As the final notes faded, a voice from outside the bedchamber laughed and clapped. "A melody so clear and graceful—it truly stirs the soul."
Qingrong jumped up instantly. "When did you arrive? You were eavesdropping!"
I scrambled to my feet as well. The middle-aged man in yellow robes, possessing a majestic and awe-inspiring aura, was undoubtedly His Majesty the Emperor. Behind him stood a man and a woman in opulent attire—Prince Jing and his consort. I knelt quickly to pay my respects. After the Emperor granted me leave to rise, I performed my salutations to Prince Jing and the Princess Consort. I couldn't help but wonder: *What kind of luck am I having today? Why am I running into their entire family?*
A pair of hands as fair as white jade reached out to help me up. I looked up into the gentle, serene eyes of the Princess Consort. She smiled kindly and said in a soft voice, "The Third Young Lady has grown even more beautiful. Two years ago, I heard Princess Qingrong mention that you could play this unusual instrument. I’ve always hoped for a chance to hear it myself—today, I have the Princess to thank for the treat."
The Princess Consort naturally exuded an air of calm and composure that made it easy to relax in her presence. Though I had only met her twice, she had left a wonderful impression on me. Seeing such a lovely potential mother-in-law slip through my fingers, I felt a genuine pang of regret.
The Emperor glanced at the guzheng, his expression brightening with imperial favor. "What was that piece you just played? I have never heard its like."
Lowering my head respectfully, I replied, "To answer Your Majesty, the three pieces were 'Jasmine Flower,' 'Fishermen's Song at Eventide,' and 'The Butterfly Lovers.'"
"'The Butterfly Lovers'?" The Emperor looked at me with slight surprise. "Why does it sound like two surnames?"
I immediately seized the opportunity to flatter him. "Your Majesty is wise. They are indeed surnames. This melody has a history. Legend tells of a daughter from a wealthy family, Zhu Yingtai, who disguised herself as a man to pursue her studies. There, she met a poor scholar named Liang Shanbo..."
As I spun the tale, the listeners became enthralled. The Princess Consort gazed at me, sighing with what seemed like relief. She murmured something that left me baffled: "Truly... it is as if fate has ordained it."
I didn't quite understand. Was she talking about Liang Shanbo and Zhu Yingtai? Or was she saying it was fate that this guzheng had found its way to someone who knew its secrets? I looked at her in confusion, but she only offered a faint, meaningful smile without further explanation.
Prince Jing took a seat beside his consort and looked at me thoughtfully. "I heard you wish to become a constable?"
The Princess Consort was stunned, and so was I. I hadn't expected him to find out so quickly, let alone ask so directly. The sudden shift in topic made my heart race with nerves.
I bowed to Prince Jing and said respectfully, "To answer Your Highness, that is correct."
The Emperor sat at the head of the room, silent and contemplative.
Prince Jing continued, "I have read Magistrate Luo’s letter of recommendation. It seems your skills are indeed extraordinary."
The words "letter of recommendation" reminded me that the Ministry of Justice fell under Prince Jing’s jurisdiction—he was essentially my ultimate boss. My nerves spiked, and before I could organize my thoughts, the words tumbled out: "To answer Your Highness, I believe I am fully capable of fulfilling the duties of a constable." The moment the words left my mouth, a cold sweat broke out across my back. In history, those who acted arrogantly before an Emperor rarely met a good end.
The Princess Consort seemed to snap out of her daze. She asked, with a hint of bewilderment directed at either her husband or me, "Why would you want to be a constable? Isn't that a man's..."
Through the corner of my eye, I saw the Emperor observing me impassively. Sensing my surreptitious glance, he lightly stroked his short beard and spoke in a heavy tone, "This Third Young Lady is no simple girl. Her master wished to pass the leadership of the Ming Sect to her, yet she refused."
Those casually spoken words sent a chill straight to my core. No outsiders had been present when that conversation happened, yet he knew. The phrase "Heavenly might is unpredictable" flashed through my mind.
Both Prince Jing and the Princess Consort gasped. I lowered my head even further. The Emperor’s voice, devoid of warmth, reached my ears. "Do you not fear that these preposterous actions of yours will tarnish the reputation of the Imperial Family?"
His tone was icy, as if my disregard for the marriage alliance implied some dark conspiracy. But this was a confrontation I had to face eventually. Since things had come to this, it was better to take the blow cleanly than to endure a slow death.
I clenched my fists, forcing myself to remain steady. "My preposterous actions have indeed stained the Imperial reputation. I am willing to annul the engagement."
Another collective gasp filled the room. Even Qingrong’s expression turned anxious.
The Princess Consort stammered, "Why? Do you not know that marrying into the Jing Estate is the dream of countless young women? Moreover, Mingshao’s literary and martial talents are..."
I shook my head. Now that the words were out, my fear had vanished, replaced by a strange sense of relief. I smiled at the noblewoman I had just shocked and explained sincerely, "I have met the Young Prince several times. He is indeed an ideal husband for any lady."
The Princess Consort slowly regained her usual composure. "Then why would you rather be a constable than..."
This was a case of one word leading to another until there was no turning back. I gave her an apologetic smile. "Since I was a child, I have aspired to bring villains to justice. My heart... simply lies beyond the inner chambers."
Prince Jing studied me quietly. "Ziyu mentioned that on your way to the capital, you encountered bandits, were separated from your family, and faced a life-or-death struggle in the forest. Does your ambition stem from that experience?"
If he wanted to rationalize it that way, it certainly helped my case. I nodded immediately.
The royal couple looked at me with calm gazes. I couldn't tell if they were already calculating the steps for the annulment.
Perhaps I was being oversensitive, but I suddenly felt a faint, almost imperceptible surge of killing intent emanating from the Emperor. My heart gave a violent thud, and every cell in my body shifted into a state of combat readiness.
The atmosphere became incredibly delicate. I clenched my fists as beads of cold sweat began to seep from my forehead.
After an eternity, the killing intent dissipated. The Emperor calmly ordered the imperial guards to escort me back to the Ji Estate.
Clutching my guzheng, I bowed to the high-ranking leaders one by one and backed out of the room. Just as I turned to leave the bedchamber, the Emperor’s voice drifted from behind me. "The day after tomorrow is the martial exam. Go back and prepare well."
His voice was flat, betraying no emotion. However, this was effectively permission to participate. My heart hammered against my ribs.
I returned home in a daze, heading straight for my father’s study without even changing. My father was drinking the lung-soothing tonic I had prepared for him. When he saw me burst in with a grim expression, he froze.
I told him what had happened in the palace, though I omitted the final bit of tension. Even though he knew I wanted to end the engagement, my decision to bring it up before the Emperor was still incredibly impulsive.
My father used a small silver spoon to slowly stir the thick, brown medicinal soup. After a long silence, he looked up and smiled. "Don't overthink it. What's said is said—it was only a matter of time."
His words instantly calmed me. He reached out to stroke my hair and sighed softly. "If you truly become a constable, you must fix that impulsive temper of yours."
I nodded.
"Go rest," he said, patting my head. "It’s been a long day."
The night before the martial exam, I tossed and turned, unable to sleep. It wasn't exactly excitement or nervousness; it felt as if some mysterious, invisible force had crowded into my heart, making it ache with fullness. The Emperor’s strange behavior in Qingrong’s chambers continued to haunt me. Even though I knew thinking about it was futile, I couldn't stop.
Did he truly want to kill me? Or was he just testing me?
It wasn't yet the height of summer, so the night wasn't stifling. Listening to the gentle night breeze and the chirping of insects, I found I couldn't settle my mind. I sat up and began to meditate according to the internal cultivation techniques of the Ming Sect.
When I opened my eyes again, it was dawn. I pushed open the window and took a deep breath of the crisp air. I would deal with the troubling thoughts after today.
After washing up, I changed into my most practical combat gear: black hunting leathers and brown suede boots. I tied my hair back into a high ponytail. Since I had already laid my cards on the table with the big boss, there was no need to cross-dress as a man anymore. I wanted them all to see that a woman could be more formidable than any of them.
I took my throwing knives and my weapon—a wooden saber. My master had made it for me during my training. Since learning internal power, I understood that it was the energy, not the weapon, that caused harm. With enough internal force, even a falling leaf or a flower petal could be lethal. Today wasn't a duel to the death, just a standard competition; a wooden saber would be more than enough.
I marched out of the courtyard with my head held high, running into my younger mother and two maids carrying trays to my father’s study. They were startled to see me. My younger mother reached out to feel my forehead. "Are you feeling alright? Why are you up so early?"
Even though I had just eaten breakfast, I snatched two pastries from the tray and stuffed them into my mouth. She looked warily at the wooden saber in my hand, frowning. "What are you up to now? You never give me a moment's peace..."
I gave her a quick hug and promised solemnly, "Don't worry, your days of peace are coming very soon."
Seeing Minzhi waiting for me outside the moon gate, I gave her one last squeeze. "Wait for the news of my victory!" I shouted as I ran off. She and Madam Zhang still had no idea what I was actually doing. Wuxiu likely knew a bit, but she probably hadn't told them.
My father stood at the door of his study. Seeing my high spirits, he looked both proud and worried. His greatest strength was knowing exactly what I needed. He remained calmer than I was, giving me a few brief words of advice before letting me go.
Minzhi accompanied me all the way to Tribute Street, where the Ministry of Justice was located. The entrance was already guarded by the Imperial Guard. No one was allowed near except for candidates holding the Ministry’s official summons.
Minzhi slapped my shoulder hard. "I'll wait for you here."
I knew he was nervous, so I gave him a smile and headed for the entrance. The guards initially assumed Minzhi was the candidate. When they realized it was me, their jaws dropped. They checked the summons repeatedly, confirming several times that it read: *Xi Xia, Female.* Only then did they let me in. Even after I had walked quite a distance, I could still feel their bewildered stares on my back.
Every dozen paces along Tribute Street, a squad of Imperial Guards stood like iron nails. A large crowd was already waiting outside the Ministry gates, mostly tall, sturdy young men. Seeing a woman joining the fray, everyone looked at me with bizarre expressions. However, no one dared to speak; despite the crowd, it was quiet and orderly. Luo Jin had told me that while this exam wasn't as grand as the Martial Imperial Examination, the top scorer would receive the same treatment as a Third-Place Martial Graduate: no formal rank, but the salary of a seventh-grade official. Furthermore, the Emperor would grant a special reward.
I secretly hoped the reward would be a good weapon—the kind you couldn't find among commoners.
After about half an hour, two bailiffs emerged with a list, calling out names and organizing us into lines. Because I was the only woman, they were flustered for a while before deciding to place me at the very front.
The spacious courtyard of the Ministry of Justice had been cleared, surrounded by the Emperor’s personal guards like a wall of iron. Seated at the head was, of course, His Majesty.
We all knelt and performed the formal salutations, shouting "Long live the Emperor." A few seconds later, his flat voice commanded, "Rise."
Standing up, I realized that besides the Emperor, many familiar faces were present. To his left sat his sons, including the Crown Prince Mingde and the Seventh Prince Mingyi. To his right was Prince Jing, with his two sons standing behind him. Other high-ranking officials were seated according to their grade.
I didn't dare look at Mingshao. I didn't know if Prince Jing and the Princess Consort had told him about me yet. In contrast, Mingrui stared at me with undisguised shock, his eyes nearly popping out of his head.
The position of a constable wasn't particularly high in the Kingdom of Yantian, yet this martial exam had attracted so many nobles. I wondered if it was due to the kingdom’s martial traditions or if everyone was just curious about the female candidate.
Luo Jin, dressed in formal court robes, read out the rules of the competition with great solemnity.
The initial phase consisted of group matches. This lasted about four hours and held little suspense. Most of the candidates were physically strong but lacked true martial training. After four hours, only ten people remained.
Another hour passed, and I was the only one left standing.
I could feel the awkwardness in the air. After a moment of silence, the Emperor coughed lightly. "Are there any other gentlemen who wish to test their skills in the arena?"
I stole a glance at Mingshao. If anyone there was a match for me, it was likely him. I saw his shoulders shift slightly, but Mingrui had already jumped up, shouting, "Mingrui is willing to test Lady Xi Xia’s skills!"
With the Emperor’s permission, he strode forward with a longsword, looking at me with a half-smile. "Xi Xia, are you not being a bit overconfident, facing me with only a wooden saber?"
I bowed politely. "I have no intention of underestimating my opponent. To cause harm, a wooden saber is sufficient."
He said no more. With a flourish of his sword, he charged. After two or three exchanges, I realized that while his moves were sophisticated, his internal power was weak and his combat experience was lacking. He couldn't even distinguish my feints. Within ten moves, I pressed my wooden saber against his wrist, and his sword clattered to the ground.
I stepped back. "I thank you for the match."
Mingrui bent down to retrieve his sword and said frankly, "I have lost." He gave me a deep look before returning gracefully to his seat.
The Emperor’s gaze swept over the defeated candidates before finally landing on Mingshao. "Is it possible that no one can defeat such a delicate young lady?"
Mingshao remained unresponsive, sitting as still as a monk in meditation. The Emperor coughed again. "I heard that Mingshao also learned martial arts from Master Sima. Since there is such an excellent opponent here, why not go down and demonstrate your skills?"
Mingshao rose respectfully, performed a salutation, and walked toward me with a composed stride.
I felt a sudden pang of guilt. Regardless of the reason, having a woman initiate an annulment was a massive blow to a man's pride. No matter how we had acted like brothers before, I had now offended this Young Prince to the core. Then again, perhaps this fight was inevitable. Back on the grasslands, Master Sima had been dying to see us compete.
I took a deep breath and looked him straight in the eye. To my surprise, his face was as calm as ever. He even smiled at my bewildered expression.
Had his parents not told him? Or did he still not know I was Ji Wuchao? As my mind raced, I heard him whisper, "Do you think I'm not worth the effort, which is why you can't find the spirit to fight me?"
I immediately snapped back to attention. Whatever was between us couldn't be settled here. I raised my wooden saber in a salute. "Please."
He didn't hold back, striking first. His weapon was also a scimitar. I wondered if his master, Sima, and my master, Rong Qin, were from the same sect. His master was counting on him to defeat me, so I didn't dare be careless.
Mingshao’s saber style had a righteous, heroic flair. Halfway through the fight, I thought to myself that if I ever got the chance, I’d advise him to change his style—against a crafty opponent like me, he was at a disadvantage. My internal power was inferior to his; if I kept trading blows, I would eventually lose. My future was on the line today; I could not afford to lose.
I parried one of his strikes, gathered my breath, and leaped onto the tall flagpole at the edge of the arena. Mingshao followed like a shadow. At the top of the pole, I spun rapidly, hooked my ankle around the wood, and raised my saber high above my head. Using the momentum of my descent, I swung down at him.
Mingshao reacted instantly. Even as he was falling backward, he brought his scimitar up to block. Unfortunately for him, I had the advantage of momentum. There was a sharp *crack*, and his scimitar snapped in two. He hit the ground hard. Gasps erupted from the crowd.
Worried the remaining force of my strike would hurt him, I forcibly withdrew my internal energy, used the flagpole to vault over him, and landed on one knee several feet away.
Silence fell over the Ministry courtyard.
I slowly stood up, walked over to Mingshao, and reached out to pull him up. His palm was slightly damp; it seemed he had viewed me as a formidable opponent. That realization gave me a secret thrill.
Mingshao tossed aside the broken blade and said with a hint of regret, "This saber was with me for nearly ten years. I didn't expect it to be destroyed by you today."
"I'm sorry," I said quickly.
The corner of his mouth quirked up. "There's nothing to be sorry for. Once this is all over, you owe me a drink."
I stared at him in shock. His eyes still held that same warm, honest smile. Did he still consider me a friend? A wave of emotion washed over me. He gave me another smile and returned to his seat.
I stood in the center of the arena for a moment before realizing everyone was staring at me. The Emperor’s gaze was inscrutable; his sons’ expressions were equally unreadable. Prince Jing looked on with a half-smile, while Luo Jin made no effort to hide his pride. The other officials, unsure of the Emperor’s mood, lowered their heads and whispered to one another.
I wondered if the Emperor had sent Mingshao down to humble me. Since that hadn't worked, how would this end? I stood quietly, eyes downcast, counting the blue bricks beneath the imperial desk. The surroundings were deathly still.
When I reached the sixty-fourth brick, the Emperor coughed twice more. I wondered why he coughed so much—should I send him some of the tonic I made for my father?
"Truly, an extraordinary skill," the Emperor’s voice said, still devoid of emotion. "According to custom, I bestow this Silver Blade upon the winner of the martial exam. Though Xi Xia is a woman, she is a heroine who puts men to shame..."
He probably hadn't expected me to win; his dry speech sounded like it was being made up on the spot. Only the final sentence mattered: "Xi Xia shall hold the rank of Silver Blade Constable, with the salary of a seventh-grade official..." The weight on my heart finally lifted.
Luo Jin walked over with the Silver Blade, winking at me triumphantly as if he were the one who had won.
The Silver Blade was similar in size to my usual saber. Its silver-white scabbard was inlaid with precious gems, and the weapon felt heavy in my hand. I drew it, revealing a blade with a deep, dark luster like a pool of still water. Overjoyed, I knelt and said with genuine sincerity, "I thank Your Majesty for the gift. I will not fail Your Majesty’s teachings."
The Emperor said a few more words of encouragement, but I was no longer listening. My heart was racing with an uncontrollable passion.
I wanted to scream at the sky with all my might: *I’m back in the force!*
***
**Glossary**
