The wounds on Su Yan’s side jaw and neck from the cat’s scratches had scabbed over and itched from time to time.
At the morning court, while secretly scratching lightly with his fingertips, he listened to several remonstrating officials solemnly petition the emperor, requesting amnesty for the commoners arrested by the Embroidered Uniform Guard.
It turned out that while investigating the case of the demonic book, the Northern Surveillance Bureau had not only located and sealed an underground printing workshop in the capital and arrested dozens of bookmakers, but had also arrested a large number of common townsfolk who were distributing the booklets and spreading rumors, throwing them all into the imperial prison for interrogation about those behind the scenes.
The officials had no objection to arresting those spreading heretical rumors and engaging in illegal publishing, but they did object to implicating a large number of common people.
In the view of some officials, these commoners were merely ignorant people who had been incited. They believed that rumors would stop with the wise, and that the court only needed to issue public notices to clarify the Grand Empress Dowager’s reputation; the rumors would naturally disappear. There was no need to take drastic action against ordinary people, the Northern Surveillance Bureau was suspected of abusing its authority.
This was, in effect, an indirect impeachment.
Although Shen Qi had already been promoted to Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, the most powerful Northern Surveillance Bureau was still firmly in his hands. Such large-scale arrests were clearly carried out under his orders.
Zhu Helin immediately summoned Shen Qi to step forward and confront the matter face-to-face.
Shen Qi’s explanation was: these commoners had actively participated in spreading rumors and distributing the demonic book; they could not simply be absolved with the phrase “they did not know.” Moreover, preliminary investigations had found that some of them had once been followers of the Void Sect. The rest had yet to be fully investigated, but nine times out of ten, they were also connected to the Void Sect.
Evidence? Of course, confessions from the suspects.
This immediately drew objections not only from several remonstrating officials, but also from some officials of the Ministry of Justice: only confessions, without physical evidence? Who could guarantee that the Northern Surveillance Bureau had not extracted them through torture? After all, under the former commander Feng Qu’e, the Embroidered Uniform Guard had a prior record of fabricating wrongful cases and claiming merit for rewards.
Facing the doubts, Shen Qi replied with a faint smile, “These people disregarded court prohibitions, secretly believing in and joining the sect. The Void Sect does not keep registries of its followers, other than honest confessions and mutual accusations, what physical evidence could prove their status as believers? If you insist on evidence, some households have hundreds of copies of the demonic book hidden in their cellars, does that count? If even that doesn’t count, must we dig out their foolish hearts to prove it?”
His words were not entirely without reason, but the bloodthirst that seeped through them made many officials present uncomfortable. Thus, more joined the group petitioning the emperor to distinguish loyalty from treachery and not allow the Embroidered Uniform Guard to take the opportunity to stir up trouble.
Only Su Yan believed that Shen Qi would not recklessly arrest the innocent, nor arbitrarily resort to severe torture. As for these so-called “ignorant commoners,” borrowing a saying from later generations: “If you lined them all up and shot them, there might be a few wronged, but if you shot every other one, there would definitely be some who slipped through.” Since there was suspicion, it was better to detain them first for interrogation. In such a tense situation, with a storm about to break, acting decisively was better than hesitating.
If they truly arrested the wrong people, they could be released later, with some financial compensation. Since this was a criminal investigation, there was no need to rigidly adhere to benevolence, just as compassion does not govern the army.
Thus, after the officials had argued nearly to exhaustion, Su Yan slowly stepped forward and stated his position: “My lords, do not focus only on a few rumors and a single demonic book. You must look through the phenomenon to the essence and uncover the conspiracy behind these rumors, someone is using them to stir trouble, intending rebellion!”
The words “intending rebellion” struck like a bolt from the blue above the court officials’ heads. In the feudal era, this was the most serious of the unforgivable crimes, with countless cases of entire clans being exterminated.
With Su Shilang framing the case so severely, how could the court officials dare to argue lightly? They all feared being placed into the forbidden category of “speaking on behalf of rebels.”
Another secretary, Xie Shiyan, was still on sick leave, and Chief Gelao Yang Ting was still considering how to press further when Su Yan continued, “In extraordinary times, extraordinary measures are warranted. If any lord has objections, or possesses superior ability, you may take over this case. Of course, whether that is permitted depends on His Majesty’s will.” As he spoke, he cupped his hands toward Zhu Helin, who sat high behind the imperial desk.
Following Su Yan’s words, Zhu Helin asked, “Which of my ministers wishes to take over and be responsible for investigating this case?”
A matter concerning the legitimacy of the imperial throne, no matter how one looked at it, it was extremely dangerous. Fail to solve it, and one would be ruined for incompetence; solve it, and if the truth could not be revealed, knowing too much would be just as fatal. This was more than a hot potato, it was a powder keg that must not be touched.
Most people were like this: it was easy to criticize others, but when it came to taking responsibility themselves, they weighed pros and cons and found excuses. As the ministers hesitated, an unexpected figure stepped forward, it was none other than Cui Jinping, a mere fifth-rank Supervising Councellor of the Office of Transmission.
Since secretly siding with the Crown Prince’s faction during the Kneeling-at-the-Gate Incident, privately tipping off Lan Xi and providing lists, Top Scholar Cui had been anxiously waiting to see whether he had bet correctly. After many twists and turns, the Crown Prince had finally returned to court, but the former emperor had passed away.
Now the only one who knew of his contribution was Lan Xi, yet Lan Xi seemed to have completely forgotten about it.
With a new emperor comes new officials. Perhaps sensing danger, and knowing his closeness to the Crown Prince was far inferior to the former Eastern Palace retainers, Lan Xi had become much more low-key within the power vortex of the Directorate of Ceremonial. The once powerful eunuch had grown cautious and meticulous, like an autumn mantis lying in wait.
Without an eunuch speaking on his behalf, Cui Jinping could hardly shamelessly go to the newly enthroned emperor to claim credit himself.
Watching those officials who had accompanied and protected the Crown Prince rise one by one to great heights, Cui Jinping felt both envy and jealousy. Naturally, he thought of Su Yan, now an esteemed Gelao, hoping that for the sake of being of the same cohort, allies, and friends, Su Yan might give him a hand.
So some time ago, he found an excuse, brought gifts, and went to visit Su Yan to seek an opportunity. In the end, he didn’t even get through the door, Su Xiaojing treated him as just another one among countless office-seekers and “lackeys,” and unceremoniously sent him away.
“I am of the same cohort as Lord Su,” Cui Jinping explained.
Su Xiaojing rolled his eyes. “Half the capital claims to be of the same cohort as our lord, each one bringing gifts to request an audience just like you.”
Cui Jinping knew the servant’s words were exaggerated, but they still showed how many people were seeking positions. Helpless, he said, “I’m different, I’m a close friend of your lord.”
Su Xiaojing laughed. “The other half of the capital claims to be our lord’s fellow townsman, friend, or even sworn brother. I think you’d better go back, study hard if you should be studying, do your duty honestly if you should be working, and stop setting your sights on our lord!” With that, he slammed the door shut.
With no other choice, Cui Jinping slipped his calling card through the crack in the door. “Wait, young brother, when Lord Su returns, please show this to him.”
Su Xiaojing picked up the card, glanced disdainfully at the words “Councellor” on it, and casually tossed it into a drawer in the gatehouse. That drawer was already filled with calling cards, three large drawers in total, most belonging to middle- and low-ranking officials. Xiaojing couldn’t be bothered to sort them, leaving them piled together in a mess.
Disappointed, Cui Jinping returned home with his gifts. After waiting two days with no news, he decided to seek out Su Yan in person. He first went to the Ministry of Personnel but did not find Su Yan, he was told Su Yan had gone to Wenyuan Pavilion. That was where the Inner Cabinet conducted business. Using the pretext of delivering memorials from various regions, Cui Jinping entered Wenyuan Pavilion, but still did not see Su Yan; he was told that His Majesty had summoned him into the palace.
By such twists of fate and repeated near-misses, Cui Jinping developed a kind of illusion, that Su Yan was distancing himself from him. As for whether Su Yan truly regarded him as just another bothersome office-seeker, or whether after entering the Grand Secretariat he had grown arrogant and no longer took him seriously, that was impossible to know.
In any case, he would have to rely on himself, win some favor in front of the new emperor. Perhaps the demonic book case would be a good opportunity.
Unfortunately, he was disappointed once again. Zhu Helin’s gaze swept over him, and he frowned, as if to say: Who is this? Does he have any sense of propriety?
Cui Jinping also knew that even the Minister of Justice and the Chief Judge of the Court of Judicial Review had not spoken yet, and for a mere fifth-rank official like himself to step forward was not only presumptuous, but also showed a lack of self-awareness. But he could no longer care about that, he had to find a breakthrough to break the current bottleneck and open a path for advancement in his official career.
Cheng Sheng, who stood attending at the side, quickly bent down and whispered into Zhu Helin’s ear, reminding him, “This is Cui Jinping, Supervising Secretary of the Office of Transmission, top scholar of the same examination cohort as Su Gelao.”
With that reminder, Zhu Helin recalled him somewhat, the one who had said “the dragon will one day leap among golden scales” at the imperial banquet back then. His official rank was not high, but his arrogance was not small. It was said he had some private friendship with Su Yan, but since Su Yan had often been away on assignments in recent years, they were not necessarily that close.
Although Zhu Helin disliked Shen Qi, he had to admit that the Embroidered Uniform Guard was the best choice to handle this case. Thus, he had never considered handing it to anyone else, let alone an ordinary official who suddenly stepped forward to recommend himself.
He remembered that Su Yan had once said that his essay, “Elegy for My Late Mother,” had been promptly printed in the court bulletin and circulated throughout the realm, winning a battle of public opinion, and that Top Scholar Cui had played a role in it. For the sake of that contribution, Zhu Helin did not rebuke Cui Jinping for overstepping, but asked, “What, does Official Cui believe he can solve this case?”
Cui Jinping hurriedly replied, “This minister would not dare make such a brazen claim, but I ask to participate in the investigation, to assist Su Gelao or Commander Shen.”
Hearing this, Zhu Helin glanced at Su Yan. Seeing him shake his head slightly, he said, “Though Official Cui lacks experience in handling cases, his willingness to share my burdens is commendable. But this case is no ordinary matter, it is better handled by the Embroidered Uniform Guard.”
Shen Qi also added at the right moment, “This minister is not accustomed to working jointly with others on cases. I ask Your Majesty’s understanding.”
Su Yan did not want Cui Jinping to get involved in this case, first, because it concerned secrets of the imperial family, and the fewer people who knew, the better; second, to avoid bringing fatal danger upon him. That was why he shook his head in disapproval.
But Cui Jinping felt even more strongly that he was not only being distanced by Su Yan, but also excluded far from the center of power. His face turned faintly green. He apologized and returned to the ranks, hearing the low snickers of his colleagues in the Office of Transmission. He felt both anger and humiliation, yet still pretended not to care, maintaining an arrogant expression.
Su Qinghe! He gritted his teeth inwardly. Could it be that you are truly the kind of person who can share hardship but not prosperity?
After court was dismissed, Su Yan found a chance to try to speak privately with Cui Jinping, but the other seemed not to see him at all and turned away. Su Yan could not help but feel some regret and melancholy. Shen Qi came over and invited, “Shall we go to the market and find a restaurant for lunch?”
Su Yan agreed. As they walked side by side, he said, “With this demonic book case, you’re deliberately making a big show of it, are you trying to flush the snake out of the grass?”
Shen Qi said, “Yes. There are two ways to force someone to reveal their hand: one is to deceive, make them careless, thinking they can fish in troubled waters and strike with full force. The other is to pressure, make it impossible for them to succeed easily, forcing them to mobilize everything and strike with full force.”
Su Yan guessed Shen Qi was probably not relying solely on “deception” or solely on “pressure,” but might be combining both. So he said, “Then I should cooperate with you even more, quickly think of a way to dispel the rumors, so the player realizes that the public opinion card is completely useless, and will come out to fight openly.”
Shen Qi looked at the faint dark circles under his eyes and said with concern, “If you can’t think of anything, it’s fine, take another path. You should rest more and go to bed earlier.”
Su Yan smiled. “Alright, no more staying up late.”
Shen Qi then examined his jaw and neck again and reminded him, “It’s scabbed over, don’t scratch it, or if you break it open, it’ll have to heal all over again.”
“It itches… I can’t help it.” Su Yan switched to lightly pressing the taut skin around the scabs with his fingers.
Shen Qi laughed. “Once we leave Meridian Gate and get into the carriage, I’ll help you press it.”
These past few days, Su Yan had asked Jinghong Zhui to track down the killer of the Embroidered Uniform Guard’s covert agent, so the carriage was being driven by a simple, honest servant from the household, waiting outside Meridian Gate for him after court.
After entering the carriage, Shen Qi finished pressing the wound for him, easing the itch somewhat, then began to tug at his collar, saying that just now was treating the symptoms, and now he would treat the root cause. Su Yan pretended to punch him, and the two of them, rarely relaxed, began to fool around, even knocking open one of the cabinet doors beside the seat.
A folded slip of paper floated out and landed on the top of Su Yan’s foot. While grabbing Shen Qi’s wrist and saying, “Stop it, it’s broad daylight, there are people outside,” he casually picked up the paper and opened it. On it was a hastily written address, somewhere in a street in the southern part of the capital.
Staring at the note, he suddenly remembered, wasn’t this the contact address left by that down-and-out Western painter he met at the Heavenly Works Academy? What was his name… Aizhonghua… no, Ai Huaduo.
He wondered whether the few bits of silver he had given him had already been spent after so many days. If it had, could the man have starved on the streets?
If he had known earlier, he would have agreed to let Ai Huaduo paint him an oil portrait. That would have been living advertisement, if the people of the capital heard that even a Gelao had invited him to paint, wouldn’t they wear down his doorstep? Unfortunately, now his face had been scratched by a cat, it wasn’t convenient to paint.
…A long-lost spark of inspiration suddenly flashed through his mind. Su Yan excitedly threw his arm around Shen Qi’s neck and bit his face hard. “I’ve thought of a solution! Come, let’s go find that foreign devil right now and get him a big commission!”
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