Chapter Forty-One: A Bottle of Poison

The Tang Dynasty, the most powerful nation of its time with the strictest laws, subjected every regulation and institution to the test of ages. Especially in matters of urban security, fire prevention, and theft, their systems were not necessarily the most brilliant or rational, but certainly the most suited to their era.

In grand metropolises like Chang'an and Luoyang, their management of public order was meticulous and all-encompassing. Take Chang'an, for example: the city was divided by thirty-eight streets into over a hundred residential wards, each enclosed by walls and gates. Once night fell, all city and ward gates closed simultaneously, creating isolated spaces. The guardians of these wards, stationed in corner posts, were called martial wardens—much like modern neighborhood police—responsible for security, fire prevention, patrols, and theft. Without considerable strength, anyone hoping to act under the cover of darkness would find these wardens their greatest obstacle.

Ji City’s system of order resembled that of Chang'an: lenient within, strict without. Locals enjoyed freedom, but the appearance of strangers would instantly draw the sharp eyes of wardens and ward guards, who watched for troublemakers. Ji City, a military stronghold in the northeastern You Prefecture, stood closest to the northern Turkic, Khitan, and Xi tribes. The city’s loss would open the northern gate, exposing Yi, Cang, and even Ji Prefectures to foreign cavalry. The significance was clear. Thus, in addition to ward control, Ji City maintained emergency troops, always on alert, responsible for both defense and public order. Their methods were harsher; those inciting unrest could be seized or even killed by extraordinary means.

Under such stringent systems, it was nearly impossible for Gongsun You and Gongsun Xi to hide unnoticed, unless they found a place no one would investigate or care for.

And Pei Min knew exactly where that place was—Li Wuyi’s residence.

Li Wuyi had been captured by Silla spies under the guise of a Khitan and Xi agent, his residence sealed and guarded by soldiers, with entry forbidden. If one could slip inside, those soldiers would become natural protectors.

Pei Min did not know if Gongsun You and Gongsun Xi were there, but putting himself in their place, he felt this residence would be the best choice.

Quietly arriving at South Street, Pei Min’s six senses surpassed ordinary folk, allowing him to deftly avoid the patrolling ward guards and passing soldiers. He reached Li Wuyi’s mansion, saw two soldiers at both front and back gates, and realized the only way in unseen was over the central wall of the house. The wall was high and difficult to climb without tools, but the neighboring courtyard wall was lower. He smiled, used it to leap into Li Wuyi's residence.

The mansion was silent. In the dim moonlight, Pei Min found himself in a beautiful courtyard, pavilions and towers reminiscent of southern riverside towns. Without stopping to admire, he moved silently onto the corridor, following it deeper into the estate.

Just as he crossed a corridor, a sharp sword point flashed downward—a sudden thrust, quick as lightning.

Pei Min reacted swiftly, unable to draw his sword in time. He blocked with the sheath, shifting backward, deflecting and pushing in one seamless move.

“It’s me, Pei Min!” he called out before seeing the attacker, warning them. The clash between sheath and blade made little sound—clearly a wooden sword. How many swordsmen in Ji City used wooden swords?

A graceful figure appeared, none other than the long-unseen Gongsun Xi.

Pei Min steadied himself, confirming her identity. Though the sisters looked alike, their presence differed enough for him to distinguish.

Gongsun Xi motioned for silence, her wooden sword trembling as she attacked Pei Min again. This time, her strike was slower, but in Pei Min’s eyes, even more dangerous—filled with hidden changes, advancing or retreating at will.

From just this sword, Pei Min sensed Gongsun Xi’s skill had risen by more than a level.

In just a few days, her progress was astonishing. Her gift for swordsmanship was truly frightening.

Pei Min kept his sword sheathed, sparring with her for several moves. Indeed, Gongsun Xi’s swordplay was measured, with her own rhythm, even attempting several times to draw him into it and seize the initiative.

“Enough!” Another shadow appeared at the corridor’s end—Gongsun You. Initially thinking Xi was in danger, she hurried to help, only to find her sister exchanging moves with Pei Min. She didn’t know whether to laugh or cry and quickly intervened.

Both lowered their swords.

Gongsun Xi looked triumphant, eager for a rematch.

Pei Min smiled indifferently. Gongsun Xi’s progress was impressive, but he too had improved, having absorbed some of the Yue Maiden’s sword techniques.

“Master Pei, what brings you here?” Gongsun You asked softly.

Pei Min recounted the events of the previous night’s theft and his visit to the prefecture, then said, “We share interests and hobbies, true kindred spirits. When a friend is in trouble, how can I not help? I guessed you might be hiding here and came to check—it seems I was right.”

Gongsun Xi’s gaze moved back and forth between Gongsun You and Pei Min, lingering meaningfully on each, her eyes full of implication.

Gongsun You sighed, “This is a serious matter, my sister’s affair. I didn’t want to involve you, but it seems you’re already entangled.”

“If I feared involvement, I wouldn’t have come,” Pei Min replied quietly. “I can imagine this place, but they’ll likely search it soon. This can’t go on—it’s no solution. As the saying goes, at home rely on family, away rely on friends. There’s no point in fussing now.”

Gongsun You hesitated for a moment. “Do you remember I mentioned someone behind Jiang Bo?”

Pei Min nodded. “Who?”

“Princess Taiping,” Gongsun You said.

Pei Min was not surprised. In the entire Tang Empire, there were only a handful of people no one dared provoke. Princess Taiping, whose political power even surpassed the emperor’s, was among those he had already suspected. “But the ‘Treatise of Yue Yi’ isn’t in your hands. Surely Princess Taiping wouldn’t go to extremes with you?”

Gongsun Xi answered awkwardly, “I took something else from her.”

Pei Min turned to Gongsun Xi. “What?”

Gongsun You replied, “A bottle of rare poison.”

Pei Min’s thoughts raced, his pupils contracting, an involuntary shiver running through him. He mused silently: This isn’t just a poison—it’s a bomb, one that could turn the court and the nation upside down.