Cold wind swept through the forest. Dark clouds churned overhead. Leaves rustled loudly in the wind.
Fine rain slid across the deep green foliage and struck Xu Jingzhou’s face. He stopped retreating and looked at the Crown Prince.
“What did you hear?” Chao Yan asked.
“Nothing at all.”
Chao Yan laughed softly.
The surrounding noise swallowed the sound almost entirely. Lowering his gaze, he released his fingers. The arrow shot forward with unstoppable force.
Xu Jingzhou could hear only his own heavy breathing. His grip tightened around the branch in his hand.
White sap seeped from the broken end, sticky and slow-flowing. Its bitter scent flooded his nostrils, sharpening his mind.
He stared at the incoming arrow. Rainwater slicked its sharp tip. It drew closer and closer.
Whoosh—
He heard the faint whistle of its flight. Pain flared in his ears. The arrow grazed past his head.
The hard fletching sliced across his ear. Reaching up, he touched warm blood. The arrow buried itself upright in the ground behind him, its shaft still trembling.
“Shall we talk?” Chao Yan asked.
…
Gu Yun waited for a long time, but Xu Jingzhou never returned.
Thinking something might have happened, he was just about to send people to look for him when a brown-clad figure appeared in the distance. Before long, the figure arrived.
It was Xu Jingzhou. He was soaked through.
Without waiting for Gu Yun to speak, he hurried into the clinic.
He kept spare clothing there. After changing, he crouched beside a charcoal brazier to warm himself for a while before finally apologising to Gu Yun.
Gu Yun’s gaze settled on his ear. He had noticed the injury.
“What happened?” he asked.
Xu Jingzhou casually touched his ear. The wound had already turned pale.
“It’s nothing. A tree branch scratched me by accident.”
Gu Yun accepted the explanation without suspicion.
“As for the natural disasters,” he said, “my thinking is this: they’re still more than twenty years away. At least twenty. I want to increase grain production. The more grain there is, the more people will survive when disaster strikes. Furthermore, we should tell Chao Yan about the disasters in advance and prepare preventative measures. The disasters only begin several years after he ascends the throne. As long as nothing major goes wrong in the meantime, there should still be enough time…”
“Will he believe it?” Xu Jingzhou asked.
“Given his temperament, he will.”
Xu Jingzhou clicked his tongue.
Gu Yun immediately looked at him in confusion. “What kind of reaction is that?”
After a moment’s thought, he added, “You didn’t seem to dislike him this much before. Why do you suddenly have such strong opinions of him? Did you run into him while you were cooling off? Or hear something about him?”
Xu Jingzhou froze briefly. Recovering quickly, he said, “I just think Chao Ziyu is a deeply calculating person. You need to be extremely careful around him.”
Gu Yun let out a laugh. “Very well.”
Xu Jingzhou ran a hand through his hair irritably. “I’m not joking. He…”
The rain outside intensified. He swallowed the rest of his words. “Why are you keeping Guo Yangquan for several days?”
The change of subject was so abrupt that Gu Yun needed a moment to follow.
“He should be allowed to rest first. If I immediately sent him back in a rush, that would be rather inhumane.”
“You never considered recruiting him?”
“If you want to recruit him, I won’t stop you.”
Gu Yun looked directly at him. “But don’t use recruitment as a pretext while secretly murdering him behind the scenes.”
Xu Jingzhou frowned. “What sort of person do you take me for?”
Gu Yun rolled his eyes. “I’m leaving.”
After taking two steps, he stopped and turned back.
“You’ve seen that child. Pass along a message for me. Tell her I want to offer her work and ask whether she’s willing. Oh, and regarding that patient who ran away from you, do you want Zhou Si and the others to help search for him?”
“I’ll pass along the message. As for the patient, there’s no need. When I saved him, I wasn’t expecting anything in return. I’m simply extremely dissatisfied with the way he ran off.”
Gu Yun nodded.
After a moment’s thought, he asked, “What distinguishing features does he have?”
“Ordinary-looking overall,” Xu Jingzhou replied. “But there’s a small scar along the side of his neck. He doesn’t look like an ordinary commoner.”
Gu Yun’s thoughts stirred. Wasn’t that the very man struck by Princess Hanzhu’s carriage the other day?
“You suspect…” Xu Jingzhou began. “He was severely injured, yet the moment he woke up, he insisted on escaping. Either he was afraid of becoming burdened by medical expenses, or he’s someone who can’t afford to appear in public. At this point, it seems quite obvious it’s the latter.”
….
“My donkey! Where’s my donkey?!”
Several hundred metres from the clinic, a household had just chopped fodder. Carrying a winnowing basket, they headed towards the enclosure to feed the donkey they used for hauling goods.
When they reached the pen and looked inside, the donkey was gone. Only an empty rope remained, half-buried in the wet muck.
They had merely risen a little late that morning. How had the donkey disappeared?
The rain had washed away every trace. Where were they supposed to look for it now? The woman dropped the basket, slapped her thigh, and burst into tears.
Her family rushed over in confusion. Upon seeing the empty pen, they immediately flew into a rage and began cursing the thief.
…
Thud.
Two severed heads were pulled from a sack. Blood still dripped from them.
Li Lan released his grip. The heads fell to the floor and rolled to Li Changxi’s feet.
By the window, Chao Yan sat listening to the patter of rain. With lowered eyes, he calmly used bamboo tongs to place dried tea leaves into boiling water. Steam billowed upwards like white mist.
His gaze drifted towards Li Changxi, who was being held down on his knees.
“Not going to look and see who they are?”
Li Changxi trembled uncontrollably.
“Li Lan.”
Li Lan stepped forward.
Grabbing Li Changxi’s head, he forcibly turned it towards the severed heads and pushed it lower.
“Eunuch Li. Your own family. How heartless can you be? Aren’t you even going to look?”
Li Changxi met two pairs of eyes frozen in death. He let out a scream. His eyes squeezed shut. His body collapsed to the floor.
Li Lan hauled him back upright and prised open his eyelids.
“For your sake, they’ve ended up like this. Remember it well. Only then will they be able to find you when it’s your turn to join them.”
“No… no…” Li Changxi struggled wildly. His face twisted.
The moment he opened his mouth, he vomited. A sour stench filled the room.
Frowning, Li Lan threw him aside.
Filth splattered across Li Changxi’s clothes. Terrified, he crawled backwards until he was pressed into a corner. He muttered incoherently. Before long, tears streamed down his face.
Chao Yan looked towards the open teapot. “Of all the times to vomit, you chose now. Disgusting.”
Wrapping the teapot in cloth, he poured away both tea and water.
“Take him away. Treat him well. What use do I have for a man who’s still sane?”
“Understood,” said Li Lan.
…
The following day dawned bright and clear.
Chao Yan went to see the Emperor and reported that the investigation into the illicit removal of items from Cining Palace had been completed. He presented a register containing the names of all those involved.
The Emperor opened it and glanced through the list. His gaze settled on the name of the principal culprit.
“How was Li Changxi dealt with?” he asked.
“He was imprisoned with the others. However, after learning that Father intended to pursue the matter thoroughly, he failed to confess all those involved and subsequently lost his mind.”
“He went mad?”
“Yes.”
Chao Yan knelt. “In order to force him to reveal the remaining culprits, your son used torture. It was likely the final straw. I failed to consider the consequences fully. I ask Father to punish me.”
“That is not your fault.”
The Emperor gestured for him to rise. “Bring Li Changxi here. I would like to see what this thief looks like.”
Chao Yan instructed Zhao He to accompany Chief Eunuch Huang’s men to the imperial villa outside the palace and fetch the prisoner.
Before long, Li Changxi was brought in. His hair was dishevelled. His body reeked.
His hands and feet were bound. His mouth was gagged. Terror filled his eyes as he shrank backwards.
The Emperor looked towards Chief Eunuch Huang. Bending down, Huang whispered into his ear, “It is indeed Li Changxi.”
The Emperor gestured for a young eunuch nearby to remove the gag.
The cloth had barely been pulled free when Li Changxi unleashed a shrill scream. “I was wrong! I’ll never do it again! Don’t kill me! Your Majesty—”
The Emperor frowned.
Chief Eunuch Huang immediately barked, “Stuff his mouth properly.”
The young eunuch hastily forced the cloth back in.
The Emperor tossed the register back to Chao Yan.
“Deal with all of them. Li Changxi’s family knew of the matter but failed to report it. They fled out of fear of punishment. Once captured, they were dealt with as well. What a nuisance.”
Chao Yan acknowledged the order. After hesitating briefly, he knelt once more.
The Emperor frowned. “And what is this supposed to mean?
“Are you pleading for Li Changxi?”
Chao Yan said, “When the Empress Dowager was raising me, Li Changxi often helped me with various tasks. I am not an ungrateful or heartless man, so I wish to plead on Li Changxi’s behalf and ask Father Emperor to leave him and his family with their bodies intact.”
The Emperor was pleased when he heard this and said, “Granted.”
“Thank you, Father Emperor.” Chao Yan rose to his feet.
The Emperor said, “After this matter, I am content to entrust these affairs to you. See that you handle them properly and do not disappoint my expectations.”
He continued, “First, there are three hundred unresolved cases in the Ministry of Justice. Those incompetents cannot sort them out, so you will do it for me. Close those cases and take the opportunity to rectify the atmosphere within the court and throughout the realm.
Second, the matter of river ice. Every deep winter, the transport canal is blocked by ice for hundreds of li, disrupting navigation…
Third, winter relief for displaced people. With winter approaching, many more commoners will be left homeless and hungry. I see it with my own eyes, and it pains my heart…
Tomorrow, at morning court, I will issue an edict ordering the Three Departments and Six Ministries to cooperate fully. I shall also assign reliable people to assist you. Resolve these matters as soon as possible, and I too shall have peace of mind.”
…
“Fourth Uncle, His Majesty has delegated authority to the Crown Prince.”
At Prince Yan’s residence, the Eighth Prince, Chao Yao, arrived in disguise to see Prince Yan and hurriedly informed him of the matter.
Prince Yan said, “I know.”
His gaze swept over Chao Yao from head to toe. “No one saw you coming here, did they? His Majesty ordered you to remain at home and reflect for three months. It has not even been three months yet.”
Chao Yao said, “Rest assured, Fourth Uncle. No one will know.”
He then asked, “Are we simply going to stand by and watch the Crown Prince’s influence grow?”
Prince Yan said, “Do you think those three assignments are a good thing?”
Chao Yao said, “What do you mean, Fourth Uncle?”
Prince Yan gave a cold laugh.
“How many people are implicated in those backlogged Ministry of Justice cases? The moment the Crown Prince investigates them, he becomes the target of everyone’s hostility. But if he muddles through and fails to deal with the real parasites, there will be no money available for the latter two tasks. The river ice problem and winter relief for displaced people, where is the money supposed to come from for either of those?
The state treasury has not become empty overnight. Unless Chao Ziyu empties the Eastern Palace treasury himself. But is that worth it? He does the work, spends his own money, and in the end all the credit belongs to His Majesty. His Majesty has handed him a hot potato, yet you still think this will strengthen the Crown Prince’s position. Foolish.”
Hearing this, Chao Yao let out a long breath of relief before asking in confusion, “Does that mean the Crown Prince gains nothing from it at all?”
Prince Yan said, “That depends on what His Majesty thinks. Chao Ziyu has tied his entire fortune and his very life to His Majesty.”
Chao Yao shook his head. “Let’s hope Chao Ziyu doesn’t die as quickly as the former Crown Prince. Otherwise we’ll be the unlucky ones. Father Emperor is far too suspicious.”
Prince Yan said, “If you have no other business, return.”
Chao Yao said, “I’d like to see my nephews.”
Prince Yan replied, “There will be plenty of opportunities later.”
Irritation showed plainly on his face.
“After you return, keep your people under control and do not cause any further trouble. Also, if there is anything that has not been cleaned up properly, deal with it immediately. If Chao Ziyu loses his mind and decides to thoroughly investigate all those old cases, you will be finished.”
Upon hearing this, Chao Yao immediately agreed and departed.
After Chao Yao left, Prince Yan summoned a subordinate and asked whether the man had been found.
The subordinate replied, “After we told him to flee that day, he vanished without a trace. He has most likely already left the capital. I have sent men to pursue him along every route. Once he is found, he will be killed.”
Prince Yan nodded. “This matter must remain absolutely confidential. No one else can learn of it, especially not the Princess Consort. After all, he is her relative.”
At this point, a sinister expression appeared on his face.
“Relative? If he had not been her relative, he should have been quietly killed in prison after his arrest. Why go through the trouble of swapping him out and bringing all this trouble upon ourselves?”
…
Ever since Meng Zhao took charge of investigating the death-row prisoner substitution case, nothing had gone smoothly. Prince Yan’s people and those of the Eighth Prince, Chao Yao, constantly obstructed him from the shadows.
That aside, everyone knew who the mastermind behind the prisoner substitution was: Prince Yan.
All he needed to do was identify the person whom Prince Yan had sent to bribe the officials and locate the Princess Consort’s relative who had been substituted and released. Then the case could be closed.
Who would have thought that Prince Yan would force the man who had bribed the officials to commit suicide?
Before his death, the man left behind a letter stating that his actions had nothing whatsoever to do with Prince Yan. He claimed that he had merely wished to repay a favour once received from the Princess Consort’s relative, which was why he had committed the crime. Now that the matter had come to light, he chose to take his own life rather than implicate his family or his master.
As for the Princess Consort’s relative, he had disappeared completely, along with his entire family.
Thus, a seemingly straightforward case had reached a deadlock. Even without pressure from the Emperor, Meng Zhao himself had become anxious.
This single case had already delayed many of his other responsibilities.
Nor was he unaware of what the Emperor was thinking.
The only reason he could still afford to concern himself with the investigation was because of his father.
His father, Chancellor Meng, had recovered physically after being angered into illness by Grand Chancellor Hu. Yet although his body had healed, his spirits never had. After leaving work each day, he would sit quietly to one side and stare blankly into space.
Meng Zhao was deeply worried about Chancellor Meng. After all, the Chancellor was advanced in years and burdened with troubles of the heart. What if one day…
The Emperor was old as well. Sooner or later, the realm would belong to a new sovereign.
After much deliberation, and after discussing the matter with his elder brother, Meng Zhao decided to seek out Chao Yan. Firstly, to consult him regarding the death-row prisoner substitution case. Secondly, to maintain friendly relations through more frequent contact.
Chao Yan had not accepted the Meng family’s allegiance, but neither had he said that relations with the Meng family should be severed.
…
After parting ways with Xu Jingzhou, Gu Yun did not return to the Eastern Palace. Instead, he headed for the workshop to see Craftsman Wang.
The last time they met, he had explained how each component of the fire lance should be manufactured. However, he had only explained the theory. Gu Yun was worried that problems might arise during actual production.
Before he even reached the workshop, he noticed a trail of footprints on the ground.
