In the Residence of ShangGuanCY .
"How's the investigation going?" ShangGuanCY asked, reclining on a large armchair, eyes closed in thought.
"Reporting, my lord, the autopsy showed no external wounds or signs of poisoning."
ShangGuanCY furrowed his brows, sighing heavily. "How can someone die without a cause? There's more to this. Continue the investigation. Detain all relatives except Sun Wanshan's immediate family for questioning."
Before he could finish, a soldier rushed in, kneeling. "Reporting, my lord, Minister of Justice Zhou Yunhai has been found dead."
"What!" ShangGuanCY's hand trembled, and the cup slipped from his grasp, shattering on the floor.
"Where did he die?"
"He... he died..." The soldier stammered.
"Where?" ShangGuanCY's patience wore thin as he grabbed the soldier's collar.
"He reportedly overdosed on Spring Elixir and died in the bed of a girl at the Drunken Immortal Pavilion."
ShangGuanCY staggered, disbelief etching his features. Both Sun Wanshan and Zhou Yunhai, his trusted aides, were dead. Their deaths signaled an attack directed at the heart of his power.
"Seal off the Drunken Immortal Pavilion immediately. Arrest everyone inside and bring them in for questioning." ShangGuanCY stormed out, anger boiling within.
At the Drunken Immortal Pavilion
The grand hall was in disarray, with trembling courtesans kneeling on the floor.
"Everyone is here, but there's no sign of MuJinling," the deputy reported.
"MuJinling isn't here?" ShangGuanCY yanked the madam closer. "Where is your star performer? Hand him over!"
"Sir, right after you left, the MoLan prince took him away. He hasn't returned since," the madam stammered, shaking.
ShangGuanCY tossed her aside. "ChengSangMo!"
In Amish Village, Early Morning
LiLuoning calculated the time. ShangGuanCY and LinMuchuan should be arriving soon.
"Sir, breakfast is ready," ChengSangJY called from outside, followed by a muddy LinHuaichu.
After days of rest, LinHuaichu's eyes had almost fully recovered.
"JY, General Lin and his men should be here soon," LiLuoning said.
"My brother is coming to get us? That's great!" LinHuaichu beamed.
ChengSangJY noticed LiLuoning had something on his mind. "Sir, is there something you want to say?"
LiLuoning nodded slightly. "I have some matters to attend to. Don't let General Lin know I was here. If he finds out, he'll insist I return to the palace."
LinHuaichu blinked and grinned. "Oh, I understand. Sir's vacation isn't over yet. You don't want to go back early, right?" He then glanced at ChengSangJY, his meaning clear.
ChengSangJY remembered Huazhiyue mentioning LiLuoning's annual pilgrimage to a late friend's grave. Understanding, he nodded. "Sir, if you have unresolved matters, there's no rush to return. Huaichu will need time to recover, and there won't be any early lessons for a while. You can handle your affairs first."
LiLuoning nodded in appreciation. ChengSangJY was always considerate and tactful, never prying unnecessarily. However, he cast a cautious glance at LinHuaichu, worried he might let something slip.
LinHuaichu, engrossed in his meal, noticed their stares. "Why are you looking at me? I won't say anything. I was blind, but now I see. I know nothing."
The Next Morning
True to his word, LiLuoning was gone by the next morning.
ChengSangJY stepped outside, hearing the sound of hooves approaching. "JY!" ShangGuanCY called out from a distance.
"CY!" ChengSangJY ran towards him.
ShangGuanCY, exhausted from his journey, dismounted quickly upon seeing ChengSangJY safe and sound. "I finally found you. Let me see if you're hurt."
LinHuaichu, stretching lazily, saw the commotion and ran over, waving.
"Brother!"
LinMuchuan dismounted and hurried towards him.
LinHuaichu ran and jumped into LinMuchuan's arms, clinging like a sack. "Brother, you finally came. I was so scared, thinking I'd never see you again."
LinMuchuan, eyes filled with concern, patted his head gently. "It's okay now. Come down. What a sight you are."
LinHuaichu slid down and greeted ShangGuanCY. "CY."
ShangGuanCY examined the two boys, noting their weight loss and tans. Though thinner, JY seemed more robust. Relieved, he looked around the courtyard.
"CY, what are you looking for?" ChengSangJY asked.
"Just checking. You two have been staying here?" ShangGuanCY inquired.
"Yes, after we fell, Da-niang's husband rescued us and brought us here," ChengSangJY explained.
Seeing they were safe, ShangGuanCY's tension eased. "Good. You two fell outside the hunting grounds. Why were you there?"
Their attack stemmed from leaving the designated hunting area, giving assassins an opportunity.
ChengSangJY hesitated, looking at LinHuaichu for help.
LinHuaichu, sensing his gaze, panicked and backed into LinMuchuan, stammering, "I didn't... I just wanted to show JY the scenery. I didn't mean for us to encounter assassins."
ShangGuanCY, arms crossed, smirked knowingly. He motioned for LinHuaichu to see LinMuchuan's stern face.
Feeling a chill, LinHuaichu turned slowly to face his brother's glare. "Brother, I didn't mean it. I just wanted to show JY the scenery. I didn't know assassins would appear."
"Get inside," LinMuchuan commanded, dragging him inside by his collar.
LinHuaichu, resigned to his fate, pleaded, "JY, help me. Brother, I saved JY. Can't that count? Brother, let's talk at home. Brother, let me down."
Finding it easier to carry him, LinMuchuan lifted LinHuaichu effortlessly, heading indoors.
ChengSangJY, chuckling at the scene, felt his ear being tugged. He realized ShangGuanCY was still there.
"You think you're off the hook? You can't just follow Huaichu's antics. Come on." ShangGuanCY dragged him inside by the ear.
"CY, it's not... It's just... I'm fine now," ChengSangJY tried to explain but was pulled inside.
The brothers, relieved to find each other safe, resumed their roles. It was time for the older brothers to teach the younger ones a lesson.
"Ouch, CY, brother, not so hard. My ear hurts."
In the Palace
Worry over ChengSangJY's fate had left ChengSangKing sleepless.
He wandered to the Crown Prince's residence, finding himself at the gate. He entered, finding the courtyard deserted. The head eunuch, lost in thought, didn't notice ChengSangKing's approach, mistaking him for a regular servant.
"Just leave it there. I'll handle it," he said, wiping tears.
"Your Majesty!" The eunuch realized and knelt.
ChengSangKing felt a pang seeing the empty courtyard, reminiscing about better days. "I remember this courtyard had plants."
"The Empress had them moved to the Royal Garden, fearing they'd burden the Crown Prince," the eunuch explained.
ChengSangKing sighed. "JY wasn't good at gardening, but he tried for the Empress. Moving them was for the best, I suppose."
He entered ChengSangJY's study, pausing at the door. The eunuch discreetly pointed to the main desk, indicating it was the Crown Prince's. ChengSangKing approached it.
The desk, neat and orderly, held ancient texts and an unfinished manuscript in the center. The carefully written words read, "Father is aging, and the kingdom faces tumultuous times. If the Crown Prince does not strive for progress, how can he shoulder the great responsibility?"
In the Residence of ShangGuanCY
"How's the investigation going?" ShangGuanCY asked, reclining on a large armchair, eyes closed in thought.
"Reporting, my lord, the autopsy showed no external wounds or signs of poisoning."
ShangGuanCY furrowed his brows, sighing heavily. "How can someone die without a cause? There's more to this. Continue the investigation. Detain all relatives except Sun Wanshan's immediate family for questioning."
Before he could finish, a soldier rushed in, kneeling. "Reporting, my lord, Minister of Justice Zhou Yunhai has been found dead."
"What!" ShangGuanCY's hand trembled, and the cup slipped from his grasp, shattering on the floor.
"Where did he die?"
"He... he died..." The soldier stammered.
"Where?" ShangGuanCY's patience wore thin as he grabbed the soldier's collar.
"He reportedly overdosed on Spring Elixir and died in the bed of a girl at the Drunken Immortal Pavilion."
ShangGuanCY staggered, disbelief etching his features. Both Sun Wanshan and Zhou Yunhai, his trusted aides, were dead. Their deaths signaled an attack directed at the heart of his power.
"Seal off the Drunken Immortal Pavilion immediately. Arrest everyone inside and bring them in for questioning." ShangGuanCY stormed out, anger boiling within.
At the Drunken Immortal Pavilion
The grand hall was in disarray, with trembling courtesans kneeling on the floor.
"Everyone is here, but there's no sign of MuJinling," the deputy reported.
"MuJinling isn't here?" ShangGuanCY yanked the madam closer. "Where is your star performer? Hand him over!"
"Sir, right after you left, the MoLan prince took him away. He hasn't returned since," the madam stammered, shaking.
ShangGuanCY tossed her aside. "ChengSangMo!"
In Amish Village, Early Morning
LiLuoning calculated the time. ShangGuanCY and LinMuchuan should be arriving soon.
"Sir, breakfast is ready," ChengSangJY called from outside, followed by a muddy LinHuaichu.
After days of rest, LinHuaichu's eyes had almost fully recovered.
"JY, General Lin and his men should be here soon," LiLuoning said.
"My brother is coming to get us? That's great!" LinHuaichu beamed.
ChengSangJY noticed LiLuoning had something on his mind. "Sir, is there something you want to say?"
LiLuoning nodded slightly. "I have some matters to attend to. Don't let General Lin know I was here. If he finds out, he'll insist I return to the palace."
LinHuaichu blinked and grinned. "Oh, I understand. Sir's vacation isn't over yet. You don't want to go back early, right?" He then glanced at ChengSangJY, his meaning clear.
ChengSangJY remembered Huazhiyue mentioning LiLuoning's annual pilgrimage to a late friend's grave. Understanding, he nodded. "Sir, if you have unresolved matters, there's no rush to return. Huaichu will need time to recover, and there won't be any early lessons for a while. You can handle your affairs first."
LiLuoning nodded in appreciation. ChengSangJY was always considerate and tactful, never prying unnecessarily. However, he cast a cautious glance at LinHuaichu, worried he might let something slip.
LinHuaichu, engrossed in his meal, noticed their stares. "Why are you looking at me? I won't say anything. I was blind, but now I see. I know nothing."
The Next Morning
True to his word, LiLuoning was gone by the next morning.
ChengSangJY stepped outside, hearing the sound of hooves approaching. "JY!" ShangGuanCY called out from a distance.
"CY!" ChengSangJY ran towards him.
ShangGuanCY, exhausted from his journey, dismounted quickly upon seeing ChengSangJY safe and sound. "I finally found you. Let me see if you're hurt."
LinHuaichu, stretching lazily, saw the commotion and ran over, waving.
"Brother!"
LinMuchuan dismounted and hurried towards him.
LinHuaichu ran and jumped into LinMuchuan's arms, clinging like a sack. "Brother, you finally came. I was so scared, thinking I'd never see you again."
LinMuchuan, eyes filled with concern, patted his head gently. "It's okay now. Come down. What a sight you are."
LinHuaichu slid down and greeted ShangGuanCY. "CY."
ShangGuanCY examined the two boys, noting their weight loss and tans. Though thinner, JY seemed more robust. Relieved, he looked around the courtyard.
"CY, what are you looking for?" ChengSangJY asked.
"Just checking. You two have been staying here?" ShangGuanCY inquired.
"Yes, after we fell, Da-niang's husband rescued us and brought us here," ChengSangJY explained.
Seeing they were safe, ShangGuanCY's tension eased. "Good. You two fell outside the hunting grounds. Why were you there?"
Their attack stemmed from leaving the designated hunting area, giving assassins an opportunity.
ChengSangJY hesitated, looking at LinHuaichu for help.
LinHuaichu, sensing his gaze, panicked and backed into LinMuchuan, stammering, "I didn't... I just wanted to show JY the scenery. I didn't mean for us to encounter assassins."
ShangGuanCY, arms crossed, smirked knowingly. He motioned for LinHuaichu to see LinMuchuan's stern face.
Feeling a chill, LinHuaichu turned slowly to face his brother's glare. "Brother, I didn't mean it. I just wanted to show JY the scenery. I didn't know assassins would appear."
"Get inside," LinMuchuan commanded, dragging him inside by his collar.
LinHuaichu, resigned to his fate, pleaded, "JY, help me. Brother, I saved JY. Can't that count? Brother, let's talk at home. Brother, let me down."
Finding it easier to carry him, LinMuchuan lifted LinHuaichu effortlessly, heading indoors.
ChengSangJY, chuckling at the scene, felt his ear being tugged. He realized ShangGuanCY was still there.
"You think you're off the hook? You can't just follow Huaichu's antics. Come on." ShangGuanCY dragged him inside by the ear.
"CY, it's not... It's just... I'm fine now," ChengSangJY tried to explain but was pulled inside.
The brothers, relieved to find each other safe, resumed their roles. It was time for the older brothers to teach the younger ones a lesson.
"Ouch, CY, brother, not so hard. My ear hurts."
In the Palace
Worry over ChengSangJY's fate had left ChengSangKing sleepless.
He wandered to the Crown Prince's residence, finding himself at the gate. He entered, finding the courtyard deserted. The head eunuch, lost in thought, didn't notice ChengSangKing's approach, mistaking him for a regular servant.
"Just leave it there. I'll handle it," he said, wiping tears.
"Your Majesty!" The eunuch realized and knelt.
ChengSangKing felt a pang seeing the empty courtyard, reminiscing about better days. "I remember this courtyard had plants."
"The Empress had them moved to the Royal Garden, fearing they'd burden the Crown Prince," the eunuch explained.
ChengSangKing sighed. "JY wasn't good at gardening, but he tried for the Empress. Moving them was for the best, I suppose."
He entered ChengSangJY's study, pausing at the door. The eunuch discreetly pointed to the main desk, indicating it was the Crown Prince's. ChengSangKing approached it.
The desk, neat and orderly, held ancient texts and an unfinished manuscript in the center. The carefully written words read:
---
"Do not exalt the worthy, and the people will not compete. Do not value rare treasures, and the people will not steal. Do not display what is desirable, and the people's hearts will not be disturbed."
This passage brought back a memory for ChengSangKing.
"Father, the teacher says diligence leads to success, and playfulness is unproductive. Does that mean if I study hard, I can achieve anything I want?" a young ChengSangJY asked in his childish voice.
"You're very clever, JY. Yes, as long as you are diligent and eager to learn, you will succeed in whatever you strive for," ChengSangKing replied, lifting his young son into his arms.
"Does that mean if I work hard, I can achieve anything?" the young ChengSangJY asked again.
ChengSangKing laughed heartily at the innocent face in his arms. "Exactly. Remember, JY, if you want something, you must do everything you can to obtain it."
Unknowingly, ChengSangKing had been sitting in the Crown Prince's residence for a long time. The sound of the watchman's clapper echoed from the palace walls. Liu Gonggong quietly approached and gently reminded, "Your Majesty, it is late. Shall we return?"
"Yes," ChengSangKing nodded, wearily rising from the chair.
As he passed the desk, a wooden box on a nearby shelf caught his eye. He stopped and pointed. "Liu Gonggong, what is that?"
Liu Gonggong followed the direction of the emperor's hand. He picked up the box and, seeing the design on it, felt a shiver run through him. Hesitantly, he said, "Your Majesty, the Crown Prince enjoys carving small things. It's just an ordinary box, nothing special."
"Hmm? JY carved it? Let me see!" ChengSangKing extended his hand.
Liu Gonggong hesitated but eventually handed over the box. Upon examining the design, ChengSangKing was visibly shocked, nearly collapsing.
In the Dark Cell of MoLan Prince's Residence
MuJinling leaned against the cold wall, idly playing with a straw, glancing out the window to estimate the time. A sly smile formed on his lips as he continued his actions, seemingly waiting for something.
Sure enough, the cell door opened, and ChengSangMo walked in.
"Couldn't wait to see me, Your Highness?" MuJinling taunted.
Indeed, ChengSangMo had received two pieces of news that morning. One was that ShangGuanCY and LinMuchuan had found ChengSangJY. The other was the death of Zhou Yunhai.
"Did you order the death of the Minister of Justice?" ChengSangMo asked.
MuJinling continued playing with the straw, indifferent. "I don't know what you're talking about."
ChengSangMo took a few steps and sat on the low table inside the cell. "I received word this morning that the Drunken Immortal Pavilion has been sealed by ShangGuanCY. Everyone there has been detained, awaiting investigation."
MuJinling's hand paused momentarily, a flash of worry in his eyes, but he quickly resumed. "The Drunken Immortal Pavilion only bought me to make money. It's good that it's sealed. I won't have to go back."
ChengSangMo played with the candle flame, seemingly engrossed in the flickering light. "Minister of Justice Zhou Yunhai died in the Drunken Immortal Pavilion last night. A few days ago, Minister of Personnel Sun Wanshan hanged himself. Quite a feat, MuJinling, to have influenced two court officials in such a short time. What grudge do they have against the MuJin family?"
"They were just dogs raised by ShangGuanCY. If it weren't for them uniting back then, things wouldn't have happened... Are you trying to trick me, Your Highness? I've been locked in your residence these days. How could I have harmed court officials? You're quite the jester." MuJinling smirked.
Learning of the two ministers' deaths, ChengSangMo realized he had been used by MuJinling. Those two had been involved in the MuJin family's downfall. Their sudden deaths would immediately implicate MuJinling, making his detention a planned alibi.
Seeing ChengSangMo's expression, MuJinling asked, "Did you come here just to tell me two dogs died?"
ChengSangMo knew MuJinling had orchestrated ChengSangJY's abduction but couldn't fathom why. "They found JY."
MuJinling's hand froze, surprise flashing across his face. He tried to mask his reaction. "They? You mean ShangGuanCY? That's great news. If the Crown Prince is safe, you should release me, Your Highness."
ChengSangMo noticed the fleeting shock in MuJinling's eyes, realizing there was more to this. Leaning closer, he asked, "How did you know the Crown Prince was safe?"
MuJinling's lips curled into a smile. "If something had happened to the Crown Prince, you wouldn't be sitting here calmly talking to me."
He stood up, stretching his shoulders. "Since the Crown Prince is found, I should be cleared of suspicion. Will you let me go now?"
ChengSangMo found the situation amusing. "When did I say I would release you?"
"The Crown Prince is found. Do you have any other business?" MuJinling asked.
ChengSangMo approached him slowly, eyes piercing. "Of course. Why did you abduct the Crown Prince but not use him to threaten the court or ShangGuanCY? Why leave a token from ShangGuanCY at the scene? What's your next move?"
MuJinling chuckled. "Even if I wanted revenge, I wouldn't stoop to harming a child. As for the token, isn't it more useful to you? As for my next move, the less you know, the better."
Seeing MuJinling casually heading for the door, ChengSangMo blocked him.
MuJinling's face darkened with annoyance. "I've told you everything. Do you plan to keep me here?"
"Everything you should say, maybe. What about what you shouldn't?" ChengSangMo retorted.
In the Carriage Returning from Amish Village
ChengSangJY was deep in thought about Da-niang's situation.
"JY, what are you thinking about?" LinHuaichu asked, tapping his shoulder.
"Nothing much. We left in such a hurry, I didn't get to thank Da-niang properly."
"My brother left them plenty of silver. It should last them a long time. When we get back to the capital, we can send them more gifts," LinHuaichu reassured.
ChengSangJY nodded but still seemed troubled. "I'm afraid what we owe Da-niang is more than just a debt of gratitude for saving our lives."
Riding outside, ShangGuanCY overheard the conversation and became interested.
"What do you mean?" LinHuaichu asked, puzzled.
ChengSangJY gazed at the passing scenery, a mix of serenity and sorrow in his eyes. "Huaichu, Da-niang's son, daughter-in-law, and unborn grandchild were killed by soldiers years ago. If her grandchild had been born, he would be about my age now."
"Really? Soldiers? So, we owe Da-niang's family five lives. What happened?" LinHuaichu counted on his fingers.
ChengSangJY fiddled with his jade pendant. "It's not just about lives. Years ago, ShangGuanCY's soldiers often bullied the commoners. Da-niang's son and daughter-in-law were beaten to death for arguing with them. Such disregard for life is appalling."
"How do you know it was ShangGuanCY's soldiers?" LinHuaichu asked.
"I asked Da-niang. She said they wore dark red uniforms and silver swords," ChengSangJY explained.
LinHuaichu thought for a moment and nodded. "If that's the case, it must be ShangGuanCY's soldiers. Our family's soldiers wear dark green, and the Emperor's guards wear golden armor and wouldn't be outside the capital. So, it must be ShangGuanCY's men."
"Da-niang said they accused her son of selling adulterated medicinal herbs, causing sickness. They didn't listen and beat them to death," ChengSangJY said.
"That's outrageous! Wait, those soldiers mentioned their young lady? Isn't the only daughter in ShangGuanCY's family your mother, the Empress? So, they were talking about Empress XiaoRui!" LinHuaichu calculated and realized.
ChengSangJY hadn't initially considered it, but now it made sense. ShangGuanCY's only daughter was XiaoRui. Based on the timeline, the soldiers' "young lady" was indeed the current Empress.
"Mother's debt is now mine to repay. We owe more than just a life-saving debt," ChengSangJY murmured.
"Those soldiers were just bullies. What's the big deal about some medicinal herbs? The Empress is fine now. They had no right," LinHuaichu grumbled.
"Medicinal herbs?" ShangGuanCY questioned.
In the Palace
Liu Gonggong hurried into the imperial study, shouting, "Found! Found! Your Majesty, the Crown Prince has been found."