PCA Chapter 120

After leaving the dungeon, Su Cen stood by the lake for a while to regain his composure.

 

“Are you okay?” Qi Lin, concerned, had followed him and now asked, seeing that Su Cen’s expression had softened.

 

“That man is insane,” Su Cen said, pursing his lips.

 

Song Fan was a complete madman, beyond saving. Even when he was forced to play those life-threatening games with him or when he was poisoned, Su Cen hadn’t felt such a deep realization, but today’s words made his hair stand on end, sending chills down his spine.

 

“You can’t believe a word a madman says.” Su Cen muttered to himself, unsure if he was speaking to Qi Lin or to himself.

 

For the rest of the day, Su Cen felt dazed. He kept telling himself it was because he had overexerted himself the day before, so he locked himself in Li Shi’s chambers and slept deeply. However, the more he slept, the clearer his mind became, dissecting and analyzing Song Fan’s words, until he almost believed that what the madman said might be true.

 

Unable to sleep anymore, Su Cen jumped out of bed to seek confirmation from Li Shi.

 

Unexpectedly, he was intercepted by Huang Mian on the way.

 

Su Cen didn’t ask how Huang Mian knew he was at the Xingqing Palace. As soon as they met, he understood why Huang Mian was there.

 

As expected, Huang Mian barely dared to meet Su Cen’s eyes, avoiding his gaze as he said softly, “Brother Su, I don’t want to pursue this case anymore. I want to withdraw it.”

 

Su Cen looked at Huang Mian, surprised yet understanding.

 

Huang Mian continued, “One of you has the Iron Certificate, the other has the backing of the Xingqing Palace, but what does our Huang family have? We can’t afford to offend either of you. Wan’er has been missing for so long, and if she’s in Song Fan’s hands, her chances of survival are slim. Even if we found evidence, we couldn’t convict Song Fan. I’m sorry for involving you, Brother Su. I’ve already sent the thank-you gift to your residence. Let’s just leave this case as it is.”

 

Huang Mian took a deep breath, spilling out all the words he had prepared, lowering his head to await Su Cen’s response.

 

He was the one who wanted to investigate initially, and now he was the one withdrawing the case. Su Cen had put in so much effort, even risking his life, so any amount of anger would be justified. Huang Mian was prepared for whatever harsh words Su Cen might say, but after a long silence, Su Cen simply nodded. “Okay, I understand.”

 

Huang Mian looked up at Su Cen. “You don’t blame me for being cowardly and irresponsible?”

 

“Everyone has their own fate. As long as you have a clear conscience, that’s all that matters.” Su Cen’s tone was indifferent, as if the matter no longer concerned him.

 

Huang Mian bit his lip, feeling muddled for so long. Only the two days he spent with Su Cen made him feel alive, but this man was like a flower on a high cliff, meant to be admired from afar. He had tried to climb, only to realize how out of his depth he was.

 

Some words stuck in his throat, but he swallowed them down, bowing to Su Cen. “Farewell.”

 

“Wait,” Su Cen suddenly said.

 

Huang Mian immediately stopped, turning back quickly. “What’s wrong?”

 

Su Cen said, “Can you give me Miss Huang’s earrings?”

 

Huang Mian’s brows furrowed slightly. “You want Wan’er’s earrings? What for?”

 

Su Cen smiled slightly. “Don’t worry. Since you’ve withdrawn the case, the Dali Temple won’t pursue it further. I just want… to keep them as a memento.”

 

Huang Mian felt a pang of sadness. Perhaps because he had withdrawn the case, this renowned Lord Su had his first unsolved case, and he wanted to keep something as a reminder to avoid dealing with people like him in the future. It made sense.

 

Wan’er’s belongings were not limited to just this one item. After some thought, he took out the pair of jade earrings from his pocket and handed them to Su Cen, then turned to leave without looking back.

 

Su Cen stared at the earrings for a long time. Once Huang Mian’s figure was out of sight, he turned around to see Li Shi standing not far away, watching him. He didn’t know how long Li Shi had been there.

 

Unlike Su Cen’s eavesdropping, which at least had the appearance of stealth, Li Shi stood openly behind him, not even bothering to hide.

 

Su Cen, holding the jade earrings, was momentarily stunned. This man had seen him at his lowest. He couldn’t help but give a bitter smile. “Now, I’m the only one left on this case.”

 

“Do you still want to investigate?”

 

Su Cen nodded. “A life is at stake. We need to see the person alive or their body if they’re dead.”

 

Li Shi didn’t say much, extending a hand to Su Cen. “Let’s go.”

 

Su Cen took his hand, walking with him, and whispered into Li Shi’s ear as if sharing a secret. “Find a safe place; I have something to tell you.”

 

The Xingqing Palace was already heavily guarded, yet Su Cen still wanted a safe place, indicating it was indeed an important matter.

 

They returned to the sleeping quarters, where Li Shi dismissed everyone and closed the door, making it look like they were about to engage in some daytime debauchery.

 

Su Cen began, “Did the late Emperor have any illegitimate children?”

 

Li Shi frowned. “What’s wrong?”

 

“You tell me first, did he?”

 

Li Shi pondered for a moment. “When he was alive, I was often at the border, so we weren’t close. He was suspicious by nature, so if he had any, he probably wouldn’t let anyone know.”

 

Su Cen pursed his lips, then shared the thoughts that had troubled him all day. “I suspect… Song Fan isn’t just the young master of the Marquis of Ding’an’s residence.”

 

Li Shi looked at him.

 

Su Cen explained his thoughts. “When I went to see him in the dungeon, he said a child took everything from him. If I remember correctly, the deceased young Marquis of Ding’an should have been older than him. If he had lived, Song Fan wouldn’t have inherited the title, so how could he say it was ‘taken’ from him?”

 

“Moreover, I feel like he said those things on purpose, for me to hear. The person he described, living in luxury and high status, should be someone I know.”

 

And the last sentence Song Fan said seemed to confirm it, even though Su Cen had tried to interrupt, the words had reached his ears clearly.

 

“Can you hug me too?”—In public, he had never hugged anyone else except for the young Emperor on the night of the Lantern Festival.

 

Li Shi completed the thought Su Cen didn’t dare to voice. “You suspect he’s Li Xun’s illegitimate son, and the child who took everything from him is Zhao’er.”

 

Despite having repeated it in his mind hundreds of times, hearing it out loud still sent a shiver through Su Cen. He lowered his eyes to hide the tremor. “I can’t think of any other explanation.”

 

“Leaving a bastard outside, fearing public disgrace, so he placed him in a family with the Iron Certificate to ensure his safety and prosperity but also to cut off any chance of him returning to the royal family. That does sound like something Li Xun would do.”

 

“But it seems Song Fan isn’t content with that,” Su Cen recounted the incident where Song Fan fought with Huang Mian at the Xingqing Palace and the events of the Lantern Festival night. “He has martial skills but doesn’t show them, spending his days in brothels to confuse others. I don’t know what he’s planning. And on the Lantern Festival night, he recognized the young Emperor, took the lantern from him, and… followed us.”

 

Su Cen couldn’t help but feel a chill thinking about it. That night, their every move on the street was watched by someone with ill intent. At that time, the only ones guarding the young Emperor were the four of them and a eunuch, Yan Fu, none of whom were skilled in martial arts. If Song Fan had chosen to act then, the dynasty might have changed.

 

When he was carrying the young Emperor back to the Xingqing Palace, Song Fan was still following them. Although the streets were crowded, even Qi Lin, with his high martial skills, hadn’t noticed him, suggesting Song Fan’s skills were on par with Qi Lin’s.

 

So, when Song Fan attacked him at the Dali Temple, was the sword really deflected by Qu Ling’er, or did Song Fan… intentionally spare his life?

 

Li Shi said, “I’ll handle this investigation. Don’t get involved anymore.”

 

Su Cen nodded. It was a matter concerning the royal family, and he shouldn’t have been involved in the first place. But he couldn’t help asking, “If he really is the late Emperor’s illegitimate son, what will you do?”

 

Li Shi pressed his forehead, rubbing his brow. “If he can behave and continue being the young Marquis, then so be it. If not…”

 

“If not, what will you do?” Would he act against his own nephew?

 

Li Shi smiled ambiguously. “Since you’ve told me, it’s up to me to decide.”

 

Su Cen nodded. That was true. He knew that if this matter were to leak out and be used by those with ulterior motives, the consequences would be unimaginable. Therefore, he trusted only Li Shi and would only tell him.

 

“Should Song Fan be released then?” Su Cen asked.

 

Li Shi raised an eyebrow. “Have you calmed down?”

 

Su Cen pouted. “What if one day you and your nephew reconcile, and he blames me, an outsider, for stirring up trouble? Where would I go to reason?”

 

Li Shi laughed heartily. “Then let’s keep him locked up until you’re satisfied.”

 

Song Fan was indeed kept for three full days before being sent back. When he was returned to the Marquis of Ding’an’s residence, he was barely breathing, just as Song Yi had requested. Song Yi didn’t dare say a word, having Song Fan carried back into the residence, and to avoid any inquiries, he closed the doors to visitors for several days.

 

With Huang Mian withdrawing the case, Su Cen could no longer use the resources of the Dali Temple to investigate. Unable to confront Song Fan directly, Su Cen had to find another way. After leaving the office, Su Cen went to the pawnshop Huang Mian had mentioned, placing the jade earrings on the counter. “I want to pawn these.”

 

The shop assistant examined them for a moment, then took them inside for someone else to look at. Soon, a man who appeared to be in charge came out, sizing up Su Cen before saying indifferently, “Ten taels of silver.”

 

“Ten taels?” Su Cen feigned surprise. “Are you robbing me?” He extended his hand. “Give them back; I won’t pawn them!”

 

The shopkeeper scoffed, returning the jade earrings to Su Cen. “Then you might as well look around. This is the going rate. We’re a century-old shop; elsewhere, you might not even get ten taels.”

 

Su Cen took the earrings and left in a huff, then found a tea house and ordered a pot of tea.

 

After finishing his tea, Su Cen returned to the pawnshop, his demeanor now one of defeat, looking quite pitiful.

 

The shopkeeper, who had been secretly laughing for a while, said with a tone of admonishment, “I told you, but you didn’t believe me. Now you’ve wasted a trip.”

 

Su Cen, clutching the jade earrings, pleaded, “Can’t you give me a bit more? I had to steal these from home. With just this amount, I can’t even afford a night out.”

 

The shopkeeper, stroking his mustache, laughed. “Young man, to be honest, these earrings came from this very shop. The last person who pawned them went around in circles and still chose us. This is the most generous offer you’ll get.”

 

That was the sentence Su Cen was waiting for. He smiled. “What did the last person who pawned these look like?”

 

The shopkeeper’s expression turned stern, and he withdrew his hand. “Are you pawning or not? If not, leave.”

 

Su Cen sat down leisurely. “Do you believe I’ll go out and beat the drums, telling everyone that all the pawnshops around here are yours, not for buying goods but for colluding to suppress prices, so you can buy low and sell high?”

 

“You,” the shopkeeper’s finger trembled, “are you here to cause trouble?!”

 

“Not exactly,” Su Cen smiled at him, holding the jade earrings. “Tell me who the last person to pawn these was, and I’ll leave immediately, never to bother you again.”

 

The shopkeeper, his mustache quivering with anger, finally waved his sleeve after a long moment. “It was too long ago; I can’t remember what they looked like. I just remember a tall figure, bundled up tightly, with a callus on the second joint of the right index finger.”

 

“A callus?” Su Cen pondered for a moment, then looked up. “Anything else?”

 

“No, no,” the shopkeeper waved his hand impatiently. “It was half a year ago. Who can remember?”

 

“Thank you.” Su Cen smiled, got up, and left, heading straight to the neighboring Jingzhao Prefecture to report the pawnshops for price fixing.

 

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