The moon rose above the branches.
At the wharf outside the city, lamplight shone as brightly as day. Hundreds of boats, large and small, lay moored along the riverbank, and banners snapping in the autumn wind filled the view.
"Whoooo-"
A clear, resounding horn rang out across the river as several enormous official ships entered the harbor.
Gangplanks descended from the ships, and Imperial Guards in black Qilin Armor filed ashore. Their solemn, imposing presence instantly silenced the entire wharf.
Meanwhile, on the river roughly two miles from the wharf, a pleasure boat filled with scholars and imperial examination candidates drifted slowly along.
In a private room at the rear of the boat's cabin, a white-browed old man dressed as a steward stood leaning on a rattan cane, gazing toward the wharf through the window. He spoke unhurriedly:
"Back in the Capital City, when the princes were still imperial sons, Prince Wu often took boats out on the Clear River to enjoy the scenery. His learning was poor, but he loved the limelight, spouting plenty of ignorant remarks without realizing it.
"Because Prince Wu had no great abilities, Taizu never disciplined him harshly. Even his fief was placed in the peaceful lands of Wu Prefecture. All Taizu wanted was for him to enjoy a lifetime of wealth and comfort, free of illness and disaster. Who could have imagined a man could overestimate himself to this extent..."
Before the old man with the goatee stood a young gentleman in brocade robes, holding a folding fan. He looked under thirty, and although his build was quite robust, his manner was gentle and refined, making him look like a well-read, courteous scholar.
The gentleman was named Dongfang Shuoyue. He was Prince Yan's eldest legitimate son and the heir to Yanzhou. After the Empress