The noise of the capital penetrated through the layers of palaces to the Imperial City.
A group of concubines turned pale and cried out in alarm.
"Is it the Jurchen people who have invaded?"
These words made many of the concubines start crying.
The Empress Dowager, seated in the highest position, looked no better, but she was not crying like them.
"What are you crying for!" she scolded, staring at the concubines, "If the Jurchen people invade, you must all commit suicide first."
The concubines couldn't help but look into the hall.
On the several tables in the hall, daggers and wine cups were placed, and a trembling eunuch and palace maid stood holding white silk.
Seeing this made the concubines cry even more.
"We cannot end up like the concubines of Emperor Renxiao's harem." The Empress Dowager said, her face turning even paler at the thought of the concubines of Emperor Renxiao's harem.
Although she had not seen it with her own eyes, after fleeing with the first emperor to establish the capital here, she had heard from the Jurchen people that those concubines were treated like prostitutes in their captivity.
At that time, she felt no sympathy, only scorn and disgust. Why didn't those women die earlier, sparing their lives to be defiled by the Jurchen people, disgracing the great Zhou.
Therefore, when the first emperor wanted to redeem Emperor Renxiao, she was the first to oppose it, not just because of the awkward issue of succession upon Emperor Renxiao's return. Those women stepping into the great Zhou again would disgrace even her.
She never imagined, though, that she would end up in the same situation today.
The Jurchen people were about to invade, and her son had run off, abandoning her and the women of the harem.
The Empress Dowager clutched at her collar, feeling overwhelmed.
This beast.
"What on earth is happening outside?" she bellowed.
A eunuch stumbled in.
"Madam, Madam, Lord Ning Yan is rallying the people in the city to prepare for the defense." He said joyfully, "All the common people are joining together to defend the city against the Jurchen people."
The common people?
What could the common people do?
The Empress Dowager's face looked grim.
At least, they could be the first to fill the breach, perhaps delaying the Jurchen people until reinforcements arrive.
"Therefore," the eunuch said nervously, "even the Imperial Guard has been deployed."
The Empress Dowager sprang to her feet.
"The Imperial Guard!" she exclaimed, "Why was the Imperial Guard deployed? Who could deploy the Imperial Guard! With the Imperial Guard gone, what about the Imperial City?"
What about the Imperial City?
If the capital could not be defended, how could the Imperial City be defended? In fact, rather than saying the Imperial Guard was deployed, it would be more accurate to say they left voluntarily. When attempts were made to stop them, the Imperial Guards left with just one sentence.
"It was discussed by the elders." The eunuch said, hastily changing the subject, "Now, all the bureaucrats of the six ministries are beginning to defend the city. Everyone has their own duties, and the lords reassure the madams that they will surely hold until reinforcements arrive."
With the emperor gone, she did not have much authority left to scold and oppose these court officials, as she still relied on them to defend the city.
The Empress Dowager sat back down, gritting her teeth and clenching her hands in front of her.
"They had better not disappoint me." She said.
After finishing, she looked at the concubines who had stopped crying in the hall.
"Do not be afraid to die; when the time comes, I will personally see to your departure and ensure you do not disgrace the imperial family." She said, looking at the eunuch, "Close the hall doors, no one is allowed in or out."
A determined look flashed across her face.
"Once the Jurchen people break in, you will set a fire and burn us all to death inside." She said.
At these words, the cries resumed in the grand hall.
Compared to the sorrow of the women in the imperial palace, the similarly populated Prince Xian's Mansion was much more quiet.
"This must be taken." A woman placed a pearl crown into a box. "The prince spent a lot of money buying this for me."
"I can't fit everything here." Another woman stomped as if protesting and called to a maid, "Go fetch a bigger box."
"Oh, ladies, ladies." A eunuch wiped his sweat and bowed, "The cellar can't hide all these things, it's good enough if it can hide people. You can't bring all your belongings."
The room burst into a chorus of complaints and tender cries.
"Ladies, we are taking refuge, the Jurchen people are coming, life is most important." The eunuch urged.
He looked over at Prince Xian, who was sitting aside.
"Your Highness, Your Highness, please persuade the ladies." He said.
Prince Xian seemed lost in thought, and it was only after the eunuch called him several times that he looked over.
"What?" He asked.
Was the prince frightened out of his wits? The eunuch once again wiped his sweat. This was understandable, as the emperor had fled, and for these royal offspring, their grandfather was captured and died at the hands of the Jurchen people. This nightmare had not yet faded.
"Your Highness, didn't you instruct everyone to hide in the cellar, so don't bring jewels, just make sure you have enough to eat and drink." The eunuch said, "Isn't that right, Your Highness?"
Prince Xian shook his head.
"I don't know." He said.
Ah? The eunuch said in astonishment, what do you mean you don't know?
"Hide in the cellar with enough to eat and drink, is that all?" Prince Xian asked him.
What else then? The eunuch was puzzled, were they worried the cellar was not safe?
"Then should we dig a bit deeper while they haven't come in?" He asked.
Prince Xian looked at him and laughed.
"Dig a bit deeper and hide, is that the only solution?" He said with a bit of self-mockery.
What other solution is there? The eunuch was even more confused.
What other solution is there?
Prince Xian gripped the armrest tightly. From the corner of his eye, he saw a woman unfolding a painting, undecided about whether to take it or not.
"This is the painting the first emperor personally made for the prince." The woman muttered.
Indeed, it was a painting given by the first emperor, depicting a general.
Back then, he was still young, and after hearing his teacher speak of the resentment of old Kaifeng, in a fit of anger had an armor made for himself, wearing it and running to the first emperor, declaring his wish to learn martial arts and fight in battles to avenge the Imperial Ancestor and wash away the shame of the great Zhou.
As the thought flashed across his mind, Prince Xian suddenly felt a pang of sadness and an inexplicable urge to cry.
He looked down at his obese body squeezed into the chair.
To see what he had become over the years.
Just for the sake of living, just for living, was it worth it?
"It's not worth it." He said.
The eunuch didn't hear him clearly.
"Your Highness, what did you say?" He asked.
Prince Xian looked at him.
"I said, it's not worth it." He said, getting up with difficulty, "Living like this is not worth it."
Living like this is not worth it? Then how should one live to make it worth it? The eunuch wondered in astonishment.
Prince Xian patted his own belly.
"Someone, bring my armor!" He commanded loudly.
The hall quieted immediately as everyone looked at him.
Prince Xian paused.
"Forget it, I don't have armor, and probably none that would fit me." He said, patting his belly again, "Bring my court outfit!"
The people in the hall finally came to their senses.
"Your Highness, what do you intend to do?" They asked.
Prince Xian, with his eyes squeezed almost shut by his fat, suddenly gleamed with clarity.
"I will go to defend the city and kill the Jin thief." He said, enunciating each word.
The hall was quiet for a moment, then erupted into noise.
"Quick, someone, the prince has gone mad."
"Quick, call for a doctor!"
"Your Highness, Your Highness, what's wrong with you?"
.......
.......
"Bosh, I am not mad, nor am I confused."
After finally dispersing the chaotic crowd, Prince Xian declared.
"I have no plans to hide; I will stand with the people in defense of the city."
He said, pointing outside.
"The common people are not afraid, willing to live and die with the city. As a prince of the great Zhou, why should I hide? What face do I have to hide? Am I not equal to the common people?"
But those are the Jurchen people.
The many people inside the hall were not optimistic about these citizens. To them, the city was simply indefensible.
Many young women began to sob softly.
But one official of the Prince Mansion's eyes lit up.
"Prince, truly?" he asked.
Prince Xian looked at him.
"All these years I've spoken many falsehoods," he said, "Now that the emperor has fled, I want to speak the truth."
The meaning behind these words caused the expressions of those present to undergo slight changes.
But the eyes of that Prince Mansion official shone even brighter.
Prince Xian paid him no mind.
"Summon all the guards of the Prince Mansion, to the city wall with me to defend the city," he said. Although his plump face looked rather comical, his demeanor and tone lacked the usual jest.
"Yes."
A guard responded swiftly.
With this response, the entire Prince Mansion grew tense. Countless guards fetched the armors they hadn't worn for a long time, took up scattered weapons, not just them but even some eunuchs followed suit.
"We may lack what others have, but we dare fight with the Jurchen people," the leading eunuch shouted, waving a wooden stick.
"Prince, Prince, we want to go too."
A group of ostentatiously dressed women also surged forward.
"The Prince isn't afraid, neither are we!"
This scene shifted the tense and solemn atmosphere into one that was somewhat ludicrous. Prince Xian laughed heartily but did not reprimand these women; instead, he wrapped his arms around them.
"I knew it, my women wouldn't be cowards," he said, "I am a hero, and you are heroes too."
The women all laughed charmingly.
Could it be that he truly intended to bring this group of women? That scene would be somewhat comical, and those present couldn't help but break into a sweat.
What exactly is this Prince Xian thinking? Has he really gone mad with fright?
"However, as I am a man, I will lead in front, and you will follow behind," Prince Xian said, "When I die in battle, it'll be your turn, and then you must avenge me."
After speaking, he pinched the women's bottoms hard.
This turned the women, who were about to become sorrowful at the mention of his death in battle, into playful banter, and the atmosphere was even more joyous.
Among this charming playfulness, Prince Xian mounted his horse, brandishing his sword.
It felt as if he was back in the training camps of his youth, facing a group of Zhu Zan's noble peers who looked down on him.
"Follow me and fight!" he shouted loudly.
That time, he had been beaten by Zhu Zan's group until his face resembled a pig's head; this time, he wanted to beat the Jurchen people until their faces resembled pig's heads.
......
.......
The gates of the Prince Mansion swung open wide as Prince Xian led the charge, with guards and eunuchs following majestically.
But the mansion officials brought up the rear, and compared to Prince Xian's spirited demeanor, their expressions were not so favorable.
"Why doesn't anyone try to persuade him?" one official whispered, "Isn't this absurd?"
Another official chuckled.
"Absurd? Not necessarily," he said, stroking his beard with twinkling eyes, "This is an opportunity."
Opportunity?
The previous official was stunned and then looked towards the street. Many people were moving about, and seeing Prince Xian appear, they all showed expressions of surprise but seemed to quickly understand something, exhibiting delight and reverence.
Reputation.
The official instantly understood.
At a time like this, with the emperor having fled, and Prince Xian stepping forward, his reputation among the citizens and court officials would be imaginable.
Prince Xian, who usually played the fool, suddenly acted in this way; could it be....
"I knew for a long time, Prince Xian is not a waste," that official said softly, "Ever since childhood, he was unusual. All these years have truly been a case of lying low and nurturing one's spirit..."
Saying this, they exchanged a glance and saw the fire in each other's eyes.
The fate of being an official at the Prince Mansion was fixed for life, only the fate of the prince could change theirs.
Who doesn't want to move forward, to have a better fate?
Yet fate is hard to change, opportunities are slim, and usually, they can't even imagine them.
Could it be that right now, the opportunity has come?
As they speculated wildly, the entourage ahead suddenly halted.
"What's the matter? Has the prince regretted his decision?" the official asked urgently.
Prince Xian reined in his horse and stood still, his expression thoughtful.
"This is an opportunity," he muttered suddenly, then turned his horse to head in another direction.
Where was he planning to go?
The guards and eunuchs behind exchanged glances, hastily following along.
Meanwhile, Miss Jun was unaware of the events occurring.
She stabilized the citizens while Ning Yan stabilized the feudal authority, and the previously chaotic city order began to recover. But this was just the first step.
The most important thing was, what to do next for proper city defense.
"In warfare and defense, the most crucial thing is proper guarding and avoiding panic and disorder," Miss Jun said.
Ning Yan nodded, looking at the generals of the Imperial Guard and the Five Cities Military Department present.
"Therefore, we need to make proper assignments, fully mobilizing everyone, making the best use of everything," he said.
"The Qingshan Army will be distributed among your soldiers, leading and guarding the formations," Miss Jun said, "Regarding the specific deployment, you're more familiar, so you can make the arrangements."
The generals answered in unison.
"And now we must select the robust individuals in the city to supplement the ranks on the four walls," Ning Yan said.
At this he sighed lightly, looking down from the city gate.
"The morale of the people is still not stable."
Miss Jun also looked down, the crowds in the street were not as chaotic as before, and many citizens were carrying the earth bags, stones, and wooden poles needed for city defense as directed. But they still gathered together occasionally, whispering among themselves, with lingering traces of unease in their expressions.
"... I must admit, I still feel uneasy in my heart," a young man whispered to those beside him while laying down the stone he was holding.
"Why are you uneasy? Aren't Miss Jun and Lord Ning both here?" someone said.
The young man shook his head.
"It's not that I don't trust Miss Jun and Lord Ning," he said, "I just feel these high-ranking officials all hiding away, perhaps they're leaving us to die in their place."
His words caused the people around him to feel even more apprehensive.
"I say, everyone should be smart, don't rush headlong into risking your life..." someone couldn't help but say.
Before he could finish speaking, a commotion arose from the street behind them, as if someone was arriving.
"What happened?" they looked over curiously.
A crowd surged forward as if scrambling to see something, and shouts continued to echo.
Miss Jun and others at the city gate noticed it too; from their vantage point, they saw a group of riders approaching, distinctly dressed as royal guards, unlike the feudal authority and some bureaucratic families' guards.
"It's Prince Xian coming," an eager soldier reported, looking jubilant, "Prince Xian brings people to defend the city."
Prince Xian indeed.
Ning Yan nodded, his expression somewhat relieved, while Miss Jun appeared even more joyful, accompanied by feelings of pride and emotion.
She knew that this young uncle wasn't a coward, she knew it; a true member of the Chu Family wouldn't fear death.
"Let me go see," she said, hurrying down the city wall. But after just a few steps, the din from the street grew even more intense.
"He's out, he's out!" chattered the excited voices.
Miss Jun paused, looking over, and saw the carriage in the crowd stopping. Someone pulled aside the curtain and emerged, but it wasn't Prince Xian's plump figure, rather a small silhouette.
This silhouette came into view, and Miss Jun froze.
The surrounding citizens were stunned too, and the noise gradually subsided, making the voice of the person stepping out of the carriage audibly clear.
"Do not fear, you all."
The crisp child's voice echoed in the street, tinged with innocence.
"I, am with you all."
Under the sunlight, on the carriage, a child dressed in a princely robe and crowned with a golden crown stood with arms crossed.
Miss Jun's eyes instantly welled with tears.
Her Jiurong stood in the sunlight.
Her Jiurong had come forth to face the people.
Her Jiurong was out.
(Have you noticed that the word count has been particularly high lately? It's actually equivalent to three updates, (*^__^*) hehe... please support with monthly votes)