The floods in Jiangnan were managed very smoothly. Under Xiao Qi's leadership, the projects of widening the river channels and building dikes were quickly implemented, and the Jiangnan water towns soon returned to their former vibrant state as a land of fish and rice.
As spring arrived, Xiao Qi stood on a high building, overlooking the vast and flat Jiangnan region. With a broad mind and refreshed spirit, he opened his folding fan and began to fan himself with pleasure.
Wanwan sat inside, intently making desserts.
Upon hearing that the floods in Jiangnan had been brought under control, the Emperor immediately summoned Shen Yuheng back to the capital. At that time, someone in the capital spread rumors that Shen Yuheng was a descendant of Prince Sui'an.
The news spread like wildfire, quickly reaching every corner of the capital.
The Emperor could no longer sit still and went to the Wan family in person. He wanted to invite Wan Suizhou to come out of seclusion again and ask him to help investigate the current situation.
When he arrived, Wan Suizhou was leisurely sitting on a recliner in the courtyard, enjoying tea. He was the only one at home. Wan Yuechi had gone out early to discuss important matters with Cao Chengye, and Zhang Xiu and Wan Kongshan had also gone to take care of the shop. After Wanwan left, the Wan family fell into a cold silence.
The leaves rustled softly in the breeze, and the sunlight warmed the body. Wan Suizhou sipped his tea and unconsciously closed his eyes.
When he regained consciousness, he saw the emperor sitting upright beside him, seemingly waiting for him to wake up.
Wan Suizhou was slightly startled and was about to hurriedly get up to pay his respects, but the Emperor stopped him.
"Grand Tutor, there's no need for such formalities. I came here uninvited, so please forgive me." The Emperor was extremely modest. Without further ado, he helped Wan Suizhou back to his chair, while he himself sat on a stool that was even lower than Wan Suizhou's.
The Emperor bowing low to Wan Suizhou was a sign of great respect. Wan Suizhou couldn't even finish his tea, guessing that the Emperor had something to ask of him, so he went straight to the point: "Your Majesty is busy with many affairs of state. Surely you didn't come to the Wan residence just to see this old man for a moment?"
The Emperor smiled guiltily, his face pleading, "Grand Tutor, you are indeed insightful and outstanding. I do have something to ask of you."
Wan Suizhou stroked his beard, his eyes slightly closed, recalling the rumors circulating in the capital today about Shen Yuheng's identity, guessing that he had come for this matter.
As expected, the Emperor spoke even more earnestly when he spoke again. Last time, Wan Suizhou declined the investigation, and the Emperor was really embarrassed to ask the old man to do such hard work again. He had already prepared himself to be rejected.
"I know that the Grand Tutor is in poor health and unable to conduct investigations. Unfortunately, I have no trusted confidants in the court, so I have to trouble you again, sir. I hope you will forgive me. Recently, there has been much talk in the capital about the newly appointed Vice Minister of Revenue. I have long suspected the case of Prince Sui'an. If you can help me thoroughly investigate this case, firstly, it will help the Xiao family clear their name, and secondly, it will help quell public grievances."
The Emperor spoke with utmost sincerity, and when he looked at Wan Suizhou, he still felt a bit apprehensive, like a young student.
Wan Suizhou stroked his beard, nodded slightly, but still refused in the end. "It is my duty to relieve Your Majesty's worries, but I am old and my strength is insufficient."
The emperor was somewhat anxious, but he did not offer any further advice. He opened his mouth, but did not utter a single word.
“However,” Wan Suizhou opened his eyes, his gaze clear and bright, revealing a profound wisdom accumulated over the years, “it is better for young people to handle matters. Your Majesty, rest assured, this matter will be resolved.”
The emperor only had a vague understanding, and in the end, he had no choice but to take his leave.
Since Wan Suizhou was unwilling to help him, he had no choice but to use his own methods.
The news was spreading faster than a rocket. He had two things to do: first, guard against Marquis Xining taking advantage of the situation; and second, ensure that Shen Yuheng returned to the capital safely.
After the emperor lived in fear for half a month, Shen Yuheng finally returned to the capital unharmed.
Without delay, he sent men that very night to capture Shen Yuheng and bring him back to the palace, where he was imprisoned and tied up.
Since no one is willing to speak, the only option left is to ask the person involved directly.
Xiao Qi's hands and feet were tied to wooden stakes, and his eyes were covered with a black cloth. He could tell that he was in a prison in the capital city just by the crackling sound of burning charcoal and the accents of the jailers coming and going.
If even the Marquis of Xining doesn't have the guts to do such a thing, then it must be the Emperor.
Having made up his mind, Xiao Qi remained calm and waited silently for the interrogation to begin.
A short while later, he heard someone push the door open and come in. After a few footsteps that got closer and closer, there was the sound of a chair being lifted and a table being pushed, followed by the sound of clothes rubbing together.
Someone sat down in front of him.
"Lord Shen, please calm down. Don't make a fuss." The newcomer was a jailer, the kind who was clearly very experienced in interrogation.
Xiao Qi couldn't immediately determine whether there was anyone else around.
Even with his eyes covered, the jailer had the illusion that he was being stared at, but fortunately, he was experienced in interrogation and would not be at a loss for the time being.
"Not going to answer?" The jailer stood up and walked up to Xiao Qi. "Do you know why you're here?"
Xiao Qi pretended to ponder for a moment, then said with difficulty, "I don't know."
The jailer seemed to sigh, then pinched Xiao Qi's chin, forcing him to look him in the eye through his blindfold. "Lord Shen, I thought you were a smart man. Do you really not know?"
Xiao Qi bit his lip. "I really don't know."
These words struck a nerve with the jailer, who tossed Xiao Qi's chin aside like trash, angrily shouting, "Stop pretending! Tell me, are you a descendant of Prince An?!"
Xiao Qi gritted his teeth, "My surname is Shen, and my given name is Yuheng. I have absolutely no connection with Prince Sui'an. To bind and interrogate me based solely on rumors in the capital is far too hasty! It can hardly be called a wise move!"
"Fine." The jailer tightened his grip on the whip. "You're stubborn. Let's see if your words are tougher or my whip is tougher. I'll beat you until you talk!"
A sharp whooshing sound rang out as the whip lashed down, but it just missed Xiao Qi's body, striking him near the ear and snapping off a lock of his hair.
Before the black hair could even touch the ground, the second lash, the third lash, followed...
After a short while, a junior jailer beside him hurriedly ran out and approached a figure dressed in bright yellow outside the door. He cautiously reported, "Your Majesty, this Shen Yuheng refuses to admit that he is a descendant of Prince Sui'an, this..."
The Emperor, who was leisurely rubbing the rim of his teacup with the lid, paused upon hearing this and placed the teacup back on the table. "Release the news that the funds allocated to Shen Yuheng for flood control are mismatched, and have him imprisoned and thoroughly investigated."
"Yes." The young jailer quickly accepted the order.
Within half a day, news of Shen Yuheng's imprisonment spread again, and the Emperor sent his trusted confidants to place Xiao Qi under strict guard.
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