PCA Chapter 95

The carriage drove all the way back to Xingqing Palace. When it stopped, Li Shi alighted by himself, looking proud and composed, not a hair out of place. He waved his hand at the back, indicating for the carriage to take Su Cen back to Changle Ward.

 

Poor Lord Su sat in the carriage, gritting his teeth. His clothes were torn to shreds, with only the larger pieces barely covering his body. He could only wrap himself in the carriage’s brocade quilt, shivering.

 

Even the patrons of brothels know to cover their partners with a blanket after their pleasure, but this Prince Ning had thoroughly enjoyed himself and left Su Cen without even a piece of clothing. Su Cen silently pondered how he would get out of the carriage when he reached home.

 

The distance of one ward passed in the blink of an eye. Su Cen carefully lifted a small gap in the carriage curtain and instructed, “Please call Qu Ling’er out first.”

 

In his current disheveled state, he didn’t even want Ah Fu to see him.

 

The driver went and returned, reporting, “Master Qu is not in, there’s only one servant.”

 

“…Then call that servant over,” Su Cen gritted his teeth. With all the commotion in the carriage earlier, the driver must have heard something, yet he remained so calm – he must be used to such scenes. How much was his dignity worth in silver? Su Cen threw away his pride and added, “Tell him to bring some clothes.”

 

After Ah Fu brought the clothes, Su Cen changed inside the carriage before getting out. His face was blank. Ah Fu assumed someone had dirtied his master’s clothes outside and upset him, so he kept consoling, “It’s alright, Second Young Master. It’s just a piece of clothing. If you really like it and don’t want to throw it away, I’ll take it back and wash it for you. I’m good at washing clothes, I can clean off any dirt.”

 

Su Cen stopped in his tracks, wanting to ask: Can you wash away shame?

 

Su Cen maintained a stony face and asked expressionlessly, “Where’s Qu Ling’er?”

 

“Oh, him? He runs out as soon as it’s mealtime,” Ah Fu rolled his eyes. “Don’t worry about him, Second Young Master. He’ll come back on his own after mealtime.”

 

“An ungrateful wretch who never learns.”

 

Su Cen looked up at the sky. It was mealtime again, and another morning had passed. He had promised to solve the case in three days, but half a day had been wasted on an audience with the emperor. Could he get that time back?

 

—-

 

Qi Lin had just come down from the court and hadn’t even reached his own quarters when he was called.

 

A child-like person was leaning against the wall. Though no taller than five feet, his expression was as steady as an adult’s. He nodded towards Qi Lin, “Last time at the training ground drill, we lost to you. We promised to treat you to pork knuckles at Shunfu Restaurant. Everyone else has gone, we’re just waiting for you.”

 

The forces within Xingqing Palace were divided into two factions. The “we” referred to the Han people, including the Imperial Guard protecting Xingqing Palace and the ever-youthful Chen Ling who controlled the secret network in the capital. The “you” referred to the Turks, like Wuchiha who managed the Tuo Three Guards responsible for investigating assassinations outside the palace.

 

Initially, the two sides didn’t see eye to eye, using monthly training ground drills as wagers where the winner could order the loser to do one thing. From initial animosity, they grew to respect each other, and the two sides got along harmoniously.

 

Qi Lin sarcastically remarked, “When have you ever won?”

 

“You!” Chen Ling stood up straight, glaring at Qi Lin angrily. But soon he smiled, “Don’t forget, who scrubbed all the toilets in the mansion last summer?”

 

Qi Lin’s expression changed. Although he hadn’t directly participated, the lingering smell on his comrades during that hot summer had clearly left a deep impression. He frowned, “That month, Wuchiha, Helan Zhe, and others were on missions outside. Do you think you could have won otherwise?”

 

“To be honest,” Chen Ling smirked, “I assigned those missions. It’s called strategy, a type of tactic.”

 

Qi Lin silently glared at Chen Ling, making a mental note of this.

 

Chen Ling said, “Are you coming or not? I’m waiting to eat pork knuckles. Give me a straight answer.”

 

Qi Lin glanced towards his quarters, then shook his head, “I won’t go. Enjoy your meal.”

 

He then took out a silver ingot, “For drinks with the brothers.”

 

Chen Ling took the silver ingot, weighed it in his hand, and left with a bright smile.

 

Qi Lin then continued to his small courtyard. As expected, there was a food box lying in front of his gate.

 

Qi Lin picked up the food box and carried it into his room.

 

Mapo tofu and radish soup – not comparable to Shunfu Restaurant’s crystal pork knuckles, but Qi Lin ate it all without a word. After finishing, he placed the food box in front of his door, and after a while, it would naturally disappear.

 

Thanks to that Lord Su, someone thought he had been reduced to having no food after being fined two months’ salary. Ever since he returned from Yangzhou, these food boxes had been arriving without fail, three meals a day, rain or shine, delivered to his door.

 

However, the person delivering the food never showed themselves, and he didn’t investigate.

 

To give the person time to retrieve the food box, Qi Lin deliberately went for a walk around Dragon Pool. After winter set in, Dragon Pool had lost its scenery, with only a few withered lotus stems adorned with a bit of snow. Qi Lin could stare at this for nearly half an hour.

 

He had grown up living on the edge of a knife and didn’t understand those romantic notions. He just inexplicably felt that this place could calm him down, preventing him from overthinking.

 

Hearing footsteps behind him, Qi Lin immediately turned around and bowed with his sword to the newcomer, “My Lord.”

 

Prince Ning nodded and sat down in the lakeside pavilion. Servants immediately came to brew and pour tea, its fragrance wafting gently, the temperature just right.

 

Prince Ning asked, “Have you eaten?”

 

Although it was a question, there was certainty in his tone. He clearly knew what Qi Lin had eaten and where the food came from. Qi Lin was silent for a moment, then said, “I will instruct them to strengthen security. We won’t let unauthorized people sneak in again.”

 

Prince Ning took a sip of tea, neither agreeing nor disagreeing with Qi Lin. He asked unhurriedly, “How long have you been with me?”

 

Qi Lin replied, “I was fortunate to be saved by you when I was thirteen. It’s been over fifteen years now.”

 

“Fifteen years, huh,” Prince Ning looked at the frozen lake surface for a while, then turned back and said, “In these fifteen years, have I ever mistreated you?”

 

Qi Lin: “You have treated me very well, My Lord.”

 

“I made you slaughter your own people with your own hands.”

 

“I had no people fifteen years ago. You are my second parents.”

 

Prince Ning continued, “I have also beaten you until you were covered in wounds.”

 

Qi Lin: “It was my choice.”

 

Prince Ning asked, “How many times have you taken a blade for me?”

 

Qi Lin thought for a moment, “I can’t remember.”

 

Prince Ning asked again, “How many times have you drawn your blade for me?”

 

This time, without waiting for an answer, Prince Ning waved his hand. He personally poured a cup of tea and placed it on the table, saying, “I don’t like to force people. If you want to stay here, there will always be a place for you in Xingqing Palace as long as I’m here. If one day you want to leave, you don’t need to inform me.”

 

Qi Lin frowned, “My Lord… you don’t want me anymore?”

 

“After all these years, you still haven’t grown smarter,” Prince Ning smiled. “I’m saying that you can decide your own affairs. I won’t interfere much.”

 

This time Qi Lin understood and breathed a sigh of relief, wiping the cold sweat from his palms. “I thought…”

 

Qi Lin stopped mid-sentence, but Prince Ning knew what he was thinking. “You thought I would make you kill him?”

 

Qi Lin pressed his lips together silently. Prince Ning asked with a smile, “What if one day I really ask you to kill him?”

 

Qi Lin lowered his head, seeming to struggle for a long time. Finally, in a very soft voice, he said, “Without attachments, I would be able to do it.”

 

“That day, I almost killed him. I used to fear nothing, but after that day, I suddenly became afraid. I’m not afraid of stabbing him again; I’m afraid… I won’t be able to deliver that stab. I’m afraid that one day someone might use him to threaten me, and I won’t know how to choose. I am your sword, My Lord, and a sword’s blade cannot have nicks. So I fixed it.”

 

Prince Ning shook his head, “I’ve never seen you as just a sword. People inevitably have emotions and desires. A person without feelings or loyalty isn’t necessarily more useful.”

 

Qi Lin was silent for a moment, then looked up and asked, “My Lord, have you thought about Lord Su? If that day really comes, would you harm Lord Su?”

 

—-

 

Lord Su had lunch at home and changed into a dark robe without any white edges. Before changing, he had specially evaluated the tear resistance of this outfit, and only then did he satisfactorily head to the Dali Temple.

 

The Dali Temple immediately became busy with Su Cen’s arrival. Upon entering the temple, Su Cen went straight to the dungeon and asked, “Has he confessed?”

 

The jailers all looked troubled, passing the buck to each other. Finally, the head jailer steeled himself to step forward and replied, “Madam Xu only knows about their family’s illegal trade in funerary objects. She’s unclear about anything else. The steward seems to know something, but he’s as tight-lipped as a dead duck. We haven’t been able to crack him yet.”

 

As Su Cen walked, he asked, “Have you used torture?”

 

“No, no,” the head jailer quickly waved his hands. Everyone knew that Lord Su disdained torture. With the previous day’s incident involving the clerk still fresh in his mind, the head jailer naturally didn’t dare to take risks and emphasized, “Not a single hair has been touched; the person is perfectly intact.”

 

Su Cen glanced back at the head jailer, “Providing me with good tea and water won’t get you off the hook.”

 

The head jailer: “…”

 

Fortunately, Su Cen didn’t hold it against him. “Bring him out; I will interrogate him personally.”

 

The Xu family’s steward was terrified of the young Lord Su. Upon seeing him, his legs trembled, and as soon as they met, he fell to his knees, crying out, “Lord, please see clearly! I didn’t harm my master; I know nothing!”

 

Su Cen calmly took a seat and smiled reassuringly at him, “I know you didn’t kill him.”

 

The steward sighed in relief but then heard Su Cen continue, “That’s why I’m here to discuss your testimony with you. Don’t let any inconsistencies slip through.”

 

The steward exclaimed, “Huh?”

 

Su Cen explained, “The court has ordered me to solve this case within three days. A day and a half has already passed, and aside from you, I haven’t found any clues. I can only rely on you to fulfill my duties.”

 

The steward froze and immediately burst into tears again: “I’m innocent! I didn’t kill anyone!”

 

“Shh,” Su Cen soothed him. “I know you’re innocent. Once I achieve my goals and gain fame and fortune, I will certainly give you some benefits.”

 

The steward stopped crying and listened as Su Cen continued calmly, “For killing someone in front of the emperor, the punishment is usually death by a thousand cuts. Do you know what that means? It involves slicing off pieces of flesh from your body until three thousand cuts are made. You won’t die until it’s all done; by then, there will only be a skeleton left, and most importantly, your heart will still be beating.”

 

The steward’s face turned pale with fear as he waited for Su Cen to offer him some benefits. He then heard Su Cen say, “Sentencing is handled by the Ministry of Punishment; it doesn’t fall under our Dali Temple’s jurisdiction. However, I can help you bribe the executioner. During the execution method known as ‘pointing at the heart,’ if the executioner accidentally stabs your heart with his blade, it will lessen your suffering. But we can’t make it too obvious; let’s say just over a thousand cuts—bear with it; you’ll be free soon enough.”

 

The steward rolled his eyes back and nearly fainted.

 

Su Cen ordered someone to splash a bucket of cold water on him and continued, “Don’t faint just yet. For such a major case, His Majesty might personally intervene. To prevent you from changing your testimony later on, we might have to use some methods on you first.”

 

“Have you heard of ‘iron tree blooming’?” Su Cen said casually. “We need to insert an iron pipe into your throat and pour boiling hot water down it. That way, you won’t be able to speak or show any signs on the outside—wouldn’t that be perfect? Come here—”

 

At that moment, someone indeed brought in a bucket of hot water, steam rising from it as bubbles still rolled on the surface.

 

Upon seeing this, the steward nearly wet himself in fear. Su Cen stood up and ordered the jailers: “You handle this; I’m leaving.”

 

“My Lord! My Lord! This is unjust!” The steward saw Su Cen about to leave when several jailers stepped forward. One held a pipe as thick as a wrist and was about to shove it into his throat when he quickly changed his tune: “I didn’t kill anyone! But I… I know who the killer is!”

 

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