Chapter 29: An Excellent Wingman

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The other party had come to see him in the capacity of a princess, and he had previously heard that her religious name was Taiping.

Wu An naturally thought of that historically powerful princess, though the girl before him still seemed far too young and inexperienced.

Looking directly at a princess was, on the surface, rather disrespectful.

He did not examine her any further. Instead, he lowered his eyes and earnestly studied the floor beneath his feet.

Yet if the young woman before him was Princess Taiping, then the “Wang Bo” who had invited him to take an official post in the Eastern Palace while they were in the carriage that day had to be a prince.

Aside from the late Crown Prince Li Hong, who had died suddenly, Princess Taiping still had three elder brothers alive in this world.

Which one was he?

It was terribly difficult to guess.

“Commandant Wu.”

Princess Taiping finally spoke. Her voice was clear and pleasant, and she spoke somewhat quickly.

“I have come bearing His Majesty’s oral decree to bestow several items upon you.”

“Your servant thanks His Majesty for his gracious favor, and Your Highness for taking the trouble to come here!”

Princess Taiping cleared her throat. An elderly matron emerged from somewhere, and Wu An lifted his head slightly. He sensed a measure of vigilance and suspicion in her gaze.

He gave her a polite smile, for the old matron was only slightly shorter than he was.

Seated there, Princess Taiping looked like a little quail sheltered beneath the matron’s wings.

The old matron held a tray bearing a dark-gold fish tally and a set of black brocade robes. Wu An reached out to accept them and thanked her again.

Was that all?

Was it really that simple?

Wu An was still wondering why Princess Taiping had suddenly asked about his marriage at the beginning.

Everyone knew he was exceptionally handsome, but surely he was not so narcissistic as to believe that a princess would take one look at him and immediately throw herself at him.

As though she had guessed what he was thinking, Princess Taiping slowed her speech and said calmly, “I also bear a message from the Empress. Her Majesty says that, if you have no pressing business, you are to take more gifts to General Pei’s residence over the next few days and return the courtesy. You must not neglect proper etiquette.”

That was only natural.

Wu An’s thoughts turned as he looked down at the dark-gold fish tally in his hand. Its design was the same as that of the silver fish pouch previously bestowed upon him by the Empress, but it was heavier, its workmanship more archaic, with the words “Hundred Riders” engraved into it.

Princess Taiping looked down at him from her elevated seat and spoke again.

“By His Majesty’s oral decree: Commandant Wu has rendered meritorious service in searching the residence and confiscating the property of a criminal minister. He is hereby awarded a fish tally and brocade robes, and is temporarily appointed Deputy Commandant of the Lower Hundred Riders Office. He is to command the Hundred Riders. There must be no mistakes.”

The Hundred Riders Office was now in his hands?

In truth, Wu An still did not fully understand what the Hundred Riders were meant to do, but that did not prevent him from recognizing that he now possessed a measure of authority.

The ranks of Commandant and Deputy Commandant bestowed upon him by the Empress had, in reality, been merely nominal posts. Even the Hundred Riders soldiers who had acted under his direction had obeyed the Empress’s orders, not the authority of his official rank.

But now, he had suddenly taken hold of the Hundred Riders Office itself.

When Wu An had been in Hexi, he had not been an ordinary soldier but a junior officer. The distinction might have seemed minor, yet he had already gained experience commanding troops and was skilled at winning the loyalty of his subordinates. If only—

At that moment, Princess Taiping, seated above him, saw that he had fallen into a daze. Her delicate brows drew together, and she coughed lightly in displeasure.

“Commandant Wu.”

Wu An raised his head and met the eyes of the young princess behind the writing desk.

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“Give thanks,” she said calmly.

“Your servant thanks His Majesty for his great favor, and Your Highness for your gracious kindness!”

“Very well. You may leave now. Bring Lord Di inside for me.”

Princess Taiping let out a soft breath. After Wu An had left, the old matron beside her reminded her in a low voice, “Your Highness, Her Majesty said that once the decree had been delivered, you were to return to the palace as soon as possible. You must not linger outside.”

The solemn, dignified expression that had originally filled Princess Taiping’s little face collapsed at once.

She rolled her eyes thoughtfully and said in a hushed voice, “Mother intends for him to marry a daughter of the Pei family. In a little while, I want him to help escort Elder Sister Pei back to her residence and give him a few opportunities. That is also Mother’s intention.”

That did seem to be the case…

The old matron hesitated. She was one of the Empress’s trusted attendants and had served her for many years. She could more or less guess at Her Majesty’s intentions.

“Then… after delivering her, you must return to the palace.”

“I know, I know.”

…

Wu An did not leave immediately. He carried the set of brocade robes in his left hand.

The fish tally representing command of the Hundred Riders Office was clutched in his right, and he slowly turned it over in his palm.

Unlike him, Di Renjie emerged after saying only a few words inside. His expression had already returned to its former composure, though it was even somewhat grave.

“Her Highness says that you are to go at once to the street outside the judicial office of the Supreme Court, prepare a horse and carriage, and personally escort the former Crown Princess Pei back to her residence.”

What? Me?

Wu An immediately asked, “Then the Hundred Riders soldiers I left inside the Supreme Court should be released as well, should they not?”

“Indeed. They will retrieve their weapons and armor shortly, then accompany you as an escort.”

Di Renjie could not read the expression in Wu An’s eyes. He slowly cautioned him, “I find today’s affair somewhat unusual. This young princess is the Empress’s own daughter, and there is likely an element of testing in her treatment of you. Do not be negligent along the way. Take care to accommodate her wishes.”

Although Di Renjie now enjoyed mocking him, he never failed to offer whatever warnings were necessary.

An experienced official like this was truly rare—a benefactor capable of advancing another man’s future.

Wu An acknowledged him, then immediately put on the brocade robes. He took his saber from Di Renjie and fastened it around his waist once more.

The young man certainly had a fine appearance… Di Renjie mused inwardly. He recalled the old and new scars he had seen the previous night, some of them shocking even to him.

It was easy to imagine that while the young men of Chang’an were absorbed in horseback riding and cockfighting, this young man had already fought through countless bloody battles in Hexi.

Those who did not know him well would see only the warmth and humility on his face.

But a seasoned official such as Di Renjie could see that the man’s methods and temperament had been thoroughly tempered by war. Given enough time, his future could only be described as immense.

Wu An stretched his limbs, then turned toward Di Renjie and bowed with utmost solemnity.

“Thank you, Lord Di, for guiding me repeatedly. If you do not disdain me, I would be honored to acknowledge you as my elder brother.”

It was an awkward thing to say in such circumstances.

But several palace attendants were watching them from nearby, and no one knew when the princess might emerge. At the very least, Wu An had to be allowed to preserve some dignity.

A trace of astonishment appeared on Di Renjie’s ordinarily impassive face. After a moment, he could only nod.

Once Wu An had left, a Vice Minister of the Supreme Court who was acquainted with Di Renjie came to his side and said indignantly, “That fellow dared to kill an honored minister without authorization. No matter how great a storm he raises this time, the civil and military officials of the entire court can still force him back down.”

Is the man you wish to suppress truly nothing more than some ordinary brute?

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Di Renjie extended his hand and opened it to the air, sighing.

“The wind is far too strong today.”

“The wind is strong and the weather bitterly cold. I wonder how many people this winter will yet be blown to death,” the Vice Minister of the Supreme Court replied.

Di Renjie had always been sympathetic toward the common people, yet at this moment he slowly shook his head. Under his friend’s bewildered gaze, he said softly, “But if someone manages to seize hold of this wind…”

He looked toward the shadowed sky and continued calmly, “He can rise all the way to Heaven.”

…

“Your Highness, you wished to see your servant?”

Wu An urged his horse closer to the ox cart, inwardly grumbling about why a grand princess would ride in an ox cart when a carriage was available.

It might have been steady, but it was far too slow.

Princess Taiping’s somewhat suppressed voice immediately came from within the cart, sounding as though she were gritting her teeth.

“Commandant Wu, use your head. There are so many stalls along the way. Why have you not hurried to buy some amusing and delicious things to give the Crown Princess? Show her your respect and properly thank her for helping you.”

“Oh…”

Wu An was no fool. Princess Taiping had first questioned him about marriage, and now she was saying this. He immediately understood, though he could not help wondering what connection he could possibly have with the former Crown Princess.

Could this Princess Taiping be trying to help him win over the Crown Princess?

The roadside vendors had all been cleared away before the procession arrived.

But since the order came from Princess Taiping, Wu An dismounted, led several soldiers into a shop by the road, and approached the counter. The shopkeeper immediately put on a flattering smile when he saw the black-armored young man arrive with several armored soldiers.

“Thank you for honoring my shop with your presence, General. Please take whatever you like today.”

Wu An still intended to pay.

Just as he was reaching for his money, Liang Xin took out a bag of copper coins and placed it on the table.

Wu An glanced at him but said nothing. He casually selected several novel and entertaining trinkets, then said, “Prepare two of each of these.”

“Yes, yes…”

The shopkeeper hurriedly agreed. He did not dare touch the bag of money and turned to prepare the goods, but Wu An spoke again.

“On second thought, prepare three of each. And add a portion of snacks—make it a generous one. Money is no object.”

Three of each?

Liang Xin listened from the side, somewhat puzzled.

If one portion was being given to the Crown Princess, then the princess herself could not be left out. Even if Her Highness refused it, the proper gesture still had to be made.

But as for the snacks, the Crown Princess certainly would not want them, and the princess could not accept them either. Who, then, were they for?

Did the commandant secretly enjoy eating such things?

Liang Xin nodded silently and committed this small detail to memory.

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