In the absence of the chief official, Shen Tongzhi, the Northern Surveillance Bureau was under the command of the Fushi. This Fushi was one of the few former officials in the Feng case who had not been purged, so he was very sensible and handed the real power to Shen Tongzhi’s confidants – the two captains Shi Yanshuang and Wei Ying.
The two were in the middle of a discussion when a sergeant suddenly came to report that His Highness Yu Wang and Lord Su had arrived.
Wei Ying was taken aback. “Yu Wang? What’s he doing at the Northern Surveillance Bureau?”
Shi Yanshuang also found it odd. “Lord Su is a frequent visitor, but why would he come together with Yu Wang? I’ve heard they’re not exactly on friendly terms…”
Though puzzled, they had to receive a prince with proper respect. The two, leading their subordinates, went to the main entrance, only to see Yu Wang striding in briskly in plain clothes without even a bodyguard. Su Yan followed at a more relaxed pace. Even his personal guards, who never left his side, were nowhere to be seen.
Just as Shi and Wei were about to bow, Yu Wang waved them off. “No need. Everyone’s time is precious—let’s get straight to the matter.”
He figured these action-oriented pragmatists had little patience for formalities. While speaking, he stole a glance at Su Yan’s face and saw that omitting the pleasantries had played right into the latter’s preference.
Su Yan smiled and gave a cupped-fist salute. “With Lord Shen absent, the two Lord Qianhus must be working hard. Regarding the paper workshop explosion, I have some leads and would like to borrow the Embroidered Uniform Guard’s covert agents to investigate further.”
He took out the list that the Dali Temple officers had gathered and handed it over, briefly summarizing the background.
After listening, Wei Ying said, “Purchasing such a large amount of flour near the year’s end, almost emptying the capital’s granaries, and all under the guise of out-of-town merchants—definitely suspicious. I’ll assign people to investigate each of them to verify whether their merchant identities are genuine.”
Su Yan nodded. “Also check where their funds came from.”
Shi Yanshuang smiled. “No worries, Lord Su. Secret financial tracking and surveillance are our specialty here at the Northern Surveillance Bureau.”
Isn’t framing and torture your specialty? Su Yan inwardly retorted. Then Shi added, “Besides, Lord Shen gave clear instructions: for any request from Lord Su, all personnel here must comply without hesitation. Rest assured, there’ll be news within a day or two.”
Thinking of Shen Qi, who was still recovering but had nonetheless arranged everything meticulously, Su Yan felt a wave of warmth. Even his gaze softened like ripples in spring water.
Yu Wang caught the faint emotion in his eyes out of the corner of his own and felt a mix of sourness and irritation, having to feign indifference—his face settling into a look of “this Wangye is magnanimous and doesn’t bother with trivial things.”
Wei Ying suddenly smacked his forehead. “Speaking of the explosion case, I just remembered: before Lord Shen was injured, he instructed us to apprehend two more ‘gatekeepers’ based on the brothel keeper’s confession.”
“What was the result?” Su Yan asked urgently.
“One vanished without a trace—probably fled after the explosion. The other committed suicide during the arrest. We explored the two secret tunnels as well, but both were blocked due to the underground hall’s collapse from the blast.”
Su Yan sighed in disappointment and asked, “Where were the tunnel entrances?”
“One was in a blacksmith’s shop, the other in a bustling teahouse—both right in the middle of the city.”
Su Yan and Yu Wang exchanged glances. Yu Wang mused, “Hiding in plain sight?”
Su Yan responded cryptically, “From the people, back to the people.”
“…The people?” Shi Yanshuang and Wei Ying were baffled.
Su Yan explained, “Those tunnels weren’t just for Seven Kill Camp assassins to evade pursuit or contact their leader. They were also used by mid-level cult members to access the ‘Mingtang,’ where they were brainwashed before going out to preach in the community.
“These clandestine gatherings, dispersing by day and assembling by night, are very hard for authorities to detect. The rumors targeting the Crown Prince spread so swiftly and efficiently because of this tightly knit organization, which effectively carries out and amplifies the mastermind’s intent.”
Shi and Wei more or less understood. Since the founding of the state, the Northern Surveillance Bureau had handled many cases of self-proclaimed saints or prophets, always treating them as serious offenses. Heretical shrines were demolished, “divine messengers” and “strange folk” executed without mercy. If there was indeed a cult behind the Seven Kill Camp, it was well-hidden and clearly more sophisticated than its peers.
Su Yan analyzed, “The current situation is that our enemy hides in the shadows while we are in the open. Everything we do is scrutinized, whereas they can strike from any direction. That’s our greatest disadvantage.”
“So what do we do? Keep following the trail?” Wei Ying asked.
Su Yan shook his head. “They’ve already been alarmed and cut off the trail. If we keep following it, we’ll find no melon—just a handful of landmines.”
Shi Yanshuang frowned deeply. “It’s a tough one. All we can do now is start with those flour merchants and hope the trail hasn’t been completely severed.”
Su Yan said, “As long as it’s a man-made crime, I refuse to believe it’s flawless. This time, you need to send your sharpest agents. Be extremely cautious—don’t alert the suspects. There are several merchants, and with the amount of money involved, we should be able to uncover something crucial.
“I’m betting on the mastermind’s arrogance—that he believes no one else understands the mechanics of dust explosions and that no one would respond in time.”
“Dust… explosion?” asked Shi and Wei in unison.
Su Yan rubbed his forehead. “Don’t make me explain the science again.”
“Sci… ence?”
“—Never mind. I didn’t say anything. Just do what you know you need to do.”
Watching the two Qianhus nod earnestly despite their confusion, Yu Wang felt a surge of smug superiority—I, of course, understand everything Qinghe is talking about. He said to them, “I’ll leave a reliable guard here. Inform him of any updates, and he’ll report to me immediately.”
Usually, major cases were jointly handled by the Dali Temple, Northern Surveillance Bureau, and Ministry of Justice. Shi Yanshuang was puzzled. “Wangye is getting involved in this case too?”
Yu Wang finally got his chance to parry that earlier “Lord Shen gave strict instructions” line. He smirked, “This prince doesn’t deal with cases—I’m just responsible for Qinghe’s safety. Be sure to tell your Lord Shen to focus on healing and not to push himself, lest he leave behind chronic issues and ruin the rest of his life.”
Wei Ying just felt something was off as he listened. Shi Yanshuang, however, knew a little about their superior’s private matters and vaguely guessed what was going on. He clenched his teeth in displeasure, lowered his head, and cupped his fists. “Thank you for your concern, Wangye. I will deliver your words exactly as they were spoken.”
Once they exited the gates of the Northern Surveillance Bureau of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, Su Yan hesitated briefly beside the carriage, as if still unsure about his next destination.
Yu Wang asked, “What are you thinking about?”
Su Yan casually replied, “A way to break the stalemate.” He paced back and forth a dozen steps, still waiting for inspiration to strike, though he had a lingering feeling there was something he’d overlooked.
Yu Wang found him amusing, like a cat chasing its own tail. Unable to resist, he reached out and grabbed Su Yan’s wrist. “Get in the carriage first—it’s warm inside. Or better yet, let’s find a restaurant and have lunch?”
Su Yan instinctively pulled his hand back. “It’s not lunchtime yet. Besides, I’m sick of all the high-end restaurants in the capital—expensive and boring. The street stalls and alleys have more flavor and character.”
Yu Wang immediately changed course. “Then let’s hit the streets and alleys. We’ll walk around, and eat whatever catches our fancy.” Your breakfast at your manor was just two buns and a bowl of soup—what, feeding cats?
Su Yan wasn’t really in the mood to wander the streets, especially not with someone he’d loathed just a month ago. The whole situation felt awkward. But then the other man added, “Didn’t you say, go to the masses? Then let’s walk among the people. Who knows, we might stumble upon something useful.”
That reason struck a chord. Su Yan nodded. “Alright. I’ll change into plain clothes first. Have the carriage wait later on Zhengyangmen Avenue, and we’ll walk through the East and West markets.”
Half an hour later, amidst the bustling crowds, two young men in brocade robes strolled side by side, seemingly at ease.
Three or four days had passed since the explosion. Life in the capital had mostly returned to normal, but the tragedy had left deep scars. People still gathered in groups to talk about the horror at Baizhifang.
Su Yan walked slowly, stopping from time to time to observe and listen. Most of what he heard was outdated or wildly exaggerated hearsay. Just like in modern times, he thought—gossip culture truly is timeless.
Yu Wang spotted a clean food stall and sat down, calling for two bowls of meatball-wonton-egg “head-clearing” soup. Su Yan hesitated. “Wangye…”
“Call me Xu Jing.” Yu Wang tapped the table with the back of his chopsticks, speaking as if it were the most natural thing. “Sit down. Eat first, talk later.”
Su Yan was hungry too. He thought, just a casual meal with a not-so-familiar colleague, nothing to fuss about, and sat down across from him. He picked a matching pair of chopsticks and wiped them down with a handkerchief.
Yu Wang stared at the handkerchief.
Su Yan looked up at him, then down at his own chopsticks, finally mumbling as he handed it over, “Wang…”
“Xu Jing,” Yu Wang interrupted as he took the handkerchief, wiped his own chopsticks, and tucked the cloth into his robe.
Zhu Xujing, you b*stard—Su Yan had cursed him many times before. But “Xu Jing”… he just couldn’t bring himself to say it out loud.
The steaming hot soup arrived just in time to mask the awkwardness. Su Yan lowered his head and focused on eating the meatballs. Yu Wang gazed at his clear forehead through the rising steam and couldn’t help but smile.
Not far away, the crisp sound of children singing rang out—carefree laughter mixing with the aroma of street food, an oddly touching contrast.
Su Yan suddenly put down his chopsticks and tilted his head to listen.
Four or five children came chasing out of a nearby alley, clapping their hands and singing a rhyme: “…Heaven and earth are dark, the sun and moon give no light…”
Su Yan’s expression darkened. He glanced meaningfully at Yu Wang, then got up and bought a pack of sesame candies from the neighboring shop. He called out to the children, “Come here, kids—uncle’s got some candy for you.”
The children cheered and rushed over, each getting two pieces and stuffing them eagerly into their mouths. Su Yan squatted down and asked, “What’s that rhyme you were singing? Can you recite it for me?”
A boy missing his front teeth shouted, “I know it! ‘Thunder signals disaster, heaven and earth are dark, the sun and moon give no light.’ But… but I forgot the rest.”
A girl with clearer speech chimed in, “I remember! ‘The void saves the suffering, the red lotus appears, chaos is reborn.’”
Su Yan asked, “Who taught you this song?”
The children chattered:
“Grown-ups taught us.”
“Lots of people are singing it.”
“Only smart kids know it—if you don’t, you’re a dummy.”
“Uncle, do you know the song?”
“Nope. Uncle’s not smart enough,” Su Yan said with a smile, handing out the rest of the candy. The children snatched it up and ran off laughing.
Su Yan remained squatting on the ground. A hand reached out to him. He looked up to see Yu Wang’s handsome face and, without thinking, took his hand and let him pull him up.
Yu Wang said, “Who says you’re not smart? I’ll slap him so hard he’ll spin like a whirling dance.”
“‘Also’? Who was the last one you slapped?”
“The demon monk Ji Yao.”
Su Yan laughed. “Well done. Looks like another monster’s knocking on your door for a beating.”
He turned to leave but then looked back at his half-eaten bowl of soup with a bit of regret. “No matter how urgent things are, a bowl of soup doesn’t take that long to finish.”
Yu Wang agreed. “Exactly.”
They returned to their seats, eating quickly and chatting in bursts.
Yu Wang asked, “It’s just a children’s rhyme—why the serious face?”
Su Yan replied, “It’s not a rhyme. It’s a sign.”
“A sign?”
“Since ancient times, invoking ghosts, gods, and strange omens has been the best way to bewitch the hearts of people.”
Yu Wang thought for a moment. “…Like ‘The fox cries, declaring: Great Chu shall rise, and Chen Sheng shall be king’?”
Su Yan nodded. “Yes. Sometimes it’s a fox, sometimes prophecy texts—‘Liu Xiu shall be Emperor.’ Or voices from immortals—‘The Zhao Emperor and the Yang Generals’; ‘Who says there’s no true ruler now? Two emperors carry the burden together.’”
Yu Wang said in a low voice, “Liu Xiu and the Zhao brothers—both succeeded in the end.”
Su Yan replied, “But many omens of dynastic downfall began with children’s rhymes too. For example, ‘The moon rises, the sun sinks; the mulberry bow and arrow bag shall end the Zhou kingdom’—this meant that yin would overcome yang, and the Zhou dynasty would be overthrown by sellers of mulberry bows and arrow bags. As a result, King Xuan of Zhou ordered a kingdom-wide purge of bow and arrow sellers, thinking it would help him avoid calamity. But later, a couple who sold mulberry bows and arrow bags found an abandoned baby girl while on the run, adopted her, and named her Bao Si.”
“King You of Zhou then lit war beacons as a joke to amuse her… and the ominous rhyme ultimately came true in the fate of his son.”
“There was another children’s rhyme at the end of the Sui dynasty: ‘Yang flowers fall, Li flowers bloom; peach and plum bear fruit, rule the world.’ Because of that, Yang Guang executed many people surnamed Li.”
“But what he didn’t foresee was that the one to bring down the Sui dynasty would be Li Yuan, who was then still just Duke of Tang,” Yu Wang said skeptically. “So all this is just mystical prophecy?”
Su Yan answered firmly, “No—this is public opinion warfare.”
He raised his head and finished the last sip of his soup, slammed the bowl down onto the table, and declared with a heroic air, “I may not be good at fighting, but when it comes to this—I’ve never been afraid of anyone! Just think about what I did in my past life—”
Yu Wang looked at him with a half-smile. “Dare I ask what Lord Su did in his past life?”
Su Yan swallowed down the second half of that sentence and gave a dry laugh. “In my past life… I sold sweet potatoes. That’s why I’m an official in this life.”
He stood up. “I’m heading off. You take your time.”
Yu Wang also stood up. “Where to? I’ll go with you.”
“I’m going into the palace to seek an audience with His Majesty. I think it’s better if you don’t come with me. It’ll be good for both of us.”
“…Why see my royal brother?”
“To request a new official post. Besides, I’ve thought of a way to draw out the mastermind behind all this.”
“Hey—hey! You two!” the shopkeeper yelled after them as they left. “You haven’t paid! Trying to dine and dash, you fancy-looking scoundrels?!”
Yu Wang laughed heartily, not even turning around as he tossed a silver ingot back over his shoulder. With a clunk, it embedded itself into the edge of the table. The shopkeeper’s eyes went wide, and only after a moment did he realize that this customer was someone important—he’d paid a hundred times the meal’s worth! Overjoyed, the shopkeeper scrambled to the table, clawing at the silver with both hands and teeth.
