Chapter 118: Dispatching the Six Path Envoys (Final)

The world unfolded exactly as Wu Yanxiu had desired.

On the fighting platform, Quan Ce maneuvered with effort, his movements flashy and perilous. His battlefield experience allowed him to gain the upper hand, and while the brawny man was impervious to pain, he was thoroughly exhausted. Unexpectedly, a misstep while attempting a flick-kick caused Quan Ce to sprain his ankle. The move failed, and he stumbled, nearly falling. The situation turned instantly; the brawny man seized the opportunity to rain down heavy blows. Quan Ce became a human sandbag, blood streaming from his face. Finally, with a kick to his abdomen and a twist of his arms, he was tossed off the platform.

Upon landing, his foot tangled, and with a sharp, crisp snap, he sprained his other ankle. The agony brought cold sweat to his face, and with blood and sweat mingling as they streamed down, the sight was gruesome.

"Oh, my lord!" Fuqu rushed out upon hearing the news. Seeing his wretched state, she let out a piercing cry. She threw herself forward, cradling his head in her arms, calling out frantically, her voice trembling, "Doctor! Someone, fetch a doctor quickly!"

The shop assistants acted on the command, and kind-hearted townspeople helped carry him. The shop fell into chaos. Quan Ce’s injuries were blunt force trauma, and as the initial shock faded, the pain subsided, yet the clumsy handling made him feel even worse. Someone, taking advantage of the confusion, even tried to pull off his boots, touching his ankle and causing a wave of sharp, agonizing pain. He quickly raised his sleeve to wipe the blood from his face. "Everyone, please, go slowly. I am not crippled; I can manage. And you, young lady, I shall gift you these boots later... please, do not touch my feet, if you would be so kind?"

The young woman who had been surreptitiously pulling at his boots blushed, yet she was bold. She released his foot and replied naturally, "Master Quan, see that you keep your word."

Wu Yanxiu and his group stood to the side, watching the courtesan they had snatched from Quan Ce coddle him with such tenderness, while another young woman threw herself at him. It was truly intolerable. "Shao Jian Quan, what is this? The Eastern Capital Qianniu Guard has been beaten to this state—do you have anything to say for yourself?"

"What do you want to hear? The Eastern Capital Qianniu Guard will see this through to the end!" A roar came from outside, followed by the sound of rhythmic, synchronized footsteps. Zheng Zhong stepped inside with a dark, stern expression, his men surrounding the Yue Lai Inn like an iron barrel. He leaned down to check Quan Ce’s injuries, and finding them minor, he let out a breath of relief. "General Wu, fighting one by one is far too slow. If you still have the inclination, why not go to your Right Guard barracks for a formal martial exercise? My men may be few, but none of them know how to admit defeat."

"Hmph." Wu Yanxiu knew the strength of the Right Guard. Today, having caught them off guard, he had vented his spleen, but a full-scale military engagement was not something he desired. He scoffed, "Brawling in the barracks is against military discipline. Let's go."

As he led his men away, Zheng Zhong shifted as if to stop him, but paused. After they left, he turned to hoist Quan Ce onto his back and carried him to a room. "General, why didn't you let me give him a taste of his own medicine?" He had moved slightly, but Quan Ce had pulled him back from behind.

"Hiss..." Quan Ce touched his ankle, gasping in pain. "A gentleman’s revenge is never too late. There is no need to rush. Today’s incident—making a scene is of no benefit. In fact, I might even have to thank him, heh."

He winced in pain while smiling, his twisted expression quite eerie.

Zheng Zhong was baffled, and Fuqu’s face turned pale. She reached out a delicate hand to touch his forehead, then her own—he wasn't feverish.

Quan Ce let them wonder, chuckling to himself.

***

The doctor arrived quickly, bandaged the wounds on his face, set his ankles, and advised several days of rest for a full recovery.

"General, shall we request a few days of leave?" Zheng Zhong asked.

"No matter. The affairs at the Lin Tai are light; my presence is hardly required," Quan Ce dismissed the idea with a wave.

"But the day after tomorrow is the full moon. During the Grand Court, you are required to stand guard at the gate. That is non-negotiable. Judging by these injuries, you will only be partially recovered. It would be safer to ask for leave early," Zheng Zhong insisted, his brow furrowed.

Quan Ce smiled without answering. Partially recovered was exactly what he needed. Changing the subject, he instructed Fuqu, "Fuqu, deliver my boots to that young lady from earlier."

For the next two days, Quan Ce skipped his duties at the Lin Tai and stayed at the Yue Lai Inn, sending word to the Princess Yiyang residence that he was away on official business to avoid worrying his family.

With Fuqu’s attentive care, his injuries healed well, save for his ankles, which were easy to hurt but slow to mend; he walked with a limp, unable to put full weight on them.

"My lord, can this duty not be postponed? You’ve only just recovered; if you injure yourself again, I shall be heartbroken," Fuqu said as she helped him prepare his attire. He donned the uniform of a General of the Left Yulin Guard. As a guard before the throne, appearance was of the utmost importance. The uniform was bright and striking, and the heavy cloak was not only imposing but made of fine, lightweight material.

"Heh, do not worry. The Yulin Guard is different from the Qianniu Guard. I need not stand in the hall; I only stand guard outside the gate. Once the Empress Dowager enters the hall, no one will pay me any mind," Quan Ce said, gently stroking her back. With summer approaching, her clothes were thin, and the faint warmth radiating through the fabric stirred his heart.

Fuqu, feeling their closeness, sensed the change in him and leaned submissively into his arms, whispering softly, "My lord."

Quan Ce shook himself awake, looking sheepish. He waved his hand and stepped out the door. When Fuqu offered to support him, he refused. "Your lord is a general—I am meant to conquer cities and lands. A few minor injuries are nothing to fret about."

Fuqu let go, leaning against the door frame, watching him turn a corner surrounded by his retinue until he was out of sight.

At the Taichu Palace, outside the Wucheng Gate, Quan Ce arrived at his post on time. Ye Huli had already arranged the Yulin guards in position. Seeing him arrive, he stepped forward to offer a military salute. After exchanging pleasantries, he added specifically, "General, if there is anything you need from your subordinate, do not hesitate to command." Wu Yanxiu had finally managed to humiliate Quan Ce, and the news had spread far and wide.

Quan Ce nodded with a smile. "You have my thanks, Colonel."

He looked at the familiar Wucheng Gate. Behind it lay a nine-tiered staircase, and the wall passage was several yards deep. He stood before the stone steps, gripping the corner of his long cloak, and gave it a few flicks. His lips curled, and his eyes glinted with a sharp light.

The time had come. The ministers were all present, standing on both sides of the plaza before the gate, awaiting the arrival of the Empress Dowager.

*Clack, clack...* The ceremonial whip cracked nine times. The ministers fell silent. The Empress Dowager appeared, wearing a golden phoenix robe, the fabric light and dancing in the wind. A large expanse of porcelain-white skin was visible at her chest... She stepped slowly off her palanquin and walked toward Wucheng Gate.

"Your subject, Quan Ce, pays respects to the Empress Dowager," Quan Ce bowed. His cloak billowed out behind him, and with uncanny precision, it draped over the stone steps in front of the Empress Dowager. She did not notice, and as she stepped onto the cloak, her foot caught on the stone step, causing her to stagger.

Quan Ce hurriedly stepped forward to steady her, but his cloak pulled taut, causing him to lose his balance. His injured ankle gave way under the sudden strain, and a wave of agonizing pain shot through him. His forward momentum remained, and he lunged directly into the Empress Dowager. Fortunately, Shangguan Wan'er and Xie Yaohuan, who were beside her, caught them both, preventing a tumble.

Quan Ce ended up in a half-kneeling, half-crouched position, his head buried against the Empress Dowager’s chest. To maintain his balance, his hands had inadvertently gripped her rounded thighs.

"Your subject... your subject deserves death!" Though it sounded complex, Quan Ce only maintained the position for a few seconds before enduring the pain to pull back and prostrate himself on the ground, his entire body trembling, clearly terrified.

The Empress Dowager frowned, subtly pushing at her chest with her arm—the collision had been quite painful. She glanced at his foot and said, her tone indifferent, "Rise. Be more careful when performing your duties."

The Empress Dowager entered the Wucheng Hall, and the ministers were summoned. They filed inside, and as they passed Quan Ce, his superior, Li Qiao, the Supervisor of the Lin Tai, nodded at him. Bringing up the rear were the officials of the Censorate; the Supervising Censor, Fu Youyi, wore a somber expression, his lips twitching unnaturally.