Chapter 18 Peace

The matter was of great importance, and Liu Qi personally went to report the news.

Cen Yan had already left when Zhuang Dongqing had just woken up, washed up, and started eating breakfast.

While drinking his porridge, he listened in a daze to Liu Qi's retelling.

Biting her chopsticks, Zhuang Dongqing hesitated: "So, this means... the Crown Prince has been deposed?"

No wonder he hesitated.

Liu Qi recited the imperial edict to him, using obscure and difficult language that made his head ache. He thought he must have heard the words "deposed," but after listening to Zhuang Dongqing, he was no longer sure, as the edict was buried under a bunch of convoluted and obscure charges against the crown prince.

Liu Qi gave him the answer: "Yes."

"From today onwards."

"Once the imperial decree is issued, everything will need to be rearranged and adjusted. The master has already gone to the Dali Temple, and I estimate that he will be assigned other tasks in the next few days."

Zhuang Dongqing: "Oh."

Cen Yan was the old emperor's right-hand man and a trusted and capable minister, so naturally, those who are capable are given more responsibilities.

After much anticipation, Zhuang Dongqing finally received the imperial edict. He then thought of Madam Zhuang, and Liu Qi told him that the Zhuang family had sent someone last night, and Bi Shuyu had agreed to persuade him to surrender.

Zhuang Dongqing was also surprised, "You agreed?"

"Um."

Zhuang Dongqing asked incredulously, "Weren't you so angry yesterday?"

Naturally, they treat people differently based on their status. If they look down on Zhuang Dongqing, they can vent their anger on him indiscriminately.

Liu Qi knew the truth, but didn't say anything. He only said, "This morning, the imperial edict to depose the crown prince was issued. Now, Madam Zhuang is probably feeling fortunate."

"……Too."

In short, I agreed.

That puts an end to a troublesome matter.

Zhuang Dongqing wasn't one to hold grudges; he listened and moved on. After Liu Qi finished reporting, he stayed in the courtyard for a while longer. Seeing that Zhuang Dongqing wasn't troubled, he actually ate his breakfast with even more relish before finally leaving.

Zhuang Dongqing, of course, enjoyed the food.

What a feast!

Steaming hot millet porridge, a bite of a meat-filled steamed bun, and a small amount of fried dough sticks, soy milk, and shumai to change things up in case he gets tired of it. The fried dough sticks are golden brown, the soy milk is made from soybeans that have been soaked overnight and is milky white, and the shumai are not made in the Beijing style, they don't contain rice, they are filled with pure meat.

Regardless of their appearance, they all share one common characteristic: they taste good.

Zhuang Dongqing loves to eat.

"Awoo awoo awoo," he declared, "this is a heavenly morning!"

After having breakfast, Liu Fu was in the courtyard to digest his food. He was accompanied by servants assigned to him by the Prince's Mansion. It was unclear whether he had been instructed to protect Zhuang Dongqing very closely. Whenever there was an uneven path or steps, they would remind him in advance, for fear that he might fall.

The Prince's mansion was very large; Zhuang Dongqing hadn't even finished exploring the east wing where he lived in a whole morning.

The east wing has its own small garden, which is maintained by a gardener. Zhuang Dongqing paused under an ancient tree on the outer edge, walked back and forth on the bluestone slabs. They were very smooth. Zhuang Dongqing said, "Can I put a deck chair here? Can I sunbathe in the afternoon?"

Facing the garden, one can see a vast expanse of blooming flowers, a beautiful sight. There are no houses around, making it quiet and peaceful. Zhuang Dongqing couldn't think of a better place to take an afternoon nap.

The servants immediately stepped forward, carefully asked him about his thoughts, and wrote them down one by one.

Before lunch, when Zhuang Dongqing was practicing calligraphy in his spare time, Liu Qi came over again.

The news came that Madam Zhuang had come to visit.

Liu Qi: "I suppose it's because of the imperial edict this morning. He's feeling uneasy, and now that he's made up his mind, he wants to get things done as soon as possible."

The imperial examination fraud case implicated many officials from the Crown Prince's faction and members of the Bi clan. Beforehand, these high-ranking officials and nobles, even if the Three Departments knew there was something wrong, dared not use torture to interrogate the candidates.

Now that the matter of deposing the crown prince is a done deal, the emperor's intentions are very clear. Various forces that have been secretly waiting will begin to take action one after another, taking the opportunity to eliminate dissidents and win over those who can be won over.

As the saying goes, when a tree falls, the monkeys scatter; when a wall collapses, everyone pushes it down. Taking advantage of the fact that the edict to depose the crown prince had just been issued and everyone was still in a daze, it would be best for Zhuang Yue to immediately step forward and seize the credit for being the first to report.

Madam Zhuang must have thought of this as well, and she couldn't sit still any longer, so she dragged her ailing body to come.

After all, the situation can change in an instant. In two days, if more people come forward to report, Zhuang Yue's little bit of merit will not be enough.

Liu Qi: "I'll head to the Dali Temple immediately to report. Does Young Master Zhuang wish to see her?"

After a pause, Liu Qi smiled and said, "Perhaps when Madam sees Young Master today, she will apologize repeatedly and put on a completely different face?"

Knowing that Zhuang Dongqing was frightened yesterday, they wanted him to get revenge.

The situation is beyond one's control. If Madam Zhuang couldn't even see this, there would be no need for her to come to the Prince's mansion to beg for help.

Zhuang Dongqing thought for a moment, then asked, "Is it really necessary to see her? Does she know I live in the Prince's Mansion?"

Liu Qi was surprised, but still answered truthfully, "I never revealed it. If you don't wish to see me, it's fine."

Zhuang Dongqing breathed a sigh of relief, "Then let's not meet."

Liu Qi: "I was judging a gentleman by my own petty standards."

Zhuang Dongqing scratched his head, somewhat embarrassed, and said, "No, it's just that I feel it's unnecessary."

"She hates me, and I don't like her either. It's almost lunchtime. I'd rather eat a few more bites and enjoy myself than waste time playing games with her. It's better to eat more and have a good time than to spoil the mood and disgust others without making myself feel better."

"If I had a choice, I would still prefer to be happy and treat myself well."

In conclusion, Bi Shuyu's food is unappetizing and even makes one feel nauseous.

Liu Qi found the words to be both insightful and somewhat childlike, which was quite unusual.

On the way to Dali Temple, he didn't forget about Shuyu. After telling everyone he met about her, he jokingly relayed the words to Cen Yan.

Cen Yan smiled after hearing this, but he didn't mince words, "He's quite happy to have some peace and quiet."

Liu Qi: "I think Young Master Zhuang has a good personality; he's content with what he has."

Cen Yan remained noncommittal.

After putting down his pen, he got back to business. "Zhuang Xingchang isn't much of a figure, but his wife seems like the makings of an official."

“The relatives of the nobility grew up being exposed to these things, so their ability to cope with them is naturally excellent.”

“That’s true,” Cen Yan affirmed. “Zhuang Yue’s matter can’t be delayed. If she cooperates, things will be easier to handle.”

After thinking for a moment, he decided, "I'll go back to the manor later. If we can reach an agreement, it would be best to finish taking the statement today."

Liu Qi responded.

Everything happened at once today. After finishing the case, he received two imperial edicts regarding the deposed crown prince. Cen Yan hurriedly ate lunch, sent Xu Si to the Ministry of Justice to fetch the person, and then returned to his residence without stopping.

Bi Shuyu had been waiting for a long time.

On his way to the living room, Cen Yan suddenly turned a corner halfway through, as if remembering something.

It looks like the road to the east wing.

Liu Qi was puzzled, but Cen Yan said, "After all that work, let's see what the person in charge is doing."

There was no one in or outside the main house.

The servants led Cen Yan to the small garden behind the house.

Once there, people relax on deck chairs, having eaten and drunk their fill, basking in the sun and taking naps – it's incredibly comfortable.

Cen Yan: "..."

Liu Qi: "..."

Cen Yan chuckled, but it was a forced smile.

"Well, I've been working myself to the bone, but the client is sleeping soundly."

Liu Qi tried to salvage the situation: "...It hasn't been two months yet. Master Zhao said that I'll be more sleepy during this time."

He spoke in a very low voice, knowing that Cen Yan was unlikely to listen.

Cen Yan was indeed not listening. He walked closer with a cold face, and under Liu Fu's tense and worried gaze, he reached out and pinched Zhuang Dongqing's face.

He acted entirely on impulse, but the moment he touched Zhuang Dongqing, Cen Yan knew he had gone too far.

The actions were also a bit too intimate.

Cen Yan: "..."

He frowned slightly, his hand hovering in mid-air, unusually caught in a dilemma, his mind a jumble of thoughts.

“Hmm…” Zhuang Dongqing stammered, and also frowned.

Cen Yan stared at the face nearby.

They assumed Zhuang Dongqing would eventually wake up.

Unexpectedly, there was nothing.

Her eyelashes fluttered, she shifted her body slightly, and when she felt no further disturbance, Zhuang Dongqing's eyebrows slowly relaxed again.

Upon closer inspection, Cen Yan could also discern a hint of tranquility in that face.

"..."

"whispering sound."

Once he was sure Zhuang Dongqing was still asleep, Cen Yan chuckled and shook his head.

How big must one's heart be to sleep so soundly on someone else's turf?

Really...

Cen Yan couldn't say whether he felt more disgust or silence.

But with this little incident, it seemed like the two sides were even all at once, and Cen Yan's frustration from a busy half-day also dissipated a bit.

Suddenly looking up, a vast expanse of vibrant colors came into view, the spring sunshine was dazzling, and the grass was growing and birds were flying.

The natural scenery relentlessly encroaches on one's vision, and being amidst it, Cen Yan's heart is swept away and cleansed.

He breathed a sigh of relief and stopped teasing Zhuang Dongqing. Seeing a recliner next to him, Cen Yan sat down as well.

Zhuang Dongqing is good at choosing locations.

Sunlight filters through the trees, dappling my skin with warmth and a sense of peace.

Cen Yan rarely felt this way.

peaceful.

As I listened to the long, steady breaths around my ears, I tried closing my eyes. The sunlight on my eyelids brought a soothing warmth.

I closed my eyes to rest, and the whole world quieted down.

*

When Zhuang Dongqing woke up, the sunlight had already faded. She stretched and something slipped off her body, so she quickly grabbed it.

It was a blanket, warm and with a subtle fragrance.

Thinking that Liu Fu had arranged it for him, Zhuang Dongqing didn't ask any further questions.

He yawned as he got up and stretched his arms out again.

Phew, he said this place was perfect for a nap, and sure enough, I slept really well!

*

In the corridor, Cen Yan, after a brief rest, walked ahead, with Liu Qi following closely behind.

This time, they headed towards the west wing, towards the living room.

Liu Qi carefully chose his words, "Master, actually..."

As if knowing what he was going to say, Cen Yan replied as soon as he started to speak.

Cen Yan only said two words, "Shut up."

*

That afternoon, the Prince's carriage rolled back to the Dali Temple.

Bi Shuyu's crying annoyed Cen Yan, but fortunately, he didn't need to stay by her side all the time. After he finished persuading her, Zhuang Yue's mouth was like a flood, and he told her everything without reservation.

Liu Qi wrote out five or six pages of his statement.

When the moon rose high in the sky, Cen Yan glanced at it and then quietly sent someone to escort Bi Shuyu away.

Based on the names in the confession, the Bi family members who participated in the imperial examination were interrogated overnight. In less than a night, a hole was torn open in the Bi family, and the truth of the case of cheating in the imperial examination was revealed.

The next day, the emperor presented the report to the palace and was furious, ordering Cen Yan to conduct a thorough investigation.

After several more days of continuous work, led by the Court of Judicial Review, with the Ministry of Justice and the Censorate cooperating, all government offices were brightly lit all night long. People were coming and going in the interrogation rooms, and several high-ranking officials were brought to justice, causing turmoil in the court.

Subsequently, several imperial edicts were issued, and every household in the capital kept their doors tightly shut, with everyone feeling insecure.

After the crown prince was deposed, his tutor was imprisoned, and more than a dozen people, including Bi Xuangui, were implicated.

During the investigation, rumors circulated that the Empress knelt outside the Qianqing Palace for a long time without waking up, and the Emperor did not see her. The Crown Prince's tutor committed suicide in prison, leaving behind a final note that took full responsibility. Later, several other high-ranking officials from the Bi clan also committed suicide, and the massive investigation into the corruption case began to show signs of abating.

However, none of this concerned Zhuang Dongqing anymore.

Zhuang Xingchang and Zhuang Yue were among the first to be dealt with, and their respective punishments were the first to be finalized as the case neared its end.

Cen Yan was busy, and Zhuang Dongqing had not seen him for more than ten days.

The case was almost over, and the punishment for Zhuang family was also decided. Cen Yan finished his work relatively early that day, returned to his residence, washed up and changed, and went to the east wing.

But his early start and Zhuang Dongqing's early start seem to be different concepts.

Liu Fu at the door said that Zhuang Dongqing had just lain down when Cen Yan lifted the gauze curtain and entered. Without even getting close, he could tell from her breathing that she was already fast asleep.

Cen Yan: "..."

Liu Qi also noticed this and quickly tried to smooth things over, "Young Master Zhuang hasn't been feeling well these past few days. He's vomited several times; perhaps he's just exhausted."

Liu Fu also realized what was happening and immediately replied, "Yes, I threw up again at noon, and I finally managed to eat something in the evening. I don't feel very energetic."

Cen Yan had no idea. "What happened?"

Liu Qi: "Master Zhao has examined it. It's just morning sickness. As for why it's so late... Master Zhao said that it's because I was too weak before, and I've been taking good care of myself recently. My body is better now, and the symptoms have started to appear."

Cen Yan: "..."

With a light sigh, Cen Yan waved his hand, signaling everyone to leave.

Seeing that nothing seemed amiss, Liu Qi pulled Liu Fu and retreated outside the door.

Before the bed curtains could be drawn, Cen Yan approached and saw a face buried in the blankets, plain and thin, looking quite innocent.

I haven't gained weight, so I haven't continued to diet.

After staring at Zhuang Dongqing quietly for a while, Cen Yan's gaze fell on his lower abdomen.

The east wing was warm, and the bedding wasn't thick in the spring. Cen Yan reached out, his wrist hovering in the air for a long time before he slowly lowered it, as if he had made up his mind.

Flat.

She's really thin; you can feel her hip bones even through the blanket when she moves slightly.

If you hadn't taken their pulse, you wouldn't have been able to tell that a small life was growing inside.

The candlelight flickered as Cen Yan stared intently at the space beneath his palm, his expression complex.