I slaughtered my way through the border at the start, I am the Great Ming's Night Raider!

When Qin Xiang returned to Yongshou Palace, it was already dark.

Preparations are underway in the palace for tomorrow night's banquet.

The Grand Princess was trying on clothes, and Eunuch Li was busy helping her.

Chen Yuan practiced calligraphy in a side hall—since he was to play the role of a scion of a noble family, his handwriting couldn't be too bad.

"Miss Qin is back." Chen Yuan put down his pen. "How did things go?"

Qin Xiang told them about the Green Dragon Society.

After listening, Chen Yuan pondered and said, "The involvement of martial arts figures... that is indeed a new variable."

"Who do you think it is?"

"It's hard to say," Chen Yuan said, "but the banquet tomorrow night will probably be more lively than we expect."

Qin Xiang nodded: "I've already arranged for people to meet us outside the East Depot tomorrow night. If anything happens, they'll rush in immediately."

Chen Yuan shook his head. "The Eastern Depot is heavily guarded; forcing our way in would be suicide."

"That..."

"If anything happens, I will protect Your Highness and help you break through," Chen Yuan said. "You and Uncle Zhao can provide support outside."

Qin Xiang looked at him and suddenly laughed: "You're quite confident."

"It's not confidence, it's knowing what I'm capable of," Chen Yuan said. "I worked in the night watchman's office for three years. I don't have many other skills, but I'm pretty good at leading people to break through enemy lines."

Just then, Chen Jin brought in dinner.

Upon seeing Qin Xiang, he exclaimed happily, "Miss Qin is back! Perfect timing, let's have dinner together."

The meal was simple, with two meat dishes and two vegetable dishes, but it was piping hot.

The three sat around the table, eating in silence.

It started snowing again outside the window, and the snowflakes danced in the lamplight like countless white butterflies.

"Brother Yuan, tomorrow night..." Chen Jin hesitated, then stopped.

"What's wrong tomorrow night?"

I'm worried about you.

Chen Yuan put down his bowl and looked at his younger brother: "Chen Jin, some things are useless to worry about. What's meant to happen will happen. All we can do is be prepared."

"I know." Chen Jin lowered her head. "I just... I just hate myself for being useless and unable to help."

"Who says you're useless?" Chen Yuan said. "You staying home and watching over the house is the biggest help you can give. If we don't come back, you have to survive and keep our story going."

Chen Jin's eyes reddened again.

Qin Xiang patted his shoulder: "Don't overthink it. Tomorrow night's banquet might not be a trap. Maybe Cao Jixiang just wants to show off, and that's all."

She herself didn't believe that.

But some lies must be told.

After the meal, Chen Yuan continued practicing calligraphy, Qin Xiang went to help the Grand Princess prepare, and Chen Jin practiced martial arts in the courtyard—he practiced very hard, as if this would protect the people he wanted to protect.

Late at night.

After finishing the last stroke, Chen Yuan looked at the words on the paper: "Hidden dragon, do not act."

This is a quote from the Book of Changes (I Ching).

The hidden dragon is not incapable of flying, but its time has not yet come.

He walked to the window and looked at the snow outside.

Is tomorrow night the right time?

he does not know.

But he knew that what was coming would eventually come.

And he was ready.

The snow outside the window was falling heavier and heavier.

It covered the palace, it covered the streets, and it covered the secrets hidden in the darkness.

But some secrets cannot be covered up by snow.

Like some dragons, they are destined to soar into the sky.

Whether it's thunder or storm ahead.

It was the thirteenth day of the twelfth lunar month, at the third quarter of the hour of You (5:45 PM).

The area in front of the Eastern Depot's office was bustling with carriages and horses.

The vermilion gate was wide open, and two rows of agents from the Eastern Depot, dressed in flying fish robes and with embroidered spring knives at their waists, lined up from the entrance all the way to the main hall.

The lanterns hung high, illuminating the snow-covered ground in a bright red glow.

The officials who came to the banquet got off their sedan chairs, exchanged pleasantries, and smiled, but their eyes hid wariness—everyone knew that this banquet would not be pleasant.

Duke Zhu Yong of Cheng was the first to arrive.

He was dressed in a bright red python robe with a jade belt around his waist, looking very imposing, but upon closer inspection, one could see that his eyes were unfocused and there was sweat on his forehead.

Cao Jixiang personally greeted them at the door, and the two held hands and talked intimately.

"Your Excellency looks quite well today," Cao Jixiang said with a smile.

"Thanks to my father-in-law," Zhu Yong chuckled twice, lowering his voice, "Last night...what happened last night..."

"It's nothing." Cao Jixiang waved his hand. "It's normal for women to be jealous. I've already taught those people from the Jiaofangsi a lesson, and I guarantee it won't happen again."

Zhu Yong breathed a sigh of relief, but his heart was still pounding.

His wife, Zhang, gave him a severe dressing-down yesterday after returning from the brothel, and even threatened to go back to her parents' home.

If he really leaves, what will happen to the Duke of England's residence...?

"Rest assured, Your Excellency," Cao Jixiang said, as if reading his mind. "I will send someone to mediate with the Duchess of Yingguo. We're all family; what's there to be upset about?"

"Then... then thank you very much, sir." Zhu Yong cupped his hands in thanks.

As the two were talking, a voice rang out from afar: "The Grand Princess has arrived!"

Everyone immediately fell silent, straightened their clothes, and stood at attention.

Eight eunuchs led the way, and sixteen palace maids accompanied them as a bright yellow sedan chair slowly came to a stop.

The sedan curtain was lifted, and the Grand Princess Zhu Mingyue stepped out of the sedan.

Today she is dressed in formal court attire, wearing a nine-phoenix crown adorned with pearls and jade, exuding elegance and nobility.

But the most eye-catching thing was the young man beside her.

He wore a blue robe, with a jade pendant hanging from his waist; he had a handsome face and clear eyes.

Standing there, neither humble nor arrogant, he possessed a natural air of refinement.

"Who is that?" someone asked in a low voice.

"I don't know... I've never seen it before."

"He seems to be a distant nephew of the Grand Princess, surnamed Chen..."

Amidst the murmurs, the Grand Princess had already reached the door.

Cao Jixiang led the crowd in bowing: "Greetings, Your Highness."

"You may rise, Eunuch Cao," the Grand Princess said calmly. "Today, you are hosting a banquet to celebrate the great victory at the border, and it is only right that I come to offer my congratulations."

"It is an honor for the Eastern Depot to have Your Highness here." Cao Jixiang straightened up, his gaze falling on Chen Yuan. "And this is..."

"Chen Mingyuan is my distant nephew," the Grand Princess said calmly. "His father received a favor from the Prince of Zhao and instructed him to repay the favor when he grew up. I saw that he was doing well in his studies, so I kept him by my side, which can be considered as fulfilling his father's wish."

These words, though spoken casually, are incredibly informative—they reveal Chen Yuan's background, clarify his relationship with the King of Zhao, and explain why the Grand Princess took him in.

A glint flashed in Cao Jixiang's eyes as he carefully examined Chen Yuan: "So it's Young Master Chen. Indeed, you are a handsome young man. May I ask what books you usually read?"

"I have a slight understanding of the Four Books and Five Classics," Chen Yuan said humbly, cupping his hands in greeting. "This junior is dull-witted and dares not claim to be well-read; I merely know a few characters."

"Young Master Chen is too modest," Cao Jixiang said with a smile. "To be appreciated by His Highness, you are no ordinary person. Come, please come inside."

The group entered the main hall.

Twenty banquet tables have been set up inside the hall, with the main table at the head of the table and ten tables on each side.

The Grand Princess naturally sat in the main seat, with Cao Jixiang sitting to her left, and Chen Yuan sitting to her right.

This seating arrangement surprised many officials—it's rare to see Cao Jixiang give up the right-hand seat of honor.

Duke Zhu Yong of Cheng sat at the second table, sharing a seat with Wang Zhen.

He would steal glances at Chen Yuan from time to time, feeling that the young man looked familiar, but he couldn't remember where he had seen him before.

The banquet began, and after several rounds of drinks and five courses of food, the banquet commenced.

Cao Jixiang raised his glass and stood up: "Today's banquet is twofold: first, to celebrate the great victory at Xuanfu and to demonstrate our national power; second, to thank Her Highness the Grand Princess for attending and giving me face. Come, let's drink to this!"

Everyone raised their glasses and drank them down in one gulp.

The wine is excellent, a tribute wine bestowed by the emperor, with a mellow and lingering aroma.

The dishes were excellent, a dazzling array of delicacies from land and sea.

But nobody was actually eating—they were all watching, listening, and waiting.

Wait, Cao Jixiang reveals his move.

Sure enough, after three cups, Cao Jixiang put down his wine cup and said casually, "Speaking of the great victory at Xuanfu, I heard that a scout single-handedly broke through the encirclement and even killed a Tatar commander of ten thousand. A hero indeed, a young man."