PCA Chapter 83

The day for their return to the capital was set shortly after. Once the new magistrate of Yangzhou assumed office, they would depart for the capital.

 

No one knew how Li Shi managed it, but after receiving the imperial decree, Lin Zongqing didn’t resist or struggle. He simply closed his private school, packed his belongings, and left for his new post.

 

On the day Lin Zongqing arrived in Yangzhou, Su Cen went to the city gates early to greet him. It wasn’t until noon that a slow-moving ox cart came from the south. The cart lacked even a canopy, with only a driver urging it along. Lin Zongqing sat on the wooden cart bed, surrounded by several large boxes filled entirely with books.

 

Su Cen respectfully bowed to him and addressed him as “Teacher,” helping him off the ox cart and into a soft sedan chair prepared nearby.

 

They first went to the government office to complete the handover of the official seal. Afterward, they headed to a residence Su Cen had carefully prepared in advance. Knowing his teacher disliked noise and extravagance, Su Cen had chosen a quiet and modest home—two courtyards with a small garden. It was clean and orderly, neither luxurious nor plain. The yard even featured a grapevine trellis providing shade, an ideal spot for cooling off during summer.

 

As Yangzhou’s new magistrate, Lin Zongqing naturally received many offers of houses and servants. However, knowing his teacher disliked dealing with such social obligations, Su Cen had made all arrangements beforehand and ensured those offers were politely declined.

 

The welcoming banquet was originally planned at Su Cen’s residence. However, considering that another important guest resided there—and given that these two individuals were not on the best of terms—Su Cen decided to bring chefs over instead. They prepared an array of Yangzhou specialties, setting up a table in Lin Zongqing’s residence so teacher and student could share a meal while catching up.

 

It was mostly Su Cen talking—recounting what he had been up to in the capital over the past year. When he mentioned the case involving the imperial examination scandal at the Gongyuan (Examination Hall), Su Cen suddenly recalled that his teacher and Chen Guanglu, the former Chief Magistrate (now retired), had once served in court together. Curious, he asked if there was any connection between them.

 

Lin Zongqing shook his head. “He worked at the Dali Temple; I was in the Hanlin Academy. We rarely crossed paths and had no personal relationship.”

 

Su Cen sighed lightly and was about to change the subject when Lin Zongqing added, “However, I heard that his resignation wasn’t entirely voluntary. It seems he offended the late emperor while handling a certain case and was actually demoted and exiled from the capital.”

 

“Demoted?” Su Cen was taken aback. “But there’s no official record of Minister Chen being demoted! Even his own student—Zhang Jun, the current Chief Magistrate—believes he retired voluntarily.”

 

Lin Zongqing shook his head again. “When it comes to matters involving the imperial family, how many can be openly documented?”

 

Su Cen lowered his head in thought. The last cases Chen Guanglu handled were likely the Tian Ping case and the disappearance of Lu Xiaoliu from Lu Manor, which was only briefly mentioned in The Chen’s criminal laws. These two cases were connected because records of both had been deliberately destroyed. Yet neither case seemed to have any ties to the royal family—how could they have led to Chen Guanglu’s demotion?

 

Lin Zongqing noticed his silence and asked what was on his mind.

 

Su Cen smiled faintly and dismissed it with an excuse: he had merely developed admiration for Chen Guanglu while transcribing case files and wished he could meet him someday. With that, he smoothly shifted back to lighter topics about life in the capital.

 

However, whenever Li Shi came up in conversation, Su Cen would subtly refer to him as “that nobleman.”

 

This little trick didn’t escape Lin Zongqing’s notice. Sipping his wine thoughtfully, he remarked bluntly: “That ‘nobleman’ is Li Shi, isn’t it?”

 

At this point, only Lin Zongqing dared call Prince Ning by name so casually.

 

Given how notorious the Northern Liang King’s case had been at the time, Su Cen knew there was no point in hiding it. He admitted openly: “Yes.”

 

Lin Zongqing drained his cup in one gulp and set it down heavily on the table. “Stay away from him in the future.”

 

Su Cen silently thought to himself that the teacher still bore a grudge over past conflicts. He poured another drink for Lin Zongqing, using the pure and crisp Autumn Dew White wine. Smiling, he asked, “Why is that?”

 

He knew many court scholars disapproved of Li Shi’s power, accusing him of undermining governance. Yet, Li Shi’s actions, though autocratic, were for the people’s benefit. For instance, his insistence on investigating Yangzhou’s salt trade allowed the locals to access salt sooner. Su Cen expected a lecture on loyalty and virtue but was surprised when Lin Zongqing simply said, “He will harm you.”

 

Startled, Su Cen laughed. “Prince Ning has had ample chances to harm me since I entered the capital. If His Majesty rules against me later, I believe the Prince has no intention of clinging to power. The Emperor is wise and will see through things.”

 

Su Cen hesitated with his chopsticks before saying softly, “If it comes to that, I’ll relinquish power and retire as a local official like Feng Yiming.”

 

Lin Zongqing raised his cup noncommittally. “You may escape unscathed in chaos, but remember—killing someone’s spirit leaves no refuge.”

 

Su Cen fell silent before confessing, “I haven’t thought that far ahead. He dreams of a prosperous era; I just want to help him achieve it. Even if I can’t see it through, walking part of the path with him is enough.”

 

Later that night, drunk and escorted home by servants, Su Cen was unexpectedly carried away by someone who ignored his drunken state—Li Shi himself. Though Su Cen caused trouble in his drunkenness, he eventually fell asleep after murmuring something unclear.

 

As midnight passed under a dark sky, faint rustling came from beyond the courtyard wall. A figure swiftly leaped over and grabbed someone’s sleeve.

 

The person, still pale-faced, smiled like fresh snow after a storm. “Brother Qi, so it really was you keeping watch outside my courtyard every night.”

 

Qi Lin frowned slightly and said coldly, “Let go.”

 

Qu Ling’er’s smile froze. His fingers twitched but, relying on the fact that Qi Lin wouldn’t harm an injured person, he clung tightly to Qi Lin’s sleeve. Smiling again, he asked, “Since Brother Qi comes by every night, why not come inside to see me?”

 

“I was just passing by,” Qi Lin replied icily.

 

“Passing by? To where? The Prince is in the main courtyard, Brother Su is in the east wing, and even Su’s elder brother is in the opposite direction,” Qu Ling’er murmured. “Is it so hard to admit you came to see me?”

 

When Qi Lin stayed silent, Qu Ling’er tried to please him. “Why not come inside for a bit? I’ve prepared hot tea to warm you up.”

 

“I’m not cold,” Qi Lin replied.

 

“But I am,” Qu Ling’er coughed lightly. “I’ve been waiting here half the night and am nearly frozen.”

 

Remembering the doctor’s warning that Qu Ling’er’s lung injury could worsen fatally if he caught a cold, Qi Lin frowned and draped his outer robe over Qu Ling’er’s shoulders.

 

Qu Ling’er felt warmth in his heart but then heard Qi Lin say, “Go back inside. Don’t wait anymore—I won’t come again.”

 

Stunned, Qu Ling’er dropped his hand and felt an icy chill envelop him. “Brother Qi, are you still angry that I let Han Shu escape?”

 

Seeing Qi Lin remain unmoved, Qu Ling’er forced a bitter smile and stepped back. “I’m from the Secret Door; I’ve always been reaching too high.”

 

He coughed violently, his thin frame trembling. “Brother Su suggested I stay in Yangzhou to recover. I might not return to Chang’an with you all.”

 

Qi Lin paused slightly but said nothing as Qu Ling’er turned away and walked back slowly. His frail figure seemed like fragile butterfly wings ready to vanish in the cold wind. Each step seemed hesitant as if waiting for something—but even after closing the door behind him, no words of reassurance came from Qi Lin.

 

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