Though the city gates of the capital opened early, those who seek an early start often find themselves ahead of even the earliest birds.

Li Tong, leading three junior soldiers, first saw to the cleaning of the gate, and upon checking the hour, gave the order to open it.

The moment the gates were pushed ajar, a carriage barreled through, seemingly oblivious to the people standing in its path.

Li Tong, standing nearby, hastily dodged, stumbling so severely he nearly fell.

“Blind, are you? Blocking the master’s way!”

A voice from the carriage flung the accusation before it sped away.

One of the junior soldiers quickly moved to help Li Tong up.

“Lord Li, are you alright?” he asked cautiously.

Li Tong smiled, brushed off his hands, and stood steady.

“I’m fine,” he said.

Everyone glanced at him subtly; his face held no trace of resentment or indignation, remaining as placid as if nothing had occurred.

As the sky brightened, more people began entering the city. Li Tong did not retire to the nearby awning but remained diligently at his post, scrutinizing all who entered.

When the morning light fully broke, the relief guards arrived. The gate required a minimum of four men on duty at all times, meaning Li Tong had to take a turn alongside the junior soldiers.

Four men had been scheduled off yesterday, but only three showed up.

“Lord Li, Tao Si sent me to ask for leave,” one soldier said with casual disregard.

Asking for leave usually requires a reason, but this soldier seemed to forget, leaving an abrupt silence after his statement.

The surrounding men eyed him sideways.

The soldier paid them no mind, slowly drifting to a spot to stand guard.

All eyes turned back to Li Tong.

“All of you go. Eat something and rest afterwards,” Li Tong stated plainly.

“Then, my Lord, I’ll buy your meal later. What would you like?” a small, thin soldier offered.

Li Tong smiled.

“No need. Someone from my household will bring me food,” he replied.

Someone nudged the offering soldier, who managed a sheepish smile and a salute toward Li Tong before the group hurried away.

The remaining three stood before the gate, glancing intermittently at passersby, though their most frequent subject of observation was Li Tong, seated in the awning.

“I say, Deng Liu, you and Tao Si have quite the nerve,” one whispered, looking at the man who had asked for leave, “That is the young master of Lord Li Ge Lao’s household.”

The one called Deng Liu curled his lip dismissively.

“A young master from the collateral line,” he retorted.

“Still a young master, though,” another chuckled.

All eyes drifted back to Li Tong.

Li Tong sat in the awning, calmly nursing a cup of tea, his demeanor as serene as if he were cooling himself on a summer day in the middle of winter.

“I heard he was exiled from the Palace,” the first man continued.

“Exactly. You think the Li family would let him linger here?” Deng Liu remarked, glancing at the sky. “Look, not even anyone coming to bring him food yet.”

The low murmurs reached Li Tong’s ears, yet he seemed not to have noticed. After all, under the Son of Heaven’s gaze, the city gate was a place of profound tranquility, free from incident.

It wasn't until the sun reached its zenith that several horses came galloping up. The young noblemen aboard, clad in sumptuous silks and finery, halted abruptly before the gate awning.

“Convenient timing,” one young man reigned in his horse, nodding toward Li Tong and calling out, “Leave the horses here, you watch them. We have some business nearby.”

Li Tong stood up.

“Jin Ge, horses are not allowed to stop here,” he quickly said.

The young men beside Li Jin laughed and watched Li Tong.

“So this is your brother who guards the gate by Imperial Edict.”

“…Truly a figure of talent, boundless prospects…”

Facing their teasing, Li Tong remained composed, as if they were merely discussing the pleasant weather.

Li Jin’s face showed a flicker of disappointment, then he snorted in frustration.

“You can’t even handle something this trivial? What use are you?” he snapped, flicking his whip.

During their brief stop, the horses relieved themselves, and the air was instantly fouled by a stench.

“Quickly now, clean it up!” Li Tong exclaimed with sudden delight.

Li Tong responded with an “Yes, my Lord,” and quickly called the junior soldiers over.

“My Lord, we can’t leave this spot,” Deng Liu called out loudly.

Li Tong ceased speaking.

Li Jin and his group laughed amongst themselves, watching as Li Tong indeed fetched the sweeping tools himself to clean up the droppings.

Suddenly, a commotion erupted.

“What’s going on? What are you doing, causing a jam at the city gate?” a sharp, clear voice demanded.

“Which blind, half-asleep fool is talking nonsense?” Li Jin, knowing his own status, naturally would not back down, turning to curse back.

His curse died as he saw Fan Yilin approaching at the head of a group, swaying slightly.

“Oh, look who we have here. Such a bold tongue,” Fan Yilin said loudly, raising an eyebrow at Li Jin.

“Why meddle in other people’s business? Worry about saving your own skin first,” Li Jin scoffed.

But Fan Yilin was, after all, the legitimate eldest son of the Fan family, his status beyond comparison to Li Jin’s. He did not press the argument, urging his horse forward.

“Hold on,” Fan Yilin called out, stopping him, and pointed at the horse manure on the ground. “Sir, is this your first time on the streets?”

Li Jin turned scarlet with rage.

“Don’t you know the rules set down by the founding Emperor?” Fan Yilin demanded, his voice stern.

The mention of the founding Emperor’s name forced Li Jin’s anger down.

“It is forbidden to scatter filth on the thoroughfares. Livestock must wear dung catchers when traveling. Have you forgotten, or did you never know?” Fan Yilin sneered. “Shall I summon the Five Garrisons’ Constabulary to instruct you?”

Such a regulation did indeed exist, but which noble family actually adhered to it? Furthermore, the Five Garrisons’ Constabulary employed men specifically for street cleaning. No one ever truly pressed the issue.

Fan Yilin was deliberately looking for trouble! Damn it, Li Tong was even friendly with that dog-like young master! And now he dares to speak up for him!

Li Jin glared in fury.

“Fan Yilin’s father was just recently promoted…” someone whispered as a reminder.

Li Jin angrily whipped his horse.

“What are you waiting for? Should I do it myself?” he berated his attendants.

The young servants following him finally reacted, rushing to take the broom and dustpan from Li Tong’s hands.

“I misjudged; it seems the young master remembers quite clearly. The founding Emperor himself decreed that violators must sweep personally,” Fan Yilin mocked.

Li Jin’s face flushed deep crimson.

Li Tong shook his head.

“Lord Fan is heading to official business?” he interjected, effectively diffusing the situation.

Li Jin certainly had no desire to linger.

“Good friends shouldn’t share the duty of guarding the gate!” he shouted, flicking his whip before galloping away.

Watching them vanish in a flurry, Fan Yilin snorted.

“No business,” he said, jumping down from his horse. “I’m thirsty; let me have a cup of tea.”

Seeing him dismount, his followers couldn't help but cough as a subtle warning. Maintaining the cleanliness of the gate was understandable, but sitting down to converse with Li Tong might invite malicious gossip if overheard.

Fan Yilin waved them off, walking over to the awning and taking a seat.

“Why are you joining the crowd?” Li Tong asked, handing Fan Yilin a cup of tea, a faint smile on his face.

Fan Yilin, seated on the wooden bench, naturally made no move to drink the tea.

“Didn’t your grandfather instruct you to leave the capital?” he inquired.

“His Majesty ordered me to guard the gate and await someone. I haven’t waited yet, so how can I leave?” Li Tong sat down too, gazing out past the city gate with unwavering resolve.

Fan Yilin looked at him, then slapped him heavily on the back.

“Good brother, I wasn’t wrong about you,” he said, before adding quickly, “Don’t worry. Madam Qi never errs in her actions; if she says something is right, it is right. His Majesty is simply far away and unaware. Once you meet Madam Qi, everything will be resolved.”

Li Tong smiled.

“Regardless of whether there is an issue or not, she is Madam Qi,” he laughed. And she is my benefactor, Li Tong’s benefactor.

Fan Yilin clapped him firmly on the shoulder again, but this time said nothing more.

The two fell silent, both watching the city gate, their eyes filled with determined anticipation.

“Mistress, the grass is sprouting!” Ah Hao ran toward a carriage and called out clearly.

The carriage curtain was drawn back, and Qi Yue smiled at Ah Hao.

“Really?” she asked.

“Look,” Ah Hao presented the delicate, short, thin blades of grass held carefully in her hands.

A Ru leaned down to look as well.

“It truly is,” she murmured, looking up at the surroundings. Near the capital, the road was wide and clean, lined with willows on both sides. Now, focusing one’s gaze, one could indeed see a faint haze of green mist.

“We have arrived with the spring,” Qi Yue laughed.

The sound of hooves came from behind.

“Any more fruit wine?” Chang Yuncheng asked.

Qi Yue smiled at him.

“Finished it all again?” she asked, stepping down from the carriage.

Chang Yuncheng dismounted and helped steady her, then took the small porcelain flask A Ru handed him from the carriage.

Qi Yue took it and hurried toward the rear. In the prisoner’s cart, Zhou Maochun was contentedly picking his teeth with a piece of straw.

“I tell you, you people aren’t skilled enough. This duck needs slow heat to cook properly,” he lectured the factory guards around him, then paused, spitting out the straw. “But it will suffice. I am a prisoner, after all; I can’t demand too much.”

The faces of the surrounding factory guards turned green. Oh, you still remember you’re a prisoner, you still remember your demands are excessive? Look at this prison cart: apart from looking less glamorous than a carriage, were any of the bedding, covers, incense burners, or charcoal stoves missing? Look at what you eat and use. To be a prisoner to this extent—the entire world would weep and beg to be imprisoned like you!

But no one said anything. Seeing Chang Yuncheng approach, they huffed and backed away a few steps. We know your status is high. We’ll settle this later! When we meet His Majesty, you, General Wu Lue, will be visiting us. Then we will serve you properly.

“Father, this is the last bottle. Once it’s gone, it’s gone,” Qi Yue said, handing the flask in.

Zhou Maochun took it gleefully.

“Care to sit for a while?” he invited, patting the soft brocade cushion.

“Why don’t you come down and walk around? Stretch your legs,” Qi Yue suggested. “We’ve reached the capital…”

Zhou Maochun bolted upright.

“Reached the capital?” he asked in surprise, frantically looking around. “How so fast?”

Ah Hao, who had followed them, couldn't help but giggle.

“Old Master, have you not had enough of the prisoner’s cart?” she teased.

The surrounding guards snorted. It’s not that he hasn’t had enough of the cart; it’s that he doesn’t want to sit in jail.

Zhou Maochun ignored her, fumbling hastily to tidy himself up, urging them to quickly remove the bedding, charcoal stove, and table.

“If I’m riding in a prisoner’s cart, it needs to look like a prisoner’s cart. I’m a criminal now, utterly destitute,” he muttered, running his hands through his hair and deliberately scattering straw over his head.

Qi Yue was torn between laughter and tears.

“Father, you’ve eaten so well you’re plump. Pretending now won’t look convincing,” she chuckled.

“It must look convincing, even if it doesn’t fit,” Zhou Maochun glared. “I must show them how miserable the outcome is for defying the established order.”

Qi Yue smiled.

“You worry too much. I doubt anyone wants to watch,” she said, turning her gaze toward the faintly visible city gate. The cold reception they had endured on the journey had been too widespread. If Chang Yuncheng hadn't been escorting them, they would likely look unrecognizable by now. For her, Qi Yue, the capital was even more foreign than the prefectural cities they had passed through.

“I only stayed in the capital for a few days, and no one recognizes me. If anyone comes to visit, they come for Father,” she commented lightly.

Zhou Maochun laughed heartily, tipping the small wine bottle to his lips.

“Little girl, those who wanted to see me probably aren't going to hold their breath for a few more days. Whether they see me now or later matters little,” he said. When the dust settles, whether guilt or innocence is proven, those who should watch will watch; those who shouldn’t will not.

Qi Yue fell silent, offered a faint smile, and said nothing more.

The guards’ uniforms were familiar to the common folk. The closer they approached the bustling city gate, the fewer people remained. Seeing the procession approach from afar, the crowds immediately dispersed. By the time the group reached the gate, it was the busy afternoon, yet the area before the entrance was completely deserted.

Qi Yue sighed. This incident must have truly escalated, otherwise, given Zhou Maochun’s decades of connections, not a single person would have come to offer a glance.

The factory guards felt a surge of satisfaction watching the silent gate. For the first time during the entire journey, they felt a sense of overbearing authority. See? This is the fate of the guilty. Not just commoners, but even friends and family shun them. They puffed out their chests and urged their horses forward, only to suddenly spot two figures standing in the archway of the gate, looking out expectantly.

“They’re here!”

Seeing the group approach, one of the figures shouted loudly before running out haphazardly.

“Madam Qi!”

“Madam Qi, you’ve returned!”

The loud calls instantly echoed. Everyone froze in surprise. The factory guards’ faces darkened—who were these people? Did they not recognize who they were? Were they actually rushing to court trouble!

Qi Yue stared at the figures running toward them, a touch of disbelief in her eyes.

“Madam Qi, you must have had a difficult journey,” Li Tong said with deference, stopping a few paces ahead.

“Madam Qi, I missed you to death…” Fan Yilin rushed forward, his eyes disappearing in his grin.

Chang Yuncheng reached out and pulled him back.

“Hey, why are you here too?” Fan Yilin asked, acting as if he had just noticed Chang Yuncheng, his eyes wide.

Qi Yue looked at them and couldn't help but laugh, lowering her head to salute the two men without speaking.

Then came another burst of noise, as a young man galloped forward from within the city, trailed by several frightened subordinates.

“Young Master, Young Master, you shouldn’t play games… you shouldn’t go…” they urged in hushed, panicked tones.

Qi Yue looked at the charging youth, and her nose tingled with emotion; her smile grew brighter.

“Why didn’t you tell me the last time you came to the capital?” Huang Ziqiao reined in his horse a few lengths away, his face stern as he asked.

Qi Yue was surprised by the question and hadn't formulated a reply when Huang Ziqiao abruptly turned his horse around.

“I’ll clear the road for you,” he declared loudly, ignoring whether the others were moving or not, and took the lead, spurring his horse forward.

Where did this little brat come from! He’s stealing my business!

Fan Yilin, abandoning his entanglement with Chang Yuncheng, struggled free and sprinted toward the city gate.

“Madam Qi, I’ll lead the way!” he shouted. “Everything is prepared on the road—pine branches, braziers, firecrackers, whatever you need…”

Li Tong naturally did not behave like the other two. He respectfully stood aside to let them pass.

“Madam Qi, please,” he said.

Qi Yue reached up to rub the bridge of her nose, straightening her back.

“Good, thank you all for this welcome!” she announced loudly, and indeed, she stepped forward.

What is the point of a person’s life! Damn it, it was worth it!

Are there people waiting for an extra chapter? RS