After leaving the Meridian Gate, Su Yan rode in the carriage driven by Jinghong Zhui to the Northern Command Office of the Embroidered Uniform Guard. There he learned that Shen Qi had not yet returned.
“What sort of urgent case required your Commander to go out in the middle of the night?” he asked Shi Yanshuang.
Shi Yanshuang shook his head. “I don’t know. Gao Shuo has been meeting with Lord Shen frequently lately. He may know the details. But as a spy, he comes and goes like a ghost. I have no idea where he is now.”
There was no point waiting indefinitely. Su Yan asked Shi Yanshuang to pass along a message: “Tell Shen Qi that I’ll be resting at home over the next few days. If he needs me, he can come to the Su residence.” Then he left with Jinghong Zhui.
As soon as they entered the estate, they heard servants shouting in alarm throughout the courtyard.
Su Yan asked, “What’s happened? Why is everyone in such a panic?”
A servant hurried over. “My lord, you’re finally back! We were just about to fetch a physician! Brother Xiaobei has collapsed. We can’t wake him no matter what we do!”
Su Yan immediately rushed to Su Xiaobei’s room. The young man lay unconscious on the bed while a maid dabbed his face with cold water.
Jinghong Zhui stepped forward to check his pulse. Sending a thread of internal energy into his body, he quickly said, “Stop wiping him down. He’s been drugged with a powerful sleeping powder. The dose was rather heavy. I’ll use my internal energy to help neutralize it first. Then give him some licorice antidote soup, and he’ll recover.”
Su Yan finally breathed a sigh of relief. Then his expression darkened. “Where’s Su Xiaojing? Has anyone seen him?”
The servants exchanged confused glances and all shook their heads. “We haven’t seen Brother Xiaojing since early this morning. We don’t know where he went. He didn’t tell anyone.”
“Check the stables.”
A short while later, a servant returned. “My lord, the carriage you usually ride in is gone and two horses are missing as well.”
Just then, Jinghong Zhui finished circulating his internal energy. Su Yan motioned for him to come into the main house. After closing the door, he said, “Ah Zhui, something isn’t right. Su Xiaojing disappeared too suddenly. Has he stopped worrying about exposing himself as a traitor?”
Although Su Xiaojing had secretly defected to Mister He, he had continued living openly at the Su residence as though nothing had happened. Su Yan, Shen Qi, and Jinghong Zhui had all suspected he intended to gather intelligence, so they had played along, feeding him false information and using him as bait. His sudden disappearance was indeed abnormal.
Jinghong Zhui said, “Shen Qi told me he’d assigned secret agents to watch him around the clock. Even if the Embroidered Uniform Guard were incompetent, they shouldn’t lose track of a young man who doesn’t even know martial arts. Just ask Shen Qi to hand him over.”
Su Yan frowned. “Could last night’s urgent case have had something to do with Su Xiaojing? But if so, why didn’t Qilang tell me?”
Unable to make sense of it, he could only wait until Shen Qi returned to ask him directly.
Jinghong Zhui had just poured him a cup of calming tea when a young servant rushed in anxiously. “My lord! His Majesty has arrived! He’s heading straight for the main hall!”
Ever since Zhu Helin ascended the throne, court protocol had prevented him from making many informal visits in disguise. For him to suddenly appear at a minister’s residence now, Su Yan knew there could be only one reason:
It was because of the accusations against him and his suspension from office at that day’s court session.
He hurriedly straightened his robes and hat, preparing to go outside to receive the Emperor.
Instead, Zhu Helin pushed the door open and walked in himself. He wore a crimson dragon-patterned yesa robe woven with gold thread, along with a black felt hat with a straight brim. A ruby was set into the gold ornament atop the hat, giving him an appearance that was both imposing and youthful.
The moment he entered, he said to Su Yan, “After this morning’s court session, the court historians went to the Imperial Ancestral Temple to retrieve the Imperial Genealogical Register for its revision. However, the chief eunuch of the Temple Administration Office told them: ‘Grand Secretary Su personally came to the Imperial Ancestral Temple last night and took the register away, saying he would present it to His Majesty himself during today’s court session.'”
Su Yan froze. “Last night? I never went to the Ancestral Temple… Could it have been Su Xiaojing? Did he steal my carriage and impersonate me to retrieve it? But why would he steal the Imperial Genealogical Register?”
Zhu Helin frowned. “The register is of tremendous importance, especially now, during the once-every-fifteen-years comprehensive revision. Its disappearance will certainly cause an enormous uproar. I was worried you’d be implicated, so I came to discuss what we should do.”
Su Yan pulled him over to sit down and handed him the freshly brewed calming tea. “Don’t worry. We already knew Su Xiaojing had betrayed us and defected to the enemy. While tracing the people behind him, we’ve also had Embroidered Uniform Guard agents watching him the entire time. Even if he stole the register, he won’t escape. Qilang is handling it.”
Zhu Helin disliked hearing Su Yan place such unwavering trust in Shen Qi. “Then where is Shen Qi?” he asked. “If he’s been watching him all this time, why hasn’t he arrested the culprit yet?”
Su Yan smoothed things over. “He’s still out investigating the case. I imagine it’s because of this matter. Let’s be patient a little longer.”
“He’d better hurry,” Zhu Helin muttered. “If those old men in the Ministry of Rites hear about this, they’ll flood the throne with memorials and make trouble for both you and me.”
After drinking several sips of tea, his mood improved, and a smile finally appeared. “The tea Qinghe serves is excellent. The fragrance of the tea carries a subtle floral and herbal aroma. It’s wonderfully calming.”
Su Yan coughed awkwardly. “Actually, Ah Zhui brewed it.”
Jing Hongzhui answered matter-of-factly, “I did. I brewed it for my lord.”
“…”
Without another word, Zhu Helin set the teacup down with obvious distaste. “It tastes like tree bark and roots. It’s like drinking medicine. I’ll have someone send you this year’s new tribute tea later. It’s far better than this.”
While silently comforting his personal guard, who was radiating murderous coldness with nothing more than a glance, Su Yan smiled and thanked the Emperor for his generosity before steering the conversation back to the real issue. “Your Majesty, didn’t you find today’s relay messengers rather strange during court?”
The mention of it rekindled Zhu Helin’s irritation. “Of course I did! They came running all the way, shouting military reports at the top of their lungs, making sure the entire court heard them. They were obviously trying to throw you onto the fire. As soon as court adjourned, I ordered the Embroidered Uniform Guard to arrest those relay officials and interrogate them.”
“And?”
“They claimed it was the Office of Transmission’s orders. Your good friend, Top Scholar Cui. Tell me, how can someone get drunk and make a fool of himself in open court, then secretly stab you in the back afterward? Is he tired of living?”
Su Yan sighed softly. “I think Cui Jinping must have had his reasons. And besides, he pulled back at the last moment during today’s court session. By pretending to be drunk, he avoided actually impeaching me. He’s already received twenty strokes of the court cane and is now imprisoned in the Ministry of Justice. I ask Your Majesty to show him mercy and allow me to speak with him.”
“Since you’re pleading for him, I’ll let him off for now.” Zhu Helin thought for a moment. “Let him stay in prison a while longer and clear his head but Cui Jinping alone wouldn’t have the courage to do something like this. Someone must be manipulating him from behind the scenes. Qinghe, you know who it is, don’t you?”
Su Yan smiled faintly. “Your Majesty already knows the answer. Why ask? What? If I name them, will Your Majesty remove every last one of them from office and seek justice on my behalf?”
Zhu Helin looked somewhat embarrassed.
Judging from what had happened in court that morning, he had already guessed that Xie Shiyan and Jiang Chunnian, both Grand Secretaries, were deeply involved.
It was even possible that Yu Chezhi, who was currently leading the anti-bandit campaign, had also been drawn into it.
This was a struggle within the Grand Secretariat to suppress a political rival.
If he truly dismissed everyone involved, the Grand Secretariat would be left as an empty shell, with only Yang Ting and Su Yan remaining.
It had been only a little over half a year since the last major reshuffle.
Another sweeping purge now would not only make the imperial court a laughingstock, but also convince the realm that Su Yan was intolerant, that anyone who dared compete with him would simply be driven out.
Even if the Grand Secretariat needed reform, now was not the time.
Understanding the Emperor’s dilemma, Su Yan gently patted the back of his hand. “Rest assured, Your Majesty. I know what I’m doing. I never intended to force Xie and Jiang to resign. If they have to swallow their pride, lose face, and spend the rest of their lives unable to hold their heads high before me, that’s punishment enough.”
Zhu Helin looked worried. “Are you really that confident?”
Su Yan answered honestly. “No.”
“…”
“Then why did you swear it publicly?” Zhu Helin shot to his feet in exasperation. “Su Qinghe! Are you trying to drive me to an early grave? Resigning out of guilt? I think you’re just tired of being a Grand Secretary and want to quit so you can run off and enjoy yourself with those two wild men!”
Su Yan slapped the table. “Listen to yourself, Your Majesty! Do you really expect me to spend my entire life slaving away for the Zhu family? Fine, let’s say I can’t handle the workload. There are people begging for official positions but since when is anyone forbidden from resigning?”
Zhu Helin was furious. He suspected Su Yan’s excuse about being exhausted wasn’t the real reason at all. Ever since what had happened that night in Fengxian Hall, Su Yan was probably afraid he would continue pursuing him.
Su Qinghe…
Why was his heart so hard?
Hadn’t he treated him well enough?
Hadn’t he been sincere enough?
Why wouldn’t Su Yan simply open his heart and accept his feelings?
Seeing the veins bulging on Zhu Helin’s forehead, yet watching him forcibly restrain his temper and only look at him with a mixture of anger and hurt, Su Yan suddenly felt both guilty and distressed.
The truth was, he had never really intended to resign.
This was the empire he had once overlooked from the palace tower at the late Emperor’s side. It was also the empire in which he had promised the young Emperor that they would never betray one another. No matter how exhausting it became, he intended to grit his teeth and carry on. What had truly upset him was Zhu Helin’s earlier remark about “running off with those two wild men.”
It made him feel as though he had devoted so much of himself, only to be misunderstood and unfairly accused.
Zhu Helin felt wronged as well. Grinding his teeth, he said, “I’ve poured my heart and soul out for you and it all loses to one angry remark?”
Su Yan’s resolve melted. He stepped forward and reached for Zhu Helin’s hand.
Zhu Helin huffily shook it off.
Su Yan reached for it again, lowering his voice. “Your Majesty…Little Master, I was ungrateful.”
The moment Su Yan softened, Zhu Helin immediately felt he had gone too far. He muttered, “It was my fault for speaking without thinking. Forget it. Let’s put this behind us.”
As he spoke, he firmly grasped Su Yan’s hand and pulled him into his embrace.
The atmosphere of reconciliation between ruler and minister was warm. This time, Su Yan did not refuse the hug.
Jinghong Zhui stood beside them with a cold expression throughout, feeling that this scene of the young couple bickering was both painful to watch and an eyesore. But… never mind. As long as his lord was happy, that was enough.
Unfortunately, Lord Su would not be happy for much longer.
After returning to the Northern Surveillance Bureau of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, Shen Qi learned from Shi Yanshuang about the message Su Yan had left. He then heard from the servants in the front courtyard of the Su residence that the Emperor was paying a private visit in disguise. At that very moment, he pushed open the door and entered the main hall.
For an instant, the air itself seemed to freeze.
Su Yan looked utterly stunned. Zhu Helin held him tightly without letting go. Murderous intent suddenly surged from Shen Qi. Jinghong Zhui watched coldly from the sidelines, as far as he was concerned, it didn’t matter which of those two ended up unlucky, so long as Lord Su remained safe.
Struggling to free himself from the Emperor’s embrace, Su Yan stammered, “Q-Qilang…”
Zhu Helin grabbed hold of Su Yan’s arm and said to Shen Qi, “Commander Shen, you see the Emperor yet refuse to bow? Are you trying to commit treason?”
Grinding his teeth, Shen Qi forced down the surging blood and fury in his chest before kneeling. “Your subject, Shen Qi… pays homage to Your Majesty.”
Zhu Helin deliberately refused to tell him to rise. Instead, he forcibly pulled Su Yan over to sit beside him on the long bench and said calmly, “I heard that last night you pursued the criminal who stole the Imperial Genealogical Register. What was the result? Did you uncover the mastermind behind it? And where is the register now?”
Shen Qi’s heart tightened. Countless thoughts flashed through his mind in an instant. Bowing his head, he replied, “While pursuing the culprit, I made a mistake and allowed him to be rescued by a group of black-clad death warriors. The Imperial Genealogical Register… was taken away by them as well.”
“It was taken away?” Zhu Helin raised his sharp brows, clearly displeased. “You, Shen Qi, renowned for both martial skill and strategy, couldn’t even capture a mere servant?”
“I failed in carrying out my duties. I ask Your Majesty to punish me.”
Zhu Helin let out a cold laugh. “Was it truly because you were incapable or because your loyalties have gone astray? Could it be that you think…”
Su Yan hurriedly interrupted. “A group of black-clad death warriors? Could they be the Blood-Eyed Assassins again? Qilang, you weren’t injured, were you?”
Zhu Helin turned toward him, inwardly annoyed.
Jinghong Zhui fixed Shen Qi with a scrutinizing gaze. “I exterminated the Seven Kill Camp completely. They couldn’t possibly cultivate another group of Blood-Eyed assassins in such a short time.”
Shen Qi answered, “They weren’t Blood-Eyed assassins. Their leader concealed his face beneath a hood, making it impossible to identify his martial arts. They may have been men under Mister He…”
“The court has already issued rewards for information,” Zhu Helin countered. “People across the realm are competing to report the hiding places of the Vacuum Sect. Mister He is already overwhelmed trying to save himself. Where would he find the time or manpower for this?”
Shen Qi continued, “I wasn’t finished. They may have been sent by the Player.”
“Then why steal the Imperial Genealogical Register?” Zhu Helin pressed relentlessly. “That reminds me of something else. When Mister He was captured at the Wei residence, you were responsible for escorting him. Yet on the short journey from the Marquis’s estate to the Northern Surveillance Bureau, you somehow let him escape halfway there. Thinking back now, it’s rather strange. Someone as capable and resourceful as Commander Shen, why is it that at every critical moment, you repeatedly fail, allowing both Mister He and the Chess Player’s people to slip away so easily?”
It was no longer merely questioning. It was an accusation.
Su Yan’s heart skipped a beat. He clasped Zhu Helin’s hand and tried to reason with him. “Little Master… you, I, Qilang, and Ah Zhui have all risked our lives together. We’ve survived countless battles side by side. You still remember when we traveled over a thousand miles from Nanjing to the capital. It was Shen Qi who risked his own life to escort you safely on the final leg of that journey. I’m not reminding Your Majesty of his merits. I’m simply asking you to think carefully once more. How could he possibly betray the court or betray you? What would he gain from doing so?”
Pulled briefly into those memories, the chill in Zhu Helin’s eyes softened somewhat, though he still sounded unhappy. “Who knows what he wants! The register wasn’t recovered, and the culprit was a servant from your residence. If someone uses that against Qinghe, it’ll all be Shen Qi’s fault.”
Su Yan smiled faintly. “It’s true my household produced a traitor. I’ll personally deal with him when the time comes. If others criticize me for poor management, I’ll accept that. But it’s not nearly as serious as Your Majesty makes it sound. Besides…” He chuckled lightly. “I’ve already been suspended from office pending punishment. What difference does one more insignificant charge make?”
At Shen Qi’s side, one hand tightened into a fist. The other unconsciously rested on the hilt of the Embroidered Spring Saber at his waist.
His gaze slowly traveled upward from the dragon embroidered along the hem of Zhu Helin’s robe. Past his lower abdomen… His chest… His throat…
Suddenly, an overwhelming pressure descended. It sealed Shen Qi’s internal energy firmly inside his body, as though an entire mountain had crashed down upon him. He let out a muffled grunt and abruptly turned to look at Jinghong Zhui.
Jinghong Zhui returned only a cold, emotionless stare. What are you planning to do in front of my lord?
Shen Qi met his gaze. A dark light flickered within his eyes. So what you object to isn’t what I intend to do.
It’s that I intend to do it in front of him.
Meanwhile, Zhu Helin was still complaining bitterly to Su Yan. “You insist on protecting him Just look at the way he disregards his sovereign…”
At that moment, loud commotion suddenly erupted outside. Running footsteps and urgent voices drew nearer and nearer.
“Your Majesty! Your Majesty! An express military dispatch from Daming Prefecture, six-hundred-li priority! The relay horse collapsed and died outside the Meridian Gate from exhaustion, and the courier himself fainted after riding day and night without rest!”
It was the voice of Wei Liangzi, the captain of the Imperial Guards.
Another military report from Yu Chezhi?
Zhu Helin sprang to his feet. “Prepare the carriage. We’re going to the Meridian Gate!”
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