Chapter 5
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Han Jiao lowered his head and stared at the neatly arranged silk book for a while, but he couldn’t think of a reasonable excuse to face the boss. He made a quick decision, stood up, and took the silk book to find Elder Lin for help.
“What’s this?” Elder Lin took the silk book that Han Jiao handed to him.
“It’s a silk book brought by the Eighth Prince. His Highness wanted a detailed explanation, but this humble student has limited knowledge…”
Elder Lin nodded and carefully unfolded the silk book, reading it attentively. He murmured, “This seemed to be a surviving silk book of the Qiangya tribe.”
Han Jiao saw the old man’s troubled expression and guessed that he was also unfamiliar with this strange script, which made him feel a bit relieved.
After examining it closely for a while, Elder Lin shook his head and said, “I’m ashamed to admit that the Qiangya tribe disappeared a thousand years ago, and I hadn’t studied their script. Go and inform His Highness that I will compare it with ancient texts in my study, decipher it word by word, and provide a detailed explanation later.”
Han Jiao didn’t dare to burden Elder Lin, so he immediately requested to go back and compare it himself. He respectfully took the silk book back.
It was normal not to recognize these characters.
With newfound confidence, Han Jiao returned to his seat and proactively approached Xie Jing to seek guidance. He mentioned that he couldn’t fully understand the characters on the silk book and if he wanted a detailed explanation, he needed to make a copy and refer to ancient texts to identify each one.
Xie Jing smiled. “No need, I will translate it for Master and come back tomorrow for guidance.”
Xie Jing wasn’t intentionally making things difficult for Han Jiao. The royal brothers were simply interested in the legendary bravery and warfare skills of the Qiangya tribe. The surviving texts of this tribe were only circulated and discussed among them, so they momentarily forgot that outsiders were not familiar with it.
The problem was that Han Jiao had no idea which parts he should understand and which ones he shouldn’t, which led to his embarrassing failure in front of the boss.
Fortunately, Elder Lin resumed his teaching afterward, helping Han Jiao get through the most awkward moments.
After the class ended, Xie Jing enthusiastically engaged in a casual conversation with Han Jiao, with his two brothers standing beside him.
“May I ask for Master’s surname?” Xie Jing admired Han Jiao’s skill in legal debates and genuinely wanted to make friends.
“My surname is Han, and my given name is Jiao. I am grateful for Your Highness’ favor and will be ready to answer any questions at any time.”
“Han Jiao?” Xie An beside him seemed to recall something. His eyes widened like a startled deer. “Are you the Wonderchild Xiaobai?”
“Ah! It’s you,” Xie Jing exclaimed with delight. “Your reputation is well-deserved!”
Xie Duo, who had been staring absentmindedly, also turned his head and silently examined Han Jiao with curious eyes.
Han Jiao’s fame in the capital city hadn’t reached the palace yet. The Princes must have known him because of his achievement in passing the Imperial Examination at the age of eighteen.
At this moment, Han Jiao didn’t want to attract Xie Duo’s attention, fearing that the incident of “reading” the silk book might be brought up. So, he quickly found an excuse to bid farewell to Xie Jing and hurriedly ran towards the direction of the Hanlin Academy.
“Walk slowly, Master.”
The voice of the boss came from behind. Was he really not going to let him go?
Han Jiao pretended not to hear and accelerated his escape, moving like the wind.
However, the boss skillfully caught up with him in just a few steps, walking side by side with him at a fast pace.
Han Jiao ran with a fierce expression, while the calm Xie Duo followed leisurely and spoke casually, “Why are you rushing, Master?”
Helpless, Han Jiao had to stop in his tracks, bowed to Xie Duo, and calmly asked, “What instructions does Your Highness have?”
Xie Duo didn’t answer but tilted his head slightly, maintaining that inquisitive gaze.
Although facing the youthful face of the boss, Han Jiao was still nervous, his palms sweating, afraid that Xie Duo might mention the incident with the silk book.
Suddenly, Xie Duo gave him a narrowed-eyed smile.
What did that mean?
Han Jiao couldn’t determine if there was any mockery in the young man’s smile, which made him even more uneasy.
“It was intentional.” His untimely self-esteem prompted Han Jiao to speak up. “I wanted to make it convenient for the Eighth Prince to glance and examine the silk book when turning his head, so I arranged it upside down.”
Upon hearing Han Jiao’s clever explanation, the boss laughed even more, revealing a small tiger tooth on the left side.
Ears burning, Han Jiao silently vowed that if this brat laughed again, he would immediately retire to his hometown.
“Your profound insights into the constraints of strength and weakness are impressive,” Xie Duo suppressed his smile and began speaking seriously, “You must be well-versed in the Legalist school of thought.”
Han Jiao couldn’t fully grasp what this guy was thinking and could only treat it as normal conversation. “Your Highness exaggerates. I only have a superficial understanding.”
Xie Duo nodded and suddenly launched an attack. “When the state has ministers who monopolize power, the subordinates cannot fully utilize their intelligence to demonstrate loyalty, and the hundred officials will not be able to follow the law to achieve their goals. How can this be clarified?”
Han Jiao: “……”
Could this rascal boss casually recite a passage from Legalist classics? What happened to being an academic underachiever?
A silent, deadly gaze locked between them.
Now, who would pass a shovel to Han Jiao so he could dig a hole through the earth and put an end to this affectionate and lingering eye contact.
Xie Duo once again revealed that mischievous smile unique to teenagers, devoid of any ill intentions.
He leaned in slightly, observing Han Jiao’s bewildered expression, and whispered, “This expression suits you better, Master.”
Han Jiao finally understood what the boss was thinking.
Since the first time Han Jiao was caught off guard by Xie Jing’s question, Xie Duo had already sensed his genuine confusion from his facial expressions. The intermittent observations earlier were an attempt to figure out whether Han Jiao was slow to react or simply pretending to understand.
Han Jiao’s helpless silence at this moment provided Xie Duo with the accurate answer.
The fact that he lacked knowledge and ability was now exposed.
Han Jiao felt like a fish on a cutting board.
Would Xie Duo suspect his performance in the imperial examinations?
Would he question how Han Jiao passed the exams and accuse him of committing the crime of deceiving the Emperor?
However, instead of pressing him on his lack of understanding in Legalism, Xie Duo casually looked aside and spoke an unrelated remark, “I haven’t started writing the Great Plan policy essay assigned by the Expositor-in-waiting yesterday. In the afternoon, I still have to practice cuju.”
So what?
The fish on the cutting board struggled to engage his mind, and suddenly his eyes lit up. He finally grasped the boss’ intention!
Xie Duo meant that he wanted to play cuju instead of doing homework.
So, going through all this trouble to catch him and have leverage over him was just to ask for help with homework?
With such a lackluster performance, how did he become the final boss???
Han Jiao closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and spoke in a deep voice, “Your Highness, your physical well-being is important. As for that policy essay, I am willing to be your ghostwriter.”
“Hand it over to me before dawn tomorrow. Many thanks.”
Immediately, he turned around and dashed off to play cuju.
Han Jiao: “……”
Did you agree too readily, you scoundrel?
According to international conventions, shouldn’t you hesitate and make some modest excuses?
Amidst his complaints, the graceful figure of the boss had already disappeared around the corner of the palace alleyway.
•••
In the dungeon of the Ministry of Justice, silence prevailed.
This high-security prison had not swallowed a live person in a long time. The cold walls seemed to have gained sentience, echoing every spoken word as if responding with ghostly whispers.
“Zhao Liang! Are you still being stubborn?” The interrogating official sat in the corner of the execution chamber. The damp chill of the dungeon seemed to seep through his bones.
“I admit my fault in serving three years on the border without achievements. I deserve execution and confiscation of my property. I have no complaints. However, to falsely accuse me of killing innocents and falsely claiming merits, even if I were to be dismembered, I would never confess.” The man, in his forties, was bound to the execution pillar. His face was covered in stubble and tangled, greasy hair, with a dark and sallow complexion, yet there was no bloodstain on his body.
“You dare to argue! If it wasn’t you who killed the innocents, then how do you explain the women and children found among the corpses of the Tatar invaders?”
“Out of over a thousand Tatar corpses, what’s so strange about a few women and children?” Zhao Liang insisted, “Master, you have never guarded the border, so you’re unaware of the Tatars’ habits. Among their soldiers, it’s not uncommon for them to bring their families to raid border villages. The Investigating Censor, who had never seen such a scenario, stumbled upon a few women and children corpses and secretly sent a report to the capital without even asking me. These ignorant outsiders turned loyal generals into prisoners. Besides an injustice, I have no other intentions!”
“Nonsense!” The interrogator slammed the table and angrily approached Zhao Liang. “When the Investigating Censor investigated the corpses, it had already been over half a month. The buried corpses were no longer distinguishable. Out of the over a hundred corpses, more than twenty were women and children. Can you call that ordinary?”
Zhao Liang sneered. “The women and children were the last to be killed, so they were piled on top. Even if they dig up all the corpses for examination, there are only these twenty-some women and children corpses.”
“You conveniently argue because the corpses can’t be completely examined now!”
“If you don’t believe me, then I have no other way. I only seek a swift death and will repay the kindness of Prince Yan in the next life.”
“Outrageous! If you’re truly a man, don’t involve the innocent. Perhaps your family can be kept safe. Think carefully.”
In the adjacent cell, a few individuals secretly exchanged glances while listening to the interrogation.
Seated in the center was Wu Sheng, the Chief Eunuch of Prince Yan’s residence and his close confidant.
Upon hearing this, Wu Sheng’s fair and plump face flushed red. Veins bulged on his forehead as he slowly stood up and wordlessly walked out of the cell.
The two accompanying officials from the Ministry of Justice quickly got up and followed him.
“This wicked thief deserves severe punishment, as he refused to accept the offered favor and now faces the consequences,” Qin Xiu, the Left Deputy Minister of Justice, respectfully spoke to Wu Sheng.
“From a logical standpoint, flaying him alive would not be excessive,” Wu Sheng’s voice was gentle and lacked the sharpness of a young eunuch, “However, this thief insists on implicating our Prince. If we do not first make him change his statement, applying torture would raise suspicions of forced confession. Outsiders who are unaware of the situation could tarnish our Prince’s reputation.”
The two officials exchanged a glance. Qin Xiu immediately responded, “We have already found evidence of this thief’s bribery. In terms of the amount, it is enough to warrant the extermination of three generations. At any time, we can hold him accountable.”
Wu Sheng sighed. “It is still preferable to convict him for killing innocents and falsely claiming merits. You gentlemen understand our Prince’s character. He would never suppress this case just to avoid suspicion. But how can we bear to let our Prince, such an upright gentleman, be unjustly implicated?”
The two officials understood. Prince Yan had no intention of suppressing this case. However, Wu Sheng insisted that they find a way to absolve the Prince from any connection, without the slightest hint of a forced confession.
Silence fell upon the officials present, pondering the matter together.
Seeing everyone’s hesitation, Wu Sheng spoke clearly, “This scoundrel may be cunning, but he is not without a trace. Haven’t you gentlemen already uncovered evidence of his bribery? Investigate further to see whose backing he relies on.”
The officials present had pale faces.
The accused Zhao Liang was promoted by Senior Minister Li as one of his students, and Senior Minister Li’s faction was in opposition to Prince Yan’s faction. If any connection was found between them, it would naturally clear the Prince of suspicion.
However, Senior Minister Li’s faction was known for their discreet and meticulous actions, leaving no room for leaks. Moreover, stirring up trouble in their camp would have far-reaching consequences. Who would dare to disturb this hornet’s nest, which even Prince Yan himself couldn’t stir?
Wu Sheng noticed that everyone was trying to muddy the waters, so he sternly said, “Investigating the crimes and clearing the injustice is your duty. No one is forcing you to act on behalf of justice. If you don’t want to disturb Zhao Liang’s influential backers, then go ahead and make a decision. Our Prince’s residence is not afraid of any blame thrown our way.”
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