So solemn, indeed.
The noise in the room dissipated and coagulated.
Ning Yunzhao, always known as the Spring Breeze Young Master, was, for the first time, speaking in such a... forceful manner.
Ning Shiyi cleared his throat softly.
"Brother Ning, we all know you adhere to the principles of a gentleman, but there are no outsiders here, making everyone feel awkward," he said. "It's just a joke, surely we won't spread such matters around?"
His companions were indeed sharp and astute youths, all breaking into laughter.
"Since you say so, Ning Yunzhao, it cannot be a joke," they laughed. "To keep us quiet, you must treat us to three banquets at Deyue Building."
Ning Yunzhao also laughed.
"Agreed," he said, pulling out his money bag. "I'll pay first this time."
The crowd burst into laughter again.
Ning Shiyi also laughed, but he frowned as he looked at Ning Yunzhao.
When the others had left and only the two brothers remained, Ning Shiyi grabbed him.
"Brother Ning, it's just a decree from the Fang Family, are you really so afraid of her?" he clicked his tongue. "Look at what you said and did earlier; it's not like you at all."
Why not like him?
That is exactly what he would do.
Ning Yunzhao frowned slightly.
"Don't talk nonsense, what's more, how could you slip up and say such a thing?" he said.
Ning Shiyi grinned sheepishly.
"Yes, yes, it was not very good. By saying that, the families wanting to propose marriage to you would be scared away," he said.
Is that the same thing?
Ning Yunzhao gave him a glance and said nothing.
It was pointless to argue with such a person who tended to overthink.
Sure enough, Ning Shiyi raised his eyebrow at him.
"So, did Miss Jun really come to see you?" he asked. "What does she want? I heard the Fang Family has an imperial decree, could it be that she wants to use that decree to threaten you into marriage?"
He laughed loudly again.
"Does that mean you have to give back the five thousand tael reward?"
A summer insect cannot speak of ice.
Ning Yunzhao ignored him.
"How will the emperor deal with the Duke of Chengguo's heir?" he asked.
The subject change was too abrupt, causing Ning Shiyi to laugh again.
"But you don't need to worry about Miss Jun, after all, she is the Young Lady of the Fang Family. Surely she wouldn't really do something shameful like seducing a gentleman," he said.
Although he wanted to change the subject, Ning Yunzhao frowned when he heard this.
"She is not the Young Lady of the Fang Family," he said. "It was faked to treat Young Master Fang's illness."
Ning Shiyi was taken aback.
"Can such a thing even be faked?" he asked.
"This has already been announced—everyone in Yangcheng knows," Ning Yunzhao said.
Ning Shiyi looked at him.
"Everyone in Yangcheng knows, but does everyone in the capital know?" he asked puzzledly. "How come I am not aware?"
"You've been entangled with numerous documents. This kind of news travels slowest in official documents but fastest amongst the people. Spend more time in taverns and tea houses, sometimes it's more useful than sticking to your case files," Ning Yunzhao said, tidying up the desk again and resuming his solemn demeanor. "Like the matter of the Duke of Chengguo's heir being captured—the streets are already buzzing with it, everyone is guessing how the emperor will handle him."
"What else could be done, can he truly be convicted and punished?" Ning Shiyi replied instinctively.
"As long as there's a conviction, there can be punishment, regardless of guilt," Ning Yunzhao said. "It's just about whether it's feasible or not."
This feasibility could determine a person's guilt or innocence—a practice Ning Shiyi, having followed his father in the office, had frequently seen, whether through poring over documents or listening to the old stories retold by officials and clerks.
Ning Shiyi shook his head and chuckled.
"I don't think it's feasible," he said.
..............
Meanwhile, within the imperial palace, the morning court had ended. The high officials and ministers who had discussed the state affairs departed from the emperor's study in small groups. Lu Yunqi, like any ordinary Jinyiwei, stood at service in the corridor, invisible to these red-robed ministers.
However, the discussions that should have occurred still happened.
"Getting married again, Thousand-Man Commander Lu is still busy with duties."
The emphasis was naturally placed on the word "again."
"Who made him a Thousand-Man Commander? The Northern Administrative Court doesn't even have a Commander."
"It's expected that after this marriage, he might be promoted to a Commander."
"That's not necessarily the case; would being a Commander still allow him to handle duties as conveniently as this?"
"Anyway, the Northern Administrative Court is just fine with him; as long as he's there, the emperor won't appoint anyone else as Commander. It's just a title, nothing more."
All these discussions were commonplace, and whether he heard them or not, Lu Yunqi didn't care.
The court officials left, but the study remained anything but quiet.
"Your Majesty, I am innocent,"
A shout came from inside.
Not many could speak so loudly in front of the emperor.
It was either someone with great courage or someone pretending to be foolish.
It was rare for someone inside to be both.
Lu Yunqi stood silently without words.
"...Your Majesty, I didn't intend to run; I had no choice... You don't know how frightening the Jinyiwei are... I wouldn't dare fall into their hands."
"I need to speak to Your Majesty directly, for who knows what becomes of words when passed through others."
Inside, there was a sudden crash as if the emperor had smashed something.
Zhu Zan's voice ceased, and it became quiet inside.
"Your Majesty has time to listen to you talk, I listen to you talk, but who will look at these national affair reports? Lord Heir, will you?"
The emperor's voice carried anger.
The emperor's voice, much like his demeanor, was usually gentle and mild; such anger was rare.
The eunuchs standing outside couldn't help but shudder and lower their heads.
This Lord Heir had truly angered the emperor.
"Someone, come here," the emperor called from inside.
The eunuchs hurried to open the door.
The emperor's louder voice came out.
"...Where is Lu Yunqi? Let him come in."
The eunuchs quickly gestured to Lu Yunqi, who stepped forward.
"...And where are the people from the Ministry of Justice? Let Tan Song come over."
Tan Song was the Minister of the Ministry of Justice.
This meant the matter would also involve the Ministry of Justice.
Lu Yunqi continued forward.
The emperor's voice hadn't stopped, pausing slightly.
"Let the Minister of War, Han Feng, also come over and see what kind of soldiers he has under his command."
The Minister of War was involved as well.
Lu Yunqi's steps hesitated briefly.
A tripartite interrogation.
"Your Majesty," Zhu Zan's voice rose again.
Lu Yunqi, upon stepping inside, looked ahead; Zhu Zan was kneeling in front of the Emperor's desk, with shattered teacups around him, but his face showed no fear or panic, instead, he was happily looking upward.
"This is great, a tripartite interrogation; I won't have to worry about one-sided claims prevailing," he joyfully said, ignoring the broken porcelain and bowing deeply, "Your Majesty is wise."
He bowed repeatedly, three times in quick succession, and when he raised his head, his forehead was cut by the broken porcelain, bleeding.
A smile was on his face.
It was not a cocky or conceited smile, but rather, one of innocent joy, like that of a child.
The emperor, sitting behind the desk, would certainly not believe that the young man in front of him was as innocent as a child; however, seeing this smile, it was hard for anyone to maintain their anger.
"Get out," he said sternly, "Wait until we truly find out your crimes, then you'll know whether I am truly wise or not."
Zhu Zan bowed again in thanks, and Lu Yunqi also bowed his head in agreement.