Horse-drawn carriage at night
Yi Xing didn't sleep for too long.
He seemed to have only closed his eyes for a short rest before being gently awakened by Yang Yuhuan.
"Yixing, it's almost time. You should change and get ready."
He opened his eyes. Bright candles were lit in the warm pavilion, and the dark sky outside made the light inside seem even warmer. Pei Qinhu had left sometime earlier, presumably to prepare for tonight's outing. Gongsun Li, however, was still by his side, carefully combing his slightly disheveled black hair with a jade comb.
"Sister Ali, I can do it myself." Yi Xing tilted her head slightly, looking a little uncomfortable.
"Don't move," Gongsun Li pressed down on his shoulder, her tone playful and unyielding. "Your hair, like your chess moves, seems simple but is actually quite troublesome. If you don't comb it properly, how will you face people later?" She moved very gently, afraid of hurting him, her rabbit ears drooping slightly as she focused on her expression.
Yi Xing had no choice but to stop moving and let her do as she pleased. His gaze swept around and he saw that Yang Yuhuan had taken out a set of neatly folded moon-white robes from the inner room. It was not his usual plain clothes, but a more formal set of banquet attire, made of significantly finer materials. The lapels and cuffs were embroidered with fine cloud patterns in silver thread, which gleamed softly under the candlelight.
“This is…” Yi Xing asked, somewhat puzzled.
“Lord Ming had already instructed that it be prepared.” Yang Yuhuan smiled and unfolded her robe. “He said that since you are entering the palace, you cannot lose face for Yaotian, nor can you let anyone look down on you.”
Yi Xing's heart stirred slightly. His master had even considered these details.
With the help of Gongsun Li and Yang Yuhuan, he changed into this new outfit. The fabric was the finest Yun brocade, cool and smooth to the touch, and the size was perfect, perfectly accentuating his slightly slender figure and giving him an air of refined elegance. His pale face, set against the moon-white backdrop, seemed to have lost some of its sickly pallor and gained a touch of ethereal grace.
Gongsun Li took two steps back, looking him up and down, her eyes filled with amazement: "Our Yi Xing looks just like a celestial being who stepped out of a painting! I bet all the noble ladies in the palace are staring at him tonight!"
Yi Xing blushed at her teasing and whispered, "Sister Ali, please don't make fun of me."
Just then, Pei Qinhu's booming voice came from outside: "The carriage is ready! Lord Ming is already waiting!"
Yang Yuhuan examined the last woven silver belt on the Yi Star System carefully for a moment, then said softly, "Go, and be careful in everything."
Gongsun Li then put the white jade porcelain bottle containing the ginseng pills back into his hand: "Take it, don't force yourself if you're not feeling well."
Yi Xing nodded and carefully tucked the porcelain bottle into his sleeve. Pei Qinhu then walked in. Seeing the refreshed Yi Xing, he paused for a moment, then grinned broadly: "Hey! My Xing'er is so handsome!" Without another word, he expertly and steadily picked Yi Xing up, "Let's go!"
This time, Yi Xing didn't struggle anymore, but simply said softly, "Thank you for your trouble, Brother Hu."
Passing through several courtyards, a seemingly simple yet exquisitely crafted carriage awaited outside the gate. The carriage shaft bore a barely perceptible Yaotian insignia. Ming Shiyin stood beside the carriage, hands clasped behind his back, now dressed in a more dignified dark purple official robe, which accentuated his upright posture and dignified bearing. He saw Yi Xing being carried by Pei Qinhu, his gaze lingering for a moment on his new clothes before he nodded slightly.
"Take good care of the family." Ming Shiyin instructed Pei Qinhu and Gongsun Li and Yang Yuhuan who had come out with him, and then boarded the carriage first.
Pei Qinhu carefully placed Yi Xing on the thickly cushioned seat inside the carriage, and then anxiously added, "Xing'er, come back soon! I'll be waiting for you!"
The carriage door closed gently, shutting out the warm longing from the outside. The spacious interior was filled with a cool, orchid-scented fragrance similar to that of Ming Shiyin. The driver gave a soft call, and the carriage smoothly started moving, entering the nighttime hues of Chang'an as the city lights began to twinkle.
Inside the carriage, only a small glass lamp was lit, casting a soft, dim light. Yi Xing leaned against the soft cushions, and through the slightly swaying curtains of the carriage window, he could see the dazzling street scene outside. The noise from restaurants and teahouses, the cries of vendors, and the laughter of pedestrians wove together a vibrant symphony of urban life, faintly drifting through the carriage walls.
This is completely different from the tranquil warmth of Yaotian Courtyard; it is the vibrant and restless heartbeat of Chang'an City.
Ming Shiyin closed his eyes to rest, remaining silent. Yi Xing also sat quietly, feeling the subtle swaying of the carriage as it moved. The white jade porcelain bottle in his sleeve pressed against his wrist, sending a warm, cool sensation through him, a reminder of his companions' care. He quietly adjusted his breathing, trying to dispel the slight sense of oppression that came with approaching the center of power.
"Nervous?" Ming Shiyin suddenly spoke, his eyes still closed, but his voice was exceptionally clear in the cramped carriage.
Yi Xing was silent for a moment, then answered truthfully, "A little."
“No need,” Ming Shiyin said calmly. “Di Renjie is a human being, not a ghost or a god. The Dali Temple is a government office, not a den of dragons and tigers. Tonight’s banquet is also a game of chess. You just need to observe the game as usual and make your moves without regret.”
His words always carried a strange soothing power, not gentle advice, but an absolute calmness that dismantled seemingly insurmountable opponents into understandable and manageable "chess pieces."
"Disciple understands," Yi Xing replied softly, feeling slightly relieved. He once again sketched the image of Di Renjie in his mind—the Dali Temple Minister known for his brilliant judgment and impartiality. What kind of person would he be? What would his "chess style" be like?
The carriage passed through the bustling East Market, and the surrounding scenery gradually became solemn and dignified. The tall city walls, the patrolling Imperial Guards, and the faint yet palpable pressure of power and order in the air all indicated that they were approaching the heart of Chang'an—the Imperial City.
Finally, the carriage slowed down and came to a stop. From outside the carriage door came the stern questioning of the guards and the faint sound of Ming Shiyin's attendants showing their tokens.
Ming Shiyin finally opened his eyes, his deep gaze sharp as a hawk's in the dim light. He straightened his sleeves and looked at Yi Xing.
“Remember, Yi Xing.” His voice was deep and steady. “The Yao Tian dynasty has its own rules. We may not be tolerated by them, but we are by no means traitors. Tonight, let them see that.”
As soon as the words were spoken, the carriage door was opened from the outside. A biting night wind, carrying the unique scent of the palace gardens—a blend of spices and the cool fragrance of herbs—rushed into the carriage. Before them lay the brightly lit, heavily guarded palace gates, and the long, straight imperial road paved with white jade slabs that led to the grand banquet.
The chessboard lies ahead.
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