The carriage rolled over the bluestone road, but the interior was unusually quiet. Su Cen opened his mouth toward Zheng Yang, and after a long while finally found his voice.
“What did you say?” His voice trembled lightly, and despite his best efforts, he couldn’t suppress the trembling within.
“Feng Yiming is dead.” Zheng Yang pressed his lips together and repeated it.
“…How did he die?”
“They said his home was robbed, and he was fatally stabbed while fighting the thieves,” Zheng Yang clenched his fist hard, his knuckles turning white and prominent. “But anyone with eyes can see it wasn’t thieves—it was definitely someone sent by Li Sheng. Brother Feng spent this year helping Uncle handle government affairs, and several of Li Sheng’s people fell into his hands. Now seeing Uncle’s downfall, Li Sheng immediately struck at Brother Feng.”
Su Cen suddenly remembered their chance encounter outside Yangzhou city. He hadn’t expected Feng Yiming’s words to prove prophetic—that really had been their final meeting.
Having originally come from the Secret Door and repeatedly opposing them while helping Li Shi, Li Sheng naturally wouldn’t spare him. He had long known this journey might not end well, yet still came without hesitation, with no turning back.
“When did this happen?”
“Just two days ago,” Zheng Yang said softly. “The funeral should be tomorrow.”
Just two days short.
Overwhelming anger and deep grief collided, his knuckles cracking as he gripped them, but in the end he could only say: “Tomorrow, we’ll go see Brother Feng off.”
The carriage finally stopped outside Jiuxian Gate, entering the inner court through the Hanlin Academy—first to avoid the many outer court institutions, and second to avoid prying eyes.
When they got off, the sky had completely darkened. Outside the palace gates, ornate lanterns were just being lit, bright as day. While Zheng Yang negotiated with the gate guards, Su Cen stood outside the palace gates looking up. Returning here after a year’s absence, he felt things had changed while people remained the same.
The city walls seemed even higher, the palace gates even more imposing, tightly closed with an air of keeping people at a thousand li distance. Even the palace lanterns on the walls reflected coldness and alienation. The Chang’an of his dreams didn’t look like this.
Su Cen withdrew his gaze, unable to bear looking further.
After waiting a long while without movement, he went forward to discover that Zheng Yang’s human token wasn’t working. The two were blocked outside the palace gates, even alerting a patrol of night guards. The two sides faced off, nearly coming to blows.
Zheng Yang glared at the blocking guards: “Do you know who I am?”
The guard leader respectfully saluted: “Young Master’s distinguished appearance—we naturally recognize you.”
Zheng Yang pulled Su Cen forward several steps: “If you recognize me, then get out of the way.”
Unexpectedly, the guards didn’t budge an inch: “The Prince has ordered that the imperial palace is forbidden ground—no unauthorized persons may enter. Please forgive us, Young Master.”
After Li Shi’s troubles, Li Sheng had seized the opportunity to take control of the imperial guards, replacing the previous guards with his own people. Who the “Prince” they spoke of was became obvious.
“What do you mean unauthorized persons?!” Zheng Yang was furious. “How dare you call me an unauthorized person?!”
Only when Su Cen tugged at him from behind did Zheng Yang realize—he wasn’t an unauthorized person, but he was followed by one.
The guard leader also smiled: “If Young Master wishes to enter the palace, we naturally won’t dare obstruct you. But this person probably cannot enter the palace gates.”
Zheng Yang frowned, not expecting such strict guarding even at this small side gate. Helplessly, he had to invoke imperial authority: “Su Cen was summoned to the palace by His Majesty.”
“Then please show us His Majesty’s edict.”
Zheng Yang flew into a rage, pulling Su Cen to charge inside: “Just a pack of guard dogs, yet you really think you’re somebody.”
With a clatter, horizontal blades were unsheathed, cold light gleaming in the cold wind. These guards showed no quarter, crossing blades: “Those who trespass palace gates—death without mercy.”
Su Cen’s gaze slowly turned cold. Once, Zheng Yang could come and go freely in the imperial palace inner courts just by reciting genealogies. Now times had changed—this imperial palace was like a great icehouse, truly without a trace of human warmth.
During the standoff, an undeveloped adolescent voice suddenly rang out from within the palace gates: “Su Cen was summoned by me.”
The palace gates opened wide, and everyone looked over at the sound.
Su Cen knelt with the others: “Commoner Su Cen pays respects to Your Majesty.”
The young emperor looked at the kneeling figure before him, his gaze gradually softening: “All rise.”
Su Cen stood with the others, finally having a chance to properly look at the young emperor. Compared to a year ago, he had grown much taller. His previously chubby little face now showed the contours of a young man. Standing properly at the palace gate, his features actually bore some resemblance to Li Shi.
“Alright, you may all withdraw,” the young emperor waved his hand. “Su Cen, come with me.”
Su Cen finally entered that gate without incident. Zheng Yang, having wiped away his earlier shame, arrogantly lifted his chin at the guards and strode forward with his head held high.
When those behind them could no longer be seen, the young emperor suddenly looked up and smiled at Su Cen: “I knew you would definitely come.”
Su Cen cupped his hands toward him: “Your Majesty is wise.”
The young emperor continued: “It’s been a long time since I’ve seen you in court. I’ve rather missed you.”
Su Cen pressed his lips together and asked softly: “Your Majesty doesn’t blame me for being too impulsive back then and bringing disaster to the Great Zhou?”
“Uncle Emperor has always taught me to distinguish right from wrong and understand principles. If I can’t even tell right from wrong in this matter, wouldn’t I be failing Uncle Emperor’s teachings?” The young emperor’s emotions, which had just lifted, fell again. “It’s just that Uncle Emperor is now…”
Su Cen was silent for a moment, then spoke again with a low but firm voice: “I came back this time to investigate the truth and clear the Prince’s name.”
The young emperor nodded: “When it comes to investigating cases, I only trust you.”
What followed was mostly inconsequential talk. The young emperor walked ahead, saying quietly: “Mother Empress’s health hasn’t been good this past year. Uncle Emperor and Brother Yang have been busy with government affairs—it’s been a long time since anyone talked with me. I still remember how you used to turn cases into stories to tell me, completely different from what those old scholars taught. I really thought about capturing you to be my tutor back then, but Uncle Emperor said you were pillar material who could serve a greater purpose elsewhere.”
Su Cen gently pinched a finger joint, his thoughts drifting. That encounter in Suzhou had finally helped him remember their first meeting, and many things became clear. Li Shi couldn’t have stripped him of his top scholar title just because of his factional remarks—he had even protected him during their mutual struggles. It was just that he had been deliberately misled and manipulated, which caused him to harbor such hostility toward Li Shi.
But after going in circles, he still ended up standing beside Li Shi. It was an innate mutual understanding that no one could prevent.
As they walked unhurriedly, the young emperor suddenly stopped. Looking up, Su Cen saw Li Sheng approaching, his ink-dark eyes examining him with interest.
Coming closer, Zheng Yang reluctantly greeted “Your Highness’s well-being,” the young emperor stood stiffly for a moment and called “Uncle Emperor,” and Li Sheng nodded lightly, his gaze continuing to roam unabashedly over Su Cen.
After a long while, Li Sheng suddenly smiled: “Lord Su’s grace remains unchanged.”
Su Cen met his gaze coldly: “I’m no longer any kind of lord.”
Li Sheng’s smile didn’t diminish in the slightest: “Since you know your status, what are you doing here?”
“I summoned him,” the young emperor spoke up. “Uncle Emperor’s matter is of great importance. I don’t feel at ease having others investigate. Su Cen has solved many strange cases before—I want to appoint him to thoroughly investigate this matter.”
Li Sheng lowered his gaze toward the young emperor: “Don’t forget, the previous edict clearly stated Su Cen would never be employed again. The emperor’s word cannot be taken lightly.”
The young emperor pressed his lips tightly. At that time, the court situation was chaotic, with all sorts of things being said in court daily. In a moment of inattention, Li Sheng had interfered. When he later wanted to reverse it, the edict had already been issued and couldn’t be recalled.
“I can do without an official position,” Su Cen looked up and said word by word. “As long as you let me freely access all crime scenes, I can investigate without an official position.”
The surroundings fell silent for a moment. Zheng Yang came to his senses and hurriedly tugged at Su Cen’s sleeve, his meaning clear: now that the young emperor was finally backing him, he should seize this opportunity, which would also facilitate his future return to officialdom. His statement about not wanting an official position was wasting this golden opportunity.
Li Sheng raised an eyebrow slightly at Su Cen: “Interesting.”
But then he continued: “However, everyone knows Lord Su has deep friendship with the accused. It wouldn’t be appropriate for you to investigate this case, would it?”
Zheng Yang gritted his teeth hatefully: “Uncle is not an accused criminal!”
Su Cen didn’t care about Li Sheng’s provocation and countered with his own method: “Everyone also knows you have grievances with the Prince. The people you find probably aren’t reliable either, are they?”
Li Sheng smiled: “Since neither can investigate, then let’s just not investigate at all. The witnesses and evidence are complete anyway—might as well just execute him.”
“Some old eunuch who appeared from nowhere counts as a witness? And what physical evidence? Where’s the physical evidence? Can it withstand scrutiny?” Su Cen spoke righteously. “The Prince is the regent prince appointed by the former emperor, the Great Zhou’s legitimate prince. How can this be handled so carelessly?!”
Li Sheng’s gaze darkened. Su Cen was implying that his princely title was illegitimate.
“I said, let Su Cen investigate!” Just as the atmosphere grew tense, the young emperor suddenly interrupted. “I don’t trust anyone else’s investigation.”
Li Sheng stopped and turned to seriously examine the young emperor, those eyes carrying calculation and scrutiny, like a wolf’s.
The young emperor steeled himself to meet that gaze, though his clenched fists still betrayed his body’s instinctive tension and helplessness.
Li Sheng suddenly smiled meaningfully: “Fine, since Your Majesty commands it, then investigate.”
Then he continued: “But we can’t let this drag on indefinitely, can we? If he investigates for a year or two, should the Great Zhou wait with him for a year or two?”
Su Cen bit his lip lightly and considered. Li Sheng was forcing the young emperor to issue an edict. If he couldn’t produce evidence proving the Prince’s innocence, Li Sheng could justifiably deal with him.
“Give me one month.”
“One month is too long,” Li Sheng shook his head gently. “Let’s set the deadline at year’s end. If you still can’t produce evidence at the New Year’s Day grand court assembly, then we’ll deal with Li Shi according to law.”
##
This post gave me a new perspective I hadn’t considered.
I feel more confident tackling this now, thanks to you.