In the Bamboo Garden
Within the Bamboo Garden, MuJinling had changed out of his usual light and airy attire, now dressed in a dark green brocade robe. His hair, once loose, was neatly tied back, making him look like the refined gentleman he once was.
As ShangGuanCY accepted the tea MuJinling handed him, he asked,
"Why did you have people abduct JY?"
MuJinling continued his tasks unhurriedly, explaining,
"Some matters are better handled from the outside for everyone's sake. I originally intended for him to stay there for ten days to half a month. Firstly, there were some things left undone, and secondly, I wanted the golden canary to enjoy the freedom of the skies for a while. I didn't expect LiLuoning to show up in the middle of it all."
ShangGuanCY paused, then said,
"You had this plan all along. Why didn't you inform me beforehand?"
MuJinling chuckled,
"The less you and MuChuan know about my plans, the better. After all, I have nothing to lose, but you and LinMuchuan are different. The Xiao family won't miss any opportunity to strike. However, I am curious as to how LiLuoning knew the Crown Prince's location."
ShangGuanCY hesitated. Although he had promised LiLuoning not to reveal anything, he felt MuJinling needed to know the truth. After all, his relationship with MuJinling was closer.
Seeing ShangGuanCY's troubled expression, MuJinling had a hunch and said,
"The scholar from the southern country, Sima Jijiu, did have a disciple, but he wasn't named LiLuoning, and this person supposedly died in a mountain accident. The person we know as LiLuoning should be Sima Jijiu himself. Zhuiyue Pavilion's Yi Ren found that Sima Jijiu had a younger sister skilled in divination, who was once the Northern Lord of Zhuiyue Pavilion. Although Zhuiyue Pavilion doesn't involve itself in politics, she vanished after predicting she would be involved with the imperial family. Sima Jijiu received something from her the day before his supposed death, indicating this is no coincidence."
"What are you suggesting?" ShangGuanCY asked.
MuJinling had long suspected LiLuoning's unusual nature, especially after their two confrontations. He knew LiLuoning was skilled in the arcane.
"I believe he came here looking for his sister. However, why he is interested in the Crown Prince is something I don't understand."
In the small wooden house, LiLuoning shared the information he had gathered in the capital with Huazhiyue.
Huazhiyue, still processing the story, asked,
"So, Master believes? JY is connected to your sister?"
A Secluded Villa in the Mountains
In a secluded villa in the mountains, a man whispered something into the ear of another with a handsome face.
"This Xiao Yongnian is truly audacious. Since the Xiao family is in such a hurry to meet their end, let's oblige them. It seems the palace is getting more interesting."
The Next Morning's Court Session
The next morning, ShangGuanCY and Xiao Yongnian quarreled in the court.
"Xiao Yongnian, arbitrarily harming the people will incite public outrage. The Amish people live a life of peace, with no interest in worldly affairs. Not only did they save the Crown Prince, but they also have no reason to conspire against the court. Your actions are nothing but an abuse of power," ShangGuanCY accused.
Xiao Yongnian ignored ShangGuanCY's accusations, bowing to the Emperor and reporting,
"Your Majesty, I received secret intelligence that these people were indeed involved in the Crown Prince's assassination. Their rescue of the Crown Prince was merely a pretext to use him later as leverage. The entire village is made up of rebels. We intended to arrest them for questioning, but they resisted stubbornly."
"Xiao Yongnian, do you think we're all fools to accept your one-sided story?" ShangGuanCY muttered angrily.
ChengSangKing motioned for ShangGuanCY to remain silent and then asked,
"Xiao Minister, do you have evidence to prove the villagers' involvement in the assassination of the Crown Prince?"
Xiao Yongnian, seemingly prepared, signaled, and a eunuch presented a wooden box containing a piece of flesh, causing many in the court to cover their noses in disgust.
"Your Majesty, this piece of skin was taken from the back of a village woman. This mark is unique to Zhuiyue Pavilion's Yi Ren. During the search at the cliff, we found numerous traces of Zhuiyue Pavilion's Vajra Net on nearby trees. These nets, made from specially treated golden silkworm threads, are exceptionally durable. That day, there were dozens of overlapping nets right where the Crown Prince fell. This clearly indicates Zhuiyue Pavilion's premeditation."
ShangGuanCY's face turned pale. Despite telling himself not to lose his composure, the thought of Xiao Yongnian slaughtering an entire village made his fists clench in fury, his knuckles whitening.
"The Zhuiyue Pavilion is known for intelligence and bounty hunting, but they have never interfered with court politics. Even if that woman was an Yi Ren, it doesn't prove her involvement in the Crown Prince's assassination," ChengSangKing questioned.
Xiao Yongnian continued,
"Your Majesty, Zhuiyue Pavilion is divided into northern and southern factions. After the Northern Lord of Zhuiyue Pavilion vanished, the organization lay dormant until it resurfaced a few years ago, rumored to be led by a new lord. Since then, the Northern faction has taken on more unscrupulous tasks for money. Furthermore, once someone joins Zhuiyue Pavilion, they cannot marry, retire, or have children. This suggests the entire Amish village is a base for Zhuiyue Pavilion near the capital."
"So you're saying someone paid Zhuiyue Pavilion to abduct the Crown Prince?" ChengSangKing asked.
"Indeed," Xiao Yongnian affirmed.
ShangGuanCY couldn't hold back his sarcasm,
"Zhuiyue Pavilion operates in secrecy. Its agents are known for their stealth. How could they expose their location so easily? Xiao Minister, you are clearly trying to deceive the Emperor with dubious claims to cover your own misdeeds."
"Why would I trouble myself with such a matter if I hadn't discovered their plot against the Crown Prince?" Xiao Yongnian began to retort when another voice interrupted.
"Father Emperor, I have a matter to report," ChengSangMo's voice came from outside the hall.
The court buzzed with whispers. The MoLan Prince was known for his detachment from court affairs, and his presence signaled something significant.
With a series of light coughs, ChengSangMo entered the hall, bowing.
"Father Emperor, I have a report."
Seeing ChengSangMo, ChengSangKing was momentarily surprised. He signaled Liu Gonggong to provide a seat before asking,
"Mo'er, what brings you here?"
ChengSangMo, unhurriedly covering his mouth as he coughed, replied,
"Your Majesty, Xiao Minister's village massacre was driven by personal vendetta."
"Personal vendetta?"
Xiao Yongnian's expression changed, adopting a serious tone,
"The MoLan Prince has been confined to his residence. He is not aware of many things and should refrain from making baseless accusations."
Ignoring Xiao Yongnian, ChengSangMo continued,
"Your Majesty, my merchant caravans often trade with the Amish people. Whenever they pass through the village, they bring needed supplies and sometimes stay to avoid bad weather. According to my sources, years ago, the village woman's son and daughter-in-law were killed by Xiao family's patrol guards over a misunderstanding in the city. This time, Xiao Minister used the Crown Prince's abduction as an excuse to settle old scores."
"Nonsense! MoLan Prince, do not accuse me without evidence. I, Xiao Yongnian, am the Minister of War and the father of the Empress. I have no reason to slaughter a village over a patrol guard's personal feud. These villagers were connected to Zhuiyue Pavilion and conspired to abduct the Crown Prince. If MoLan Prince has no evidence, do not slander me with baseless accusations," Xiao Yongnian responded vehemently.
ShangGuanCY's eyes narrowed slightly as he pondered ChengSangMo's words. Even if someone had been accidentally killed, there was no need to massacre an entire village ten years later. However, if the incident involved Empress Xiao, it might explain Xiao Yongnian's actions. Could it be that the people involved knew something crucial, forcing Xiao Yongnian to eradicate the entire village to keep the secret?
"Your Highness, you can't enter! The Crown Prince—" The commotion outside interrupted his thoughts.
Already frustrated by the situation, ChengSangKing's headache worsened at the noise from outside. He furrowed his brows, straining to see what was happening.
ChengSangJY appeared at the entrance of the hall, his face flushed with anger as he pushed past the guards.
"Get out of my way!" ChengSangJY shoved the guards aside and stormed into the court. Behind him, the eunuch Duo Gonggong, unable to follow due to his status, knelt outside the door, bowing his head in confusion.
"JY! What are you doing here? Do you know where you are?" Seeing JY, ShangGuanCY hurriedly intercepted him, grabbing his arm and whispering urgently. It was the first time he'd seen JY so angry and unrestrained.
Being held back, JY regained some composure upon seeing ShangGuanCY's face. His eyes reddened slightly, and he trembled as he asked,
"CY, is it true? Did Xiao Yongnian wipe out the entire village of Qiu Da Niang?"
ShangGuanCY had instructed everyone not to inform the Crown Prince of the massacre, but it seemed the news had still reached him. Unsure of how to respond, ShangGuanCY closed his eyes, hoping to find the right words. JY, seeing his reaction, knew the answer. Anger boiled within him, and he shook off ShangGuanCY's hand, striding forward.
"Father, Qiu Da Niang's family saved my life. They never harmed me. I implore you to bring justice for them," ChengSangJY said as he knelt, kowtowing.
ChengSangMo's expression darkened. He knew the news would eventually reach ChengSangJY, but it was improper for a prince to storm into the court unannounced. Moreover, ChengSangKing had previously warned JY to avoid politics until he came of age. Regardless of the reason, JY should not be here now.
"The Crown Prince has intruded into the court without summons. This is highly improper!" ChengSangKing's voice was stern, his displeasure evident.
ChengSangJY knelt upright, his face serious and determined,
"Father, Xiao Yongnian has abused his power, oppressing the innocent and arbitrarily massacring a village. Such behavior is intolerable. As a high-ranking official, he treats human lives like grass. If not severely punished, it will harm the kingdom's stability and the people's trust."
ChengSangMo's eyes flickered with surprise at JY's words. The timid, childlike JY he remembered had grown up unexpectedly.
ShangGuanCY, deep in thought, knew the situation was unavoidable for JY. Being a prince, he couldn't ignore the incident, especially considering JY's strong sense of loyalty and justice. Though ChengSangKing might understand JY's impulsiveness, this was a rare opportunity. ShangGuanCY decided to adjust his plan, thinking,
"Xiao Yongnian, today I won't let you or the Xiao family off easily."
No one noticed ShangGuanCY's fleeting smile as all eyes were on JY.
Xiao Yongnian, displeased, retorted,
"The Crown Prince is inexperienced and unaware of the complexities of human nature. These villagers were suspicious and dangerous. As a minister, I couldn't risk the Crown Prince's safety. I acted out of caution, though the Crown Prince will understand my intentions in due time."
JY's reddened eyes burned with rage. If not for his upbringing, he might have attacked Xiao Yongnian then and there. Seeing JY's fury, ShangGuanCY decided to intervene on his behalf, stepping forward and loudly countering,
"Xiao Minister, you say 'better to kill mistakenly than to let go.' According to you, anyone with the slightest suspicion should be executed without trial. You didn't even investigate before slaughtering a village. Does the Emperor's authority mean nothing to you?"
"How dare you! ShangGuanCY, who do you think you are, spouting nonsense here? I am a high-ranking minister, and you're just a lowly prince. How dare you criticize me?" Xiao Yongnian shouted, pointing at ShangGuanCY.
ShangGuanCY remained expressionless, knowing Xiao Yongnian had fallen into his trap. Xiao Yongnian's use of rank to suppress him only further exposed his arrogance.
ShangGuanCY's lack of official rank was the Emperor's decision. Xiao Yongnian's arrogant use of rank to suppress him violated the Emperor's trust. ChengSangKing, despite occasionally favoring the Xiao family, also supported the ShangGuan family. ShangGuanCY's position of influence, without official rank, was well known, trusted by the Emperor. Xiao Yongnian's attempt to belittle him only backfired.
"This act of unauthorized violence must be punished, or else rebellion is inevitable," JY declared, his voice firm. Although Xiao Yongnian was his maternal grandfather, he had never shown him any affection. To JY, Xiao Yongnian was merely an outsider.
"Enough!" ChengSangKing's shout silenced the hall.
ChengSangKing's gaze settled on ChengSangMo, asking,
"Mo'er, what do you think of this matter?"
ChengSangMo's lowered eyes moved slightly. He looked at JY, then at the angry Xiao Yongnian, finally focusing on ShangGuanCY. After a moment's contemplation, he spoke,
"Father, I was near the cliff on the day of the Crown Prince's attack."
His words caused an uproar in the court.
"The MoLan Prince was present!"
"Is he involved in the assassination?"
"Could it be the MoLan Prince…?"
ShangGuanCY's smile flickered, a hint of satisfaction in his eyes.
"You were there?" ChengSangKing asked, surprised.
ChengSangMo stood, bowing respectfully before continuing,
"Yes, Father. The weather was pleasant, ideal for hunting. While passing through a forest, I heard sounds of a fight. When I reached the cliff, I saw the assassins push Lin Huaichu over. They fled upon seeing me, but I found something at the cliff's edge."
From his sleeve, ChengSangMo produced an object, handing it to a eunuch. As the eunuch approached ChengSangKing, the expressions of those in the court changed.
JY watched intently, Xiao Yongnian's brow furrowed deeply. Only ShangGuanCY knew what the object was, fanning himself nonchalantly.
ChengSangKing took the item from the eunuch, his anger flaring upon seeing it.
"Xiao Yongnian, look at this!" He hurled the item down.
The Emperor's rage made everyone kneel. Xiao Yongnian, seeing the object at his feet, gasped and knelt, pleading,
"Your Majesty, this token must have been planted to frame me. Please, understand!"
ChengSangKing's voice thundered,
"You orchestrated the Crown Prince's assassination and then tried to cover it up. ChengSangMo has no reason to frame you. Xiao Minister, you've played a cunning game, but ChengSangMo's timely presence foiled your plan. You used the Crown Prince's name to justify slaughtering innocents, trying to undermine him before he even ascended. Do you think you can deceive me?"
Xiao Yongnian raised his head, inspecting the token closely. Engraved on it was the unmistakable character "Xiao."
Unable to believe it, Xiao Yongnian turned to ChengSangMo, who looked back with a calm, indifferent gaze.
"Your Majesty, this is clearly a setup. I would never harm my own grandson. Please, see the truth," Xiao Yongnian pleaded, kowtowing repeatedly.
ChengSangMo, unimpressed, retorted,
"Xiao Minister, are you suggesting I fabricated this token to falsely accuse you?"
Realizing he had fallen into a trap, Xiao Yongnian could only continue to plead his innocence, repeatedly bowing and shouting his grievances.
"Assassinating the Crown Prince, harming civilians, and deploying troops without authorization—each of these alone is a capital offense. Guards, take Xiao Yongnian into custody immediately. No one is to visit him. Strip him of his military command and temporarily transfer it to Mo'er," ChengSangKing commanded loudly.
ShangGuanCY's heart sank. He had meticulously planned everything but had overlooked the issue of military command. If ChengSangMo indeed harbored ambitions for the throne, gaining military control would undoubtedly strengthen his position.
"Could the true purpose of that token be..." ShangGuanCY realized he had been outmaneuvered.
He looked up in horror, locking eyes with ChengSangMo. Their gazes were complex, filled with hostility. Both knew that the real contest between them would begin now, with Xiao Yongnian out of the way.
In the Bamboo Garden,
"Master," a shadow guard knelt before MuJinling.
MuJinling did not lift his head, continuing his task. "Is it done?" he asked.
The shadow guard nodded, reporting,
"As you ordered, we informed the Crown Prince. As expected, the Emperor was furious upon seeing what the MoLan Prince presented and ordered Xiao Yongnian imprisoned."
"Just imprisoned? Our Emperor is still too lenient. With no Xiao family members left in the Six Ministries and Xiao Yongnian's crime of attempting to assassinate the Crown Prince being undeniable, this should warrant the execution of his entire clan, not just simple imprisonment," MuJinling said, touching his cheek thoughtfully.
"Following your instructions, we placed the Black Feather Jade in both the Empress's palace and the Emperor's study." The shadow guard presented an item with both hands.
MuJinling walked over, picked up the jade pendant, and gently traced a crack on it. "Something my mother gave me could never be left in someone else's hands."
A memory flashed in his mind:
"Mother, this jade pendant is beautiful. Can you give it to Xubai?" the young MuJinXB asked, his tiny hands caressing the pendant.
MuJin Zhiyu lovingly picked up the young MuJinXB, her voice gentle,
"This pendant was a gift from my brother, unique in this world. If you really like it, I'll save it for you as a family heirloom for when you marry."
The crack on the pendant was from when it fell as MuJin Zhiyu hanged herself, shattering upon hitting the ground.
Outside the Imperial Study,
"Your Majesty, please return. The Emperor said he wouldn't see anyone today," Liu Gonggong pleaded for the third time.
"I must see the Emperor today," Empress Xiao insisted at the door.
Liu Gonggong sighed and returned to the study.
"Your Majesty, the Empress has been waiting outside for a long time. What should we do?" Liu Gonggong asked cautiously, serving tea.
Without looking up, ChengSangKing took the tea and continued reading his memorials. "Let her stand. If she faints, send her back to her palace."
Empress Xiao, frail in health, fainted around the hour of Xu and was carried back to her quarters.
ChengSangKing, exhausted from the day's events, suddenly remembered something. "Liu Gonggong, where is that jade pendant?"
"The one the Crown Prince gave you? It's in the box on the shelf. I thought you might need it again, so I didn't have it stored in the treasury," Liu Gonggong replied, fetching the box.
Opening it, Liu Gonggong's hand froze mid-air, his voice trembling,
"Your...Your Majesty, the jade pendant..."
ChengSangKing turned to see the once-translucent pendant now murky and impure. A phrase from years ago echoed in his mind:
"A ruler's heart must be pure, dreams of power unfulfilled. Pure jade turned black, sins will burn the kin."
The pendant fell from his hand, shattering on the ground.
In the Empress's quarters,
The physician prescribed a calming remedy, and the palace maids helped the Empress prepare for bed. After lighting the incense for tranquility, the head maid also left.
Blue smoke curled from the incense burner, creating delicate patterns that Empress Xiao inhaled.
In her dream, she returned to the Xiao family's residence during her youth.
The servants were in a flurry, busy with some urgent matter.
Dreaming, Empress Xiao found herself at the door of her childhood room, surrounded by maids and old women with troubled expressions.
"Master Xiao, it appears your daughter's herbal concoction accidentally included Cistanche," a doctor said.
Xiao Yongnian, anxious, asked,
"What happens if Cistanche is included? Why is my daughter still unconscious?"
Maids and old women rushed in and out, carrying basins filled with blood-stained cloths and crimson water.
Empress Xiao, in her dream, felt a wave of nausea, waking up in a cold sweat.
In the Crown Prince's residence,
Late at night, ChengSangJY sat alone on the rooftop.
"Thud...clatter." A small stone landed on the roof, rolling down the tiles.
ChengSangJY turned to look but saw no one, thinking it might have been dropped by a passing bird. He dismissed it.
As he turned back, he sensed someone beside him and slowly looked. A face was so close he couldn't make out who it was.
"Aren't you scared?" Disappointed she hadn't startled him, Huazhiyue took a step back, pouting.
"Zhiyue? What brings you here? How did you find this place?" ChengSangJY asked, curious how she, never having entered the palace, found the Crown Prince's residence so accurately.
"Master told me roughly where it was. I just found my way. Why, not happy to see me?" Huazhiyue teased, shaking the wine jar in her hand.
ChengSangJY smiled faintly. Despite his earlier mood, seeing Huazhiyue lifted his spirits. "So, Zhiyue, you... snuck into the palace at night?"
Huazhiyue bit off the bottle's seal and handed the jar to ChengSangJY,
"Hey, don't make it sound like I'm an assassin. I just found the palace paths too confusing, so I came directly. Just don't tell my master, or he'll scold me. I heard about your situation. Nothing much to say except the dead can't be revived. Let's toast to them." She poured some wine on the tiles and took a swig herself.
Touched, ChengSangJY looked at the jar and smiled bitterly,
"I didn't know Li Taifu, who seems so gentle, could be so strict with his disciple." He took a swig and coughed violently as the strong liquor burned his throat.
Huazhiyue patted his back, helping him breathe,
"If you can't handle it, don't force yourself. If something happens to you, my master will never forgive me. I'm different from you. I was taken in and raised by my master, so he's stricter with me. You're the Crown Prince, so he treats you more carefully."
ChengSangJY, still coughing, said,
"Zhiyue, this wine tastes different from what I've had before. It's smooth and sweet, but strong. I've never had anything like it."
"Of course, it's my master's Blue Snow Brew, a rare treasure from our pavilion. You wouldn't have had it before," Huazhiyue proudly pointed to the label.
"Pavilion?" ChengSangJY repeated.
Realizing her slip, Huazhiyue quickly corrected,
"Uh...yes, the compartment where my master keeps his good wine. You've never had it. See, I'm treating you well, bringing out the best for you."