Chapter 65
The two cases had finally reached a conclusion.
The case accusing Xiao Tengyun, the commander of the Western Camp, of colluding with foreign enemies was proven to be false. He was found to have been falsely accused and thus received no punishment.
As for the princess of Liang who was injured while saving Qin Zheng, it was determined that the stabbing had not been intentional, and therefore the Dayu court bore no further responsibility. It seemed Liang Kingdom also had no intention of pursuing the matter further, so the case was settled smoothly.
The case of the former commander of the Western Camp, Zhou Chu, was also concluded. It was confirmed that the accusations against Zhou Chu, the Second Prince, and Ji Wencheng had all been unfounded, and the three were posthumously exonerated.
Xiao Tengyun, who had falsely accused Zhou Chu, was sentenced to death.
From the young emperor and Li Zhan down to all officials in court, everyone was penalized three months’ salary for negligence, and court sessions were suspended for three days for all to reflect on their own failings.
The Second Prince and the three Ji siblings who had been implicated were restored to freedom.
With this, the case no longer drew objections, yet it seemed few were truly happy about the outcome.
Even Ji Qingzhou and Ji Qinglan showed no excessive joy at the result.
Because everything stirred up by reopening the old case was simply too heavy—too many innocent lives had already been lost and could never be recovered.
All they could do now was look forward and cherish the new lives they had regained, so that this belated justice wouldn’t be in vain.
“I heard from Assistant Minister Chi that the day you took me out of the Jiao Fang Department, you spent quite a bit of silver, and it all came from Wang Ye’s account,” Ji Qinglan said to Ji Qingzhou in the carriage back to the Ji estate. “Now that today’s case has been settled, shouldn’t we get that expense sorted with the court?”
Ji Qingzhou didn’t expect her to be thinking about that at such a moment and couldn’t help laughing. “Are you worried Wang Ye will come after us to repay the debt?”
“I’m worried you’ll be too embarrassed to bring it up to him yourself. Even if he doesn’t demand repayment, we can’t just accept it quietly and say nothing…” Ji Qinglan said seriously. “That silver wasn’t a small amount. Even if Wang Ye says nothing, we still ought to clarify things.”
Ji Qinglan was quick-witted. When she saw Ji Qingzhou and Li Zhan together at the Jiao Fang Department, she had already guessed their relationship was likely not ordinary. After everything that had happened since, she became all the more convinced of her suspicions.
Li Zhan’s status was far above Ji Qingzhou’s. Even if their relationship was close, Ji Qinglan couldn’t help but think of her brother’s position. If Ji Qingzhou owed such a large favor to Li Zhan because of her, wouldn’t he always be one step beneath him?
So today, she had to take this opportunity to remind Ji Qingzhou to settle the matter clearly.
Ji Qingzhou lifted the carriage curtain and turned to ask Chi Zhou, who was riding beside them on horseback, “Assistant Minister Chi, you’re with the Dali Temple—you probably know about this. The silver Wang Ye spent at the Jiao Fang Department that day—will the court reimburse us?”
“Young Master Ji, rest assured. Didn’t Wang Ye say it himself in court today? Since the Ji family was wronged, the court must do its best to make amends,” Chi Zhou replied. “Whether it’s that silver or the future costs of the Ji family’s livelihood, the court will issue a proper response.”
Ji Qingzhou turned back to Ji Qinglan and said, “Now can you stop worrying?”
“Then when you see Wang Ye later, remember to bring it up clearly—don’t gloss over it,” Ji Qinglan reminded.
Ji Qingzhou hadn’t expected that as a grown man, he’d still need his sister worrying about things like this for him. He felt a little sheepish.
In truth, before today, he hadn’t really known Ji Qinglan very well. Only when he saw her in the rear hall today did he come to understand another side of her. His sister might appear gentle and fragile, but her personality was straightforward, and deep down, she was someone tenacious and decisive.
“You’re right, a lot of things need to be clarified.” Ji Qingzhou nodded, arching a brow in mock seriousness, “Speaking of which, all your expenses while staying at the Chi residence these days—we should take the time to calculate those with Assistant Minister Chi too. After all, the fault lies with the court, not him. We can’t take advantage of Assistant Minister Chi.”
Ji Qinglan’s face flushed slightly at his words, and she replied, “I didn’t just eat and stay for free at the Chi residence. I tended to their garden these past few months. I even made two pairs of boots and sewed a set of clothes for Assistant Minister Chi…”
“Oh?” Ji Qingzhou pretended to ponder deeply. “In that case, this account might not be so easy to settle.”
As soon as he spoke, Chi Zhou’s voice came through the curtain from outside the carriage. “Young Master Ji, please don’t tease me.”
Ji Qingzhou lifted the curtain and asked, “By the way, I remember when we left the palace, Wang Ye instructed Commander Gu to escort us and even sent people from the Ministry of Works to help restore the Ji estate. So why is Assistant Minister Chi coming along too?”
“I… happened to be heading the same way,” Chi Zhou coughed lightly.
“Oh…” Seeing him get a bit flustered, Ji Qingzhou didn’t tease him further. He lowered the curtain and sat properly back inside the carriage.
Ji Qinglan also quieted down and sat silently at his side.
The siblings rode all the way in the carriage to the Ji estate. Commander Gu Yiheng led the Imperial Guards to sweep the grounds first, and only after confirming everything was clear did he invite the two down from the carriage.
The Ji estate had been abandoned for nearly a year, and the grass in the courtyard had already grown past knee height.
Standing at the gate and glancing inside, Ji Qingzhou couldn’t help but feel a wave of emotion surge within him.
The Ji family had been cleared of wrongdoing, but nothing could ever truly go back to how it was.
“Young Master Ji, Young Lady Ji…” Chi Zhou addressed the siblings. “Wang Ye ordered memorial tablets for Grand Tutor Ji and Madam Ji to be made overnight. Please take them inside.”
Both Ji Qingzhou and Ji Qinglan were stunned for a moment, clearly surprised. According to custom, those who had been convicted were not allowed to have memorial tablets enshrined after death. They hadn’t expected Li Zhan to be so thoughtful—otherwise, the siblings would’ve had to handle this themselves after returning, which would’ve only added to their sorrow.
Among those who came along were officials from the Ministry of Works, and they moved swiftly. In no time, the ancestral hall of the Ji estate had been cleaned up.
Ji Qingzhou and Ji Qinglan offered incense together to their late parents. Chi Zhou and Gu Yiheng, who had come with them, also offered a stick of incense.
“May Father and Mother protect our brother and bring him back safely,” Ji Qingzhou said, bowing toward the memorial tablets after speaking.
There was still no word of Ji Qinghuai and Tu Dayou, but Ji Qingzhou firmly believed that no news was the best kind of news.
As long as their bodies hadn’t been found, then anything was still possible.
Li Zhan had arranged for Ji Qingzhou to be sent home, but he didn’t come along himself.
Because ever since the morning court session ended, the young emperor had been visibly downcast.
The young emperor had not discussed his actions in court with Li Zhan beforehand. Everything he said and did had come entirely from his own heart. This had surprised Li Zhan but also made him feel a pang of sadness.
Though the late emperor had been the young emperor’s father, and everything he did had been supposedly for the young emperor’s sake, both Li Zhan and Ji Qingzhou knew these matters had nothing to do with the child. The crimes of the late emperor were not burdens the young emperor should bear.
But the young emperor was exceptionally intelligent. Although he hadn’t fully grasped everything that happened in court that day, he had understood most of it.
He was naturally thoughtful and sensitive. Faced with the wrongs his father had committed, it was impossible for him to remain unaffected.
“It was Imperial Father who got Ji Gonggong’s father killed…” the young emperor said, sitting on the stone steps outside Fu’an Palace, his face clouded with gloom. “It was also Imperial Father who locked up Second Imperial Uncle, and Father who killed Commander Zhou.”
Li Zhan sat beside him, reaching out to gently ruffle his hair. “He made many mistakes,”
“Imperial Uncle,” the young emperor asked, “do you hate my Imperial Father?”
“He did many wrong things,” Li Zhan replied, “but he also did a lot of good.”
“I don’t get it. Was Imperial Father a good person or a bad one?” the young emperor asked.
Li Zhan thought for a moment and answered, “Sometimes a person can’t be defined so simply as good or bad. Cong’er, you’re still young. You have a lot to learn as you grow up. I hope you remember what happened today. One day, when you take power and hold others’ lives in your hands, I hope you’ll think about how you’re feeling right now.”
The young emperor nodded solemnly. His small face was still full of sorrow.
Li Zhan reached out and pinched his cheek gently. “Come on, let’s go. I want to take you somewhere.”
“Are we going to see Ji Gonggong?” the young emperor asked.
“He’s no longer an inner attendant, he’ll be moving back to the Ji estate.” Li Zhan replied, “Do you want to visit his home?”
The young emperor pursed his lips. “He won’t like me anymore…”
“I wouldn’t be so sure,” said Li Zhan. “I don’t think he’s someone who holds grudges.”
Hearing this, the young emperor’s expression brightened a little. He cautiously asked, “Then how should I address him when I see him?”
“Well…” Li Zhan paused, genuinely stumped by the question.
“I know!” the young emperor suddenly declared.
Li Zhan looked over. The gloomy expression on the young emperor’s small face had completely disappeared, replaced by a mischievous grin. Instantly, Li Zhan had a bad feeling.
Back at the Ji estate—
The Ministry of Works had moved efficiently, and with help from the men brought by Gu Yiheng, the entire residence was soon cleaned and restored to a fresh, orderly state.
“The Ministry of Works officials have already made a list of what needs repairing and replacing. Starting tomorrow, people will come to handle everything one by one,” Chi Zhou said to Ji Qingzhou. “But since the estate has been left unused for so long, even after cleaning, it might still be inconvenient to move back immediately. If Young Master Ji and Young Lady Ji don’t mind, you could stay at my residence for a few days. Once the Ministry finishes preparing everything, you two can move back comfortably.”
Hearing this, Ji Qingzhou smiled and said, “Assistant Minister Chi, we appreciate your kindness, but now that the case is settled, it would be better if you kept some distance. My sister and I will stay in our own home. We’re not so delicate as to be unable to endure a bit of hardship.”
Chi Zhou was momentarily surprised but quickly realized the reason…
In the past, Ji Qinglan had stayed at his residence because of her position at the Jiao Fang Department. Now that she had regained her freedom, it wouldn’t be proper for her to stay at the Chi residence without clear cause.
With this in mind, he quickly said, “I was presumptuous. I hope Young Master Ji and Young Lady Ji will forgive me.”
“No need to be so polite, Assistant Minister Chi. We deeply appreciate all the kindness you’ve shown the Ji family,” Ji Qingzhou replied, bowing to him.
Ji Qinglan stood silently by, knowing that Ji Qingzhou’s words, though polite, were really for her sake. By framing Chi Zhou’s earlier shelter of Ji Qinglan as kindness shown to the whole Ji family, he subtly made clear that the debt of gratitude belonged to him, not his sister.
This intention was exactly the same as Ji Qinglan’s earlier reminder to Ji Qingzhou to settle accounts properly with Li Zhan.
Ji Qingzhou probably sensed this too from Chi Zhou’s attitude. He hoped that if someday there might be new possibilities between the parties involved, those would be based on new terms—not shackled by the past.
But he also knew that while the words sounded good, it would be very hard to truly make that happen.
Just like with Li Zhan— even if he didn’t owe him money, how could things ever be completely settled?
The ties left in their lives were simply impossible to untangle.
“Young Master Ji, His Majesty and Wang Ye have arrived,” Gu Yiheng called from the courtyard.
No sooner had he spoken than Li Zhan entered, holding the young emperor’s hand.
Everyone present immediately bowed respectfully to the two.
Behind them came several eunuchs and guards, carrying boxes.
“Wang Ye had some daily necessities prepared, along with items you were used to having in Yinghui Pavilion, all brought here together,” Xiao Shan said. Guo Zi followed him. Neither wore the usual attendant robes but plain clothes. Xiao Shan directed people to carry the boxes inside, then added, “Wang Ye is merciful. He even released Guo Zi and me from the palace. From now on, we’ll serve in the Ji estate.”
Ji Qingzhou was taken aback at this and looked at Li Zhan, who was also watching him.
Their eyes met briefly before looking away, but Ji Qingzhou’s heart raced faster.
“I have brought His Majesty here to ask Young Master Ji and Young Lady Ji for a cup of tea,” Li Zhan said.
Ji Qingzhou bowed slightly toward the two and said, “Please…”
Xiao Shan and Guo Zi immediately took tea pots and tea leaves out of the boxes they had brought. Dong Dong fetched water, and soon tea was brewing. After nearly a year, the kitchen in the Ji estate finally had smoke rising again…
Though everything was different now, the living must always move forward.
In the front hall, the young emperor set down the lunchbox he had carried all the way.
Li Zhan had tried to help him carry it, but the young emperor stubbornly insisted on doing it himself.
“Your Majesty, this is…” Ji Qingzhou took the lunchbox and opened it, finding it filled with a large plate of sugar balls.
The young emperor looked at Ji Qingzhou nervously and said, “Zhouzhou, I saved these for you…”
Ji Qingzhou: …
Li Zhan: …
The young emperor had pondered how to address Ji Qingzhou. Before, he had always called him Ji Gonggong, but now that Ji Qingzhou was no longer an attendant, that title no longer fit. Yet calling him something else felt too distant, like any other official, not showing closeness.
Just as Li Zhan called him “Cong’er,” a term full of intimacy.
After much thought, the young emperor came up with a form of address that was neither cold nor awkward.
“Thank you, Your Majesty,” Ji Qingzhou said, both amused and touched. He pinched a sugar ball and popped it into his mouth.
Seeing this, the young emperor breathed a sigh of relief. To him, Ji Qingzhou eating his sugar balls meant they were friends.
As Imperial Uncle said, Ji Qingzhou would not hate him for the late emperor’s mistakes.
At first, the young emperor felt a bit reserved around Ji Qingzhou, but he soon realized Ji Qingzhou’s attitude toward him hadn’t changed at all. Even though they were now in the Ji estate rather than the palace, Ji Qingzhou showed no hint of distance.
Thus, the young emperor gradually returned to his normal self in Ji Qingzhou’s presence.
Chi Zhou did not linger long at the Ji estate and soon took his leave.
Ji Qinglan was also aware of the situation, exchanged a few words with Li Zhan, and then withdrew.
Before long, only Li Zhan, Ji Qingzhou, and the young emperor remained in the hall.
“I’ve asked Dong Dong to arrange some capable people to stay at your estate; they should be enough to guard the house and grounds,” Li Zhan told Ji Qingzhou. “Later, I’ll also send over a few female attendants to look after Young Lady Ji.”
Hearing this, Ji Qingzhou quickly expressed his thanks.
He had to admit, Li Zhan’s attentiveness to such details far exceeded Ji Qingzhou’s expectations. Li Zhan had even remembered to arrange attendants for Ji Qinglan, something Ji Qingzhou himself had overlooked.
“There’s one more thing I want to ask you about,” Li Zhan said, looking up at Ji Qingzhou.
Ji Qingzhou hurriedly replied, “Please go ahead, Wang Ye.”
“The case is settled. I want to personally visit the imperial mausoleum,” Li Zhan said.
Ji Qingzhou was momentarily stunned, realizing Li Zhan intended to go to the mausoleum himself to bring back Second Prince.
“Would you be willing… to accompany me?” Li Zhan asked.
Ji Qingzhou hadn’t expected Li Zhan to want to take him to the imperial mausoleum. He was a bit surprised but still nodded in agreement.
So that afternoon, Ji Qingzhou accompanied Li Zhan to the royal tombs on the outskirts of the capital.
The young emperor went along as well.
The young emperor’s mood had been up and down all day. Now he was a bit tired and fell asleep leaning against Li Zhan as they rode in the carriage.
Ji Qingzhou noticed the heavy burden on Li Zhan’s mind and realized that there must be more to his request for company.
“Actually, a few days ago, I sent someone to the mausoleum,” Li Zhan said. “Since the case has seen some progress, I thought you should know about it. But he refuses to leave the tomb…”
“Why?” Ji Qingzhou asked, surprised.
“My second brother is very stubborn. That was exactly why the late emperor feared him,” Li Zhan explained. “After Commander Zhou and your father’s incidents, my brother fell gravely ill and hasn’t recovered since.”
Second Prince had a fiery temper, unlike the more understanding Li Zhan. After what happened back then, he had been weighed down by bitterness.
In the previous life, Second Prince had fallen ill in the mausoleum and died in melancholy not long after.
This was one of the reasons Li Zhan wanted to reopen the case after getting a second chance at life…
“He and your father were close friends despite the age difference. Your father had been wrongfully implicated while pleading on his behalf. I thought that if I brought you to see him, it might help ease his mind a little,” Li Zhan said. “But I apologize for making you accompany me on this tiring trip…”
Ji Qingzhou replied, “Too many lives were lost because of that incident. If my father’s spirit watches over us, he would surely want Second Prince to find peace. Though the past cannot be undone, it’s best that fewer people be entangled. My father and Commander Zhou no longer have chances, but Second Prince is different.”
Li Zhan nodded solemnly. Seeing the gloom on his face, Ji Qingzhou gently patted the back of his hand.
He quickly withdrew his hand, but Li Zhan silently covered the back of Ji Qingzhou’s hand with his own, unnoticeably.
The carriage moved slowly, and before dusk they arrived outside the mausoleum.
The Dayu dynasty’s mausoleum was grand. Even the garden outside was vast. From the entrance, one had to walk a long way through the gardens, then climb an extended set of steps to reach the heart of the tomb.
Second Prince’s residence was near the mausoleum, very close to the burial site.
Ji Qingzhou walked with Li Zhan through the tomb grounds and felt the emptiness deeply. No wonder Second Prince had died in despair here. Not just the mentally scarred, but even a healthy person confined to this place for a year or so would likely fall ill.
In such a huge place, besides Second Prince, only the guards were present.
The guards could rotate shifts, but Second Prince had only one guard stationed here…
Whoever it was might not survive long in such conditions!
“This path is too long. Let me carry you up,” Li Zhan said, standing before the stairs.
Ji Qingzhou thought, wouldn’t carrying him squash his stomach?
“No, I can walk,” Ji Qingzhou said.
The young emperor reached out to hold Ji Qingzhou’s hand and said to Li Zhan, “Imperial Uncle, I can walk too.”
Li Zhan frowned, regretting having brought Ji Qingzhou along.
He had completely forgotten this path before coming. The carriage couldn’t go any further, so they’d already walked a long way. Now climbing this long stair with Ji Qingzhou was worrying.
“Maybe…” Li Zhan began, thinking about telling Ji Qingzhou to wait below.
But then he thought he wouldn’t feel comfortable with him out of sight.
Ji Qingzhou saw Li Zhan’s hesitation and said, “Let’s go. If we delay much longer, it’ll be dark.”
With that, Ji Qingzhou led the young emperor toward the stairs, and Li Zhan reluctantly followed behind, heart pounding.
Actually, the stairs were long but gentle. Ji Qingzhou didn’t find it hard.
Only after halfway did he get a little out of breath.
The young emperor got tired faster, and in the second half, he clung to Ji Qingzhou’s hand for support.
Seeing this, Li Zhan bent down and lifted the young emperor to avoid him slowing Ji Qingzhou down.
Then, after a brief pause, Li Zhan took Ji Qingzhou’s hand with his free hand.
Ji Qingzhou’s slender hand was enveloped by Li Zhan’s broad palm. The sensation made the youth’s heart beat faster. He hesitated for a moment but didn’t pull away.
Li Zhan’s wide robe sleeve draped down, covering their joined hands.
Ji Qingzhou glanced sideways at Li Zhan’s profile, feeling a subtle flutter inside. The hand Li Zhan held quietly shifted position, then Ji Qingzhou’s fingers linked around Li Zhan’s.
A chilly autumn breeze stirred, lifting Li Zhan’s robe sleeve, revealing their fingers intertwined…
The young emperor rested his head on Li Zhan’s shoulder, staring at their clasped hands for a moment, then couldn’t help but smile at Ji Qingzhou. This was Ji Qingzhou’s first time holding Li Zhan’s hand. Caught off guard by the young emperor’s smile, he felt awkward and started to pull back, but Li Zhan tightened his grip instead.
“Why are you shy?” The young emperor smiled at Ji Qingzhou. “Imperial Uncle often holds my hand like this. I’m not shy at all.”
Ji Qingzhou hadn’t really felt shy before, only awkward at holding Li Zhan’s hand for the first time. Now, with the young emperor’s teasing, his face flushed.
The young emperor finished smiling at him, then turned to look at Li Zhan. Suddenly, as if noticing something amusing, he said, “Imperial Uncle is secretly smiling…”
Li Zhan: …
Ji Qingzhou: …
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