Every April, Emperor Wen would bring civil and military officials to the imperial mausoleum located in the western suburbs outside the capital to hold a sacrificial ceremony. In addition to paying homage to the late emperor, he would also, together with Empress Dowager Xia, bring concubines and princes to the mausoleum to kowtow to their ancestors and pray for the country and the people.

Since the death of the late emperor, Xiao Du had never been among the officials participating in the memorial ceremonies, and had never set foot on the imperial mausoleum. Ever since the day when Xiao Du and Zhao Yan presented their cards on Zhongshan Mountain, the situation inside and outside the palace had become very delicate, so the intention of this imperial edict today is even more worth pondering.

After the eunuch who announced the decree left, Xiao Du slowly stood up, tightly grasped the bright yellow silk in his hand, and lowered his head in deep thought. When he raised his head, he saw Xiao Yunjing walking up to him, slowly taking the imperial edict from his hand, and said solemnly: "Du'er, I'm afraid this is a banquet for the emperor."

Xiao Du's eyes flickered, but he quickly regained his relaxed look and said, "Don't worry, father. I know how to deal with it." At this moment, he caught a glimpse of Yuan Xi, who had been standing not far away with a worried look on her face. He walked over and took her hand. The cold touch made him frown. Then he put the hands into his sleeves and whispered in her ear, "Don't worry. As long as you are still by my side, I will not be afraid of anything."

Ever since Yuan Xi heard the imperial edict, she felt as if a huge rock was hanging in her heart, weighing her down. At this moment, she didn't care that there were outsiders watching. She gently rested her head on his chest and asked worriedly, "Do you really have to go? Can't you find an excuse to delay going?"

Xiao Du sniffed the long-lost fragrance of her hair and felt very comfortable. He said, "The imperial edict has already been received, how can I disobey it casually? Besides, if he really has other intentions, even if he misses this opportunity, he will sooner or later think of other ways to deal with me. Instead of worrying every day, it is better to make a decision early." He gently touched her forehead, stroked her face and said, "Don't worry, I will come back safely, just in case..."

Before he could finish, Yuan Xi covered his mouth with her hands, trying hard to hold back the tears that were about to burst out, and said, "Don't say anything, I will wait for you to come back, no matter how long it takes!"

Xiao Du held her tightly, still smiling calmly, and said, "Don't worry, I won't be gone for too long. How can I bear to leave the wife I just coaxed back alone again." Yuan Xi was slightly relieved by his teasing. Xiao Du rested his chin on her head and looked in the direction of the imperial palace. He saw that the clear blue sky just now was suddenly covered with dark clouds and a storm was about to come. He raised the corners of his lips coolly to hide the shadow in his eyes.

On the day of the ceremony, Xiao Du, dressed in a black crown, stood outside the Qianqing Gate with all the officials. He saw the dragon chariot on which the emperor sat slowly approaching from a distance. In front of the bright yellow chariot stood a man wearing a flying fish brocade robe and a red armor on his chest. He was riding a tall horse with a heroic posture and clearing the way for the chariot.

Xiao Du recognized that this person was the rising star of the Xia family in recent years. His surname was Xia and his given name was Qing. He was originally an illegitimate child of Xia Mingyuan's younger brother Xia Mingzhong. Before his biological mother passed away when he was ten years old, she knelt in front of Xia Mingzhong and begged for a long time before finally allowing him to recognize his ancestors and enter the Xia family.

Xia Mingzhong's wife was the second daughter of Master Zhong. The legitimate son they gave birth to was about the same age as Xia Qing. The mothers of the other illegitimate sons also had some backgrounds. He originally looked down on this bastard born outside, but Xia Qing was extremely intelligent and ambitious. He originally relied on Xia Mingzhong's relationship to enter the palace as an ordinary guard, but he stepped forward to protect the emperor during a palace fire and saved the emperor's life. From then on, he was quite appreciated by the emperor and was promoted all the way to commander, commanding the left and right Yulin guards.

In recent years, the Yulin Army trained by Xia Qing has made great military achievements and has a great reputation among the twelve guards of the imperial guards, becoming the most trusted personal soldiers of the current emperor. Therefore, Xia Mingzhong has paid more and more attention to this illegitimate son who had never taken him seriously. It happened that his legitimate son Xia Zheng was very unpromising. It was said that he had a dispute with someone for a concubine a few years ago and was beaten to paralysis in bed. The real culprit disappeared without a trace after beating someone, but Xia Zheng has almost become a useless person. The other illegitimate sons are even more popular. Xia Qing holds the power of the imperial guards and has become the only son that Xia Mingzhong can rely on. Even among the talented Xia family peers, he can be regarded as the best.

Xia Qing stood on his horse with his head held high. When he glanced sideways, many of the maids standing by blushed. Although Xia Qing had made many achievements, his reputation in the capital was not very good. It was said that he spent all his time in the flower garden and had a bohemian character. Although he had countless concubines at home, he was unwilling to marry. For this reason, Xia Mingzhong almost asked the matchmaker to introduce him to all the young ladies from the noble families in the capital, but Xia Mingzhong smiled and threw all the portraits away, and also said that if he wanted to marry a wife, he would not look at family background or appearance, as long as he liked her. This worried the matchmakers. This commander had seen countless people, and who could tell what kind of woman would please him. This year, Xia Qing is already 28 years old, but he doesn't even have a legitimate son. Even Xia Mingzhong is disheartened and just lets him do whatever he wants. Anyway, with the power of the Xia family now, they just need to wait for others to attach themselves to them. If they want to marry, there are other sons who can take over first.

The emperor's chariot stopped in front of the Qianqing Gate, waiting for the auspicious time to play music and leave the palace. Xia Qing arranged for the Yulin Army to guard the chariot, and then pulled the horse back and stopped in front of Xiao Du. He jumped lightly and stood on the ground, saying: "This is the famous Xuanyuan Marquis."

Xiao Du was wary of him because of his identity, so he just raised his eyes and responded calmly.

Xia Qing seemed to be very interested in him, and just stood beside him and said, "I heard that the Xiao family army led by Xuanyuan Hou is brave and good at fighting. No one can defeat them inside and outside the pass. I wonder how they compare to my Yulin Army."

Xiao Du's expression remained unchanged as he said calmly, "The Xiao family army only knows how to fight on the battlefield, and they are fighting against barbarians who eat raw meat and drink blood. They are not as hardworking and meritorious as Commander Xia's Yulin Army who guard the imperial city every day."

His words clearly mocked the Yulin Army, which only guarded the frontier, and how could it compare with the Xiao Family Army, which fought bloody battles on the border and against fierce foreign tribes. Xia Qing was not annoyed. Seeing that the auspicious time was approaching, he jumped on his horse and smiled proudly at Xiao Du and whispered: "If there is a chance, I would like to see the power of your Xiao Family Army." The deep meaning hidden in these words made Xiao Du narrow his eyes suddenly. He did not expect that this person would dare to provoke so blatantly, and he felt more and more that this sacrifice was definitely not simple.

At this time, music and drums sounded nearby, and the emperor's carriage started moving slowly, but suddenly stopped. Zhao Yan lifted the curtain and smiled warmly at Xiao Du, saying, "Chongjiang, come up too. I haven't ridden with you for a long time."

Xiao Du raised his eyebrows, but without any hesitation, he climbed onto the carriage with the help of a eunuch's shoulder. The other officials thought that the emperor and Marquis Xuanyuan had always been close, so they chatted with him for a few words and then got on the carriage and followed him away.

The huge procession left the palace and drove all the way to the imperial mausoleum in the suburbs of Beijing. It should have been the hot and humid weather of early summer, but a strong wind blew from somewhere, sweeping away flowers and leaves all the way and making the car doors buzz.

Xiao Du listened to the howling wind outside the car, but he calmly picked up the teacup in front of him and took a sip. Zhao Yan's eyes wandered around his hand holding the teacup, and said with a smile: "Chongjiang is very confident in me."

Xiao Du put down the teacup and said, "If Your Majesty really wanted to kill me, I would have been beheaded long ago. Since Your Majesty does not want me to die, it means that my life is still very useful. Why should I worry that Your Majesty will do such a shameful thing?"

Zhao Yan laughed heartily and said, "Chong Jiang really understands me best. But you found someone to frame Xia Wenbo for all those crimes, all of which are enough to put him to death. It really gives me a headache."

Xiao Du also laughed and said, "Your Majesty is too kind to me. In fact, if Your Majesty is willing to protect him, no matter how many crimes he is charged with, he will not be killed."

Zhao Yan sighed and said, "After all, he is the nephew whom the Queen Mother loves the most. He has worked hard to get the position of Minister of the Ministry of Revenue over the years. If I don't even leave him a way out, I'm afraid it will make the Queen Mother sad."

Xiao Du put on a mocking smile and said, "That depends on whether Your Majesty wants to be a filial son or a wise ruler."

Zhao Yan smiled but didn't answer, but a hint of sharpness flashed in his eyes. At this time, the sound of horse hooves slowed down, and the carriage finally stopped in front of the imperial mausoleum. Zhao Yan and Xiao Du got off the carriage and looked into the distance. They saw the distant mountains and lush green trees. The emperors, empresses, and concubines of the Great Mu Kingdom were all buried here. The entire imperial mausoleum was built spaciously and magnificently.

Zhao Yan led his officials to the imperial mausoleum, walked across the white jade bridge, and passed the stele pavilion to worship the ancestors. All officials knelt down outside the stone gate and waited. When Zhao Yan was about to step onto the stone steps, he suddenly turned around and glanced at everyone's heads, saying loudly: "Marquis Xuanyuan has fought for many years and saved the people of our dynasty from suffering from war. Today, I specially allow him to follow me into the hall to worship and comfort our ancestors."

Xiao Du's heart skipped a beat, and his eyes were filled with doubt and uncertainty. He did not move at all. At this time, Xia Qing had already separated the ministers and walked to Xiao Du's side, saying, "Marquis Xuanyuan, please enter the spirit hall."

Xiao Du knew that he had to take things one step at a time, so he straightened his back and walked behind Zhao Yan, and followed him to the shrine. But when they were halfway up the stone steps, there was a commotion among the guards on both sides, and someone shouted in surprise: "Your Majesty, be careful, there are assassins!" When the officials below the stone steps heard this, they immediately panicked and became a mess.

At this time, several black figures rushed out from the Yulin Army and headed straight for Zhao Yan. Xia Qing's face turned livid, and he drew his long sword to protect Zhao Yan, who was terrified, and shouted to the Yulin Army, "Don't panic, protect the driver first! Remember to capture him alive!"

So, the sound of weapons colliding could be heard outside the mausoleum, and all the Yulin soldiers surrounded Zhao Yan and protected him as he walked inside. Only Xiao Du did not move. He just looked coldly at the black-clothed men who were fighting desperately. He sneered in his heart and thought: Today, the imperial mausoleum is heavily guarded inside and outside. With Xia Qing's skills, how could she let the assassin enter the mausoleum and even kill the emperor?

At this moment, a cold light pierced straight towards him. Xiao Du's heart sank. For a moment, he couldn't tell whether the cold light came from the black-clad assassin or the guard beside him...