The eunuchs in charge of the Imperial Textile Bureau truly possessed extraordinary craftsmanship.
Within the time it took for a single lunch banquet, they had already tailored over a dozen sets of brand-new Shougongjian robes for Lu Qian, both inside and out.
The inner garment was made of white silk, while the outer robe was a bright crimson palace brocade.
Both the inner garment and the robe fit the body perfectly, comfortable and snug to wear.
Every movement Lu Qian made was effortless, without the slightest tugging or hindrance.
On his head rested a five-ribbed black gauze hat.
His feet wore thick-soled black official boots, and around his waist hung a jade belt with a double-fish swallow’s mouth design.
The fish heads on the jade belt resembled a great Kun fish—any sharp-eyed observer could tell at a glance that this was an imperial gift from the Son of Heaven.
Either it was kept close to the Emperor’s heart, or it was granted as rewards for lavish contributions to the throne.
Otherwise, such a standardized jade belt was nearly impossible for ordinary ministers to acquire.
On either side of the belt hung a small cloud-shaped ruyi hook.
The left hook bore a palm-sized round jade pendant engraved with a chi dragon pattern, while the right side held a golden-etched dao sword just over a foot long, its scabbard inlaid with gold and jade.
The chi dragon jade pendant marked this man as a close court official of the Emperor.
The golden-etched dao sword was comparable, in a sense, to the "Imperial Sword of Authority."
Within the capital city of Haojing, its wearer could come and go freely, unaffected by curfews or any such laws.
Standing beneath the Jiuyueyuan Archway, Lu Qian lowered his head to look at the fierce great guard palace embroidered on his chest.
The bright crimson official robe corresponded to the rank of general within the Shougongjian.
The embroidery of the great guard palace was extraordinarily fine and clear.
Every scale was vividly lifelike.
The great guard palace coiled around his upper body from start to end, and along the middle line of his back, four blood-red star dots stood out vividly.
Luo Qingzhou stood silently to the side, her heart heavy as she looked at Lu Qian’s brand-new, dazzling robes.
Poor Luo Qingzhou—how many years had she endured the hardships of the Shougongjian before finally earning a crimson robe of her own?
Yet Lu Qian?
He’d joined the Shougongjian early yesterday morning and by noon today was already dressed in the same rank of robe as Luo Qingzhou.
Her heart ached bitterly, but she forced out a cheerful laugh and warmly grasped Lu Qian’s hands.
“Brother Lu, from now on, we’re truly blood brothers. You’ll come to understand my true nature in time. We... we should keep in close contact whenever we can.”
Before Lu Qian could respond, Luo Qingzhou patted the back of his hand firmly.
“Today you’ve been promoted, so as your big brother, I must present a gift from the heart. The Son of Heaven has decreed that you be assigned to the Yushun Ward’s public office. Coincidentally, I have a three-courtyard mansion in the northeast of Yushun Ward. Brother, I gift it to you as a promotion congratulation.”
“As my own brother, you must not refuse. Your big brother means this sincerely. Ha ha, ha ha, ha ha ha!”
“From now on, we’ll keep up constant contact, constant contact!”
Luo Qingzhou shook Lu Qian’s hand vigorously.
Lu Qian’s heart stirred.
Well, this new promotion was already pouring in wealth.
A three-courtyard mansion in Yushun Ward, tch…
“Brother, rest assured, I, Lu Qian, know who treats me well and who doesn’t. From now on, we’ll truly be brothers,” Lu Qian said, gripping Luo Qingzhou’s palm tightly and giving it a strong shake up and down.
Having stood shoulder to shoulder with Luo Qingzhou in battle last night, Lu Qian held some good feelings toward him.
Luo Qingzhou was a responsible and reliable superior.
Not to mention, a three-courtyard mansion in Yushun Ward!
Just for the sake of that house, Lu Qian had to show extra warmth toward Luo Qingzhou—otherwise, it would be downright ungrateful.
A rapid clatter of hooves sounded.
A unit of Yulin Army soldiers was driving forward a large group of warhorses.
These horses, standing flat on the ground, had heads towering over ordinary men by more than two feet.
Their coats were deep black, only their four hooves burned a blood-red color.
They were known by the title “Bloodhoof Black Steeds.”
Within the Great Yin military system, the Bloodhoof Black Steeds ranked among the top breed of special warhorses.
If conditions on the road were good, they could run continuously for six hours straight, covering six or seven thousand li at their extreme—all comparable to a martial artist who had perfected the Path of Pulse Opening.
Luo Qingzhou’s face twitched.
A wave of bitterness rose in his chest.
Ah, ah, how could the Son of Heaven favor Lu Qian so much? It was almost like treating him better than a son of his own.
Given Luo Qingzhou’s rank and position within the Shougongjian, he had used all his guile and connections to get just one Bloodhoof Black Steed as his mount.
Riding his prized horse around, he had felt immense pride!
But looking at the cluster of Bloodhoof Black Steeds personally assigned by imperial decree to Lu Qian...
Luo Qingzhou pressed his lips tight.
Suddenly, he had no desire to speak with Lu Qian at all.
Lu Qian looked at these horses, their bodies radiating fierce vitality, glossy black coats covering iron-like muscles bulging high, and hooves rooted firmly.
These horses stood taller than him by at least half a head.
Joy surged through him, and he let out a happy, “Lucky!”
Behind Lu Qian, three hundred sharp-eyed warriors—recently discharged from the Yulin Army and newly drafted into the Shougongjian roster—also stared brightly at the warhorses.
They had just received orders that their three hundred-strong unit was transitioning from the Yulin Army into the Shougongjian, now under Lu Qian’s command.
These elite warriors were filled with frustration—after all, the Yulin Army was the imperial guard, prestigious and well-paid.
The Shougongjian, though known for its rich “grey income” that fattened even the humblest officers, carried the absolutely terrible reputation of being the "Eunuch Faction."
Who would want to be insulted as a “balls-less dead eunuch” for no reason?
But seeing the Bloodhoof Black Steeds, the three hundred warriors’ grumbles instantly faded.
Twenty small eunuchs clad in deep blue robes emblazoned with the “Unicorn” Shougongjian crest stood quietly by Lu Qian’s side.
Their faces were pale and smooth, exuding a somewhat feminine aura.
They too smiled faintly at the magnificent warhorses.
Lu Qian mounted one of the steeds—a horse saddled with gilded fittings and pure silver stirrups.
Facing the twisted expression on Luo Qingzhou’s face, he cupped his hands in salute.
“Brother Luo, I have some matters to attend to and must take my leave for now. From now on, we’ll keep closer ties!”
With a horse’s whinny, Lu Qian squeezed his legs gently, and the Black Steed sprang forward, a gust of wind trailing behind it.
The twenty small eunuchs and the three hundred soldiers—no, now fresh Shougongjian officers—all clattered atop their mounts, nodded respectfully to Luo Qingzhou, shouted sharp commands, and swiftly chased after Lu Qian.
The Bloodhoof Black Steeds galloped swiftly.
In moments, they crossed the long bridge over the canal, then vanished without a trace as they followed the broad chaseway laid out along the marketplace’s edge.
Watching the departing horsemen, Luo Qingzhou sighed deeply.
“This is fate, Xiao Xing,” he murmured. “From now on, keep close to Lu Qian. I think he’s bound for rapid rise—perhaps even faster than his uncle.”
Lu Tianxing stood behind Luo Qingzhou, gaze lifted to the sky with a complicated expression.
In the afternoon, around the Shen hour (3:00 to 5:00 PM), Lu Qian led his large group and arrived near the Lai Guogong Mansion in Min’an Ward.
(End of Chapter)