PCA Chapter 181

After leaving Zhang He’s residence, Su Cen’s doubts grew even stronger.

 

Liu Cheng again.

 

The Secret Door assassin captured in Old Master Tian’s case had said Liu Cheng was the culprit. Later, numerous clues also pointed to Liu Cheng one by one. The hazelnut powder in Tian Pingzhi’s food was put there by someone close to him. Liu Cheng visited the examination hall every February. Now Zhang He told him that Liu Cheng had submitted a blank paper that year.

 

No wonder they couldn’t find Liu Cheng’s examination paper in the Ministry of Rites archives. Liu Cheng had not written a single word on his policy essay in the metropolitan examination that year. Naturally, a blank sheet of paper wouldn’t be archived.

 

A scholar from a humble background, who had studied diligently for twenty years, overcoming obstacles through the county and provincial examinations to reach the capital, yet submitted a blank paper for the final policy essay. Did he already know he would be predetermined as the top scholar, or was it really as Zhang He said—that he couldn’t hold his brush steady because he had killed someone?

 

Then why would he want to kill Tian Pingzhi?

 

If he was jealous of Tian Pingzhi’s scholarship, afraid he would take his top position, their learning was roughly equal, and they had mutual respect. It didn’t make sense for Liu Cheng to kill for such an uncertain outcome. From Tian Pingzhi’s poems, it seemed he even admired Liu Cheng. Could it be that Liu Cheng couldn’t bear his attention and therefore poisoned him?

 

When Su Cen stopped walking, he realized he was already standing at the entrance of the examination hall. Looking up, the two vermilion doors were tightly closed, with few horses or people in front—not much different from a year ago.

 

Only the neatly arranged tables and chairs and a faded “Tian” banner that had been in front of the gate were missing.

 

He suddenly remembered that when he had finished his policy essay early and came out, he had drunk a bowl of sugar water right here at Old Master Tian’s stall. At that time, they had also talked about Liu Cheng. When Old Master Tian mentioned that the young man who had submitted his paper a day early was now the Prime Minister, his face was peaceful, without any resentment. He had even predicted that Su Cen would also achieve great success in the future.

 

Thinking about it now, Old Master Tian must have known Liu Cheng early on—his son’s good friend, and an equally outstanding young man. He must have been genuinely happy for Liu Cheng’s achievements.

 

Now, Su Cen somewhat felt fortunate that Old Master Tian had passed away early. If he had known that his son’s death was inextricably linked to Liu Cheng, who knows how he would have felt.

 

He remembered that when Old Master Tian was instigated to kill someone, he had said that Tian Pingzhi met his demise because he “offended someone in the court” and “saw something he shouldn’t have seen.” If one disregarded that this explanation came from the Secret Door, it currently seemed to be the only explanation for why Tian Pingzhi was harmed.

 

Who was this person? What did Tian Pingzhi see? And what connection did this have with Liu Cheng?

 

If he could find Liu Cheng and ask him face to face, some questions might be resolved. However, Liu Cheng was now the Prime Minister, at the pinnacle of officialdom, with Empress Dowager Chu backing him. Without ironclad evidence, Su Cen really couldn’t touch him.

 

And what did he have now? A skeleton, scattered conjectures, and the only piece of evidence had been burned by Feng Yiming. He couldn’t even convince himself, let alone Liu Cheng.

 

To restore the truth of this old case would be a long, arduous journey.

 

Lost in thought, Su Cen’s shoulder was suddenly patted from behind. He turned around startled, only to see an unfamiliar face—a man with a prosperous appearance yet fair complexion, who cupped his hands in greeting: “My master requests Minister Su to visit.”

 

“You know me?” Su Cen frowned. This person directly addressed him as Minister Su, which meant he clearly recognized him. He changed his question: “Who is your master?”

 

The man didn’t answer, only saying: “Minister Su will know once you arrive.”

 

The man was clearly determined to bring him along. Su Cen immediately became vigilant. He had just thoroughly offended Zhang He; could it be that Zhang He had come to his senses and wanted to deal with him? Or perhaps someone had observed his activities over the past few days and wanted to take him to some remote place to silence him.

 

Minister Su, with his extensive experience in such situations, had become quite adept at handling them. Having been abducted multiple times, his quick thinking and rich experience made him devise a strategy in the blink of an eye. Regardless of the strength difference between him and this plump man, they were near the imperial city, in a sparsely populated area. The nearest place to seek help would be the imperial guards.

 

But to reach a place with guards would require walking one or two li. He needed to find a way to lead the man there.

 

Su Cen asked: “Where is your master now?”

 

The man turned around, leading the way: “Minister Su, just follow me.”

 

They were heading in the direction Su Cen wanted to go anyway.

 

When they were about a hundred steps away from the city gate, Su Cen seized the opportunity, pushed the man, and ran forward with all his might. As he ran, he looked back to see the man getting up from his fall, cursing as he gave chase. Su Cen couldn’t make out what he was saying, but seeing the gate guards in the distance, his heart lifted, and he ran even harder. Upon reaching them, he grabbed a guard’s arm as if clutching at a lifeline.

 

Just as he caught his breath and was about to speak, Su Cen saw the upright guard looking over his shoulder in confusion: “Eunuch Cao, what’s going on?”

 

Su Cen’s mind went blank. He turned around to see that the man had caught up, now supporting himself on his knees, out of breath. With a slender finger pointing at Su Cen, he spoke in a high-pitched voice: “This is the person the Empress Dowager specifically asked for. He refuses the easy way and chooses the hard way. Hurry up and arrest him for me!”

 

Su Cen stared momentarily at the rope that suddenly appeared in the guard’s hand and quickly let go, stepping back: “Brother, let me explain…”

 

In the end, Su Cen was escorted into Qingning Palace by two guards. Despite repeatedly stating that he wouldn’t run again, the eunuch seemed to have gone deaf, maintaining a cold face and ignoring everything Su Cen said. With two trails of blood flowing from his nose, the scene was rather comical.

 

Only when they reached the gates of Qingning Palace was Su Cen released. The eunuch finally addressed him again: “My master is waiting inside. As soon as you enter, kneel down immediately. Do not raise your head or look directly at my master’s face.”

 

Su Cen verbally agreed, but mentally rolled his eyes. Having come all this way and still referring to “my master, my master”—as if everyone didn’t know who his master was!

 

After entering, he knelt down on the spot, again on that tile with the five bats surrounding longevity. Su Cen stared at it for the time it takes to drink half a cup of tea before there was finally some movement inside.

 

Someone came slowly and sat down in front of Su Cen. A cool, pleasant voice sounded from above his head: “Do you know why I’ve summoned you today?”

 

Regardless of the reason, he was already here and could only say: “Please enlighten me, Empress Dowager.”

 

Empress Dowager Chu laughed lightly and explained: “I’m calling on you to repay a favor.”

 

Su Cen was taken aback, suddenly remembering how during the palace examination, he had been young and impetuous, openly defying Li Shi in the Hanyuan Hall. At that time, he had nearly been beaten to death on the spot, but the Empress Dowager had intervened to save him.

 

Afterward, the Empress Dowager had also personally admitted that she had appointed him as the top scholar. She had saved his life, and he owed her a debt of gratitude.

 

Empress Dowager Chu said: “I hear you’re investigating an old case?”

 

Su Cen was startled. Despite his caution and discretion, it seemed he couldn’t escape the ears and eyes of these powerful people. He nodded slightly, having no choice but to acknowledge it.

 

“How far have you gotten in your investigation?”

 

Since the Empress Dowager’s people could find him at the examination hall gates, they naturally knew his whereabouts intimately. Su Cen spoke truthfully: “Tian Pingzhi ate food containing hazelnut powder, which triggered his asthma. Then he was mistaken for dead by that year’s chief examiner, Zhang He, and ordered to be buried alive. Additionally, Zhang He revealed that in that policy essay examination, Prime Minister Liu’s paper remained untouched—he submitted a blank sheet.”

 

Empress Dowager Chu considered for a moment. “Do you think Liu Cheng killed Tian Pingzhi?”

 

“At present, Prime Minister Liu is the prime suspect,” Su Cen pressed his lips slightly, choosing his words carefully. “Your favor and recognition, Empress Dowager, I will never forget. But if you wish to exchange this favor for Prime Minister Liu’s safety, I’m afraid I cannot comply. This case is not mine alone; more than one person has died because of it. Lives hang in the balance, and I cannot make such a decision.”

 

“Well, Su Cen, what audacity!” Empress Dowager Chu’s eyes widened as she stood up, banging the table, seemingly about to fly into a rage. After a moment of silence, however, she smiled and said: “I just wanted to test you, to see if you’re still the Su Cen who would ‘die for the common people without hesitation.’ You truly haven’t disappointed me.”

 

Su Cen grew increasingly puzzled, but before he could think it through, the Empress Dowager continued: “I won’t use this favor to protect Liu Cheng, but rather to exchange it for the truth. From this day forward, I command you to take full charge of this case. You must investigate until the truth is revealed. Proceed freely, and if anyone obstructs you, they will be punished for defying the imperial edict.”

 

Finally, she emphasized firmly: “This applies to Zhang He, and also to Liu Cheng.”

 

Su Cen frowned. The Empress Dowager wasn’t protecting Liu Cheng, but instead wanted him to investigate thoroughly without restraint. He wasn’t sure what the Empress Dowager’s true intentions were, and he stood frozen in place, unsure how to respond.

 

“What’s wrong?” the Empress Dowager smiled lightly. “Lost your nerve to investigate?”

 

Su Cen pressed his lips together. This case needed to be investigated regardless, and being able to do so openly was certainly better than sneaking around. Since the Empress Dowager was willing to be his backing, why should he refuse?

 

Su Cen kowtowed: “This subject accepts the edict with gratitude.”

 

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