PCA Chapter 173

The fire glowed brightly, thick smoke blocked the sun, and a large crowd quickly gathered outside the archives. But because most of the contents were books and papers, which burn immediately upon contact with fire, there was no chance of saving anything. The crowd could only stand there helplessly, watching the fire gradually consume everything.

 

By the time He Zhongqing arrived, the archives had burned down to just a framework. He paced back and forth outside the door several times, looking at Su Cen, hesitating to speak, and could only helplessly wring his hands, “This… what are we going to do?”

 

Su Cen said: “I will explain this matter clearly to His Majesty and take all responsibility.”

 

He Zhongqing’s heart was somewhat relieved, thinking it was just as well that it burned, sparing him from this troublemaker coming to ask for this and that every day, and giving him something to report to Prime Minister Liu. He directed the onlookers to disperse and made a token effort to put out the fire, to avoid giving others something to criticize.

 

After handling this, Su Cen turned back to ask Feng Yiming and Ning Santong: “Did you see clearly where the fire started?”

 

Ning Santong recalled the situation at that time. As the first person to discover the fire, he had the most authority to speak. After thinking, he said: “It seems to have started from inside.”

 

Su Cen stared at the only exit, his brow gradually furrowing, “But after we came out, no one else came out from inside.”

 

At that time, there were only the three of them in the archives, and their position was closest to the door. But from the time they discovered the fire until they escaped from inside, no fourth person came out from inside. If the fire really started from inside, where was the arsonist?

 

The three of them hadn’t moved since dividing up the examination papers, and they were all within each other’s sight. So how did the fire start?

 

Feng Yiming said: “Could it be that the air was dry in the archives, causing these books and papers to spontaneously combust?”

 

“But why not spontaneously combust earlier or later? It just happened to combust when we were investigating here, isn’t that too coincidental?” Su Cen looked around at the surrounding people. “What’s even more coincidental is why this person always seems to be one step ahead of us? How does he know our itinerary?”

 

Ning Santong’s expression tightened: “Are you saying someone is following us?”

 

Feng Yiming smiled on the side, neither confirming nor denying.

 

By the time they left the Ministry of Rites, it was already late, and teahouses and taverns were closing. Su Cen apologetically said to Ning Santong: “The curfew is approaching. I’m sorry you’ve been running around all day and haven’t even had a meal. When the case is solved, I’ll visit you to express my thanks and make up for this meal.”

 

“Why are you being so formal with me?” Ning Santong waved his hand. “I’ll wait for your good news. If you need anything, just come to the Imperial Tutor’s residence to find me.”

 

After watching Ning Santong leave, Su Cen turned around and met Feng Yiming’s meaningful gaze.

 

“You suspect Ning San leaked our whereabouts?”

 

Su Cen shook his head and slowly walked back: “I can’t say for sure.”

 

“Did you notice that broken rope at the examination hall?” Feng Yiming said. “It was clearly cut with a sharp tool. He might have used that time to have someone remove Tian Pingzhi’s body.”

 

“But what would be his reason for doing this?” Su Cen said calmly. “He has no ambition for an official career, has no connection with Liu Cheng, and with the Imperial Tutor’s residence as his backing, he wouldn’t be easily threatened. And in such a short time, without knowing the exact location where Tian Pingzhi was buried, it would be difficult to dig up and remove the body.”

 

Feng Yiming thought for a moment, then nodded, “So it’s not him?”

 

Su Cen lowered his eyes: “I hope not.”

 

Having said this much, Feng Yiming didn’t press further and continued to ask: “Now that all the clues are gone, what do we do next?”

 

“I haven’t figured it out either, let’s take it one step at a time.” Su Cen shrugged and turned to look at Feng Yiming, “When are you going back to Yangzhou?”

 

Feng Yiming raised his eyebrows, “What, you’re that eager to see me leave?”

 

“They can freely enter and exit the examination hall and the Ministry of Rites, and dare to set fire to the Ministry’s archives. I don’t want to involve you all.”

 

“You should worry about yourself,” Feng Yiming smiled lightly, “You’re the key person. If they want to kill anyone, they’ll kill you first.”

 

“That’s why I’m telling you to stay away from me.” Su Cen suddenly stopped walking and said to Feng Yiming: “You go back first.”

 

Feng Yiming was taken aback and turned his head: “What about you?”

 

Su Cen tilted his head slightly. Feng Yiming followed his gaze and saw the glazed tiles on the roof of the Huayue Building reflecting the setting sun, like flowing gold, extraordinarily brilliant.

 

Feng Yiming flicked his sleeve and walked away without looking back.

 

The lanterns had just been lit in Xingqing Palace. When Su Cen arrived, the evening meal had already been prepared, and servants were standing by to serve, but the person sitting at the table hadn’t touched his chopsticks at all.

 

Su Cen immediately took a piece of lotus pastry and put it in his mouth, sitting down beside Li Shi while eating. He then picked up his chopsticks, took several pieces of ribs for himself, and lowered his head to eat ravenously.

 

Only then did Li Shi pick up his chopsticks, eating while saying: “You’re late.”

 

“I’ve caused trouble again,” Su Cen looked up at him pitifully, “We were investigating at the Ministry of Rites, and just as we found something, someone burned down the Ministry’s archives.”

 

“Is everyone alright?” Li Shi raised his eyes and scanned him from top to bottom, only saying casually after confirming he was fine: “The Ministry of Rites’ filing system is a mess. It’s about time they properly reorganize it.”

 

Su Cen smiled helplessly, thinking he might really be a plague god. If Lord He found out, he would probably be jumping with anger again.

 

Li Shi said while eating: “From now on, let Qi Lin accompany you when you go out.”

 

“No, no need,” Su Cen almost choked, taking the handkerchief and coughing violently before stopping. He looked at Li Shi helplessly. It was one thing for this person to show him extra care in court, but to give him his personal bodyguard—was he afraid people wouldn’t know about their relationship?

 

Li Shi smiled and patted his back, “You’re that afraid of people knowing.”

 

These days, Su Cen had indeed been doing as he said before, coming over every night to serve as a sleep aid, but he would always come close to curfew, heavily covered up like a thief, afraid of being seen.

 

“Public opinion is frightening,” Su Cen shook his head, “I don’t mind if people gossip about me. At worst, I can just leave. But what about you? Can you just leave too?”

 

“Why not?” Li Shi asked in return.

 

Su Cen glared at him mildly, treating it as a joke, and lowered his head to continue battling with the ribs in his bowl.

 

Li Shi put down his chopsticks and wiped his hands, “Then let Qu Ling’er follow you.”

 

Su Cen nodded, only then noticing that Li Shi’s hand was already empty. He frowned involuntarily, “Why are you eating so little again?”

 

He had barely seen Li Shi move his chopsticks, and the few bites he did take were only from the plate of jade-colored lettuce strips in front of him. How could he be full?

 

Su Cen peeled a phoenix-tail shrimp and put it in Li Shi’s bowl, tentatively asking: “Have some more?”

 

Li Shi didn’t refuse, picking up his chopsticks again and eating it.

 

Su Cen smiled brightly and continued to find several more items to put in Li Shi’s bowl. Only after seeing him eat everything did he set down his chopsticks with relief, complaining: “You’re really hard to please.”

 

Li Shi laughed lightly, picking up a piece of boneless fish meat and bringing it to Su Cen’s mouth, “Then let me serve you instead.”

 

After the meal was finished, it was completely dark outside. Su Cen attended to Li Shi as he took his medicine, then accompanied him in completing the day’s court affairs. While grinding ink, he recalled the day’s events. Feng Yiming was right—the person who could always be one step ahead of them was most likely someone close to them. It wasn’t that he hadn’t considered this, but he was reluctant to think too much about it. Call him aloof or cold-hearted, but throughout his life, there weren’t many people he was willing to open his heart to, just these few. He didn’t want to one day have to face them as adversaries.

 

So in the evening, he made excuses for Ning Santong, actually speaking to convince himself. Before obtaining solid evidence, he wanted to believe wholeheartedly that they were all innocent.

 

Li Shi’s hands didn’t stop, continuing to review memorials while asking: “How’s your case going?”

 

Su Cen was startled, immediately coming back to his senses. He looked guiltily at the ink in the inkstone—the ink color was even, the paper and brush were not sticky, so it shouldn’t have affected Li Shi’s reading of the memorials. He couldn’t help but wonder how this person knew he was lost in thought.

 

While wondering, he still organized his thoughts and briefly told Li Shi about the day’s events. Li Shi seemed to be seriously handling official business, but he didn’t miss a single word of what Su Cen said. After Su Cen finished, he pointed out incisively: “Feng Yiming or Ning San?”

 

Su Cen shook his head: “I don’t know.”

 

“Tomorrow, have Feng Yiming return to Yangzhou.”

 

“No need, no need,” Su Cen hurriedly waved his hands. Thinking of how Feng Yiming had traveled all the way from Yangzhou, only to be mercilessly sent back, who knows how heartbroken he would be. He sighed, “I’ll handle it myself.”

 

Li Shi raised his head slightly, “Can you handle it?”

 

Su Cen straightened his back: “Why wouldn’t I be able to?”

 

Li Shi laughed softly, looking at the serious expression on his face and nodding, “Then it’s up to you.”

 

 

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