Volume One, Chapter Nine: The Test

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Hearing her name, Shen Xingdu shook her fox head slightly, regaining a flicker of clarity. Yan Nanfei, faced with the emperor’s inquiry, remained as resolute as he had been at the Grand Tutor’s manor, showing no sign of wavering.

“Yes, I intend to marry the Grand Tutor’s legitimate daughter, Shen Xingdu. I will send matchmakers to the Shen residence tomorrow to propose.”

The emperor glanced at Yan Nanfei with a raised brow, then lowered his gaze to focus on the chessboard, his expression unreadable.

“I’ve heard that the Shen family’s legitimate daughter was spoiled by Grand Tutor Shen since childhood, unskilled in the six arts and only superficially accomplished. Does your old-fashioned father consent to this?”

Shen Xingdu blinked her fox eyes boldly, staring directly at the emperor. Though she had often attended palace banquets before, she had only ever glimpsed the emperor from afar or bowed her head shyly when near. She had never examined the emperor’s appearance up close.

Now, as a mere fox, her natural instinct was to fear no one and look whoever she pleased straight in the eye.

The emperor was tall and broad, just as the storytellers had described—a warrior by nature, a man of military campaigns. He knew the power of armies well, yet after seizing the throne, he ruled with benevolence, favoring civil governance over military might.

Yan Nanfei reached out, placing a black chess piece on the spot the emperor had intended to play, answering calmly:

“I have already established my residence. If Lord Yan does not agree, I will take her to my home myself.”

He referred to his father as Lord Yan. Shen Xingdu wondered if there was some estrangement between father and son.

The emperor paused briefly, then placed a white piece elsewhere.

“You refuse to marry the princess, instead choosing to defy your parents’ wishes for the daughter of the Shen family. What is so special about Shen Xingdu? Why have I never heard you mention her before?”

The emperor was clearly trying to cause trouble for Yan Nanfei on behalf of the Fourth Princess.

Shen Xingdu looked back at Yan Nanfei, suddenly feeling very apologetic. She was spoken of so poorly in the emperor’s mouth and now found herself in such an awkward position.

She truly was dragging down the innocent and beloved General Yan, causing him needless trouble.

She thought to herself, Fufu must be very important to Yan Nanfei for him to go this far to help her.

“Whether Shen Xingdu is good or bad is irrelevant. What matters is that I only wish to spend the rest of my life with her.”

Yan Nanfei’s resolute reply shocked Shen Xingdu. For the sake of a pet fox, the general was willing to do this? To tell such a bold lie before the emperor?

Or was there some reason he refused to be bound by royal constraints, determined not to marry a royal daughter even unto death?

Was Yan Nanfei truly unafraid of offending the emperor, risking punishment? Even Shen Xingdu’s own father, the Grand Tutor, would never dare respond so in front of the emperor.

She anxiously watched the emperor, fearing that in anger he might truly order Yan Nanfei’s execution.

But the emperor showed no overt surprise. He stopped his hand mid-move and looked directly at Yan Nanfei:

“Oh? If you insist on marrying the Shen family’s daughter, then I shall issue an edict relieving you of your post as Protector General of the Nation. Your residence as general will be revoked.

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You will be sent to the front lines as a vanguard in a charging battalion. Do you still insist on marrying her?”

Unlike literary officials who might rise through talent or political skill, a military man’s promotion was earned with his life. Yan Nanfei, at only twenty-three, held the position of Protector General—a true hero unmatched since the founding of the Great Zhao.

Shen Xingdu panicked, pushing his arm with her small paws:

“General Yan! Don’t! I won’t marry you! Let’s find another way. We’re not related; I can’t keep dragging you into this! The emperor might use this chance to strip you of your military power. Don’t fall for it!”

The cost was too high. Previously, if she accepted Yan Nanfei’s help, she could repay him with her wealth and favors. Now, she owed a debt she couldn’t repay.

Shen Xingdu hadn’t expected the matter to reach the emperor’s ears and was flustered.

Yan Nanfei reached to his waist, removing a tiger-shaped token with gold carvings and black tassels, placing it on the stone table and sliding it toward the emperor silently.

He rose respectfully and cupped his hands before the emperor:

“The armies of Great Zhao belong to Your Majesty; I dare not harbor the slightest selfishness. If Your Majesty wishes to reclaim them, you may do so at any time. But whom I marry is my private matter. Not even my father can change my mind. My decision to marry the Shen family’s legitimate daughter is final. I ask Your Majesty to judge wisely.”

He bowed deeply.

The emperor, unseen by Yan Nanfei, let his mask slip for a moment, revealing a glint of admiration and satisfaction. Shen Xingdu, placed on the stone table, saw it clearly.

It was strange. A mighty general of a nation handing over his tiger tally—the symbol of command over the three armies, weighty as the imperial jade seal—so readily.

Such impulsiveness, risking the fate of country and family—what exactly was the emperor pleased with?

Taking advantage of the emperor’s lack of understanding, Shen Xingdu whispered to Yan Nanfei, still bowing:

“General Yan, I think the emperor is testing you.”

Sure enough, the emperor pushed the tiger tally back.

Shen Xingdu’s heart finally settled. The emperor did not truly intend to take back his military command.

“Young General Yan is a bit impulsive. There’s no need for such haste. It’s time you settled down and learned some restraint. Take back the tiger tally. Leave now, and have the Shen family’s daughter meet me alone.”

Shen Xingdu’s relief was short-lived. Why did the emperor want to see her? Was it to vent his anger over the Fourth Princess?

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Yan Nanfei had not anticipated the emperor’s move either, his hand frozen mid-air.

“What? Still won’t leave? So attached to your Miss Shen? I won’t eat you! Just a few questions alone. Why so nervous?”

“Yes, Your Majesty. I take my leave.”

Yan Nanfei scooped up Shen Xingdu and strode toward the courtyard exit.

“What now? Fufu will definitely be exposed! I’m doomed! The emperor will lock me up as a lunatic!” Shen Xingdu felt utterly helpless. Since becoming a fox, matters had spiraled wildly out of control.

Only Yan Nanfei remained calm and steady by her side, a rock in turbulent seas.

But now even Yan Nanfei’s face was grave, deepening her despair.

“General Yan, should we run away? Actually...”

Before Shen Xingdu could finish, Yan Nanfei interrupted softly:

“Don’t be afraid. It’s not yet the end. I have a plan. Steal a piece of chicken from the imperial kitchen. I’ll wait for you in the garden we just passed. Hurry! Delay invites disaster!”

He gently set her down.

Shen Xingdu didn’t understand why she needed to steal chicken but sensed the urgency. Without question, she bounded off toward the kitchen on her injured leg.

Fortunately, having been in the palace before, she knew the layout well. As a fox, her nose was keen. Following the aroma of food, she turned two corners and found the imperial kitchen.

Things went surprisingly smoothly. A row of freshly cooked phoenix chicken lay neatly on the counter.

Seizing an opportunity, Shen Xingdu grabbed a whole chicken and fled.

She had been overly ambitious, forgetting Yan Nanfei said only “a piece” of chicken. A small black fox carrying an entire chicken through the imperial garden was certain to attract attention.

“Quick! A fox is stealing chicken! Catch her!”

The kitchen staff scrambled in pursuit.

Shen Xingdu ran swiftly on three legs, nearly back to the garden, when she collided with a pair of slender arms and was lifted into a fragrant, soft embrace.

Looking up, Shen Xingdu saw none other than the Fourth Princess Fukang—an unwelcome encounter.

“I recognize you. Aren’t you Yan Nanfei’s fox? Why come to the palace to steal chicken? Cuizhu, do you need a collar? Look at this beautiful fur.”