PCA Chapter 196

In Xingqing Palace, Li Shi had just awakened from a nap and was in a leisurely mood, drinking tea and sunbathing in the lakeside pavilion.

 

The weather was getting colder day by day, and it was rare to have such a beautiful autumn day. Prince Ning sat by Dragon Pool in light robes, resting with his eyes closed when he heard chaotic footsteps and opened his eyes.

 

The visitor was naturally Su Cen. In Xingqing Palace, he was the only one who could rush in without going through layers of announcements.

 

Approaching, Su Cen was out of breath and couldn’t recover for a long time. Li Shi raised his hand to pass over a cup of warm tea, watching Su Cen take the cup and gulp it down. He couldn’t help but frown: “Slow down.”

 

Su Cen had no leisure to “slow down.” After gulping down the tea in two or three mouthfuls and catching his breath, he immediately said: “Lu Xun is in the palace!”

 

Li Shi’s brow furrowed slightly, but there wasn’t much reaction. He confirmed with Su Cen: “Is this information reliable?”

 

“The little eunuch we caught yesterday confessed,” Su Cen said anxiously. “The Secret Door has been involved in Tian Pingzhi’s case all along. We also discovered that the Secret Door has planted spies in various officials’ homes in the capital, and… Lu Xun seems to have some relationship with Empress Dowager Chu.”

 

Li Shi’s gaze gradually darkened. After thinking for a moment, he nodded: “I understand.”

 

He then instructed a nearby servant: “Go call Chen Ling.”

 

The servant bowed and withdrew. Only then did Li Shi turn his attention back to Su Cen: “Have you eaten?”

 

Su Cen: “…”

 

He then remembered that since entering the Dali Temple early this morning, he had been in the prison. Not only had he not eaten, he hadn’t even had a sip of water until now. He couldn’t help but sigh—only this person could remain unmoved before an approaching storm and still remember to ask if he had eaten.

 

Seeing Su Cen’s appearance, Li Shi knew this person had definitely been absorbed in the case again, forgetting to eat and sleep. He tapped the stone table with his index and middle fingers together, signaling for him to sit down, then instructed the cook who had just rested to bring lunch.

 

Su Cen’s anxious mood on the way gradually settled under Li Shi’s calm and composed aura. He sat close to Li Shi and asked sideways: “What do you plan to do?”

 

“In the palace and in ministers’ homes too?”

 

Su Cen nodded.

 

“Then we’ll find them one by one and defeat them individually.”

 

Lunch and Chen Ling arrived together. As the dishes were laid out, Su Cen’s gaze followed the two figures, one large and one small, trying to eavesdrop.

 

Only when Li Shi intimidated him with a look from across half the Dragon Pool did Su Cen reluctantly lower his head and pick up his chopsticks.

 

Soon Chen Ling nodded and withdrew with his sword. Li Shi returned to the lakeside pavilion to find Su Cen had poked his bowl of rice full of holes, but hadn’t eaten much of the dishes.

 

He frowned: “Not to your taste?”

 

Su Cen shook his head lightly and put his chopsticks aside: “I can’t eat.”

 

Having spent the morning in prison facing those bloody scenes, he wasn’t completely unmoved. He remembered that just watching Xue Chengzhen administer a few beatings had made him unable to eat for days, let alone torture under his own supervision. The spicy winter bamboo shoots and steamed razor clams on the table looked like fingers to him. How could he eat with such associations?

 

Li Shi took Su Cen’s hand and opened his palm, seeing deep finger marks in the palm lines, deep enough to draw blood, clearly left unintentionally while enduring.

 

Li Shi shook his head: “I won’t make it difficult for you.”

 

He ordered all the food to be removed untouched, leaving only a bowl of clear porridge. Prince Ning personally took the spoon and brought it to Su Cen’s mouth: “Drink this.”

 

Su Cen obediently opened his mouth. The white porridge was warm, with pure rice fragrance, and after swallowing, his tongue still carried a slight sweetness. Even the bloody smell lingering at his nose was largely dispelled.

 

After finishing the bowl of porridge, Su Cen, worried about the witnesses at the Dali Temple, suggested he wanted to return.

 

Li Shi didn’t force him, only saying: “Let Qi Lin go with you.”

 

“No,” Su Cen frowned, “Qi Lin needs to stay with you. Lu Xun’s target is you. Back at Lu Family Village, he showed great hostility toward you. With Chen Ling gone, you can’t be left without protection.”

 

The little fox was wholeheartedly considering his welfare, which Li Shi appreciated. He then said: “Then let Qu Ling’er go with you.”

 

Only after Qu Ling’er arrived did Li Shi let him leave. Coming out of Xingqing Palace with Qu Ling’er, Su Cen was stunned by the scene outside. The streets were in chaos everywhere, pedestrians hurried along, everyone entering and leaving the residential wards was thoroughly searched, and some households even had troops conducting detailed inspections.

 

Su Cen suddenly understood what Li Shi meant by “find them one by one and defeat them individually.”

 

This wasn’t a search—this was essentially a purge.

 

However, under these circumstances, this was indeed the most effective method. The Secret Door was deeply rooted and stubborn. Investigating bit by bit would inevitably leak information, so a swift decisive strike to catch them off guard was a viable approach. It would just inevitably cause public resentment and earn a reputation for tyranny.

 

Li Shi acted decisively and resolutely, never minding the process, only looking at results. He didn’t care about those empty reputations, but precisely because of this, those with ulterior motives could make a big fuss about it, adding fuel to the fire and causing the world to misunderstand Li Shi.

 

“What’s happening?” Qu Ling’er looked around curiously. When he first arrived, he viewed officials and soldiers like floods and fierce beasts, but now he was calm about it.

 

“There are also soldiers at our house. They searched the neighboring Lord Zhang’s and Lord Song’s residences, but not ours.” Qu Ling’er clicked his tongue. “When Brother Qi came to find me, I thought something had happened, but it turns out he was just picking you up to return to the temple.”

 

“Brother Qi can find you, but I can’t?” Su Cen glanced at him. “Eating my food, living in my house, only having eyes for your Brother Qi—little ungrateful wolf.”

 

Qu Ling’er pouted, looking aggrieved: “I was worried something happened to you. As soon as I heard you were looking for me, I immediately got up,” he lifted his robe, “Look, I even put on the wrong shoes.”

 

Su Cen looked down to see Qu Ling’er wearing one black shoe and one red shoe, clearly not a matching pair. His slight resentment gradually dissipated as he smiled at him: “I’ll buy you crystal pork knuckle later.”

 

Qu Ling’er pushed his luck: “Then I also want two ounces of osmanthus wine.”

 

While joking with Qu Ling’er, Su Cen heard someone calling him. Following the voice, he saw Ning Santong standing not far away waving at him. Looking up, he realized they had reached the vicinity of the Imperial Tutor’s residence.

 

Su Cen brought Qu Ling’er over just as Ning Santong came to meet them, frowning at Su Cen: “What’s going on? These people insist on searching the Imperial Tutor’s residence. Such audacity! Is there no law in broad daylight?”

 

Su Cen: “…This is precisely the Prince’s intention.”

 

Hearing this, Ning Santong frowned and whispered to Su Cen: “Something happened?”

 

Su Cen thought about it—there was nothing to hide from Ning Santong, so he told him truthfully: “Some officials’ homes in the capital have been infiltrated by spies. The Prince’s action is for the capital’s security. Please bear with it.”

 

Ning Santong nodded but looked troubled: “But grandfather is sleeping. The wind was strong these past few days, and grandfather caught a slight cold while viewing chrysanthemums. It’s rare to have such good weather today for an afternoon nap. I’m afraid these people going in will disturb his peace.”

 

Su Cen considered this. The Imperial Tutor’s residence wasn’t an ordinary place. Imperial Tutor Ning had been an official for decades and had his own methods of judging people. Moreover, in recent years, Imperial Tutor Ning had long since retired and no longer involved himself in court affairs. The Secret Door shouldn’t bother to plant people here.

 

Su Cen nodded to Ning Santong: “I’ll go talk to them.”

 

These searching soldiers were all from Xingqing Palace and naturally recognized Su Cen. After hearing Su Cen’s instructions, they turned and headed in another direction.

 

Ning Santong smiled gratefully: “Thank you.”

 

Su Cen: “Brother Ning is too polite.”

 

After exchanging a few more pleasantries with Ning Santong, just as they were about to leave, Ning Santong suddenly said: “By the way, has Song Fan returned to the capital?”

 

Su Cen was startled, then stopped and asked: “You saw him?”

 

Ning Santong wasn’t a court official and didn’t know Song Fan was with the Secret Door. He nodded confusedly: “It was dark that day, and I didn’t see clearly. I just saw a figure sneaking into the Marquis of Ding’an’s residence. Only after the person went in did I realize the figure looked somewhat like Song Fan.”

 

Song Yi had previously helped harbor Song Fan, so there must be countless connections between him and the Secret Door. Su Cen just hadn’t expected Song Yi to be so brazen as to still dare shelter Song Fan after his identity was exposed.

 

Su Cen considered for a moment, changed direction, and said to Qu Ling’er: “Let’s go meet Song Fan first.”

 

The front of the Marquis of Ding’an’s residence was also very lively. Song Yi, without his iron certificate of immunity, still retained that fierce aura from the battlefield. Standing at the gate, the soldiers outside could only look at each other helplessly, none able to advance a step.

 

The more prestigious these court officials were, the less they wanted their residences searched. First, it was a loss of face, and second, if something was actually found, the higher one sat, the harder the fall.

 

But this kind of resistance from Song Yi inevitably raised suspicions of harboring fugitives.

 

Qu Ling’er parted the layers of surrounding soldiers to escort Su Cen forward. Su Cen politely bowed to Song Yi: “Greetings, Your Lordship.”

 

“You again?” After half a year, Song Yi naturally hadn’t forgotten Su Cen. This person was Prince Ning’s beloved, and it was precisely because they had offended him that the Marquis of Ding’an’s residence had ended up with a ruined reputation. Song Yi couldn’t help but frown: “What are you here for now?”

 

Su Cen narrowed his eyes slightly: “Your Lordship doesn’t know?”

 

Song Yi snorted coldly: “What should I know?”

 

Su Cen’s gaze sharpened: “Someone saw Song Fan enter the Marquis of Ding’an’s residence.”

 

Song Yi’s eyes widened: “Nonsense!”

 

Su Cen said: “I know Your Lordship and Song Fan played father and son for a time. Living together day and night inevitably creates feelings, but Song Fan is a court criminal. For the sake of the Marquis of Ding’an’s generations of honor, I hope Your Lordship will act wisely.”

 

Song Yi listened and instead of getting angry, he laughed, “Me and him? Father-son affection? Lord Su, I’m afraid you have some misunderstanding about our relationship.”

 

Su Cen frowned slightly, but saw Song Yi actually step aside and no longer block the doorway, “If you want to search, then search. But I’m afraid Lord Su will be disappointed. I don’t have Song Fan here. There is no Song Fan in this world. Whether that person’s surname is Ji or Gou has nothing to do with me. In any case, his surname is not Song!”

 

With Song Yi’s response, Su Cen actually felt a bit shaken, but he had to search the Marquis of Ding’an’s residence to feel at ease. Song Yi’s cooperation was naturally for the best. Su Cen raised his hand to the soldiers behind him, “Go search.”

 

Using the search as an excuse, Su Cen also followed into the Marquis of Ding’an’s residence. However, he really hadn’t left a good impression here before, so after looking at a few prominent places, Su Cen felt it inappropriate to continue looking. He followed Song Yi to wait in the main hall for the search to conclude.

 

While waiting, Song Yi asked: “Who told you Song Fan was at my place?”

 

Su Cen naturally wouldn’t expose Ning Santong, only saying: “A friend.”

 

“Then I advise Lord Su to thoroughly investigate this friend of yours.”

 

Su Cen frowned. He had a close relationship with Ning Santong and naturally wouldn’t become suspicious of him because of Song Yi’s single remark. But looking at Song Yi’s manner, he indeed seemed frank and open, not like he was lying.

 

Could there be some key point he hadn’t thought of? Was he being used, or was Ning Santong being used?

 

Just as he was lost in thought, the soldiers who had gone to search returned one by one, reporting that they had found no trace of Song Fan.

 

Actually, from Song Yi’s behavior, Su Cen had already guessed this would be the result. So who was the figure Ning Santong claimed to have seen? The eunuch Little Six had also said it was Song Fan who brought Empress Dowager Chu’s token to call him back, which meant Song Fan very likely was still in the capital. But where could he be?

 

“Sorry for the disturbance.” Su Cen stood up to take his leave.

 

At the doorway, he heard Song Yi say from behind: “With your current abilities, investigating the Secret Door is like throwing an egg against a rock. The Secret Door is far more complex than you imagine. Take care of yourself.”

 

After leaving the Marquis of Ding’an’s residence, Su Cen was still pondering Song Yi’s final words when Qu Ling’er said beside him: “What’s going on? Didn’t they say they saw Song Fan go in? How could there be no trace of Song Fan at all?”

 

Su Cen understood Qu Ling’er’s meaning. Not wanting to openly express suspicion of Ning Santong, he could only hint indirectly.

 

Su Cen understood Qu Ling’er’s good intentions and gave him a reassuring smile, indicating he understood.

 

Qu Ling’er couldn’t say much more and asked: “What do we do now?”

 

Su Cen turned to ask the leader of the soldiers behind him: “How did the search go?”

 

The leader stepped forward and reported: “We’ve searched most of the officials’ residences in the capital, but with little success. Apart from catching a few insignificant small fry, we haven’t captured anyone important. However, several people left in great haste – we can still find traces, but the people are already gone.”

 

Su Cen frowned. He had informed Li Shi immediately upon learning the news, and Li Shi had acted decisively, giving the Secret Door no time to react. How could they still be a step too late?

 

Su Cen carefully thought through everything from the beginning – from discovering Tian Pingzhi’s body, to Zhang He and Liu Cheng, then to Little Six and Song Fan. Although the Secret Door was involved, they had never obstructed him. In other words, having Liu Cheng confess, sending Little Six back, having Little Six lead to Song Fan – these actions were even helping him solve the case. The Secret Door, hiding in the shadows, was using a dark force to push him forward. What exactly were they trying to do?

 

Su Cen felt an ominous premonition rising. His steps faltered, and he suddenly said to Qu Ling’er: “This is bad, back to the Dali Temple!”

 

Just as they entered the Dali Temple gates, they collided with little Sun, who immediately stammered upon seeing him: “My, my lord… something terrible has happened…”

 

His expression showed unprecedented terror.

 

Su Cen’s heart suddenly dropped.

 

The Dali Temple prison was surrounded by people. As soon as Su Cen entered, everyone looked at him in unison.

 

Zhang Jun was also among the crowd. He gave Su Cen a meaningful look, then after a moment, walked over with heavy steps, patted Su Cen’s shoulder lightly, but sighed heavily.

 

Su Cen pushed through the crowd and stepped forward, walking all the way to the innermost two cells.

 

On the mottled wall was a streak of congealed crimson, and a human form lay beneath that red streak, limbs rigid, no longer breathing.

 

In the adjacent cell, the prison door was wide open, but the person inside was nowhere to be found!

 

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