Chapter 100: The Horse Turns Around

“Pardon the intrusion,” Cai Jie said politely as she walked straight inside. Qiuyue instructed the servants to move the items into the small courtyard.

The Gan family was modest; from the main hall, one could see the courtyard. Watching the people come and go, carrying things, Gan Wenxing had a bad feeling. He knew his family’s standing and understood they were not worthy of such noble treatment.

“May I ask the purpose of Madam Xiaojia’s visit today? The Gan family is small and humble, not deserving of such great honor,” Gan Wenxing said cautiously.

Cai Jie wasn’t sure how to begin. Hearing Gan Wenxing’s question, she bowed deeply, and all the servants knelt on the ground.

“But my son, what of him?” Gan Wenxing asked hesitantly, his eyes suddenly reddening.

“When Dajun passed through Gongyi, he was ambushed by remnants of the rebels. Xinda shielded my son, taking two arrows meant for him and, sadly...” Cai Jie’s voice faltered. Gan Wenxing’s tears fell silently while his wife wept inconsolably. By the Ba Shui River, they had parted with no promise of return; yet, now there would be none.

“That is for the best. Loyalty and righteousness cannot both be preserved; his sacrifice fulfills both. He will no longer suffer,” Gan Wenxing said, swallowing hard and choking up. He had witnessed his son’s countless restless nights of pain in the courtyard, unable to choose between loyalty and righteousness. He had asked his son many times how to decide, but could never answer, only watch him suffer.

“My son serves under the Commandant of Chang’an; it is his duty to protect the Commandant. Madam, please take these things back. If I accept them, my son would be displeased,” Gan Wenxing said through his tears, his wife nodding beside him. She cared more about her son’s peace in death than money.

“Uncle Gan, Aunt Gan, please accept it! Xinda is gone now, and you still have to live on,” Cai Jie urged gently.

“Thank you for your kindness, Madam. My son died in battle; naturally, the court will provide compensation. We cannot accept these gifts, or it would bring shame to my son,” Aunt Gan Gan said proudly, holding back her sobs. Her son was a hero, and she would not disgrace him.

“In that case, I shall say no more, lest I show disrespect to both of you. Is there anything at home you need help with? Whatever the Cai family can do, we will not refuse,” Cai Jie said thoughtfully. She dared not keep the gifts, for the Gan family’s loyalty commanded her deepest respect.

“Xinda left behind a son and daughter. I heard that the Commandant established the Huanshan Academy. I hope my grandson may study there. If he succeeds, he will not bring shame upon his father. Would that be possible?” Gan Wenxing asked.

“That is easily arranged. Is the child already three years old? Once he is, he can come to the academy for primary education. I will also find a tutor for Xinda’s daughter, so she may become a refined young lady,” Cai Jie responded promptly. She feared the Gan family asking for nothing, as that would haunt her conscience forever. Hearing her words, the couple immediately tried to kneel and kowtow, but Cai Jie stopped them.

Not long after, Cai Jie left, taking Gan Xinda’s son and daughter with her. White lanterns hung on the Gan family’s door. The elderly couple embraced and wept bitterly in the silent courtyard.

---

Three years ago, their daughter-in-law died in childbirth, and now their son had passed the same way. Their last hope lay in their grandchildren, so they planned to move near the academy once the funeral was over.

Cai Cong looked out at the silhouette of Chang’an City. At this moment, he felt an urge to turn the boat around, not only because he did not know how to face the weeping faces but also because he was unsure how to confront Emperor Taizong.

“Is that the Commandant of Chang’an on the boat ahead?” a voice came from a fast boat opposite. Cai Cong saw an official dressed in a green robe.

“That is indeed myself. May I ask who is on the boat ahead?” Cai Cong replied loudly. The fast boat immediately approached.

The official boarded and tidied his appearance before smiling, “I am Wang Xing of the Ministry of Rites. Greetings, Commandant.”

“No need for formalities. What brings you here, Lord Wang?” Cai Cong asked indifferently, having little mood for conversation.

“Welcome back, Commandant. His Majesty has ordered the Crown Prince, Minister Li Gang, and General Yuchi Gong to meet you thirty li outside the city. The Emperor will host a banquet with all officials attending. I am here to inform you and congratulate you on behalf of the court. Please stop your boat and come ashore ahead,” Wang Xing explained.

“Thank you, Lord Wang,” Cai Cong said calmly. Fang Yuan immediately slipped ten taels of silver into Wang Xing’s hand.

Wang Xing smiled and cheerfully explained the upcoming ceremonies, but Cai Cong listened absentmindedly. He cared little for honor now.

The Crown Prince’s escort was a grand affair. Commoners abandoned their tasks to follow the procession out of the city to witness the spectacle.

Li Chengqian sat in a pavilion, casually chatting about poetry and classics with Li Gang. General Yuchi Gong lounged carelessly, picking his nose as he watched the official road.

When he saw Cai Cong’s procession, he immediately stood, laughing, “Ha! They’ve finally arrived.”

Li Gang and Li Chengqian exchanged glances and smiled. “Your Highness, let us go greet them.”

“Let’s go! I’ve missed Cai Cong. I wonder how he is now—if he has recovered from his wounds.”

“I, Cai Cong, pay respects to Your Highness, the Crown Prince!” Cai Cong dismounted from the carriage, stepped forward, and knelt on one knee respectfully.

“Please rise quickly. Cai, Commandant of Chang’an, you have worked hard!” Li Chengqian said formally, observing all etiquette.

“Thank you for your concern, Your Highness. I am well.”

“Good, then I am at ease. Servants, serve wine to the soldiers!” Li Chengqian commanded loudly, as attendants distributed bowls and poured wine.

Li Chengqian raised his bowl, paused briefly, then poured the wine onto the ground. The soldiers followed suit, pouring out their wine, honoring the fallen first.

“This bowl of wine I offer to all the soldiers. Long live the Great Tang!” Li Chengqian declared before downing his cup. The soldiers, energized, drank their wine in one gulp.

Cai Cong drank the wine carelessly. Damn it, he thought, whether Li Chengqian becomes a good emperor or not, he certainly deserves an acting award. He could get drunk just by drinking plain water—impressive!

“Commandant, please enter the palace with me. His Majesty has arranged a banquet, with all officials attending. The soldiers will receive their rewards there.”

“I obey the order!”

“Haha... Little Immortal, we meet again! What a coincidence! Since we are fated, why don’t you teach me some immortal arts?” General Yuchi Gong approached, grabbing Cai Cong’s hand with a smiling face.

“Not in the mood. I’ll talk later,” Cai Cong said, shaking off his hand and climbing into the carriage. Yuchi Gong rubbed his nose, smiled, and quickly mounted his horse, galloping off.

“Cai Cong, General Yuchi is known for being petty. Aren’t you afraid of offending him?” Li Chengqian followed into the carriage, asking without much concern.

“Offend him? That’s nothing. I’ll be offending your old man later! Get down! Don’t disrupt the ceremony!” Cai Cong snapped. Li Chengqian thought for a moment, then dismounted and got into his sedan chair.

Seeing Li Chengqian move away, Cai Cong suddenly whipped his horse’s rump, and the carriage sped toward Cai family village.

Li Chengqian and Li Gang were shocked. What was this brat trying to do?

Fortunately, the carriage soon turned back. Cai Cong glared at his driver. That scoundrel had coldly claimed to be a subordinate of Gan Xinda and clearly would not allow Cai Cong to act this way, so he quickly turned the carriage around.

Li Gang broke out in a cold sweat. Though he was a composed scholar, if he were reprimanded for Cai Cong’s reckless behavior, he would lose all face.

Before the carriage stopped, Li Gang abandoned all decorum and grabbed at the carriage to pull Cai Cong down for a beating. Cai Cong hurriedly ordered the driver to pull Li Gang into the carriage, then dashed off toward Chang’an without pause.

Along the way, shouts and screams rang out continuously. Li Chengqian’s sedan chair followed behind, but the etiquette officers all said they were done for; no one paid attention. At a time like this, who cared about protocol? Cai Cong’s thought was clear—under no circumstances must anyone see him being humiliated like that.