Why do I have so many masters?

"I thank the gentleman today."

"Wang bids farewell."

With those words, he leaped up with a flick of his robe. In the blink of an eye, he had jumped up into the air, changing his shape and disappearing from the sight of the crowd below. Such movement techniques, except for those skilled in Qinggong or the experienced masters of the Middle Third Rank, were imperceptible to others.

But those masters, well-known throughout Jianghu, would certainly not compromise their reputation by participating in such a blockade.

Seated atop a high platform, the Imperial Grandson Li Changxing watched as the young man disappeared, and saw the chasing crowd come to a halt. He pursed his lips, a hint of loss in his eyes. However, as the Imperial Grandson of the Great Qin Empire, he could not afford any discourtesy. He had to maintain a stern expression on his still youthful face.

The Great Eunuch beside him was smiling gleefully.

Truly a chip off the old block of the Great Marshal.

It was unclear whether he was admiring or mocking in his heart.

Crazy enough, wild enough.

His gaze returned to the face of the Imperial Grandson next to him, seeing the twelve-year-old boy with pursed lips and half-closed eyes, his expression calm. Despite his youth, he already carried a third of the dignity expected of him, augmented by his royal status, which added an air of inscrutable depth.

Yet, having been a confidante of the Emperor since childhood, he could discern the concealed disappointment in the young boy.

Still a bit green around the edges.

The Great Eunuch sighed internally but then considered that the royal family usually married early. The boy before him was only eleven or twelve years old. The actions he had taken were commendable for someone not yet twelve. Often accompanying the Emperor, perhaps his expectations were somewhat harsh.

With these thoughts, he chuckled softly, as if inadvertently praising:

"This young hero seem to call himself, ’the Guardian of the Archive at Fufeng Academy.’"

"This humble servant was not even aware that there was such a brilliant talent within the Academy."

"Ranked tenth in the world for its collection of books, indeed it is a place where hidden dragons and crouching tigers lurk..."

Li Changxing’s eyes brightened slightly.

But his expression remained calm, still bearing the dignity befitting an Imperial Grandson.

He merely nodded reservedly.

Among the officials of Fufeng,

Zhu Jian’an, stunned by the scene, remained speechless for a long while before finally murmuring

"Was that really Wang, the young brother, just now?"

Zhu Jian’an, as the Deputy Chief Arrestor at the Ministry of Punishment in Fufeng, had dealt with a major case involving the collaboration between White Tiger Hall and Danfeng Valley two years ago. It was during this case that he had met Wang Anfeng.

Because they were acquainted, the shock he felt now was even more intense, leaving him nearly dizzy.

Yan Ling, having relaxed, regained his composure and said:

"It was indeed him."

Upon hearing this, Zhu Jian’an gasped sharply, clearly deeply shaken. After a few moments, he slowly said:

"One should regard one with special respect if they have grown markedly in three days. Originally but a naïve hero, in just two short years, he has become a bold wanderer. With the presence of the Imperial Grandson, he merely saluted from afar and then disappeared.

"Haha, let me speak frankly; just now I actually felt my age..."

In Zhu Jian’an’s voice, there was a mix of loneliness and poignancy.

Yan Ling was momentarily stunned, overwhelmed by the event. It was only now that he realized, although the Great Qin royal family did not care much for ordinary formalities, Wang Anfeng’s actions could certainly be described as audacious. If he were an official, he might well have been severely reprimanded in the Imperial Court.

However...

Yan Ling, who was usually somewhat slow to react, was now brimming with mirth in his otherwise stern eyes.

That scene just now.

It looked nothing less than an escape.

Yet he did not expose it, as he felt, having known the young man, some courtesy was due. Hence, he simply nodded slightly, with an air of relaxation and amusement, and said with a mix of humor and banter:

"Indeed, truly..."

"Quite audacious."

Yet somewhat regretful.

Unfortunately, only he could discern the joke.

In the third year of the Great Yuan Era, the Imperial Grandson, following tradition, inspected the realm, reaching Fufeng County.

The first day was for sacrifices, the second for hearing politics, and the third for the grand Fufeng competition, sharing joy with the people, showcasing strong martial customs.

It ended in a remarkably rare manner.

Last night, the inns had been noisy without rest, music resonating everywhere. Looked upon from the sky, the whole Fufeng County City was engulfed in a magnificent scene of lantern lights, even more bustling than New Year’s festivities by a third.

The wooden wheels of the imperial carriage rolled over the bluestone ground, producing a light sound, then drowned by the clamor of festive sounds.

This dark carriage stopped at a particular guesthouse.

Yan Ling leaped down from the carriage, still dressed in that tight-fitting official robe, which made him somewhat uncomfortable. Following him, Zhu Jian’an, also clad in a wide-sleeved official robe, leapt down, raised his hand to loosen his collar and, observing Yan Ling’s displeased face, chuckled softly, lowering his voice,

"What’s the matter, isn’t it satisfying to meet the Imperial Grandson?"

Yan Ling performed a bow, his face expression meticulous,

"Your Subordinate wouldn’t dare."

"But sir, case number seventeen of the Jiazi, it still needs to be dealt with, you know?"

Zhu Jian’an felt a headache coming on, raised his right hand, and waved it down,

"Understood, understood. After today, I will deal with this case with you all night until every doubt is cleared up."

"Be good for now."

Yan Ling nodded, following behind Zhu Jian’an, they walked towards the inside. After a few steps, he added,

"Sir, if there’s any luncheon or similar event afterwards, please help me excuse myself."

Zhu Jian’an turned to look but saw Yan Ling looking straight ahead, his demeanor meticulous, as if discussing some very important case detail. Yet the words spoken, from a certain perspective, were almost downright rebellious. His forehead throbbed with pain.

"Chief Arrestor Zhu."

Before he could reply, an acquaintance among the officials had already greeted him, so he had to suppress the matter for now, his face breaking into a smile, exchanging pleasantries with the approaching official.

Yan Ling followed behind him, his face meticulous, not missing a beat in propriety. This was a place others envied, yet he only felt the wide-sleeved cloud-patterned official robe extremely ill-suited, his throat tightening, as if an invisible pair of hands were clasped around his neck, making his breathing somewhat difficult.

Yan Ling restrained his impulse to reach up and adjust his clothes.

The young man’s eyes brimmed with disdain and mockery.

This was courtesy.

After the initial pleasantries, numerous officials sat on both sides, each with a dark-colored case juxtaposed in front of them, copper cauldrons displayed upon them, maids behind holding wine in attendance. On one side of the hall, musicians held Jade Hammers, gently striking the bell, playing graceful music, soothing and solemn. Yan Ling sat at the lower end, his demeanor grave, just like those officials, never showing a hint of impropriety.

A young eunuch, no more than thirteen or fourteen, scurried out from the back of the hall.

His voice was sharp.

"His Highness has arrived!!"

All the ministers and officials stood up, hands clasped, simultaneously bowed down, fingers level with their foreheads.

The long sleeves embroidered with cloud patterns fell, indeed a magnificent sight.

Li Changxing, having composed himself, accompanied by the man known as Laughing Tiger, emerged from the back, walked past the officials with ease, and sat in the highest seat up front. He took a deep breath and raised his right hand, stretching it flat, his face calm and smiling,

"My lords are too courteous. Please rise."

"Thank you, Your Highness."

The crowd murmured as they stood up.

Yan Ling saw the Imperial Grandson of the empire up close for the first time.

PS: Thanks to Zhang Lang’s generous reward, and ’Waiting Five Hundred Years for a Good Book’s twenty thousand reward, thanks very much for everyone’s support.

Today, there is only this one chapter of four thousand words. Yesterday’s ten thousand word long chapter completely drained me; allow me some rest before resuming normal updates tomorrow. I appreciate your understanding... bowing deeply...