With New Year’s Day drawing near, the snow in the capital fell harder and harder. The snow on Imperial Avenue had only just been cleared with iron shovels by the palace attendants, yet before half a quarter of an hour had passed, another thin layer had settled over the ground.
Two pairs of thick-soled boots crunched through the snow as Bu Zhangyi and Shang Zhiqin walked side by side toward Wenyuan Pavilion.
“The Fifth Prince and Director Wen have been away in the two prefectures of Ying and Jing overseeing disaster relief for two months now, haven’t they?” Bu Zhangyi suddenly said.
A fierce gust of wind blew toward them, sending Shang Zhiqin’s beard flying. He hurriedly pressed it down with one hand, while raising his other sleeve to shield his eyes from the snowflakes stinging them.
“Indeed. We’ve received one piece of good news after another from Ying and Jing, but there’s still been no word from Mianzhou. The personal guards we sent to deliver a message to Lou Changsui have gone silent as well. I can’t help feeling terribly uneasy.”
“Lou Changsui is capable and knows how to handle matters. It’s possible the guards were simply detained in Mianzhou for a few days. Still, I expect they’ll be back within the next day or two. If they return, all will be well. If they don’t, then something has likely happened.” Bu Zhangyi’s eyes flickered darkly. He looked up at the sky as large snowflakes came hurtling down, casting the heavens into gloom. “This winter is a little warmer than last year—a good omen. Whatever anxiety you feel, don’t let it show on your face, and certainly don’t let it reach Prince Xian.”
“I know that perfectly well!” Shang Zhiqin let out a heavy sigh, the white mist of his breath instantly scattered by the cold wind. “Speaking of which, your own days haven’t exactly been easy, have they? Ever since Gu Weizhi joined the Ministry of Revenue, he’s opposed you at every turn. When the plague broke out in the Ministry of Justice prison a few days ago, Luo Mingpu immediately went before His Majesty to accuse you, saying that the disaster had nearly occurred because the Ministry of Revenue had delayed approving the funds for repairs. Who could have guessed that Gu Weizhi would step forward and admit that the reasons the Ministry of Revenue had given for withholding the funds before were improper, and that the money should have been allocated from the beginning? Just like that, he sold you out completely!”
At this, Shang Zhiqin shook his head glumly, sympathy showing in his expression. “His Majesty reprimanded you severely, while Luo Mingpu was lavishly praised. Within a few days, he had even taken Bao Side’s position as Minister.”
Bu Zhangyi’s eyes narrowed sharply. “Bao Side is old, shortsighted, and always skilled at evading responsibility. Luo Mingpu was bound to replace him sooner or later, so that alone isn’t a concern. His Majesty’s health is worsening by the day. To speak frankly, though it may be disrespectful, I fear he doesn’t have much time left. As long as Prince Xian can keep things under control, once the situation is settled, our days will soon improve.”
Shang Zhiqin nodded, the worry on his face easing somewhat. “Let’s talk about something uplifting. Lord Bu, have you heard how Duke Liu is doing?”
“Oh?” Bu Zhangyi turned his head. “I’ve been exhausted lately, running around trying to secure funds for the Ministry of Justice, and haven’t had time to inquire after him. Wasn’t it said a few days ago that he was gravely ill?”
“Wasn’t it just!” Shang Zhiqin smiled. “Seven days ago, he suddenly vomited blood. It looked as though his heart meridians had been damaged, and he seemed certain to die. The Duke’s residence had already begun quietly preparing for his funeral. But who could have expected that news would arrive yesterday saying he could now sit up and even drink half a bowl of thin gruel?”
“A final rally before death? Counting the days, Liu Kangren’s corpse should be nearly back in the capital by now, shouldn’t it?” Bu Zhangyi raised an eyebrow.
“Not at all.” Shang Zhiqin waved a hand and lowered his voice. “Prince Xian personally went to the Duke’s residence the day before yesterday to visit Duke Liu. The prince showed deep concern at his bedside, held his hand, and spoke with him at length about private matters. He even fed him medicine himself. Before leaving, he promised that he would look after the Liu family’s eldest son in the future.”
“Ever since Liu Kangren’s accident, who in the court hasn’t avoided the Duke’s residence like the plague? Even Marquis Yongning only sent two wild ginseng roots, and that could almost be considered mockery. Only our Prince Xian ignored all taboos and offered help when the family was in dire need. You know that Duke Liu’s greatest worry was that, after his death, his eldest son would be unable to survive on his own. Our prince gave him the reassurance he needed, and naturally, his heart condition improved.”
Bu Zhangyi lowered his head and pondered for a moment before suddenly drawing a sharp breath. “It could really be that easy?”
Shang Zhiqin said, “It’s easy to add flowers to brocade, but difficult to provide charcoal in the snow.”
As they spoke, the two men reached the steps beneath Wenyuan Pavilion. Luo Mingpu’s figure flashed past inside, and they fell silent at once.
At the residence of the imperial princes, a teacup was hurled heavily onto the desk. It struck with a sharp crash.
Shen Chen gritted his teeth. “My eldest brother is certainly in a hurry. I hear he practically performed an entire opera at the Duke’s residence!”
He had originally planned to wait until Liu Kangren’s body was brought back to the capital, when Liu Yuanqing’s defenses were at their weakest, before paying the Duke a personal visit and winning over this deeply established nobleman.
Who could have guessed that Prince Xian would act so impatiently, extending an olive branch long beforehand? He had heard that after the prince’s visit, Liu Yuanqing, who had been bedridden and unable to rise, could actually sit up again. How could Shen Chen not be frantic?
Liu Yuanqing was famous for being rigid and uncompromising. Once he decided to protect someone, he would follow that path to the bitter end. He had been the same way with Emperor Shunyuan back then.
“If he reaches an understanding with Prince Xian, then no matter how much effort I put in afterward, it will probably be too late. Tell me, should I go to the Duke’s residence right now?” Shen Chen asked.
For a long while, there was no response. Shen Chen turned his head and saw Xie Langyang standing with his head lowered, eyelids drooping, his thoughts apparently wandering somewhere far away.
Shen Chen frowned and suddenly raised his voice. “Xie Hengze!”
Xie Langyang jolted back to his senses and hurriedly clasped his hands, bowing. “Your Highness.”
Shen Chen let out a cold laugh, a trace of mockery in his voice. “What is it? Has the plague in the Ministry of Justice prison made you uncomfortable again? You should know better than anyone that those men were going to die of the plague anyway. It was only a matter of whether they died a few days sooner or later. By letting them die now, I could both pave the way for Luo Mingpu and frame Bu Zhangyi—a single move accomplishing two aims. I merely put their lives to practical use.”
“Your subordinate would not dare.” Xie Langyang hesitated for a moment before explaining, “I was only thinking that Wanshan is meticulous by nature and will certainly be able to figure out what happened. I’m just afraid that he—”
“Afraid of what?” Shen Chen interrupted him. “So what if he figures it out? Where does he have the evidence to prove that those men were deliberately poisoned? With this scheme, I successfully won over Luo Mingpu. I have you and the Grand Secretary working for me in court, and if I can secure Duke Liu’s support as well, how will I be any different from the former Crown Prince?”
Losing Marquis Yongning and Jun Dingyuan did not matter. He could seize Duke Liu instead. In any case, the two sides were evenly matched and could not tolerate each other.
Shen Chen was filled with smug satisfaction, swollen ambition seeping from his eyes.
Everything had proceeded exactly as he had anticipated. He had freed himself from Wen Zhuo’s restraints and, relying on the memories of his previous life, had gradually taken over the forces left behind by the Crown Prince, forging an entirely different path.
Yet he had walked this path well and steadily, which was proof enough that he was the one chosen by Heaven. Even without Wen Zhuo, the throne would ultimately fall into his hands!
“Congratulations, Your Highness.” Xie Langyang made no further attempt to argue.
In truth, he was not worried that Wanshan would make an issue of the plague at the Ministry of Justice. He knew Luo Mingpu was meticulous and would not leave any evidence behind.
It was only that he had always prided himself on being a loyal subject and considered himself an upright gentleman. Yet the things he was doing alongside Shen Chen were becoming more and more despicable and ruthless.
Wen Zhuo might not be able to find conclusive evidence, but he knew perfectly well who had started it all.
The irony was almost unbearable. The words he had once used to condemn Wen Zhuo had now come back to land squarely on him, even though he had not been the one to suggest this scheme to Shen Chen.
He could accept Wen Zhuo’s hatred, his curses, even his striking him. But he could not bear the contempt in Wen Zhuo’s eyes. It would strip away the last shred of his dignity.
Seeing that he no longer offered a rebuttal, Shen Chen’s expression softened slightly. “You’ve been in poor spirits these past few days. New Year’s Day is almost here. Go spend some time with Yuwen and visit a temple to offer incense. In your previous life, you never got the chance to see your own child. Make an early effort in this life.”
Xie Langyang’s entire body shuddered. “I have no intention of crossing that line with Yuwen again.”
That unborn child had been the source of the rift between him and Wen Zhuo.
In his previous life, he had been forced into a dead end because his wife and child were held over him. After much careful consideration, he had decided not to repeat the same mistake.
The smile on Shen Chen’s face instantly froze. A trace of sinister intent flashed through his eyes, but in the blink of an eye, his expression had returned to normal.
He rose, straightened his robes, and said indifferently, “Suit yourself. I’m going to the Duke of Liu’s residence.”
Braving the swirling snow, Shen Chen hurried to the Duke of Liu’s residence. The moment he crossed the main gate, he put on an anxious, sorrowful expression.
Snow covered his head, frost clung to his brows, and his cheeks were flushed red from the bitter wind. As soon as he spoke, his words came out in a hurried rush. “I have an important matter to tell the Duke. It concerns the Liu family’s honor and General Liu’s reputation. I implore the Duke to meet with me!”
“Oh, Your Highness, the Sixth Prince, please come in quickly and have some hot tea to warm yourself. I’ll go wake the master at once!” Seeing him in such a state, the steward hurried forward to receive him. He waved for the servants to prepare hot tea, then rushed toward the inner courtyard.
It was quite some time before Liu Yuanqing finally appeared, leaning on a cane and slowly making his way out with the support of a servant.
At a glance, Shen Chen saw that Duke Liu’s cheeks had sunken inward and his eye sockets were deeply hollowed. He was much thinner than when he had been in the Hall of Martial Valor, and his steps were unsteady. Yet his spirits had clearly improved considerably, and there was even a glimmer of light in his eyes.
Shen Chen mused inwardly, Shen Bi really knew how to put on an act. All it had taken was one visit to make Liu Yuanqing look so invigorated.
Liu Yuanqing slowly lowered himself into the seat of honor. Resting his withered hand on the table, he turned to Shen Chen and came straight to the point. “The Sixth Prince has braved the snow to come here. What business do you have with this old subject?”
Shen Chen set down his teacup and revealed an expression of pity. With a soft sigh, he said, “The Duke’s household has suddenly suffered such a calamity. When the old Duke knelt before the palace gates to plead for his son, my heart felt as though it had been crushed beneath a boulder. I could not sleep that entire night.”
His tone was sincere, and tears even glimmered in his eyes. His dimples seemed to endlessly brew sweet words. “You have spent half your life on the battlefield, devoting yourself entirely to Great Qian. Your service is beyond measure. Young Marshal Kangyi was a man of exceptional courage and resolve who fell on the battlefield and died a glorious death for his country. Such loyalty and valor are witnessed by Heaven and earth alike! I understand your suffering. The reason I did not visit you in recent days was not from a lack of concern, but because I was ashamed of my clumsy words and could think of no comfort worthy of offering you.”
“Thank you for your consideration, Your Highness.” Liu Yuanqing inclined himself slightly in acknowledgment. His body had yet to recover, and he could not manage any larger gesture. “It is only a pity that I failed to raise my son properly, allowing Kangren to commit such a grave error and bringing disgrace upon the Liu family. I am deeply ashamed.”
Shen Chen sneered inwardly. As expected, the old fox was impervious to both persuasion and pressure.
His heartfelt speech had earned him nothing more than a perfunctory response. No doubt Prince Xian’s performance a few days earlier had been even more heart-rending than his own, which was why it had moved the old fox somewhat.
But that did not matter. His real killing blow was yet to come.
“The reason I dared to come and visit you today was not merely to offer consolation. I heard of something—something of great importance, closely tied to General Liu.” Shen Chen abruptly changed tack, his tone turning grave. His gaze swept across the room, subtly indicating the servants standing nearby.
“Oh?” Liu Yuanqing immediately became more alert. He raised a brow and waved to the servants at his sides. “All of you, leave for now and shut the door behind you.”
The servants answered and withdrew. The doors to the front hall were closed tightly.
“Your Highness may speak freely now,” Liu Yuanqing said, raising a hand in invitation.
“To tell you the truth, before my mother entered the palace, she had an old acquaintance who was highly skilled in medicine. He spent his days traveling from place to place, and his whereabouts were difficult to track.” Shen Chen lowered his voice. “Last month, he happened to travel through Mianzhou and personally witnessed the disaster there. He then sent word to me through an intermediary: the Duke’s son was falsely accused!”
Liu Yuanqing’s eyelid twitched. “What do you mean?”
“The disaster in Mianzhou was far more severe than those in Ying and Jing Prefectures. The local granaries had already been emptied by those parasites! The reason General Liu stole the grain was to save the starving people. He did not do it for his own benefit! Lou Changsui, the governor of Mianzhou, was afraid that the disaster would be exposed and implicate the powerful patron behind him. So he struck first, turning the accusation around and pinning every crime on General Liu!”
Shen Chen spoke with impassioned fervor, waving his hands about as though he wished he could personally cut down that nest of parasites on Liu’s behalf. Yet when he turned to look at Liu Yuanqing, the old duke’s reaction was astonishingly calm. There was none of the grief and anguish he had displayed in the Hall of Martial Valor. It was almost as if he did not entirely believe what Shen Chen was saying.
Shen Chen’s heart gave a sudden lurch. What?
Only after a long moment did Liu Yuanqing slowly speak. “Is there any evidence? How can the one-sided testimony of a wandering physician be taken as proof?”
The Duke of Liu was actually being this cautious?
Suspicion flickered through Shen Chen’s heart, but he continued to feign composure. “There is no wall in the world that cannot be breached. Since such rumors have emerged, there must be evidence behind them. You and General Liu are father and son who share a deep bond. Surely you do not believe he was the sort of man who would embezzle public funds, break the law, and disregard the lives of the common people?”
“It is simply too late.” Liu Yuanqing closed his eyes and sighed softly. “By now, my son may already be separated from me by the Yellow Springs.”
“Though the general is dead, his disgrace remains!” Shen Chen hurriedly picked up the thread, guiding him step by step. “Besides, do you truly not wish to avenge the general? If this is true, then Lou Changsui, the governor of Mianzhou, and the people above him are all the general’s enemies! I am willing to do everything in my power to help you clear General Liu’s name, bring the true culprits to justice, and comfort his spirit in the afterlife!”
He had made his intentions as clear as possible, yet Liu Yuanqing’s expression remained utterly calm.
Shen Chen grew increasingly uneasy. How could the Duke of Liu remain so composed? Had he truly accepted Liu Kangren’s death and lost even the desire for revenge?
Just as Shen Chen was racking his brains, Liu Yuanqing suddenly lifted his eyes and asked in return, “Are you saying that someone stands behind Lou Changsui? Who?”
Shen Chen’s heart lurched.
Something was wrong!
What did Liu Yuanqing’s tone mean? Was he suspecting that Shen Chen was trying to frame someone?
Had Prince Xian said something to Liu Yuanqing earlier and won his complete trust? Or was Liu Yuanqing’s mind simply a block of wood, incapable of understanding the difference between good intentions and bad?
“I…” Shen Chen’s words caught abruptly in his throat. His mind raced. He had intended to seize the opportunity to turn the blame toward Prince Xian, but Liu Yuanqing’s reaction was far too strange. He did not dare speak rashly, fearing he might only make matters worse. “I don’t know who it is yet. But if you and I join forces and follow the trail from Lou Changsui, we will surely uncover the mastermind behind all this!”
Liu Yuanqing slowly shook his head, weariness written across his face. “This old man is exhausted in both body and mind. Right now, all I want is to bring my son’s remains home safely and lay him to rest. I truly have no energy left to concern myself with anything else. Thank you for Your Highness’s concern, but this matter is without evidence and amounts to nothing more than hearsay. This old man cannot stake the Liu family’s last foundation on a single statement.”
With that, he raised his voice slightly and called, “Butler, see the Sixth Prince out!”
Why had this happened?
Shen Chen stood rooted to the spot, utterly baffled.
Everything he had said was true. Although Lou Changsui was not one of Prince Xian’s men, he had indeed been forced into this situation by Prince Xian’s threats. If Liu Yuanqing still intended to work for Prince Xian, would that not be aiding a tyrant? It was utterly absurd!
It was not until the dazed Shen Chen had been escorted out of the residence that the Duchess emerged from behind the screen. In a soft voice, she said, “My lord, that makes the second prince to come calling.”
Duke Liu let out a cold laugh. “On the day of the court assembly, they were all afraid of offending His Majesty and refused to say a word on my behalf. Now that my son is dead and the Liu family has lost its support, they come one after another to offer condolences and recruit me to their side. How can such hypocritical people possibly be worthy of assisting?”
The Duchess went over and sat beside him. Lowering her voice, she said, “You are right, my lord. There is just one strange thing. What the Sixth Prince said just now happened to match what Kangren wrote in his letter. Could there really be someone versed in the arts of Huangqi?”
“Who knows? If I had not happened to receive Kangren’s secret letter yesterday, I might truly have chosen to follow the Sixth Prince after hearing what he said today,” Duke Liu replied indifferently.
—
The disaster relief efforts in Mianzhou were nearing completion. Congee shelters had been set up in every village and county, while a steady stream of grain was transported in through Mianzhou Harbor. The tide of refugees had been brought under control, and signs of vitality were gradually returning to the people’s faces.
After three rounds of severe interrogation, Wen Yingjing and Wen Ze had endured every torture the prefectural office had to offer. They had long since been tortured beyond recognition, and so they confessed to all the many crimes they had committed over the years.
Because the matter of Bone-Penetrating Fragrance was exceptionally heinous, Wen Zhuo laid out the details of the case and announced them throughout the land. He then specifically petitioned the imperial court to sentence the two men to death by lingchi, as a warning to others.
As for the children in Dongya Cave whom no one had claimed, Wen Zhuo made proper arrangements for them as well. He ordered the Mianzhou government office to care for them on their behalf, with the expenses drawn from the public treasury. They were to be enrolled in school on time and supported until they came of age.
Six Monkeys’ mother was never found. She had most likely already perished at sea, leaving him alone and helpless, on the verge of being forced to wander once more.
Seeing that he had rendered great service this time—and that he was clever and well behaved—Shen Zheng simply decided to take him along. In any case, the Marquis Yongning’s residence was hardly short of an extra bowl and pair of chopsticks.
On the day they were to return to the capital, everyone rose before dawn.
Wen Zhuo stood beside the bed, lowering his eyes as he watched Shen Zheng meticulously tie the cords of his undershirt.
There were six cords in all, intricately arranged, yet Shen Zheng was endlessly patient. His nimble fingers threaded through them, and butterfly-wing-shaped knots formed in a neat row along the front of the garment. Not a single crease marred the undershirt.
Next, Shen Zheng picked up a pure-white inner robe and gently draped it over Wen Zhuo’s shoulders. He carefully guided Wen Zhuo’s arms through the sleeves, then flattened and straightened the overlapping collar.
The cords were tied beautifully and precisely once again, with every length exactly even.
After that came a pale blue tunic, its waist adorned with delicate hidden pleats. A gentle lift at the back created a smooth, graceful silhouette.
Shen Zheng gave a low chuckle as he tied a matching sash around Wen Zhuo’s waist. He then bent down to inspect every crease, smoothing out each uneven fold one by one.
The look in Shen Zheng’s eyes, his movements, and the faint smile that barely touched his lips all made Wen Zhuo’s heart grow warm and weak.
He was plainly putting more and more clothes on Wen Zhuo, yet it felt as though Shen Zheng’s fingers were stripping him bare inch by inch, evoking an indescribable sense of shame.
Shen Zheng was so focused, as though he were thoroughly acquainting himself with every part of Wen Zhuo’s clothing, inside and out. Yet his movements remained proper and restrained, never going too far.
At last, Wen Zhuo could not help asking softly, “Why have you suddenly decided to dress me, Your Highness?”
“Because I like it.” Shen Zheng’s eyes held a smile as he tidied Wen Zhuo’s loose dark hair. “My miraculous Wenwen.”
“What does ‘miraculous Wenwen’ mean?” Wen Zhuo furrowed his brows slightly and was just about to ask for an explanation when he felt a tightness around his waist. Shen Zheng had already fastened a jade belt over his round-collared robe.
The belt was black, woven with gold thread, and hung with long tassels that swayed among the pleats of his tunic.
It was Shen Zheng’s jade belt.
“I truly enjoy dressing my teacher myself.” Shen Zheng took a step back and looked Wen Zhuo up and down, as though admiring a piece of unpolished jade that had been carefully carved. “From now on, whenever I stay by my teacher’s side, I’ll be the one to dress you.”
When he had first lifted Wen Zhuo from the bed, the man had carried the warm fragrance of medicine. Now, under Shen Zheng’s hands, he was impeccably dressed. Shen Zheng knew exactly how every layer should be matched, where it should be loosened, and where it should be tightened.
Wen Zhuo asked cautiously, “Did you develop this habit of dressing others because you were mistreated in Nanping?”
Shen Zheng could not hold back his laughter. He lowered his head and kissed Wen Zhuo’s soft lips.
“I’ve never dressed anyone else. I only do it for you.”
