Part 1: The Ransoming of a Good Shave
Li Junce thrust the cold Raven ring near Mont Mentiel's face; the rage in his eyes was almost palpable.
Mont Mentiel took the ring, his thumb lightly stroking the crest. His eyes narrowed, and he immediately grasped the situation. He offered no explanation. Instead, under Li Junce's stunned gaze, he pulled a small, utterly plain sewing kit from the inner pocket of his formal coat.
"You…"
All of Li Junce's fierce, accusatory words were swallowed by the sight of that sewing kit. He was almost amused with anger.
"The esteemed National Lord of Raven must mend his own clothes?"
Mont Mentiel ignored the look of utter contempt. He deftly retrieved a fine needle and gently poked a nearly invisible engraved feather on the side of the ring.
A faint, inaudible click sounded. The ring band sprang open, revealing a hidden compartment that held a tiny, tightly rolled slip of paper.
He unfurled it, took a look, and his air of profound mystery instantly deflated, replaced by an expression of resigned "I knew it." He shoved the note to Li Junce, his tone flat with complaint.
"I told you that savage beard of yours wouldn't pass inspection, but you wouldn't listen. See? Retribution has arrived."
Li Junce doubtfully took the slip. Upon it, in clear but slightly sharp handwriting, were the words:
"Tell him to shave the beard, or wait for the ransom note and the body. Do not involve the authorities."
There was no signature, but the imperious tone and the threat of "receiving the body" perfectly matched the image of the woman who had just carried off the child.
In an instant, the tempestuous fury and deep worry in Li Junce's chest were largely dissipated by this almost ludicrous ultimatum. He subconsciously stroked his thick, tangled beard, dusty from the journey. His expression was a sight to behold: a mix of grim humor, vast relief, and the utter helplessness of being so accurately targeted.
This was no kidnapping; this was a mandatory personal image overhaul, commanded by Mont Angelina, Mont Mentiel's sister.
"Now," Mont Mentiel patted his shoulder, a hint of schadenfreude in his voice."Do you want to stroll into the Imperial Council Chamber with that face, to be gawked at by everyone as a wildman ? Or will you obediently return to my manor, clean yourself up to look like a civilized human, and then consider how to 'ransom' your precious son back?"
Li Junce drew a deep breath, clutching the small paper tightly. He understood that from this moment onward, he was not only maneuvering within the Empire's political chessboard but also dealing with a brilliant, high-functioning, and exceedingly difficult woman.
"Lead the way."
He gritted his teeth, forcing the three words out.
"To the razor."
Part 2: The Dance on the Duke's Palm
Li Junce was not a man averse to cleanliness, but his exile from his former state had left him dispirited, and he had become lax during his travels.
Now, inside the Raven Lord's manor, the issue of personal safety was resolved. As for Jade's security, there was even less cause for worry. Mont Angelina's martial prowess was no less than her brother's, and she kept a low profile; truly, assassinating her would be exceedingly difficult.
Conversely, being near Mont Angelina might be the safer bet. The eye of the storm was currently focused on Mont Mentiel. Keeping a distance from him was much safer.
"My sister's nature is just like this. I cannot control her. Since she has set her sights on you, all I can say is, Godspeed."
"She's twenty-two now and still unmarried, wild as a mustang. Could you do a good deed for the men of the world and take her in? Save the rest of humanity from her scourge?"
Mont Mentiel poured a high-proof white spirit into his and his friend's cups. In the Empire, located in a high, cold region, this potent liquor was the most popular drink. Imperial citizens were raised on white spirits.
"If you are my brother, do not seek my harm. I have no interest in marriage, especially to a National Lord's sister."
Li Junce's late wife was the sister of the Tiger Wing National Lord, whom he had married young. Although their marriage lacked deep romantic affection, it was founded on duty. Her death during childbirth had cemented Li Junce's decision never to remarry.
He did not want another woman to face a similar danger. He was content with having his son, Jade.
"What a pity, then. Cheng Mubai is quite interested."
Mont Mentiel casually offered this piece of intelligence. A sharp mind like Li Junce's knew instantly this was Mont Mentiel's tactic of forming an alliance.
Of the six National Lords, one was dead, but the seat would eventually be filled. The identity of the replacement was uncertain, for the key lay in who ascended as the Emperor.
The actual power in Tiger Wing currently resided with Xi Min. Even if Li Junce became the Regent through his son Jade's right of succession, Xi Min, who had killed Wu Lie, could just as easily kill Jade. An underage young Lord had a significantly lower chance of reaching adulthood than of failing to do so.
Therefore, if Li Junce genuinely wished to secure the Tiger Wing government for his son, he would have to support the Han Aureus Duke's (Dipper Aureus) accession to the throne, and simultaneously leverage the power of Raven to suppress the entrenched ministers within Tiger Wing.
Li Junce had chosen to flee precisely to avoid further entangling his son in a political maelstrom, yet history was forcing him to face the issue head-on.
Xi Min would inevitably seek to legitimize his claim over Tiger Wing. In that scenario, Jade would be the biggest obstacle. If the sole heir disappeared, Xi Min could marry the current interim National Lord, Wu Lie's "widow" Hu Ji, and smoothly become the new National Lord of Tiger Wing, pending the new Emperor's official ratification.
Therefore, Xi Min's movements would still impact the Elector's Assembly. This point would certainly not be overlooked by the Marquis Su Wang of State Stability, whose envoy was likely already en route to court Xi Min.
Protecting Jade had thus become a matter of paramount urgency. Mont Angelina's "kidnapping" might very well have been Mont Mentiel's own meticulous arrangement.
Having deduced this, Li Junce's heart settled. The safety of Jade was likely of greater concern to the Raven Lord than to himself. He knew the depth of his friend's calculating mind; daring to allow such a vital figure to be 'abducted' right before his eyes indicated that everything was under his absolute control.
Of course, Li Junce himself was now dancing upon the palm of Mont Mentiel's hand.
In the current Imperial Elector's Assembly, the Imperial Grandson faction would spare no effort to revive the Tiger Wing card. The Han Aureus faction had to strive to render that card null and void. Li Junce's role was to use his status as former National Chancellor to achieve this invalidation.
Li Junce would undoubtedly be called upon to testify at the Assembly, affirming that the Tiger Wing National Lord had never clearly supported the Imperial Grandson faction's position.
As for the future ruler of Tiger Wing, that would ultimately be determined by who claimed the Imperial Throne.
If relinquishing the right of succession meant his son could grow up happily without the threat of assassination, Li Junce would choose that path without a moment's hesitation.