"The prince's aide, LiLuoning, do you know why he is here in the capital?" the man asked.
"Li Taifu? What does he have to do with this?" ChengSangMo asked, puzzled.
"Have you ever heard the saying in the martial world, 'Jiang Zhiyao can change fate, and Li Lanxing is a rare treasure?' Back in the day, MuJinling, known as Jiang Zhiyao, was famed for her ability to predict and alter destinies as the head of the Moon-Chasing Pavilion. To see ChengSangJY again, she agreed to perform a divination for the emperor," the man continued.
"What does this have to do with JY?" ChengSangMo asked, still confused.
The man couldn't help but chuckle softly, shaking his head in exasperation. "It seems there are many things you do not know. Let me be blunt. The so-called prince, ChengSangJY, is actually the product of a single night of passion between ChengSangKing and MuJinling. XiaoRui was unable to conceive due to an accident in her youth, and she threatened MuJinling's family to keep her in the palace for a year to bear a child. Your unfortunate father is likely still unaware of this."
ChengSangMo was stunned. He had long harbored suspicions about his own identity but had never imagined that JY shared a similar secret. Memories of ChengSangJY's time at the Cui residence flashed through his mind. JY had fallen ill after learning the truth, and ChengSangMo recalled the broken look in JY's eyes—a look he had never seen before. Now, it all made sense.
Seeing ChengSangMo lost in thought, the man laughed derisively. "ChengSangKing could never have imagined that his only two sons would come about in such a way. It's laughable—retribution."
The word "retribution" struck a chord with ChengSangMo. After a moment of silent contemplation, he asked, "Why are you helping me?" His eyes, once cold and indifferent, now gleamed with a determined, icy resolve.
In the palace, inside the prince's study, ChengSangJY sat at his desk, lost in thought. He kept replaying a conversation he had had with Cui Yi a few days ago.
"Brother Yun, what are your plans for the future?" Cui Yi had asked.
"Big brother Cui, what do you mean?" ChengSangJY had replied.
"Everyone in the capital knows that the court is divided between the MoLan prince and the Yun Qingyi prince. Though you are the crown prince, you have yet to ascend the throne, and much can change. I don't know the nature of your relationship with the MoLan prince, but court politics are much like the business world—survival of the fittest, where the victor takes all. If you lose your position, life in the palace will be difficult," Cui Yi had said with concern.
ChengSangJY had been taken aback by Cui Yi's concern. Ever since the Xiao family had fallen, the emperor had rarely summoned him, and their relationship had visibly cooled. XiaoRui's death had strained his relationship with ShangGuanCY, and although ChengSangMo had tried to mend things, there was always a sense of something being hidden from him. Even LiLuoning, who usually only cared about teaching, had been acting mysteriously. Cui Yi was the first to show genuine concern for his situation in a long time.
"Big brother Cui, you worry too much. The Yun Qingyi prince has watched over me since I was young. Without him, my days in the palace would have been unbearable," ChengSangJY had replied with a faint smile.
Cui Yi had sighed, his expression tinged with worry. "I hope that's true. I've been in the capital for some time and have heard things. While this is your family's matter, and I shouldn't interfere, rumors say the Yun Qingyi prince forced XiaoRui to her death. If you trust him, then I have no concerns. But I fear that people often wear masks, hiding their true intentions. My family has been in business for generations; we've seen all kinds of deceit. You are kind and trusting by nature, and I worry that someone might take advantage of that for their own gain. Remember, everyone has their own secrets and selfish desires."
"Everyone has their own secrets and selfish desires?" ChengSangJY murmured as he stared at the character before him. "Everyone?"
At that moment, his servant, Duo, entered with tea. ChengSangJY asked, "Duo, has the teacher been here today?"
"Yes, Your Highness. Li Taifu was here earlier, but he stayed in the East Wing for less than an hour," Duo replied.
"I see," ChengSangJY acknowledged. In recent days, everyone had been preoccupied with finding LinHuaichu, leaving him with little company. Except for his daily visits to the imperial study, he spent most of his time reading alone. He usually found LinHuaichu's chatter annoying, but now, the silence felt oppressive.
"Your Highness, the kitchen is preparing your favorite peach blossom cakes. They will be delivered shortly," Duo announced.
"I have matters to attend to outside. I won't be dining here tonight and might not return until late. If anyone asks, tell them I retired early due to illness," ChengSangJY said as he left.
At the Lin residence, despite a thorough search of the entire capital, LinHuaichu was still missing. However, many of ChengSangMo's hidden soldiers had been discovered.
"Who would have thought the MoLan prince had secretly stationed so many soldiers in the capital?" LiLuoning remarked, examining a map.
"The soldiers sent out of the city by the Xiao family were gradually recalled after Xiao Shangshu was imprisoned. ChengSangMo must have taken that opportunity to replace them with his own men," ShangGuanCY speculated, believing it to be the perfect time for such a maneuver.
"According to the marked locations, the MoLan prince's soldiers are quite dispersed, with the majority concentrated near Xiao's residence. It makes sense; the northwest corner is the least conspicuous place now," MuJinling noted before turning to LiLuoning. "Shifu, have you discovered anything in the palace?"
LiLuoning nodded. "I reviewed the records of palace entries from before the MuJin family was condemned. The emperor had summoned Jiang Zhiyao late one night. It was the last time she entered the palace, shortly after giving birth to ChengSangJY."
"I investigated this matter before, but found nothing. It was eventually dropped. Do you think it's related to what happened to the MuJin family afterward?" MuJinling asked.
"Last night, I secretly entered XiaoRui's former quarters and found a hidden chamber behind the bed canopy. Inside, I discovered this," LiLuoning said, placing a turtle shell with red characters on the table.
"A turtle shell?" It seemed ordinary, especially since it was found in a place associated with Jiang Zhiyao.
"MuJin used to predict and alter fates. Finding such a shell in her former quarters is not surprising," ShangGuanCY commented.
"It's not the shell itself that's unusual, but what's written on it," LiLuoning explained.
ShangGuanCY and MuJinling leaned in to examine the shell. They saw a birthdate inscribed in gold-infused cinnabar.
"This is... the emperor's birthdate!" ShangGuanCY exclaimed.
"This isn't just any shell; it's an imperial shell," LiLuoning clarified.
MuJinling pieced together the implications, a cold smile forming on his lips. "Shifu suspects my mother altered the emperor's fate?"
LiLuoning shook his head. "As far as I know, before taking over the Moon-Chasing Pavilion, Jiang Zhiyao predicted a fateful entanglement with the royal family and altered her fate once. Fate cannot be altered twice without severe consequences. I believe the emperor summoned her merely to have his fate read."
MuJinling seemed to understand, his smile growing colder. "That must be the real reason the MuJin family was silenced."
---
The next morning, in the court,
Yang Zhan (Deputy Minister of War): "According to the three-year rotation rule, it's time to bring the stationed soldiers home by the end of the year."
ShangGuan Jinshuo: "Indeed, but recruiting and deploying soldiers all require treasury funds. We've just recovered from the floods, and winter is approaching. I'm afraid the treasury doesn't have the budget for this expense right now."
Yang Zhan: "The Ministry of Works has already handled the flood situation efficiently, benefiting the people and developing local water transportation without spending a single coin from the treasury. How can there be no funds?"
ShangGuan Jinshuo: "While that's true, the country has many needs, and the treasury is currently stretched thin."
Yang Zhan: "Is Lord ShangGuan deliberately trying to make things difficult?"
"Enough, stop arguing. LiLuoning, what do you suggest?" ChengSangKing asked.
"I believe that since the treasury is tight, it's not appropriate to replace the border generals at this time. We can delay the rotation until spring and reward the soldiers for their service," LiLuoning suggested.
Before the court session, LiLuoning had met with ShangGuan Jinshuo and informed him that under no circumstances should the Ministry of War make any moves before winter. If ChengSangMo planned to act this winter, this three-year rotation would be his best opportunity. Allowing new soldiers to leave the city and old ones to return home would mean all forces would be trapped in the city.
"I believe Li Taifu's words cannot be trusted," ChengSangMo's voice suddenly broke in.
LiLuoning frowned slightly. ChengSangMo's outright opposition was unexpected.
"Why do you say that, MoLan prince?" ShangGuan Jinshuo asked.
ChengSangMo gave LiLuoning a meaningful look and asked,
"Li Taifu, will you speak for yourself, or shall I help you?"
"I don't understand what you mean, Your Highness," LiLuoning responded, puzzled. He and ChengSangMo had little interaction, and he couldn't think of any enmity between them, but ChengSangMo's gaze hinted at some hidden plot.
"Li Taifu, you feign ignorance well. You have manipulated the entire court, even deceiving the emperor. A person as clever as you wouldn't easily slip up, would you? Isn't that right, Master Situ?" ChengSangMo emphasized the name, causing an uproar in the court.
"Li Taifu is Situ Jiujiu? How is that possible?"
ChengSangKing was also bewildered by ChengSangMo's words. He scrutinized LiLuoning before turning back to ChengSangMo, asking,
"Mo'er, what do you mean by this?"
LiLuoning maintained his composure, staring at ChengSangMo, unsure of what he was planning.
"The esteemed Situ Jiujiu of the Southern Kingdom's Academy allegedly fell to his death after receiving a letter. How could such a talented scholar end his life over a letter? Moreover, was his body ever found? The only plausible explanation is that he faked his death to conceal his identity," ChengSangMo stated.
"Situ Jiujiu's talent is known throughout the land. I merely studied under him for two years, far inferior to the master himself. The MoLan prince must be joking," LiLuoning denied with a smile.
Seeing LiLuoning's denial, ChengSangMo calmly pulled out a letter, saying,
"Indeed, Situ Jiujiu had many disciples, most dismissed after two years. I've had people verify at the Southern Kingdom's Academy, and none of them recall a student named LiLuoning. Coincidentally, some of Situ Jiujiu's writings remain at the academy, and the handwriting matches that of Li Taifu."
ChengSangKing signaled for the eunuch to present ChengSangMo's letter, comparing it with LiLuoning's documents. The handwriting was identical.
"LiLuoning, do you have anything to say?" ChengSangKing asked.
LiLuoning still refused to admit it, replying,
"With so many people in the world, it's not unusual for two to have similar handwriting. Having studied under Master Situ, I could easily imitate his style."
"That may be, but to avoid wrongly accusing you, I sent a portrait of you to the academy. Five scholars confirmed your identity. One is currently a guest at my residence. Shall I summon him for you?" ChengSangMo asked with a malicious smile.
LiLuoning hadn't anticipated ChengSangMo exposing him in court, nor could he fathom his intentions. Yet, it seemed inevitable to admit his identity. However, he was curious about how ChengSangMo had unearthed this information, which even the Moon-Chasing Pavilion hadn't discovered.
After a long moment of silence, amidst the murmuring of the officials, LiLuoning finally admitted,
"The MoLan prince is correct. I am indeed Situ Jiujiu of the Southern Kingdom's Academy."
The court erupted in shock, followed by a wave of murmurs:
"No wonder Li Taifu is so learned. He's Situ Jiujiu!"
"Why did he fake his death at the academy?"
"Li Taifu has been deceiving us all along. How can we trust anything he says?"
ChengSangKing's expression turned grim. Although Situ Jiujiu was renowned for his talent, LiLuoning's deception was a clear case of treason. Yet, if Situ Jiujiu could be used for the court's benefit, it might not be entirely bad. Just as he was about to speak, ChengSangMo interjected,
"Master Situ, you're quite brave to admit it. However, I doubt even Situ Jiujiu is your true identity, correct?"
LiLuoning clenched his fists within his sleeves, striving to maintain a calm façade. "Having admitted to being Situ Jiujiu, why must the MoLan prince press further?"
ChengSangMo's expression remained indifferent, as if he had anticipated this. He glanced at LiLuoning disdainfully, a wicked smile playing on his lips.
"Oh? Am I pressing, or are you, Li Taifu, being evasive? Or should I say, Master Situ? No, perhaps I should call you... Li Lanxing!"
At the mention of this name, LiLuoning's eyes widened in shock, unable to hide his disbelief.
"Li Lanxing? The legendary collector of rare treasures?"
"He's Jiang Zhiyao's senior, rumored to be the first choice to succeed the Moon-Chasing Pavilion."
"The Moon-Chasing Pavilion doesn't interfere in politics. This is a grave offense."
ChengSangMo watched the escalating murmurs with satisfaction, turning to LiLuoning with a look that said, "I've caught you."
"Jiang Zhiyao, who alters destinies." The name sent chills through ChengSangKing. He knew all too well the connection between them and bellowed,
"Guards, arrest Li Taifu!"
The moment ChengSangMo revealed his identity, LiLuoning had been prepared. As the emperor ordered his arrest, he discreetly pulled something from his sleeve and threw it to the ground. Smoke engulfed the court.
"Search the city and bring him back to me!" ChengSangKing commanded, coughing through the dissipating smoke. ChengSangMo stood by with a victorious smile.
The previous day, at the Cui residence,
"Brother Cui, do merchants form alliances too?" ChengSangJY asked.
Cui Yi laughed. "Of course. Every trade association has its cliques. Without trustworthy allies or resources, it's hard to survive in the business world. But with control over resources, you can dominate the market."
"Control over resources..." ChengSangJY mused, tapping the desk.
"Your Highness, something terrible has happened!" Duo, the steward, burst in, out of breath.
ChengSangJY rushed out. "What's the matter?"
"The emperor has ordered a citywide search for Li Taifu," Duo gasped.
"Why would Father issue such an order?"
"Li Taifu has been accused of deceiving us about his identity. The MoLan prince discovered that he was originally from the Moon-Chasing Pavilion, named... Li Lanxing," Duo explained, remembering the details.
"Li Lanxing? The legendary treasure collector?" ChengSangJY recalled the glowing beads he had seen in LiLuoning's study.
"Not just that. He was also known as Situ Jiujiu of the Southern Kingdom's Academy," Duo added.
"Situ Jiujiu, the esteemed scholar!" ChengSangJY exclaimed, recalling the vivid lessons LiLuoning had taught him and LinHuaichu.
"Yes, that's him. The emperor is furious. Deceiving the court is a serious crime. What should we do, Your Highness?" Duo wrung his hands in distress.
"If Father has ordered a search, it means they haven't found him yet. We must find him first," ChengSangJY decided, taking a few steps before remembering Cui Yi's advice:
"Trust and business integrity are alike. If someone deceives you once, you must reevaluate your position in their eyes and theirs in yours. If they can deceive you once, they can do it again."
With this thought, ChengSangJY halted, considering,
"If the teacher's identity was false from the start, am I just a pawn in his scheme? Was Zhiyue part of his plan too?"
"Your Highness?" Duo asked, puzzled by the prince's sudden pause.
ChengSangJY's eyes darkened,
and his breathing steadied. "Nothing. Just tell them I'm ill and won't be visiting the emperor. The prince's residence will be closed to visitors."
In the dark cell, the masked man came to deliver food as usual,
Opening the door, he found LinHuaichu missing. As he searched, a shadow dropped from above, knocking him out.
"Did you really think you could keep me here? Just eating and sleeping every day without knowing why you captured me. Anyway, I'm done wasting time here. Farewell," LinHuaichu muttered, grabbing a set of keys and heading out.
Strangely, the cell seemed to have only one guard. After wandering in circles, LinHuaichu found himself back at his cell door.
"Am I in some ghost trap? I've been around a dozen times and haven't found an exit!" Just then, he heard the sound of a stone door moving and formulated a plan.