Two more days passed, and the court of the Court of Judicial Review reopened. Luo Mingpu had summoned the most renowned paper appraiser in the capital, the proprietor of the Wang Liuji Paper Workshop, and Liao Zongqing, the towering literary giant of the realm.
The proprietor of Wang Liuji stepped forward first, brushing his fingertips over the grain of the paper, then comparing it against the workshop's archive of samples accumulated over the years. He squinted at the faint hidden "Ji" character within the paper, then flipped to the tiny crimson seal on the paper's edge, knelt and kowtowed to report, "Your Honors, this paper was indeed produced by our workshop in the 16th year of Shunyuan. Starting from the 18th year of Shunyuan, our workshop switched to a formulation of southern bamboo and northern bark fibers, as bark paper is thicker and far more durable. Since then, no bamboo paper of this kind has circulated in the northern regions, so this sheet of paper can only date back to that earlier period."
As those words fell, Xue Chongnian's brows knitted tightly, He Mingzhen nodded slightly, and Luo Mingpu could not hide the triumphant glint in his eyes.
Yet even though the paper was old, that did not prove beyond doubt that Xie Langyang had not forged the document. After all, as the Minister of Personnel who hailed from a prominent southern clan, it would have been child's play for him to get hold of bamboo paper from years past.
"The date marked on the paper cannot be falsified, and the handwriting cannot deceive anyone either." To shut Wen Zhuo's mouth, Luo Mingpu turned to Liao Zongqing. "Elder Liao, I must trouble you to verify the authenticity of this document on behalf of the court."
Liao Zongqing, his hair and beard all as white as snow, dressed in a cyan robe, stepped slowly to the table.
He had been the closest friend of Liu Changbai, and was well acquainted with all the talented scholars of the Eight Veins. Back in the Spring Terrace Chess Case, Xue Chongnian had served as the chief judge while Wen Zhuo had been the associate judge, a ruling that had dealt the Eight Veins a devastating blow and led to the execution of several of their members. Liao Zongqing had long since harbored resentment against Wen Zhuo in his heart.
Now, he laid Wen Zhuo's calligraphy works from recent years side by side with the *Ode to Wanshan* on the table, comparing every character one by one. Sometimes he stroked his beard to examine the details closely, sometimes he picked up a brush to trace the strokes, cross-checking everything from the structure of each character to the hidden or exposed manner in which each stroke began and ended.
After a long while, Liao Zongqing set down his brush and said in a deep, solemn voice, "This *Ode to Wanshan* is undoubtedly an authentic work in Wen Zhuo's own hand. Though his brushwork was a touch green and unpolished in his youth, the underlying spirit, rhythm, and compositional layout are entirely consistent with his calligraphy today."
Having said that, he took up the brush and signed his name on the testimony. If his judgment were ever proven false in the future, he would be disgraced forever and face the same punishment as the forger.
Luo Mingpu finalized all the evidence, looking utterly smug as his sharp, knife-like gaze settled on Wen Zhuo. "Wen Zhuo, even Elder Liao has personally confirmed this. What else can you possibly say in your defense?"
Wen Zhuo's fingertips curled slightly tight, but his face remained perfectly calm. "Can a human appraiser never make a mistake?"
Luo Mingpu was so furious that he burst into laughter. "Are you implying that the great literary master Liao and the proprietor Wang colluded together to frame you on purpose?"
A faint, mocking smirk tugged at the corner of Wen Zhuo's lips. "That is not entirely impossible."
Luo Mingpu thundered in anger, "Since you claim this ode is a forgery, you must produce counterevidence. Otherwise, do not expect this court to accept your nonsense!"
"I never wrote this, and I have never even seen it before. This is a forgery planted to frame me. That is my counterevidence." Wen Zhuo's expression did not shift in the slightest.
Luo Mingpu abruptly snatched the bamboo container of court markers from beside Xue Chongnian, pulled out a white marker, and flung it down at the foot of the court steps with a cold snort. "Bring in the next witness!"
Moments later, an elderly man in a coarse linen robe, his face etched with obvious unease, was led into the hall. He was the owner of the inn where Wen Zhuo and Xie Langyang had stayed during their imperial examination all those years ago.
He fell to his knees with a heavy thud, kowtowing repeatedly. "Your Honors, in the winter of the 16th year of Shunyuan, heavy snow blocked the mountain passes. Lord Wen and Lord Xie indeed stayed at my inn for five days! That day, Lord Wen borrowed paper and ink from me. I remember clearly that the paper he borrowed was exactly this bamboo paper from the Wang Liuji Paper Workshop!"
The innkeeper could recall events from nearly nine years ago with such perfect clarity entirely because Xie Langyang had helped him "sort out" his memories. That said, the core of his account was actually true.
To this, Wen Zhuo merely replied, "When the imperial examinations are just around the corner, it is perfectly normal for a scholar to borrow paper to practice his writing. How does that prove that I wrote this ode?"
Luo Mingpu pressed forward relentlessly. "Wen Zhuo, now that both the witness and the physical evidence are all conclusive, do you still dare to twist words and refuse to confess your crime? If this official files a petition for torture, do you think you can withstand the blows of the interrogation staff?"
Wen Zhuo's eyelashes flickered almost imperceptibly for a moment, quickly hiding the flash of pain behind his impassive expression. He remained unyielding, saying, "As I recall, a petition for torture can only be submitted by the chief presiding judge."
"You—" Luo Mingpu was so choked by his words that he could not speak, and he turned to glare at Xue Chongnian.
Xue Chongnian's forehead was dotted with cold sweat, and the back of his robe was already soaked through, but he forced himself to slam his palm on the bench and declare, "Director Wen is correct. I alone have the authority to approve a petition for torture. But there are still lingering doubts in this case. The matter of torture must be considered carefully before any decision is made!"
"Doubt? What doubts are there!" Luo Mingpu spoke without thinking, losing all composure. "Xue Chongnian, you are so blatantly shielding him from the law. Are you not afraid that once he falls from grace, you will be dragged down and punished alongside him?"
He Mingzhen's face also darkened, and he spoke up, "Lord Xue, under the supervision of our Censorate, the evidence Lord Luo has presented is indeed sufficient, and the witness statements corroborate each other. Wen Zhuo keeps evading with sophistry and refuses to confess. As the chief judge, you should submit a petition to the throne for torture. As a censor, I will personally oversee the entire process, and ensure that no excessive force is used to harm his life."
At this point, Xue Chongnian was caught in an impossible position. He had already gone so far to shield Wen Zhuo, so there was no turning back now. Bracing himself, he shot to his feet and slammed his palm on the bench so hard that the wooden surface shook. "I alone decide when torture will be used in this case. If the two of you are not satisfied, you can go ahead and ask His Majesty to replace me! Take the prisoner away, adjourn the court for a retrial at a later date!"
He stormed out of the courtroom, putting on a show of towering rage, though in reality, his heart was racing with panic.
Wen Zhuo was escorted back to his cell, where he finally let his guard down. He slid slowly down the cold stone wall until he was sitting on the ground, closing his eyes to catch his breath.
A dull ache spread across his body, and his throat tickled, making him tilt his head to cough softly.
His fingertips brushed the cool fabric of his robe, and he realized he was starting to catch a chill again. He reached under the straw mat to grab one of his hand warmers to hold against his chest.
Suddenly, footsteps echoed down the corridor. A prison officer pushed open the cell door, and Wen Zhuo paused, quickly pulling his hand back and adjusting his lapels as if nothing had happened.
"Lord Wen." The officer walked in, carrying a large basin of steaming hot water, his tone full of deference. "Lord Xue gave specific orders to have me bring you this hot water. The prison is damp and cold. If you wash yourself properly, you will feel much more comfortable."
Wen Zhuo pushed himself up slowly from the wall and nodded. "Thank you for the trouble."
To be offered hot water to wash in the Court of Judicial Review's prison was an extraordinary privilege. Wen Zhuo knew full well that Xue Chongnian was risking being charged as an accomplice just to preserve a shred of his dignity.
He would remember that kindness.
The hot water washed over his body, chasing away most of the chill. He changed into the thick, clean robe Liu Qiying had brought him on his last visit.
Before long, the officer returned and led him to a quiet, secluded side room. Thanks to the fact that everyone serving in the Court of Judicial Review's prison was Xue Chongnian's trusted subordinate, he could dismiss all the prison guards and officers to speak to Wen Zhuo privately.
The moment he saw Wen Zhuo, Xue Chongnian leaned in and asked in a hurried whisper, "Director Wen, Luo Mingpu is breathing down our necks, and He Mingzhen is gradually siding with him. I do not know how much longer I can keep delaying this. Do you have any plan to turn things around?"
Truth be told, when he saw the seemingly irrefutable evidence, Xue Chongnian had even had a fleeting moment of doubt, half-convinced that Xie Langyang's claims might be true. But for him, it did not matter at all whether Wen Zhuo liked men or women. What mattered was that if Wen Zhuo fell, he would not be able to escape the fallout unscathed.
Droplets of water still clung to Wen Zhuo's hair, trickling down his neck and slipping beneath the collar of his robe. Shen Zheng was not there to dry his hair for him, yet his eyes remained as calm and unflustered as ever. He said, "I will give you a few lines to say. Those words will be more than enough to keep the two of them at bay for a good stretch of time. Rest assured, once the time is right, everything will resolve itself naturally."
The restlessness in Xue Chongnian's heart strangely settled a little. He took a deep breath and said, "Very well, this Xue puts his trust in Director Wen."
Wen Zhuo nodded slightly, "Thank you, Lord Xue."
Xue Chongnian waved his hand and laughed heartily, "Hey, you've helped me out more than once, why are you still being so polite about it?"
On the third day, Xue Chongnian submitted a request on the grounds that the case was complicated, requiring cross-checking of case files and re-examination of physical evidence, that the joint trial by the Three Judicial Divisions should only be held once every three to five days, and he deliberately pushed the retrial date back.
Luo Mingpu was so furious that he stormed and raved in the Ministry of Justice's office. Although He Mingzhen was displeased in his heart, he did not want to completely break with Xue Chongnian. If they fell out on bad terms today, they would be hindered at every turn in handling cases in the days to come.
After barely getting through three days, Xue Chongnian said there were still oversights in the case file checks, and they needed to wait another two days.
On the fifth day, Xue Chongnian suddenly came down with a severe illness and took to his bed, sending word that he was temporarily unable to preside over the trial.
He Mingzhen could no longer contain his anger. He was just about to submit a memorial to impeach Xue Chongnian for delaying the case in his capacity as a Censor of the Metropolitan Procuratorate, when Xue Chongnian miraculously "recovered" from his illness.
Night faded away, and a frosty moon hung over the eave corners. Two volumes of secret court anecdotes were finally carved and printed into bound books.
As soon as the new volumes leaked out through the black market, they were snatched up and passed around by the common people. Because the content was too explosive, neighbors spread the word to one another, and rumors soon spread like wildfire through every alley and lane in the capital.
Even the patrol officers of the Five Wards Military and Civilian Office deliberately detoured around the bookshop-packed area on Maozi Street during their patrols, letting the books be reprinted and circulated as much as they wanted.
Liu Qiying, who had finished gathering information in the black market, was burning with anxiety but did not dare to intervene rashly, for fear of leaving traces that would ruin Wen Zhuo's plan.
She wandered around the Dali Temple Prison for several laps before reluctantly heading back to the manor. The moment she stepped through the door, she called out loudly, "It's time to send the second letter to His Highness, don't you forget!"
Jiang Mannü was dashing out from the kitchen, her hands covered in oil from cooking. Hearing this, she hurriedly wiped her hands messily on her sleeves and replied, "Got it! I'll go get the letter case right now!"
On the retrial day, Luo Mingpu directly summoned Xie Langyang to the court.
There was a dead stillness like an ancient well without ripples in Xie Langyang's eyes. He repeated every word of what he had said that day at the Hall of Martial Valor without the slightest change.
After the statement was recorded, he dipped his brush in ink and signed his name with an unchanging, calm expression.
Luo Mingpu picked up the confession, flicked it lightly with his finger, and said, "You all see, Minister Xie's confession matches the innkeeper's testimony perfectly. The witness, physical evidence, handwriting verification, and the party's own confession are all complete. There are no more doubts in this case."
Xue Chongnian spoke unhurriedly, "How can there be no doubts? As I said that day at the Hall of Martial Valor, why would Minister Xie preserve an old fu poem from several years ago so carefully? If his wife had not accidentally seen it this time, was he planning to treasure it for the rest of his life?"
He then turned to Xie Langyang and followed what Wen Zhuo had taught him to say, "You are either holding a special, unusual affection for this fu, or this fu has a suspicious origin, and you got it from somewhere else --"
"Lord Xue!" Luo Mingpu snapped and cut him off.
Xie Langyang said, "Whether I preserved it, bought it from somewhere else, or even if this fu was not written for me, none of that matters. The important thing is that this fu is enough to prove that Wen Zhuo is inclined to men, which is a violation of the laws and ethics of our realm!"
Xue Chongnian snorted with laughter and suddenly thumped the judge's gavel, "How can that not matter? If you are so obsessed with this fu that you treat it as a precious treasure, this official will have to charge you as an accomplice in this crime!"
Xie Langyang jerked his head up, then his face sank.
He knew Wen Zhuo would not take a path that led to mutual destruction, but he had not expected Xue Chongnian to point out this critical hidden connection so bluntly.
"Lord Xue, have you forgotten that I already have a wife?"
Xue Chongnian said, "That is why there are still so many unclear points in this case. We cannot rush to a verdict. This official still needs time to sort out all the details."
Luo Mingpu was about to argue, but He Mingzhen cut in to mediate, unexpectedly saying a fair word, "Lord Xue is not unreasonable. Minister Xie's act of preserving the old fu is indeed against common sense. But in my opinion, there really seem to be no questionable points worth refuting on Director Wen's side."
Xue Chongnian turned a deaf ear to him, "Postpone the retrial, postpone the retrial!"
Knowing that Xue Chongnian was going to delay the case for another five days, Xie Langyang could not wait any longer.
He said to Luo Mingpu, "I will go to the prison to persuade Wen Zhuo. Maybe I can get him to loosen his stance."
So the two of them, following the regulations, went to Wen Zhuo's cell accompanied by a prison officer.
Wen Zhuo was lying on the straw mat, holding two warm pads in his arms, dozing with his eyes half closed.
Xie Langyang looked through the cell door, and the scenes from his past life came to his mind, but he no longer felt the kind of tragic grief that would make him willing to die together with Wen Zhuo.
In this life, although Wen Zhuo was imprisoned, he was protected by the Emperor's grace of "no removal of clothes, no wearing of cangues", and taken good care of by all the officers in Dali Temple on Xue Chongnian's orders. His cell was much better than the cramped, dark corner he was locked in his previous life. He had changed into a thick robe, washed his hair, and slept on a hay mat covered with thick linen.
"Wanshan," Xie Langyang sighed softly, "We have finally come to this step."
Wen Zhuo lazily lifted his eyelids, glanced at him, his gaze as indifferent as if he was looking at a passing bug, then closed his eyes again, turned over, and continued to sleep comfortably.
Being ignored like this made Xie Langyang's sensitive nerves twitch sharply.
He leaned on the cell door's fence, leaned down and whispered, "Even now, I still cannot bear to see you die. If you plead guilty, I promise I will find a way to exile you to a wealthy and fertile region, and ensure you have enough food and clothing to live out the rest of your life in peace."
Hearing this, a scornful smile curled up at the corner of Wen Zhuo's lips, and he did not even have the interest to open his eyes.
Xie Langyang was unwilling to give up, and added, "You already guessed that I would impeach you, so you laid out all those fallback plans. But don't forget, the Emperor is sharp and clear. That Fu of Wanshan cannot be faked no matter what."
Wen Zhuo had wanted to rest for a while, but Xie Langyang was like a fly buzzing endlessly by his ear.
Considering that Xie Langyang did not have much time left, he reluctantly sat up, twisting a white game piece between his fingers, and said casually, "Xie Langyang, you are far too lacking in talent. You should never have picked a fight with me."
That single sentence accurately stabbed at the sore spot in Xie Langyang's heart once again.
He could not stand Wen Zhuo's contempt the most, as if he was nothing more than an ant, not even qualified to be Wen Zhuo's rival, let alone his lover.
"What underhanded trick have you pulled off this time!" Xie Langyang growled.
Wen Zhuo mocked, "Why do you always ask such stupid questions? Do you really think I would tell you?"
"Wen Wanshan!"
Xie Langyang could no longer restrain himself. He roughly pushed the prison officer beside him away, stormed into the cell, and clamped his hands tightly around Wen Zhuo's arms, trying to yank him up from the straw mat to force him to look right at himself, "How much do you despise me! Do you really think you have no flaws at all!"
Wen Zhuo only struggled a little, and sneered, "Why should I think highly of you? Who was the top candidate in the imperial examination in the 16th year of Shunyuan, you know it perfectly well in your heart, don't you?"
These words were no less than a thunderclap exploding right there!
Every hair on Xie Langyang's body stood on end, his face turned deathly pale in an instant. He suddenly let go of his hands, staggered back two steps, his eyes full of utter disbelief.
"You --"
How could Wen Zhuo know? When did he find out?
Wen Zhuo suddenly lost his support, and his back slammed heavily against the wall. The two warm pads in his arms fell out with the impact, rolling on the ground and making soft thuds.
Xie Langyang's gaze followed the sound down to the ground. "What is this?"
Wen Zhuo did not answer.
Xie Langyang squatted down to pick it up. The thing was unexpectedly warm to the touch, with something like sand packed inside.
He froze, holding the heating pad in his fingers.
Not far away, Luo Mingpu, spotting the scene, was like a jackal that had just closed in on its prey. He suddenly shouted at the top of his voice, "How dare you! This is a restricted prison area, who allowed a prisoner to hide private items? Guards, search the place at once!"
The prison guards exchanged confused glances. Though they had received instructions from Xue Chongnian, they did not dare to openly defy the Minister of Justice's order. They stepped forward reluctantly and soon fished out a thick stack of heating pads hidden under the straw mats, piling them all on the ground.
Luo Mingpu looked at the oil-paper wrappers scattered all over the floor, sneering repeatedly. "Well, well, Xue Chongnian is really going all out for you. He actually condoned you hoarding such things in the prison. I will definitely report this to the Censorate and impeach him for this!"
Xie Langyang clutched the heating pad in his hand so tight that the gauze crinkled with a creak. A surge of indescribable jealousy and resentment swallowed him whole. His voice came out hoarse as he asked, "You kept this tucked against your chest. Did Xue Chongnian give this to you, or..."
The name he was about to say, he could not bring himself to utter out loud in front of Luo Mingpu, but he knew Wen Zhuo understood what he meant.
Wen Zhuo looked at him, utterly bewildered. "What does this have to do with you?"
Xie Langyang nodded slowly, his usually composed face twisted into a nearly feral grimace. He suddenly lifted his foot, his black official boot stomping hard onto an unopened heating pad on the ground.
Crack—
The oil paper split, the gauze burst open right after, and black iron powder mixed with wormwood scattered all over the floor.
"Wanshan," he panted, his eyes locked on Wen Zhuo as he spoke each word deliberately. "I know you've blocked off all paths leading to Jinhai, but I will always find a way to let him know. Let's see, between the empire and you, what choice will he make. Sooner or later you will realize he is no different from me at all. You only pinned all your hopes on him because you hate me. I am the only person in this world who truly has compassion for you!"
With that, Xie Langyang roughly wiped away the wet streaks on his face that he had not even noticed forming, then turned, shoved the cell door open with his shoulder, and stumbled out without a single backward glance.
Luo Mingpu watched Xie Langyang's uncharacteristic loss of composure, a faint, curious thought flitting across his mind. His mind raced quickly as he frowned and glanced at Wen Zhuo, then hurried to his feet to chase after Xie Langyang.
Wen Zhuo could not have cared less about the two of them. He squatted down slowly, the tip of his finger picking up a pinch of the iron powder that had spilled on the ground. It no longer held any warmth, and slipped through his fingers in a soft, steady stream.
All of a sudden, he missed Shen Zheng terribly.
Not a single heating pad was left now!
Did His Highness know about this?
A bitter tingle rose in Wen Zhuo's throat. He paused, then lifted his gaze to the thin mist that had drifted over the prison window.
He took a deep breath, making a quiet calculation in his mind. Just hold on for another half a month, and this would all be over soon.
When the time came, he would tell His Highness that the heating pads had been accidentally lost by Jiang Mannü. His Highness was broad-minded and gentle-tempered, he would definitely believe him, and then Wen Zhuo would make him a whole full casket of new ones.
-
The wind was strong over Jinhai. The maritime shipping routes had all been verified, the ships were fully constructed, and they were ready to set sail at any moment.
The homing pigeon on the perch cooed softly. Shen Zheng reached out and took down the second letter that had arrived as scheduled.
"All is well in the capital. I live a regular life, and do not overindulge in sweet treats. Only the secret passage has long been silent, growing more and more desolate. Last night, when I walked through it alone, I suddenly thought of that day, when Your Highness's lips were burning hot, you pinned my wrists down, and stripped away all my pretense of decorum... Your Highness, go and taste all the rare delicacies of Jinhai. When you come back, tell me every detail of them, so it will be as if I was right there with you, sharing all the joy of those treats."
Shen Zheng let out a low laugh, all the exhaustion between his brows melting away. He leaned back into his lounge chair, pressing the note gently to his face, closing his eyes to savor the feeling.
But after barely two seconds, he suddenly frowned. His two fingers pinched the corner of the note precisely, and he slowly opened his eyes.
The pair of eyes that usually held a soft, warm smile were now brimming with sharp, heavy gravity.
