Chapter 134: Fire of the Divine Palace (Part Two)

Wang Xu did not give up. Even in the dead of the New Year, instead of staying home to enjoy family warmth, he stubbornly sat on his horse at the street corner waiting for someone. Perhaps unable to bear the biting cold wind, he did not hold out for long at the intersection before retreating into a narrow alley to briefly shield himself from the draft.

In the early morning, the streets of the Divine Capital Luoyang were deserted and silent. The steed Huan Shuang could spread all four of its hooves for a light, spirited gallop, requiring Juedie and Shazha Fu to whip their horses at a gallop just to keep pace with its rhythm.

Crouched inside the alley, Wang Xu caught sight of three blurred shadows flashing past. His personal servant hurriedly reminded him, "Master, it's Young Master Quan. He has ridden past."

Wang Xu flew into a rage, cursing, "A bunch of good-for-nothings!" He swung his riding crop to spur the mount beneath him, charging out from the alleyway and raising his voice in a rapid succession of shouts, "Eldest, Eldest, pray slow your pace!"

Hearing Wang Xu's voice, Quan Ce was inclined to ignore him. Yet, remembering his aunt's boundless pampering and affection, he ultimately could not bear to do so. With a soft sigh, he reined in Huan Shuang, turned back with a welcoming smile, and said, "Uncle, what a coincidence to be out strolling your horse this early in the morning. With the weather so freezing cold, it would be best to recuperate at home more often, lest you catch a chill."

"It's nothing, nothing at all. This old frame of mine can still withstand a bit of tossing about." Panting heavily, Wang Xu took a long while to steady his breath, white mist puffing from his reddish nose-tip. "I came out specifically to wait for you, Eldest. The household is entirely filled with womenfolk, whose motherly fussiness is such a nuisance. Over these past few days, I've run into a difficult predicament and need some funds and silks. Knowing that you excel in business, I've come to beg your help. If your hands are well-supplied at present, you simply must assist me."

As for wealth and silks, they were truly no problem for Quan Ce. Leaving aside the candle trade that brought in thousands of gold pieces daily and the Jiannan Shaoshun tribute wine, Fuqu's Yuelai Inn alone—seemingly an inconspicuous street-corner business—generated astonishing daily revenues.

"Uncle, you are being overly formal with me," Quan Ce said with hearty generosity. "Not to mention thousands or tens of thousands of strings of cash, even if it were several tens of thousands, whatever this nephew has on hand, Uncle is free to take."

Seeing Quan Ce being so righteous and loyal, Wang Xu showed no trace of joy on his face; instead, his brows drooped down. "Eldest, because of my own careless conduct, I've stirred up quite a bit of trouble. It will take no less than twenty thousand strings of cash to settle it."

"Oh? Trouble? Does Uncle need this nephew's help? Human hearts are no longer what they used to be, and human desires are bottomless. Once there is a first time, there will be a second; we cannot simply keep yielding blindly. We must think of a permanent solution to cure the root cause," Quan Ce said, intentionally trying to probe and discipline him.

Wang Xu had not expected him to dig so deeply for the bottom of the matter, and a flash of embarrassment crossed his face. "Uncle has his own calculations regarding this affair; there is no need to trouble my nephew's mind. Nephew only needs to assist me with some funds."

Quan Ce frowned. "Twenty thousand strings is too massive a sum. Most of my nephew's capital is tied up in real estate. If I am to raise it, it will require a bit more time. Can Uncle wait that long?"

"I can wait, but it shouldn't be delayed excessively. Before the Lantern Festival would be best." Wang Xu's expression lit up with joy, and growing all the more affectionate and familiar, he hatched yet another scheme. "Eldest, Uncle sees that those firecrackers you manufacture are also an exceptionally fine business. If managed well, the income probably won't be any less than that of candles. If you need manpower to help out, just say the word."

Watching the full anticipation written across Wang Xu's face, Quan Ce's smile waned. "Uncle has thought amiss. The Emperor has already issued a decree, instructing this nephew to hand over this craft to Wu Youxu, the Junior Minister of the Directorate of Palace Buildings. I'm afraid it cannot be used for personal profit." This statement was half-true and half-false. It was true that the craftsmanship was to be handed over to Wu Youxu for refinement, but it was not Empress Wu's command. Politically, the Empress was a giant, yet she possessed not the slightest sensitivity toward new technology; this was Quan Ce's own decision. Since matters had reached this point, handing it over to an insider like Wu Youxu to tinker with—regardless of what results might emerge—was still far better than letting it be buried in obscurity.

"The Directorate of Palace Buildings?" Wang Xu furrowed his brow heavily and waved his hand. "Your duties as an official are paramount, Eldest. I won't delay you any further."

Riding at a gallop through the biting wind, Quan Ce moved his lips softly. Juedie executed a flying leap from the flat ground, its front hooves rearing into the air as it pivoted its head and changed its direction.

At the tail end of the first year of Tianshou, Quan Ce spent his days in extreme monotony. In the morning, he stood on guard at the Hall of Wanshang; at noon, he returned to the Xuanren Gate for mess duty; in the afternoon, he participated in military drills; and at dusk, he returned home punctually—a life defined by three points and a line.

In the blink of an eye, it was New Year's Eve. After repeated, earnest entreaties by Xue Huaiyi, the Empress finally consented to visit the White Horse Temple to participate in the New Year bell-ringing ceremony and share the festivities with the common people. By virtue of his official duties, Quan Ce was tied down guarding the Hall of Wanshang and could not witness the bustling excitement over there. However, the Empress left the palace at the Mao hour and returned to the inner palace by the Si hour. Deducting the travel time to and from, all in all, she stayed at the White Horse Temple for less than a single hour. Xue Huaiyi's attempt to curry favor likely bore no fruit, and his New Year would probably be spent in gloom and frustration.

Today was New Year's Eve. The court bestowed food provisions upon civil officials such as the Palace Attendants of the Fengge and Luantai, the Director of the Lintai, Hanlin Scholars, and imperial waiting scholars, as well as military officers of the Qianniu, Yulin, and Qianqi guards. The ingredients within these meals were not necessarily exceptionally precious, but they showed considerable originality and were exquisite and fresh. Quan Ce did not touch them; instead, he carefully packed them away to take back for the little glutton at home.

Shangguan Wan'er observed this and ordered a palace attendant to fetch a food box, arrange the items neatly for him, and said softly, "Tomorrow is New Year's Day, when the inner and outer noble ladies must enter the palace to pay their respects. Princess Tianshui will also be coming into the palace. These can be put to use."

Quan Ce smiled. "It's just to get a step ahead of her anyway, and take them back to amuse her and bring her joy."

Shangguan Wan'er chuckled softly. "Princess Tianshui is truly blessed." With numerous affairs to attend to within the palace, after exchanging these few remarks, she departed.

Upon returning to the Princess Yiyang Estate, despite it being the New Year, there were still two external guests present: Wu Youxu and Ge Hui.

Quan Ce first handed the food box to Qiuju. "Take this to warm it up and see if the little mistress likes it."

Qiuju accepted it with a beaming smile and retired.

"Uncle, Brother Ge, for the two of you to visit together, there must surely be joyous news." Accepting the cup of hot tea handed over to him by Liujin, Quan Ce spoke without formality, as they were frequent visitors who called upon each other often.

Wu Youxu pointed his chin toward a few bamboo stalks outside. "I tested the proportions of charcoal, saltpeter, and sulfur, and gained some insights. Young Master Ge contributed no small amount of effort, and following your method, we fashioned these few firecrackers. Today being New Year's Eve, we might as well make merry right here in your estate."

Quan Ce sucked in a breath through his teeth. "Uncle, you truly spoil this nephew too much. If you stir up such a massive commotion again, I'm afraid I'll have to enter the palace on New Year's Eve once more to plead for mercy."

Wu Youxu glanced at him sideways and offered no reply. Ge Hui smiled and said, "Eldest, do not worry. Junior Minister Wu has calibrated the explosive force, and the sound of the explosion is scarcely louder than the ceremonial whips at court. It shouldn't cause a stir within the palace."

"In that case, I defer to Uncle's judgment." Quan Ce's mind was set at ease. "On this New Year's Eve vigil, Brother Ge has not yet started a family and is accustomed to acting independently, but Uncle has a whole household. If it is convenient, I will go request a formal invitation from my mother and invite Uncle's female dependents to the estate."

"That will do as well." Wu Youxu was not one for sentimental attachments over family ties; it was all the same to him. "There is no need for you to extend the invitation; I shall accompany you to pay respects to the Princess."

Quan Ce instructed Shuangli to pass word to the inner courtyard, then led Wu Youxu and Ge Hui through the courtyards and halls to pay their respects to Princess Yiyang in the main rear hall, thereby cementing family-like ties.

Not long after they were seated, the gatekeeper reported that Princess Gao'an and her family of three had arrived.

Another bout of bustling commotion ensued with mutual greetings all around. Coupled with Wu Youxu's family, the estate had never been so lively before. Everyone chatted and laughed joyfully in an atmosphere of warmth and harmony. Only Wang Xu wore a cold expression, his eyes gleaming with deep gloom whenever they swept past Wu Youxu.

"Big Brother, when is the firecracker going to go *bang-bang-clatter*?" Holding a pastry-like palace cake in her little hand, Quan Luo ran over from the women's quarters to this side, clutching Quan Ce's leg. Her rosy little mouth had numerous crumbs scattered around its edges, and her chubby cheeks were truly delightful. While some of her other words were still a bit clumsy, she had mastered onomatopoeic words quite fluently.

Quan Ce picked her up and wiped her face clean. "Be a good girl, Chichi. Wait just a little longer. When the midnight hour arrives, Big Brother will set off firecrackers for you to hear."

Quan Luo thrust out her little lower lip in displeasure, but caught sight of the palace pastry in her hand a moment later. Having taken a bite just now, it was exceptionally delicious; she stopped pouting immediately and opened her mouth to eat.

Quan Ce stroked her little head, shifted into a more comfortable posture so that she could lean cozily against his chest, and smiled tenderly.

Ge Hui and Wang Hui could not resist teasing him a couple of times.

When midnight arrived, Quan Ce found himself in a dilemma once more: the firecrackers were ready to be lit, but Quan Luo was letting out soft little snores, fast asleep. Fuqu, however, had a way: she scooped the child up and carried her over to where the womenfolk were chatting and laughing, waking her up with just a few motions. Just as the child opened her little mouth to wail, Fuqu blocked her. "Chichi, your big brother is going to set off the *bang-bang-clatter* now. Shall we go take a look?"

Quan Luo instantly forgot to cry. Slipping down from Fuqu's arms, she trotted off with a rapid patter of footsteps, calling out for Big Brother as she ran.

Very well, everyone was assembled. Wu Youxu personally stepped forward and ignited the fuse. The flame sputtered along the fuse, running forward with a crackling hiss, and the explosive sounds of "pa-da pa-da" rang out in rapid succession. The reports were crisp and dense, closely resembling the strung firecrackers Quan Ce had heard in his past life, though perhaps slightly muffled due to the gunpowder packets being placed inside bamboo poles.

Wang Xu watched as each stalk of bamboo emitted crisp sounds amidst flying sparks, with bamboo splinters cracking and scattering in all directions. He even stepped forward personally to ignite one, his expression somewhat distracted.

On the first day of the New Year, in the dead of the early morning when all living things were wrapped in profound silence, the members of the Nameless Monument gathered together in Quan Ce's study.

"Prince Shu?" Quan Ce could not have imagined in his wildest dreams that the person Wang Xu was secretly collaborating with was Prince Shu, Li Yuanming, a man known for skillfully preserving his own safety.

"Yes, Master. Wang Xu has never shown any movement, and his household has also been free of abnormalities. His only outing was to go to the Yanping Chess Club to play a game against an aide from the Prince Shu's Estate," Shazha Shu said with absolute conviction. "After they dispersed, the steward of Wang Xu's estate canceled the private rooms at quite a few recreational venues in Luoyang, as if his calculations had gone awry."

Quan Ce twitched the corner of his mouth. Of course their calculations had gone awry; they had assumed that Empress Wu, while holding grand banquets on New Year's Day, would still summon the princes of the Li family, and had prearranged a large number of private meeting locations. Little did they know that the Empress had overthrown the rule of the Li-Tang dynasty; even if she were to summon members of the imperial clan, it would only be the noble members of the Wu family, and she would no longer place the Li family on the public stage.

"That aide in the Prince Shu's Estate cannot be allowed to live. Zhan Xing, make him fall ill and die suddenly."

"Understood, Master," Zhan Xing acknowledged the order. "And the steward of Princess Gao'an's estate?"

Quan Ce rubbed his fingers together and shook his head. "Do not kill him. Wang Xu is quite interested in gunpowder; help him secure a small quantity. Pass word to Mount Song and have Ruilai make arrangements to deliberately mislead the White Horse Temple, letting Xue Huaiyi play the role of the mantis stalking the cicada."