Volume One: Carefree Wanderings Amidst Indistinguishable Paper Leaves Chapter Sixty: Apology

The long street, paved with blue stone slabs, was not as hard as rock, yet the tip of the blade embedded in the ground was a remarkable feat. Many had already noticed that the knife had been thrown from amidst the crowd and could not help but look over. The people in the street had begun to separate themselves, and from the throng, several individuals emerged, walking forward.

At the forefront was a man clad in black armor, about forty years of age, his stride powerful and imposing. Behind him followed two armored guards, both carrying swords at their sides.

Yang Ning saw the man in black armor leading the group and paused, recognizing him as Xue Lingfeng, commander of the Tiger God Battalion, whom he had seen on the day Qi Jing was buried.

Xue Lingfeng's expression was cold as he walked forward. Mr. Ximen furrowed his brow. The heir in yellow stood beside his horse, not yet mounted, staring blankly at the knife. Only when Xue Lingfeng reached the spot where the blade pierced the ground did he raise his head to meet his gaze.

Xue Lingfeng reached out, grasped the hilt, and smoothly drew the great blade from the earth. He said mildly, "I wonder if I may prevent you from leaving?"

The heir in yellow immediately displayed anger, pointing at Xue Lingfeng and demanding, "Who are you?"

Xue Lingfeng answered coolly, "The capital is under martial law. Gathering and fighting in the streets are forbidden by imperial decree. Whoever you are, you must abide by the laws of the court." His eyes sharpened. "To obey the law is to be a citizen of the empire. Otherwise… you challenge royal authority, and in my eyes, are nothing but lawbreakers."

Mr. Ximen observed his demeanor, recognizing trouble. He cupped his hands respectfully and said, "We come from the Shu region of West Sichuan, and have no intention of defying the law of the court."

"Intentions matter little to me," Xue Lingfeng replied icily. "I have no patience for parsing motives. I believe only what I see before me."

"Oh?" Mr. Ximen smiled faintly. "And what is it you see?"

"I see people fighting in the street," Xue Lingfeng said. "Until matters are clear, no one is permitted to leave."

Mr. Ximen asked, "Does this affair fall under your jurisdiction?"

Xue Lingfeng replied, "The capital is under martial law. The Tiger God Battalion assists the Capital Prefecture in maintaining order. Naturally, this is within my purview."

"So you are with the Tiger God Battalion!"

"This is Commander Xue of our Tiger God Battalion," said one of the men behind Xue Lingfeng. "Order in the capital is under Commander Xue's authority."

Mr. Ximen's eye twitched. Xue Lingfeng now looked squarely at the heir in yellow and said, "As I observed, you charged recklessly down the street, endangering others, leading to this scene. If one seeks the root, the fault lies with you. Have I erred in saying so?"

The heir in yellow sneered, "And if so?"

"Since you admit it, the solution is simple," Xue Lingfeng looked toward Yang Ning and beckoned. Yang Ning saw that, despite Xue Lingfeng's icy demeanor, his words seemed to favor him. Yang Ning stepped forward and respectfully said, "Commander Xue…"

"You witnessed the incident?" Xue Lingfeng asked.

Yang Ning squared his shoulders and nodded. "Yes. This fellow charged his horse down the street and nearly killed someone. Not only I but many here saw it."

"And how do you think it should be resolved?"

Mr. Ximen frowned and said coolly, "Since you are the commander of the Tiger God Battalion, it is not unreasonable for you to intervene. However, if you are to handle the matter, must you rely on others' opinions?" He raised his brows. "Serving faithfully under the Son of Heaven is one's duty. If you act with partiality, you may invite criticism."

Yang Ning understood Mr. Ximen's meaning—he clearly objected to Xue Lingfeng seeking Yang Ning's opinion. Yet Mr. Ximen, previously composed, now seemed prematurely convinced of Xue Lingfeng's partiality, which puzzled Yang Ning. He thought such a man would not lose composure over a casual question, nor speak so bluntly and even warningly.

Xue Lingfeng remained unmoved. "Whether there is partiality is not for you to decide. With so many witnesses, if any citizen claims I am unjust, I will remove my helmet here and now." He turned back to Yang Ning, "Tell me, how would you resolve it?"

"I do not know the royal law," Yang Ning said loudly, "but this person disturbed the people and injured someone. By ordinary custom, he should apologize and compensate."

"Apologize and compensate?" Xue Lingfeng nodded slightly. "If the fault is his, that is only right." His gaze, as sharp as a blade, fixed upon the heir in yellow. "You have admitted the root cause lies with you. Therefore, apology and compensation fall to you. I trust you have no objection."

The onlookers, long displeased with the heir in yellow, now cried out, "Apologize and compensate! Apologize and compensate!"

The heir's face twitched, his anger rising. "Do you know who I am?" He had never expected such a trivial matter to erupt into such a storm. Seeing the crowd's voices swell against him, panic seized him, and he grasped for his identity to intimidate his opponents.

Xue Lingfeng shook his head. "I do not."

Mr. Ximen was about to speak, but the heir in yellow sneered, "I am the heir of the King of Shu. The King of Shu of West Sichuan is my father. How dare you stand against me?"

Mr. Ximen had meant to intervene, but was too late. Seeing the heir reveal his identity, he frowned.

"And do you know who he is?" Xue Lingfeng pointed at Yang Ning.

The heir was taken aback. Xue Lingfeng said mildly, "This is the heir of the Marquis of Brocade. The King of Shu has done great service for Great Chu, but the Marquis of Brocade’s merits are no less. At such a time, you invoke the King of Shu. What is your purpose?"

The heir was stunned to learn Yang Ning's identity; even Mr. Ximen showed surprise, his brows knitted tightly.

"He's lying," Yang Ning suddenly raised his hand, pointing at the heir. "He is not the heir of the King of Shu."

The crowd was startled.

"The King of Shu is renowned for his achievements and strict family discipline. He would never allow his son to disregard royal law, nor to treat human life as worthless," Yang Ning declared. "This man acts violently in the capital, arrogant and unruly. How could the King of Shu have such an heir? He must be an impostor. I ask Commander Xue to investigate."

Xue Lingfeng, previously cold, now flashed a trace of amusement in his eyes, though it quickly vanished. He glanced at the heir and said, "The heir of the Marquis of Brocade raises a good point. Are you truly the son of the King of Shu?"

The heir, his identity challenged, grew anxious and was about to defend himself, but Mr. Ximen stepped in front, saying, "Commander Xue, whoever holds whatever identity matters little. Since you say the capital is under martial law and the people are gathered here, this is not beneficial. In my view, it is best to resolve the matter swiftly."

Yang Ning sneered, "The solution is simple, as I've said: apology and compensation, and the matter ends. We are not ones to pursue trouble without reason." He pointed at the heir, "Will you apologize or not?"

"Why must the heir apologize?" Mr. Ximen frowned. "I have already apologized on his behalf."

Yang Ning replied, "The reason is simple. Your apology is not the same as his. You are merely his attendant. If attendants may apologize for their superiors, then anyone with a little power could act lawlessly, and when trouble arises, let a subordinate bear the blame while they remain unscathed." He raised his voice, "Only if he apologizes himself will people know that whoever commits a wrong must bear responsibility. One must not evade justice by virtue of status." He spoke each word clearly: "When princes break the law, they are punished as commoners!"

At these words, a thunderous cheer erupted. Here in the capital, nobles were everywhere, and it was not uncommon for power to be wielded against the people. Yet Yang Ning, heir to the Marquis of Brocade, spoke so boldly, winning their hearts. Praises rang out, and someone shouted, "Both heirs—of the Marquis of Brocade and the King of Shu—are heirs, but their actions are worlds apart. One is arrogant and reckless, indifferent to others’ safety; the other risked his own life to save others. That is the difference between the Marquis of Brocade and the King of Shu."

Though the King of Shu held great authority in West Sichuan, the capital’s residents felt no reverence toward him and readily disparaged him. The Marquis of Brocade, however, was esteemed in the capital, beloved by the people. Many had witnessed Yang Ning’s courageous act, risking his life to save a child from the horse’s hooves, and were already admiring him. Now, learning he was the heir of the Marquis, their enthusiasm soared, and cheers for Yang Ning filled the air.

Mr. Ximen knew that, with the crowd so roused, there would be no easy resolution. Ahead, the burly Xue Lingfeng and his men blocked the way; behind, Lei Yonghu and his officers sealed the street, and the crowd pressed thickly on all sides. The heir in yellow had become a rat in a trap.

Mr. Ximen deliberated for a moment, then leaned close to the heir and whispered a few words. The heir’s eyes flashed with rage, but seeing countless eyes fixed upon him, his fists clenched, teeth ground tight, and he glared at Yang Ning with venom. If looks could kill, Yang Ning would have died a thousand deaths.

"I... I apologize to you...!" The heir bowed his head. "It was my fault, I..."

His voice was low, the crowd noisy. Yang Ning heard clearly, but raised his hands, signaling for silence. The people quieted, and when all was still, Yang Ning asked, "What did you say? We did not hear."

The heir’s face burned with shame and anger. He hesitated, then bit his lip and finally said, "It was my fault. I am sorry."

Yang Ning looked around, spotted the woman holding her child, and beckoned her over. She came forward, and Yang Ning said, "You owe your greatest apology to her. Her child nearly died beneath your horse’s hooves."

"Do not press your luck," the heir spat. "I have already apologized."

"What did you say?" Yang Ning leaned in. "We didn’t hear."

The heir’s fists bulged with veins. He only wished to escape as soon as possible. He turned to the child and said, "I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have... shouldn’t have galloped my horse..."

The people heard clearly and burst out laughing, some even applauding.

Stripped of his dignity, the heir mounted his horse, glared at Xue Lingfeng blocking his path, and snapped, "Move aside!"

Xue Lingfeng, unwilling to press him further, stepped aside. The heir, astride his horse, fixed Yang Ning with a cold smile. "Heir of the Marquis of Brocade... Good. Today I have met you. Rest assured, we’ll have dealings again."

Yang Ning smiled. "Whenever our paths cross, remember: admitting fault and amending one’s ways is never a bad thing."

The heir’s gaze was sharp as a blade. He jerked the reins and rode away. Mr. Ximen glanced at Yang Ning and smiled faintly, "I have heard the Marquis of Brocade has passed. May the heir take care in the days ahead." With no more words, he led his followers after the heir in yellow, departing.