There was no need to hurry on the journey back to the capital. The relief convoy moved at a leisurely pace, its carts and horses rumbling along.
The Imperial Guards’ Commandant, however, spurred his horse onward, traveling day and night without rest to report everything that had happened in Mianzhou to Emperor Shunyuan.
Naturally, this included the truth behind the Liu Kangren case, as well as Lou Changsui’s reckless attempt to silence him before the imperial edict arrived—an absurd plan that, through a twist of fate, had instead allowed Liu Kangren to escape.
Emperor Shunyuan was furious when he heard the report.
He hated Liu Kangren for defying convention and secretly opening the government granaries, but he hated Lou Changsui’s viciousness even more. How dare he scheme against the emperor himself?
If Liu Kangren had died while saving the people, and the truth had come to light later, would the common folk have cared that the laws of Great Qian were strict, or that his merits could not outweigh his crimes? They would only have condemned the emperor for failing to distinguish right from wrong and killing an upright official who had acted solely for the people. They might even have worshiped Liu Kangren as a divine figure, erecting statues and temples in his honor.
No emperor could tolerate a subject stepping on his own back to win an everlasting reputation. That was why Emperor Shunyuan especially detested upright officials like Liu Changbai, who were always ready to smash their heads against a pillar to prove their principles.
In the end, however, Emperor Shunyuan suppressed his anger. He still had to wait for Wen Zhuo’s more detailed memorial and compare the two accounts before making a decision.
The two attendants Prince Xian had sent out had been gone for two and a half months without a word. He knew that something major must have happened in Mianzhou.
For days, he had been unable to sleep. One group after another had been dispatched to investigate the situation.
Seeing him grow increasingly haggard, Bu Zhangyi could only step forward and offer words of comfort. “Your Highness, perhaps matters are not as dire as you imagine. Everything we have done was within the rules. Besides, there are many people in court who support Your Highness, and His Majesty has always placed great hopes in you. He will naturally view you with special favor.”
Prince Xian closed his eyes and wearily leaned against the back of his chair. “I hope you are right.”
Yet the affairs of the world often went against one’s wishes.
The heavy snow that had continued for more than ten days finally stopped. The streets of the capital were swept clean, revealing blue-gray bricks darkened by the frost.
The relief convoy returned to the capital in grand procession. Shen Zheng and Wen Zhuo had no time to rest before heading straight to the Qingliang Hall to request an audience with Emperor Shunyuan.
Unfortunately, ever since the Imperial Guards’ Commandant had returned, Emperor Shunyuan had been weighed down by anger and worry. Combined with several days of overwork, this had caused his old illness to flare up. He had been confined to his sickbed for days.
Only Consort Zhen had been left to attend him at his bedside. The reason Jun Mulan had not been summoned was that she paid little attention to propriety and used too much strength; she might well have left him in even worse condition.
In the past, Consort Zhen’s status had been exalted, and she had always looked down on the work of servants. Perhaps Noble Consort Liang had stirred her competitive spirit, however, because over the past few months she had become increasingly attentive and solicitous toward Emperor Shunyuan, personally bringing him tea and water, patting his back, and soothing his breathing.
This time, Consort Yi had not even managed to secure a place inside. She could only pace anxiously around the outer hall. She had wanted to gather some information for Shen Chen, but Consort Zhen had blocked every avenue.
When he heard that Shen Zheng and Wen Zhuo had requested an audience, Emperor Shunyuan struggled to sit up in bed. But after raising himself halfway, he collapsed heavily back onto the mattress.
“Your Majesty!” Consort Zhen hurriedly supported his back, gently patting his chest as she urged him in a soft voice, “There is no need to rush. You can hear their reports at tomorrow morning’s court session. Your Majesty’s health is what matters most. You must not overexert yourself!”
Emperor Shunyuan slowly raised his eyes. Looking at Consort Zhen’s still-beautiful face, though she was no longer young, he felt a trace of warmth in his heart.
He took her hand and patted it. “Have the two of them send their memorials in. Let them return and rest for now. Everything else can wait until court tomorrow.”
“Yes.” Consort Zhen turned and instructed the eunuch beside her, “What are you waiting for? Go at once.”
The young eunuch hurried off after receiving his orders. Consort Zhen then bent down and leaned close to Emperor Shunyuan’s ear, her soft voice carrying a hint of probing.
“Your Majesty, Fourth Prince Shen He has been very worried about you during your illness these past few days. Shall we summon him to keep you company and show his filial devotion?”
The weariness in Emperor Shunyuan’s eyes instantly faded into coldness. He turned to look at Consort Zhen, his tone edged with frost. “You refuse to let me see Shen Zheng and Wanshan to discuss the relief efforts, yet you want me to summon Shen He?”
Consort Zhen’s face went pale. She hurriedly released his hand and knelt beside the bed. “That is not what I meant, Your Majesty. I would never dare prevent you from attending to state affairs!”
Tears quickly gathered in the corners of her eyes, and her voice grew aggrieved. “I only thought that Shen He is lively by nature and good at saying amusing things to make you happy and keep you entertained. Perhaps if he came, your mood would improve, and your health might recover sooner!”
“The court is riddled with corruption, the disaster in Mianzhou has only just been brought under control, and countless messes are still waiting to be dealt with. I have no mind for amusement or idle banter right now!” Emperor Shunyuan scolded her bluntly.
But when he saw her slender body kneeling on the cold floor, her expression dejected and fragile, he could not help feeling a measure of pity.
He sighed. “I know you meant no harm. Get up. Have Liu Quan come in and read the memorials to me.”
“Yes.” Consort Zhen hurriedly wiped her eyes, bowed, and withdrew to the side.
Emperor Shunyuan gave her a strange look, then added, “Leave.”
Consort Zhen paused. Lowering her head to conceal her expression, she obediently answered, “Yes.” As she left, she cast a meaningful glance at the young eunuch waiting outside the hall.
At the princes’ residence, Shen Chen received the news at the same time. He shot to his feet, his chest heaving.
“You said Wen Zhuo and Shen Zheng returned in the same sedan, chatting happily the entire way, without the slightest sign of discord?”
The eunuch bowed. “That is correct, Your Highness. They entered the imperial city together in a single heated sedan. The curtain was never lifted. When they reached the avenue leading to the imperial halls, they walked together to the Qingliang Hall to request an audience with His Majesty. I was too far away to hear what they said, but I did see Director Wen laugh three times at something the Fifth Prince said. The Fifth Prince wore a smile from beginning to end. His Majesty is unwell and did not summon them, however. He merely accepted their memorials and ordered them to return and rest.”
“In the same sedan?” Xie Langyang’s figure trembled. He immediately pressed on, “Since they did not see His Majesty, did they part ways inside the palace?”
The eunuch nodded vigorously. “Yes. Director Wen went straight to the Hanlin Academy, presumably to give instructions regarding official business. The Fifth Prince went to Noble Consort Liang’s residence, likely to pay his respects.”
“Oh...” Xie Langyang’s tension eased, and his body slowly slumped.
He had been overthinking things.
The weather was so cold, and Wen Zhuo had always been afraid of the cold. Sharing a sedan to keep warm was perfectly reasonable. Besides, Wen Zhuo had always been extremely proper. Though he favored men, he would never set his sights on a member of the Shen imperial clan.
Moreover, the laws were strict. If the Fifth Prince had ambitions for the throne, he certainly would not jeopardize matters of state for a private affair. The two of them were most likely nothing more than a prince and his devoted minister.
Just as he was reassuring himself, the eunuch changed tack and continued, “But after visiting Noble Consort Liang, the Fifth Prince went straight to the Hanlin Academy. The two of them then left the imperial city together, still laughing.”
Xie Langyang: “...”
“Why are you asking about such trivial matters?” Shen Chen sneered, fully aware of what he was thinking. Whenever he thought of the tangled loves and hatreds between men, he felt a wave of nausea rise in his chest.
Unfortunately, he still had to rely on Xie Langyang, so he forcibly suppressed his impatience and refrained from saying anything more cutting. Instead, he dragged the conversation back to the matter at hand. “I should have realized it sooner. Master Wen has always been ruthless and will stop at nothing to achieve his aims.”
With that, Shen Chen clasped his hands behind his back and paced back and forth across the hall, his expression shifting unpredictably.
Xie Langyang’s face was filled with dismay. “He really destroyed the Wen family with his own hands to help Shen Zheng ascend the throne...”
“In his previous life, the Wen family feared being dragged into the affair and severed ties with him early on. They donated their entire fortune to aid the disaster victims in Bozhou, earning my forgiveness in return. Master Wen is narrow-minded and must have harbored a grudge. It is only natural that he would seize this opportunity in this life to take revenge,” Shen Chen said with a cold laugh.
“‘Ah, my grieving parents, who raised me through hardship.’” A chill ran through Xie Langyang’s heart, and he shook his head. “Even if there was an old grievance between them, how could it give rise to the desire to wipe out an entire family? I would rather believe Wanshan acted according to the law and put righteousness before family.”
Shen Chen could not be bothered to argue with such pedantry. The hand clasped behind his back slowly tightened. “Still, now that Shen Zheng has returned to court, Father will surely praise him again, and the officials will sing his praises. His influence will only grow stronger.”
He paced to the window and gazed at the golden roof of the imperial palace, his heart settling somewhat. “But he dealt Prince Xian a devastating blow this time, completely altering the balance at court. That gives me an opportunity as well. Once court convenes tomorrow, Duke Liu should realize that what I said was true. Now that he can no longer rely on Prince Xian, what choice does he have besides joining me?”
Xie Langyang temporarily set aside the unease stirring faintly in his heart. “I believe Duke Liu’s coldness toward Your Highness the day before yesterday was not because he doubted your words. Rather, he still regards you as Marquis Yongning’s honorary grandson, and thus has his reservations. He did not dare attach himself to you rashly.”
“You have a point.” A sharp glint flashed through Shen Chen’s eyes. He spun around abruptly, having made up his mind. “I am only an honorary grandson, after all. I cannot compare with Shen Zheng, who is his true grandson. If he has his doubts, that is only natural. At worst, I will acknowledge Liu Yuanqing as my maternal grandfather again and dispel his misgivings completely!”
Xie Langyang was left speechless.
Within Prince Xian’s residence, the entire room was dim and gloomy. The charcoal fire in the brazier was gradually dying out, but no one paid it any attention.
Prince Xian’s network of informants was no weaker than Shen Chen’s. They returned one after another, and some had even uncovered more information.
At that moment, Shen Bi pressed his palm hard against his chest, his brows drawn tightly together with worry. His broad, upright frame had gradually lost its imposing strength. “Lou Changsui was taken straight to the Ministry of Justice, and the commissioner of the prefectural granary we planted in Mianzhou has also been treated as a major criminal and placed under Luo Mingpu’s strict guard. The prison of the Ministry of Justice is now heavily defended—not even a fly could get inside. Luo Mingpu will surely use this opportunity to strike Your Highness a heavy blow!”
“How could Wen Zhuo have learned about the commissioner of the prefectural granary?” Tang Guangzhi’s face was deathly pale, and anxiety burned in his heart. Cold sweat dripped from his forehead, pattering onto the floor tiles. “Could Lou Changsui have accused Your Highness of something? All these men were arranged by me personally. If this link is exposed, I… I will be in deep trouble as well!”
Shang Zhiqin slammed a palm onto the table. “That despicable Lou Changsui—what a spineless wretch! He must have shifted all the blame onto Your Highness to save his own skin!”
Prince Xian slowly lifted his eyes. “Not necessarily. I have been locked in a struggle with the Crown Prince for years, and I know every sordid detail concerning the Cao family. How could the Crown Prince know nothing of the secrets of the Liu family? Wasn’t Huang Ting the one who defected to Fifth Prince? When one changes masters, one naturally has to offer a token of allegiance. I fear that all the secrets the Crown Prince gathered back then have already been disclosed to Fifth Prince by Huang Ting.”
Shang Zhiqin said, “It seems Fifth Prince has ambitions for the throne as well!”
Prince Xian remained silent, his expression heavy.
Bu Zhangyi slowly bowed and said, “Your Highness, do not panic. I bribed a soldier who took part in the disaster relief efforts and learned something important. He said that when Fifth Prince was in Liangping County, he killed a commoner in public in a fit of rage, without interrogating him or conducting any further verification.”
Prince Xian’s attention was drawn to him. Bu Zhangyi paused, then smiled shrewdly. “The crucial point is that a noblewoman had already stepped forward to request that the commoner’s case be submitted to the Three Judicial Offices for review. Yet Fifth Prince ignored her completely and insisted on executing the man.”
Prince Xian’s pupils contracted sharply. “Such a thing happened?”
“According to the Great Qian Founding Ancestor’s Statutes, the legal authorities have no power to question an imperial prince who has committed a crime. The matter must first be submitted for His Majesty’s personal judgment.” A dark, vicious intent flowed through Bu Zhangyi’s eyes. “At court tomorrow, Your Highness can seize upon this point and press it relentlessly. Force His Majesty to confine him to Fengyang Terrace and cut off his path to the throne!”
Prince Xian still had his doubts. “Shen Zheng has rendered great service during this disaster relief effort, and Father is currently very favorably disposed toward him. Will he truly place him under house arrest over this one matter?”
“Of course he will not,” Bu Zhangyi replied. “But the greater the uproar, the fiercer the controversy. His Majesty will surely be displeased, while the officials will grow wary and dare not hastily pledge themselves to him. That will give Your Highness a chance to catch your breath, regroup, and win back His Majesty’s favor.”
After hearing this, the knot in Prince Xian’s heart gradually loosened. He nodded. “It seems this is our only option.”
The sun sank in the west, and the last sliver of light in the sky was strangled by night.
At Marquis Yongning’s residence, the table was piled high with melons and fruits. The doors of the front hall were shut, and four braziers warmed the room. Everyone except Wen Zhuo was sweating profusely from the heat.
The group sat around the room, exchanging information.
Wen Zhuo thought for a moment, then assigned each person his task. “Weizhi, you should have already gotten to the bottom of the Ministry of Revenue’s affairs. At court tomorrow, I need you to work with me to bring down Bu Zhangyi.”
Gu Weizhi’s eyes lit up the moment Wen Zhuo began issuing orders with such commanding confidence. He immediately rose and clasped his fists. “Understood!”
Wen Zhuo turned to Mo Shu. “Mo Shu, Liu Kangren is currently hiding at the inn by Huiyang Gate. Tonight, he will take the initiative to go to the Dali Temple and confess his crimes. You must get there before him and meet Xue Chongnian, pretending that you happened to come across the matter by chance. Xue Chongnian is reasonably capable, but he is especially afraid of taking responsibility. You can suggest that tomorrow at court, he bring Liu Kangren directly before His Majesty and leave the entire matter to the emperor’s judgment.”
Mo Shu stood straight and gave a nod. “Understood. I will leave at once.”
“General Jun.” Wen Zhuo turned his gaze to Jun Dingyuan. “You will also need to give us your full cooperation at court tomorrow. When Liu Kangren mentions the Western potato, say that you heard of it long ago in the southern frontier. The Namping royal family had already sent envoys to the Western lands to purchase large quantities of the crop. At the time, you assumed it was an ordinary plant and paid it no attention. You never imagined that it could produce such abundant harvests and withstand such poor conditions, making it so important.”
Shen Zheng added, “Father has always been wary of Namping, afraid that Great Qian might fall behind. If Maternal Uncle puts it that way, he will certainly give Liu Kangren a chance to live.”
Jun Dingyuan’s handsome face turned cold, and a trace of reluctance showed in his eyes. He pressed a hand against the long whip at his waist and said grimly, “If he had not won four additional months of life for the common people this time, I would never have cared whether he lived or died!”
Mo Shu gently placed a hand on his shoulder, concern in his voice. “Huaishen.”
Jun Dingyuan drew a deep breath and clasped Mo Shu’s hand in return, his tone softening. “Senior Brother, I’m fine.”
“The general and the consort have shown great devotion to the greater good, and His Highness has the magnanimity to forgive others. This is a blessing for Great Qian.” Wen Zhuo smiled faintly and looked around the hall, his tone decisive. “Then it is settled.”
After the discussion ended, Wen Zhuo was completely exhausted. He intended to return to the Wen residence through the secret passage and rest.
“I’ll see Master home.” Shen Zheng nodded to his maternal uncle and followed Wen Zhuo away.
Mo Shu watched the two of them depart side by side, then turned to Jun Dingyuan. “The palace gates are probably about to be locked. Will His Highness still be able to get back in?”
Jun Dingyuan froze. “Ah?”
He had not thought of that at all. Still, there was nothing to worry about. “If he cannot get inside, he can simply return to the marquis’s residence.”
Mo Shu shook his head lightly. “It’s fine. I’ll go see Xue Chongnian first.”
They followed the secret passage all the way to the Wen residence and emerged through the rear courtyard. A cold wind carrying flecks of snow immediately poured down Wen Zhuo’s collar, making him shiver.
He secretly regretted not having built the entrance to the secret passage indoors, all for the sake of avoiding suspicion.
Shen Zheng immediately slipped an arm around his shoulders and half-supported, half-guided him into the room.
The room was warm and cozy. At a glance, Shen Zheng spotted the fan he had made, still propped beside Wen Zhuo’s bed—though the wooden frame had been put to use holding a cotton cloth.
Jiang Mannü soon carried in two braziers glowing red with heat. Wen Zhuo did not hurry to remove his fur robe. He simply sat on the edge of the bed, holding his hands near the brazier and waiting for warmth to return to his fingertips.
After warming himself for a while, he turned his head toward Shen Zheng, who was still standing where he was, and arched a brow. “Why is Your Highness still here?”
Shen Zheng sat down beside him as naturally as could be. “The palace gates have already been locked. I won’t be going back tonight.”
“…”
Wen Zhuo studied him warily before cautiously asking, “Then does Your Highness intend to stay at Marquis Yongning’s residence?”
“What do you think, Teacher?” Shen Zheng replied with a smile. His palm lightly patted the bed beside him, the implication unmistakable.
“…My bed is too narrow. It cannot fit two people.” Wen Zhuo’s cheeks flushed faintly. Back in Mianzhou, they had often shared a bed because circumstances had left them no choice. He had assumed that, once they returned to the capital, they ought to be more restrained.
“It is rather small. I thought so from the beginning, and I was even planning to persuade Teacher to have it expanded.” As he spoke, Shen Zheng efficiently removed his outer robe and lay down on Wen Zhuo’s bed.
He was so tall that his legs only just fit when stretched out.
“Your Highness.” Wen Zhuo frowned and reached out to hook a finger into his sleeve, tugging him toward the floor.
If Noble Consort Liang asked tomorrow why Shen Zheng had not returned to the palace, would it not be strange to tell her that he had spent the night here? The Marquis Yongning residence was not far away, after all.
Shen Zheng paid none of that any mind. He merely beckoned to Wen Zhuo. “Aren’t you tired, Teacher? You’ve been working hard all day as well. Come and rest on my bed.”
“That is my bed!” Wen Zhuo protested helplessly. How could this man be so shamelessly forthright?
“All right, then…” Shen Zheng drawled with a lazy smile. “Director Wen, whose brilliance astonishes all and whose quick wit can overturn the tides of fate with a sweep of his sleeve—I have long admired you.” His collar had come slightly undone, revealing the shadowed outline of his chest beneath. Strength and warmth seemed to radiate through the opening. “…Having heard that Director Wen is sensitive to the cold, I am willing to attend your bedside and warm your quilts.”
“Your Highness, you mustn’t speak nonsense! You are a noble scion of the imperial family. How can you offer yourself as someone’s bedmate?” Wen Zhuo’s expression turned solemn as he reached out to cover Shen Zheng’s mouth.
But Shen Zheng did not let him stop him. Instead, he seized the opportunity to pull Wen Zhuo onto the bed, locking him tightly in his arms.
Caught off guard, Wen Zhuo’s dark hair came loose and his robes wrinkled. His palms pressed firmly against Shen Zheng’s chest, and in his fluster, one finger accidentally slipped beneath the other man’s collar.
His heart jolted. He secretly withdrew that finger, yet could not ignore the lingering heat on its tip.
In truth, he quite liked falling asleep in Shen Zheng’s arms. It was only because of their positions that he refused to admit he was such a wanton and dissolute man.
“I need to get up,” Wen Zhuo said, pretending to arch his back. As expected, Shen Zheng pressed him back down by the waist, leaving him unable to move.
Shen Zheng gazed at him with a beaming smile. Though his hands exerted considerable force, not the slightest trace of it showed on his face. “You’ll have to get used to it. Now that our feelings are mutual, I’ll be climbing into your bed often from now on.”
Wen Zhuo was just about to admonish Shen Zheng not to neglect his proper duties or become too attached to a private romance when Shen Zheng raised a hand and gently rubbed his earlobe between two fingers. With utmost seriousness, he added, “And claiming you as mine.”
Wen Zhuo was sprawled atop Shen Zheng. His entire body suddenly trembled, as though he had been plunged into a sky full of evening clouds. From his cheeks to the roots of his ears, he flushed scarlet with heat.
Outside, the cold wind continued to howl. Inside, the braziers glowed red as Shen Zheng began untying, one by one, the slender ribbons he had tied himself.
