Chapter 73

Three days later, the day chosen by the court astronomer for the emperor’s trip to Cangshan arrived.

It was a sunny summer morning. The officials set up the procession and waited until the auspicious time of five quarters past the hour on the water clock. General Qianniu led the way for the emperor, and the Minister of the Imperial Household stepped forward to request the procession to commence. The emperor ascended the dragon carriage, and the palace immediately resonated with the sound of bells and drums signaling the departure. The imperial entourage exited the palace, proceeded along Chengtianmen Street, and left the city through Tonghua Gate in the northeast of Chang’an, heading toward Cangshan.

Although the Emperor had ordered the simplification of the ceremonial entourage, removing unnecessary pomp and ceremony, apart from reducing ceremonial objects such as parasols and canopies, the rest components of the imperial entourage such as the guards, attendants, and ceremonial formations, were indispensable.

On that day, at the front of the team, the chief imperial coachman was holding the reins, with six horses leading the way. The Crown Prince Li Mao, dressed in military uniform, led the capital’s officials and the Minister of Ceremonies at the front.

Surrounding the emperor’s dragon carriage, both in front and behind, were the mounted troops of the Left and Right Lingjun Guard, Wu Guard, Xiao Guard, Wei Guard, as well as other elite imperial, merit, and escort units. Each guard was led by a Lieutenant General, commanding a squad of thirty-six riders. Every soldier in these ranks was among the finest selected from their respective divisions—handsome, robust, and clad in gleaming helmets and armor. They carried bows, swords, shields, and lances, all impeccably arranged. Under the sunlight, their gear shimmered brilliantly. Notable among them were Ashina Chengping and Yuwen Zhi, riding prominently within the formation.

Behind the dragon carriage, many other imperial relatives, noble ladies, princes and envoys from various vassal states who stayed in Chang’an, along with the ministers, chancellor, and grand master of various departments, and other court officials followed to Cangshan. Some traveled on horseback, others in carriages, each accompanied by their own ceremonial retinues.

Following behind were the various officials and servants who were accompanying them.

This procession had several thousand people. After leaving the city, they marched eastward. A strong wind blew, and the Jinwu Guard’s bixiemythical lion-like animal to ward off evil Flag, the Lingjun Guard’s qilinChinese unicorn Flag, the Wu Guard’s jade horse Flag, the Zuoyou Guard’s yellow deer Flag, the Xiao Guard’s red bear Flag, the Wei Guard’s black luanmythical bird related to phoenix Flag… were all flying in the sky, fluttering like a cloud pressing down upon the road. The spectacle startled many villagers laboring in the fields, who quickly prostrated themselves, crying out, “Long live His Majesty!”

Everything was in accordance with the proper etiquette for the emperor’s travel, except for one thing, which was related to the little court painter named Ye Xuyu.

Everyone knew that this little painter had been favored by the emperor recently, but no one would have thought that the emperor’s favor would reach this extent.

Early in the morning, when leaving the palace, the emperor took the little painter on the carriage, letting him to sit beside him, and drove with him. At that time, the people around were shocked. An imperial censor boldly stepped out to make a speech, saying that there was a difference between the high and the low, and the rules should not be violated. He asked the emperor to let the court painter return to his position and travel with the people in the painting department. Everyone broke into cold sweat for him. Unexpectedly, the emperor neither got angry nor listened to the advice. He just said that this trip was just to escape the summer heat and was a leisurely thing. It was neither a sacrifice to heaven nor a worship to the ancestors. There was no need to say more. This sentence shut up the imperial censor and he still took the little painter on the carriage and set off.

This matter attracted everyone’s attention from the moment the imperial carriage left the palace. However, at first, only the people around the emperor knew about it. After leaving the city, the news gradually spread. At noon, the imperial carriage arrived at a place called Yuluan Manor outside the city. The emperor took a short break here and ordered the team behind to follow and rest there. The news spread quickly and finally reached Qingtou’s ears.

Qingtou had been looking forward to this trip to Cangshan for many days.

Although his position was humble, he never forgot to share his master’s worries, and had firmly resolved to accompany him and serve along the way. To his dismay, upon testing the waters, he discovered that his master had no intention of bringing him. Panicked and crestfallen, Qingtou pleaded desperately, repeatedly assuring that if allowed to go, he would keep his mouth shut and cause no trouble. He stopped just short of throwing a tantrum, crying, or threatening to hang himself, but his master’s heart remained as unyielding as iron—he would not relent.

In desperation, he naturally thought of Miss Ye and wanted to ask her for help. However, he was afraid of his master and finally did not dare to disobey.

Just last night, his luck changed.

When he was packing the luggage for his cruel master with a wronged and sad face, a palace eunuch suddenly arrived at Yongning Mansion and said that the emperor suddenly remembered Qingtou and asked Pei Xiaoyuan to take him with him and not leave the servant at home. This was why Qingtou finally able to leave today.

Naturally, he was not lucky enough to follow his master. Early in the morning, he mixed with the miscellaneous palace eunuchs and the rough servants of various family, and squeezed into a large mule cart. He kept in mind that trouble could came from the mouth, and he was treated coldly by his master because of this. So along the way, although others in the cart were talking loudly and competing to show off their knowledge, he kept his mouth shut and said nothing. At noon, the mule cart stopped with the large group. He climbed out of the cart that was so crowded that his hands and feet were numb, stretched his arms and legs on the side of the road, and heard people nearby talking about the news from the front, saying that a little court painter named Ye was deeply favored by His Majesty and was able to travel in the same carriage this morning. Even Ye Zhongli of the old emperor dynasty had never had such treatment. Qingtou was so excited that he could no longer hold back, and blurted out that he knew the little painter Ye, and the two had a deep friendship. As soon as he finished speaking, he saw that everyone was looking at him with contempt. It was obvious that no one believed him. He felt ashamed and annoyed for a moment: “What are you looking at? Do you think I’m bragging? I tell you, His Majesty even specially gave me cakes!”

Everyone looked at each other and burst into laughter.

If he was such an esteemed servant, his master would have already taken him away like a treasure today, why was he still letting him squeeze in the big mule cart with them?

Qingtou of course understood why everyone was laughing. His face flushed a deep red, and he opened his mouth to explain himself, but then he remembered that he was indeed not favored by his master and that he almost couldn’t even go to Cangshan. He had fallen to this point, so he could only swallow his hatred and shut up. However, who could understand the pain of hiding a pearl in the dark and wearing brocade clothes at night?

Just as he was squatting by the roadside, listlessly pulling out weeds, suddenly a palace eunuch came on horseback in front of him, shouted his name loudly, and said that the emperor wanted him to come over to talk.

The servants who were laughing at him just now were all stunned and cast envious glances at him.

Qingtou came back to his senses, the frustration in his chest instantly dissipating. He leaped up from the ground, planted his hands on his hips, and cast a triumphant glance around the crowd. Then, with a beaming expression, he sprang onto the horse’s back and cheerfully followed the eunuch forward at a gallop.

He hurried straight to the vicinity of the emperor’s resting stop, where from a distance, he could see a row of official dragon banners fluttering in the wind. Beneath those banners was the Qingyou Guard.

This was the closest personal guard to the emperor when he was traveling, led by Jinwu General, Han Kerang. During the journey, Han Kerang rode at the forefront, while the Left and Right Generals led 48 iron-armored cavalrymen on each side of the emperor’s carriage. Beyond this formation, the Left and Right Deputy Commanders oversaw an additional 48 armored attendants. Every one of them was fully equipped, carrying bows, arrows, and swords, their armor and mounts gleaming in unison.

In addition, there was a mobile guard walking on both sides to observe the four directions at any time and communicate with the front and back.

The leader of this mobile guard team was Pei Xiaoyuan. He was also dressed in military uniform today, wearing a silver helmet, silver armor, and carrying a golden bronze long sword. Because the procession was taking a rest, he also led his team to wait by the roadside.

As Qingtou approached, he met his master’s slightly gloomy eyes, which casted two warning glances at him.

He shrank his neck, lowered his head, followed the palace eunuch, and quickly walked into the tent set up for the emperor to stay.

Inside the pavilion, a large mat embroidered with a green Ruyi and precious floral patterns covered the floor. The emperor reclined on a sitting bed, holding a scroll in his hand, absorbed in reading. Miss Ye was still dressed as a young man, kneeling in front of the emperor’s bed, with her sleeves rolled up, making tea. On the table was a plate of fresh purple grapes and a plate of cut and seedless green cantaloupe. The grapes and cantaloupe were still condensed with ice dew, obviously they had just been taken out of the ice jar. Nearby stood was an old palace eunuch with a bitter gourd-like face and white hair. Qingtou knew that this person was the famous Zhao Zhongfang. There were also several young palace eunuchs and palace maids, either fanning or holding towels. The atmosphere within the tent was quiet and leisurely.

Seeing Qingtou coming in, the emperor smiled kindly and waved: “Good boy, you’re here?”

Xuyu turned around and glanced at Qingtou, whom she hadn’t seen for some time, smiled, and motioned him to come forward.

On one side was his cold-blooded master, and on the other side was the emperor who never forgot him even when he was traveling, not to mention Miss Ye who was extremely kind to him. Since she moved away, Qingtou had not had much chance to see her again. Seeing her now, he felt very close to her. He could not help but feel deeply moved. He took off his boots, rolled and crawled in front of the emperor, kowtowed vigorously, and choked with sobs: “Thank you, Your Majesty! The small one kowtow to Your Majesty. Long live Your Majesty, long live Your Majesty, long live Your Majesty!”

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