“That day was cold, the sky overcast, and the wind fierce. I was delivering blessing sweets to the ladies of the various palaces,” the eunuch Yin Zhu explained. “When I stepped out from Caiwei Palace, I happened to encounter Consort Mu departing, so I stepped aside to the wall. At that moment, I overheard someone scolding something and peeked inside to see the chief eunuch of Caiwei Palace arguing with Madame Fu Ling.”
“Why didn’t you mention this during the initial questioning?”
The hall fell silent except for the scratching of pens on paper. Several lamps flickered, and Inspector Kong Qiu, who had been working through the night and had already consumed countless pots of strong tea, interlaced his fingers and addressed Yin Zhu kneeling before him.
Yin Zhu’s lips trembled. “My lord, I thought it was trivial, and the wind that day was so strong I couldn’t hear what they were arguing about. I feared I might answer wrongly.”
“Then why did you suddenly confess this now?” Fu Linye asked sharply.
Yin Zhu wrung the edge of his garment, swallowing nervously, and after some effort whispered, “The jailer struck me… since entering prison, I’ve heard the sound of lashes every night. My foster father was beaten nearly to death and forced to recount everything in minute detail. I was truly afraid…”
“Under such pressure, false confessions are easy; this testimony cannot be trusted,” Fu Linye said to Kong Qiu. “How could we possibly present this to the emperor?”
“Everything from the third round of questioning was recorded,” Kong Qiu replied. “Whether it’s true or false, His Majesty will make the final judgment. The transcripts should be copied, and a copy kept for the Grand Secretariat.”
Fu Linye had not anticipated that the case would reach this stage with yet another complication. He had counted on using this opportunity to strike at Xiao Er, and now, with Caiwei Palace entangled, everyone’s hands were dirtied. How could the investigation continue?
He immediately sensed that Yin Zhu was not simple—waiting until the third interrogation to reveal this, likely set as a trap. Fu Linye’s anxiety mounted. Unlike Wei Huaixing, Fu Linye had no powerful family backing him.
Kong Qiu noticed his changing expression and said, “Caiwei Palace is part of the harem. Outside officials cannot easily investigate. This must be discussed before the emperor. Fu Linye, rest for a moment; we will meet before His Majesty.”
Though the sky had not yet brightened, the cold was piercing. Fu Linye hurried to the Lotus Flower Tower, trotting through the creaking snow. He arrived upstairs, robe in hand, in a rush.
Xi Hongxuan, immersed in his operatic compositions, was discussing his new work with Shen Zechuan. Shen Zechuan, irritated by the bureaucracy, leaned back in his wide-sleeved robe, opening and closing a folding fan.
Fu Linye’s sudden appearance caught him off guard. Shen Zechuan lightly closed his fan and ignored Fu Linye’s flustered state. “The censor arrives late; the prime hour has already passed.”
Xi Hongxuan waved away the pursuing madams and closed the door, letting Fu Linye sit. “Lin Ye, why didn’t you notify me in advance? Running like this, losing your composure.”
Despite being older and of higher rank, Fu Linye found Xi Hongxuan scolding him as though he were a junior. Irritated, he inwardly resented Xi Hongxuan’s air of superiority.
“It’s urgent!” Fu Linye laughed, hiding his embarrassment. “I just came from the Ministry of Justice and rushed straight here. Isn’t that urgent enough?”
Xi Hongxuan asked, “What is it?”
Fu Linye glanced at Shen Zechuan.
“I may have been too abrupt,” Shen Zechuan said, rising slightly.
Xi Hongxuan quickly interjected, “Sit. We are in this together. Lin Ye, speak! Don’t you know Shen Lanzhou? He is our Xi family scholar.”
Fu Linye had previously dismissed Shen Zechuan as a mere errand-runner for the Xi family, but Xi Hongxuan’s regard surprised him.
Tonight, however, Fu Linye had come at the wrong moment. Xi Hongxuan had just finalized measures against the Yao family, tying up loose ends, and was offering Shen Zechuan some courtesy. Fu Linye noted the timing and was careful to keep his place.
Shen Zechuan smiled at Fu Linye, who, understanding the gesture, said, “Sir, please sit.”
Xi Hongxuan, placing his legs on a tiger pelt, asked, “Speak. What’s the urgent matter?”
Fu Linye explained, “Just now in the Ministry of Justice, I heard news suggesting that Madame Fu Ling, who orchestrated the assassination attempt, is linked to Caiwei Palace. Sir, Caiwei Palace houses Consort Mu. If this goes up to the emperor tomorrow, the matter will no longer concern only Xiao Er!”
Xi Hongxuan, supporting himself on his legs, fell silent for a moment. Then to Shen Zechuan: “You didn’t know, I suppose? Mu Ru is connected to our people.”
He might not have forgotten to tell him, but rather chose not to, staying cautious.
Shen Zechuan nodded slightly. “I have heard. But now it complicates things; the case was about to be closed. How did this happen?”
Xi Hongxuan frowned. “You’re a supervising censor; figure out a way to suppress it. Presenting it tomorrow could backfire.”
Fu Linye fretted. “Yes, it’s best to pin this on Fu Ling! The case must be closed quickly. But looking at Kong Qiu, he seems determined to investigate thoroughly!”
Shen Zechuan touched his teacup. “The key lies with Grand Secretary Hai. Kong Qiu’s exams were overseen by Hai Liangyi; he respects him greatly.”
Xi Hongxuan said, “Hai Liangyi intended to place him in the Secretariat. His cases were handled well, and he’s the right age and background. It’s really bad luck for us. We were planning to target Xiao Er, but now others are taking advantage.”
Shen Zechuan said, “At tomorrow’s audience, Fu Linye should not mention Caiwei Palace, just that the Imperial Guards are not fully accounted for. As long as Yin Liu has not confessed, Xiao Er is still suspected of bribery.”
Fu Linye rubbed his legs anxiously. “But if I don’t mention it, Kong Qiu will!”
“Better late than never,” Shen Zechuan advised. “You presented yourself as upright before the emperor. Changing your stance over one unverified statement could cast doubt on your loyalty. Stick to Xiao Er—it will show firmness.”
“Exactly!” Xi Hongxuan agreed. “Now is not the time to panic. You’ve already taken the lead; withdrawing now would be improper. Carry on. Other matters, I’ll handle. As dawn approaches, you should return to prepare yourself; adapt as the audience unfolds.”
Fu Linye left hastily, without touching his tea. Xi Hongxuan sighed behind him. “Had he been patient, submitting Xiao Er’s quagmire quietly, Hai Liangyi might never have noticed! Small families always rush for recognition, and the result is wasted strategy. After this, Xiao Er will guard his accounts more tightly, and any future attempt will be harder.”
“Ambition and wealth are dangerous,” Shen Zechuan said. “What about the Eight Camps?”
“Han Cheng’s brother took the position,” Xi Hongxuan said. “Xiao Er fortified the Eight Camps into a tight network. Even in such a short time, he grasped key posts.”
“Yet some positions still contain sons of the Eight Families,” Shen Zechuan smiled. “Opportunities remain.”
Shen Zechuan rode back to his residence, noticing an ancient guqin. Qiao Tianya lifted the curtain, disguised as a burly man, saying, “This is mine; don’t throw it away. It took effort to retrieve it.”
Shen Zechuan, seeing its value, left it untouched and did not question where the money came from.
After the morning court, Li Jianheng gathered all ministers in the Hall of Understanding and read the testimonies silently.
Hai Liangyi, now healthy, received a bowl of warm goat’s milk from the emperor. The hall remained quiet.
Li Jianheng asked, “Why involve Caiwei Palace again? Yin Liu’s testimony isn’t clear.”
Kong Qiu said, “It concerns the harem; the emperor must decide.”
Li Jianheng grew anxious. “Decide what? Being at Caiwei Palace doesn’t prove involvement with Consort Mu. Who knows if it’s true?”
Hai Liangyi replied calmly, “It’s naturally false.”
“Yes, false!” Li Jianheng’s voice rang, emboldened by Hai Liangyi. “Eunuchs are cunning. They fabricate anything to survive. I will punish anyone who schemes!”
“Even so,” Xiao Jiming interjected, “matters of the emperor’s safety cannot be faked.”
Wei Huaixing wanted to speak, but Xiao Jiming continued, “This involves the Imperial Guards and the harem. It should not be publicized. It wastes time and abuses authority.”
Fu Linye recalled Xi Hongxuan’s advice, feeling cornered by Xiao Jiming’s words. Li Jianheng and Hai Liangyi remained silent, giving him no relief.
“Now focus on the assassination case!” Li Jianheng demanded, throwing the testimony at Fu Linye. “Why distract with other matters?”
Fu Linye pleaded, “The problem involves Xiao Er. The bribery cannot be ignored!”
“Bribery?!” Li Jianheng jumped up. “The Quancheng silk! I know it! I was there! An assassination reached me, and yet you fret over petty matters!”
Fu Linye kneeled, trembling. “Your Majesty! Your Majesty is my sovereign; harm to you grieves me!”
“Matters have priorities,” Xiao Jiming said. “Censor Kong Qiu worked tirelessly. Ce’an was suspended, yet still the Imperial Guards’ matter remains unresolved. You pursued personal vendettas!”
Li Jianheng kicked Fu Linye, who, realizing he was cornered, kowtowed, tears streaming, restoring Xiao Jiming’s authority.
Xiao Jiming finally said, “Given how this has unfolded, revoke Ce’an’s post. All complaints by the Censorate are justified; he is unfit to act before the emperor.”
“Evidence points to him. If guilty, he deserves death. To avoid suspicion, even my Li family’s guard insignia is revoked. I have sent word to my father to retire in white, bringing my wife and children to face judgment!”
Li Jianheng panicked but looked to Hai Liangyi. The old man smiled, easing the tension.
Kong Qiu added, “Yes. Yin Liu may have debts in the East Dragon Tooth business, but that is his private affair with Fu Ling. The governor cannot oversee every detail. Moreover, he denies bribery, so one testimony cannot decide the matter. Xiang Yun’s feelings are mostly personal; it cannot be trusted as truth.”
Li Jianheng then said, “If it’s settled, no more need to mention it! Please rise, Your Highness!”
He did not wish to investigate further—near Caiwei Palace lay Mu Ru. If anyone got involved with her, Li Jianheng’s position would be in jeopardy.
Watching the ministers still smiling and joking, he realized they were supported by forces far beyond the throne, like a current he could not fight.
An emperor is never truly free; each act, each word, can become a fatal point. He is trapped in the dragon throne.
Too frightening.
Li Jianheng hugged himself inwardly, standing on thin ice. If he fell, he would be trampled like his elder brother, reduced to blood and flesh.
His life was irrelevant. What mattered was that he happened to bear the name Li.
And if there were others named Li?
He shivered at the thought.
Impossible.
He muttered to himself gloomily.
It would not happen.