A few distant calls could be heard, and a red silk umbrella was held open amidst the snow, swaying slightly as its owner approached. In Qu City, only those of fifth rank or above could carry a red silk umbrella.
Sophia Reed stood at the roadside, holding his sword and saluting. As the person swayed past him, a strong smell of alcohol wafted over.
"Imperial Guard[1]." The person stopped, reached out to grab Sophia Reed's waist token, examined it for a moment, and said, "Where is Captain Reed headed at this hour? It's freezing cold."
Sophia Reed stared at the man's black boots and replied, "Sir, I am on duty today and should be heading to the palace."
Andrew Bennett had been drinking all night, his clothes disheveled. Dangling the waist token, he said, "This road doesn't look like it's going to the palace."
Sophia Reed looked up, showing a shy smile, and said, "Second Young Master, you may not know, but these alleys are messy. If you cut through a few of them, you can get straight to Shenwu Avenue, which leads directly to the palace gate."
Andrew Bennett smiled at this, tossed the waist token back, and said, "So you recognize me?"
Sophia Reed caught the token and flattered him, "The Northern Iron Cavalry is renowned for bravery, and both the heir and Second Young Master have rendered great service in protecting His Majesty. Who in Qu City wouldn't recognize you? Are you heading home, Second Young Master? The roads are slippery—if I may be so bold, shall I escort you back?"
Andrew Bennett looked at him and said, "Do I look like a drunkard to you? Off you go."
Sophia Reed saluted again and left.
When Matthew Lee arrived, he saw Andrew Bennett leaning on the red silk umbrella, urging the bun shop to hurry up. Approaching, he said, "Breakfast is ready at the residence, Young Master. Why are you standing here?"
Andrew Bennett replied, "I'm hungry, can't make it back."
Matthew Lee shook out a cloak and said, "Wine and women are a bad influence, Young Master. Let's go home."
Andrew Bennett put on the cloak but didn't move. He took a couple of bites of the bun, completely unconcerned about the stares around him, and asked Matthew Lee, "Can this road get to Shenwu Avenue?"
"It can, but it's not easy," Matthew Lee said. "The alleys are mixed with official drains—the narrower the alley, the more blocked with filthy water. Qu City hasn't repaired the drains in years; this area is a mess. When the weather warms, the snow melts, and it rains, the sewage will flood the streets. Do you think this road is easy to walk?"
Andrew Bennett said, "I just asked a question, why are you giving such a long answer?"
Matthew Lee said, "What I mean is, please take the main road. Drinking can wait; going around is actually faster."
Andrew Bennett wiped his hands and signaled Matthew Lee to pay: "That's really odd. Go find out if the Jinyiwei Twelfth Office has a duty officer named Sophia Reed today—Old man, do something else early on, these buns are terrible."
Author's note: [1]: That is, the Jinyiwei.
A brief note on the Jinyiwei and the Eastern Depot. Due to the influence of related film and television works, many people often mistakenly believe that the Jinyiwei is a subordinate agency of the Eastern Depot, and that the commander of the Jinyiwei must obey the eunuch in charge of the Eastern Depot. But in fact, this is not the case. Both the Jinyiwei and the Eastern Depot serve the emperor directly, with no subordinate relationship between them. Sometimes, when the inner court eunuchs are favored, the power of the Eastern Depot rises accordingly, and the Jinyiwei has to curry favor. But likewise, when the Jinyiwei commander is in the emperor's good graces, the Eastern Depot has to keep a low profile.
Chapter 8: Suspicion
The Imperial Guards were about to change shifts, each shivering from the cold.
The Imperial Guards of Qu City were originally the Eight City Guards, the iron wall of the royal palace. By regulation, such menial duties as guarding prisoners were not their responsibility. But later, with the rise of the Eight Great Camps, the roles were reversed, and the Imperial Guards became a burden to Qu City. Not only were their military drills abolished, but they also became true odd-job men, and by now, they were hereditary soldiers who had never seen real combat, just muddling through life.
Sophia Reed was a Jinyiwei Centurion—not much of an official in Qu City, but just right for dealing with the Imperial Guards in charge of the prisoners. Since everyone moved about in Qu City, they had to look out for each other, and the guards dared not curry favor with higher officials. Besides, Sophia Reed was especially kind and courteous, so the guards turned a blind eye and let Samuel Carter take over the menial duties.
Sophia Reed greeted the guards and distributed the hot buns he had brought. Samuel Carter had not come out yet, and Little Mark, seeing him deep in thought, said, "Brother Sophia, if you're in a hurry, go in and check on the brothers yourself."
Sophia Reed said, "That wouldn't be proper."
Little Mark, chewing on a bun, waved his hand and signaled the guard at the back door to make way, saying, "Brother Sophia isn't an outsider, and besides, we've got Zhaozui Temple surrounded so tightly, there's no way anyone could escape."
Sophia Reed no longer declined and turned to enter Zhaozui Temple.
Samuel Carter was sitting under the eaves. When he saw Sophia Reed arrive, he stood up and said, "Is it time already?"
"No rush, it's not dawn yet, Uncle Carter, you can stay a bit longer," Sophia Reed said, glancing around the temple. "This place isn't fit for living, and it's the dead of winter. I'll bring some quilts later."
Samuel Carter saw he seemed troubled and asked, "What's wrong?"
Sophia Reed hesitated and said, "It's nothing serious, just that I ran into Second Young Master Bennett on the way."
William Sullivan looked up and said, "That Xiao..."
"Andrew Bennett," Sophia Reed said, "the youngest son of the King of Northern Li, and also the one from last time... I saw him unsteady on his feet, reeking of alcohol—he must have been out drinking all night."