Shen Zheng took Gu Weizhi aside and, with a roundabout line of questioning, got the full story of Wen Zhuo’s three years in Bozhou out of him.
Gu Weizhi naturally knew where to draw the line. He spoke only of Wen Zhuo’s achievements in government, leaving out entirely such matters as the Rouge Thief affair and the times Wen Zhuo had deliberately looked the other way.
From his account, Shen Zheng finally filled in the missing portions of the *History of Qian*, giving the beautiful treacherous minister’s career in officialdom a basic logic.
Wen Zhuo had come from Mianzhou, the southernmost region of the Great Qian realm. Mianzhou lay near the sea and was famous for producing costus root and ambergris. Quite a few local merchants made their living trading in spices.
With the sea routes open, those spices could even be sold overseas, reaching as far as Persia and even the Western lands.
Mianzhou, however, was a long way from the capital. Even on horseback, the journey took a month or two.
Fortunately, Wen Zhuo’s family were local gentry and presumably had no shortage of travel money. In any case, he arrived in the capital without trouble, passed the metropolitan examination, and was selected by imperial decree as the palace examination’s second-ranked candidate.
What was strange was that he had not been retained in the Hanlin Academy as a junior compiler. Instead, he was sent to the remote prefecture of Bozhou to serve as a judicial commissioner. In other words, he had been exiled the moment he entered officialdom.
One had to understand that junior compilers were close attendants of the emperor, constantly at the side of the highest authority. They had every chance of eventually becoming assistant grand councilors and rising swiftly through the ranks.
Of course, junior compilers were chosen from among the more promising metropolitan examination graduates. But who could say that Wen Zhuo, the second-ranked candidate, was not promising?
In any event, Wen Zhuo arrived in Bozhou with a heart full of ambition. He introduced Songluo tea to the prefecture, ordered the locals to dig waterways and carve roads through the mountains, and opened up the transportation routes. In just two short years, he completely transformed the lives of the people of Bozhou.
Once the economy improved, many problems ceased to be problems. Wen Zhuo’s influence grew, and everything he did went more smoothly.
But how had the emperor learned of all this?
The prefect of Huizhou had submitted a memorial to complain that Bozhou was selling Songluo tea at low prices and stealing Huizhou’s market.
After investigating, the emperor not only failed to blame Wen Zhuo but instead transferred him back to the capital.
Yet during his four years in the capital, Wen Zhuo seemed to do nothing constructive apart from steadily rising through the ranks. Instead, he appeared to have become immersed in the splendor of the pleasure quarters, abandoning ambition and progress.
Still, one thing did not add up.
The little cat had already settled into a life of indulgence, content to lie around and do nothing. Why, then, had he suddenly changed course later on and set off down the road to becoming a great traitorous minister?
Of course, none of that had happened yet, and even Gu Weizhi did not know the reason.
Gu Weizhi asked, “Are you from the capital, brother? Your accent doesn’t sound quite like it.”
Shen Zheng’s mind was full of Wen Zhuo. He answered absentmindedly, “More or less. I was born in the capital and just got back from overseas.”
“Overseas?”
“…I just got back from Nanping.”
Gu Weizhi looked at him with newfound respect. “You’ve been to Nanping? The borderlands are hardly peaceful. General Jun Dingyuan just defeated Nanping’s army of a hundred thousand and escorted the Fifth Prince back to the capital. The Nanping court and populace are said to be harboring resentment, and I hear they’ve sent players to this Spring Terrace Chess Gathering as well.”
Just as he finished speaking, a soldier raised a wooden placard and shouted, “Nanping player Mu Yibai wins by four and a half points!”
The words “Nanping” struck the crowd of onlookers like cold water poured over boiling oil. Moments ago, they had been whispering and discussing the match; now, the entire gathering fell utterly silent.
The two characters “Mu Yi” on the wooden plaque glinted harshly in the sunlight, stinging the sensitive pride of the people of Daqian.
A man slowly rose to his feet on the western side of the chess grounds. His movements were stiff and puppet-like, his eyes webbed with blood vessels, the skin beneath them dark and purplish, as though he had gone several nights without sleep. He looked utterly terrifying.
Mu Yi’s expression remained indifferent, without the slightest joy at his victory. He merely shifted his feet and slowly walked off the grounds. From beginning to end, his gaze never fell upon his opponent, as though the person he had played against were nothing more than an insignificant patch of air.
At last, someone asked aloud, “How many is that now?”
“The third. He’s won all three. The people who played Mu Yi seem to have been outer disciples of the Xie clan. Their family serves at the Imperial Medical Academy.”
Someone let out a cold laugh. “Hah. The Xie clan is becoming more and more pathetic. They’ve actually allowed that Nanping ghost to humiliate them. If it were my Xiao clan, we would never lose.”
Another person hesitated. “Perhaps he really does have some skill? Has the Chess House replayed this game?”
“How could it have?” The man who had spoken earlier shook his fan and sneered. “The Chess House only replays games played by the most talented members of the great clans. Most of those people became famous at a young age. That man from Nanping merely got lucky and happened to run into a few easy opponents. How could he possibly compare to the profound chess tradition of Daqian?”
“Exactly! This disciple of the Xie clan has truly disgraced them. The first two he lost to were nameless outsiders, and he still managed to play this badly despite inheriting the Xie clan’s teachings.”
“I’m afraid his father won’t be able to hold his head up at the Imperial Medical Academy after this.”
The crowd reacted with pity, mockery, or contempt. Their shock lasted only a moment before their arrogance returned.
The game had already lasted three hours. The players gradually began leaving, and the spectators slowly dispersed as well.
Just as there was a lull, someone cried out, “Oh no! Someone’s slammed into a pillar!”
When the patrol officer heard the shout, he showed no reaction whatsoever. He simply waved for the soldiers to carry the man away.
As it turned out, two young men from the Xiao and Song clans had drawn each other in the very first round. They had fought fiercely, with the Song clan ultimately defeated by the Xiao clan. Unable to bear the humiliation, the young man had thrown himself headfirst into a pillar. Blood poured from his scalp, and it was unclear whether he would survive.
The struggle among the Eight Clans had always been this brutal. Those who lost a game were so overwhelmed by shame that they would genuinely rather die.
The first day of the Chess Tournament had ended in bloodshed, which was hardly auspicious. Gong Zhiyuan found it an ill omen and hurriedly led the Xie clan away.
Wen Zhuo waited until the very end before unhurriedly descending from the viewing platform. He passed through the crowd and cast a glance at Shen Zheng, then called Gu Weizhi over to ride with him in the sedan.
The sedan circled eastward around Huiyang Gate before heading straight for Chess Street.
Wen Zhuo said, “I’d like to introduce someone to you, though it seems you’ve already met him just now.”
Gu Weizhi hesitated. “You mean...?”
Wen Zhuo said, “The Fifth Imperial Prince, Shen Zheng—the man who kept you talking just now.”
Gu Weizhi shot upright in shock, his face filled with disbelief. “He’s the Fifth Prince who was sent to Nanping?”
Wen Zhuo asked, “You spoke with him for quite a while. What did he ask you?”
Gu Weizhi answered truthfully, “He only asked about your time in Bozhou.”
Wen Zhuo was not surprised. Though he and Shen Zheng had an agreement, they had known each other for only a short while. It was only natural that Shen Zheng wanted to learn more about him.
He lowered his head and straightened his official robes, then asked casually, “Could it be asking about my successes and failures as governor of Bozhou?”
“Not just that.” Gu Weizhi counted off the questions on his fingers. “Your preferred colors, the fabrics and styles you usually wear, where your home is, how many relatives you have, your favorite expressions, your past romances, your standards for choosing a partner, and your ambitions in life.”
Wen Zhuo: “…”
What kind of questions were these? Was he trying to compete with me for the throne, or arrange a marriage?
Gu Weizhi hurriedly added, “There are plenty of things I don’t know. Even if I did, I would never dare reveal a single word of Your Excellency’s private affairs.”
Wen Zhuo slowly exhaled, making a determined effort to keep his expression calm. “There’s no need to be so guarded. I’m introducing you to him—you ought to know what that means. Come meet him with me in a moment.”
This time, Shen Zheng arrived early. Wen Zhuo entered with Gu Weizhi, and as soon as Gu Weizhi closed the door, he moved to pay his respects. “I didn’t know you were His Highness the Fifth Prince. I was disrespectful just now—”
Shen Zheng stopped him and would not let him kneel. With a smile, he said, “There aren’t so many rules here.”
Wen Zhuo picked up a cushion and sat down, giving Shen Zheng a long look. “You’ve met now. Weizhi is someone I personally promoted. He has talent, and he can be trusted.”
“If my teacher says he can be trusted, then of course I have no objections.” Shen Zheng had one hand hidden behind his back, acting suspiciously furtive.
Wen Zhuo tilted his head and glanced over. “Granny Wang’s date cakes?”
“…” The smile on Shen Zheng’s face stiffened slightly. He had no choice but to pull an oil-paper packet from behind his back and say, pretending to be nonchalant, “Yes. A bet is a bet, so I had to buy them for you.”
Gu Weizhi’s gaze was drawn to the bulging packet. Curiously, he asked, “Is this the legendary specialty from the capital, Granny Wang’s date cakes?”
Wen Zhuo peeled back the softened oil paper, revealing cakes as white and lustrous as snow. Their sweet fragrance wafted out, clinging temptingly to the tongue.
He pushed them toward Gu Weizhi. “They’ve gone cold, but they should still taste good. Weizhi, have one. I don’t have much time to entertain you with the Spring Terrace Chess Gathering keeping me so busy.”
Gu Weizhi hurriedly waved his hands. “Dean, I don’t care much for sweet things. You should have them.”
Shen Zheng’s gaze shifted from the date cakes to Wen Zhuo’s face, his eyes growing somewhat unreadable, but he said nothing.
He, too, was questioning himself. Wen Zhuo had clearly introduced Gu Weizhi to him to help him build up his own forces. So why, exactly, did he feel this displeasure?
Possessiveness?
He was being very careful about directing that kind of desire toward Wen Zhuo. With his foul character, once he grew possessive of someone, he would want far more than what he had now.
According to the rumors, that great beauty was a frequent guest of the entertainment quarter, with lovers scattered everywhere. Could he really endure lying beneath another man and being taken?
As compulsory education had taught them, bending someone against their nature was hardly ethical…
Besides, he had absolutely no morals when it came to that sort of thing.
Gu Weizhi’s craving had long since begun to stir, but he was still well-mannered enough to sneak a glance from the corner of his eye at Shen Zheng beside him.
Shen Zheng smiled. “Weizhi, don’t be so reserved. Go ahead.”
Only then did Gu Weizhi carefully pick up a piece as though it were a chess piece, bite off a small corner, and chew it slowly. His eyes immediately lit up. Tilting his head back, he exclaimed, “What a magnificent pastry! No wonder it’s the capital’s most famous delicacy—sweet on the tongue, with a lingering fragrance between the teeth!”
Seeing that he had sampled the local specialty, Wen Zhuo began discussing the serious matter at hand.
“You both saw what happened today. All three players from Nanping won their opening matches.” Wen Zhuo’s expression was grave. “I can tell you this with certainty: those three from Nanping obtained the secret chess manuals passed down by the Eight Lineages of Da Qian. That is why they were able to win.”
Gu Weizhi stopped eating. The smile on his face instantly froze. “What—?!”
Wen Zhuo’s brows drew together slightly. “When the Eight Lineages vie with one another, an outsider reaps the benefit. Now that the chess manuals have fallen into an outsider’s hands, it is clear that the imperial court has long been rotten to the core. What I cannot understand is this: even if an ordinary person obtained the manuals of the Eight Lineages, it would still be difficult to master them in such a short time. Yet those three youths, at only nineteen, possess such extraordinary skill that even I feel ashamed of my own abilities.”
“Even you, with your unmatched intelligence, couldn’t do it?” Gu Weizhi stared as though struck by lightning, unwilling to accept that anyone could surpass his idol.
Wen Zhuo slowly shook his head. Then he turned his gaze toward Shen Zheng, about to ask him something, when he suddenly noticed that Shen Zheng looked different today.
Those eyes were extraordinarily dark, their corners concealing an indescribable depth of meaning that inexplicably made Wen Zhuo’s chest tighten.
Wen Zhuo paused before saying, “You spent ten years in Nanping. Have you ever heard of a strange medicine that can keep a person awake all night without losing their vitality, allow them to remember everything they see, and multiply their memory—so that a few short days of study equal more than ten days of hard work for anyone else?”
Shen Zheng withdrew his gaze as though nothing were amiss, his fingers tapping against his knee. “You suspect the Nanping players took such a pill?”
Wen Zhuo nodded. “I can think of no other explanation.”
Shen Zheng replied seriously, “Though I’ve never seen it myself, such a drug should exist. But it causes immense harm to the body. Relying on it to study is no different from quenching one’s thirst with poison.”
It was more or less like methylphenidate or dextroamphetamine—the so-called “smart drugs” of the modern world, central nervous system stimulants.
After years of scheming and plotting, Wen Zhuo had developed the habit of thinking three steps ahead for every step he took. “If we can prove that they used an illicit drug to cheat, we’ll have Nanping by the throat. Such a fine opportunity must not be wasted.”
Gu Weizhi asked, “What does the Director plan to do?”
Wen Zhuo did not answer. Instead, he said, “Weizhi, after the Spring Terrace Chess Meet, I want you to come to the capital and assist me and His Highness.”
“This…” Gu Weizhi could hardly believe his ears. “Is that even possible? Surely there aren’t any vacancies left in the capital?”
Wen Zhuo’s expression was unfathomable. “Don’t worry. Before long, there will be plenty of vacancies.”
Gu Weizhi did not bother with false modesty and answered frankly, “Of course I’m willing—especially if it means working alongside you, Director.”
Wen Zhuo nodded. “Good. Then let’s leave it at that for now. You can also sound out the others and ask whether they’d be willing to come. But don’t move too quickly. It wouldn’t do for the Emperor to notice.”
“I understand,” Gu Weizhi replied solemnly.
“Weizhi, I’m feeling hungry too. There’s a menu hanging in the main hall of the eastern building. Go take a look and order a few dishes.”
Wen Zhuo came up with an excuse to send Gu Weizhi out. Once the door had closed softly behind him, Wen Zhuo suddenly turned to Shen Zheng, a puzzled look in his eyes.
“What was the matter with Your Highness just now? Is something troubling you?”
Shen Zheng gave him a half-smile. “You noticed that?”
Wen Zhuo’s heart stirred. Could Shen Zheng have realized that he was connected to the Spring Terrace Chess Gathering affair? It would indeed be difficult to keep this hidden. If he had not known in advance that trouble would arise at the gathering, how could he have made preparations and laid his plans beforehand?
The only question was whether Shen Zheng believed that, in his former life, he had been the instigator—or merely stood by and watched.
Shen Zheng asked, “If Gu Weizhi and I both fell into a river, whom would you save first?”
Wen Zhuo: “…”
Ever since meeting Shen Zheng, Wen Zhuo had come to feel that overthinking was a disease in its own right—one that, if left untreated, could easily frighten a person to death.
He stared at Shen Zheng in utter disbelief. “I can’t swim. Go find Jiang Mannü to save you both. She’s strong.”
That answer took Shen Zheng by surprise. How could someone from Mianzhou not know how to swim?
Still unwilling to let it go, he asked, “Then what if Granny Wang and I fell into the water at the same time? Whom would you save?”
Wen Zhuo was once again rendered speechless.
Shen Zheng arched a brow. “You actually hesitated. You want to save Granny Wang?”
“Granny Wang is advanced in years. She may not live long enough for Jiang Mannü to arrive.” Wen Zhuo’s tone gradually grew more self-righteous, edged with the impatience of someone whose peace had been disturbed. “What exactly are you trying to accomplish by asking these strange questions?”
The teasing smile on Shen Zheng’s face slowly faded. After a moment of silence, he said, “You saw how crowded the stall selling Granny Wang’s date rice cakes was—it was packed like a mountain. My wrist was shoved and jostled until it hurt, and I finally managed to get this bag. Yet the moment I turned around, you gave it to Weizhi.”
Wen Zhuo instinctively began, “Weizhi is—”
“Weizhi is the pillar you painstakingly chose for me, the man who will help me accomplish great things in the future. Let alone one bag of date cakes—even ten or eight bags, I’d gladly buy them for him. But that’s not the same as my teacher taking the token of affection I brought for him and passing it on to someone else.”
Wen Zhuo stared blankly. His mind suddenly flashed back to all the things he had given Xie Langyang over the years. They had never been cherished either. Some had been donated to the academy, while others had been exchanged for money and grain to be given as alms to refugees. At the time, Wen Zhuo had only felt a dull heaviness in his chest, yet he had been unable to find any position from which he could reproach him.
So this was empathy—and the shame and remorse that came with it. It was astonishingly simple.
“…”
Shen Zheng watched him intently. He saw the initial confusion in Wen Zhuo’s eyes, followed by a slight tremor. His long lashes lowered like returning birds folding their wings, and his gaze instinctively slipped away.
Shen Zheng’s heart softened.
Why quarrel with an ancient little cat, after all?
“Let me rest my head on your lap for a moment, so I’ll know that what we have is special too—just like Li Mi and Emperor Suzong. Then I won’t be upset.”
Shen Zheng stretched out his legs and patted his lap.
Wen Zhuo’s gaze instinctively fell to his knees. Those legs were long and straight, wrapped in moon-white silk. Though slender, they were strong-boned; if his vital energy were replenished, they might yet possess the strength and bearing of a man from a great house—one capable of mounting a horse, wielding a blade, and establishing an empire.
For some inexplicable reason, heat rose to Wen Zhuo’s cheeks. He turned his head away. “Stop fooling around.”
Shen Zheng tilted his ear toward the door and listened for a moment before urging him with a smile, “Weizhi’s coming back. Teacher, hurry.”
Wen Zhuo fell silent.
Xunzi said, “A teacher must make himself a proper example and prize self-composure.”
As a teacher, he ought to lead by example. Letting Shen Zheng use him as a pillow for a moment was, in Wen Zhuo’s mind, nothing more than an imitation of the ancients—a bit of novelty for novelty’s sake.
But… did Shen Zheng really have to be this upset? It hadn’t been intentional!
Being in the wrong was such a nuisance. Such a nuisance!
Wen Zhuo grumbled inwardly as he pressed his lips together, his ears burning. Bracing his palms against the straw mat, he slowly lowered himself.
