wouldn't he send several detachments of soldiers to escort him? Furthermore, it was almost noon, what prince would travel at night to enter a city?
At these words, the guards of the carriage team were all enraged, raising their swords and preparing to seize the servant who had disrespected their lord. But Xiao Wang Ye raised his hand, signaling them to stop. Under the cover of night, his expression appeared somewhat inscrutable, making it impossible to discern his true emotions.
Xiao Wang Ye took out a token from his waist and held it up to the officers who completely disregarded him, asking coldly, “Could it be that this token of mine is also fake?” Under the illumination of the soldiers’ torches, the metal-colored token revealed its full appearance, engraved with the character “Xi,” surrounded by imperial patterns.
Upon seeing it, the leading officer’s legs went weak, and he immediately knelt on the ground. The officers behind him craned their necks, and only after seeing the token did they all collapse. “Please forgive my lord’s anger. This humble servant had eyes but failed to recognize Mount Tai, and spoke without restraint. I beg my lord’s punishment.” The man lay prostrate on the ground, his legs trembling, his voice unable to hide his fear.
It was widely known that the Regent, from birth, had been favored by the late emperor, who personally bestowed upon him the name Xi, signifying the imperial seal, a symbol of national importance. Later, when the late emperor passed away and the eldest prince, the young emperor, ascended the throne, the Regent changed his name to Xiao Wang Ye, concealing his brilliance. Ming Yang rebuked, “If you know, then open the city gates quickly and let us in!”
The officers no longer dared to obstruct them. Xiao Wang Ye retrieved his token and boarded the carriage. They entered the city together, but the city was filled with screams. Ye Qingcheng and Xiao Wang Ye immediately opened the curtains on both sides, and the scene that greeted them astonished them. Even though it was late at night, many people were sitting and lying by the roadside, ragged and emaciated, looking even more miserable than the refugees they had encountered. Some lay motionless by the roadside; some were covered with straw mats, with only their feet exposed, it was unknown if they were still alive. A faint smell of decay permeated the air, suggesting that quite a number of people had died on the streets.
The carriage headed directly for the prefectural yamen, with officers leading the way, carrying torches to clear a path. The sight of the road on both sides filled Ye Qingcheng and Xiao Wang Ye with heartbreak and uncontrollable rage. Both the memorials submitted and the intelligence from Xiao Wang Ye’s subordinates only spoke of a sudden strange illness causing the people in the city to suffer. They never expected that upon arriving in person, they would find it was far worse than that; the entire city of Fengdu was almost a dead city.
As they passed through the streets in the prosperous areas, laughter and merriment could still be heard, forming a stark contrast to the miserable state of the main road. Faced with this scene, a line of poetry suddenly sprang to Ye Qingcheng’s mind: “Crimson gates reek of wine and meat, while frozen bones lie on the road.” With this stark reality presented before her, how could she not be enraged? As she was filled with anger, clenching her fists, a warm large hand enveloped her palm. Ye Qingcheng looked up. The sounds of screams continued unabated along their path, only quieting down considerably when they reached the yamen.
Upon arriving at the yamen gate, the escorting officers knocked on the door. An old gatekeeper emerged, looking groggy. “Quickly open the gate. The Regent has arrived from the capital. Welcome them in to rest.” The old gatekeeper had never seen such a commotion, and with trembling hands, he hastily pushed the door open, revealing a pitch-black scene within. Xiao Wang Ye frowned at this sight, but though displeased, he did not show it. Aside from the officer and the old man, only three or four guards accompanied Xiao Wang Ye and Ye Qingcheng into the yamen. It was so dark inside that they could not see their hands, relying solely on the light from the officer’s torch. The entire yamen was astonishingly empty, devoid of any people. Xiao Wang Ye’s face immediately darkened, but his anger was not discovered in the dim environment, and fury gathered in his eyes. Fortunately, the officer was quite sensible and quickly tidied up the yamen, lit the candlesticks, and provided Xiao Wang Ye and his party with a place to rest temporarily.
Looking around, Ye Qingcheng sat to the side, not daring to touch the table nearby. The thick layer of dust on it was as if it had accumulated in a house abandoned for years. Was this the yamen of a city? Even she, a modern person, found it hard to believe.
Meanwhile, in the most luxurious and expansive residence within Fengdu city. “Master, someone at the city gate reported that the Regent has arrived,” a young servant dressed in coarse linen knocked on the door and whispered to the person inside the room. However, the room remained silent, as if no one was present. After a long while, when the servant standing outside was about to repeat himself, a voice slowly emerged from within: “Understood. You may leave.” Hearing this, the servant’s face showed difficulty, and after hesitating for a moment, he left. This mansion was the residence of Lord Luo, the prefect of Fengdu. The person inside, who remained unmoved after hearing the servant’s report, was none other than the most powerful official in Fengdu city, the prefect.