Late in the night
The carriage moved through the dark streets of the capital.
Shen Yao sat alone, his back against the cushioned seat, his eyes fixed on the window.
Normally he would have taken a horse, but right now as the night air pressed against the open curtains, cold but refreshing. His hand rested on his knee, steady now, but the memory of the trembling still lingered.
He had changed into dark blue linen robes. The scent of blood having thinned around him. His face was still pale, but no one dared comment.
He flexed his fingers and felt the familiar ache beneath his skin.
The pill was working, he thought.
At least for now
He didn't know how long it would last.
Xi Shu rode on the side frowning slightly as he glanced at the tightly closed carriage.
He felt it was unlike his young master choose to ride in a carriage but then again.
A strong gust of wind snapped him out of his thoughts.
Shaking his head he felt maybe it was for the best anyway with the seasons changing it grew colder and colder.
After a few minutes of silence, the carriage finally stopped.
He stepped out and walked toward the palace gates.
---
Stepping into the throne room.
The hall was crowded when he arrived.
The ministers stood in clusters, their voices low and urgent whispering about the urgency at the border. The emperor sat on the raised dais, his expression unreadable, his hands resting on the armrests of his throne.
His fingers clenching against the golden auspicious cloud shapes.
Stepping forward Shen Yao bowed slightly before taking his place among the military officials next to Prime Minister Shi. He felt eyes on him—curious, wary, calculating—but he did not meet them.
He knew that in the palace especially in the presence of the emperor curiosity could easily turn into a weapon used against him.
Pei Shu stood next to Shen Yao unable to speak after all they all witnessed what happened at the banquet.
Remembering the scene of the second branch members arguing behind the crowd in hushed voices that day and the confession hours ago he had already pieced most of the story together.
He sighed looking at the man next to him thinking that he really had to find time to speak to Shen Yao about his second uncle's family.
As if feeling his gaze, Shen Yao turned towards him but meeting his direct gaze head on.
He frowned.
What sort of scheme was going through this man's head?
But before he could think any further.
The chief eunuch beside the emperor surnamed Tan stepped forward.
"Silence"
The court quietened down. As everyone turned their attention to the front of the hall.
Chief Eunuch Tan waved his hand as a younger eunuch rushed forward with a scroll.
Taking it, he opened it and read its contents aloud:
The magistrate of Yinzhou sends his regards to his majesty and all the beloved officials in the capital.
Days ago, the state of Yinzhou received a threat from the Xeng barbarians stating that if this humble minister was to willingly give up Yinzhou. He could keep his position.
A ripple of murmurs passed through the hall.
Already agitated, the emperor hit his hand against the armrest and the voices echoing through the hall grew quiet again.
"Continue"
"Yes"
Unwilling to cooperate with foreigners this minister denied their request and so three days later Xeng barbarians broke through the northwest border. And attacked Yinzhou as they promised but due to their initial threats, the garrisons had already been prepared and so their attack failed and they lost the first battle. But unfortunately, due to the short period we had to prepare we have already lost a lot of manpower and resources with the barbarians stationing their camp west of the city.
A few days ago, I received another threat this time they asked we give all our resources and women to them as a peace tribute as our new masters.
Left with no other option, this humble one pleads with his majesty to send reinforcements as the duration given to make a choice draws closer.
Shen Yao's hands tightened at his sides.
Using women as a peace tribute
He couldn't stop his face from scrunching up in disgust.
Shen Yao wasn't the only person whose face changed. As everyone silently cursed those barbarians for being so arrogant their pride in their homeland stirred.
With only one thought going through their minds.
They had to teach those arrogant rebels a lesson
Clearing his thoughts, the emperor's gaze swept the room. Finally settling on Shen Yao.
"Young Master Shen. Your family has guarded the northern border for generation. Why don't you lend a few of the Shen families well trained soldiers under your wing to Yinzhou to quail those barbarians?"
The room fell silent.
At this moment anyone with any knowledge about this could tell the emperor was trying to weaken the Shen family after all it was a known fact that the four major families held more influence and power but they were obedient to the throne but since the beginning of time obedience alone wasn't enough to repel the emperor's distrust in his ministers.
Of course, Shen Yao was aware of this having watched a lot of messy dramas before with Yanyan.
He sighed stepping forward, his face calm, his voice steady despite the cold still pressing against his chest.
"Yes, your majesty."
He paused.
"But I would suggest sending someone with enough military experience not lead the expedition if your intention is to push back the barbarians and not just to save Yinzhou"
The emperor's eyes narrowed slightly.
"Who do you have in mind?"
At this point the room was pin drop silent.
Pei Shu frowned glancing at Shen Yao.
It wasn't just him Prime minister Shi's brows furrowed tightly as he glanced at the emperor then Shen Yao. He knew the emperor well enough to know he was targeting the Shen Family's power. If Shen Yao suggested himself and left the capital, chances were he would not return. He knew of the suicidal brutality of the Xeng people who felt it was better to die with enemy than letting themselves suffer alone.
In this case if Shen Yao chose himself, he would suffer. If he suggests someone else and they fail, he will face punishment which is what the emperor wanted. Few knew that the emperor actually wanted to deal with all major families but due to their merits he couldn't dispose of them directly.
Prime Minister Shi internally sighed in disappointment
Serving the sovereign was really like holding a double-edged sword
"I believe whoever his majesty chooses will be the right choice." Shen Yao bowed then stepped back.
The tension disappeared immediately.
Emperor Wei silently glanced at Shen Yao among the ministers his eyes passing over all the other ministers before settling on Eunuch Tan who stood not too far.
Receiving his signal Eunuch Tan smiled then walked forward summoning the head of the imperial army surnamed Zhao. A distant relative of concubine Ke who had climbed up the ranks in recent years.
In the end, the emperor appointed General Zhao to go to Yinzhou and with recommendation Right minister Li also appointed Li Chang to assist him.