An Gong's Order
Did she just charge in with her sword, single-handedly storming the Golden Palace?
Leaving aside how absurd this idea is, even if she succeeded, the Golden Palace would be awash in blood and piles of corpses. What would happen next?
Will she personally become the emperor?
Even if she were willing to do it, without the support of the powerful families of the Southern Dynasty, the central government would still be paralyzed.
Ah Qiu recalled Gu Yi's words to her on her first day in the palace. In the imperial palace, a single, decisive strike was of little use. She deeply understood what it meant to be willing but powerless.
She said in a deep voice, "Can I interpret this as General Sikong representing His Majesty and the entire Jianzhang Palace to refuse entry to the successor of the Junior Tutor?"
This seemingly casual question carries profound meaning.
This means that Sikong Zhao must make it clear what Emperor Xie Lang's attitude is towards Gu Yi, who has assisted him until now and single-handedly built the Dayan Empire.
The saying "when the birds are all gone, the bow is put away" is not the magnanimity a wise ruler should show towards his meritorious officials.
To be honest, based on A Qiu's impression after several encounters with Xie Lang, he didn't seem like that kind of person. His mutual support with Gu Yi wasn't that of a typical ruler and subject, but more like that of close friends.
This is why, despite the ongoing investigation and even after seeing her own portrait as a fugitive, she still insisted on returning to Beijing to find out the truth.
A complex emotion flashed across Sikong Zhao's eyes. He looked up at the two exquisitely carved characters "Jianzhang" on the majestic city tower and sighed, "Why didn't the Young Master himself come?"
This question struck Ah Qiu like a thunderbolt, leaving him almost breathless.
Why didn't Gu Yi come himself...? Even if the people before the emperor didn't know that Gu Yi had already lost his power, his eerie appearance at that time must have convinced them that Gu Yi had at least encountered some kind of mishap in his cultivation. They no longer intended to entrust the country to a person with strange and almost demonic behavior, because that would weaken the credibility of the entire nation.
Sikong Zhao looked at A Qiu with a complicated expression.
For the first time, A Qiu felt that she could barely stand before the oppressive power of the empire.
Sikong Zhao was just one person, but behind her were the demands of the entire Southern Dynasty's powerful aristocratic families, and even the entire nation's upper echelons.
A Qiu seemed to understand why Sikong Zhao, who kept a low profile, was Xie Lang's most trusted comrade-in-arms.
Sikong Zhao sighed, “If you turn around and leave, I guarantee that you and the young master will never be disturbed again. You can live a carefree life among the mountains, forests, rivers and seas. This is a kind of bliss that many of us who serve in the court cannot obtain.”
A Qiu understood that the blockade against her and Gu Yi was a collective decision made by high-ranking officials in the Southern Dynasty.
If things had ended there, she would probably have been persuaded by Sikong Zhao and turned away.
But at this moment, another thought gradually came to her mind. And the greatest motivation that had supported her all the way back to Beijing also surfaced at this moment.
That was not just about saving face for Gu Yi, nor was it just about examining the court's attitude towards the disciples of Guigu.
These are ultimately matters of personal honor and disgrace, and the rise and fall of sects.
A Qiu met Sikong Zhao's gaze without flinching and said in a deep voice, "If you want me to turn back now, the court must make a promise to launch a northern expedition within five years."
Sikong Zhao was caught off guard and stared at her blankly, unable to utter a single word.
Looking at her, A Qiu already knew the answer from her expression, and said bitterly, "The Supreme General didn't expect this either, did he? Now that Master is gone, the power he left behind will be completely divided among you all. I believe that in the near future, the Supreme General and Pei Yu will be able to control the Jianzhang Army and completely replace Pei Yuanli's former position; while Zhao Zhaorong, Lady Pei, and the Left and Right Chancellors will also be able to handle the affairs of the court with ease. With the Southern Dynasty working together as a group, it will surely be as solid as a rock. However, no one will have the same appeal and vision as my master to lead an army out of the Central Plains and go north to recover lost territory."
She added, "Besides my master, no one else can command the Shuofang Army and the Northwest Army, or incite the Han Chinese forces in the north."
Sikong Zhao's expression changed drastically.
Expelling Gu Yi was indeed a decision made after careful consideration. However, the higher the iron walls of political cliques, the more perfectly managed and unshakeable their internal affairs, the weaker their ambition. With their existing interests so secure, few are willing to take the risk.
Sikong Zhao herself came from a prominent family in the Central Plains, like the Pei, Xie, and Shangguan families, all of whom were influential clans that crossed the Yangtze River. She was not without ambition; otherwise, she would not have risen to the position of Grand Commander of the Imperial Guards. As a soldier who had fought in battles, she was well aware of the dangers of complacency and forming cliques, which made people short-sighted and focused only on the present.
Gu Yi's life's plans and thoughts were all for the long-term benefit of the nation.
However, the decision to keep Gu Yi's faction out on behalf of the court was a collective one made in the Golden Palace, and now it was impossible for her to go back on her word.
At this moment, she seemed to understand why Zhao Lingying and Consort Chen hadn't come in person.
Both of them had interacted with the girl before. Perhaps they couldn't bear to, or perhaps they knew they couldn't win an argument with her.
Even setting aside the issue of justice, who hasn't shared a comradeship with Gu Yi?
Although Sikong Zhao was a veteran of countless battles, he was now caught in a dilemma, unable to choose between the future of the world and the personal interests of his group.
To insist on her stance would mean harming the nation a century later. But if she didn't insist, how could she explain herself to the people in the hall?
After a moment, Sikong Zhao sighed and said, "Even if I agree to let you in now, there will be absolutely no place for you to use your abilities in the capital. Do you understand?"
A-Qiu stared at her intently and said, "How can there be a second step without the first?"
Her tone was resolute, without any hesitation.
She recalled how Gu Yi had once walked out of the palace with his sword, quelling the chaos, forging alliances with high-ranking officials, and gradually building the Great Yan empire. It wasn't necessarily others who had invited him to serve or begged him for power. Whether in times of chaos or prosperity, power is always fought for. Most of the time in history, power wasn't a story of Kong Rong sharing pears or Yao relinquishing the throne to Xu You.
Does the Southern Dynasty court not line the streets to welcome her and invite her into the city mean she is going to abandon her mission as a successor of Guiguzi?
Sikong Zhao, a veteran of many battles, was now somewhat unable to resist A Qiu's suddenly bright gaze.
She could see clearly in those eyes; they were eyes that wouldn't give up easily, eyes filled with unwavering faith and determination.
Sikong Zhao had nothing more to say. He stepped back, drew his Peerless Mace, and said in a deep voice, "I cannot stop you, but I cannot change your fate of fighting your way in from this moment on, becoming an enemy of the entire political group of the Southern Dynasty."
She was currently at a disadvantage, her long, shiny black hair fluttering wildly in the wind, her two maces striking each other, creating sparks and the continuous clanging of metal against metal.
A-Qiu knew that what she said was true.
As long as you turn back, you will be safe and sound, and can spend the rest of your life by the rivers and seas.
Once you take this step, you'll be plunged into a life of constant danger, open and covert attacks, and endless turmoil. The path to power is destined to be paved with thorns and fire; without a heart devoted to the public good, who can find true friends and endure the long years?
But today, even if she is forced to execute Sikong Zhao at the city gate, she has no other choice.
This was a statement she made on behalf of Gu Yi to the Jianzhang Group, declaring that the Guigu lineage must return to the center of power.
Sikong Zhao smiled faintly, yet with a hint of bitterness, reminding her, "You must not use the 'assassination of Qin' tactic again; it will only make you an enemy of the world. His Majesty is already showing great consideration by not revealing your identity as the Lanling Assassin." Her words were both a warning and a reminder. If Xie Lang were to truly reveal A Qiu's identity as the Lanling Assassin, it was clear that A Qiu would have no place to stand not only in Jianzhang, but throughout the entire Southern Dynasty.
A Qiu laughed and said, "I am the successor of the Junior Master, which is known to all. But the fact that I am the assassin of Lanling is something that no one can prove when I die. As the General said, as long as I do not reveal my assassination attempt on Qin in public, no one can confirm that I am Jing Ke, and I will definitely remember the General's reminder."
Sikong Zhao snorted coldly, his two maces splitting apart, carrying a strong wind as they swept straight towards A Qiu.
A Qiu moved with lightning speed, leaping into the shadows of the mace, sword and all. Amidst the illusions and the real attacks, her white shadow flashed and moved, and in a short time they had exchanged blows several times, each time striking the mace, causing Sikong Zhao's chest to tremble violently, making him feel extremely strained.
What shocked her most was that what A Qiu had always surpassed her in was the speed of close combat and the sharpness of her assassination attempt on Qin. But now A Qiu no longer used a dagger, but instead used sword techniques in rapid succession, which were also incredibly skillful and unpredictable. Moreover, her internal energy was formidable, with each wave stronger than the last, and in its most profound aspects, it seemed to rival Gu Yi's skill back then.
Both were highly skilled fighters, and neither could hold back. Sikong Zhao's emotions were complex and difficult to describe. If things continued like this, after another ten or so moves, she would likely perish here when she was exhausted. She was not afraid of death, but dying like this would truly be meaningless to both herself and others. As for A Qiu, once she entered the city, she would inevitably face constant infighting and would have to fight her way out.
Just then, dust rose from the city gate in the distance, and a palace carriage with long tassels hanging from its four corners rumbled closer and closer.
The area had been cleared by Sikong Zhao beforehand, and unauthorized personnel were not allowed to enter. The sudden appearance of a palace carriage was extremely conspicuous. Even amidst their busy schedules, the two couldn't help but glance at it.
This carriage was not of high rank in the palace. It had cloth curtains and bamboo blinds and was pulled by oxen. The driver was a handsome young man with a charming demeanor and a flirtatious smile. He announced from afar, "Sun Ci, the chief instructor of the dance department, and Xue Hongbi, the deputy instructor, have been ordered by the Minister of Music, Lord An, to escort the musicians of the Yue Shi family into the city."
A mere dance instructor dared to defy her, the Grand Commander of the Imperial Court. Even with An Daoling's order, she wouldn't be so arrogant. Sikong Zhao was almost amused by her anger. She exchanged a glance with A Qiu, tacitly stopped, and stood still.
Sikong Zhao, clutching her double maces, watched as the young man drove the oxcart closer, lifting the curtain of the palace carriage. A middle-aged woman, past forty with graying temples and a ramrod-straight back, dressed as a dancer, stepped down, accompanied by a stunningly beautiful woman, though also middle-aged. Sikong Zhao felt a mixture of amusement and exasperation, and chuckled, "If even a mere instructor in the palace can speak for others before me, my nickname will probably have to be changed to 'Living Bodhisattva' from now on."
Unexpectedly, when the middle-aged woman looked up, Sikong Zhao instinctively tensed up slightly.
This was all because the head instructor, Sun Ci, had particularly sharp and bright eyes, and a stern look. Although his clothes did not indicate that he was a person of high status, he naturally had an imposing and unapproachable aura.
Her movements clearly showed that she did not possess martial arts skills, yet she had a unique style and demeanor.
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