Wan Xin had gone mad.
Whether he was truly insane or faking it, the fact was he was now raving and delirious—impossible to bring to court to testify against the Wei family.
Su Yan received the news while visiting the Shen residence to check on the bedridden Shen Qi—who, at the time, had just finished practicing internal healing techniques and was trying out some moves. Upon hearing Su Yan was here, he hurriedly lay back down and instructed his maid to bring in ginseng soup so that Su Yan could fulfill his “requirement” of personally feeding him.
“That’s a smart tactic,” Su Yan said while feeding him a spoonful of ginseng soup. “If Wan Xin had died, the Wei family would’ve been suspected of silencing him. If he stayed alive, they’d worry he’d testify. So making him go insane is perfect—who would believe a madman’s words? Besides, the early symptoms of insanity include delusions, so now even the evidence he provided before comes into question.”
Shen Qi also thought it was a sinister but effective strategy. If it were him, he probably would’ve thought of it too. But seeing it used by the enemy was still unpleasant.
“Fortunately, the information Wan Xin provided was already independently verified by the Embroidered Guards, and we’ve secured plenty of evidence and contacted over a dozen victims and witnesses. None of that will be invalidated just because Wan Xin went mad,” Shen Qi said.
Su Yan nodded. “The loss is significant, but it’s still within what we can bear.”
If he had set up defenses in advance and isolated Wan Xin, perhaps this wouldn’t have happened. But he had chosen to forgo that intelligence in favor of ensuring Ruan Hongjiao’s safety. Su Yan asked himself if he had any regrets—the answer was “No.”
You can’t have both fish and bear’s paw. He made the choice that stayed true to his heart.
“Tomorrow is the seventeenth of the second month,” Shen Qi said.
“Yes. Now that I’ve gained the right to attend court, I no longer need to strike the Drum of Appeals.” Su Yan set down his empty bowl and used a handkerchief to wipe the corner of Shen Qi’s mouth. “I want them to see that Su Twelve is still Su Twelve.”
Shen Qi grasped his wrist, pulling him into his arms. “The court is like a battlefield. This time, Husband can’t stand by your side—Husband can’t bear it.”
“Don’t say that!” Su Yan huffed, but still leaned into his chest without resistance. “You’ve already done enough for me. The entire Northern Surveillance Bureau answers to me. If it weren’t for your orders, how could I possibly command those secret agents of the Embroidered Uniform Guard?”
“How confident are you about tomorrow’s court session?” Shen Qi asked.
Su Yan smiled. “I didn’t calculate it. I’m treating it as something I must do regardless of whether I have complete certainty or none at all. I used to be nervous, repeatedly checking for loopholes, until His Majesty showed me the memorials on the Imperial Desk—”
Shen Qi’s arms tensed involuntarily.
Su Yan, slightly breathless, patted his back to soothe him. “Those memorials—eight out of ten were all denouncing each other. Our court officials have mastered the art of verbal warfare, always eager to attack others. Since that’s the case, I’ll take up the mantle as the top verbal warrior and see who can outargue me. Thinking this way, I stopped feeling nervous.”
Shen Qi chuckled softly. “Lord Su, wise and brave, commanding armies with just your tongue. It seems I can only cheer for you from behind the lines and boost your morale.”
“That’s too much flattery. Armies?”
“Not so? Let me test it.”
“Mm…”
With one man holding the gate, not even Lord Su’s ‘thousand armies’ could break through. After several back-and-forth battles, Su Yan’s forces were routed, nearly losing the city walls.
Breathless and clutching his robes, Su Yan panted, “Qilang, your injury!”
Shen Qi wished he could fill his wound with stone to keep going. He tugged at Su Yan’s belt. “I’ll be careful. Just let me touch you… it’s been so long…”
Forget touching—if anyone saw the marks at the base of his thighs, that would be a disaster! Su Yan clutched his belt tightly and used the excuse, “I need to conserve my strength for tomorrow.”
Shen Qi narrowed his eyes at Su Yan’s face and neck. “Is it because that bandit bodyguard took advantage of the situation over the past few days, using up all your energy and vigor, so you don’t dare let me see?”
Su Yan shook his head vigorously. “Nothing like that. He’s been very well-behaved lately.”
Shen Qi laughed in frustration. “Him? Behave? He’s better at pretending to be harmless than anyone. Besides, spending all this time with you—how could he stay honest unless he’s a eunuch?”
What could Su Yan say? He couldn’t defend Jinghong Zhui without exposing himself by claiming the man was certainly not a eunuch and was in fact quite functional. Nor could he admit the Emperor had personally marked him with a chastity seal. After some thought, he could only shoulder the blame himself. Awkwardly, he muttered, “I’ve been feeling a bit weak lately. I need to rebuild my vitality.”
Shen Qi froze. “You’re only eighteen—this is when your energy should be at its peak. How could you be weak? You were just fine the last time.”
Su Yan stammered, “My shoulder injury hasn’t fully healed, and I’ve had a lot on my mind lately. I… I just need some time to recover.”
After a pause, Shen Qi helped him straighten his belt and robe, then kissed him lightly on the lips. “Once this affair with the Wei family and the Void Sect is settled, submit a memorial requesting a long leave. Set everything down and focus on recovering your health. Don’t worry—whatever the reason, as long as you’re unwilling, I won’t touch you.”
Su Yan’s guilt deepened. He lowered his head and said softly, “Qilang loves me.”
“—You just realized?” Shen Qi laughed. “And you?”
Su Yan leaned close to his ear and whispered seven words.
Shen Qi’s whole body trembled slightly. He held Su Yan tightly and exhaled a long breath of near-painful joy.
—
On the seventeenth day of the second month, the first regular court session after the Emperor’s Longevity Festival was held at the Fengtian Gate.
Su Yan wore the uniform of a Censorate official embroidered with a xiezhi (a mythical beast that symbolizes justice) and stood in the ranks of the Censorate.
The last time he wore this to court, he had caught everyone off guard and taken down Jia Gongji and others who forced the Emperor to issue a self-criticism edict. Who would he take down this time? Hopefully not me.
The Sage’s Way is to act without contending, but he loves to fight—sooner or later he’ll capsize.
The court has been stagnant for too long. It needs this sharp edge to cleanse it. shall work in concert with him.
Looks like there’s going to be a good show again.
—Many court officials thought this.
Su Yan stood calmly in the ranks, waiting as the heads of the Six Ministries finished their reports to the Emperor. When the ceremonial officer called out, “If there are matters to present, step forward; otherwise, court is dismissed,” Su Yan stepped out and said, “By Imperial order, I established a special task force to investigate the Baizhifang explosion. The truth has now been mostly uncovered. I submit this memorial to report to Your Majesty.”
Emperor Jinglong said, “Such a massive explosion is unprecedented, shaking the entire capital and turning Baizhifang into near ruins, with thousands of civilian casualties. It is a calamity of our dynasty. Many are spreading rumors that the chaotic times and looming disasters are to blame, that Heaven sent this as a warning to me. Su Yan, you were ordered to thoroughly investigate this case. Whatever you have found—be it fact or conjecture—speak freely. Have no fear of offending.”
Su Yan boldly asked, “Even if it involves high ministers, nobility, or even members of the royal family?”
Emperor Jinglong said, “If we hold back everywhere, how can the truth come to light? No matter who is involved, speak openly. I first grant you immunity from the crime of disrespect.”
Su Yan quickly bowed in gratitude. Straightening his back, he looked toward the throne, then swept his gaze over the assembled officials in the square and said in a clear voice, “To uncover the truth of the Baizhifang explosion, we must start with the attempted assassination of the Crown Prince last August.”
The attempted assassination of the Crown Prince last year? Wasn’t that case closed? The assassins were caught and identified as belonging to the Hidden Sword Sect. His Majesty even ordered the sect’s destruction because of it. The Hidden Sword Sect is long gone, its remnants wiped out. Why is Su Twelve bringing up old matters again?
Many court officials were whispering among themselves.
Su Yan beckoned two young eunuchs over. He took a folded piece of cloth from his robes and unfolded it—a square about three feet wide. The eunuchs held either end, displaying it for all to see.
On the white cloth was a vermillion-inked elliptical symbol—eight petal-like shapes arranged in a fan, forming what looked like a massive blood-red lotus flower, visible even to the officials standing at the farthest edges of the court.
“This is the mark left by a Blood-Eye assassin who attempted to assassinate the Crown Prince. Before his death—having gone insane—he carved this exact image into the prison wall. What does this mysterious symbol mean? A secret code for communication? Or a unique identity mark? The Embroidered Guards were baffled. It wasn’t until the following New Year that this same symbol appeared again—painted on a wall at the base of a remote alley in the capital. The one who drew it was a flutist, his true identity hidden, who had been infiltrating Yu Wang’s residence…”
Everyone’s curiosity was immediately piqued. The officials perked up as though listening to a thrilling storytelling session. Su Yan, using the suspense-laden tone familiar from modern TV programs like Legal Report and Approaching Science, slowly began to unravel the entire story:
—The assassin, confirmed to be a disciple of the Hidden Sword Sect, had cultivated the Blood Eye technique. Before dying, he left behind the eight-petal blood lotus mark.
—A surviving member of the Hidden Sword Sect, Fuyin, assumed the alias Yin Fu and took up a position as a guard in Yu Wang’s residence. In secret, he used flute music to disrupt Yu Wang’s mental state, attempting to sow discord between the emperor and his brother—that explained why Yu Wang had fallen ill around the Spring Festival and couldn’t even attend the palace banquet on New Year’s Eve.
Many officials recalled Yu Wang’s illness and nodded, “Yes, His Highness looked terrible back then and was quite irritable. So it was the flute—bewitching his mind!”
—Fuyin had left the blood lotus mark on a wall in that alley. Su Yan’s guards tracked the lead to a brothel named Linhua Pavilion, where they discovered a hidden tunnel leading to an underground preaching hall. Su Yan, Yu Wang, and Shen Qi entered it together, only for the tunnel to explode. They narrowly escaped with a few surviving fragments of a scripture scroll.
The original scripture fragments, along with a complete version restored by Yu Wang and Su Yan, were first submitted to the emperor and then circulated among the ministers.
“Esteemed ministers, please take a look—this is a scripture scroll of the Void Sect. Whether it’s the sermons or the blood lotus image, they match precisely. Pay attention to this line: ‘When the Great Calamity comes, Heaven and Earth darken— The Red Lotus appears, and all returns to the Void.’ Sound familiar? Which of you still remembers the nursery rhyme that was circulating through the streets of the capital just before the Baizhifang explosion?”
Prompted by Su Yan’s reminder, a young official slapped his forehead, “I remember! It was ‘Thunder foretells—’” He abruptly shut his mouth, nervously glancing at the throne, and tried to shrink back into the ranks.
Emperor Jinglong spoke in time: “You are forgiven. Speak.”
The official’s voice grew much quieter:
“Thunder foretells the Great Calamity,
Heaven and earth turn dark, sun and moon lose light.
The Void saves the suffering,
Red lotus manifests, chaos restarts…”
He quickly added, “This rhyme is nothing but heretical nonsense! Utter superstition! I’m ashamed to even recite it!”
His intense desire to survive earned him a glance from the emperor.
That single glance encouraged him greatly. He then turned to Su Yan and said,
“It’s clear now. The Void Sect has been digging underground tunnels, spreading rumors in secret, and operating illegally within the capital. This is an out-and-out heretical cult committing treason. I’ve also heard that Lord Su exposed the cult’s operations at the recent public trial. At this point, the Void Sect is hated by all throughout the capital region.”
Su Yan nodded.
“Then I assume you all know Wan Xin, the moneylender who funded the Void Sect?”
—Now comes the good part!
Several court officials, who either knew parts of the inside story or had long suspected Su Yan and the Wei clan were heading for a showdown, simultaneously turned to look at Wei Yan to gauge his reaction.
Sure enough, Wei Yan stepped forward first and shouted:
“Of course we know! And we also know that I—out of loyalty to the state over family—petitioned His Majesty to have Wan Xin punished by law to uphold justice. What now? You—some brat barely out of his swaddling clothes—want to play Shang Yang* and implement collective punishment? Planning to execute his entire clan on His Majesty’s behalf?”
*Shang Yang, historically executed by five horse dismemberment
Su Yan calmly responded: “I never said that, Lord Wei. No need to jump to conclusions on my behalf. At your age, the most important thing is health. Getting worked up all the time might burst a blood vessel— I’m just concerned, is all. The Wei family already lost one marquis; we really can’t afford another.”
Wei Yan hadn’t been that angry at first, but the mention of his maimed, crippled brother immediately sent blood rushing to his face. Su Yan pointed at the pulsing vein on Wei Yan’s temple and exclaimed: “His vein’s really going to burst! Quick—someone bring ice to cool him down!”
That cry was so full of sincerity that even the nearby officials were alarmed and rushed to help. Wei Yan angrily swatted their hands away and shouted: “I’m perfectly fine! Don’t listen to that little b*stard spouting nonsense!” So furious he forgot decorum—his regional accent even slipped out.
Just as the court seemed on the verge of descending into another round of cursing and bickering, Emperor Jinglong gave a heavy cough.
Everyone quickly averted their gaze and retreated to their positions, leaving the center of the hall to highlight two figures: the fuming Wei Yan and the innocent-faced Su Yan.
Emperor Jinglong said: “Su Yan, your concern for Lord Wei has been noted. That’s enough. I’m still waiting for your report.”
Su Yan cupped his hands toward the throne: “As Your Majesty commands.”
Then he continued: “After Wan Xin was arrested and imprisoned, the special investigation team moved him with reason and emotion—eventually awakening his conscience. He decided to put the nation before family and reported twelve crimes committed by the Wei family.”
—Twelve again?!
Now that nickname ‘Su Twelve’ was looking very official.
Several officials looked at Su Yan with unreadable expressions. And that phrase “putting the nation before family”? Wasn’t that exactly what Lord Wei just said? Su Yan was clearly doing it on purpose. Ruthless.
Su Yan ignored the looks and pressed on like firecrackers being lit in a row: “Wan Xin exposed how Xianan Marquis and Fengan Marquis manipulated land petitions, took advantage of substandard salt supplements, and operated private stores to accumulate illicit profits. He revealed they are the true owners behind Tongji Bank.”
“So-called ‘substandard salt supplements’ were actually stolen tax goods—state revenue pocketed as personal wealth, a true pestilence upon the nation. Moreover, our laws clearly prohibit officials from engaging in commerce or competing with the common people. But these two Marquis flouted the law, acted with impunity, and even pressured the imperial harem for favors. When their petition for estate lands failed, they brazenly seized private property—injuring or killing dozens of civilians in the process!”
The surrounding officials collectively gasped in shock — In this dynasty, it was common enough for officials and titled nobles to be corrupt, to embezzle or use public power for private gain. But for someone to carry the burden of dozens of lives was a rare and extreme scandal.
Even when Feng Qu’e once wielded near-tyrannical power, he still had to fabricate charges and follow due process before deploying the Imperial Cavalry to apprehend someone. If Marquis Xianan and Marquis Fengan had truly killed civilians outright while seizing land, it would be nothing short of outrageous arrogance!
Wei Yan immediately snapped, “Slander! When have I or Marquis Fengan ever seized land and harmed the people? Why has no one come to the magistrate’s office to file a complaint all these years? You’re clearly fabricating charges and framing me! What’s the punishment for defaming and falsely accusing nobles of the imperial family? Since you, Su Twelve, claim to have studied the Great Ming Law, why don’t you tell us?”
Su Yan let out a faint, cold laugh.
“If I dared to say it publicly, then naturally I have evidence. If you two Marquis thought you could cover your crimes by exiling the victims’ families to remote regions, reducing them to beggars of the lowest caste and letting others beat and abuse them—then I’ll let you know: I’ve already found most of those people. Right now, they’re lined up outside the Shuntian Prefecture yamen, waiting to press charges against the two of you!”
“Those are all fake witnesses you brought in!” Wei Yan retorted. “You’ve held a grudge ever since Marquis Fengan impeached you for colluding with outlaws and raising death squads to assassinate him! Now you not only want him dead, but want to drag down the entire Wei family! This is your usual tactic—eliminating dissidents under the guise of righteousness. You pretend to be moral, but in truth, you’re the most hypocritical of all!”
Su Yan calmly asked,“Then tell me, Xianan Marquis—how exactly am I the hypocrite? Like you two, who receive 1,200 shi of court-granted grain every year, yet somehow spend thousands of times more than your official salary? Who own more mansions and gardens than even the imperial Eastern and Western Palaces combined? Who keep thousands of servants purely for indulgence and pleasure? Where does that wealth come from? If not from coercion and plunder, then what? The heavens dropped it into your lap? If so, why didn’t the heavens also drop me a manor? I survive on a monthly salary of just 24 shi, and can only afford a tiny residence worth 200 taels of silver!”
The mansions and estates were there for all to see, not just in the capital but across the provinces—there was no way for Wei Yan to deny it.
All he could say was, “Those were all passed down from my ancestors!”
Su Yan laughed aloud: “Tell that to a ghost! Yu Wang already exposed the truth of your family’s background to me last year at the Wutong Waterside Pavilion!”
“Back when Qingzhou fell under the hooves of the Tartars, and your father passed away, you two failed to command the Qingzhou army. After repeated defeats, you fled to the capital, begging the former emperor for shelter. If you had truly possessed such vast family wealth, how is it that your whole entourage only numbered a hundred or so when you arrived—and even they didn’t have full armor? What, did your ancestral property get sent by mail on the wind?”
Caught off guard, Wei Yan’s face flushed with embarrassment.
Su Yan pressed on: “Twenty full years! In all that time, how much of the people’s wealth have you Wei clan parasites sucked up to bloat yourselves into this ‘powerful noble family’?”
He pointed directly at them without mercy.
“When the top beam is crooked, the lower beams follow suit! Your clan’s retainers obstruct trade along the Grand Canal between the capital and Hangzhou. To monopolize river commerce, they’ve beaten and extorted the innocent like river bandits, enraging the common folk along the banks. When they tried to report it to local magistrates, you had the complaints forcibly suppressed. But now, some of those petitions have made their way to me. Would you like to take a look, Xianan Marquis? Let the rest of the court witness how ‘impressive’ your Wei clan truly is!”
The court grew increasingly noisy, the ministers’ voices rising in a chorus that nearly drowned out Wei Yan’s frantic denials.
The powerful thud of long-handled ceremonial maces striking the floor echoed through the hall— The Embroidered Uniform Guard guards brought down their gold-headed weapons in unison, suppressing the clamor.
Su Yan struck while the iron was hot and turned sharply toward another target: “As for Marquis Fengan—how many common women has he kidnapped and r*ped over the years?
“He even built private pleasure chambers inside his estate. Any woman who resisted or displeased him would end up secretly murdered or forced to take her own life. To this day, the women’s wails still echo through Marquis Fengan’s mansion at night. You—his elder brother—have you not heard them?”
The last sentence carried a bone-chilling tone, like the voices of vengeful ghosts. Wei Yan involuntarily stepped back, but still gritted his teeth and said: “Marquis Fengan is gravely ill—too ill to appear in court. No matter what nonsense you make up, he cannot defend himself face to face. But sick as he is, a marquis is still a marquis—not someone you can slander with empty words!”
Su Yan sneered: “Evidence? Of course I have it. One of my guards, Jinghong Zhui, had a sister named Jing Hongtao— She was strangled to death with a sash by Marquis Fengan himself. Her brother is here today, waiting outside the Shuntian Prefecture yamen to file a formal complaint against Wei Jun!”
He signaled to an officer at the edge of the court. Immediately, a team of Embroidered Uniform Guard entered carrying multiple wooden chests, which they placed on the flagstone ground.
Su Yan opened the lids one by one, revealing boxes filled with petitions, testimonies, blood-written letters, and personal effects of the victims.
The crowd surged forward to take a look—and an uproar erupted.
Wei Yan felt as though he were sitting on a bed of needles. He wanted to go forward and see the evidence but felt sick to his stomach—and was also growing increasingly anxious. Where was the person who was supposed to come and intervene?
At that moment, a eunuch quietly approached Lan Xi and whispered a few words.
Lan Xi turned to Emperor Jinglong and said: “Your Majesty, Marquis Changning, Wei Que, requests an audience at the Meridian Gate. Since court has already begun, the guards initially denied him entry. But he claims he has urgent matters to report directly to Your Majesty.”
Wei Que was Wei Yan’s son and Consort Wei’s elder brother. Clearly, he had come in response to Su Yan’s impeachment of the Wei family.
But by both etiquette and reasoning, he couldn’t be denied a hearing.
Emperor Jinglong nodded and said, “Summon him.”
Before long, Wei Que strode into the square before Fengtian Gate in full court regalia, holding a memorial tablet and a written memorial. He bowed to the throne.
Compared to his father and uncle, Marquis Changning was far more modest and restrained—some even mocked him as “too honest.” He rarely spoke at court, and when he did, his tone was humble. So many court officials held a generally favorable impression of him.
The emperor asked, “Didn’t Marquis Changning call in absent from today’s morning court?
Why have you now come rushing in midway?”
Wei Que replied, “I have a memorial to present, Your Majesty.”
The emperor nodded slightly, and a pair of eunuchs stepped forward to collect the document and present it to him.
He opened the scroll and skimmed through it quickly. After reading halfway, he closed it and said: “I’ll keep the memorial. But today’s court session has gone on long enough, and I’m feeling somewhat weary. After the session is adjourned, Marquis Changning, come to the imperial study. We’ll discuss the matter in detail then.”
As the emperor rose to leave the throne, Wei Que suddenly raised his voice and shouted: “This subject, Wei Que, formally impeaches Shaoqing of Dali Temple, Su Yan of Qinghe— Not only did he harbor remnants of the Hidden Sword Sect, taking them as trusted death-sworn followers, He even instructed them to collude with the Void Cult. Under the guise of investigation, he faked achievements for merit and deceived both Your Majesty and the people of the realm!
Your Majesty once issued an imperial edict: Anyone closely associated with the Hidden Sword Sect, regardless of rank or status, shall be considered a remnant and treated as such. I ask: does this decree still hold weight or not?!”
