Chapter 310: The Departure Bell Tolls!

“Coming through, honored guests! Roast duck!”

The waiter at Quande Tower Roast Duck Restaurant drew out the last syllable as he brought over the roast duck and thin pancakes. Another waiter behind him carried two plates of side dishes.

After the waiters withdrew, the three men dressed as yamen runners did not immediately start eating. Instead, all three first cupped their hands toward Chief Constable Yan, who sat in the eastern seat.

“Many thanks for the treat, Chief!”

Yan Little Sixth waved a hand.

“Don’t stand on ceremony. Eat.”

“Then we’re digging in! Hahaha! I’ve heard for ages that Quande Tower’s roast duck is the most famous in the capital.”

“Exactly! Otherwise, how could the Marquis of Zhenbei eat five whole ducks in one sitting?”

“The Marquis of Jingnan has eaten here too.”

The three yamen runners wrapped slices of roast duck in the thin pancakes, dipped them in sauce, and stuffed them into their mouths.

At once, expressions of pure enjoyment spread across all three faces.

“Ah! I’ve never eaten roast duck this good in my life.”

“Exactly. It melts in your mouth. Rich, but not greasy.”

“Delicious. Delicious!”

Yan Little Sixth smiled, snapped his fingers, and told the waiter who came over, “Two more ducks.”

“Right away, honored guest!”

“No, no, Chief! You really shouldn’t. The ducks here are expensive.”

“Exactly. We only wanted to taste something famous. You really don’t need to spend this much.”

Yan Little Sixth shook his head.

“If you want to eat, then eat your fill. I’ve collected plenty of street grease and your ‘filial gifts’ in ordinary times. I can still afford a few ducks for you.”

“Chief, you are truly righteous!”

“As expected of our Chief!”

While the others continued eating with gusto, Yan Little Sixth wrapped a piece of roast duck for himself and took one bite.

Then he set it down.

The heat had not been controlled especially well.

And the ducks themselves were no longer the same quality they used to be.

That fellow surnamed Zheng had once written in a letter that many businesses changed flavor the moment you handed them over to the government.

Quande Tower had already changed flavor.

Of course, claiming the old Quande Tower roast duck had once been some heavenly delicacy would also be nonsense.

At best, it had been decent.

Now, it was somewhat disappointing.

Truthfully, the difference between then and now was not enormous either.

In the end, a duck was still a duck.

No matter how many tricks you played with it, it was still a duck.

It still tasted like duck.

“Hey, Chief, how do you think Quande Tower makes these ducks? Why do they taste so good?”

“I heard all the ducks here are raised every day on the finest feed. They’re different from ducks anywhere else.”

Hearing this, Yan Little Sixth laughed.

“There’s nothing mysterious about it.

“When you strip it down, it’s just two words.”

“Chief, which two words?”

“Authentic.”

“Authentic?”

“Authentic?”

“Exactly. Authentic.

“A duck is still a duck.

“Truthfully, in my opinion, the ducks from Auspicious Duck Shop back in Nan’an County taste better than Quande Tower’s.

“And they cost far, far less.

“The difference between the two is nothing more than this: once you enter Yanjing, the locals start shouting into your ears that Quande Tower roast duck is the authentic flavor of the capital.

“If you meet someone who likes bragging even more, he’ll tell you every old Yanjing resident grew up eating this taste.

“‘The taste of childhood.’

“Then you start wanting to try it.

“And after you do, you convince yourself it tastes amazing.

“Truthfully?

“It’s just so-so.”

“Huh?”

“What?”

The three yamen runners clearly could not immediately digest the logic hidden inside those words.

Yan Little Sixth suddenly felt the loneliness of singing a tune too refined for the crowd.

There were not many people in this age who understood the added value wrapped around food.

That fellow surnamed Zheng, though, seemed quite good at it.

He often discussed the subject with him.

And Zheng had even given the concept a name.

Something called marketing.

Yanjing was exceptionally lively today.

The Commandery Princess of the Marquis of Zhenbei’s household had entered Yanjing three days earlier.

Naturally, she had not gone directly into the palace.

Even an ordinary household had procedures to follow when marrying off a daughter.

How much more the marriage between a Commandery Princess and the Crown Prince?

So the Commandery Princess had first moved into the Western Garden the same estate where the Marquis of Zhenbei had stayed during his earlier visit to the capital.

Today was the wedding day.

The Crown Prince would personally lead the procession to the Western Garden to receive his bride.

This was also a way for the Ji Clan to demonstrate respect toward the Li Clan.

Before the Commandery Princess, even the Crown Prince of the Ji Clan would put away his noble airs and behave like any ordinary young man going to bring home his bride.

Naturally, every region had to send congratulatory gifts for the Crown Prince’s wedding.

But the Emperor had issued an edict long ago.

He had not forbidden gifts.

Instead, he had placed extremely strict limits on what could be sent.

Nan’an County in Tiancheng Commandery was certainly not poor, but the county yamen had sent only a cart of cloth, rice, and flour.

Such a modest gift required nothing more than Chief Constable Yan and three yamen runners to escort it into the capital and hand it over to the Ministry of Rites.

No one was more shrewd than an official.

After the Emperor’s edict, nobody dared stick his head out.

Send too much and you would be investigated.

Who the hell would not immediately keep a low profile?

Fail to flatter properly, and you might lose your official cap instead.

Yan Little Sixth looked at the lanterns and decorations covering the streets.

He could feel that the people of Yanjing were genuinely delighted by this wedding.

Not long ago, the three hundred thousand iron cavalry of the Zhenbei Army had hung over everyone’s heart like a mountain.

The pressure had been so great that people could barely breathe.

Now, this marriage symbolized the complete reconciliation and integration of the Zhenbei Army with the imperial court.

No one needed to fear their own people fighting among themselves anymore.

So the joy truly came from the heart.

Judging by the hour, the Crown Prince should already have led his people to the Western Garden.

Before long, they would probably reenter the city through the western gate, travel along the broad Imperial Way, and return to the palace.

Plenty of commoners had already taken positions along the route in advance, craning their necks and waiting.

“You three keep eating.

“I’m going to the privy.”

“Go ahead, Chief.”

“We’ll save this duck for you.”

“Don’t bother.

“My stomach isn’t feeling well.

“I can’t eat anything greasy.

“You finish it.

“No point wasting food.”

Yan Little Sixth left the table.

But instead of going downstairs, he went up and entered a first-class private room on the second floor.

He pushed the door open.

Inside sat two people.

Eunuch Zhang and Little Eunuch Zhang.

The moment Little Sixth entered, the elder and younger Eunuch Zhang both rose immediately.

“This servant greets Master!”

“This servant greets Master!”

Eunuch Zhang remained composed.

After all, he was an old palace hand.

He had accompanied Little Sixth since childhood and had long since cultivated the necessary restraint.

Little Eunuch Zhang was different.

The moment he saw the Sixth Prince, tears began pouring from his eyes.

“Master!

“This servant has missed you to death!”

As he spoke, Little Eunuch Zhang even kowtowed three times.

This kind of emotional outpouring could not be faked.

Among common women there was a saying: marry a chicken, follow the chicken; marry a dog, follow the dog.

Eunuchs were not much different.

And for a eunuch, changing masters was far more difficult than a widow remarrying.

Your master was the pillar of your daily life, your spiritual pillar, your pillar of belief.

Before, their master had admittedly been the least favored of all the imperial princes.

But no matter how weak his position, there had always remained some tiny sliver of fantasy.

Now?

Their master was gone.

Over these past months, Little Eunuch Zhang had genuinely felt as though he had suddenly become an orphan.

Even Little Ju, the palace maid who had once liked his looks and frequently made eyes at him, had stopped paying attention to him lately.

His hope of finding a palace “meal companion” was finished.

A life that was already incomplete had suddenly become even dimmer.

The Sixth Prince walked to the window and looked down at the lively streets below.

Ever since the Marquis of Zhenbei’s household established itself in Beifeng Commandery and blocked the barbarian threat, Yanjing had enjoyed several decades of relative peace and prosperity.

Eunuch Zhang asked, “Master, have you been well lately?”

A faint smile appeared at the corner of the Sixth Prince’s mouth.

“Very well.

“Very free.”

Far freer than being trapped inside a prince’s residence.

A trace of gloom flashed through Eunuch Zhang’s eyes.

Today was the Crown Prince’s wedding.

The other princes would all wear python robes and accompany the Second Prince to receive the bride.

Yet his own master, clearly an imperial prince as well, could only stand far away in the uniform of a constable and watch.

They were all sons of the Emperor.

His Majesty’s heart was truly ruthless.

“Right.

“Did you handle that matter?”

“The penal convict named Ran Min?”

“Yes.”

“Reporting to Master, your instructions have already been carried out.

“The batch of penal convicts he belongs to will be sent to Litian City.

“This servant has arranged everything and prepared the necessary letter.

“From Litian City, he’ll be reassigned onward to Shengle.

“There should be no unexpected changes.”

“Mm.”

Ran Min was the man who had killed someone in the county yamen, then sat there drinking wine and eating meat.

The Sixth Prince had found the man interesting.

So he decided to toss him over to that fellow surnamed Zheng and see what happened.

Among all the imperial princes, only the First Prince could openly and properly command an army.

The other princes still possessed more or less influence over military forces, but none had direct control.

The only military commander the Sixth Prince had any real connection with was Zheng Fan.

And truthfully, the Sixth Prince understood something perfectly well.

If Zheng Fan had not relied on battle after battle of military merit, together with Tian Wujing’s appreciation and protection, then whether his imperial father might have moved directly against Zheng Fan... was genuinely difficult to say.

“Right.

“There’s one more thing...”

*DONG!*

*DONG!*

*DONG!*

A heavy, profound bell suddenly began to toll.

Immediately afterward, bells answered from all four directions of Yanjing.

The Sixth Prince’s expression changed.

Eunuch Zhang’s face also went pale with shock.

Only Little Eunuch Zhang looked confused.

He foolishly asked, “Is that the ceremonial bell for the wedding?”

Eunuch Zhang smacked him across the back of the head.

“Idiot!

“That is the Departure Bell!”

The Sixth Prince licked his lips.

Then he said, “Looks like something happened.”

...

The Crown Prince wore a magnificent robe specially made for today, edged in gold.

The patterns, pearls, and ornaments followed imperial standards reduced by one level.

Even so, his clothing remained far grander than that of the brothers beside him, clearly displaying the distinct status of the master of the Eastern Palace.

The First Prince was away leading troops.

The Sixth Prince had been confined by their imperial father and forbidden to leave.

So today, the three princes accompanying the Crown Prince to receive his bride were the Fourth Prince, Fifth Prince, and Seventh Prince.

The Crown Prince rode at the front.

The three princes followed behind.

After them came the younger generation of various noble and meritorious houses.

Today was an extremely important day for the Crown Prince.

Being a son of the present Emperor was genuinely difficult.

Even as the legitimate eldest son, he had spent years walking on thin ice.

Especially the previous year, when his own maternal uncle had destroyed his mother’s clan and the Empress had returned to the palace mentally broken, the Crown Prince had once believed his future completely ruined.

Who could have imagined that not only would he successfully enter the Eastern Palace, but today he would even marry the Commandery Princess of the Marquis of Zhenbei’s household?

After this wedding, he would naturally gain the support of the Marquis of Zhenbei’s household and the Zhenbei Army.

His position as heir apparent would become even more secure.

Along the route, commoners packed both sides of the Imperial Way and knelt.

The Crown Prince ordered copper coins scattered among them so everyone could share the celebration.

The procession moved slowly, gloriously, until it finally arrived at the gates of the Western Garden.

The Marquis and Marchioness of Zhenbei had not returned to Yanjing.

But a detachment of the Zhenbei Army was stationed around the Western Garden.

They were the Commandery Princess’s family escort.

Of course, this was ultimately a marriage alliance with the imperial house.

The public procession itself was already somewhat extravagant.

The rowdy games and deliberate obstacles common in ordinary wedding parties were naturally impossible here.

The ceremony still required dignity and solemnity.

Gongs and drums sounded.

The Crown Prince dismounted.

First he signaled for the thirty-six-bearer bridal sedan to stop and be lowered.

Then he walked forward several steps and bowed.

“This junior, Ji Chenglang, thanks the Marquis and Marchioness of Zhenbei for their favor.

“I respectfully ask that your beloved daughter enter the sedan.”

The Marquis and his wife were not present.

But the thanks still had to be spoken.

The ceremonial procedure still had to be followed.

Next, there would be an imperial decree from His Majesty.

Then a family letter from the Marquis of Zhenbei’s household.

Then a decree from the Empress.

Afterward, the Minister of Rites himself still had to preside over several ceremonial stages.

So while there were none of the playful wedding games common among ordinary families, the procedure was even more complicated.

The Crown Prince had eaten early in the morning.

The other three princes had done the same.

All four had prepared themselves for a long campaign.

But the Emperor’s decree had only just been read.

There was still a great pile of ceremony left.

And then, the gates of the Western Garden suddenly opened from inside.

Li Liangshen one of the Four Great Swordsmen, a famed sword of Yan, and a Chief Commander beneath the Marquis of Zhenbei walked slowly out.

He held his sword in his left hand.

With his right, he led a young woman wearing a phoenix coronet and brilliant red wedding robes.

The civil and military nobles surrounding the area froze.

The Minister of Rites nearly choked on the phlegm caught in his throat.

He could neither cough it out nor swallow it back.

His eyes rolled so hard he nearly fainted on the spot.

Li Liangshen was the adopted son of the Marquis of Zhenbei.

That made him the Commandery Princess’s adopted elder brother.

With her parents absent from the capital, it was entirely proper for Li Liangshen to escort her out.

But he absolutely should not have done it this way directly skipping the entire ceremony.

It was a declaration.

A statement that said:

*Do not even think of using all your rituals and rules to bind me.*

The Imperial Guards were not in the capital now.

The force actually defending Yanjing was the Zhenbei Army.

That was part of the Commandery Princess’s dowry.

And it was the source of her confidence.

The Crown Prince’s expression stiffened slightly.

But almost immediately, a warm smile covered his face.

He walked forward of his own accord, ignoring the ceremonial officials beside him and the Minister of Rites, whose blood vessels looked ready to burst.

If she was willing to skip the ritual, then he would follow her example and personally welcome his wife.

Of the three princes behind him, the Seventh Prince was still too young to understand.

But the Fourth and Fifth Princes exchanged glances.

There was a trace of schadenfreude in their eyes, and also helpless amusement.

The schadenfreude came from the fact that Second Brother was marrying a tigress.

His future would certainly be lively.

The helpless amusement came from something else.

Such a forceful sister-in-law, with such a special identity and status their lives as younger brothers-in-law in the future... ah.

...

Atop the palace gate walls, the Emperor of Yan’s imperial carriage had already been prepared.

Wei Zhonghe attended at His Majesty’s side.

The Commandery Princess was marrying into the Ji Clan.

Li Liangting could choose not to come.

But Ji Runhao had to give face to the brother who had grown up beside him since childhood.

As the sovereign of a state and head of the household, he was lowering his own status and personally waiting at the palace gate to receive her.

From time to time, eunuchs rode back from the Western Garden and reported the latest developments.

When the Emperor heard that the Commandery Princess had simply skipped the ceremonies and walked out herself, Ji Runhao laughed loudly.

That temper it truly resembled her mother in her youth.

Once, here in the Western Garden, after the Emperor and Marquis of Zhenbei had gotten drunk, the Emperor had personally said:

If your daughter truly has the ability to let the hen crow at dawn, then let her come and try.

As long as he, Ji Runhao, was alive, she had no chance.

After he was gone, so long as she did nothing that betrayed the Ji Clan, then whatever else she wanted to toss around and meddle with was entirely up to her.

So the Emperor genuinely did not care at all about the outrageous behavior of this future daughter-in-law.

If anything, he found it amusing.

“The Marquis of Jingnan’s Residence still has its doors shut?”

The Emperor seemed to think of something and suddenly asked.

Wei Zhonghe immediately answered:

“Reporting to Your Majesty, yes.

“Several groups have already gone to proclaim decrees.

“Whether secret decrees or informal imperial orders, the Marquis of Jingnan’s Residence has refused them all.”

The Emperor nodded.

No joy or anger could be seen on his face.

On this matter, Wei Zhonghe did not dare say one unnecessary word.

Nor did he dare guess at the Emperor’s thoughts.

A moment later, the Emperor said again:

“Later, send Zhao Jiulang a note.

“Once Wujiang finishes this campaign, have him marry.

“Tell Zhao Jiulang to personally draft the proper ceremonies for Wujiang’s wedding.

“It cannot overshadow today’s wedding.

“But neither can it be too shabby.

“That old Barbarian King is willing to marry his daughter over to us.

“Great Yan cannot act too petty.”

“Yes. This servant understands.”

And then, *DONG!*

*DONG!*

*DONG!*

The bell suddenly sounded.

It was the Departure Bell!

The Departure Bell had not sounded for many years.

Every one of Yanjing’s four city gates possessed one.

They had been established by an ancestral emperor of the Ji Clan.

These bells did not announce the hour.

They did not mark weddings or funerals.

They did not celebrate festivals.

They were called Departure Bells because once war within the State of Yan took a grave turn and the bells sounded, it meant the descendants of Ji and the sons of Great Yan in Yanjing would soon bid farewell to their families, take up their blades, mount their horses, and ride for the battlefield.

In the years when Great Yan’s wars against the barbarians had been at their fiercest, the Departure Bells had sounded almost every year.

These past decades, they had gradually fallen silent.

Many young Yan people no longer even knew what they meant.

By Great Yan’s ancestral law, whenever news arrived of a major defeat at the front, the moment the military dispatch passed through one city gate, that gate’s Departure Bell had to sound.

The bells at the other gates would immediately answer.

Across Yanjing, all weddings, funerals, celebrations, and ceremonies would be suspended.

The whole capital would turn toward the crisis.

This had been a warning left by the Ji ancestors to their descendants.

They feared later generations might produce worthless rulers who continued indulging themselves even while disaster raged outside.

They also forbade future Ji emperors from whitewashing defeat, burying their heads in the sand, and pretending nothing had happened merely to preserve a false surface calm.

Wei Zhonghe immediately said:

“Your Majesty.

“The first bell came from the eastern gate.”

The eastern gate.

That meant military intelligence from the east.

Not from the western desert.

The Eastern Expedition Army.

The Eastern Expedition Army had lost.

“Transmit Our decree.

“The wedding is suspended.

“Summon all officials to court.”

“This servant obeys.”

Even the Crown Prince’s wedding had to stop when the Departure Bell sounded.

The imperial carriage was lifted.

The Emperor would leave this place and return to the great hall to wait for the civil and military officials to gather.

But before departing, the Emperor suddenly said again:

“Immediately transmit another decree to the Marquis of Jingnan’s Residence.

“Ask Tian Wujing— has he made enough trouble yet?”

——————

My health still hasn’t fully recovered, though my energy is a little better. I’m doing my best to write as much as possible. Respectfully clasping hands.

[End of Chapter 310]