Thirty-four
With the southern border pacified and the court purged, Bianjing City returned to its former prosperity. Zhan Zhao was promoted to a third-rank imperial bodyguard for his merits, receiving generous rewards. However, he continued his daily routine of solving cases and patrolling the streets, just as he always had.
That morning, Zhan Zhao was practicing his sword in the courtyard, the Juque sword gleaming coldly in the rising sun. After the battle in the southern border, his swordsmanship had become even more refined, and his inner strength had become even more profound.
"Excellent swordsmanship!" Bai Yutang clapped his hands, leaning against a pillar. "It seems that Cat's skills have improved quite a bit since this trip to the Southern Frontier."
Zhan Zhao sheathed his sword and stood still, his breathing steady: "Just some practical combat experience."
That evening, Bao Zheng was urgently summoned to the palace. Zhan Zhao stayed at his residence to handle official business when a young eunuch, whose face he didn't recognize, hurried over with his head bowed, his voice urgent: "Lord Zhan, the Eighth Prince is waiting at Ningxiang Pavilion, saying he has important matters to discuss, concerning... the remnants of Prince Zheng. Please go immediately, sir!"
Zhan Zhao's heart skipped a beat. The matter of the remnants of Prince Zheng was of great importance, and he dared not be negligent. After giving a brief explanation, he followed the young eunuch into the palace. The palace was full of complex paths, and the young eunuch hurried along, winding his way through the increasingly remote scenery.
"Where is this?" Zhan Zhao stopped, his inner energy circulating quietly as he cautiously sensed his surroundings. The palace here was exquisite, yet it exuded an unusual tranquility, with a faint, exotic fragrance wafting in the air.
The young eunuch turned around, a mysterious look on his face: "Lord Zhan, we've arrived." With that, he darted to push open a half-closed palace door and quickly disappeared into the shadows.
Zhan Zhao sensed something was wrong and was about to retreat when he suddenly heard a woman's short scream from inside the palace! Driven by his chivalrous nature, he didn't think twice and rushed into the room to check if anyone was in danger.
The room was dimly lit. A woman in palace attire was seen sitting on the ground, her hair disheveled and her clothes slightly open. It was Consort Ru, Duan Qingyuan!
"Consort Ru?!" Zhan Zhao was shocked. He immediately turned away, avoiding eye contact, and said, "Your subject was rude! I did not know this was Consort Ru's palace. I shall take my leave now!"
However, it was too late.
The palace doors slammed shut and locked! Instantly, countless torches lit up the windows and outside the palace, illuminating the surroundings as bright as day! A cacophony of footsteps and shouts erupted!
The door was flung open, and the imperial guards rushed in, their swords gleaming coldly. Leading them was none other than the composed Zhao Zhen! Behind him followed the Empress, the Empress Dowager's trusted nanny, and several concubines who happened to be "passing by" nearby.
All eyes instantly focused on Zhan Zhao, who stood with his back turned, and Duan Qingyuan, who lay on the ground, panicked and disheveled. The scene was both bizarre and awkward.
Zhao Zhen's gaze slowly swept across the entire room, finally landing on Zhan Zhao's straight but stiff back. His face showed no expected fury, but rather a deep, almost imperceptible calm. Beneath that calm lay a rapidly racing mind and a swift assessment of the situation.
This wasn't the first time he'd seen Zhan Zhao in a precarious situation, nor the first time he'd had to weigh how to protect him. He had unwavering faith in the Southern Hero's character. This clumsy yet ruthless scheme before him clearly had more than just Zhan Zhao as its target.
Amidst the stares of the crowd—some in shock, some in disdain, and some awaiting his thunderous wrath—Zhao Zhen spoke slowly. His voice was not loud, but it carried the unquestionable majesty of an emperor, clearly reaching everyone's ears:
"Zhan Zhao".
Upon hearing Zhao Zhen's unusually deep voice, Zhan Zhao's heart sank to the bottom. He knelt on one knee and said calmly, "Your subject is here."
Zhao Zhen didn't look at him; his gaze seemed to pierce through the palace walls, seeing into a deeper realm. He paused, his tone unreadable, yet carrying a resolute air of finality:
"You have disappointed me greatly."
This statement wasn't like a rebuke, but more like a sigh, a definitive conclusion. He didn't ask for the reason, nor did he listen to any explanations, because under the watchful eyes of everyone, all of that was meaningless.
"Roewe".
"Your subject is here!" Rongwei stepped forward, his emotions complex.
"Bring Zhan Zhao back to Kaifeng Prefecture," Zhao Zhen said calmly. "Without my decree, he shall not step out of the prefecture."
He wasn't thrown into prison, nor was he immediately dismissed or investigated; he was simply... confined to his quarters. This punishment was unexpectedly lenient, yet severe enough to nail Zhan Zhao to the pillar of shame as a "suspect."
Rongwei was taken aback for a moment, then immediately accepted the order: "Your subject obeys!"
Zhao Zhen's gaze then turned to Duan Qingyuan, who was trembling on the ground. His tone remained calm: "Seal off Xihe Palace. No one is allowed to move around freely. We await questioning."
"Your Majesty! I am innocent! Lord Zhan, he..." Duan Qingyuan cried as she tried to defend herself.
Zhao Zhen raised his hand to stop her from speaking, giving her a deep look that silenced Duan Qingyuan instantly. There was neither trust nor distrust in that gaze, only the scrutiny of an emperor and a sense of oppressive authority that said, "This matter ends here."
"Your subject... obeys the decree." Zhan Zhao kowtowed deeply. He understood Zhao Zhen's intention. Confinement was a form of protection, a temporary removal of him from the eye of the storm, and a gesture made to those behind the scenes—the emperor had not completely shown favoritism, but he had not given up either.
He left with Rongwei, his back still straight, but his heart was churning with complex emotions. There was humiliation, there was helplessness, but more than anything, there was gratitude and understanding of the deeper meaning behind Zhao Zhen's actions. His Majesty trusted him, and therefore protected him in this way.
As Zhao Zhen watched Zhan Zhao's departing figure, his eyes dimmed almost imperceptibly for a moment. He knew that with this confinement order, the storm in the court targeting Bao Zheng and the Kaifeng Prefecture would intensify. But he also knew that the best option now was to act swiftly and decisively, placing Zhan Zhao under house arrest, to prevent the situation from escalating and to buy time for the investigation.
Sacrificing temporary freedom for a chance to catch his breath. This was the quickest and most effective protection he, as emperor, could offer Zhan Zhao. As for what followed… his gaze swept over the concubines and palace servants, each with their own distinct expressions, and a chill crept into his heart. This game of chess had only just begun.
Inside the imperial study, the candlelight flickered, illuminating Zhao Zhen's expressionless face. The Eighth Prince and Bao Zheng stood solemnly to one side, the atmosphere heavy, yet unlike the expected oppressive atmosphere, it carried a sense of impending storm.
"His Majesty's handling of the matter..." the Eighth Prince pondered before speaking, "was it too... lenient?" He meant that Zhao Zhen's failure to severely punish Zhao Zhen on the spot might not be enough to quell the criticism in the harem, and would also leave ammunition for Bao Zheng's political enemies in the court to attack him.
Zhao Zhen picked up his teacup, gently stirring the floating leaves, and said in a calm tone, "What does Eighth Imperial Uncle think I should do? Imprison Zhan Zhao on the spot? Torture him severely? Or investigate and punish Consort Ru according to the law?" He raised his eyes, his gaze cold, "That would truly play into the hands of the person behind the scenes."
Bao Zheng stepped forward, his expression solemn: "Your Majesty, you are wise! Guard Zhan would never do such a despicable thing! This is a frame-up!"
"I know." Zhao Zhen put down his teacup, his voice not loud, but filled with absolute certainty. "Precisely because I know, we cannot play by the rules. What they want is my wrath, they want me to severely punish Zhan Zhao, and they want Kaifeng Prefecture to lose all its prestige because of this incident."
He stood up, walked to the window, and looked at the deep night outside: "Placing Zhan Zhao in Kaifeng Prefecture may seem like a punishment, but in reality, it puts him in the safest place. With Rongwei's men guarding him, it's more secure than the imperial prison. When the people behind the scenes see that I haven't shown the thunderous rage they wanted, they will suspect that I have other plans and dare not easily take action against Zhan Zhao again. That's the first point."
“Secondly,” he turned around, his gaze sweeping over the Eighth Prince and Bao Zheng, “my decision to ‘keep Zhan Zhao under guard’ is also a show for those who are waiting to see him make a fool of himself and impeach Bao Zheng for ‘lax management of his subordinates.’ My ambiguous attitude makes them hesitant to launch a full-scale attack, and they will be more cautious and observe. This buys us time to conduct our secret investigation.”
The Eighth Prince suddenly realized: "Your Majesty is wise! This move is indeed the best strategy of using stillness to control movement and luring the snake out of its hole!"
Bao Zheng also bowed deeply: "Your Majesty's intentions are truly commendable. Your subject... on behalf of Guard Zhan, thanks Your Majesty!"
Zhao Zhen waved his hand, his face showing no smugness, but rather a deeper somber expression: "However, time is running out. Rumors are a fearsome thing. I can suppress them for a while, but not forever. We must find conclusive evidence before the pressure in the court completely explodes."
Zhan Zhao has been confined to Kaifeng Prefecture for several days.
Although the outside world was unaware of the specific details due to Zhao Zhen's swift handling and gag order, the rumor that "Imperial Cat Zhan Zhao trespassed into Consort Ru's palace" still spread quietly like a plague in the dark in certain corners of Bianjing. Meanwhile, a real storm was brewing in the imperial court.
The atmosphere at the court meetings over the past few days has been strange. A group of officials, led by Imperial Censor Li, no longer directly attacked Zhan Zhao—after all, the emperor had already "punished" him—but instead turned their attention to Bao Zheng.
"Your Majesty! Zhan Zhao, as an official under the Kaifeng Prefecture, has behaved so improperly. Bao Zheng's failure to strictly manage his subordinates is to blame!"
"When Bao Zheng was in charge of Kaifeng Prefecture, he was known as a man of integrity and uprightness. Now that his subordinates have caused such a scandal in the palace, where is his prestige? How can he retry cases and judge cases to win the hearts of the people?"
"Your Majesty, I humbly request that you severely punish Bao Zheng to restore order to the court!"
Memorials rained down on Zhao Zhen's desk like snowflakes. The language was fierce, as if Bao Zheng were the truly heinous criminal. Zhao Zhen sat high on his dragon throne, listening calmly without uttering a word. He neither defended Bao Zheng nor pursued the matter further, simply keeping all the impeachment memorials hidden. This silence only further bewildered both sides in the struggle below; their attacks, though fierce, seemed to land on cotton.
Even within the imperial harem, there was no peace.
In the Empress Dowager's palace.
"The Emperor's handling of this matter this time has been far too lenient." The Empress Dowager fiddled with the prayer beads in her hand, her tone revealing neither joy nor anger, but the inclination in her words was quite clear. "Even though Zhan Zhao has rendered meritorious service, the fact remains that he broke into the palace. If he is let off so easily, I fear that the hearts of the people in the harem will be unsettled, and the rules will be disrupted."
Princess Haiping of Xixia, who was standing to the side, heard this and a glint of shrewdness flashed in her eyes. She softly interjected, "Your Majesty, please forgive me. Qingyuan is young and naive. Perhaps she has been deceived and manipulated. However... that Guard Zhan is highly skilled in martial arts. If he really has such intentions, I'm afraid the rules of the palace will be..." She left her words unfinished, leaving much to the imagination, as if confirming the possibility of Zhan Zhao abusing his power and implying that Duan Qingyuan had behaved improperly.
The Empress, seated below the Empress Dowager, frowned slightly upon hearing this. Her demeanor was dignified, her tone gentle yet firm, as she spoke: “Mother, Princess Haiping, this matter has not yet been investigated. Making hasty judgments would be unfair. Guard Zhan is upright and loyal, a fact known throughout the court and the public. His Majesty's decision to confine him rather than imprison him suggests he has a clear understanding of the situation and wishes to ascertain the truth, neither wronging the innocent nor condoning the wicked. We, the women of the inner palace, should be even more cautious in our words and actions, stabilizing the hearts of the people, rather than listening to unfounded rumors and creating unnecessary trouble.” Her words upheld Zhao Zhen's decision, expressed trust in Zhan Zhao's character, and subtly criticized Princess Haiping's inappropriate remarks.
The Empress Dowager glanced at the Empress but did not refute her. She simply said, "The Empress is right. However, the peace and tranquility of the inner palace is of utmost importance. The Emperor needs to investigate as soon as possible to reassure the people." Although her tone was slow, the urging was still there.
Princess Haiping was politely but firmly rebuffed by the Empress. Her face still held a gentle smile, but her eyes turned cold, and she said no more.
The Empress's attitude, to some extent, calmed the anxieties of some observers in the harem. However, undercurrents still flowed. Zhan Zhao's case became the focus of competition among various forces, both overt and covert, all attempting to use this opportunity to suppress their rivals and seize profits. Kaifeng Prefecture and Bao Zheng were thrust into the eye of the storm. Zhan Zhao, confined to the prefecture, was temporarily safe, but like a small boat in the eye of a storm, he bore the pressure from all sides.
The night was deep in the backyard of Kaifeng Prefecture.
Standing alone in the moonlight, Zhan Zhao's spirit remained undiminished despite several days of confinement; instead, the silence had deepened his composure. He circulated his inner energy throughout his body, and his exceptional hearing allowed him to sense the tense atmosphere outside the mansion, a tension that seemed to be brewing before a storm. He knew that Lord Bao and the Kaifeng Prefecture were under immense pressure because of him.
A familiar, cool fragrance drifted gently to my nose on the breeze.
His tense lips relaxed slightly. Without turning around, he simply said softly, "You've come."
A crimson shadow, like a butterfly, gracefully landed beside him. Xuan Yuantian carried two jars of wine in his hands, and the vermilion mark on his forehead, under the cool moonlight, added a touch of alluring warmth.
“Here you go.” She tossed one jar of wine over, then broke the mud seal on another jar, tilted her head back, and took a sip, her movements free and unrestrained.
Zhan Zhao took it, broke the mud seal, and took a big gulp. The strong liquor seemed to quell some of the frustration in his chest. His thoughts had been in turmoil these past few days: his insistence on his innocence, his guilt for implicating Judge Bao, and his anger towards the mastermind behind it all.
"It must be quite unsettling outside, right?" He put down the wine jar and looked towards the direction of the palace.
"Hmm." Xuan Yuantian leaned against the pillar beside him, his tone languid. "A bunch of clowns, just using this as an excuse to stir up trouble. Zhen can still keep them in check."
Zhan Zhao was silent for a moment, then said in a low voice, "It is I who have implicated you, sir, and the Kaifeng Prefecture."
“If you want to find fault, you can always find a reason.” Xuan Yuan Tian turned to look at him, her eyes bright as stars in the moonlight. “They’ve never wanted to deal with just you.”
She suddenly reached out and grabbed his wrist. Zhan Zhao was slightly taken aback, then relaxed, letting the cool, delicate touch wash over him.
"Come on up." She said, and with a light leap, she carried him onto the roof.
The rooftop offered a wide view, and the cool night breeze ruffled their clothes. Xuan Yuan Tianyi pulled him down to sit, then naturally rested his head on his shoulder, finding a comfortable position.
Zhan Zhao paused slightly, then relaxed. Instead of pushing her away, he naturally adjusted his posture to make her more comfortable. They had been this close many times before, from embracing for warmth in the carriage to sharing a pillow later; this intimacy had long become a habit.
He could clearly feel the cool fragrance emanating from her hair, and the warmth and weight on her shoulder. This feeling, familiar and reassuring, instantly dispelled the gloom that had been lingering in his heart.
He raised his arm and gently put it around her shoulder, holding her more securely.
The two sat side by side on the rooftop, she leaning against him, silently drinking wine as they gazed at the cold, lonely moon in the sky. After a long while, Zhan Zhao finally spoke in a low voice, his tone slightly hoarse: "Tianyi, I really... didn't."
"I know." Xuan Yuan Tianyi answered without the slightest hesitation. She didn't even look up, but simply snuggled against his shoulder to find a more comfortable position, her voice carrying a confident laziness, "I believe you."
Those three simple words carried immense weight. No further explanation or evidence was needed; her trust was the brightest light in the darkness, instantly illuminating every gloomy corner of his heart.
An indescribable surge of warmth welled up in his heart—gratitude, emotion, and a deeper feeling quietly growing within him. He tightened his arms around her, gently resting his chin on the top of her head, inhaling her unique, cool fragrance.
"Thank you." A thousand words were ultimately reduced to just these two, melting into the cool night breeze.
Xuanyuan Tianyi softly hummed in his arms and then fell silent.
A gentle night breeze blew, and the Milky Way hung low. He remained imprisoned, burdened with infamy, amidst the turbulent undercurrents of the court, his future uncertain. But now, with her nestled in his arms, listening to her steady breathing, and feeling her unconditional trust and warmth, Zhan Zhao suddenly felt that no matter what difficulties he faced, he seemed to have the courage to confront them. He tilted his head slightly, his lips accidentally brushing against her cool hair, and a sense of peace settled in his heart.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
